Titel
Assessing the Ecophysiology of Methanogens in the Context of Recent Astrobiological and Planetological Studies
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Abstract
Among all known microbes capable of thriving under extreme and, therefore, potentially extraterrestrial environmental conditions, methanogens from the domain Archaea are intriguing organisms. This is due to their broad metabolic versatility, enormous diversity, and ability to grow under extreme environmental conditions. Several studies revealed that growth conditions of methanogens are compatible with environmental conditions on extraterrestrial bodies throughout the Solar System. Hence, life in the Solar System might not be limited to the classical habitable zone. In this contribution we assess the main ecophysiological characteristics of methanogens and compare these to the environmental conditions of putative habitats in the Solar System, in particular Mars and icy moons. Eventually, we give an outlook on the feasibility and the necessity of future astrobiological studies concerning methanogens.
Stichwort
ArchaeaextremophilesmetabolismSolar SystemmethanogenesisspacemicroorganismMarsEarthicy moons
Objekt-Typ
Sprache
Englisch [eng]
Persistent identifier
https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:448373
Erschienen in
Titel
Life
Band
5
Ausgabe
4
Seitenanfang
1652
Seitenende
1686
Verlag
MDPI AG
Erscheinungsdatum
2015
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