Futurity · Climate & nature

Record-Breaking 'Fire Amoeba' Discovered

Biologists have identified a novel amoeba capable of thriving at temperatures up to 63°C (145°F), challenging previous assumptions about the thermal limits of complex cells.

This discovery, made in California's Lassen Volcanic National Park, pushes the known temperature boundary for eukaryotic life, previously thought to be around 60°C (140°F). The organism, named Incendiamoeba cascadensis, was found in a geothermal spring tributary.

Researchers collected samples from high-temperature geothermal sites, employing safety precautions due to the extreme conditions. The amoebae were observed to grow and divide at 63°C, and form dormant cysts at 70°C.

The existence of this heat-tolerant eukaryote expands the understanding of biological possibilities and suggests that more such organisms may exist in extreme environments on Earth and potentially beyond.

This finding has implications for astrobiology, aiding the search for extraterrestrial life by broadening the potential temperature ranges for habitability.

Beyond astrobiology, the adaptations of Incendiamoeba cascadensis could offer insights for biotechnology, potentially leading to the development of thermostable enzymes and biomaterials.

Further research is exploring similar heat-loving microbes in unexpected, human-made environments, indicating that extreme life is not confined to natural hot springs or deep-sea vents.

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