The discovery of two new bacteria species in the Gulf of Mexico highlights how life can thrive with surprisingly few genes, showcasing unique adaptations in extreme environments.
The researchers identified Oceanoplasma callogorgiae and Thalassoplasma callogorgiae within coral tissues, possessing just 359 and 385 protein-encoding genes, vastly fewer than typical bacteria.
These mollicutes live symbiotically with corals, deriving energy from an amino acid instead of carbohydrates, which raises questions about their role in coral health.
The study emphasizes that these bacteria's severely reduced genomes challenge our understanding of life's genetic requirements, necessitating a re-evaluation of how cellular life can function.
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