Oneorganism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine

3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Science News for Your Neurons

Share on Facebook 85 shares Tweet 7 0 Share 2 OneOrganism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine By Alexis Madrigal 10.09.08 11:19 AM Edit

In the hot, dark water of a South African mine, scientists have found the world’s loneliest species. Everywhere else biologists have studied life on our planet, they’ve found communities of life, but today, biologists announced they have discovered an ecosystem that contains just a single species of bacteria. www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 1/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science In all other known ecosystems, the key functions of life — harvesting energy and elements like carbon and nitrogen from the environment — have been shared among different species. But in the water of the Mponeng gold mine, two miles under the earth’s surface, Desulforudis audaxviator carries out all of those functions by itself. In short, it’s the tidiest package of life found yet.

"It is possible to pack everything necessary for maintaining life into one genome," said Dylan Chivian of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. All known life forms need carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and an energy source to live. Plants need nitrogen, but can’t just pull it from the atmosphere and start using it to make amino acids. Instead, they rely on archaea for that task. Interconnections like these form the basis of an ecosystem, often cheesily called the ‘web of life’. What makes D. audaxviator so special is that its genome, cobbled together from bacterial and archaeal genes, can carry out all life’s functions by itself. That could make the bug a prime candidate for any attempt to see if Earth’s microbes could live in some other extreme environment within the solar system. "Since it could live on its own on Earth, if it were given a matching habitat elsewhere, it could live," said Chivian. Images: 1. Inside a tunnel in the Mponeng mine. Courtesy Anglo Gold. 2. D. audaxviator‘s genome annotated by Chivian. Courtesy Science. WiSci 2.0: Alexis Madrigal’s Twitter , Google Reader feed and web page; Wired Science on Facebook.

WE RE COMME ND RE C O M M E NDE D B Y

Whoa: Watch Scientists Use Sound Waves to Make Things Levitate

www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 2/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

Three Science Words We Should Stop Using

8 things I wish I knew about Psoriasis - HE A LT H C E NT RA L

Tags: Bacteria Post Comment | 192 Comments | Permalink Back to top

Share on Facebook 85 shares www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 3/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

Tweet 7 0 Reddit Digg Stumble Upon Email Comments for this thread are now closed. ×

192 Comments Wired: Science Login

Sort by Oldest Share Favorite

all4naija • 5 years ago They should take it on the next Maltian voyage. How possible it will survive in a sulfphur proned planet is challenging to me. 2 • Share ›

all4naija • 5 years ago They should take it on the next Maltian voyage. How possible it will survive in a sulfphur proned planet is challenging to me. • Share ›

d • 5 years ago I herd they should take it on the next Maltian voyage. • Share ›

p • 5 years ago Dude, where did you hear that? • Share ›

MooreCowbell • 5 years ago Call me crazy, but I'm thinking that maybe they should take it on the next Maltian voyage. • Share ›

A. L. Flanagan • 5 years ago I didn't know Malta was a high-sulfur environment. Amazing what you learn on the Internet! • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 4/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

Save us Jebus • 5 years ago Geez, people! 1 • Share ›

Sierra Club • 5 years ago I'm from the Sierra Club, we need to preserve the ecosystem for that bacteria. We will be filing suit immediately in South African court to force closure of the gold mine so the bacteria can live in peace. • Share ›

t • 5 years ago Please read the name of the organism. It includes sulfur in its name, hence it will survive nicely on sulfur. Remember your organic chemistry includes carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Yes, sulfur. And I believe that you mean the next Martian, not Maltian mission. 1 • Share ›

q • 5 years ago Barack Obama wants to use your tax payer money to fund Maltian missions. He's a secret Maltian. 1 • Share ›

Maltian • 5 years ago Maltian 1 • Share ›

I Like Malts • 5 years ago Malts are tasty. 1 • Share ›

maltian sulfur • 5 years ago this is why i love the internet. 1 • Share ›

Ice-cream • 5 years ago I love malted milk shakes! 1 • Share ›

jauaflash • 5 years ago I think we should use it to bioengineer conservatives so they don't have to breed, and then we can ship them to Maltia. 1 • Share ›

sascha • 5 years ago malteasers are a pretty tidy package too... www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 5/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science malteasers are a pretty tidy package too... • Share ›

James • 5 years ago Maybe they should use it to create life in the atom smasher. • Share ›

ersatz • 5 years ago I heard that if you dry out these bacteria, and then smoke them, it'll send you on a maltian voyage! • Share ›

Ronnie • 5 years ago Whaddya mean ya ain't got no Schlitz Maltian Liqua?! • Share ›

sulfphuric malt • 5 years ago They Have Never Even Been To Maltia. All The Voyages Were Faked. • Share ›

Jouhai • 5 years ago This is clear evidence of a Maltian invasions preemptive strike. • Share ›

amfoxline • 5 years ago Last night I watched a Star Trek episode (original series, season 1, around episode 25) called The Devil in the Dark (I think...).

