JOURNAL ARTICLE

How temperature affects the body size of terrestrial tardigrades.

  • Published In: Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2024, v. 200, n. 1. P. 144 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Kaczmarek, Łukasz; Fontaneto, Diego; Nelson, Diane R; Budka, Anna; Łacka, Agnieszka; Bartylak, Tomasz; Rzymski, Piotr 3 of 3

Abstract

This article investigates the relationship between body size and environmental temperature in terrestrial tardigrades (microscopic invertebrates known as water bears) across global habitats. Analyzing data from 756 species using phylogenetic generalized least squares regression, the study finds that tardigrade body size generally decreases as environmental temperature increases, consistent with the temperature–size rule. This pattern holds across most genera and in both hemispheres, although exceptions exist in a few genera with limited temperature range data. The research provides the first broad biogeographical evidence that terrestrial tardigrades conform to the temperature–size rule, highlighting the need for further studies to explore underlying mechanisms and potential confounding factors.

Additional Information

  • Source:Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2024/01, Vol. 200, Issue 1, p144
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Zoology
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0024-4082
  • DOI:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad098
  • Accession Number:174559769
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