False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the surface of a rock showing a tardigrade,or water bear,Macrobiotus sp.,surrounded by filamentous blue-green algae (Nostoc sp.). The tardigrade is a segmented animal 0.1-1.0mm long. Cylindrical in shape,it has four stumpy legs terminating in large claws. Tardigrades can survive years at a time in a dehydrated "capsule" state & then swell up & return to life when they encounter water. They live in coastal waters,ditches,lakes,& in moss clumps on rocks,walls & roofs. Such environments are subject to drastic temperature changes & desiccation. Magnification: x185 at 6x4.5cm size,x100 at 35mm size |