Photobacterium.

Abstract

Pho.to.bac.te’ri.um. Gr. neut. n. phôs, light; Gr. neut. dim. n. bakterion, a small rod; N.L. neut. n. Photobacterium, light (-producing) bacterium. The genus Photobacterium contains 37 species with validated names and 3 species whose names have not been validated. Cells are short bacilli Gram-stain negative, and nonsporulated. Facultatively anaerobic. Require NaCl for growth (optimal concentration 1 – 3%). Several species present bioluminescence. Some of them are piezophilic and others are psychrophilic. Isolated from marine environment (seawater and sediment), associated with aquatic animals (mutualism relationships), but some are pathogens for poikilothermic and homeothermic animals. DNA G + C content (mol%): 38.5–53.6. Type species: Photobacterium phosphoreum Beijerinck 1889AL (basonym: Micrococcus phosphoreus Cohn 1878).