Nine new tardigrade species discovered with help from Danish schoolchildren

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAMTardigrades, also known as water bears, are small, resilient creatures that have fascinated scientists for decades. These tiny organisms can survive extreme conditions—freezing, high radiation, and even the vacuum of space. While tardigrades may not grab headlines like other animals, their ability to endure such harsh environments makes them crucial to understanding everything from space exploration to biotechnology.

Now, thanks to the efforts of nearly 30,000 schoolchildren in Denmark, the scientific community has made a remarkable discovery: nine new species of tardigrades.A citizen science endeavor: Denmark’s massive tardigrade searchIn a project called Mass Experiment, hundreds of Danish schoolchildren took part in a large-scale citizen science project to study tardigrades in their natural habitats. Armed with basic instructions, the students ventured into parks, forests, and even cemeteries to collect samples of moss and lichen—environments known to harbor these microscopic creatures.



The project, led by the Danish National Center for Science Education (Astra), was a collaboration between schoolchildren, scientists, and the Natural History Museum of Denmark. Children ranging from ages seven to 16 worked alongside researchers, collecting over 8,000 samples from across the country. This citizen science effort was a monumental task, not only because of the sheer volume of samples collected but also because it gave researchers access to a wide variety of habitats.

The most significant discovery in this research came from examining these diverse samples. “It would simply take me weeks, if not months, to get to all these islands and islets,” said Piotr Gąsiorek, a tardigradologist at the Jagiellonian University in Poland and lead author of the study. The young participants’ work nearly quadrupled the number of tardigrade species known in Denmark, revealing new insights into the creatures’ biodiversity.

Unveiling the secret world of tardigradesThough tardigrades are typically no larger than one millimeter in length, they possess extraordinary qualities that have captivated researchers for years. These creatures can survive freezing temperatures, extreme heat, and even radiation levels that would be lethal to most other life forms. Their remarkable ability to endure dry spells, thanks to specialized proteins that protect their cells, is another trait that has earned them their place in scientific research.

These resilient creatures have attracted the attention of biotechnologists who are exploring their potential to help develop dry vaccines, which could be a game-changer for regions with limited refrigeration. Additionally, by studying tardigrades’ survival mechanisms, researchers hope to unlock secrets that could slow the aging process, advance space exploration, and assess environmental health in response to human-induced changes.However, as scientists have noted, much about tardigrades remains a mystery, particularly when it comes to their biodiversity.

Before the development of advanced DNA analysis methods, cataloging such tiny creatures was a near-impossible task. But now, thanks to modern technology, scientists can distinguish between similar species, study their geographical distributions, and gain a clearer picture of tardigrade populations worldwide.A key discovery: nine new tardigrade speciesOnce the schoolchildren’s samples arrived at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, Gąsiorek and his team sifted through them, discarding low-quality samples and common species.

Out of the nearly 700 high-quality samples, the researchers identified 55 tardigrade species. While 14 of these were already known in Denmark, nine were completely new to science.One of the exciting aspects of this discovery was that the researchers were able to identify male representatives of multiple species—something that is rare for land-dwelling tardigrades, which are often female and reproduce asexually.

Gąsiorek emphasized the impact of this knowledge, noting that male tardigrades are often challenging to find in natural populations.In addition to the new species, the researchers uncovered information about the habitats where tardigrades thrive. Gąsiorek explained that they now have samples connecting tardigrade species with the moss and lichen species where they were found.

This insight will allow scientists to better understand which types of mosses and lichens are favored by tardigrades and help researchers determine how these species co-evolved.Empowering young scientists and future explorationsWhile the discovery of nine new species was impressive, what really caught the attention of many experts was the innovative approach used in this study. Tardigrade biodiversity is so understudied that “it’s not so hard to find new species,” explained Roberto Guidetti, a zoologist at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.

However, he also praised the citizen science model for its speed and efficiency, which allowed the team to collect a vast amount of data in a short period of time.Beyond the scientific discoveries, the Mass Experiment has sparked an interest in science among young participants. According to Lene Christensen, the project’s coordinator, over 60 percent of the students involved are now more interested in science than before the study.

“They were out in nature doing the real stuff,” she said, emphasizing that the hands-on approach made science feel more tangible and exciting.As part of an ongoing effort to inspire the next generation of scientists, Guidetti and his team are conducting similar experiments in Italy, where schoolchildren will also be able to name any newly discovered species. This collaboration aims to instill a love for these fascinating organisms and encourage future research into the unknown aspects of tardigrade biology.

Tardigrades in the spotlightThis discovery has opened a new chapter in the study of tardigrades, showcasing their diverse species and highlighting the importance of understanding their ecology. With new techniques allowing for more precise DNA analysis, the future of tardigrade research looks promising. As scientists continue to explore their habitats, behavior, and survival strategies, we may unlock even more secrets about these tiny but extraordinary creatures.

The success of the Mass Experiment shows how collaboration between scientists and the public—especially young, eager minds—can lead to exciting discoveries. Guidetti laments the fact that the field lost many specialists to retirement but expresses hope for the future, stating: “The new generation is coming.” Thanks to projects like this, the future of tardigrade research is bright, with new discoveries waiting just beneath our feet.

Source study: Frontiers in Zoology—Massive citizen science sampling and integrated taxonomic approach unravel Danish cryptogram-dwelling tardigrade faunaThe post Nine new tardigrade species discovered with help from Danish schoolchildren first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News..