RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Ferry, James G. A1 Smith, Paul H. A1 Wolfe, R. S.YR 1974 T1 Methanospirillum, a New Genus of Methanogenic Bacteria, and Characterization of Methanospirillum hungatii sp.nov. JF International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, VO 24 IS 4 SP 465 OP 469 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00207713-24-4-465 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1466-5034, AB A new genus of methanogenic bacteria is described. The colonies produced by these bacteria are yellow, circular, and convex with lobate margins; an optical pattern of regular, light and dark striations throughout the colonies is a most unique and distinguishing characteristic. These striations are two cell lengths apart. Cells are gram negative and occur in filaments up to 100 in length. Tufts of polar flagella and a striated cell surface are revealed in electron micrographs; cell ends are blunt, not rounded. The deoxyribonucleic acid base composition of the type species is 45 mol% guanine plus cytosine. Formate or hydrogen and carbon dioxide serves as a substrate for methane formation and growth; acetate, pyruvate, methanol, ethanol, and benzoate do not. The name Methanospirillum is proposed for this new genus of spiral-shaped methanogenic bacteria. The type species, Methanospirillum hungatii sp. nov., is named in honor of R. E. Hungate. The type strain of M. hungatii is JF1 (ATCC 27890)., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/00207713-24-4-465