The Thermoproteota are prokaryotes that have been classified as a phylum of the domain Archaea. Initially, the Thermoproteota were thought to be sulfur-dependent extremophiles but recent studies have identified characteristic Thermoproteota environmental rRNA indicating the organisms may be the most abundant archaea in the marine environment. Originally, they were separated from the other archaea based on rRNA sequences; other physiological features, such as lack of histones, have supported this division, although some crenarchaea were found to have histones. Until 2005 all cultured Thermoproteota had been thermophilic or hyperthermophilic organisms, some of which have the ability to grow at up to 113 °C. These organisms stain Gram negative and are morphologically diverse, having rod, cocci, filamentous and oddly-shaped cells. Recent evidence shows that some members of the Thermoproteota are methanogens.
The Thermoprotei is a class of the Thermoproteota.
The Desulfurococcales is an order of the Thermoprotei, part of the kingdom Archaea. The order encompasses some genera which are all thermophilic, autotrophs which utilise chemical energy, typically by reducing sulfur compounds using hydrogen. Desulfurococcales cells are either regular or irregular coccus in shape, with forms of either discs or dishes. These cells can be single, in pairs, in short chains, or in aciniform formation.
The Pyrodictiaceae are a family of disc-shaped anaerobic microorganisms belonging to the order Desulfurococcales, in the domain Archaea. Members of this family are distinguished from the other family (Desulfurococcaceae) in the order Desulfurococcales by having an optimal growth temperature above 100 °C, rather than below 100 °C.
Pyrobaculum is a genus of the Thermoproteaceae.
In taxonomy, Thermocladium is a genus of the Thermoproteaceae.
In taxonomy, Vulcanisaeta is a genus of the Thermoproteaceae.
Acidilobus is a genus of archaea in the family Acidilobaceae.
Aeropyrum is a genus of archaea in the family Desulfurococcaceae.
In taxonomy, Desulfurococcus is a genus of the Desulfurococcaceae.
In taxonomy, Staphylothermus is a genus of the Desulfurococcaceae.
Stetteria is a genus of archaeans in the family Desulfurococcaceae. Up to now there is only one species of this genus known, Stetteria hydrogenophila.
Sulfophobococcus is a genus of the Desulfurococcaceae.
Thermodiscus is a genus of archaea in the family Desulfurococcaceae. The only species is Thermodiscus maritimus.
In taxonomy, Geogemma is a genus of the family Pyrodictiaceae.
In taxonomy, Hyperthermus is a genus of the Pyrodictiaceae.
Pyrodictium is a genus in the family Pyrodictiaceae. It is a genus of submarine hyperthermophilic Archaea whose optimal growth temperature range is 80 to 105 °C. They have a unique cell structure involving a network of cannulae and flat, disk-shaped cells. Pyrodictium are found in the porous walls of deep-sea vents where the temperatures inside get as high as 400 °C, while the outside marine environment is typically 3 °C. Pyrodictium is apparently able to adapt morphologically to this type of hot–cold habitat.
Pyrolobus is a genus of the Pyrodictiaceae.
Ignisphaera is a genus of the Desulfurococcales. Ignisphaera aggregans is a coccoid- shaped, fourth type strain that is strictly anaerobes with anaerobic respiration. This archaea species are hyperthermophiles that were found in New Zealand's hot springs in Kuirau Park, Rotorua.
Caldococcus is a genus of Archaea in the order Desulfurococcales.
