Genus

Firmicutes/Clostridia/Clostridiales/Peptococcaceae/

Desulfotomaculum
Campbell and Postgate 1965, 361AL
..........................................................................................................................................................................................
Jan Kuever, Bremen Institute for Materials Testing, Foundation Institute for Materials Science, Department of Microbiology,
Paul-Feller-Strasse 1, Bremen D-28199, Germany
Fred A. Rainey, Louisiana State University, Department of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Building, Baton Rouge, LA
70001, USA

De.sul.fo.to.macu.lum. L. pref. de from; L. n. sulfo sul-
fur; L. n. tomaculum a kind of sausage; N.L. neut. n.
Desulfotomaculum a sausage-shaped sulfate reducer.
Straight or curved rod-shaped cells, 0.32.5 2.515
m with rounded or pointed ends. Occur singly or in
pairs. Spores oval or round, terminal to central, caus-
ing swelling of the cells. Stain Gram-positive, although
often only detected by electron microscopy. Cells
are motile by single polar or peritrichous flagella,
but motility can be lost during cultivation. Strict
anaerobe with a respiratory type of metabolism.
Chemo-organotrophs or chemoautotrophs. Simple
organic compounds are used as electron donor and car-
bon sources, and are either completely oxidized to CO2
or incompletely to acetate. Some species can grow on
H2 autotrophically with CO2 as the sole carbon source;
one species can grow on CO alone. Sulfate, and usually
sulfite and thiosulfate, serve as terminal electron accep-
tors and are reduced to H2 S. Sulfur and nitrate are
not used as electron acceptors. Fermentative growth
has been observed for some species. Desulfoviridin
is absent. The major menaquinone is MK-7. Growth
occurs in simple defined media containing sulfide as
a reductant. Some species require vitamins or yeast
extract. Some species can fix N2 . The optimum tem-
perature range for growth is 3037 C for mesophilic
and 5065 C for thermophilic species. The optimum
pH range for growth is 6.57.5. Carbon monoxide
dehydrogenase activity has been demonstrated for
some species. Desulfotomaculum species are common in
anoxic freshwater, brackish or marine sediments.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 37.156.3.
Type species: Desulfotomaculum nigrificans (Werk-
man and Weaver 1927) Campbell and Postgate 1965,
361AL (Clostridium nigrificans Werkman and Weaver
1927, 63).
..................................................................................
Straight or curved rod-shaped cells, 0.32.5 2.515 m
with rounded or pointed ends. Occur singly or in pairs.
Spores oval or round, terminal to central, causing swelling of
the cells. Stain Gram-positive, although often only detected
by electron microscopy. Cells are motile by single polar or
peritrichous flagella, but motility can be lost during cultiva-
tion. Strict anaerobe with a respiratory type of metabolism.
Chemo-organotrophs or chemoautotrophs. Simple organic
compounds are used as electron donor and carbon sources,
and are either completely oxidized to CO2 or incompletely
to acetate. Some species can grow on H2 autotrophically with
CO2 as the sole carbon source; one species can grow on CO
alone. Sulfate, and usually sulfite and thiosulfate, serve as
terminal electron acceptors and are reduced to H2 S. Sulfur
and nitrate are not used as electron acceptors. Fermentative
growth has been observed for some species. Desulfoviridin is
absent. The major menaquinone is MK-7. Growth occurs in
simple defined media containing sulfide as a reductant. Some

