Batillipes chandrayaani

04.05.2024

Batillipes chandrayaani

Why in the  news?                                                                                                                                  

         Recently, a new species of marine tardigrade discovered from the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu has been named Batillipes chandrayaani after the Chandrayaan-3.

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 millimeters and 0.04 millimeters 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.

Key facts about the 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.
• They are found in terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments from the Arctic to the Antarctic, including great depths and altitudes.
• Tardigrades are microscopic, multicellular, and one of the most durable forms of life on planet Earth.
• They are known for extraordinary resilience and survival abilities in extreme environmental conditions.
• They are considered to be one of the toughest organisms on earth, having survived all five mass extinctions, and are also the first known animal to survive in space.

                                                    Source: The Hindu

Batillipes chandrayaani, recently seen in news, is a/an:

A.invasive species

B.salt tolerant plant

C.butterfly

D.marine tardigrade

Answer D