🦠Promethearchaeati are archaea with eukaryote-like genes, yet, living mainly in stable subsurface habitats
This perspective explains why their traits like slow growth and fragility might be favored there but not at Earth’s surface
@ls4space.bsky.social @karenlloyd.bsky.social
doi.org/10.1038/s420...
Two PUP authors will be at the @latimes.com Festival of Books this weekend, Apr 18!
- Jeannette L. Clariond and Forrest Gander, author and translator of Even Time Bleeds, at 1:20pm PDT
- @karenlloyd.bsky.social, author of Intraterrestrials, At 3:00pm PDT
Explore the full schedule: buff.ly/qONNYTS
I can't wait to talk about how cool life is deep beneath our feet! Join us for this fun discussion with Laurie Barge (NASA/JPL) and me!
I can't wait to talk about how cool life is deep beneath our feet! Join us for this fun discussion with Laurie Barge (NASA/JPL) and me!
I just saw the loveliest new review of my book at the Times Literary Supplement! She liked everything about the book but the crabs. I'll take it. www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
I love that title, and this was so much fun to write!
Sara Augugliaro worked with me for her beautiful article about time for The Art of Wine. And she kindly translated it from Italian into English! 1/2
Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth by Karen G. Lloyd
Karen G. Lloyd
Join us in congratulating @karenlloyd.bsky.social, whose book Intraterrestrials has been longlisted for the 2026 @penamerica.bsky.social/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award! The winner will be announced in March 2026.
Explore her outstanding work here: hubs.ly/Q03YLJl10
They're so beautiful!!!!!
Absolutely! The best way to view these genomes is to get a free account at img.jgi.doe.gov, and search for them. Any genome from tens of meters deep into marine sediments would most likely be something capable of ultra-slow growth, although slow-growers certainly exist in other environments as well.
Yes (what @stcmicrobeblog.bsky.social said)! Genomes are the main way we study them, since this is a lot more accessible than culturing them. Although they are starting to be cultured too!
Me, freaking, too!!!!!
My book Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth was long-listed for the PEN E.O. Wilson Award! I've been inspired by E.O. Wilson's science writing since I was a kid, so this is a huge honor!
pen.org/announcing-t...
My article on aeonophiles (ultra-long lived organisms) came out in Aeon Magazine today!
Hey cool! If you want to know some amazing stuff about life on Earth (technically, INSIDE Earth, but I think it still counts), you might enjoy reading my book.
5 PUP books: Leonardo da Vinci; Shark; Intraterrestrials; How to Have Willpower; How to Make a Home; Wall Street Journal Holiday Gift Books
We're thrilled to see five of our books featured in @wsj.com's Holiday Gift Guide this holiday season! 🎉🎁
Learn more about each of these beautiful books: press.princeton.edu/books?search...
ICYMI: @karenlloyd.bsky.social appeared on CBC Quirks and Quarks this weekend, discussing Intraterrestrials and some of her amazing adventures across the globe. Check it out:
Nicely spotted! I hope you enjoy Intraterrestrials!
How does lava sound when it comes to the surface of the Earth? Listen to a lava flow oozing out of its effusive vent high on the southwestern side of #Etna, 28 August 2025. That day no visits by tourists were allowed on the site, which permitted this (relatively) clean recording
If you find yourself in the Malibu area this Wednesday (9/3), feel free to join me for an evening of talking about the strangest Intraterrestrials on Earth! The event is free, but an RSVP is requested. www.malibucity.org/722/Malibu-L...
Jones: I want to bring theology into this because you have all these people that want to give thoughts and prayers. But I was a minister, and that is a form of theological malpractice—when you pray for something you have the power to change.
I hope you enjoy it! I didn't pull any punches with the science, but I tried to make it fun. Maybe after you re-read all those books, you can watch The Core! www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVko...
Asgard archaea frozen in Siberia appear to have remained alive for more than 100,000 years based on DNA analysis. Genetic overlap with other Asgards suggests astonishingly long lifespans could be common trait among the closest living relatives of all eukaryotes. Per @karenlloyd.bsky.social etal.🧪
Good question! There's just an insert of color photos of field work. As long as you can conjure images of a researcher bouncing down a volcanic scree pile, and doing a "happy dance" next to a drill and snowmobiles (we had a HARD time reaching permafrost), you can understand the book without them. :)
If you want, you can read MY book about it! It's called Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth. (But I agree, it would be FIRE if @carlzimmer.com put his own spin on the subject!) press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Oops, thanks!
Photos by the wonderful brighteye@bsky.social!
Sidebar: When I'm staring wistfully into the distance in these photos, what I was really doing was watching a great blue heron galumph around, awkwardly perching on things that were too small for it. That bird should hire itself out for future photo shoots.
