Tardigrade remains from lake sediments

Cromer, Louise; Gibson, John A.E.; McInnes, Sandra J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3403-9379; Agius, Janelle T.. 2008 Tardigrade remains from lake sediments. Journal of Paleolimnology, 39 (1). 143-150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-007-9102-5

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Abstract/Summary

Remains of tardigrades have rarely been reported to preserve in sediments, resulting in the absence of important ecological and biogeographic information that they could provide. However, a study of faunal microfossils in Antarctic lake sediment cores has shown that tardigrade eggs and occasionally exuvia can be abundant. Eggs from at least five tardigrade species were identified in sediment cores from six lakes from across the continent, with abundances up to 6,000 (g(-1) dry wt.). It is likely that the cold temperatures and absence of benthic grazers in Antarctic lakes results in particularly good preservation conditions, though it may also be a function of population density. The conservation of tardigrade eggs and exuvia in lake sediments enables a better understanding of paleodistributions and effects of environmental changes for this phylum that cannot otherwise be obtained.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-007-9102-5
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > Biodiversity, Functions, Limits and Adaptation from Molecules to Ecosystems
ISSN:	0921-2728
Additional Keywords:	Tardigrada; Antarctica; freshwater lake; biogeography; sediment core; tardigrade eggs; exuvia
NORA Subject Terms:	Biology and Microbiology Ecology and Environment Earth Sciences
Date made live:	12 Jan 2011 16:56 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/11439

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