The last survivors on Earth may well be the tardigrade

[Kemarit]

The last survivors on Earth may well be the tardigrade

The world's most indestructible species, the tardigrade, an eight-legged micro-animal, also known as the water bear, will survive until the Sun dies, according to a new Oxford University collaboration.

The new study published in Scientific Reports, has shown that the tiny creatures, will survive the risk of extinction from all astrophysical catastrophes, and be around for at least 10 billion years -- far longer than the human race.

Although much attention has been given to the cataclysmic impact that an astrophysical event would have on human life, very little has been published around what it would take to kill the tardigrade, and wipe out life on this planet.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170714071459.htm

Damn. You would have thought that we have this kind of species, totally indestructible species. Interesting facts.

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[Sithara007]

They are talking about a scenario which is going to happen after some 10 billion years. But do you think that life is going to survive on earth for that long? I don't think so. A nuclear war can happen at any point of time in the future, and it can wipe out life from this planet.

[Mometaskers]

I know water bears are hardy, pretty much every science channel I saw on Youtube has dedicated at least one episode but this... wasn't expecting them to be THAT hardy.

I know, they probably still would survive a direct impact but yeah, it seems they are hardy enough to deal with the aftermath.

I'm curious though if they would survive a run away greenhouse effect. If Earth starts transitioning into something similar to Venus, I wonder until when would tardigrades finally say "F**k it, just let me die now!".

[Love!]

I think we can safely file this information under the "Never need to know" category.

While it's neat information, it has little bearing on current reality.

[mk4]

I've read a short article about them years ago. Very interesting microscopic creatures. They look kinda badass too!

Pretty much if something catastrophic happens in the future they won't be the only living thing that survives. Pretty sure some "species" or kinds of bacteria will survive as well. Completely depending on what kind of catastrophe would happen though.

They are talking about a scenario which is going to happen after some 10 billion years. But do you think that life is going to survive on earth for that long? I don't think so. A nuclear war can happen at any point of time in the future, and it can wipe out life from this planet.

A nuclear war can't 100% wipe life on earth. Don't forget plants, bacteria, and other microscopic creatures.

[joebrook]

It should be widely known by now that the world is going to end by a Nuclear war and scientist say that only cockroaches will be able to survive a nuclear holocaust,

[merchantofzeny]

I think we can safely file this information under the "Never need to know" category.

While it's neat information, it has little bearing on current reality.

I beg to disagree. We've learned a lot by study nature. By showing an interest in tardigrades we are acknowledging its value. It's its hardiness that interest researchers, maybe someday it can be adapted to allow humans to hibernate for extended periods without much physical degradation - a must for extended space travel.

[PainKiller71]

What? So cockroach don't have any chances? I thought they were be last with other microorganisms

[Boys27]

I have also read that tardigrete species, can survive in extreme conditions, but if there is doomsday maybe everything will perish including earth

[darkangel11]

I've read a short article about them years ago. Very interesting microscopic creatures. They look kinda badass too!

Pretty much if something catastrophic happens in the future they won't be the only living thing that survives. Pretty sure some "species" or kinds of bacteria will survive as well. Completely depending on what kind of catastrophe would happen though.

They are talking about a scenario which is going to happen after some 10 billion years. But do you think that life is going to survive on earth for that long? I don't think so. A nuclear war can happen at any point of time in the future, and it can wipe out life from this planet.

A nuclear war can't 100% wipe life on earth. Don't forget plants, bacteria, and other microscopic creatures.

Even rats and cockroaches are quite resistant to radiation and can live off contaminated soil.

Looking at it I can't be more happy that they're so tiny. Imagine if it were the size of a dog... or worse.

[mostkey]

I have also read that tardigrete species, can survive in extreme conditions, but if there is doomsday maybe everything will perish including earth

No one can survive if the apocalypse occurs, because the doomsday will destroy the earth and all its inhabitants, the earth will be destroyed. The volcano erupts, the tsunami where, the ground will crack and the sky will collapse. Who can survive? His answer is "nobody"!

[Holliday]

This thread is worthless without pics!

[Rigorous]

It's sooooo cuuuute

[Sithara007]

A nuclear war can't 100% wipe life on earth. Don't forget plants, bacteria, and other microscopic creatures.

I am not sure about it. The long-term effects of radiation fallout will be very fatal and can last for many thousands of years. Also, remember that the most resistant living beings such as cockroaches can only survive radiation up to a certain limit.