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NitrospiraRANK: GenusTAXONOMY: cellular organisms -> Bacteria -> Nitrospirae -> Nitrospira -> Nitrospirales -> Nitrospiraceae -> Nitrospira OVERVIEW: Vibrio-like to spiral-shaped rods, 0.2–0.4 × 0.9–2.2 μm. Cells reproduce by binary fission. Intracytoplasmic membranes are lacking. Gram negative. Usually nonmotile. Aerobic. The major source of energy and reducing power is from the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate. Lithoautotrophs, but cells can also grow mixotrophically. Cells were isolated from ocean environments and heating systems. Also occurs in soil samples, freshwater, and activated sludge. The mol % G + C of the DNA is: 50.0–56.9. Type species: Nitrospira marina |