A new microorganism has been discovered on a research vessel, and no one knows what it is.

There is no need to conduct extensive research and studies to find new microorganisms on Earth. In fact, researchers recently discovered a new species by chance on a research vessel, and it holds some surprises. 

It all happened when the Blue Heron, a ship belonging to the University of Minnesota Duluth research fleet dedicated to studying the Great Lakes, had to be taken out of the water for repairs. While it was in the Great Lakes Shipyard, a strange viscous substance was discovered on its rudder, in a warm, oxygen-free, greasy area.

Following this unique discovery, researchers at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) decided to examine it. They demonstrated that this substance belonged to a new microorganism. To describe the external appearance of this substance, the researchers likened it to tar or jelly.

Professor Cody Sheik adds to Sciences et Avenir: “We believe that this organism also belongs to an unknown genus. We are still working on the phylogenetic reconstruction of this group in order to fully confirm that it is a new genus.” Named ShipGoo001, this species is unique and lives in a biofilm with other microbial species. According to the university, some of these species have already been found in oil wells and tar pits. In addition, Cody Sheik added the following in a UMD press release: "The biggest surprise was that the ship goo had life in it at all. We thought we'd find nothing. But surprisingly, we found DNA and it wasn’t too destroyed, nor was the biomass too low."

However, further studies need to be conducted on this discovery, as Cody Sheik points out: "The slimy substance itself looks like tar, very sticky and black. But we currently have no microscopic images of ShipGoo001, so we don't know exactly what it looks like. " Researchers have already planned to reveal the results of the microorganism's genome and the studies they will conduct on it. This should also help scientists solve a fairly significant mystery, because although the lake's waters contain oxygen, this microorganism formed and developed without this precious gas, which is nevertheless necessary.