The family desulfohalobiaceae

Abstract

Desulfohalobiaceae, a family within the order Desulfovibrionales, embraces the genera Desulfohalobium, Desulfonatronospira, Desulfonatronovibrio, Desulfothermus, Desulfonauticus, Desulfovermiculus, and Desulfohalophilus. Besides their 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny, all members of the family are defined by a wide range of morphological and chemotaxonomic properties for the delineation of genera and species. Strictly anaerobic, having a respiratory type of metabolism. Fermentative metabolism might occur. Members are either mesophilic or moderately thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria. Members of the family are mainly found in marine, highly saline, and haloalkaline habitats. Most described species are chemoorganoheterotroph; some are chemolithoheterotroph or chemolithoautotroph. Most members oxidize organic substrates incompletely to acetate, whereas some perform a complete oxidation of organic substrates. This contribution is a modified and updated version of a previous family description (Kuever et al. 2005a).