Tardigrades, classified in the phylum Tardigrada, are small, semi-terrestrial animals that have been discovered worldwide, inhabiting some of the most unstable ecosystems. Common semi-terrestrial environments that tardigrades can be found in are soil and moss cushions that can hold water necessary for tardigrade activity. Even though these aquatic animals can be found in many types of environments, they all have similar internal structures: three malpighian tube-like organs that are believed to be involved in osmoregulation, the process of maintaining a constant osmotic pressure in the cellular fluids by controlling the water and salt concentrations. In order to adapt and survive environmental changes, tardigrades enter a phase called cryptobiosis. In this state, metabolic activity is reduced to an undetectable level. This state has been broken down into four subcategories based on the stressor, one of them being osmobiosis caused by osmotic changes in the aquatic environment. Osmobiosis is the least researched type of cryptobiosis and it is unknown how universal this phenomena really is among tardigrade species. The eutardigrade <i>Hypsibius exemplaris</i>, formally known as <i>dujardini</i>, was selected to be used in this investigation of tardigrade response to osmotic stress. Each colony of tardigrades was introduced to one of three solutions (sodium chloride, cupric chloride, and sucrose) at various osmolalities. The colonies were observed using optical microscopy and lipid quantification to determine the effects of the osmotic stress on metabolism and morphology.

Investigating tardigrade metabolic and morphological reactions to osmotic stresses

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.