• All-female and able to survive 24,000 years on ice: all hail the resilient rotifer

    All-female and able to survive 24,000 years on ice: all hail the resilient rotifer
    Tiny aquatic animal can also withstand desiccation, radiation and extreme heat, and reproduces asexuallyMore amazing nominations for invertebrate of the yearAn animal that has thrived without males for millions of years will be a source of inspiration to many.It will not surprise you to learn that the all-female common rotifer (Philodina roseola) is also as tough as a tardigrade and one of the most resilient life forms on the planet. This tiny animal, just 0.2mm in size, is also a fantastic clea
  • Nature’s secret soundscape: listen with me to the world’s quietest creatures

    Nature’s secret soundscape: listen with me to the world’s quietest creatures
    While humans are more boisterous than ever, other species are talking too – this is what you will hear if you really listenIt’s a spring day in northern Sweden, just 100km (62 miles) below the Arctic Circle. I tuck my sound gear into my backpack, clip into my cross-country skis and glide out on to a frozen lake, looking for a small ice-fishing hole.It’s a quiet day, with no snowmobiles or other skiers about. Conditions are perfect for the fishing I hope to do: not for dinner, b

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