Scientists find amoeba that grows at 63°C, a record for eukaryotes

Researchers discovered Incendiamoeba cascadensis in geothermal waters of California's Lassen Volcanic National Park; it divides at 63°C, above the long-accepted ~60°C growth limit for eukaryotes. At 70°C it changes form and develops a protective outer layer, recovering when cooled.

• The amoeba grows and divides at 63°C, above the previous 60°C limit for eukaryotes
• At 70°C it forms a protective layer and survives but does not grow
• Its genome carries extra DNA-repair and protein-stability genes
• The species is named Incendiamoeba cascadensis; the study appears in Cell