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HerpetosiphonRANK: GenusTAXONOMY: Bacteria -> Terrabacteria group -> Chloroflexi -> Chloroflexia -> Herpetosiphonales -> Herpetosiphonaceae -> Herpetosiphon OVERVIEW: Herpetosiphon is represented currently by two species that are unbranched, flexible filaments or rods, 0.5–1.5 × 5–150 µm or more (to several mm), consisting of individual cells 2–3 µm long. Appearance of short, transparent “sheaths” extending from ends of some filaments are termed sleeves by Reichenbach (1992) and are characteristic of Herpetosiphon. They may not be true sheaths, but rather the “ghosts” of necridial (dead) cells of the filament (Reichenbach, 1992). Since gliding motility of whole filaments occurs, it is unlikely that a true sheath could exist at that point. Resting stages are unknown. Gram-negative. Cells contain peptidoglycan in which meso-diaminopimelic acid is replaced by l-ornithine. In addition, the outer membrane is lacking (together with its lipopolysaccharide component). Motile by gliding.The mol % G + C of the DNA is: 48–50.Type species: Herpetosiphon aurantiacus |