| Methanomethylophilus | |
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| Genus: | Methanomethylophilus Borrel et al. 2023 |
| Type species | |
| Methanomethylophilus alvi Borrel et al. 2023 | |
Methanomethylophilus is a genus of strictly anaerobic, methanogenic archaea within the order Methanomassiliicoccales. This genus currently includes only one validly published species, Methanomethylophilus alvi , isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract. [1]
The name Methanomethylophilus is derived from the Greek words methano (methane), methyl (methyl group), and philos (loving), indicating an archaeon that utilizes methyl compounds to produce methane. [1]
Members of Methanomethylophilus are coccoid archaea that produce methane through methyl-dependent hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. They utilize methyl compounds such as methanol, monomethylamine, dimethylamine, and trimethylamine in combination with hydrogen (H_2) as electron donor. The optimal growth temperature for the type species is approximately 37°C, suitable for human gut conditions. [1]
The genus contains a single validly published species: