FEMS Microbiology Reviews · 1996 · 372 citations · 55 references
Life SciencesBiologyMicrobiologyMicrobial EcologyMicrobial SystematicsMicrobial Taxonomy16S Ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid AnalysisArchaeal SystematicsMicrobial PhylogeneticsMicrobial PhylogenyMolecular PhylogenyProkaryotic ClassificationArchaeal PhylogenyCultured Archaeal IsolatesHeat ResistanceHyperthermophilic MicroorganismsMicrobial Adaptation To High TemperatureMicrobial Phylogenetic DiversityThermophilic MicrobiologyThermophilic Microorganisms
Hyperthermophilic Archaea and Bacteria with optimal growth temperatures between 80°C and 110°C have been isolated from geothermal and hydrothermal environments. By 16S rRNA sequence comparisons, they exhibit a great phylogenetic diversity indicated by 25 different genera. Hyperthermophiles consist of anaerobic and aerobic chemolithoautotrophs and heterotrophs growing at neutral or acidic pH. Based on their outstanding heat resistance they are interesting objects the same for basic research as for biotechnology.
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