The Resolved Mystery of Tardigrades

The phylogenetic position of tardigrade is a controversial and uncertain field among scientists. The tiny animals are considered to belong to an independent phylum called “Tardigrada”.Recent phylogenomics studies based on expression sequence tag (EST) and micro RNAs (miRNAs) have confirmed the phylogenetic position of tardigrades as a sister group of the arthropods [1]. Tardigrades are segmented micro animals which can be up-to 1 mm in body length when they are adult. These small animals have a hemocoel type of fluid-filled body cavity, a complete digestive tract, and a lobed dorsal brain. The tiny animals mostly prefer eating moss, algae, and lichens from water [2]. Approximately 900 species have been reported of these animals found throughout the world such as marine environments (cold sea of Antarctica), fresh water and terrestrial environment (desserts, polar desserts, lake basins) [2-4].