Tetrasphaera

Abstract

Te.tra.spha.e'ra. Gr.n. tetra four; L. fem. n. sphaera sphere; N.L. fem. n. Tetrasphaera four spherical bacterial cells. Actinobacteria / Actinobacteria / Micrococcales / Intrasporangiaceae / Tetrasphaera Cells show a highly variable morphology with some growing as highly irregularly septate filaments , cocci in tetrads , often clustered or in pairs , as single cells , or irregular elongated clusters of rods , or showing an ability to change from rods to cocci , from filamentous forms to single often swollen cocci , or to and from V or T shaped arrangements . Gram‐stain‐positive , but can stain Gram variably . Member of the family Intrasporangiacaeae , order Micrococcales . Cells are nonmotile, and do not form endospores. Aerobic and chemoheterotrophic, often growing very slowly on a limited range of substrates. All strains may store polyphosphate granules; poly‐β‐hydroxyalkanoates are only detected in some strains. Growth occurs at 10–35°C, but not in all strains, and at pH 6.0–9.0. Catalase‐positive, and usually oxidase‐positive, but indole‐negative. Where tested, all strains can grow on acetate and glucose, and, in most cases, on propionate. Cell‐wall peptidoglycan contains meso ‐diaminopimelic acid , characterizing the A1 γ murein , or 3‐hydroxy ‐ meso ‐ diaminopimelic acid ( A4 γ) for Tetrasphaera duodecadis ( formerly known as Arthrobacter duodecadis ). Menaquinone composition varies , but , in most strains , the major menaquinone is MK‐8 (H 4 ). Polar lipid composition of isolates varies too, but diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylglycerol are generally present. The major fatty acids in all isolates except Tetrasphaera elongata Lp2 T are the branched fatty acids (C 16:0 iso and C 17:0 anteiso), although 10‐methyl branched fatty acids may be present. DNA G + C content ( mol %): 68–73. Type species : Tetrasphaera japonica Maszenan, Seviour, Patel, Schumann, Burghardt, Tokiwa and Stratton 2000, 601 VP .