| Beggiatoa | |
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| Genus: | Beggiatoa Trevisan 1842[1]
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Beggiatoa is a genus of Gammaproteobacteria belonging to the order Thiotrichales, in the Pseudomonadota phylum. These bacteria form colorless filaments composed of cells that can be up to 200 μm in diameter, and are one of the largest prokaryotes on Earth.[3] Beggiatoa are chemolithotrophic sulfur-oxidizers, using reduced sulfur species as an energy source. They live in sulfur-rich environments such as soil, both marine and freshwater, in the deep sea hydrothermal vents, and in polluted marine environments. In association with other sulfur bacteria, e.g. Thiothrix, they can form biofilms that are visible to the naked eye as mats of long white filaments; the white color is due to sulfur globules stored inside the cells.
- ^ Trevisan V (1842). "Prospetto della Flora Euganea". Coi Tipi Del Seminario. Padova. pp. 1–68.
- ^ Parte AC. "Beggiatoa". LPSN.
- ^ Teske A, Nelson DC (2006). "The Genera Beggiatoa and Thioploca". In Dworkin M, Falkow S, Rosenberg E, Schleifer KH (eds.). The Prokaryotes. Springer New York. pp. 784–810. doi:10.1007/0-387-30746-x_27. ISBN 978-0-387-25496-8.