 Acidithiobacilia is a genus of bacteria that live in extreme environments, such as acid mind drainage or volcanic hot springs. Recently, researchers had been studying how these organisms evolve and adapt to their environment. They have discovered that there are two main subspecies of acidithiobacillus ferrooxidens, which differ in their genetics and physiology. One subspecies can use ferrous iron as its source of energy while the other cannot. This difference allows them to survive in different environments. This article was authored by Anna Moyer Beltran, Martin Gajdosik, Camila Rojasvielobos and others.