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Thiotrichales

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Thiotrichales
Thiomargarita namibiensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Pseudomonadota
Class: Gammaproteobacteria
Order: Thiotrichales
Garrity et al. 2005
Families

Fastidiosibacteraceae[1]
Francisellaceae[1]
Piscirickettsiaceae[1]
Thiofilaceae[1]
Thiolinaceae[1]
Thiotrichaceae[1]

Thiotrichales is an order of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria within the class Gammaproteobacteria. The members of this order are known for their large size and ability to live in sulfur rich environments. Thiotrichales has an important role in the sulfur and nitrogen cycles in marine and freshwater sediments, hydrothermal vents, and areas with an accumulation of organic matter.

Characteristics

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  1. Sulfur metabolism: Most species oxidize sulfur compounds for energy. Other microbes may use nitrate as an electron acceptor which contributes to the detoxification of sulfide-rich environments.
  2. Morphology: In this class they vary greatly in size
  3. Symbiosis: Microbes in this class can form symbiotic relationships with other organisms, mostly marine invertebrates like mussels and worms. They help these organisms survive in environments lacking nutrients by performing sulfur oxidation which provides them with needed nutrients.

These bacteria thrive when there is a gradient between oxygenated and anoxic zones, that can occur around hydrothermal vents. This is where thiotrichales usually form microbial mats and biofilms is sulfur is abundant. This species of microbe can also be present in cold seep ecosystems where methane and sulfide seep through the seafloor.

Ecological Importance

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Thiotrichales bacteria contribute to the cycling of nutrients in an environment, specifically in area that contain high levels of sulfide. This bacterium aids many organisms through sulfur oxidation, due to the sole toxicity of sulfur. Effectively detoxifying sulfide-rich environments in marine and freshwater sediments, hydrothermal vents, and areas with large accumulations of organic matter making the regions more hospitable to other organisms.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Thiotrichales". www.uniprot.org.