The Haloalkaliphilic Archaeon (Archaebacterium) Natronococcus occultus Represents a Distinct Lineage Within the Halobacteriales, Most Closely Related to the Other Haloalkaliphilic Lineage (Natronobacterium)

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The 16S rRNA gene from the alkaliphilic halobacterium Natronococcus occultus was sequenced directly following PCR amplification. Comparisons with 16S rDNA sequences from four additional halobacteria and four other archaea indicate that Natronococcus occultus represents a distinct lineage within the halobacteria. It is most closely related to Natronobacterium magadii (92.1% similarity). The secondary structure of the 16S rRNA from Natronococcus occultus closely resembles those of other halobacteria except for the variable region between positions 119–153.