Bold Traveller
Desulforudis audaxviator, or "bold traveller," is a newly discovered type of bacteria that lives without oxygen. It survives on water, hydrogen and sulphate for energy. The "bold traveller" was discovered in a South African gold mine. The find is significant because the microorganism proves that life can exist without oxygen, and therefore possibly on other planets.1
Fast Facts
- Name: Desulforudis audaxviator, in English, "bold traveller"
- Discovered underground at the Mponeng mine near Johannesburg
- First single microorganism with it's own ecosystem
- Survives without oxygen or light
- Analysis shows the Desulforudis audaxviator is energized by radioactive decay from uranium in surrounding rocks2
- Protects its DNA and RNA from drying out, avoids starving and toxic chemicals by forming tough shells called "endospores"2
- Navigates with flagellum2
- The find proves that life can exist is extreme environments, without oxygen, possibly on other planets1
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