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Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria, Online 2015 Bergeys Manual Trust. This article is 2009 Bergeys Manual Trust.
DOI: 10.1002/9781118960608.gbm00661. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in association with Bergeys Manual Trust.
 2 Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria
species require vitamins or yeast extract. Some species can fix
N2 . The optimum temperature range for growth is 3037 C
for mesophilic and 5065 C for thermophilic species. The
optimum pH range for growth is 6.57.5. Carbon monoxide
dehydrogenase activity has been demonstrated for some
species. Desulfotomaculum species are common in anoxic
freshwater, brackish or marine sediments.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 37.156.3.
Type species: Desulfotomaculum nigrificans (Werkman and
Weaver 1927) Campbell and Postgate 1965, 361AL (Clostridium
nigrificans Werkman and Weaver 1927, 63).
Number of validated species: 24
Further descriptive information
Many Desulfotomaculum strains have typical cell morphol-
ogy which allows them to be distinguished from other
sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB); this is especially true for
sporulating cells. Some strains form longer rods or curved
cells; even clumps of cells have been observed (A. Galushko,
personal communication). In the first enrichment passages,
cells are often motile. After several transfers, motility may
be lost.
The optimum growth temperature for mesophilic strains
is usually 3037 C and 5065 C for thermophilic species.
The minimum temperature for mesophilic species might be
lower than 10 C and the maximum temperature for ther-
mophilic species can exceed 85 C. The pH range for growth
is 5.58.9, with an optimum of 6.57.5.
Growth occurs in the presence of sulfate, sulfite, or
thiosulfate as an electron acceptor. Several Desulfotomaculum
strains can use a large variety of organic compounds as elec-
tron donor and carbon sources (see Table 1). Some strains
are restricted and oxidize organic compounds incompletely
to acetate; others are capable of complete oxidation even
though substrates may be partially converted to acetate,
depending on substrate concentration (Kuever et al., 1999).
Some Desulfotomaculum strains can grow autotrophically with
H2 as an electron donor and CO2 as carbon source.
In the absence of sulfate, some species can grow by fer-
mentation of fructose, glucose, pyruvate, or lactate. Certain
Desulfotomaculum strains can grow by homoacetogenesis and
convert methanol, methoxyl groups of aromatic compounds,
formate, and H2 and CO2 to acetate. Although growth by
homoacetogenesis is weak, it allows survival in a sulfate-free
habitat. Some strains reduce metal ions. In this case, growth
would be linked to fermentation using certain substrates;
electron transport phosphorylation is unlikely. For some
strains, carbon monoxide dehydrogenase activity has been
......................................................................................................................................................................................................
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demonstrated. It can be considered that strains which show
a complete substrate oxidation or autotrophic growth must
have this enzyme.
Desulfotomaculum strains contain membrane-bound and
soluble cytochromes of the b and c type. Desulfoviridin and
desulforubidin have never been found in the genus Desulfo-
tomaculum, however, the sulfite reductase P582 is present. All
members of the genus investigated so far contain MK-7 as
the major menaquinone (Collins and Widdel, 1986). Major
cellular fatty acids of members of the genus vary between and
within the phylogenetic subclusters.
Desulfotomaculum strains occur in black anoxic sediment
from freshwater, brackish water, and marine habitats. Due to
spore formation, they might be dominating SRB in habitats of
varying redox conditions, such as groundwater, soil, or paddy
fields.
Enrichment and isolation procedures
Selective enrichment of Desulfotomaculum species is possi-
ble from various sources using different electron donors
and sulfate as the electron acceptor in simple mineral
media see Desulfobacter chapter in Volume 2 of the Sys-
tematics (Kuever et al., 2005). The formation of heat- and
drought-resistant spores in Desulfotomaculum species allows
them to survive well in oxic and varying redox regimes.
Growth of nonspore-forming, sulfate-reducing bacteria can
be eliminated by pasteurization at 80 C for 1020 min.
The only other spore-forming, sulfate-reducing bacteria
known are Desulfosporosinus species and Thermacetogeniun
phaeum, but their physiological properties are much more
restricted. Enrichments at elevated temperature (5065 C)
generally result in the isolation of Desulfotomaculum species
because only a few other sulfate-reducing bacteria can grow
at this higher temperature range. Isolation of pure cultures
from such enrichments is achieved via the agar tube serial
dilution technique as described in Volume 2 of the System-
atics (Kuever et al., 2005). In contrast to spores, vegetative
cells are very oxygen sensitive. Therefore, the addition of
sodium dithionite as an additional reducing agent is helpful.
After inoculation from a spore suspension, long lag phases
sometimes occur. Germination times for spores can also
be shortened by the addition of dithionite (1030 mg/l
medium).
Maintenance procedures
Cultures can be stored at low temperature for several months.
After sporulation occurs, cultures can be stored for years.
Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria 3

TABLE 1. Characteristics differentiating the species of the genus Desulfotomaculuma

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum
Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum
carboxydivorans
aeronauticum

geothermicum
alkalophilum

antarcticum

australicum
acetoxidans

halophilum
nigrificans
Species

kuzetsovii
gibsoniae
arcticum

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 4 Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria

TABLE 1. (Continued)

thermobenzocium subsp.

thermobenzocium subsp.
Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum
Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum

