Antarctic expedition yields remains of tiny, ancient 'water bears'

Scientists surprised by haul of crustaceans and tardigrades in undisturbed subglacial lake

Scientists have found the remains of tiny, ancient animals in an Antarctic lake that has lain undisturbed for thousands of years beneath a kilometre-thick slab of ice.

The surprise haul of dead crustaceans and tardigrades, also known as "water bears" or "moss piglets", was made by US researchers on a rare mission to drill into the Mercer subglacial lake which lies nearly 400 miles from the south pole.