In it Kirk and his ship are called to a colonized planet to help fellow humans. The planet is in effect a giant precious metals mine. All inhabitants work to supply their corner of the universe with gold, silver, platinum and other metals. But... they are being killed by a monster in the depths of the mines. It turns out that they have stumbled across a One-Organism Ecosystem in Their Gold Mine!!! And the organism doesn't want them there. You'll have to watch the rest to find out what happens, but I had to share this story given the eerie similarities. • Share ›

onestep • 5 years ago Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 6/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 7/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian www.wired.com/wMireadlstciiaence/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 8/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian Maltian

no mames deverda? maltian jajaj hijo de la... 1 • Share ›

nin789 • 5 years ago guys! guys! guys!, just stick with the point, and that point is that I love malted milk shakes 1 • Share ›

MaltianLover • 5 years ago Praise to our self sufficient maltian overlords! 2 • Share ›

aditya menon MaltianLover • 3 years ago Now that was so funny that just "liking" it wasn't enough!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! • Share ›

gah! • 5 years ago hahahahhahahhahhhahaha • Share ›

Ben • 5 years ago Wrong! The loneliest organism in the world is me! 1 • Share ›

Maltian • 5 years ago Apparently Sarah Palin can see Maltia from Alaska. 1 • Share ›

Maltian • 5 years ago Apparently Sarah Palin can see Maltia from Alaska. • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 9/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

Maltian • 5 years ago Apparently Sarah Palin can see Maltia from Alaska. • Share ›

benifactor • 5 years ago but you have multiple organisms in your body, so there your friends, you cant ever be alone again! • Share ›

Mudkip • 5 years ago So i herd u liek maltians 1 • Share ›

Mr. Madison • 5 years ago To all who continued the maltian discussion, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this conversation is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul. • Share ›

Happy M. • 5 years ago To all who continued the maltian discussion, what you've just said is one of the most sanely idiotic wise I have ever heard. Every point in your direct, coherent response could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this conversation is now smarter for having listened to it. I award you all the internets, and may God do nothing because he doesn't exist. • Share ›

johnnystampeeeeeeeeed! • 5 years ago So....I heard they should take it on the next Maltian voyage. • Share ›

trek • 5 years ago I believe the later events of the Devil In The Dark ST-TOS episode lead to Spock getting involved in "hortaculture". • Share ›

Mals, teh final front tears • 5 years ago I for one welcome our new Maltian overlords. 1 • Share ›

Anonymous • 5 years ago whats this i hear about maltians? 2 • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 10/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science 2 • Share ›

nick • 5 years ago Maltians are good people. Stay on your own planet and leave them alone. Don't infect them with your super species. • Share ›

Norsco • 5 years ago I can have maltian orgasms. • Share ›

i can has maltians • 5 years ago the redux lies simply in anthropomorphizing the fantastic, smokeable albeit elusively self sufficient single celled organism from the land of maltia yet simultaneously traversing the vast expanse aka the void to another maltian terra. • Share ›

HeyThereYall • 5 years ago If a Maltian drinks a malt...is that cannibalism? • Share ›

Dan • 5 years ago "If a Maltian drinks a malt...is that cannibalism?"

Yes, but only on week days. • Share ›

CAPS LOCK MALTIAN • 5 years ago YOU ANTI-MALTIANS NEED TO STOP TALKING CRAPMALTIA ABOUT MALTIANS WERE PEOPLE TOO YOU ALL ARE STUPID PROBABLY DUMB GEEK MALTIANS NOT AWESOME KEWL MALTIAN LIKE MALTIA MALTIAN MALTIANS.

MALTIAN. • Share ›

kevin • 5 years ago @all4naija: seriously dude, way to hijack a thread.

MALTIAN. MALTIAN. MALTIAN.MALTIAN.MALTIAN. MALTIAN. MALTIAN.