Desulfotomaculum
thermoacetoxidans

thermosapovorans
thermobenzocium

thermocisternum
syntrophicum
subterraneum
sapomandens

solfataricum
Species

reducens
ruminis
luciae

putei

a Symbols: Spore orientation: ST. subterminal: T. terminal: PC. paracentral: C. central: Motility: pe. peritrichous: sp. single or polar:
Oxidation of substrate I, incomplete: C, complete +, positive: negative: (+), poorly utilized. NR. not reported.
b Liu et al. (1997) determined a cell width of 11.2 m and a cell length of 36 m for this species.
c Motility was lost during cultivation.
d Substrate oxidation should be regarded as complete. The high substrate concentration used may result in misinterpretation.
e Only in the presence of acetate or yeast extract as carbon sources.
f In the original publication, fructose utilization without sulfate reduction is described in the text, but not listed in the table.
g Klemps et al. (1985) observed only growth with autoclaved glucose, but not with filter-sterilized glucose
h Description given in the text and table of the original publication is varying on this point
i Data retrieved from whole-genome sequencing.

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Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria
Sporulated liquid cultures can be freeze-dried and used for
long term conservation. For some species, the formation
of spores depends on the growth substrate. In these cases,
incubation at suboptimal temperatures and the use of a
substrate which allows only slow growth (e.g., acetate) can be
helpful.
Differentiation of the genus Desulfotomaculum from
other genera
Together with Desulfosporosinus species and Thermacetogenium
phaeum, members of the genus Desulfotomaculum can be distin-
guished from other sulfate-reducing bacteria by their ability
to form spores. A unique physiological feature of some Desul-
fotomaculum and Desulfosporosinus is their use of methoxylated
aromatic compounds, an ability shared only by Desulfomonile
species. A clear differentiation from other spore-forming gen-
era is only possible by comparative 16S rRNA gene analysis.
Taxonomic comments
On the basis of the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data,
many of the species of the Desulfotomaculum have been shown
to have less 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to each other
than they do to other genera within the Clostridiales. Stacke-
brandt et al. (1997) addressed this by designating clusters
Ia through Ie for the various species clusters into which the
true species of the genus Desulfotomaculum fell. Two species
were shown to fall outside the radiation of the majority of
the species of the genus Desulfotomaculum as defined by the
position of the type species Desulfotomaculum nigrificans and
were assigned to clusters II and III (Stackebrandt et al., 1997).
This resulted in the reclassification of Desulfotomaculum orien-
tis as Desulfosporosinus orientis (Stackebrandt et al., 1997). The
species Desulfotomaculum guttoideum was shown to be unre-
lated to the other species of the genus Desulfotomaculum and
grouped with the Clostridium species Clostridium sphenoides,
Clostridium celerecresens, Clostridium aerotolerans, and Clostridium
xylanolyticum in a cluster designated III (Stackebrandt et al.,
1997). This Desulfotomaculum cluster III corresponds to the
cluster XIVa of Collins et al. (1994). As new species have been
added to the genus Desulfotomaculum, the clusters Ia through
Ie have expanded and an additional cluster designated If
is formed by the addition of the species Desulfotomaculum
alkaliphilum and Desulfotomaculum halophilum (Figure 1). The
bootstrap values shown in Figure 1 indicate good support
for the branching patterns of the 6 Desulfotomaculum clusters,
all being supported by values greater than 98%. As pointed
out by Stackebrandt et al. (1997), each of these clusters
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5
have individual genus status on the basis of 16S rRNA gene
sequence analysis and the corresponding similarity values
between the sequences of the Desulfotomaculum species as
well as between the related genera. These findings are also
supported by signature sequences that have been defined for
a number of the Desulfotomaculum species and the clusters to
which they have been shown to group (Hristova et al., 2000;
Stackebrandt et al., 1997). It has been reported that several
Desulfotomaculum strains contain multiple copies of the 16S
rRNA gene that show heterogeneity within the multiple
copies of the 16S rRNA gene sequences (Stackebrandt et al.,
1997; Tourova et al., 2001). Stackebrandt et al. (1997) also
reported the presence of large inserts in the helical region
7382/8797 of the 16S rRNA gene. From the alignment
of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of all 23 validly named
species of the genus used for the construction of the phy-
logenetic dendrogram (Figure 1), such large inserts are
found in the all nine species of clusters Ic and Id as well as
Desulfotomaculum geothermicum. Further detailed studies of the
chemotaxonomic and physiological properties of all species
of the genus Desulfotomaculum are required before new gen-
era can be proposed for the clusters other than cluster Ia
which contains the type species of the genus Desulfotomaculum
nigrificans.
List of species of the genus Desulfotomaculum
Desulfotomaculum nigrificans
(Werkman and Weaver 1927) Campbell and Postgate
1965, 361AL (Clostridium nigrificans Werkman and
Weaver 1927, 63)
...................................................................................
ni.grifi.cans. L. part. adj. nigrificans blackening.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
grows at 4570 C. Can be adapted to grow slowly at 3037 C.
The original strain was isolated from spoiled canned sweet
corn (Werkman and H.J.Weaver, 1927). The deposited type
strain was isolated from freshwater in Delft, Netherlands.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 48.549.9 (Bd, HPLC, Tm ).
Type strain: strain Delft 74, ATCC 19858, ATCC 19998,
DSM 574, NBRC 13698, NCIMB 8395.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): X62176.
Desulfotomaculum acetoxidans
Widdel and Pfennig 1977a, 306VP (Effective
publication: Widdel and Pfennig 1977b, 121.)
...................................................................................
a.cet.oxi.dans. L. n. acetum vinegar; N.L. n. acidum aceticum
acetic acid; N.L. v. oxido oxidize from Gr. adj. oxys sour, acid;
L. neut. adj. acetoxidans oxidizing acetic acid.
 6 Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria

