The family syntrophaceae

Abstract

Syntrophaceae, a family within the order Syntrophobacterales, embraces four genera Syntrophus, Smithella, Desulfobacca, and Desulfomonile. Their 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny defines this family for the delineation of other genera and species. Strictly anaerobic, having either a respiratory type or fermentative type of metabolism, or grow only in the presence of H2/formate-utilizing partners in syntrophic associations. All members are mesophilic. Members of the family are found in various, predominantly freshwater habitats. All described species are chemoorganoheterotroph with the exception of members of the genus has to be kursive which are described to be chemolithoautotroph. Substrates are oxidized either incompletely to acetate or completely to carbon dioxide. Electron acceptors used are crotonate, sulfate, and other sulfur compounds or halogenated benzoates, depending on the genus. This contribution is a modified and updated version of a previous family description (Kuever et al. 2005a).