Microbial Diversity of Marine and Terrestrial Thermal Springs
Table 11: Page 1 of 1
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Table 11: The Class Methanobacteria
Species Location Morphology
Temperature
(optimum, °C)
pH Range
(Optimum)
Metabolism Electron Donor Electron Acceptor Comments Ref.
Methanococcus jannaschii Deep sea hydrothermal vent, East Pacific Rise Irregular cocci; motile
50-86
(85)
5.2-7
(6)
Me H2, formate CO2 Strictly anaerobic; osmotically fragile cell wall
Jones et al. (1983)
Methanococcus infernus Deep sea hydrothermal vent, Mid-Atlantic Ridge Irregular cocci; motile
55-91
(85)
5.25-7
(6.5)
Me H2 CO2 Strictly anaerobic Jeanthon et al. (1998)
Methanococcus igneus Shallow marine vent, Kolbeinsey Ridge, Iceland Irregular cocci; non-motile
45-91
(88)
5-7.5
(5.7)
Me H2 CO2 Strictly anaerobic Burggraf et al. (1990a)
Methanococcus thermolithotrophicus Shallow marine vent, Naples, Italy Irregular cocci; motile
30-70
(65)
6-8
(7)
Me H2 CO2 Strictly anaerobic Huber et al. (1982)
Methanococcus vulcanicus Deep-sea hydrothermal vent, East Pacific Rise Irregular cocci, tumbling motility
49-89
(80)
5.25-7
(6.5)
Me H2 CO2 Strictly anaerobic; growth stimulated by tungsten, selenium, yeast extract Jeanthon et al. (1999)
Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicus Sewage treatment plant, Urbana, Illinois Irregularly curved, flexible rods
40-75
(65-70)
6-8.8
(7.2-7.6)
Me H2; acetate;pyruvate CO2 Strictly anaerobic Zeikus and Wolfe (1972)
Methanopyrus kandleri Hydrothermal vents, Guaymas Basin, Mexico; Kolbeinsey Ridge, iceland Rods; 8-10 micrometers; motile; forimng raft-like aggregates
84-110
(98)
5.5-8
(6.5)
Me H2 CO2 Strictly anaerobic Huber et al. (1989a); Kurr et al. (1991)
Methanothermus fervidus Hot spring, Iceland Rods
60-97
(80-85)
nd
(6.5)
Me H2 CO2 S(0) reduced to H2S Stetter et al. (1981)
Me, methanogen; nd, not determined