The "hungry hairy ogre" microorganism may represent a brand-new branch on the tree of life.

Rows of flagella make the microbes of sloop look "furry". Simpson laboratory of Dalhousie University, who needs aliens when strange life forms are found in Canada.

Scientists have recently discovered two previously unknown microorganisms in soil samples from Canada. These samples are so rare that researchers have to reorganize the tree of life to make room for them.

These microorganisms, also known as protozoa, belong to a twisted tongue group called semi-Mastigot. The first genetic analysis of these special microorganisms shows that they are even stranger than anyone suspected. [Macrophotography: 50 Small Miracles]

Semi-mastodon was first observed in19th century, and was previously classified as a phylum in a larger group, which was called beyond the boundary. Although it is not clear where they belong, new DNA evidence shows that they are obviously different from all other life forms in that super kingdom. Scientists report in a new study that, in fact, hemiflagellates may represent a brand-new super kingdom and need to establish a brand-new branch on the tree of life. Like other hemiflagellates, it is a monster.

nomenclative

Like other hemiflagellates, the newly discovered hemiflagellates have a rectangular body with rows of linear flagella around it. Under the three-dimensional magnifying glass of scanning electron microscope, these creatures are a bit like furry pumpkin seeds. New microbial species deserve to have their own "superior" creatures. (Simpson Lab, Dalhousie University) "They are a little clumsy running around on the surface. They look like ciliates (another major "hairy" cell group), but the way they swim is not very harmonious.

Eglit told Live Science in an email that she collected these strange creatures while hiking on a path in Nova Scotia. Whenever she and her colleagues are outdoors, they almost always look for undiscovered microorganisms in a series of habitats-"from beaches to lakes to the soil under our feet," Eglit told Live Science.

"Of course, if we see some unusual puddles or salt lakes or other things, we can also take samples." We are such opportunists, "Eglit said.

Nova Scotia is the territory of the Mikmark First Nation, so scientists have given a name to one of the new microorganisms, inspired by a creature in Mikmark folklore. Cooks was described as a "greedy, hairy ogre" by the Mikma people. The newly discovered microorganism, now called semi-Masikkuksjik, is a greedy carnivore. According to research, it reminds scientists of hairy ogres.

Scientists use a technique called single cell transcriptomics to study microorganisms. They observed the activity of messenger RNA(mRNA) molecules when hundreds of genes transmit information.

In the past, the evaluation of hemiflagellates was classified according to the size and shape of their visible structures. By sequencing these genetic information, scientists can classify hemiflagellates with unprecedented accuracy, revealing a pedigree that occupies a unique position in other eukaryotes-organisms with membrane-wrapped nuclei.

"Is a branch of the tree of life, has been separated for a long time, probably more than 654.38+0 billion years. We don't have any information about it yet, saying in a statement:

The findings of this study highlight the importance of explaining the evolution of complex cellular life previously recognized by semi-Maschigotts-from piecing together the origin of cellular infrastructure to solving the relationship between the earliest organisms on earth, the authors of this study report.

This discovery actually redraws a branch of our life tree. Simpson said that this opened a new door for understanding the evolution and ancient origin of complex cells, which can be traced back to before animals and plants appeared on the earth.

This discovery was published in the online edition of Nature in June 165438+ 10/4.

Microbiological Masterpiece: Scientists Create Cool Art from Extreme Life of Bacteria on Earth: 8 Biological Life Code: 10 Decoding Animal Genome, originally published in Life Science magazine.