''Thiothrix'' is a genus of

filamentous The word filament, which is descended from Latin ''filum'' meaning "Thread (yarn), thread", is used in English for a variety of thread-like structures, including: Astronomy * Galaxy filament, the largest known cosmic structures in the universe * ...

sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, related to the genera ''

Beggiatoa ''Beggiatoa'' is a genus of ''Gammaproteobacteria'' belonging to the order '' Thiotrichales'', in the ''Pseudomonadota'' phylum. These bacteria form colorless filaments composed of cells that can be up to 200 μm in diameter, and are one of ...

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

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

-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 ...

. 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 or cytoplasmic membrane, and historically referred to as the plasmalemma) is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of a cell from the outside environment (the extr ...

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 ''Thiothrix'' is a genus of filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, related to the genera ''Beggiatoa'' and '' Thioploca''. They are usually Gram-negative (but can be Gram-variable) and rod-shaped (0.7–1.5 μm in width by 1.2–2.5 μm ...

'' * "''Candidatus''

Thiothrix anitrata ''Thiothrix'' is a genus of filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, related to the genera ''Beggiatoa'' and '' Thioploca''. They are usually Gram-negative (but can be Gram-variable) and rod-shaped (0.7–1.5 μm in width by 1.2–2.5 μm ...

" * "''Candidatus''

Thiothrix singaporensis ''Thiothrix'' is a genus of wikt:Filamentous, filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, related to the genera ''Beggiatoa'' and ''Thioploca''. They are usually Gram staining, Gram-negative (but can be Gram-variable) and rod-shaped (0.7–1.5 μm ...

" * "''Candidatus''

Thiothrix moscowensis ''Thiothrix'' is a genus of filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, related to the genera ''Beggiatoa'' and '' Thioploca''. They are usually Gram-negative (but can be Gram-variable) and rod-shaped (0.7–1.5 μm in width by 1.2–2.5 μm ...

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 cellu ...

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 r ...

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

autotroph An autotroph is an organism that can convert Abiotic component, abiotic sources of energy into energy stored in organic compounds, which can be used by Heterotroph, other organisms. Autotrophs produce complex organic compounds (such as carbohy ...

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 uses a mix of different sources of energy and carbon, instead of having a single trophic mode, on the continuum from complete autotrophy to complete heterotrophy. It is estimated that mixotrophs comprise more than ...

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 Symbiosis (Ancient Greek : living with, companionship < : together; and ''bíōsis'': living) is any type of a close and long-term biolo ...

relationships with other organisms.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7784706 Thiotrichales Bacteria genera