Family Planococcaceae Higher classification Planococcaceae Rank Genus | Kingdom Eubacteria Scientific name Sporosarcina Phylum Firmicutes Order Bacillales | |
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Similar Bacteria, Sporosarcina pasteurii, Sporosarcina ureae, Sporolactobacillus, Desulfotomaculum |
Specification
The cells of the species of Sporosarcina are either rod-shaped or coccoid. Sporosarcina forms endospores. The majority species of Sporosarcina is moveable (motile).
Metabolism
All species of Sporosarcina are heterotrophic. They do not perform photosynthesis. A few species are obligate aerobic, they need oxygen. Others are facultative aerobic, they can also perform metabolism in the absence of oxygen.
Ecology

Some species, such as S. ureae have the enzyme urease and are thus able to break down urea. The species forms the highest population densities in soils that are subject to influence of urine. These include, for example, meadows where cattle are kept. Thus S. ureae plays an important role in the ecosystem.
Systematics
Sporosarcina belongs to the firmicutes. Some examples of species:

