“Incredibly Exciting”: This Shape-Changing ‘Fire Amoeba’ Defies Extreme Temperatures by Surviving in 158°F Water

Researchers have discovered a new species of extreme lifeform in Lassen Volcanic National Park in California’s Cascade Range, which can survive temperatures up to 158°F (70°C) by changing shape and forming a protective outer layer. The organism, dubbed Incendiamoeba cascadensis, is able to eat and reproduce in hot spring waters reaching 145°F (63°C). The study authors said the findings pushed the bounds of what science thought was possible, “which is incredibly exciting.”

The research team collected specimens from geothermal streams within Lassen Volcanic National Park between 2023 and 2025. One specimen stood out, growing robustly at 135°F (57°C). The fire amoeba was able to replicate via mitosis at 145°F (63°C) and was still able to be recovered after being cooled back down to 55°F (13°C). The study authors said these results confirmed that the fire amoeba could not only survive but also thrive at temperatures beyond the previously recognized limit for eukaryotes.

When researchers sequenced the fire amoeba’s genome, they found several genetic adaptations that convey its extreme heat-tolerance abilities. The organism has what they termed “extra genes” associated with DNA repair and protein maintenance. These genes likely give the fire amoeba an extra layer of protection against heat damage that other amoebae in more moderate environments don’t need. The study’s first author, H. Beryl Rappaport, said the results show how biologically divergent organisms can take similar paths to survival in extreme environments. “Even though these organisms are so different, there’s convergence in how protein properties are selected for stability under high temperatures,” Rappaport explained.

AI-generated summary of the original article — see the source for the full story.