Light micrograph (Rheinberg illumination) of the tardigrade,or water bear,Macrobiotus sp,a small segmented animal (between 0. 1mm & 1. 0mm). The body is cylindrical with four stumpy legs terminating in large claws. The claws enable the tardigrade (slow walkers) to move slowly. The body covering,or cuticle,is not chitin,but rather a water-permeable protein compound capable of swelling. Water bears live in coastal waters,ditches,lakes & in moss clumps on rocks,walls & roofs. Such environments are subject to temperature changes and desiccation. In response the tardigrade contracts its body into a resistant form called a barrel. Mag: X 80 at 35mm size |