Microfauna
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Microfauna are microscopic animals and organisms that exhibit animal-like qualities and have body sizes that are usually <0.1 mm. Microfauna are represented in the animal kingdom and some other hetero
Scanning electron microscope image of a soybean cyst nematode and its egg
The microbiome of plants includes the phyllosphere and the rhizosphere.
Arachnid (Lorryia formosa)
Rotifera (Habrotrocha rosa), type of rotifer only found in the leaves of Sarracenia purpurea
Tardigrade
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Tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets, are a phylum of eight-legged segmented micro-animals. They were first described by the German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze in 1773, who
Microfauna
…that are usually found in fresh water and water films. They consume a variety of things including bacteria, algae, plant cells and organic material. Tardigrades inhabit a variety of lichens and mosses. They need water in these areas to allow for gas exchange and to prevent them from desiccating. Because of this…
Echiniscus insularis Figure 6
Shed cuticle of female tardigrade, containing eggs, each 50μm across
The 2007 FOTON-M3 mission carrying the BIOPAN astrobiology payload (illustrated) exposed tardigrades to vacuum, solar ultraviolet, or both, showing their ability to survive in the space environment.
The first drawing of a tardigrade, by Johann August Ephraim Goeze, 1773