Touch Tank:
Marine Bacteria (Beggiatoa spp.)
 |
A cluster of the filamentous marine bacteria (Beggiatoa alba) at
400x magnification.
Courtesy: Roger Burks, Mark Schneegurt,
and Cyanosite |
What
type of habitat do Beggiatoa species prefer?
Beggiatoa species tend to form mats on top of sulfide-rich sediments, and they
have been observed in very shallow inshore sediments and in sediments in the
deep sea.
Where can they be found in the coastal U.S.?
Beggiatoa species are found throughout the world's oceans from coastal
brackish marshes and inland sulfur springs to hydrothermal vents and the deep
sea. They have been documented in bays and harbors from the northern U.S. Atlantic
coast to the Gulf of Mexico and in Pacific sediments at cold seeps.
What do Beggiatoa species look like?
Beggiatoa species are large, colorless sulfur bacteria that include both colonial
(clumping) and filamentous (strand-like) forms, and they can dominate microbial
communities associated with marine sediments. Beggiatoa species appear white
due to the reflection of light against their sulfur compounds and may form
mats on marine sediments ranging in size from a few millimeters to several
meters.
Why are they important benthic species?
Beggiatoa mats occur in sites of organic pollution and in marine conditions
characterized by low oxygen concentrations (anoxia). In general, their presence
in shallow water areas is considered an indication of environmental degradation.
Did
you know…?
Beggiatoa are one of the few groups of motile marine bacteria. Individual bacterium
can glide through mat communities, and bacteria mats have been documented to
migrate through marine sediments.
Where can I find more information?
References
Fenchel, T., and C. Bernard. 1995a. "Mats of Colourless Sulphur Bacteria:
Major Microbial Processes." Marine Ecology Progress Series. Volume 128.
Pages 161 to 170.
Fenchel, T., and C. Bernard. 1995b. "Mats of Colourless Sulphur
Bacteria: Structure, Composition of Biota and Successional Patterns." Marine
Ecology Progress Series. Volume 128. Pages 171 to 179.
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