Habitat

Geographically, H. dujardini is distributed globally, though specifically they call moss and lichen or freshwater habitats home. However tardigrades as a whole are not limited to those conditions. They can be found in marine and brackish water, freshwater, or limnoterrestrial (dry and aquatic conditions) environments. To live terrestrially, these animals are usually in a moist environment where refuge such as moss, lichen, liverworts, etc. are prevalent since there’s less likelihood of dehydration (Shaw 2011). Most tardigrades are terrestrial, where they’re inactive unless covered by the vital film of water.

Cousins of H. dujardini, the H. klebelberg, H. janetscheki, and H. thaleri have been found in cryoconite holes, which are holes in glaciers derived from heat being absorbed where dark dust has accumulated. Additionally, species of tardigrade were also found in sediment layers (Thorp et. al 2010). Given all these incredible examples, it can be concluded that their niche is not limited to a single habitat in regards to climate for the phyla, something that not many other organisms can claim.

As a whole, for a good tardigrade habitat, they require: a sufficient air flow source so that oxygen won’t be lacking within their water film, alternate wet and dry conditions, and enough food to keep them active--they eat 43% of their body mass daily! (Thorp et. al 2010). Granted, these conditions are near universal in the animal kingdom, but not usually in such a general context, for the tardigrades are truly ubiquitous.

                                                     

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