Asgard Archaea are a fascinating group of microorganisms genetically linked to the origin of eukaryotic life. Found globally, their unique genomic features...
Asgard Archaea are a recently discovered group of single-celled microorganisms (archaea) named after Norse mythological figures. They are known for their distinctive genetic characteristics that resemble those found in eukaryotes.
They are considered the closest known prokaryotic relatives to eukaryotes, possessing genes previously thought exclusive to complex life forms. Studying them offers crucial insights into the evolutionary transition from simple prokaryotic to complex eukaryotic cells.
Asgard Archaea are found in diverse anoxic (oxygen-free) environments globally, including deep-sea hydrothermal vents, marine sediments, and hot springs.
Lokiarchaeota was the first lineage of Asgard Archaea identified. Its discovery provided the initial strong evidence for the close evolutionary relationship between archaea and eukaryotes, supporting the "Asgard hypothesis" for eukaryogenesis.