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Real life is certainly stranger than fiction.
A microscopic worm that has three different sexes, manages to survive a dose of arsenic that would kill a person 500 times more and is able to carry its young to the inside of its body, as a kangaroo was discovered in one of the most uninhabitable places on Earth.
Research notes that the worm, known as Auanema sp., has male and female members of the species, as well as hermaphrodites. The majority of worms, also called nematodes, are usually broken down into men and hermaphrodites. It is also able to survive in the harsh conditions of California's Mono Lake, rich in arsenic, it's "three times saltier than the ocean and has an alkaline pH of 10", according to a statement announcing the results.
This newly discovered species of nematode is considered an extremophile – it thrives in conditions rich in salt, high pH and arsenic that are otherwise hostile to life. But it is surprisingly versatile because it can also live in "normal" conditions in the laboratory. (Caltech)
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"Extremists can teach us a lot about innovative strategies for coping with stress," said Pei-Yin Shih, the lead author of the study, in the statement. "Our study shows that we still have a lot to learn about how these 1,000-celled animals control survival in extreme environments."
Shih and the rest of the team also discovered seven other species of microscopic worms in the lake, where it was previously thought that only bacteria, algae and brine shrimp could survive.
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The researchers also noted that giving live birth (nematodes usually lay eggs) to one's offspring can be helpful in adapting to extreme environments.
"Auanema sp. The researchers also wrote in the study: "Live birth is a common feature of extremophilic nematodes that could play an adaptive role in extreme environments. a strategy Auanema sp. uses to protect his offspring from the harsh conditions of Lake Mono. "
Perhaps even more remarkable is that the researchers were able to study Auanema sp. in a lab and he flourished, a capacity that very few extremophiles have. "This suggests that nematodes may have a genetic predisposition to resilience and flexibility to adapt to harsh and benign environments," the statement added.
The researchers indicated that they would continue to research certain biochemical and genetic factors specific to this type of worm allowing them to resist arsenic and to determine if these factors could be applied to humans, in the extent to which drinking water contaminated with arsenic is an important factor. major health problem in the world.
On top of that, they also want to better understand the diversity of the planet, said one of the co-authors of the study, James Siho Lee.
"It is extremely important that we appreciate and develop a curiosity for biodiversity," he said. "The next innovation in biotechnology could be in nature – a new biodegradable sunscreen, for example, has been discovered from bacteria and extremophilic algae, we need to protect and use wildlife responsibly."
The study was published in the scientific journal Current Biology.
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