Abstract
AbstractThis research shows that small animals, tardigrades (Milnesium tardigradum) in tun (dehydrated) state and Artemia salina cists (dried eggs) can tolerate the very high hydrostatic pressure of 7.5 GPa. It was really surprising that living organisms can survive after exposure to such a high pressure. We extended these studies to the extremely high pressure of 20 GPa by using a Kawai-type octahedral anvil press. After exposure to this pressure for 30 min, the tardigrades were soaked in pure water and investigated under a microscope. Their bodies regained metabolic state and no serious injury could be seen. But they were not alive. A few of Artemia eggs went part of the way to hatching after soaked in sea water, but they never grew any further. Comparing with the case of blue-green alga, these animals are weaker under ultra-high pressure.
Highlights
A terrestrial tardigrade, Milnesium tardigradum, belongs to Tardigrada which appeared on earth in Cambrian period, is a small animal about 0.6 mm in length
The effect of high pressure on Artemia was investigated under a microscope by comparing the image of the control group which has not been exposed to high pressure
It was shown from the present study that tardigrade tuns and Artemia cysts could not survive after exposure to the ultra-high pressure of 20 GPa for 30 min
Summary
A terrestrial tardigrade, Milnesium tardigradum, belongs to Tardigrada which appeared on earth in Cambrian period, is a small animal about 0.6 mm in length. Fumihisa Ono has been engaged in research study on Physical properties of materials under high pressure. One day, he thought of putting small animals in the high-pressure cell which he has been using, and consulted a biologist. A big question arose what mechanism made the living creatures so strong against high pressure To solve this question discussion has been made among Okayama, Rome and Montpellier groups. The pressure has been extended to 20 GPa by joining Misasa group
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