Promethearchaeaceae
| Promethearchaeaceae Temporal range: Neoarchean–Present
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| SEM image of Promethearchaeum syntrophicum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Archaea |
| Kingdom: | Promethearchaeati |
| Phylum: | Promethearchaeota |
| Class: | Promethearchaeia |
| Order: | Promethearchaeales Imachi et al., 2024 |
| Family: | Promethearchaeaceae Imachi et al., 2024 |
| Genera | |
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| Synonyms | |
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"Lokiarchaeota" corrig. Spang et al., 2015 | |
Promethearchaeaceae (previously called "Lokiarchaeota") is a family of the kingdom Promethearchaeati, the kingdom from which the eukaryotes emerged. The family includes all members of the group previously named Deep Sea Archaeal Group, also known as Marine Benthic Group B. A phylogenetic analysis disclosed a monophyletic grouping of the Promethearchaeaceae with the eukaryotes. The analysis revealed several genes with cell membrane-related functions. The presence of such genes support the hypothesis of an archaeal host for the emergence of the eukaryotes: the eocyte-like scenarios.
Promethearchaeaceae was introduced in 2015 after the identification of a candidate genome in a metagenomic analysis of a mid-oceanic sediment sample. This analysis suggests the existence of a genus of unicellular life dubbed "Candidatus Lokiarchaeum". The sample was taken near a hydrothermal vent at a vent field known as Loki's Castle located at the bend between Mohns/Knipovich ridge in the Arctic Ocean.