To create a little context for this, on the tree of life, the very top level is “alive or not alive”, with of course, only life qualifying.
The very next level is called “domain”. For centuries now, there were only two domains: bacteria and “Eukarya”, or “everything alive that isn’t bacteria.
But then, not too long ago, biologists decided that there was a third domain. “Archaea”. They look like bacteria but aren’t bacteria, following a completely different evolutionary path. Originally they were called “extremophiles”, because they were found in extremely harsh environments, where even bacteria don’t live. They also eat things that bacteria don’t eat, like hydrogen gas.
And, surprise, they also live in the intestines of some people, and are important to good digestion.
To add a fourth domain so soon is a radical notion, and will take much debate. For example, why did bacteria and Eukarya evolve a lot, but Archaea and Pandoraviruses not evolve very much at all.
And, perhaps why some are fat and some are skinny?
———To add a fourth domain——That’s what biologists do to achieve fame........ split
Why fool with splitting hairs to describe a new species, go to the very top and split off a new domain.
Splitters rule and become department heads