FIGURE 1.Neighbor-joining 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogeny of the species of the genus Desulfotomaculum and related
genera. Numbers at branching points indicate bootstrap values from 1000 data samplings. The scale represents 2 inferred
nucleotide changes per 100 nucleotides.

Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain made of aluminum alloy 2024 in the luggage area of an air-
grows at 2040 C, and over a pH range of 6.67.6 with an craft.
optimum at 7.1. Isolated from piggery waste. DNA G+C content (mol%): 43.8 (HPLC).
DNA G+C content (mol%): 37.5 (Tm ). Type strain: 9, DSM 10349.
Type strain: Gttingen 5575, ATCC 49208, DSM 771, GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): X98407.

VKM B-1644. Desulfotomaculum alkaliphilum

GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): Y11566.
Desulfotomaculum aeronauticum
Hagenauer, Hippe and Rainey 1997b, 915VP (Effective
publication: Hagenauer, Hippe and Rainey 1997a, 70.)
...................................................................................
ae.ro.nauti.cum. Gr. n. aer air; Gr. adj. nautikos nautical, con-
cerning ship/navigation; N.L. neut. adj. aeronauticum naviga-
tion in air.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
grows at 2042 C, and over a pH range of 6.09.0 with an
optimum for growth at 7.0. Isolated from a corroded stringer
Pikuta, Lysenko, Suzina, Osipov, Kuznetsov, Tourova,
Akimenko and Laurinavichius 2000, 32VP
...................................................................................
al.ka.li.philum N.L. fem. n. alkali alkali, Gr. adj. philos loving;
N.L. neut. adj. alkaliphilum alkali-loving.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
grows at 3060 C, and over a pH range of 8.09.15 with an
optimum for growth at 8.7. Requires carbonate anion. Iso-
lated from a cow/pig manure mixture at neutral pH.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 40.9 (Tm ).
Type strain: S1, ATCC 700784, DSM 12257, VKM B-2192.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AF097024.

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Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria 7

