“ <i>Candidatus</i> Nealsonbacteria” Are Likely Biomass Recycling Ectosymbionts of Methanogenic Archaea in a Stable Benzene-Degrading Enrichment Culture
Xu Chen, Olivia Molenda, Christopher T. Brown, Courtney R. A. Toth, Shen Guo, Fei Luo, Jane Y. Howe, Camilla Nesbø, Christine He, Elizabeth Montabana, J.H.D. Cate, Jillian F. Banfield, Elizabeth A. Edwards
Abstract
An anaerobic microbial enrichment culture was used to study members of candidate phyla that are difficult to grow in the lab. We were able to visualize tiny “ Candidatus Nealsonbacteria” cells attached to a large Methanothrix cell, revealing a novel episymbiosis.
Topics & Concepts
ArchaeaCandidatusPhylumBiologyEnrichment cultureBiomass (ecology)BenzeneBacteriaMicrobiologyMetagenomicsMicroorganismGeneticsGeneChemistryEcology16S ribosomal RNAOrganic chemistryMicrobial Community Ecology and PhysiologyMethane Hydrates and Related PhenomenaBiofuel production and bioconversion