However, RNAs have also been identified in "metagenomics" sequences derived from samples of DNA or RNA extracted from the environment, which contain unknown species.
The distinct environmental sequences were exploited to detect previously unknown RNAs in the marine bacterium Pelagibacter ubique.
The first study determined the sequences of RNAs directly extracted from microbial biomass in the Pacific Ocean.
Additional non-coding RNAs are predicted in marine environments,[4] although no specific conserved secondary structures have been published for these other candidates.
The discovery of RNAs that are not detected among currently known species mirrors findings of protein classes that are currently unique to environmental samples.