Scientists at Syracuse University have identified a previously unknown amoeba species capable of surviving and reproducing at significantly higher temperatures than any other known complex organism. The discovery was made during fieldwork at Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California, where researchers collected samples from geothermal hot springs using specialized equipment.
The organism, formally named Incendiamoeba cascadensis, can replicate at temperatures reaching 145°F, surpassing the previous temperature record for eukaryotic organisms—those with complex cells containing a nucleus. The amoeba can also continue moving at 147°F and protect itself in water as hot as 158°F. When researchers examined the organism’s genetic material, they confirmed it represented a previously unknown species.
Microbiologist Angela Oliverio compared the significance of this incremental temperature increase to Roger Bannister’s breaking of the four-minute mile, noting that the achievement demonstrates such capabilities are possible for complex life, potentially prompting further discoveries. The team’s genetic analysis revealed that the fire amoeba maintains protein and membrane stability at high temperatures through specific adaptations, a different evolutionary strategy than some other heat-tolerant organisms that streamline their genomes.
The findings have potential applications beyond basic science. Researchers suggest the amoeba’s temperature-resilience mechanisms could inform development of heat-resistant crops and medications stable across wider temperature ranges. Additionally, understanding how complex organisms push environmental boundaries may inform the search for life in extreme conditions elsewhere.
Scientists involved in the research anticipate the discovery will motivate other researchers to search for additional complex organisms with extreme environmental tolerances, potentially uncovering organisms with even greater heat resistance.
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