Query: NC_008260:1015447 Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2, complete genome
Lineage: Alcanivorax borkumensis; Alcanivorax; Alcanivoracaceae; Oceanospirillales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This bacterium was isolated from a seawater sediment sample in the North Sea. The species is able to use Mihagol-S (C14,15-n-alkanes) as a principal carbon source. Using n-alkanes as a sole carbon source causes the strains to produce extracellular and membrane-bound surface-active glucose lipids. Phenotypic analysis showed a restricted nutritional profile, high halotolerance, the absence of fermentative metabolism, and a low G+C content. This, in combination with a 16S phylogenetic study, allowed the placing of this organism into a new genus.
Subject: NC_011059:1896593 Prosthecochloris aestuarii DSM 271, complete genome
Lineage: Prosthecochloris aestuarii; Prosthecochloris; Chlorobiaceae; Chlorobiales; Chlorobi; Bacteria
General Information: This species is a green sulfur bacterium which forms sedimentary biofilm layers. It has been shown to be associated with coral killed by Black-Band Disease (BBD) a microbial infection of larger coral species. This is a concern for reef conservationists as the larger species are responsible for coral scaffolds, and their reduction by disease would have considerable impact on the reef structure. While there is currently no cause-and-effect link between Prosthecochloris aestuarii and BBD, the species was found on coral which was killed by the disease and was not found on healthy coral or in the surrounding seawater.