MALTIAN. • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 11/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science • Share ›

Rey Bahn • 5 years ago From the name, it also seems Rey Bahn has known about the organism for some time. They appear to wear audaxviator! With that funky disguise accessory, Maltians won't even notice our little friend! • Share ›

mickey • 5 years ago @onestep -- i honestly thought that your punchline was gonna be one of my childhood movies -- 101 Damaltians • Share ›

Drew • 5 years ago Just wait until the Maltians get to the Space Stage... • Share ›

going there now • 5 years ago goodbye Middle America, Hello exotic MALTIA and the men of Malt!! you guys feel ready for a sexy california girl?? I, for one, cannot wait for the day some sly maltian asks me if i have any Maltia in me, and if not, Do I want some??

YES. YES I DO. • Share ›

Drey • 5 years ago @DREW - they're still downloading the torrent... everyone knows maltians are pirates... • Share ›

Eric Cartman • 5 years ago Maltians.They're everywhere. They wanna save the earth, but all they do is smoke pot and smell bad. • Share ›

Christ almighty • 5 years ago It's well seen the american educational system has collapsed. • Share ›

hank • 5 years ago photoshopped • Share ›

votershatefreedom • 5 years ago just imagine an ecosystem of just me... 1 • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 12/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science 1 • Share ›

Flying Spaghetti Maltian • 5 years ago Reading the comments has been immensely more satisfying than learning about lonely micro-organisms. As a practicing Pastafarian I am sure this is a sign that this organism has evolved under the steady love of his holiness, The Flying Spaghetti Monster. After all, pirates love gold, and this organism lives in a gold mine. Just as this thread has been a goldmine of laughs for me, may Desulforudis audaxviator continue to be touched by a noodle. Ramen 1 • Share ›

freedomlovingvoters • 5 years ago ...then you wouldnt have to vote.

free maltia! • Share ›

Racist Pig • 5 years ago Death to Maltians!!! • Share ›

your malta • 5 years ago This is the best thread I've ever seen. thank you. • Share ›

Sauvignon • 5 years ago This makes up for all those idiotic comments that usually appear. Now I know why I actually still read comments :-D viva Maltia! • Share ›

Barton Paul Levenson • 5 years ago I warn you, keep insulting us Maltians and we'll do a GEICO commercial about you!

-BPL Maltian Anti-Defamation League • Share ›

malt • 5 years ago we are own all your maltians • Share ›

Yo Malta • 5 years ago BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!! • Share ›

Yo Malta • 5 years ago www.wired.com/wcireadpsc!ie sncoe/r2r0y08 /'1y0/oonuer-o rmgaanilstma-e' cf/or highjacking your name so to speak....was caught up in the 13/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science crap! sorry 'your malta' for highjacking your name so to speak....was caught up in the collapse of the educational system LMFAO at this lovely spamaltian bash and overlooked ya...i'll leave you all to it now, carry on in the name of all things Maltian and GEICO and Pastafari.... • Share ›

yes • 5 years ago Got Maltia? • Share ›

Repetitron • 5 years ago I think the burning question on everyone's lips is "How possible it will survive in a sulfphur proned planet?" This is challenging to me. • Share ›

yes • 5 years ago I'd rather go naked then sulfphur in Maltia. ok? • Share ›

no • 5 years ago No to sulfphur in Maltia !!!! • Share ›

Commander Jamesson • 5 years ago Don't drink blended! Drink single Maltians ! • Share ›

Katie Couric • 5 years ago Put it in the head of Sarah Palin and see if it can survive in a truly empty and desolate void. 1 • Share ›

oha • 5 years ago PREPARE FOR DOWNCOUNT. OFF BLAST TO MALTIA WITH LONESOME EARTH ORGANISM: MISSION ? SEE IF SURVIVAL POSSIBLE WITH SULFPHUR. CHALLENGING. • Share ›

yoko • 5 years ago My milkshake brings all the maltians to the yard... 1 • Share ›

aditya menon yoko • 3 years ago again, hahahahahahahahahaa • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 14/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

Too funny • 5 years ago For some strange reason.... This is the first comment section I have actually enjoyed reading. Long live the Maltians! (I wonder if we can get them to run for President?) • Share ›

stump blankenship • 5 years ago When did Wired comment threads turn into AVClub comment threads?

best entertainment so far today • Share ›

Noodly Appendage • 5 years ago The Flying Spaghetti Monster will or will not smite the Maltians. • Share ›

Maltian Overlord • 5 years ago Fear the Maltians! With our supremly tiddy life forms you have no chance at suvivering! • Share ›

LMFAO • 5 years ago Do Maltians Digg? • Share ›

Set us up the bomb? • 5 years ago All your base are belong to Maltians. Make your time. 1 • Share ›

goodwin • 5 years ago Hitler was a maltian. • Share ›

Maltian Canuck • 5 years ago Is there anywhere I can find information regarding foreign exchange trips to Maltia for my teenage son? He has been acting like a single celled organism for some time now and I believe mixing with his own kind would do him some good 1 • Share ›

Klendathu must be destroyed • 5 years ago Join the mobile infantery and save the world! Service guarantees citizen-ship. Would you like to know more ? 1 • Share ›

www.wired.com/wViarerdgscaiesn ce•/2 050 8y/e10a/orsne a-ogrgoanism-ec/ 15/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Vargas • 5 years ago Oh boy, the next internet meme is born.

It seems I'll need to go to Maltia to get rid of this. 1 • Share ›

maltian conspiracy • 5 years ago The collapse of the stock market and the appearance of the Maltian race...coincidence...I think not. We are in the end times my friends!! 2 • Share ›

Qwizz • 5 years ago Yo Vargas is right, we are all apart of the next "Numa/all your base/ytmnd" idiotic internet "thing". The Maltian's have made us famous! Now we need a graphic... • Share ›

onestep • 5 years ago @yoko - REMIX! haha • Share ›

Maltian underling • 5 years ago That made my maltian day! I think I pissed in my maltian pants!! Do you know how hard it is to clean maltian pants? They are full of sulphur... Which makes it difficult for me to survive. 2 • Share ›

Young Maltia • 5 years ago Maltia, these maltias want to change your maltia. They don't want this Maltia or any of his maltias to live here because it's bad for their maltia. They use Maltia to try and force maltias to believe their maltia. If you let them stay here, they will build maltias and maltias. They will take all your maltias and replace them with their maltia. These maltias have no good maltia to live on Maltia, so they must come here to Maltia. Please, let these maltias stay where they can grow and prosper without any maltias, maltias, or maltias. • Share ›

Lepted Nurg Felderin • 5 years ago Greetings, earth people. I am a Maltian. I am pleased by the talking that my planet and my beautiful people are getting and receiving and acquiring from the earth people that are you. Please know that we are a beautiful people and my planet is beautiful. You should exist here in the Maltia so that we may exist together and get more beautiful talks! And the bacteria that is interesting is happy to come here!

May the Universe be kind, -- Lepted Nurg Felderin, of Beautiful Maltia www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 16/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Also note this: Please have excuse for mistake, and this is uses Google Translator, and English isn't of me.

Also note this to "going there now": Yes, laughter! I would like you to come, please do come. 2 • Share ›

tekuno • 5 years ago All hail the Maltians! All hail the Maltians! • Share ›

philko • 5 years ago Just went back and looked at my copy of the US Bill of Rights. Imagine my surprise when I realized I'd been reading it wrong all this time:

"A well regulated Maltia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

This raises so many questions. Who is regulating these Maltians? Could it be that their appearance during this financial meltdown has to do with deregulation? How many Arms do they have? Are these Arms on their "fringe"? • Share ›

My most esteemed Sir or Madam: • 5 years ago I think I got an email from an ambassador of Maltia to help settle some accounts, to which I would be paid $400,000 for my services. What's the exchange rate of Matian Rubles right now? Gotsta be better than US dollars, which aren't worth their weight in malts. 2 • Share ›

David • 5 years ago Your infringing upon the maltian armament.

The Bill of Rights only grants us "lesser life forms" the "right to keep" our arms (attached). • Share ›

Lycosid • 5 years ago The Maltian ruble is based on the sulfphur standard and resists devaluation. The Maltian economy is strong. • Share ›

philko • 5 years ago "The Maltian economy is strong."

Do you mean the "Maltian economy" or the "Maltian workers"? Cos there's a difference. Or there's not. I get confused. • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 17/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

Senator Struart M. • 5 years ago Maltians are just like you, and we would prefer if you did not infect our peaceful people with your one-organism creatures. We also do not want our economic system crushed with your capitalistic greed by peddling Malted Milk Shakes. Oh, and in case you were wondering, we do not have Weapons of Mass Destruction. We just want to be left alone. • Share ›

Invade Maltia • 5 years ago We have to invade Maltia NOW! • Share ›

Adam • 5 years ago I, for one, welcome our new Maltian overlords. I'd like to remind them that as a trusted internet commenter, I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their underground sugar caves. • Share ›

philko • 5 years ago Adam is yet another example of the Maltian Sympathetic Media (MSM) that are contributing to the ruin of our great country. • Share ›

GOP's against Maltians • 5 years ago Maltians are a strain on our system. They come in asking for a handout. They dont have health insurance - clog up our emergency rooms and take away jobs while not paying taxes. There really needs to be some sort of a sulfur field to prevent this from continuing. • Share ›

My most esteemed stock portfol • 5 years ago Moving all my money to Maltian Rubles now. Stephen Colbert and his "soup stock portfolio" can go straight to heck. • Share ›

Lycosid • 5 years ago Philko, I'd suggest a course in Maltian economics. There's just too much to cover in a post on wired. Also, the Maltian lobby is very powerful and I worry about offending them or their subterranean homeland. • Share ›

philko • 5 years ago "Maltian lobby is very powerful"

I'd expect so, with them being sulfur-based and the lack of ventilation in the lobby. www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 18/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

"I'd suggest a course in Maltian economics"

D'you think it'd work if I just hung out with the gang at the Maltian shop? (cos there's this really cute Maltian and I think it likes me) • Share ›

Dangerfish • 5 years ago Whats funny, if you google Maltian, you will see a cybersquatter already has Maltian.com. When they do take over, that is going to be either one very dead, or very rich man. • Share ›

philko • 5 years ago You assume that he's human. That's good. The plan is proceeding as intended. 2 • Share ›

lord xenu • 5 years ago ALl your Malts are belong to us !!! • Share ›

Xeno • 5 years ago Hilarious comments thread. This totally makes up for all the Maltian evolution bashing that goes on around here. • Share ›

Coolio & Lakeside • 5 years ago Come along and ride on our MALTIAN VOYAGE !! • Share ›

maltial punishment • 5 years ago I like old Maltalica better... Their new stuff stinks (like sulfur) 3 • Share ›

Desulforudis audaxviator • 5 years ago Can we get back to talking about me, and not this human named all4naija?

Besides I have already been to Mals. • Share ›

First Unitarian Church of the • 5 years ago The Maltians need to do away with their golden cow juice shake idol worship and learn to accept and pray to Bigfoot's god -the one "true" god that thrives on eating flying spaghetti monsters and loves colt 45 and Maltian milk balls • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 19/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Martial punishment • 5 years ago girls go to Jupiter to get more stupider, boys go to mals to get more maltian milk balls... ok, ok, enough... we better be careful what we say and hope that this doesnt get back to the maltians, they may send out the maltian militia to silence us. • Share ›

philko • 5 years ago Meet Gorgeous Maltian Women In Your Area!! Have Wild Sex!!! Become Dinner !!!!

www.maltian.com/discreetEncoun... • Share ›

Innocent Bystander • 5 years ago Guys.... HEY GUYS?!?!

Oh God... They're all dead. The M-M-M-Maltians got 'em Sarge! • Share ›

Yakov Smirnoff • 5 years ago In America, you drive car. In Soviet Maltia, car drives you! • Share ›

Saltian • 5 years ago My Maltian underwear is riding up in my crack!!!! • Share ›

TF • 5 years ago Actually, Maltia is the name of a village in Bangladesh. http://nona.net/features/map/placedetail.1705058/M%C4%81ltia/

It is also a stylish sandal from Born... http://cgi.ebay.com/BORN-WOMENS-MALTIA-WEDGE-SANDALS-SLIDES-BROWN-NIB- 7_W0QQitemZ220286700175QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20080928? IMSfp=TL080928023008r5301

Just thought you might like to know. • Share ›

Che Maltian X • 5 years ago The Maltian Revolution will not be televised!! Or Torrented!! Or Podcasted!! Or made available for download after inital brodcast provided the proper Maltian CAPTCHMA(Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers, Maltians, and Humans Apart) test is passed!! Or TiVo'd!!!!! • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 20/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science NOT the Maltian Government • 5 years ago Precisely, Tf. We do not exist and it is folly to think otherwise. Spread your truth. • Share ›

Concerned Citizen • 5 years ago Wasn't this thread originally about something else? I forget, all the Maltian propaganda floating in my head. • Share ›

Fight MaltianCorn • 5 years ago I just found out that there is a organization trying to register maltians to vote in the upcomming election. Besides starting a blog - is there anything else I can do to stop this? • Share ›

Keen Observer • 5 years ago Did anyone else notice how much that one maltian resembles Tina Fey? • Share ›

Maltian Foreign Affairs Office • 5 years ago Office of the Magistrate Maltian Foreign Affairs Office cc: Wired.com

Cease and desist forthwith all comments about Maltia and the Maltian people. Any further comment will be taken to be an act of war and we will bring out the Desulforudis audaxviator and destroy your planet in one quick sneeze. • Share ›

Maltian • 5 years ago ALL GLORY TO THE MALTIANS • Share ›

Alexis Madrigal • 5 years ago @Wired Science commenters/Maltians: I bow before your efforts. Can all of our comment threads be this funny?

