ISSN:
1432-072X
Keywords:
Key words Anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria
;
Heliophilum fasciatum
;
Heliophilum gestii
;
Bacteriochlorophyll g
;
Photosynthesis
;
Rice fields
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Two new taxa of phototrophic heliobacteria are described: Heliobacterium gestii sp. nov. and Heliophilum fasciatum gen. nov. sp. nov. Both organisms were isolated from dry paddy soils. Cells of H. gestii were motile spirilla; cells of H. fasciatum formed cell bundles that were motile as units. Both organisms produced endospores; H. gestii endospores contained dipicolinic acid and elevated levels of calcium. As with other heliobacteria, bacteriochlorophyll g was produced in both organisms and no intracytoplasmic photosynthetic membranes were observed. Growth of H. gestii and H. fasciatum occurred under both photoheterotrophic and chemotrophic conditions; nitrogen fixation also occurred in both organisms. H. gestii and H. fasciatum showed a phylogenetic relationship to the "low GC" line of gram-positive Bacteria, but H. fasciatum was distinct from H. gestii and all other heliobacteria. The ability of H. gestii and H. fasciatum to form endospores might be a significant ecological advantage for survival in their rice soil habitat.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002030050320
Permalink
