Magnetic Bacteria Shed Light on Early Bacterial Diversification
Magnetotactic bacteria, which align with the Earth's magnetic field, have been discovered in a hydrothermal vent deep under the ocean, expanding their known habitat beyond land and shallow water. These bacteria play an important role in biogeochemical cycling and can provide clues to the early diversification of bacteria and the history of Earth's magnetic field. Their existence can also be preserved in rocks for billions of years, making them a potential candidate for the search for extraterrestrial life.