Methanococcus frisius sp.nov., a new methylotrophic marine methanogen

Abstract

A Gram-negative, nonmotile, coccoid methanogenic bacterium of 0.9–1.6 μm in diameter was isolated from shoal mud of the southern North Sea (West Germany). The isolate grew on H2 + CO2, methanol, and methylamines. Best growth occurred between 35 and 42 °C in a pH range of 6.5–7.2. The organism was highly sensitive to detergents and the cell wall probably consisted only of proteins. Growth of the organism was inhibited in the presence of ionophores like monensin or lasalocid. The DNA base composition was 38.2 ± 1.0 mol% G+C. The isolate is considered to be anew species and the name Methanococcus frisius is proposed.