Tardigrades are one of nature's smallest animals. They are never more than 1.5 mm long, and can only be seen with a microscope. They are commonly known as water bears. There are 900 known species. Most feed by sucking the juices from moss, lichens and algae.
The species name acuticauda is Latin for “sharp tail”. The new animal was found at the coast of Argentina.
Here a little video about these interesting creatures:
For the experts: A new species of marine tardigrade, Batillipes acuticauda sp. n., has been found in midlittoral sand sediments collected at Monte Hermoso beach (Buenos Aires province, Argentina). The new species differs from all other members of Batillipedidae by its combination of caudal apparatus, lateral processes and toe patterns. It is the first description of an arthrotardigrade from Argentina.
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