Pyrococcus furiosus sp. nov. represents a novel genus of marine heterotrophic archaebacteria growing optimally at 100�C

Ten strains representing a novel genus of marine thermophilic archaebacteria growing at between 70 and 103°C with an optimal growth temperature of 100°C and a doubling time of only 37 min were isolated from geothermally heated marine sediments at the beach of Porto di Levante, Vulcano, Italy. The organisms are spherical-shaped, 0.8 to 2.5 μm in width and exhibit monopolar polytrichous flagellation. They are strictly anaerobic heterotrophs,...