Batillipes chandrayaani : New Species Of Marine Tardigrade
A new species of marine tardigrade discovered from the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu has been named Batillipes chandrayaani after the Chandrayaan-3.
- Batillipes chandrayaani has been discovered in the intertidal beach sediments at Mandapam in Tamil Nadu.
- It is similar in size to other tardigrades, it grows to a length of 0.15 millimetres and 0.04 millimetres in width.
- It has a trapezoid-shaped head and four pairs of legs with sharp-tipped sensory spines. Both sexes are similar in terms of morphology and size.
- It is also the 39th species described under the genus Batillipes
- Tardigrades are microscopic marvels commonly known as ‘water bears,’
- Marine tardigrades account for 17% of all known tardigrade species.
- They are also found in all the oceans.
