Overdesign – Part 2

Last month we began a new series on “Overdesign in Nature.” Overdesign, you may recall, is an engineering term for when something far exceeds industry standards or what the specific application actually requires. For example, man’s mental abilities and fine physical skills far exceed what could be expected to have survival benefit back when these traits evolved in our supposed ape-like ancestors. A number of animals could be listed that also exhibit amazing abilities, functions that display overdesign. But I want to discuss a lowly critter that is a clear problem for the evolution by chance mutation and natural selection scenario. I’m talking about the tardigrade, sometimes called “moss piglets.” Tardigrades are eight-legged, caterpillar-like animals that are about the size of the period that ends this sentence. Their faces are like a vacuum nozzle with two sharp teeth that tear into and suck the juices out of moss and algae. They’ve even been nicknamed “water bears” because of how they walk. Tardigrades are probably the most resilient animals on the planet…even surviving in the vacuum of outer space bombarded by X-rays, or in a dehydrated condition for up to 10 years. Tardigrades can “dry up,” going from 85% water to 3% water and just remain dormant. They are resistant to UV radiation, and can endure temperatures down to -273°C and up to 150°C. They can withstand unbelievably high pressure, 6x greater than what is experienced in the deepest ocean trench! The fact that tardigrades can survive in conditions found nowhere on Earth except in labs certainly qualifies them as “overdesigned.” God had a sense of humor to make such a tiny fellow that defies evolutionary scenarios!

Posted on January 3, 2025 by Dave.