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46,000-year-old worms wriggle back to life after scientists defrost them

Stone Age worms dug up from the Siberian permafrost were brought back to life after 46,000 years in suspended animation - becoming the oldest-known creatures to have existed.

The roundworms were discovered by Russian scientists inside a fossilised squirrel burrow and a deep glacial deposit near the Kolyma River in 2018, but it was unclear what they were, or how long they had been trapped in the ice.

Now genetic sequencing has shown they are an entirely new species of nematode worm which has lain dormant since the last Ice Age.

Radiocarbon dating of plant material found on the same level of the worms has shown that the frozen deposits had not thawed since the late Pleistocene.

It means they existed when Neanderthals, woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers still roamed the region.

The tiny worms, which are less than a millimetre in length, were thawed out and coaxed back to life in a petri dish filled with a nutritious soup designed to encourage their growth. After a few weeks in the dish, they began moving and eating. 

The worms died within a few months, however scientists said the species has reproduced and is now undergoing lab experiments.

Dr Phillip Schiffer, group leader of the worm lab at the University of Cologne, told The Telegraph: “Usually Panagrolaimus nematodes live 20-60 days.

“They instantly started reproducing and we do have a culture of these worms in the laboratory. Thus, the species is alive and we are doing experiments on it.”

Nematode worms are one of several creatures known to be able to survive harsh conditions by entering a hibernation-like state called cryptobiosis. In 2021, Bdelloid rotifers, a class of microscopic invertebrates, were found in the Arctic and brought back after 24,000 years.

Although scientists have revived single cell microbes and bacteria dating back 250 million years, it is thought to be the oldest multicellular creature ever reanimated.

Previously the longest known record for nematode worms staying in cryptobiosis was 25.5 years in the Arctic.

Prof Teymuras Kurzchalia of the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology (MPI-CBG) in Dresden, Germany, which carried out the new research, said: “This study extends the longest reported cryptobiosis in nematodes by tens of thousands of years.

“Survival in extreme environments for prolonged periods is a challenge that only a few organisms are capable of.

“Our findings are important for the understanding of evolutionary processes because generations times could be stretched from days to millenia, and long-term survival of individuals of species can lead to the refoundation of otherwise extinct lineages.”

The tiny worms are less than a millimetre in length© Provided by The Telegraph

Genetic analysis shows the ancient worms belong to a previously unknown species, which has been named Panagrolaimus kolymaensis.

Lying dormant for decades 

The team found the species contained similar genes to other worms that can enter a state of suspended animation, including those that increase a sugar called trehalose, which may help them to survive harsh drying-out and freezing.

Experts say that the study proves that the worms can lie dormant not just for decades, or hundreds of years, but entire geological eras, waiting for conditions to improve.

Dr Vamshidhar Gade of the MPI-CBG, said: “Overall, our research demonstrates that nematodes have developed mechanisms that allow them to preserve life for geological time periods.”

Several ancient species have been revived in recent years. In 2020, Japanese and US scientists reanimated 200-million-year-old microbes found in sediments 328ft (100m) beneath the ocean floor within the South Pacific Gyre, an ocean current.

The findings do not show that life can lie waiting in the most extreme environments on Earth but gives new hope that it could be found on inhospitable planets, such as Mars and other parts of the solar system.

However, some scientists have cautioned against reanimating “time-travelling” species, warning that it could unleash ancient bugs or viruses that could threaten human health and the environment.

There are fears that global warming may cause glaciers and permafrost to melt, allowing long dormant microbes to re-emerge.

A new study in Plos by the European Commission Joint Research Centre used artificial intelligence to simulate what would happen if ancient viruses were unleashed onto modern communities.

They found that ancient invading pathogens could often survive and evolve in the modern community with 1 per cent capable of wiping out one third of the species.

The nematode study was published in the journal Plos Genetics.

Scientists discover new species in Utah's Great Salt Lake that changes what we know about the 950-square-mile body of water

• A tiny worm was found living in highly salty conditions in the Great Salt Lake 
• The discovery could change the way scientists understand the lake's ecosystem

Scientists have discovered a new species in Utah's Great Salt Lake that could change what we know about its ecosystem.  

An investigation into the 950-sqaure-mile water body began when a researcher from the University of Utah spotted a sign that said only brine shrimp and flies are able to survive the extreme salt levels. 

Believing the signage to be false, because other creatures can thrive in similar ecosystems, the expert and his team began sifting through sediment deposits and found a previously unknown species - thousands of tiny worms called nematodes.

