JAMSTEC > Institute for Extra-cutting-edge Science and Technology Avant-garde Research (X-star) > Super-cutting-edge Grand and Advanced Research (SUGAR) Program > Achievements > Details

Super-cutting-edge Grand and Advanced Research (SUGAR) Program

Achievements

[2004]

Discovery of the oldest survivor of ecosystem on Earth in the deepest part of the active hydrothermal field in Indian Ocean

HyperSLiME is the abbreviation for the Hyperthermophilic Subsurface Lithoautotrophic Microbial Ecosystem. We assumed this sunlight-independent ecosystem to be the oldest ecosystem on the Earth. Thus, we investigated several active deep-sea hydrothermal fields in different parts of the world, and discovered the HyperSLiME, Earth's oldest ecosystem in the active deep-sea hydrothermal field in Central Indian Ridge.

Takai, K., Gamo, T., Tsunogai, U., Nakayama, N., Hirayama, H., Nealson, K. H., & Horikoshi, K. (2004) Geochemical and microbiological evidence for a hydrogen-based, hyperthermophilic subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystem (HyperSLiME) beneath an active deep-sea hydrothermal field. Extremophiles, 8:269-282.


HyperSLiME is the abbreviation for the Hyperthermophilic Subsurface Lithoautotrophic Microbial Ecosystem. We assumed this sunlight-independent ecosystem to be the oldest ecosystem on the Earth. Thus, we investigated several active deep-sea hydrothermal fields in different parts of the world, and discovered the HyperSLiME, Earth's oldest ecosystem in the active deep-sea hydrothermal field in Central Indian Ridge.


An electron microscope image of Methanotorris formicicum, a kind of hyperthermophilic methanogen, which is the primary producer of HyperSLiME.