Desulfotomaculum antarcticum optimum pH for growth at 6.87.2. Can grow at high concen-
(ex Iizuka, Okazaki and Seto 1969) Campbell and trations of carbon monoxide (100%). Isolated from sludge
Singleton 1988, 220VP (Effective publication: from an anaerobic bioreactor treating paper mill waster water.
Campbell and Singleton 1986, 1202.) DNA G+C content (mol%): 45.6 (HPLC).
...................................................................................
Type strain: CO-1-SRB, DSM 14480, VKM B-2319.
ant.arcti.cum. N.L. adj. antarcticum pertaining to Antar- GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AY961415.
ctica.
Only a few characteristics are available and they summa-
Desulfotomaculum geothermicum
Daumas, Cord-Ruwisch and Garcia 1990, 105VP
rized in Table 1.
(Effective publication: Daumas, Cord-Ruwisch and
DNA G+C content (mol%): unknown.
Garcia 1988, 177.)
Type strain: IAM 64. ...................................................................................
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): not available. geo.thermi.cum. Gr. n. g earth, Gr. fem. n. therme heat; N.L.
Desulfotomaculum arcticum neut. adj. geothermicum geothermal.
Vandieken, Knoblauch and Jrgensen 2006, 689VP Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type
................................................................................... strain grows at 3756 C, and over a pH range of 6.08.0
arcti.cum. L. neut. adj. arcticum from the Arctic, referring to with an optimum for growth at 7.27.4. Isolated from anoxic
the place from which the strain was isolated. geothermal ground water (from a depth of 2500 m) used for
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain a geothermal heating plant.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 50.4 (Bd).
grows at 2646.5 C, and over a pH range of 6.87.5 with an
Type strain: BSD, ATCC 49053, DSM 3669.
optimum for growth at 7.17.5. Isolated from a permanently
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AJ294428,
cold fjord sediment in Svalbard.
X80789, Y11567.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 48.9 (Tm ).
Type strain: 15, DSM 17038, JCM 12923. Desulfotomaculum gibsoniae
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): DQ148942. Kuever, Rainey and Hippe 1999, 1807VP
...................................................................................
Desulfotomaculum australicum gib.soni.ae. N.L. gen. n. gibsoniae of Gibson; named after
Love, Patel, Nichols and Stackebrandt 1993a, 864VP
Jane Gibson, a British-American microbiologist and bio-
(Effective publication: Love, Patel, Nichols and
chemist who made important contributions to the field of
Stackebrandt 1993b, 250.)
................................................................................... anaerobic degradation of aromatic compounds.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Grows on
au.strali.cum. L. n. australicum south, pertaining to Australia.
a large variety of aromatic compounds including lig-
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
nite monomers. The type strain grows at 2042 C, and
grows at 4074 C, and over a pH range of 5.58.5 with an
over a pH range of 6.08.0 with an optimum for growth
optimum for growth at 7.07.4. Isolated from 60 C water
at 6.97.2. Isolated from anoxic mud of a freshwater
obtained from a depth of 914 meters in the Great Artesian ditch.
Basin Australia (borehole 94). DNA G+C content (mol%): 54.8 (Tm ).
DNA G+C content (mol%): 48.1. Type strain: Groll, DSM 7213.
Type strain: AB33, ACM 3917, DSM 11792. GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): Y11576.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): M96665.
Desulfotomaculum halophilum
Desulfotomaculum carboxydivorans Tardy-Jacquenod, Magot, Patel, Matheron and
Parshina, Sipma, Nakashimada, Henstra, Smidt, Caumette 1998, 337VP
Lysenko, Lens, Lettinga and Stams 2005, 2164VP ...................................................................................
...................................................................................
ha.lophi.lum. Gr. n. hals, halos salt; Gr. adj. philos loving; N.L.
car.bo.xy.di.vorans. N.L. n. carboxydum carbon monoxide; L. neut. adj. halophilum salt-loving.
part. adj. vorans devouring; N.L. part. adj. carboxydivorans car- Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
bon monoxide-digesting. grows at 3040 C, and over a pH range of 6.98.0 with an
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain optimum for growth at 7.3. Isolated from production fluid of
grows at 3068 C, and over a pH range of 6.08.0 with the an oil-producing well in France.

