Tardigrades: Earth’s unlikely beacon of life that can survive a cosmic cataclysm

Microscopic creatures reassure scientists complete eradication of life on the planet is extremely unlikely

Whether it is a supernova or an asteroid impact, should a cosmic calamity strike, it seems there will be at least one form of life left: a tubby, microscopic animal with the appearance of a crumpled hoover bag.

The creatures, known as tardigrades, are staggeringly hardy animals, a millimetre or less in size, with species living in wet conditions that range from mountain tops to chilly ocean waters to moss and lichen on land.