Cupriavidus

Abstract

Cup.ri.a.vi' dus . L. n. cuprum copper; L. adj. avidus eager for, loving; M.L. neut. n. Cupriavidus lover of copper. Proteobacteria / Betaproteobacteria / Burkholderiales / Burkholderiaceae / Cupriavidus Coccoid rods, 0.7–0.9 × 0.9–1.3 µm. Gram negative. Motile by two to ten peritrichous flagella . Chemoheterotrophic . An organic nitrogen source is not required. Glucose not utilized. Strictly respiratory metabolism with oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Oxidase positive. Catalase positive. Nitrate reduced. Gelatin, starch, and urea not hydrolyzed. Indole and H 2 S not produced. Can use any of several amino acids—but not L ‐lysine or L ‐methionine—as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen . Optimal temperature, 27°C. Optimal pH, 7.0–8.0. NaCl at 3% inhibits growth. Resistant to copper at concentrations up to at least 800 μM. Growth initiation is stimulated by copper. Colonies on nutrient agar after 2 d at 27°C are off‐white, glistening, mucoid, smooth, and convex, with an entire edge; 2–4 mm in diameter. Isolated from soil. Nonobligate predator causing lysis of various Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria in soil . Can lyse certain other nonobligate bacterial predators. Growth does not require presence of prey species. The mol % G + C of the DNA is : 57 ± 1 ( T m ). Type species : Cupriavidus necator Makkar and Casida 1987a, 325.