The family Acidimicrobiaceae

Abstract

The order Acidimicrobiales, phylum Actinobacteria, is a phylogenetically well defined lineage that embraces 5 genera. While the family Acidimicrobiaceae harbors 5 genera, the family Iamiaceae is monogeneric. However, there is phylogenetic evidence that the genus Ilumatobacter, Acidimicrobiaceae, is more closely related to the genus Iamia than to other members of the family. While Acidimicrobium, Ferrimicrobium, Ferrithrix and Aciditerrimonas are obligate acidophilic, oxidize ferrous iron or reduce ferric iron and contain meso-diaminopimelic acid in their peptidoglycan, Ilumatobacter grows under neutral or slightly alkaline conditions, is and organotrophic and contains LL-diaminopimelic acid in its peptidoglycan. The iron oxidizing members are involved in uncontrolled pollution by heavy metals but are also used under controlled conditions for biomining.