NASA-supported researchers discovered Incendiamoeba cascadensis, the “fire amoeba,” in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It reproduced in water recorded at 145°F, five degrees above the previous known eukaryote limit, setting a new heat-tolerance record for complex life.
The amoeba also remained partially active at 150.8°F and could recover after up to five minutes at 158°F. NASA said it has ways to protect its DNA, proteins and cell membranes from heat damage.
NASA said astrobiologists study extremophiles such as the fire amoeba to examine how life might survive on other worlds, where conditions can be less hospitable than on Earth.
