Desulfovibrionaceae

Abstract

Abstract De.sul.fo.vi.bri.o.na.ce'ae. N.L. masc. n. Desulfovibrio , type genus of the family; suff. ‐ aceae , ending to denote a family; N.L. fem. pl. n. Desulfovibrionaceae , the family of Desulfovibrio . Desulfobacterota / Desulfovibrionia / Desulfovibrionales / Desulfovibrionaceae Cells are vibrio or rod shaped and occur singly or in pairs. Gram‐stain‐negative. Endospores are not observed. Motile or nonmotile. Strict anaerobes with respiratory and fermentative types of metabolism. Chemoorganoheterotrophs (all members), chemolithoheterotrophs (most members) and chemolithoautotrophs (few members). Simple organic compounds such as lactate, pyruvate, fumarate (most members), succinate (most members), and malate (most members) can serve as sole electron donors and carbon sources and are oxidized to acetate. Some members use amino acids and sugars. Alcohols are used only as electron donors and oxidized to their corresponding carboxylic acids. H 2 and CO 2 and formate can be used in the presence of acetate or yeast extract as carbon sources (all members), the reductive glycine pathway can be used for autotrophic growth (a few members). The common electron acceptor for most members is sulfate, which is reduced to sulfide; thiosulfate, sulfite, or sulfur (often without growth) might be used as well. Lawsonia spp. are intracellular parasites that can grow only in complex media and cannot use inorganic sulfur compounds as terminal electron acceptors. Some members can grow by reduction of nitrate or fumarate to ammonia and succinate, respectively. Reduction of other electron acceptors, such as oxygen (not linked to growth), Fe 3+ , DMSO, or others, might occur. Fermentation of pyruvate, fumarate, or other simple organic compounds is common. Growth by disproportionation of oxidized sulfur compounds might occur (chemolithoorganotrophic growth) but has rarely been tested. All species are mesophilic and contain desulfoviridin with the only exception of Lawsonia . Neutrophiles (most species), moderate alkaliphiles, and acidophiles may occur. The family currently accommodates 25 genera. Members of this family are found in various anoxic habitats. DNA G+C content (mol%) : 33.1–70.0 (genome, LC, T m ). Type genus : Desulfovibrio Kluyver and van Niel 1936 AL .