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News Release 16-052
Researchers find that Earth may be home to 1 trillion species
Largest analysis of microbial data reveals that 99.999 percent of all species remain undiscovered
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Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone; such hot pools often bubble with undiscovered microbes.
Credit: NPS
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Heat-loving microbes form extensive mats at Octopus Geyser in Yellowstone.
Credit: USGS
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The oceans' surface waters harbor vast numbers of life-sustaining microbes.
Credit: DOE
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Bacteria, like these from a freshwater lake, are the most abundant organisms on the planet.
Credit: Mario Muscarella
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Soil is one of Earth's largest reservoirs of microbial diversity.
Credit: Jay Lennon
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Data collected by field biologists were used to understand patterns of microbial biodiversity.
Credit: Mario Muscarella
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