All-female and able to survive 24,000 years on ice: all hail the resilient rotifer
Tiny aquatic animal can also withstand desiccation, radiation and extreme heat, and reproduces asexually
An animal that has thrived without males for millions of years will be a source of inspiration to many.
It will not surprise you to learn that the all-female common rotifer (Philodina roseola) is also as tough as a tardigrade and one of the most resilient life forms on the planet. This tiny animal, just 0.2mm in size, is also a fantastic cleaner.
Between 24 March and 2 April, we will be profiling a shortlist of 10 of the invertebrates chosen by readers and selected by our wildlife writers from more than 2,500 nominations. The voting for our 2025 invertebrate of the year will run from midday on Wednesday 2 April until midday on Friday 4 April, and the winner will be announced on Monday 7 April.
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