California 'fire amoeba' reproduces at 145°F, setting heat record for complex life

Researchers discovered a new amoeba species, Incendiamoeba cascadensis, in Lassen Volcanic National Park that can reproduce at temperatures up to 145°F and stay active at 147°F. It sets a new temperature limit for reproduction among eukaryotes; the findings were published in Cell.

• New species named Incendiamoeba cascadensis, or 'fire amoeba of the Cascade range'
• Reproduces at 145°F, active at 147°F, recovers after exposure to 158°F
• Sets a record for eukaryotes — animals, plants, fungi and amoebas
• Genome compared with other amoebas to explain heat protection of cells