What are Bdelloids?

Present in freshwater habitats, Bdelloids fall under the class of the phylum Rotifera. They are tiny microscopic organisms and often challenging to identify by the naked eye. Often called “ancient asexuals”, the main characteristics that make bdelloids unique from other from related groups are the fact that they have parthenogenetic reproduction with the ability to withstand dry, harsh environments through a process known as anhydrobiosis--a state of desiccation-induced dormancy. The hold unique behaviors placed into four categories: feeding, locomotion, reproduction as well as stress-induced behaviors.

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