Scientists discover 16-million-year old tardigrade fossil from tree amber

In a startling discovery, fossil of a 16-million-years old water bear also kwn as a tardigrade has been found trapped inside a chunk of Dominican amber. organism’s finding has been unveiled months after researchers from New Jersey Institute of Techlogy and Harvard University first started studying it. A report by Gizmodo suggested that  fossil, named Paradoryphoribius chrocaribbeus, was found at La Cumbre, an area kwn for its ample amber deposits, in Dominican Republic.

What are tardigrades?

Also kwn as water bears and moss piglets, tardigrades are tiny organisms kwn for ir remarkable durability. ir toughness allows m to endure extreme dehydration, harsh cold temperatures, and even damaging radiations. To those who still didn’t get a proper idea about ir toughness, tardigrades can even survive a cann attack. Besides, y are most miniature kwn animals with legs and can walk like creatures over 5,00,000 times ir size, as per Gizmodo. Experts believe se organisms emerged some 500 million years ago and have survived at least five mass extinctions, including one that wiped out disaurs. re’s a reason why y are considered toughest creature on Earth. 

16-million-year-old finding 

Findings of fossilised tardigrade came to light after months of observation, experts say. organism was trapped millions of years ago inside amber, a fossilised tree resin that also captured fragments from a flower, three ants, and a beetle. Published in science journal Proceedings of Royal Society B, study’s senior author Phil Barden called discovery a “once in a generation”. Interestingly, this fossil of tardigrade is first discovered one from just when post-disaur era began 66 million years ago, also called Cezoic, ongoing era. Besides, it is third fossil discovery of se vertebrates in total. 

Scientists say that y have ir hands on best looking fossil yet and could see its characteristics in detail, including internal structures, mouthparts, and needle-like claws. As per lead author of study, Marc Mapalo, this new study will help m explore evolutionary changes tardigrades experienced over millions of years, Gizmodo reported.

Im: Twitter/@EmmanuelNaouri