New group of microbes provide clues to origins of lifePhoto courtesy of Centre for Geobiology at University of Bergen, Norway by R.B. Image of a hydrothermal vent field along the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge, close to where 'Loki,' a member of the Asgard group, was found in marine sediments. The scientists think that the archaeon ancestor was either a member of the Asgard group or a very close relative. Though newly discovered Asgard group are not eukaryotes, they share some important similarities - including genes that were thought to exist only in complex cells. "I am convinced that this will reveal more important clues about how complex cells evolved," he said.

Source: Stuff January 12, 2017 21:00 UTC