The 2025 invertebrate of the year
After my last emails (& soon to be followed by other challenging ones, alas), I needed a change of pace so wanted to share this article from the Guardian. Not only does it highlight an amazing critter that can survive in space without a space suit, but looks like an 8-legged teddy bear with a big snout. It’s a tardigrade (AKA water bear or moss pig), the sort of critter that only invertebrate nerds like me know about but most people who learn about them become smitten by them.
There are around 1,500 species of these critters that can live at the extremes: deep sea, mountain tops, Antarctica, tropical rainforests, or amongst the moss in your back yard. They have been around for roughly 500 million years and are usually only about 1/2 millimeter (0.02 inches) in size. So, when someone tells you that we’re killing the planet, rest assured that tardigrades (as well as cockroaches, spiders, and worms) will still be around after the 6th mass extinction. And, who knows into what niches in the new ecosystems they may evolve. I’m sure other biology nerds would love to study them.
So take a moment to marvel at the complexity of life then redouble your efforts to work for a livable planet for next generations of all life forms, humans included! And let me know if you have a favorite invert!
Cheers, Bill
