Staphylothermus

Staphylothermus is a genus of archaea that belongs to the family Desulfurococcaceae. The members of this genus are hyperthermophilic, which means they thrive in extremely high temperatures. They are usually found in hydrothermal vents and hot springs. The genus currently includes two recognized species: Staphylothermus marinus and Staphylothermus hellenicus.

Characteristics

The cells of Staphylothermus are generally coccoid (spherical) and occur in irregular clusters. They are non-motile and lack flagella. The cell wall of Staphylothermus is unusual among archaea, as it is composed of a single layer of subunits resembling the peptidoglycan of bacteria.

Staphylothermus species are obligate anaerobes, meaning they can only grow in the absence of oxygen. They are also chemolithoautotrophs, deriving energy from the oxidation of inorganic compounds and using carbon dioxide as their primary carbon source.

Habitat and Distribution

Staphylothermus species are typically found in high-temperature environments such as hydrothermal vents and hot springs. Staphylothermus marinus, the first species of the genus to be discovered, was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent in the East Pacific Rise. Staphylothermus hellenicus was later discovered in a shallow submarine hydrothermal vent in the Aegean Sea.

Genomics

The genome of Staphylothermus marinus has been sequenced, revealing insights into the adaptations of this organism to its extreme environment. The genome contains genes for a variety of heat shock proteins, which help the organism survive at high temperatures. It also contains a large number of transposases, suggesting a high level of genomic plasticity.

See also

• Archaea
• Hyperthermophile
• Hydrothermal vent