Highly Evolved Bacteria Munch on Iron Near Hydrothermal Vents

Sure, bacteria aren't the most interesting organisms, but they can tell scientists quite a bit about the evolution of life. Scientists have discovered highly-evolved bacteria that live on iron at three vent sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, one of the longest undersea mountains in the world.

Patches of the ocean floor along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are covered in patches of what looks like yellowish jelly. Intrigued by this jelly, scientists recovered some of it using a syringe-based sampler deployed by a remotely operated vehicle named Jason. The scientists found that the material was composed of millions of Zetaproteobacteria living off of iron.

"With each expedition to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge we learn more about its complex ecology," said Jarrod Scott, one of the researchers, in a news release.

Zetaproteobacteria are highly evolved and use iron to survive. Because iron is such a common element in Earth's crust, the researchers believe that it's possible that these bacteria acquired these traits billions of years ago before evolving to form their own unique lineage within the microbial world.

"Zetaproteobacteria do not appear to be common members of the water column microbial communities," said Scott. "Yet if I were to hang an iron bar in the ocean, wait a few days, they would appear there because of an available food source. Finding out where and how they know where food is and relocate it to use it, is but one of the many mysteries that remain to be solved."

The findings reveal a bit more about these unusual bacteria. Not only that, but it shows how life can utilize iron, which may have implications for life on other planets as scientists continue to explore the universe and exoplanets.

The findings are published in the journal PLOS One.

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