News flash. Tardigrade revived after 30 years!
Scientists have reported that they were able to “revive” a tardigrade after it had remained frozen for more than 30 years. The research is described in the journal Cryobiology.
In this research, the scientists described how two frozen tardigrades, Acutuncus antarcticus, and an egg were found on a moss sample from Showa Station in Antarctica in November 1983. The tardigrades were then stored at a laboratory in Japan at a temperature of -20°C (-4°F).
While in their frozen state their metabolic activities shut down, placing them in a state called cryptobiosis, showing no visible signs of life. So in March 2014, the scientists thawed one out to see if it would “return to life.” Amazingly, after 13 days, its bodily functions were almost back to normal, and was able to eat algal food. Later, it even laid 19 eggs – 14 of which hatched.
In their paper, the researchers note that this is the “longest recorded cryptobiotic duration of survival for tardigrades as animals or eggs.” However, they note limitations, such as it being unknown how much moisture the moss initially contained. That's important, because dehydration would also have an impact on the organism.