{"entity": "publication", "iuid": "8b140e750f1c40f1ad97d8d17f1d2fdc", "timestamp": "2026-08-22T07:48:00.537Z", "links": {"self": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8b140e750f1c40f1ad97d8d17f1d2fdc.json"}, "display": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/publication/8b140e750f1c40f1ad97d8d17f1d2fdc"}}, "title": "Hikarchaeia demonstrate an intermediate stage in the methanogen-to-halophile transition.", "authors": [{"family": "Martijn", "given": "Joran", "initials": "J"}, {"family": "Sch\u00f6n", "given": "Max E", "initials": "ME", "orcid": "0000-0002-4453-4173", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/a439173e8ce64fcfb4d09e457f1c6bec.json"}}, {"family": "Lind", "given": "Anders E", "initials": "AE"}, {"family": "Vosseberg", "given": "Julian", "initials": "J", "orcid": "0000-0002-3105-9414", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/0319ec5bebac4d47a58435559b7a61c1.json"}}, {"family": "Williams", "given": "Tom A", "initials": "TA", "orcid": "0000-0003-1072-0223", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/e04da3526c024149866bf6f24edc2d64.json"}}, {"family": "Spang", "given": "Anja", "initials": "A", "orcid": "0000-0002-6518-8556", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/ee19a6765cb847caac5c440aeb15b509.json"}}, {"family": "Ettema", "given": "Thijs J G", "initials": "TJG", "orcid": "0000-0002-6898-6377", "researcher": {"href": "https://publications-affiliated.scilifelab.se/researcher/6a7921cec2bb45a7a7b0454f41b5f1aa.json"}}], "type": "journal article", "published": "2020-10-30", "journal": {"title": "Nat Commun", "issn": "2041-1723", "volume": "11", "issue": "1", "pages": "5490", "issn-l": "2041-1723"}, "abstract": "Halobacteria (henceforth: Haloarchaea) are predominantly aerobic halophiles that are thought to have evolved from anaerobic methanogens. This remarkable transformation most likely involved an extensive influx of bacterial genes. Whether it entailed a single massive transfer event or a gradual stream of transfers remains a matter of debate. To address this, genomes that descend from methanogen-to-halophile intermediates are necessary. Here, we present five such near-complete genomes of Marine Group IV archaea (Hikarchaeia), the closest known relatives of Haloarchaea. Their inclusion in gene tree-aware ancestral reconstructions reveals an intermediate stage that had already lost a large number of genes, including nearly all of those involved in methanogenesis and the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. In contrast, the last Haloarchaea common ancestor gained a large number of genes and expanded its aerobic respiration and salt/UV resistance gene repertoire. Our results suggest that complex and gradual patterns of gain and loss shaped the methanogen-to-halophile transition.", "doi": "10.1038/s41467-020-19200-2", "pmid": "33127909", "labels": [], "xrefs": [{"db": "pmc", "key": "PMC7599335"}, {"db": "pii", "key": "10.1038/s41467-020-19200-2"}, {"db": "figshare", "key": "10.6084/m9.figshare.11117894.v1"}, {"db": "figshare", "key": "10.6084/m9.figshare.11118164.v1"}, {"db": "figshare", "key": "10.6084/m9.figshare.12964832.v3"}, {"db": "figshare", "key": "10.6084/m9.figshare.11352140"}], "notes": [], "created": "2026-08-21T11:48:40.761Z", "modified": "2026-08-21T11:48:40.825Z"}