Parakaryon: Lifeform Outside Tree

Parakaryon myojinensis is a single-celled organism discovered near hydrothermal vents off Japan. Scientists found that it appears to be distinct from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, the two major categories used to classify life on earth. Because of its unusual cell structure, researchers have been unable to place it within any known branch of the tree of life. It remains the only known species whose evolutionary position is completely unknown.

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