Tardigrades' Secret to Avoiding Microplastic Ingestion

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Plastic-proof

Tardigrades read last week’s issue and added to their long list of impressive features. Of 5,600+ tested meiofauna, water bears are the only ones that do NOT ingest microplastics.

• Tardigrades = micro-animals that survive in extreme environments

• Meiofauna = tiny marine invertebrates

• Microplastics still stuck to tardigrade bodies

Researchers believe tardigrades’ unique feeding structure allows them to avoid accidental consumption by piercing prey rather than ingesting it whole. Time to start eating with toothpicks!

Water bears only use paper bags

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