Progress in research on water bears presented at the 15th International Symposium on Tardigrada (Kraków, 22nd–26th of August 2022).

The 15th International Symposium on Tardigrada, held in Kraków, Poland, brought together researchers from around the world to discuss various topics related to tardigrades. The symposium featured lectures, poster presentations, and a taxonomic roundtable, providing a platform for researchers to share their findings and engage in discussions about the future of tardigrade research. The main point of contention among researchers is the use of DNA analysis in studying tardigrades, with some arguing for the need to switch to integrative taxonomy and others believing that both approaches are valid. The symposium also recognized outstanding young scientists and included the presentation of a bell and distribution of tardigrade-themed souvenirs. The proceedings of the symposium cover a wide range of topics, including DNA analysis, taxonomy, ecology, morphology, and physiology, providing valuable insights into the biology and ecology of tardigrades and highlighting the need for further research in this field. [Extracted from the article]