The Aquificotaphylum is a diverse collection of bacteria that live in harsh environmental settings.[2][3] The name Aquificota was given to this phylum based on an early genus identified within this group, Aquifex (“water maker”), which is able to produce water by oxidizing hydrogen.[4] They have been found in springs, pools, and oceans. They are autotrophs, and are the primary carbon fixers in their environments. These bacteria are Gram-negative, non-spore-forming rods.[5] They are true bacteria (domainBacteria) as opposed to the other inhabitants of extreme environments, the Archaea.