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:
Sporosarcina aquimarinaYoon et al. 2001
Sporosarcina contaminansKämpfer et al. 2010
Sporosarcina globispora(Larkin and Stokes 1967) Yoon et al. 2001
Sporosarcina macmurdoensisReddy et al. 2003
Sporosarcina newyorkensisWolfgang et al. 2012
Sporosarcina pasteurii(Miquel 1889) Yoon et al. 2001
Sporosarcina saromensisAn et al. 2007
Sporosarcina thermotoleransKämpfer et al. 2010
Sporosarcina ureae(Beijerinck 1901) Kluyver and van Niel 1936