Chromatiaceae

Chromatiaceae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Proteobacteria
Class:	Gammaproteobacteria
Order:	Chromatiales
Family:	Chromatiaceae
Genera
Allochromatium Amoebobacter Chromatium Halochromatium Isochromatium Lamprobacter Lamprocystis Marichromatium Nitrosococcus Pfennigia Rhabdochromatium Rheinheimera Thermochromatium Thioalkalicoccus Thiobaca Thiocapsa Thiococcus Thiocystis Thiodictyon Thioflavicoccus Thiohalocapsa Thiolamprovum Thiopedia Thiophaeococcus Thiorhodococcus Thiorhodovibrio Thiospirillum

The Chromatiaceae are the main family of purple sulfur bacteria. Many members conduct an anoxygenic photosynthesis. They are distinguished from the Ectothiorhodospiraceae by producing sulfur globules and storing them inside their cells. Most species of Ectothiorhodospiraceae are also purple sulfur bacteria but they store the globules outside their cells.^[1] The sulfur is an intermediate in the oxidization of sulfide, which is ultimately converted into sulfate, and may serve as a reserve.^[1]

Nitrosococcus belongs to the nitrifying bacteria.^[1]

Members are found in both anoxygenic parts of fresh and salt water, and are especially common in stagnant pools. Also in marine habitats, sulfur springs and in soda and sat lake.^[1]

Chromatiaceae bacteria have been the cause for some low-oxygen lakes turning "blood red", such as O.C. Fisher Reservoir in San Angelo, Texas USA^[2]

References

1. George M. Garrity: Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. 2. Auflage. Springer, New York, 2005, Volume 2: The Proteobacteria, Part B: The Gammaproteobacteria

External links

Chromatiaceae J.P. Euzéby: List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature