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MethylobacterRANK: GenusTAXONOMY: cellular organisms -> Bacteria -> Proteobacteria -> Gammaproteobacteria -> Methylococcales -> Methylococcaceae -> Methylobacter OVERVIEW: Cells are spherical or elliptical, 0.8–1.5 × 1.2–3.0 µm. Usually occur singly, in pairs, and occasionally in chains. Gram negative. When motile, form single polar flagellum. Form a glucan-containing cyst-like resting stage, which usually confers desiccation resistance. Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules present. Strictly aerobic respiratory metabolism with oxygen as the electron acceptor. Obligate utilizers of methane for carbon and energy. Carbon–carbon bonded compounds are not utilized. Oxidase and catalase positive. Uses the ribulose monophosphate pathway to fix formaldehyde for cell carbon. Key enzyme activity of the serine transhydroxymethylase pathway is absent. Nitrogen fixation is absent. Not susceptible to lysis by 0.2% sodium dodecyl sulfate. Mesophilic, with optimal growth between 30°C and 35°C. One species requires sodium ions and other factors for growth. The major fatty acid is C16:1 ω7c. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) is the predominant lipoquinone. Habitat: Isolated from sediments of freshwater lakes and rivers, wetland muds, activated sludge, and wastewater. Belongs to the Gammaproteobacteria as part of the Order Methylococcales, Family Methylococcaceae.Type species: Methylobacter luteus
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