Parakaryon
| Parakaryon | |
|---|---|
| Drawing showing unique cell structure with cell wall, single nuclear membrane, and a single large spiral endosymbiont (seen in section), a combination found neither in prokaryotes nor eukaryotes. Cell is 10 μm long. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Incertae sedis |
| Genus: | Yamaguchi et al. 2012[1] |
| Species: | P. myojinensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Parakaryon myojinensis Yamaguchi et al. 2012[1]
| |
Location of Myōjin Knoll off the coast of Japan, where the specimen was found
Parakaryon myojinensis, also known as the Myojin parakaryote, is a highly unusual species of single-celled organism known only from a single specimen, described in 2012. It has features of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes but is apparently distinct from either group, making it unique among organisms discovered thus far.[1] It is the sole species in the genus Parakaryon.
- ^ a b c Yamaguchi M, Mori Y, Kozuka Y, Okada H, Uematsu K, Tame A, Furukawa H, Maruyama T, Worman CO, Yokoyama K (2012). "Prokaryote or eukaryote? A unique microorganism from the deep sea". J Electron Microsc (Tokyo). 61 (6): 423–431. doi:10.1093/jmicro/dfs062. PMID 23024290.