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The Genera Thiobacillus and Thiomicrospira

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The Prokaryotes

Abstract

A common feature of the members of the genera Thiobacillus and Thiomicrospira is their ability to oxidize inorganic sulfur compounds for the generation of energy. Almost all can grow autotrophically, many can develop under organotrophic growth conditions, and some can couple the oxidation of sulfur compounds to the reduction of nitrate and nitrite. In addition, some organisms can use ferrous iron as an energy source, and evidence has been presented that a few can also oxidize other reduced metal ions such as cuprous copper. The ability to utilize organic compounds as carbon and/or energy source is variable. Many organisms among the chemolithotrophs known to date are highly specialized: the obligate chemolitho(auto)trophs use reduced sulfur compounds as the only energy source and assimilate carbon dioxide as the major carbon source under all growth conditions.

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Authors
  1. J. Gijs Kuenen
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  2. Olli H. Tuovinen
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bacteriology, University of California, 95616, Davis, California, USA

    Mortimer P. Starr

  2. Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Universität Bayreuth, 8580, Bayreuth, Federal Republic of Germany

    Heinz Stolp

  3. Institut für Mikrobiologie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, 5300, Bonn 1, Federal Republic of Germany

    Hans G. Trüper

  4. Bacteriology Division, Centers for Disease Control, 30333, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Albert Balows

  5. Institut für Mikrobiologie, Universität Göttingen, 3400, Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany

    Hans G. Schlegel

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© 1981 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Kuenen, J.G., Tuovinen, O.H. (1981). The Genera Thiobacillus and Thiomicrospira . In: Starr, M.P., Stolp, H., Trüper, H.G., Balows, A., Schlegel, H.G. (eds) The Prokaryotes. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-13187-9_81

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-13187-9_81

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-13189-3

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