Query: NC_008043:167108 Silicibacter sp. TM1040 mega plasmid, complete sequence
Lineage: Ruegeria; Ruegeria; Rhodobacteraceae; Rhodobacterales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated from a culture of the dinoflagellate Pfiesteria piscicida CCMP1830 which has been implicated in many large scale algal blooms resulting in increased mortality in fish. The bacteria are attached to the surface of the dinoflagellate and in some ways allow the dinoflagellate to grow as those lacking the bacteria die off. The bacterium also chemotaxes towards the dinoflagellate product DMSP (dimethylsulfoniopropionate) and metabolizes it. DMSP is a major source of sulfur in marine ecosystems and plays a role in the sulfur biogeochemical cycle. The implication is a tight association between these important dinoflagellates and this marine bacterium.
Subject: NC_007722:55558 Erythrobacter litoralis HTCC2594, complete genome
Lineage: Erythrobacter litoralis; Erythrobacter; Erythrobacteraceae; Sphingomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was collected from the Sargasso Sea at a depth of 10 meters. Phototrophic bacterium. Organisms in this aerobic phototrophic genus are found in marine environments. Members of this group produce bacteriochlorophyll a, which is normally found in anaerobic organisms. One theory to explain this is that the anoxygenic photosynthetic gene cluster was acquired by these organisms via lateral gene transfer. Although they require an organic carbon substrate for growth, they are able to supplement a significant fraction of their metabolic requirements with photosynthetically derviced energy. This species was isolated from a marine cyanobacterial mat. Although they require an organic carbon substrate for growth, they are able to supplement a significant fraction of their metabolic requirements with photosynthetically derviced energy. The presence of the carotenoids bacteriorubixanthinal and erythroxanthin sulfate give this organism a reddish color.