Scientists have revealed a bizarre microscopic creature that reproduces in a way reminiscent of the horror film Alien.
The microbe grows one or more new cells inside its own body before the outer "mother" cell ruptures to release them; a reproductive strategy never before seen in its group of organisms.
Unlike Ridley Scott's extraterrestrial monster, this tiny lifeform is completely harmless to people.
Instead, researchers believe it could help improve the production of valuable omega-3 oils and provide a natural source of the pink food colours called carotenoids.
Both are used in food supplements, infant formula and animal and fish farming. The cells are also approximately 50% protein.
The discovery was reported in the academic journal Protist by a long-standing consortium of scientists from Heriot-Watt, Heriot-Watt spinout company Strameno, the The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) Weymouth and the Institute of Aquaculture at Stirling University.
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