Reviving a 46,000-year-old worm from Siberian permafrost
A microscopic worm, Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, has been revived after being frozen in permafrost for 46,000 years. The worm, found in a gopher hole in Siberia, entered a state of suspended animation and remained frozen until it was discovered. After being thawed, the worm ate bacteria, reproduced, and died, leaving behind generations of descendants for study. This novel species of roundworm has set a new record for the longest period of suspended animation. The findings could have significant implications for understanding evolutionary processes and the long-term survival of species.