Batillipes Chandrayaani
03-05-2024
1 min read
Overview:
A new species of marine tardigrade discovered from the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu has been named Batillipes chandrayaani after the Chandrayaan-3 moon mission by researchers at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat).
About Batillipes Chandrayaani
- It has been discovered in the intertidal beach sediments at Mandapam in Tamil Nadu.
- Features
- It is similar in size to other tardigrades, it grows to a length of 0.15 millimetres and 0.04 millimetres in width.
- It has a trapezoid-shaped head and four pairs of legs with sharp-tipped sensory spines. Both sexes are similar in terms of morphology and size.
- It is also the 39th species described under the genus Batillipes.
What are Tardigrades?
- These are microscopic marvels commonly known as ‘water bears,’
- Marine tardigrades account for 17% of all known tardigrade species. They are also found in all the oceans.
- Despite their tiny physiques, these micro-metazoans easily rank among the hardiest animals, enduring mass extinctions and are highly regarded for their survival skills.
Q1: What is Phylum?
A phylum is a taxonomic ranking that consists of organisms that share a unique set of characteristics.
Source: New tardigrade species named after Chandrayaan-3 mission
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