Scientists have discovered worms living in hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor that can adapt to the highest temperatures known among living organisms.
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The worms live around the hot water vents. (Photo: Livescience) |
Investigating the species Paralvinella sulfincola from deep waters off the coast of Washington State, researchers found that when given a choice, these worms preferred to inhabit areas where temperatures soared to 45-55 degrees Celsius.
In the air, organisms can tolerate these temperatures; however, in water, this is a lethal threshold for most life forms because water conducts heat into the body more efficiently. For instance, a bath becomes unbearable if it exceeds 40 degrees Celsius.
In laboratory conditions, these worms chose to live in areas of the water with temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius throughout a 7-hour experiment. This duration is significantly longer than the 15-30 minutes that other animals have previously endured at high temperatures, during which half of them perished.
“Unlike many species that find refuge in hot environments merely to withstand high temperatures, these worms actually prefer temperatures around 50oC,” said Peter Girguis, an assistant professor of evolutionary biology at Harvard University. (Some bacterial species can withstand even higher temperatures.)
Scientists speculate that this preference may be due to food availability, as Paralvinella sulfincola can feast on the abundant microbial mats that flourish around the underwater hot springs.
T. An
