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Post Info TOPIC: Protozoans
Blobrana


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Crimes of evolution: algae held captive and genes stolen 

Microscopic animals held algae captive and stole their genes for energy production, thereby evolving into a new and more powerful species many millions of years ago reveals a new study published today in the journal Nature. 
The results reveal a 'missing link' in evolution because the tiny animal thieves (protozoa) couldn't completely hide all evidence of the captive algae, and have been effectively frozen in time and caught in the act by genetic sequencing. 
The protozoa captured genes for photosynthesis- the process of harnessing light to produce energy which is used by all plants and algae on earth - so the study also provides insight into the origin and repurposing of these genes and may be useful in algae biofuel production. 
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Blobrana


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Scientists have discovered a "microworld" of 220-million-year-old life trapped in tiny drops of ancient amber.
The fossilised plant resin preserved bacteria, fungi, algae, and microscopic animals known as protozoans some 220 million years ago—the era when the very first dinosaurs began to appear.
Surprisingly, these microscopic organisms look quite familiar to today's scientists.
Alexander Schmidt and colleagues from the Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, report that the microbes have undergone few or no physical changes since the Triassic period—from 245 million to 208 million years ago.

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