Nematodes once populated the Great Salt Lake, but were thought to have vanished in 1985 when the lakebed shrunk and exposed them to the air.

The researcher's findings not only prove that the lake's ecosystem is livelier than previously thought, but because the lake's water has hit record low levels, it shows the importance of a healthy lake elevation. 

Microbialites form when organisms like algae and bacteria form a mat on the rock© Provided by Daily Mail

Researchers at the University of Utah found tiny worms living in a reef-like rock in the Great Salt Lake© Provided by Daily Mail

Michael Werner, a biology professor and nematode expert, saw the sign during a hike in 2020 and immediately questioned it.

So I thought, 'Maybe nobody has taken a close look?'' 

Werner brought his speculations to his colleagues who joined him in the mission to see if nematodes were in fact living in the the extreme salt levels that are two to nine times saltier than the ocean's three percent.

Along with his postdoctoral student, Julie Jung, Werner traversed the lake, first by boat and then by bike when the water levels dropped to a record low in 2022.

Werner told The Tribune that Jung had suggested there might be more nematodes living inside the microbialites, sedimentary deposit made of carbonate mud, before taking a hammer to the reef-like rock. 

'Julie had taken a hammer and was pulverizing a microbialite,' he said.

'She found hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of worms. That really broke open this whole project for us.'

Microbialites form when organisms like algae and bacteria form a mat on the rock that give it that slippery coating when walking on them.

Nematodes are tiny worms that can live in extreme and harsh conditions© Provided by Daily Mail

It attracts minerals from the water which build upon the existing rock structure and are often found along the fault lines and cracks in the outer areas of the Great Salt Lake.

These are compared to coral reefs found in the ocean because they support lifeforms in the lake like the Brine Flies which attach to the microbialites while they grow into adults before floating to the surface.

In turn, their appearance above water serves as a food source for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.

Werner and his team wanted to understand whether the microbialites helped the nematodes to survive or if it was the other way around.

They conducted a test by feeding non-lake nematodes the bacteria from the microbialites and exposed them to the lake's briny water along with a control group of non-lake nematode worms that were only fed their usual diet of fungi

The control group of worms were dead within 24 hours while the nematodes that were fed the bacteria were still alive.

'It opened up this whole exciting area of the ecology of what worms are doing in the lake,' Werner told the outlet.

More research still needs to be conducted, but Werner is hopeful this could not only help understand how the Great Salt Lake's ecosystem functions, but could also shed light on how organisms survive on other planets, like Mars, that have extreme climate conditions.

'I think people look at the lake and hear (about) the lake as this kind of stinky, lifeless place in our backyard, but it's so much more than that,' Jung told KSL.com.

What to Do When Encountering These 10 Animals in the Wild

Experiencing wildlife can be one of the joys of hiking through forests and meadows, yet unexpected encounters can be startling.

Here's how to respond if you cross paths with wildlife, ensuring safety for both you and the animals.

Cows: Venturing through a herd of cows might not be wise. Fast and wide bypasses are recommended. In her book "Cow Staring Forbidden!" Rachel Levin suggests maintaining a two-meter distance and avoiding direct eye contact, as cows can feel threatened.

Wolves: Typically, wolves maintain a distance from humans, but curiosity can prevail during mating season. Running could trigger their instinct to chase. Showing dominance by standing tall, making noise, and appearing larger can help deter them, according to expert advice. 

Sheep: Unexpected sheep encounters should be met with calmness; cyclists, in particular, should dismount and give them space. Startling the sheep with loud noises or attempting to pet them can cause distress and potentially dangerous reactions.

Foxes: Though generally not a threat, sick foxes can pose health risks. Symptoms like poor fur condition can indicate mange mites, which are contagious. It's crucial to keep pets leashed and maintain distance.

Lynxes: The sight of a lynx is rare and they're known for their shyness. Enjoy the moment from a distance, as they're likely to retreat. 

Stags: During their rutting season, stags can become aggressive. Maintaining distance and retreating are vital for safety during these periods.

Seagulls: Picnicking near seagulls might invite unwanted attention. While seagulls generally pose no harm, their boldness can increase with familiarity with human food. Bernd Koop warns against feeding them and advises caution near nesting sites where they may swoop to protect their young.

By learning these tips, hikers can enhance their outdoor adventures, ensuring safe and respectful interactions with nature. Remember, wildlife encounters, while sometimes intimidating, are a privilege that comes with the responsibility of maintaining the balance between human presence and the natural habitat of these creatures. 

Story by Camilla Jessen: Dagens.com (UK)