Kingdom Bacteria Class Deltaproteobacteria Rank Family | Phylum Proteobacteria Order Desulfobacterales | |
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Similar Deltaproteobacteria, Desulfovibrionales, Desulfobulbus propionicus, Desulfotomaculum, Desulfomonile | ||
The Desulfobacteraceae are a family of Proteobacteria. They are reducing sulfates to sulfides to obtain energy and are strictly anaerobic.They have a respiratory and fermentative type of metabolism. Some species are chemolithotrophic and use inorganic materials to obtain energy and use Hydrogen as their electron donor.
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Morphology
Desulfobacteraceae vary widely in shape and size across the genera. Desulfofaba are straight or slightly curved rods that range in size from 0.8-2.1 x 3.2-6.1 ɥm. Those in the genus Desulfobacterium are spherical or oval shaped and somewhat smaller, ranging in size from 0.9-1.3 x 1.5-3.0 ɥm or 1.5-2.0 x 2.0-2.5 ɥm. They stain gram negative and are not known to produce spores. Some species contain a single polar flagellum used for motility.
Genus and species of Desulfobacteraceae may only be definitively distinguished by analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, but certain genera may be determined through physiological characteristics alone. Desulfofrigus displays an optimal growth rate at very low temperatures compared to other sulfate reducing bacteria. It is also unable to grow in the presence of Proprionate.
Metabolism
Most species of Desulfobacteraceae use sulfur compounds as their main energy source. The most common source used is sulfate which, through metabolic processes, is reduced to sulfide. In an environment with little or no sulfate, sulfite or elemental sulfur may also be used and reduced into sulfide. In rare cases nitrate may also be used as a food source and reduced into ammonia. They have very efficient sulfate reduction rates (between 12 and 423 mu mol/dm(3) day(-1)) in optimal conditions.
Habitat
Desulfobacteraceae may be found in a range of locations but are most often found in saline and hypersaline waters including salt lakes and the ocean. They have also been found in polar ice in Antarctica. They may be found trapped within ice, floating within the water column, or living on or in other organisms such as sea sponges.