Reminds me of this awesome BoingBoing thread: http://www.boingboing.net/2008/04/24/untitled-1.html • Share ›

Threadjacker Provacateur • 5 years ago I'm having a great time with all of this, but wary at the same time. Isn't it about time for someone to burst their head in and yell something literate like "OBAMAIS REALLY A SCERET MULISM!!1 (?) Or something of the like? www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 21/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Go Maltia, one nation under Maltia. • Share ›

Threadjacker Provacateur • 5 years ago Oh crap. • Share ›

Jan Brady • 5 years ago Why does Maltia get everything? Maltia, Maltia, Maltia! • Share ›

Finster Flummoxing • 5 years ago I heard this tiny creature eats a Bazillion to the n-th degree it's own weight every hour.

You should see the tunnel it left!

Part of me wants to nurture and preserve it. The other part of me, the Republican part, wants to kill it and destroy it! • Share ›

Finster Flummoxing "Scientist" • 5 years ago I heard this tiny creature eats a Bazillion to the n-th degree it's own weight every hour.

You should see the tunnel it left!

Part of me wants to nurture and preserve it. The other part of me, the Republican part, wants to kill it and destroy it! • Share ›

A.F. • 5 years ago I heard maltians are mulisms. • Share ›

Meme advisor to the Maltian pe • 5 years ago It is time to spread the maltian meme on to other worthy subjects so that the meme spreads far beyond this lonely litte page and can take its' rightful place in the internet encyclopedia known as wikipedia. So begone youthful maltians to spread your memeful seed across this great galaxy of blogginess. • Share ›

ptha • 5 years ago Warning! Do you know where your children are right now? At this very instant there are over 9000 Maltians on the internets roaming the chat rooms and the myspaces. They might have already made contact with your children, spreading their decadent Maltian lifestyles. Write to your representative to tell them we don't want Maltian values taught in our schools. www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 22/32 3/19/14 your representative tOon et-eOlrlg atnhisemm Ec owsyeste dm oDnisc'otv wereadn int A Mfriacalnt iGaonld vMainleu -e Wsi rtead uScgiehncte in our schools. • Share ›

onestep • 5 years ago google: "maltian life force"

the internet awaits the maltian life! • Share ›

UFOs ARE REAL! • 5 years ago Obama is a Maltian. McCain is a Maltian. Do you think they are taking chances? No their conquest is virtually certain... • Share ›

Maltian Rebel • 5 years ago You know, I hear the Maltians have oil.... • Share ›

beware! • 5 years ago >>Are these Arms on their "fringe"?

Yes, Maltians look like circular carpets with 8 strong arms around the fringe and a snail's foot in the middle.

It's a cookbook! • Share ›

a warning • 5 years ago MALTIA - sounds like MAFIA. Coincidence? I think not! Bring back Spitzer!!! • Share ›

a random person • 5 years ago MAFIA sounds like MALTIA... coincidence? I think not!!! We need Spitzer back on the job!!! • Share ›

B. Ayers • 5 years ago Just because Obama once met with a Maltian doesn't make him a sulphur-based organism. • Share ›

philko • 5 years ago He may *say* he's not a sulphur-based organism, but something doesn't smell right...

Also, he pronounces Maltian in a very unusual way. He says Mahl-shun when every Joe Six- Pack knows it's Mail-tee-yin. Damned elitist. • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 23/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

B. Ayers • 5 years ago The sulfur smell is just Biden. You know, he said Obama was not ready to lead a society of lonely, single-celled organisms during the primaries, but now he's changed his tune. But what bothers me the most is they are willing to meet those Maltians without pre-conditions... • Share ›

maltian overlord • 5 years ago All YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US Bow to Your new MALTIAN masters • Share ›

Benny • 5 years ago What do the Maltian rebels want? The usual: more money, more freedom, more air! • Share ›

anon • 5 years ago Are you single? Would you like to meet a nice hot Maltian in your neighborhood? For sexy pics, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

• Share ›

shrub • 5 years ago We cannot allow Maltia to acquire nuclear technology. www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 24/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science We cannot allow Maltia to acquire nuclear technology. • Share ›

Maltian Foot Soldier • 5 years ago The Maltian Army wants YOU! • Share ›

K_dog • 5 years ago lmao, the Maltians!!!

Btw, Wired's comment section is turning into Ebaums world and 4chan! • Share ›

maltian next door • 5 years ago Thank you Maltian!

