A new, simplified, drying protocol to prepare tardigrades for scanning electron microscopy

A new protocol for preparation of tardigrades for scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis is proposed. The more conventional protocols require various steps and a long time to obtain good drying of water bears, together with specific and uncommon instruments (i.e., critical point dryer) or highly volatile toxic compounds (i.e., hexametildisilazane). The new protocol can be performed using few and simple instruments and materials, all easily accessible, and produces a high yield in terms of dried animals in excellent condition for the observation of external morphological structures with SEM. The acquired data exhibit considerable promise, and the proposed methodology shows potential for application to other meiofaunal groups, including small arthropods, nematodes, and rotifers.Research Highlights center dot Cheap, safe, and fast new method for Tardigrada preparation for SEM.center dot With the new protocol, the number of animals required for SEM studies is minimized.center dot New protocol is potentially applicable to the study of other meiofaunal soft-bodied taxa.

Automated summary

A new and efficient protocol for SEM analysis of tardigrades is proposed, which requires minimal instruments and materials and produces high quality dried animals. The method has potential applications in studying other meiofaunal groups as well.