Scientists have discovered a new single-celled organism, Incendiamoeba cascadensis, or “fire amoeba of the Cascade mountain range,” which can thrive at temperatures up to 145°F, setting a new record for complex organisms. This discovery was made by researchers at Syracuse University, who study extremophiles—organisms that live in extreme conditions. While bacteria and Archaea are known to survive at even higher temperatures, this is a significant finding for eukaryotes, which have more complex cell structures. The research, published in the journal Cell, highlights the potential for discovering more such organisms and expanding our understanding of life’s limits. The discovery was made in Lassen Volcanic National Park, a remote and beautiful area in northern California. This finding is likened to breaking the 4-minute mile in running, showing that what was once thought impossible is achievable.
QUESTION: How might discovering organisms like the fire amoeba change our understanding of life on Earth and beyond?
This ‘fire amoeba’ pushes the limit of what’s possible for complex life
