Organisms

Tardigrada

A phylum of microscopic ecdysozoan invertebrates, closely related to ARTHROPODS. Members exhibit anabiosis and cryptobiosis, dormant states where metabolic activity is reduced or absent, thus making them tolerant to extreme environmental conditions. They are distributed worldwide and most are semi-aquatic.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A phylum of microscopic ecdysozoan invertebrates, closely related to ARTHROPODS. Members exhibit anabiosis and cryptobiosis, dormant states where metabolic activity is reduced or absent, thus making them tolerant to extreme environmental conditions. They are distributed worldwide and most are semi-aquatic.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

11 entry terms
  • Tartigrades
  • Water Bears
  • Tartigrade
  • Water Bear
  • Eutardigrada
  • Hypsibiidae
  • Hypsibiinae
  • Hypsibius
  • Hypsibius dujardini
  • Hypsibius exemplaris
  • Eutardigradas

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

19 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings anatomy & histology, chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathogenicity, physiology, radiation effects, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2011

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Arthropods (1967-1996)
  • Invertebrates (1973-2010)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. B01w.050w.500w.901w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Tardigrada. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D058467. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D058467
  2. Tardigrada. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tardigrade
  3. Tardigrada. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5194