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 8 Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria
DNA G+C content (mol%): 56.3 (HPLC).
Type strain: SEBR 3139, ATCC 700650, DSM 11559.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): U88891.
Desulfotomaculum kuznetsovii
Nazina, Ivanova, Kanchaveli and Rozanova 1990,
470VP (Effective publication: Nazina, Ivanova,
Kanchaveli and Rozanova 1989, 662.)
...................................................................................
kuz. net.sovi. N.L. gen. n. kuznetovii of Kuznetsov, named in
honor of the leading Soviet microbiologist S.I. Kuznetsov who
has made a significant contribution to the study of geochem-
ical activity of micro-organisms.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type
strain grows at 5085 C. Isolated from a water sample
obtained from spontaneous effusion of a rift in the Sukhums
deposit containing subsurface thermal mineral waters.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 49 (Tm ).
Type strain: 17, DSM 6115, VKM B-1805.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AJ294427,
Y11569.
Desulfotomaculum luciae
Liu, Karnauchow, Jarrell, Balkwill, Drake, Ringelberg,
Clarno and Boone 1997, 620VP
...................................................................................
luci.ae. N.L. gen. n. luciae of Lucia, referring to the source of
the type strain, a hot spring in St Lucia.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
grows at 5070 C, and over a pH range of 6.28.3 with an
optimum for growth at 6.37.8. Isolated from a hot spring
located on the island St. Lucia.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 51.4 (HPLC).
Type strain: SLT, ATCC 700428, DSM 12396, SMCC W644.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AF069293.
Desulfotomaculum putei
Liu, Karnauchow, Jarrell, Balkwill, Drake, Ringelberg,
Clarno and Boone 1997, 619VP
...................................................................................
pute.i. L. gen. n. putei of a pit or well, referring to the source
of the type strain, an exploratory gas well.
Characteristics are summarized in Tabl e 1. The type strain
grows at 4065 C, and over a pH range of 6.08.4 with an
optimum for growth at 7.07.9. Isolated from an exploratory
gas well. ther.mo.a.cet.oxi.dans. Gr. adj. thermos hot; L. n. acetum
DNA G+C content (mol%): 47.1 (HPLC). vinegar; N.L. n. acidum aceticum acetic acid; N.L. v. oxido make
Type strain: TH-11, ATCC 700427, DSM 12395, SMCC W459. oxide, oxidize; N.L. part. adj. thermoacetoxidans oxidizing
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AF053929. acetate under hot conditions.
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Desulfotomaculum ruminis
(Adams and Postgate 1959) Campbell and Postgate
1965, 361AL (Desulfovibrio orientis Adams and Postgate
1959, 256)
...................................................................................
rumi.nis. L. n. rumen throat, adopted for first stomach
(rumen) of a ruminant; L. gen. n. ruminis of a rumen.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 48.549.9 (Bd, HPLC, Tm ).
Type strain: strain DL, ATCC 23193, DSM 2154.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AB294140,
M34418, Y11572.
Desulfotomaculum sapomandens
Cord-Ruwisch and Garcia 1990, 105VP (Effective
publication: Cord-Ruwisch and Garcia 1985, 329.)
...................................................................................
sa.po.mandens. L. n. sapo soap; L. v. mando to eat, to con-
sume; N.L. part. adj. sapomandens eating soap.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Grows on
phenyl-substituted organic acids. The type strain grows at
2043 C, and over a pH range of 6.38.5 with an optimum
at 7.0. Isolated from oxic gasoline-contaminated soil from a
gasoline station.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 48 (Bd).
Type strain: Pato, DSM 3223.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AF168365.
Desulfotomaculum solfataricum
Goorissen, Boschker, Stams and Hansen 2003, 1227VP
...................................................................................
sol.fa.tari.cum. N.L. neut. adj. solfataricum pertaining to sol-
fatares, derived from solfatara (field of hot sulfur springs and
fumaroles), referring to the original habitat of the organism.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
grows at 4865 C, and over a pH range of 6.47.9 with an
optimum for growth at 7.3. Isolated from hot solfataric fields
in northeast Iceland.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 48.3 (method unknown).
Type strain: V21, CIP 107984, DSM 14956.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AY084078.
Desulfotomaculum thermoacetoxidans
Min and Zinder 1995, 879VP (Effective publication:
Min and Zinder 1990, 403.)
...................................................................................
Bergeys Manual of Systematics of Archaea and Bacteria 9

Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain with H2 -scavenging methanogens. The type strain grows at
grows between 45 and 65 C, and over a pH range of 6.0 to 462 C, and over a pH range of 6.08.0 with an optimum for
7.5 with an optimum for growth at 6.5. Isolated from a ther- growth at 7.0. Isolated from granular methanogenic sludge.
mophilic anaerobic digestor converting cellulosic wastes to DNA G+C content (mol%): 53.7 (HPLC).
methane. Type strain: strain TPO, ATCC BAA-281, DSM 14055.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 49.7 (Tm ). GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): AY007190.
Type strain: CAMZ, DSM 5813.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): Y11573. Desulfotomaculum thermocisternum
Nilsen, Torsvik and Lien 1996, 401VP
Desulfotomaculum thermobenzoicum ...................................................................................
Tasaki, Kamagata, Nakamura and Mikami 1991b, ther.mo.cis.ternum. Gr. adj. thermos hot; L. fem. n. cisterna
580VP emend. Plugge, Balk and Stams 2002, 397
reservoir; N.L. adj. thermocisternum hot reservoir, referring to
(Effective publication: Tasaki, Kamagata, Nakamura
the original habitat of the organism.
and Mikami 1991a, 351.)
................................................................................... Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
ther.mo.ben.zoi.cum. Gr. adj. thermos hot; N.L. benzoicum per- grows at 4175 C, and over a pH range of 6.28.9 with an
taining to benzoate; N.L. neut. adj. thermobenzoicum oxidizes optimum for growth at 6.7. Isolated from pure formation
benzoate under thermophilic conditions. water that originated from the subterranean Brent Group
See following description of Desulfotomaculum thermoben- oil formation 2.6 km below the sea floor of the Norwegian
zoicum subsp. thermobenzoicum. sector of the North Sea.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 52.8 (HPLC). DNA G+C content (mol%): 56 (HPLC), 57 (Tm ).
Type strain: TSB, ATCC 49756, DSM 6193. Type strain: ST90, DSM 10259.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): Y11574. GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): U33455.

