Biologists exploring the boiling geothermal hot springs of California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park have discovered a microscopic amoeba species that completely redefines thermal tolerance for complex life. The single-celled organism, named Incendiamoeba cascadensis (the “fire amoeba”), was observed actively surviving and dividing in extreme environments. Researchers revealed that this incredibly tough microbe sets a brand new record for the hottest temperature complex life can withstand, opening new doors for astrobiology and extreme evolution studies.
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