The family methanococcaceae

Abstract

The family Methanococcaceae currently consists of two genera: Methanococcus (type genus) and Methanothermococcus. As of December 2013 these genera contained 4 and 2 species, respectively. This family of mesophilic or thermophilic and neutrophilic methanogens belongs to the order Methanococcales. The members are coccoid in shape, motile, and have a generation time of less than 3 h under optimal conditions. Methanogenesis from H2/CO2 or from formate is the sole energy generating process, and most species are capable of chemolithoautotrophic growth. All members require NaCl. Members of the genus Methanococcus have been found associated with coastal marine and salt marsh sediments; Methanothermococcus spp. were recovered from marine geothermal and hydrothermal vent environments.