Spirochaeta

Classification

Domain Bacteria; Phylum Spirochetes; Class Spirochetes; Order Spirochaetales; Family Spirochaetaceae [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Genus species

1. Spirochaeta africana
2. Spirochaeta alkalica
3. Spirochaeta americana
4. Spirochaeta asiatica
5. Spirochaeta aurantia
6. Spirochaeta bajacaliforniensis
7. Spirochaeta caldaria
8. Spirochaeta coccoides
9. Spirochaeta halophila
10. Spirochaeta isovalerica
11. Spirochaeta litoralis
12. Spirochaeta smaragdinae
13. Spirochaeta stenostrepta
14. Spirochaeta taiwanensis
15. Spirochaeta thermophila
16. Spirochaeta xylanolyticus
17. Spirochaeta zuelzerae
18. Spirochaeta sp.
19. Spirochaeta sp. AP13oN
20. Spirochaeta sp. ASpC-2
21. Spirochaeta sp. B
22. Spirochaeta sp. BHI80-158
23. Spirochaeta sp. Buddy
24. Spirochaeta sp. Grapes
25. Spirochaeta sp. HT
26. Spirochaeta sp. kf401
27. Spirochaeta sp. M-6
28. Spirochaeta sp. M6
29. Spirochaeta sp. MET-E
30. Spirochaeta sp. MWH-HuW24
31. Spirochaeta sp. MWH-HuW8
32. Spirochaeta sp. P
33. Spirochaeta sp. SIP1
34. Spirochaeta sp. TP422
35. Spirochaeta sp. TP561
36. Spirochaeta sp. TP663
37. Spirochaeta sp. TP664
38. unclassified Spirochaeta

   * Olavius loisae endosymbiont 4
   * Spirochaeta symbiont of Nautilus macromphalus (New Caledonia)
   * Spirochaeta symbiont of Nautilus pompilius (Philippines)
   * Spirochaeta symbiont of Nautilus pompilius (Vanuatu)
   * environmental samples

Description and Significance

The genus Spirochaeta represents a group of free-living, saccharolytic non-pathogenic, obligate or facultative anaerobic helical shaped bacteria. Isolated strains have been obtained from a variety of freshwaters and marine waters (Table 1). In addition, culture-independent studies revealed the presence of Spirochaeta species in other environments such as anaerobic bioreactors (Ariesyada et al., 2007), and the digestive tract of termites (Noda et al., 2003). A number of members of the genus Spirochaeta inhabit extreme environments with respect to temperature, salinity, and pressure (e.g., Hoover et al., 2003; Aksenova et al., 1992). These microorganisms may hence harbor enzymes with potential biotechnological applications.

Genome Structure

At present, a fully closed genome sequence of a member of Spirochaeta genus is not available.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by Dieter Maurice Tourlousse and Godfrey Josef Torres, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.