From a fly that twerks to a microscopic all-female rotifer who has got along very well without males for millions of years, we have shortlisted 10 of our favourite invertebrates – animals without spines – after readers nominated thousands of these amazing creatures for our annual contest. The Guardian’s invertebrate of the year competition celebrates the unsung heroes of the planet, which make up the vast majority of life on Earth, but often don’t get the attention lavished on cute pets or apex

✨ Rotifers ✨ Microscopic “wheel-bearers” with about 2,000 known species, are transparent animals that feed on bacteria, fungi, and other microbes using their ciliated corona. 🦠🌱 They can survive low-oxygen conditions by slowing their metabolism and even regulate internal pH to endure acidic or alkaline soils. 💧⚖️ When large populations are spotted under the microscope, it often signals reduced oxygen levels—not great for plant roots—making rotifers powerful bioindicators of soil health. 🌍 40

The name "Rotifer" is derived from the Latin word rota “wheel” and -fer “bearing”, meaning "wheel-bearer". Most rotifers are around 0.1–0.5 mm long and are common in freshwater environments throughout the world, with a few saltwater species. #MicroscopicMonday 🧫🔬#EarthMonth | Science Channel