Query: NC_005027:4180502 Rhodopirellula baltica SH 1, complete genome
Lineage: Rhodopirellula baltica; Rhodopirellula; Planctomycetaceae; Planctomycetales; Planctomycetes; Bacteria
General Information: Rhodopirellula baltica SH 1 (DSM 10527) was isolated from the water column of Kieler Bucht (a fiord near the city of Kiel in Germany) and seems to be strongly involved in the first part of the degradation of complex macromolecules produced by autotrophic organisms like algae and cyanobacteria. Common marine bacterium. The representatives of this phylum are quite abundant in terrestrial and marine habitats, however there is currently only a few characterized species. Among them is the recently discovered and long sought after "Anammox" bacterium capable of anaerobic ammonium oxidation, a process of high importance in removing ammonia from waste waters.The Planctomycetales demonstrate unique combinations of morphological and ultrastructural properties, such as a membrane-bound nucleus, budding replication, the presence of so called crater-like structures and "puckers" of unknown function on the cell surface, a diverse range of extracellular appendages (e.g., multifibrillar stalks), and a lack of peptidoglycan in their cell wall. This family includes organisms which are important components of the biosphere. By their mineralization of marine snow particles (phytodetrital macroaggregates) planctomycetes have a profound impact on global biogeochemistry and climate by affecting exchange processes between the geosphere and atmosphere. This organism is a pear-shaped bacterium having a life cycle consisting of an aggregate-forming sessile (non-motile) form and a motile swarmer cell.