The family syntrophobacteraceae

Abstract

Syntrophobacteraceae, a family within the order Syntrophobacterales, embraces the genera Syntrophobacter, Desulfacinum, Desulfoglaeba, Desulforhabdus, Desulfosoma, Desulfovirga, and Thermodesulforhabdus. 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 or fermentative type of metabolism. Syntrophic association with H2/formate-utilizing partners might occur. Members are either mesophilic or moderately thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria. Members of the family are mainly found in freshwater, sewage sludge, or marine habitats. Most described species are chemoorganoheterotroph; some are chemolithoheterotroph or chemolithoautotroph. Most members perform a complete oxidation of organic substrates, except member of the genus Syntrophobacter which shows an incomplete oxidation to acetate. This contribution is a modified and updated version of a previous family description (Kuever et al. 2005a).