Thiotrichales

Thiotrichales
Thiomargarita namibiensis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Pseudomonadota
Class:	Gammaproteobacteria
Order:	Thiotrichales Garrity et al. 2005
Families
Fastidiosibacteraceae Francisellaceae Piscirickettsiaceae Thiofilaceae Thiolinaceae Thiotrichaceae

Thiotrichales is an order of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria within the class Gammaproteobacteria. The members of this order are know 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

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

Thiotricales bacteria contribute to the cycling of nutrients in an environment, specifically in area that contain high levels of sulfide. This bacteria helps many organisms through sulfur oxidation because sulfur can be very dangerous for them.

References

“Factsheet on Tularaemia.” European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 15 July 2017, www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/tularaemia/facts.

“Pseudomonadota Garrity et Al., 2021.” Www.gbif.org, www.gbif.org/species/113662549#:~:text=All%20Pseudomonadota%20(Proteobacteria)%20are%20diverse.

Garrity, George M., et al. “Thiotrichales Ord. Nov..” SpringerLink, Springer US, 1 Jan. 1970, link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/0-387-28022-7_5.

“This Site Requires Javascript to Be Enabled on Many Pages.” Thiotrichales Details, microbiomeprescription.com/Library/Details?taxon=72273&tax_name=Thiotrichales. Accessed 29 Sept. 2024.