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First published online November 27, 2009
Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 4033-4039 (2009)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2009
doi: 10.1242/jeb.033266
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Survival and DNA degradation in anhydrobiotic tardigrades

L. Rebecchi1,*, M. Cesari1, T. Altiero1, A. Frigieri1 and R. Guidetti2

1 Department of Animal Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
2 Department of the Museum of Palaeobiology and Botanical Garden, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

* Author for correspondence (lorena.rebecchi{at}unimore.it)

Accepted 10 September 2009

Anhydrobiosis is a highly stable state of suspended animation in an organism due to its desiccation, which is followed by recovery after rehydration. Changes occurring during drying could damage molecules, including DNA. Using the anhydrobiotic tardigrade Paramacrobiotus richtersi as a model organism, we have evaluated the effects of environmental factors, such as temperature and air humidity level (RH), on the survival of desiccated animals and on the degradation of their DNA. Tardigrades naturally desiccated in leaf litter and tardigrades experimentally desiccated on blotting paper were considered. Replicates were kept at 37°C and at different levels of RH for 21 days. RH values and temperature, as well as time of exposure to these environmental factors, have a negative effect on tardigrade survival and on the time required by animals to recover active life after desiccation. DNA damages (revealed as single strand breaks) occurred only in desiccated tardigrades kept for a long time at high RH values. These results indicate that during the anhydrobiotic state, damages take place and accumulate with time. Two hypotheses can be formulated to explain the results: (i) oxidative damages occur in desiccated specimens of P. richtersi, and (ii) high temperatures and high RH values change the state of the disaccharide trehalose, reducing its protective role.

Key words: Tardigrada, Paramacrobiotus richtersi, desiccation, humidity, temperature, survival, DNA damage, oxidation


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