Desulfotomaculum thermobenzoicum subsp. thermobenzoicum Desulfotomaculum thermosapovorans

Tasaki, Kamagata, Nakamura and Mikami 1991b,
581VP emend. Plugge, Balk and Stams 2002, 397
(Effective publication: Tasaki, Kamagata, Nakamura
and Mikami 1991a, 351.)
...................................................................................
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
grows at 4070 C, and a pH range of 6.08.0 with an
optimum for growth at 7.2. Isolated from sludge of a ther-
mophilic, methanogenic reactor treating wastewater from a
kraft pulp production process.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 52.8 (HPLC).
Type strain: TSB, ATCC 49756, DSM 6193.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): Y11574.
Desulfotomaculum thermobenzoicum subsp.
thermosyntrophicum
Plugge, Balk and Stam 2002, 398VP
...................................................................................
ther.mo.syn.trophi.cum Gr. adj. thermos hot; Gr. pref. syn
together, Gr. v. trophein to eat; syntrophos nourished together;
N.L. neut. adj. thermosynthrophicum referring to the capacity of
the organism to grow at elevated temperatures on propionate
in the presence of a partner organism.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Strain TPO
could grow fermentatively on benzoate by an unknown
pathway. Grows syntrophically on propionate in co-culture
Fardeau Ollivier, Patel, Dwivedi, Ragot and Garcia
1995, 221VP
...................................................................................
ther.mo.sa.po.vorans. Gr. adj. thermos hot; L. masc. n. sapo
soap; L. v. voro to devour; N.L. part. adj. thermosapovorans ther-
mophilic and soap-devouring.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
grows at 3560 C. The optimum pH for growth is 7.27.5.
Isolated from a thermophilic, anaerobic enrichment culture
growing on rice hulls. The initial inoculum was a mixed com-
post containing rice hulls and peanut shells.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 51.2 (Bd).
Type strain: MLF, DSM 6562.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): Y11575.
Desulfotomaculum thermosubterraneum
Kaksonen Spring, Schumann, Kroppenstedt and
Puhakka 2006b, 2606VP
...................................................................................
ther.mo.sub.ter.rane.um. Gr. adj. thermos hot; L. neut. adj.
subterraneum subterranean, underground, below the Earths
surface; thermosubterraneum thermophilic inhabitant of the
Earths subsurface.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The type strain
grows at 5072 C and over a pH range of 6.47.8 with an

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This article is 2009 Bergeys Manual Trust. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in association with Bergeys Manual Trust.
 10
optimum for growth at 7.27.4. Isolated from a geothermally
active underground mine in Japan.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 54.4 (HPLC).
Type strain: RL50JIII, DSM 16057, JCM 13837.
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): DQ208688.
Species incertae sedis
Desulfotomaculum reducens
(not formally described and not validly published)
...................................................................................
re.ducens. L. part. adj. reducens converting to a different state.
Characteristics are summarized in Table 1. Incomplete
description is found in Tebo and Obraztsova, (1998). Strain
MI-1 grows with Cr(VI), Mn(IV) Fe(III), and U(VI) as elec-
tron acceptors. Isolated from sediment of a shipyard located
in the San Francisco Bay estuary, CA, USA.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 42 (whole-genome sequence).
Reference strain: strain MI-1 (not deposited in any service
collection)
GenBank accession number (16S rRNA gene): U95951.
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