But our princess is in another castle! • Share ›

tingtings • 5 years ago They they they call me maltia! That's not my name! • Share ›

mudkipz • 5 years ago do ur maltians lyk mudkipz • Share ›

Emperor Maltia the First • 5 years ago Insipid Unbelievers! Heed my missive. Obey my illusory commands from the alleged seat of my spurious Martian power, Maltiopolis. Send gifts to Boxholder, Emperor Maltia the First, P.O.Box 52318, Boston, MA 02205 Thanks for your kindness, Bovril • Share ›

Confused • 5 years ago "Martian power"?? WTF is "Martian?" Ain't that a drink? ::narrows eyes at the alleged Maltian "Emperor":: Is that you, Bush? • Share ›

Salta Hussein Malta • 5 years ago WTF are you Earthlings doing sitting on my pool of oil?!!!! • Share ›

Adam • 5 years ago www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 25/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Maltian Maltian bump Maltian • Share ›

Escoofield • 5 years ago This is great! truly amazing and very fantastic!

Escoofield- http://alotofit.com

Have Fun! • Share ›

Dead Horse • 5 years ago Finally! I thought all that flogging was gonna kill me again! • Share ›

Aitlam • 5 years ago I am worry that the Large Hardon Collider will endanger these microorganisms. I read in the Internet that it is going to shoot particles through the Earth. Waht if some of tham hit this ecosysteme? • Share ›

Dr Maltia Maltian • 5 years ago Maltia, Maltia.

ATTENTION: THE PRESIDENT/CEO

DEAR SIR,

CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSAL

HAVING CONSULTED WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THE MALTIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE TO TRANSFER THE SUM OF $47,500,000.00 (FORTY SEVEN MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) INTO YOUR ACCOUNTS. THE ABOVE SUM RESULTED FROM AN OVER- INVOICED CONTRACT, EXECUTED COMMISSIONED AND PAID FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS (5) AGO BY A FOREIGN CONTRACTOR. THIS ACTION WAS HOWEVER INTENTIONAL AND SINCE THEN THE FUND HAS BEEN IN A SUSPENSE ACCOUNT AT THE CENTRAL BANK OF MALTIA APEX BANK.

WE ARE NOW READY TO TRANSFER THE FUND OVERSEAS AND THAT IS WHERE YOU COME IN. IT IS IMPORTANT TO INFORM YOU THAT AS CIVIL SERVANTS, WE ARE www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 26/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science FORBIDDEN TO OPERATE A FOREIGN ACCOUNT; THAT IS WHY WE REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE. THE TOTAL SUM WILL BE SHARED AS FOLLOWS: 70% FOR US, 25% FOR YOU AND 5% FOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPENSES INCIDENT TO THE TRANSFER.

THE TRANSFER IS RISK FREE ON BOTH SIDES. I AM AN ACCOUNTANT WITH THE MALTIAN NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORPORATION (MNPC). IF YOU FIND THIS PROPOSAL ACCEPTABLE, WE SHALL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

(A) YOUR BANKER'S NAME, TELEPHONE, ACCOUNT AND FAX NUMBERS.

(B) YOUR PRIVATE TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS -- FOR CONFIDENTIALITY AND EASY COMMUNICATION.

ALTERNATIVELY WE WILL FURNISH YOU WITH THE TEXT OF WHAT TO TYPE INTO YOUR LETTER-HEADED PAPER, ALONG WITH A BREAKDOWN EXPLAINING, COMPREHENSIVELY WHAT WE REQUIRE OF YOU. THE BUSINESS WILL TAKE US THIRTY (30) WORKING DAYS TO ACCOMPLISH.

PLEASE REPLY URGENTLY.

BEST REGARDS

DR MALTIA MALTIAN • Share ›

funnybunny • 5 years ago MWA REPRESENT! • Share ›

Internet Investigator • 5 years ago Demand for Immediate take-Down: Notice of Infringing Activity

Date: 17 October 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

The Maltian Association of Lawyers, Technocrats, Idiots and Americans (MALTIA) has received information that the web page listed below, which appears to be on servers under your control, is hosting and/or broadcasting content, or otherwise engaging in unauthorized activities, that infringes copyrights owned by MALTIA member companies.

