New amoeba breaks heat record for eukaryotic life at 145 F
Scientists identified a new thermophile amoeba that reproduces at 145 degrees Fahrenheit in a study published in September 2026.
Discovery of extreme heat organism
Researchers found this newly discovered species can survive and reproduce at temperatures higher than any previously recorded for eukaryotic life. Most known eukaryotic organisms live near human body temperature, averaging around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This specific discovery challenges previous assumptions about the upper thermal limits for cells containing nuclei and mitochondria.
Comparison with prior records
Earlier observations of fungi suggested a theoretical limit near 140 degrees Fahrenheit before this finding. The new organism thrives in conditions that exceed those historical benchmarks by five degrees. Biologists note that such thermophiles help answer how environmental heat shapes biological rules.
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