Planctomicrobium

Genus of bacteria

Planctomicrobium is a genus of bacteria within the phylum Planctomycetota. This genus is part of the class Planctomycetia, order Planctomycetales, and family Planctomycetaceae. The type species of this genus is Planctomicrobium piriforme.

Characteristics

Planctomicrobium species are known for their unique cell structure, which is characteristic of the Planctomycetota phylum. These bacteria lack peptidoglycan in their cell walls, a feature that distinguishes them from most other bacteria. Instead, they have a proteinaceous cell wall.

Habitat

Species of Planctomicrobium are typically found in aquatic environments, including both freshwater and marine ecosystems. They play a role in the nitrogen cycle and are involved in the process of anammox, which is the anaerobic oxidation of ammonium.

Importance

The study of Planctomicrobium and related genera is important for understanding the ecology and evolution of bacteria with complex cell structures. These bacteria are also of interest for their potential applications in biotechnology and wastewater treatment due to their unique metabolic capabilities.

See also

• Planctomycetota
• Anammox
• Nitrogen cycle

External links

• Planctomicrobium on WikiMD