This study established that anhydrobiosis is a heritable trait in these species and that genetic variation for anhydrobiotic capacity exists both within and among the species investigated.  The results of this experiment indicate that the suite of traits that mediate the phenotype of anhydrobiosis in these nematodes contains a genetic component that is independent of environmental factors.  Differences in anhydrobiotic survival have also been demonstrated between Plectus spp.  and Acrobeles spp..  These preliminary results indicate that Plectus spp. from the MCM is more tolerant of severe desiccation regimes than Acrobeles spp., and will correspondingly delay response to desiccation and freezing factors.  Plectus spp. exhibits a higher survival rate than Acrobeles spp. under identical experimental desiccation conditions.  Results  reveal common strategies by both species to combat desiccation stress, including the production of disaccharides, specifically trehalose.  Preliminary data show that the amount of these protective compounds can differ based on the species of nematode.  Together, these results suggest that nematodes that utilize anhydrobiosis as a survival strategy to overcome desiccating environmental conditions do so by employing a similar molecular cascade, but the relative anhydrobiotic capacity of these species relates to adaptation to their local environment.