Neocallimastix
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Neocallimastix
Classification
Higher Order Taxa- Eukaryota; Fungi; Neocallimastigaceae; Neocallimastix
Species- N. frontalis, N.hurleyensis, N. joyonii, N. patriciarum, N. variabilis, N. sp. AF-CTS-2G, N.sp. AF-CTS-BF-2, N. sp. GE13, N. sp. GMLF1, N. sp. JB-1999, N. sp. LM-2, N.sp. W-1
Genus: Neocallimastix
Neocallimastix is an anerobic genus of fungi. Neocallimastix forms a crucial component of the microbial population of the rumen of herbivorous mammals. Neocallimastix contains polyflagellate zoopores and grow on a range of simple and complex carbohydrates in the rumen of sheep and cattle. Neocallimastix is a type of highly fibrolytic microorganism that is capable of colonizing and degrading the major polysaccharides of plant materials (celluloseand hemicellulose) in the rumen ecosystem. This fungus could be exploited for its production of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes. Neocallmstix has been shown to possess diverse plant polysaccharide hydrolase activities, a high capacity for cellulose degradation, and the ability to grow on cellulose as a sole carbohydrate source.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell structure and metabolism
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Current Research
Enter summarries of the most rescent research here--at least three required
References
Edited by student of Dr. Kirk Bartholomew
