This journal article reports the unexpectedly high eukaryotic phylogenetic diversity in Spain's Rio Tinto. Microbes of the Rio Tinto must be both acidophilic and tolerant of heavy metals to survive. The authors describe the role of prokaryotes in the Rio Tinto and explore potential roles of eukaryotes, such as the sequestration of potentially toxic metals. The article includes images and a minimum evolution phylogeny of Rio Tinto's eukaryotes. It concludes with a description of physiological studies currently being applied to the acidophilic eukaryotes. This resource requires a paid subscription to the Biological Bulletin.
