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Nematoda from the terrestrial deep subsurface of South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • G. Borgonie

    (Nematology Section, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, B9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • A. García-Moyano

    (Metagenomics Platform, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
    Present address: Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Postbox 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.)

  • D. Litthauer

    (Metagenomics Platform, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • W. Bert

    (Nematology Section, Ghent University, Ledeganckstraat 35, B9000 Ghent, Belgium
    Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University, 6708 Wageningen, The Netherlands)

  • A. Bester

    (Metagenomics Platform, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • E. van Heerden

    (Metagenomics Platform, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • C. Möller

    (Metagenomics Platform, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • M. Erasmus

    (Metagenomics Platform, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • T. C. Onstott

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

Low life: nematodes from the deep In the past two decades, a variety of single-cell organisms have been found living within Earth's crust, forming what has become known as the deep subsurface biosphere. A new report describes the first multicellular creatures from this biosphere — nematode worms, including one new to science. Up to around half a millimetre in length, the worms feed on bacteria, reproduce without mating by parthenogenesis and tolerate the high temperatures found in their habitat, 3 kilometres deep in the Beatrix gold mine in South Africa. Similar organisms might be expected to occur in certain sub-seafloor settings, and the viability of multicellular life in such a hostile environment will also be of relevance to astrobiology.

Suggested Citation

  • G. Borgonie & A. García-Moyano & D. Litthauer & W. Bert & A. Bester & E. van Heerden & C. Möller & M. Erasmus & T. C. Onstott, 2011. "Nematoda from the terrestrial deep subsurface of South Africa," Nature, Nature, vol. 474(7349), pages 79-82, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:474:y:2011:i:7349:d:10.1038_nature09974
    DOI: 10.1038/nature09974
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    Cited by:

    1. O. Warr & C. J. Ballentine & T. C. Onstott & D. M. Nisson & T. L. Kieft & D. J. Hillegonds & B. Sherwood Lollar, 2022. "86Kr excess and other noble gases identify a billion-year-old radiogenically-enriched groundwater system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Li, Cong & Xie, Heping & Gao, Mingzhong & Chen, Ling & Zhao, Le & Li, Cunbao & Wu, Nianhan & He, Zhiqiang & Li, Jianan, 2021. "Novel designs of pressure controllers to enhance the upper pressure limit for gas-hydrate-bearing sediment sampling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    3. Monika Bright & Sabine Gollner & André Luiz Oliveira & Salvador Espada-Hinojosa & Avery Fulford & Ian Vincent Hughes & Stephane Hourdez & Clarissa Karthäuser & Ingrid Kolar & Nicole Krause & Victor La, 2024. "Animal life in the shallow subseafloor crust at deep-sea hydrothermal vents," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.

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