''Thiothrix'' is a genus of filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, related to the genera ''

Beggiatoa ''Beggiatoa'' is a genus of ''Gammaproteobacteria'' belonging the order ''Thiotrichales,'' in the ''Pseudomonadota'' phylum. This genus was one of the first bacteria discovered by Ukrainian botanist Sergei Winogradsky. During his research in A ...

'' and '' Thioploca''. They are usually

Gram The gram (originally gramme; SI unit symbol g) is a unit of mass in the International System of Units (SI) equal to one one thousandth of a kilogram. Originally defined as of 1795 as "the absolute weight of a volume of pure water equal to ...

-negative (but can be Gram-variable) and rod-shaped (0.7–1.5 µm in width by 1.2–2.5 µm in length). They form ensheathed multicellular filaments that are attached at the base, and form gonidia at their free end. The apical gonidia have

gliding motility Gliding motility is a type of translocation used by microorganisms that is independent of propulsive structures such as flagella, pili, and fimbriae. Gliding allows microorganisms to travel along the surface of low aqueous films. The mechanisms of ...

. Rosettes of the filaments are not always formed but are typical. Sulfur is deposited in invaginations within the

cell membrane The cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane (PM) or cytoplasmic membrane, and historically referred to as the plasmalemma) is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the outside environment (the ...

Species

* '' Thiothrix nivea'' Rabenhorst 1865) Winogradsky 1888 * '' Thiothrix fructosivorans'' Howarth et al 1999 * '' Thiothrix unzii'' Howarth et al 1999 * '' Thiothrix caldifontis'' Chernousova 2009 * '' Thiothrix lacustris'' * '' Thiothrix litoralis'' * '' Thiothrix subterranea'' * "''Candidatus'' Thiothrix anitrata" * "''Candidatus'' Thiothrix singaporensis" * "''Candidatus'' Thiothrix moscowensis"

Habitat

''Thiothrix'' live primarily in flowing water containing a source of sulfide but are also present in activated-sludge waste water treatment systems. They are

aerobic Aerobic means "requiring air," in which "air" usually means oxygen. Aerobic may also refer to * Aerobic exercise, prolonged exercise of moderate intensity * Aerobics, a form of aerobic exercise * Aerobic respiration, the aerobic process of cell ...

microaerophilic A microaerophile is a microorganism that requires environments containing lower levels of dioxygen than that are present in the atmosphere (i.e. < 21% O₂; typically 2–10% O₂) for optimal growth. A more re ...

in their oxygen requirements. ''Thiothrix'' species can be facultative

autotroph An autotroph or primary producer is an organism that produces complex organic compounds (such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) using carbon from simple substances such as carbon dioxide,Morris, J. et al. (2019). "Biology: How Life Works", ...

chemoorganotroph Primary nutritional groups are groups of organisms, divided in relation to the nutrition mode according to the sources of energy and carbon, needed for living, growth and reproduction. The sources of energy can be light or chemical compounds; the ...

s and

mixotroph A mixotroph is an organism that can use a mix of different Primary nutritional groups, sources of energy and carbon, instead of having a single trophic mode on the continuum from complete autotrophy at one end to heterotrophy at the other. It is est ...

s. The temperature range for growth can vary from cold springs to hot vents while salinity can vary from fresh to ocean water. ''Thiothrix'' can be found in symbiotic relationships with other organisms.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7784706 Thiotrichales Bacteria genera