The circumstances and constituents that gave rise to the primeval eukaryotic cell are hotly debated topics. Most popular hypotheses for eukaryogenesis invoke symbiosis as a driving force.
Some recent models hypothesize the melding of anaerobic prokaryotes to create the first eukaryote.
Because it can be argued that the Earth s high incidental UV radiation caused a higher risk of DNA damage at the time of eukaryogenesis, one plausible site for this evolutionary milepost is a deep-water microbial mat. Most components of the SBB eukaryotic benthos have prokaryotic associates and the levels of integration between SBB hosts and symbionts range from loose associations to securely attached ectobionts to fully-integrated endosymbioses. This wide array of sophistication in symbioses causes the SBB to be an appealing evolutionary laboratory from which to glean further insights into symbiogenesis, the diversification of life, and, possibly, the origin of eukaryotes. Key to Past and Present Box core recovery in the Santa Barbara Basin. This web page was last updated 07 June 2000.