Scheda di dettaglio – i prodotti della ricerca
| Dato | Valore |
|---|---|
| Title | Long-Term Survival of Microscopic Animals Under Desiccation Is Not So Long |
| Abstract | More frequent events of drought are predicted to happen in the future, but our ability to predict the effect on the biota may be limited by our partial understanding of extremophiles. Among the few animals that are able to survive in the absence of water for long periods of time are rotifers, tardigrades, and nematodes. Here, we take advantage of lichen collections stored dry at ambient temperature and humidity for years in museums, and through statistical modeling we demonstrate that the survival rates over time do not differ among animal groups but are strongly influenced by the type of substrate (the different lichen species). Our results suggest that desiccated organisms are prone to irreversible damage to biological structures, independently of the different biochemical processes involved in desiccation tolerance by different animals. The influence of the environment overcomes any taxon-specific response to survive extreme droughts. The predicted ability to survive for up to 10 years while desiccated enables these organisms to achieve potential global distributions, endurance against parasites, and even survival when exposed to outer space. |
| Source | Astrobiology (Larchmt. N.Y.) 12 (9), pp. 863–869 |
| Keywords | AnhydrobiosisDormancyNematodaRotiferaTardigrada |
| Journal | Astrobiology (Larchmt. N.Y.) |
| Editor | Mary Ann Liebert,, Larchmont, N.Y., Stati Uniti d'America |
| Year | 2012 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1089/ast.2012.0828 |
| Authors | Diego Fontaneto; Nils Bunnefeld; Martin Westberg |
| Text | 281575 2012 10.1089/ast.2012.0828 ISI Web of Science WOS 000309055200006 Anhydrobiosis Dormancy Nematoda Rotifera Tardigrada Long Term Survival of Microscopic Animals Under Desiccation Is Not So Long Diego Fontaneto; Nils Bunnefeld; Martin Westberg Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche CNR ; Imperial College London; Swedish Museum Nat Hist More frequent events of drought are predicted to happen in the future, but our ability to predict the effect on the biota may be limited by our partial understanding of extremophiles. Among the few animals that are able to survive in the absence of water for long periods of time are rotifers, tardigrades, and nematodes. Here, we take advantage of lichen collections stored dry at ambient temperature and humidity for years in museums, and through statistical modeling we demonstrate that the survival rates over time do not differ among animal groups but are strongly influenced by the type of substrate the different lichen species . Our results suggest that desiccated organisms are prone to irreversible damage to biological structures, independently of the different biochemical processes involved in desiccation tolerance by different animals. The influence of the environment overcomes any taxon specific response to survive extreme droughts. The predicted ability to survive for up to 10 years while desiccated enables these organisms to achieve potential global distributions, endurance against parasites, and even survival when exposed to outer space. 12 Published version Articolo 2012_Astrobiology_12_9_863_869.pdf Articolo in rivista Mary Ann Liebert, 1531 1074 Astrobiology Larchmt. N.Y. Astrobiology Larchmt. N.Y. Astrobiology Larchmt. N.Y. Astrobiology. Larchmt. N.Y. diego.fontaneto FONTANETO DIEGO TA.P04.016.004 Ecologia teorica e applicata degli ecosistemi acquatici |