RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Zhao, Yizhang A1 Boone, David R. A1 Mah, Robert A. A1 Boone, Jane E. A1 Xun, LuyingYR 1989 T1 Isolation and Characterization of Methanocorpusculum labreanum sp. nov. from the LaBrea Tar Pits JF International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, VO 39 IS 1 SP 10 OP 13 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00207713-39-1-10 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1466-5034, AB Abstract A new species of coccoid methanogen was isolated from the surface sediments of Tar Pit Lake at the LaBrea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, Calif. Surface colonies of strain ZT (= OGC 1T) (T = type strain) were tan, circular, clear, and convex with entire edges. The cells were irregular, nonmotile, and coccoid (diameter, 0.4 to 2.0 µm) and grew by producing methane from H2-CO2 or formate but not from methanol, methylamines, or acetate. They exhibited a negative Gram reaction, had protein cell walls, and were susceptible to lysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate. They grew over a narrow pH range (pH 6.5 to 7.5), with fastest growth near pH 7, and they were mesophilic (growth was most rapid at 37°C). Cells grew fastest with 15 g or less of NaCl per liter of medium. We propose that this isolate be named as a new species of methanogen, Methanocorpusculum labreanum, with strain Z (= Oregon Graduate Center Collection strain OGC 1 = DSM 4855) as the type strain., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/00207713-39-1-10