Chroococcidiopsis

Chroococcidiopsis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Cyanobacteria
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Chroococcidiopsidales
Komárek et al. 2014[1]
Family: Chroococcidiopsidaceae
Komárek et al. 2014[1]
Genus: Chroococcidiopsis
Geitler, 1933
Type species
Chroococcopsis gigantea
Geitler, 1933
Chroococcidiopsis thermalis can photsynthesize in far-red light, and might be suitable for future Mars colonists.[2]

Chroococcidiopsis is a photosynthetic, coccoidal bacterium, and the only genus in the order Chroococcidiopsidales and in the family Chroococcidiopsidaceae. A diversity of species and cultures exist within the genus,[3] with a diversity of phenotypes. Some extremophile members of Chroococcidiopsis are known for their ability to survive harsh environmental conditions, including both high and low temperatures, ionizing radiation, and high salinity.

Chroococcidiopsis are able to survive in a dormant state for at least 13 million years, with the ability to reactivate after this time.[4]

  1. ^ a b Komárek J, Kaštovský J, Mareš J, Johansen JR (2014). "Taxonomic classification of cyanoprokaryotes (cyanobacterial genera) 2014, using a polyphasic approach" (PDF). Preslia. 86: 295–335.
  2. ^ Weird Low-Light Bacteria Could Potentially Thrive on Mars, Space.com, accessed 6/18/2018
  3. ^ Cumbers J, Rothschild LJ (June 2014). "Salt tolerance and polyphyly in the cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis (Pleurocapsales)". Journal of Phycology. 50 (3): 472–482. doi:10.1111/jpy.12169. PMID 26988320. S2CID 23871779.
  4. ^ Morono, Yuki; Ito, Motoo; Hoshino, Tatsuhiko; Terada, Takeshi; Hori, Tomoyuki; Ikehara, Minoru; D’Hondt, Steven; Inagaki, Fumio (28 July 2020). "Aerobic microbial life persists in oxic marine sediment as old as 101.5 million years". Nature Communications. 11 (1): 3626. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-17330-1. ISSN 2041-1723. PMC 7387439. PMID 32724059.