Rhodovibrionaceae

Rhodovibrionaceae is a family of bacteria in the order Rhodospirillales, class Alphaproteobacteria. They are Gram-negative, aerobically respiring, and photosynthetic.

Characteristics

Members of the Rhodovibrionaceae family are characterized by their ability to perform anoxygenic photosynthesis, meaning they do not produce oxygen as a byproduct. They are also chemoheterotrophic, obtaining energy from the oxidation of organic compounds.

Taxonomy

The Rhodovibrionaceae family currently includes one genus, Rhodovibrio. This genus was first described in 1991 and includes species such as Rhodovibrio sodomensis and Rhodovibrio salinarum.

Ecology

Rhodovibrionaceae bacteria are typically found in saline and alkaline environments, such as salt lakes and alkaline soils. They play a crucial role in the carbon cycle, converting organic carbon into carbon dioxide through respiration.

Medical relevance

While Rhodovibrionaceae bacteria are not typically associated with human disease, their ability to perform anoxygenic photosynthesis and survive in extreme environments makes them of interest to researchers in the fields of microbiology and biotechnology.

File:Rhodovibrionaceae.jpg

A microscopic image of Rhodovibrionaceae bacteria.

See also

• Bacteria
• Photosynthesis
• Microbiology