1. Identification of copyrighted work(s):

MALTIA members own the copyrights in and to, inter alia, (a) The Maltiase Falcon, (b) My Favorite Maltian, (c) Malted Milk Balls, (d) yo Maltia, and (e) the chemical element having www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 27/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science Favorite Maltian, (c) Malted Milk Balls, (d) yo Maltia, and (e) the chemical element having atomic number 16, and (f) any derivative works, including humorous comments, consisting of, incorporating, or in any way referencing the foregoing (collectively, Maltian Copyrighted Content), including without limitation the material found at the location(s) listed below as well as duplicates of such material.

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec.html

Material being infringed: Maltian Copyrighted Content

2. Infringing material found at the following location(s):

The MALTIA members copyrights are infringed by the above material being made available for copying, through downloading, at the above location without authorization from the MALTIA member.

3. Statement of authority:

I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the information in this notice is not accurate and that I am not authorized to act on behalf of the MALTIA, the copyright owner of none of the intellectual property rights. I have a bad faith belief that none of the materials or activities listed above have been authorized by the MALTIA, its agents, or the law.

We hereby give notice of these activities to you and request that you take expeditious action to remove or disable access to the material described above, and thereby prevent the reproduction and distribution of this material via your company's network.

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Please advise us regarding what actions you take.

Sincerely,

*********** Internet Investigator

on behalf of: MALTIA 3 • Share ›

Matt Maltian • 5 years ago I am a Maltian • Share ›

Matlacats • 5 years ago CAN I HAS MALTABURGER!? • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 28/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science • Share ›

Malta Means Orange In Urdu. Th • 5 years ago I mades you a maltia, but I eated it =/ • Share ›

anti-maltians need a bikini wa • 5 years ago THIS .. IS .. MALTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! 2 • Share ›

Quaid • 5 years ago SCREW YOU BENNY!! • Share ›

yes • 5 years ago They should. They should... • Share ›

oha • 5 years ago − ok nasa take maltians to fuseum. launch break off sequence initiated. 987321, launch off. • Share ›

Darth Vader • 5 years ago So now that we have released the Maltains, are they going to overtake the world? • Share ›

myinvestorsplace01 • 5 years ago Thank you for suggesting useful information.Everywhere else biologists have studied life on our planet, they've found communities of life, but today, biologists announced they have discovered an ecosystem that contains just a single species of bacteria. • Share ›

Barack Obama • 5 years ago Hello all of you beautiful people and thanks for your support out there at the polls this past week. With you help we are all one step closer to realizing our dream of uniting this country, this entire world, into one body under Maltia! • Share ›

Mad Prophet Dude • 5 years ago What have we done... With these superior Maltians on the loose who knows how long it will take... WE ARE DOOMED! I for one bow down to our Maltian overlords! www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 29/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science I for one bow down to our Maltian overlords! • Share ›

another1 • 5 years ago i want some maltia liquor • Share ›

Darth Vader • 5 years ago I smell Maltians...... • Share ›

The Maltian • 5 years ago We don't want your silly organism.... • Share ›

William Liu • 5 years ago oil painting oil painting oil painting oil painting oil painting oil-painting Oilpainting • Share ›

ART William • 5 years ago oil painting oil painting oil painting oil painting • Share ›

Barton Paul Levenson • 5 years ago With the fire of passion-fruit and the power of Playstation, I am Sailor Mals! In the name of Mals, I will right pictures and furnish interiors! And that means IOU! • Share ›

Anonymous • 5 years ago ive been on the maltian voyage three times already • Share ›

Anonymous • 5 years ago ive been on the maltian voyage three times already! • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 30/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

Anonymous • 5 years ago fukin maltians made my butt sore • Share ›

maltian who • 5 years ago Ok, can someone tell me where this "maltian" thing came from? I see no references to it in the article! 3 • Share ›

what the fux is a maltia • 5 years ago please someone let me know. • Share ›

maltedmaltian • 5 years ago OH! He was trying to say "Martian"! 4 • Share ›

what? • 5 years ago I'm busy doing the work Maltians won't do. • Share ›

Filipe Tomé • 5 years ago what's cheesy about saying the web of life? 3 • Share ›

lwamol • 5 years ago laughing with a Maltian out loud • Share ›

lwamol • 5 years ago Malaysa was planted by advanced Maltians • Share ›

jiggi123 • 5 years ago Don't we think Maltians are going to be hashed on humans because they are single-cell organism? • Share ›

gatech_nre • 5 years ago AYMSMM:

All You Maltians Suck My Malts • Share › www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/10/one-organism-ec/ 31/32 3/19/14 One-Organism Ecosystem Discovered in African Gold Mine - Wired Science

Subscribe Add Disqus to your site

Collapse Previous Article Letter to High School Students: What to Major in Next Article Video of the First 24 Hours of an Embryo's Cells