Pyrococcus furiosus sp. nov. represents a novel genus of marine heterotrophic archaebacteria growing optimally at 100�C by Gerhard Fiala, Karl O. Stetter.
Ten strains representing a novel genus of marine thermophilic archaebacteria growing at between 70 and 103°C with an optimal growth temperature 100°C doubling time only 37 min were isolated from geothermally heated sediments the beach Porto di Levante, Vulcano, Italy. The organisms are spherical-shaped, 0.8 to 2.5 μm in width exhibit monopolar polytrichous flagellation. They strictly anaerobic heterotrophs, on starch, maltose, peptone complex organic substrates. Only CO2 H2 could be detected as metabolic products, latter being inhibitory high concentrations. Hydrogen inhibition can prevented by addition So, whereupon H2S is formed addition, most likely result “detoxification” reaction. GC-content DNA isolate Vc 1 38 mol%. new named Pyrococcus, “fireball”. Type species strain Pyrococcus furiosus (DSM 3638).