The most neglected critter in the world can no longer be ignored.

Unsatisfied with his current ability to survive extreme temperatures, pressures, and vacuum vacuums, the humble but incompetent Tardigrade seems to have unlocked another amazing superpower: the ability to withstand lethal doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Although we have observed radiation-surviving tardigrades as a result of the ‘damage suppression’ protein disp, this UV resistance trick is the newly identified feather in the tardigrade cap, which works by a different type of biological mechanism.

A New study, Details of the findings of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science Paramacrobiotus sp. BLR, a stress in the genus Paramacrobiotus, From class eutardigrada.

Utardigrades include the largest tardigrades; They are chunky in shape with lateral appendages (bits that look like arms and legs).

The team was isolated Paramacrobiotus BLR from a moss sample growing on a concrete wall in Bengaluru, India, in subsequent experiments, the Tardigrades were subjected to ultraviolet radiation. Disinfectant lamp, Used for sterilization purposes by killing bacteria Viruses.

Under these deadly rays, Paramacrobiotus The BLR literally shone, exhibiting a form of naturally occurring fluorescence Autofluorescence. This is the kind of fluorescence Previously seen in many animalsIncluding parrots, chameleons, and frogs.

“Although the functional significance of this phenomenon is not clear, visual signaling to potential mates has been implicated in parrots,” said Harikumar R., the first author and biochemist. Researchers led by Zuma Explain in their paper.

But Paramacrobiotus Did more BLR than glowing under ultraviolet radiation. Most people endured the rays for up to an hour to deal with the damage from the radiation.

A rival item, Hyposbius pattern – Control the Tardigrades if you wish – and some neighboring worms (thrown into the mixture in good quantities) were not so lucky.

According to the researchers, fluorescence is actually activated Paramacrobiotus BLR to deal with radiation. In another experiment, the team isolated a fluorescent aqueous chemical from it Paramacrobiotus BLR also covered H. Pattern In it.

When pouring the shiny extract, H. Pattern Demonstrated increased endurance over time without wearing sunscreen.

“It provides direct experimental performance of photoprotection using fluorescence.” The authors conclude.

“The fluorescent compound makes a shield against ultraviolet radiation, protecting these tardigrades from its deadly effects, we hypothesize. Paramacrobiotus This fluorescence system has been developed by BLR pressure to withstand the high ultraviolet radiation of tropical South India (UV index can reach up to 10).

Findings reported Biology Letters.