A unique evolutionary event has been observed by an international team of scientists. For the first time in over a billion years, two life forms have merged to become a single organism through primary endosymbiosis. This rare phenomenon has only occurred twice in Earth’s history and has shaped complex life as we know it.
Recently, an ocean algae species and a bacterium were discovered to have undergone this process. Tyler Coale, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, led one of the studies that made this discovery. He explained the significance of this event, stating that it has had a profound impact on the evolution of complex life. The algae engulfed the bacterium, providing it with nutrients and energy while gaining the ability to “fix” nitrogen from the air. This exchange resulted in the creation of an organelle within the algae that is crucial for its survival.
The scientists from various institutions across the US and Japan published their research in Science and Cell, shedding light on the evolutionary process and its potential impact on agriculture. Dr. Coale mentioned that this discovery could offer insights into nitrogen fixation and potentially revolutionize crop engineering. The collaborative effort of researchers from prestigious universities and laboratories highlights the importance of this groundbreaking discovery in the field of evolution and biology.
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