The team led by Beryl Rappaport of Syracuse University determined that the amoeba Incendiamoeba cascadensis, which lives in a hot spring in Lassen Volcanic National Park, had set a temperature record for eukaryotes. The species, whose name means “fire amoeba from the Cascades,” continued reproducing through mitosis at 63 degrees; at 64 degrees, it remained active, feeding and exploring its surroundings. At 70 degrees, it stopped reproducing and formed a protective outer layer, returning to its normal functions when the temperature dropped. The previous eukaryote record was 60 degrees, observed in some algae and fungi; the record for all living organisms is 122 degrees, held by the archaeon Methanopyrus kandleri. According to a genomic analysis published in Cell on September 22, more than 50% of the genes are unique to this lineage. The researchers reported that the shape-shifting amoeba is the apex predator in its environment, avoiding competitors and predators thanks to its ability to withstand high temperatures. The findings suggest that other eukaryotes capable of living at higher temperatures may exist.
Background
Science is no stranger to the FikirPilot archive: we have published 5 news reports mentioning this name in the past 90 days; the latest is dated September 22, 2026.