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How old are bacteria from the Permian age?

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  • Robert M. Hazen

    (Geophysical Laboratory and NASA Astrobiology Institute, Carnegie Institution of Washington)

  • Edwin Roedder

Abstract

Discovery of bacteria that remain viable in a dormant state for lengthy periods is significant for understanding patterns of microbial diversity and evolution on Earth, as well as for assessing the possibility of life's interplanetary transport by impact processes. The isolation by Vreeland et al.1 of viable 250-million-year-old bacteria is an extraordinary claim, based on meticulous extraction from evaporite deposits of the Delaware Basin. If valid, this discovery expands dramatically the maximum proposed age for microbial survivability. Here we argue that, although the Permian age of these well-documented deposits is not in question, the fluid inclusions and the viable bacterial spores contained in them may represent much more recent features. The age of these microbes must therefore remain uncertain.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert M. Hazen & Edwin Roedder, 2001. "How old are bacteria from the Permian age?," Nature, Nature, vol. 411(6834), pages 155-155, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:411:y:2001:i:6834:d:10.1038_35075663
    DOI: 10.1038/35075663
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