Deep origin of eukaryotes outside Heimdallarchaeia within Asgardarchaeota.

ABSTRACT: Research on the morphology, physiology and genomics of Asgard archaea has provided valuable insights into the evolutionary history of eukaryotes^1-3. A previous study suggested that eukaryotes are nested within Heimdallarchaeia⁴, but their exact phylogenetic placement within Asgard archaea remains controversial^4,5. This debate complicates understanding of the metabolic features and timescales of early eukaryotic ancestors. Here we generated 223 metagenome-assembled nearly complete genomes of Asgard archaea that have not previously been documented. We identify 16 new lineages at the genus level or higher, which substantially expands the known phylogenetic diversity of Asgard archaea. Through sophisticated phylogenomic analysis of this expanded genomic dataset

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12222021 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature