Clostridia

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Clostridia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Bacteria
Phylum:
Firmicutes
Class:
Clostridia
Orders

The Clostridia are a highly polyphyletic class of Firmicutes, including Clostridium and other similar genera. They are distinguished from the Bacilli by lacking aerobic respiration. They are obligate anaerobes and oxygen is toxic to them. Species of the genus Clostridium are all Gram-positive and have the ability to form spores. Studies show they are not a monophyletic group, and their relationships are not entirely certain. Currently most are placed in a single order called Clostridiales, but this is not a natural group and is likely to be redefined in the future.

Most species of the genus Clostridium are saprophytic organisms found in many places in the environment, most notably the soil. However, the genus does contain some human pathogens (outlined below). The toxins produced by certain members of the Clostridium genus are among the most dangerous known. Examples are tetanus toxin (known as tetanospasmin) produced by C. tetani and botulinum toxin produced by C. botulinum.

Notable species of this class include:

Heliobacteria are also members of the class Clostridia.

Some of the enzymes produced by this group are used in bioremediation.

Phylogeny

The currently accepted taxonomy is based on the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN) [1] and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)[2] and the phylogeny is based on 16S rRNA-based LTP release 106 by The All-Species Living Tree Project [3]

  Clostridia s.s.

Peptococcaceae 2

Peptococcaceae 4

  Clostridiales s.s.

Unassigned Clostridia s.s.

Note:
♠ Strains found at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) but not listed in the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LSPN)

See also

References

  1. ^ J.P. Euzéby. "Clostridia". List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN) [1]. Retrieved 2011-11-17. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Sayers; et al. "Clostridia". National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) taxonomy database [2]. Retrieved 2011-06-05. {{cite web}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ All-Species Living Tree Project."16S rRNA-based LTP release 106 (full tree)" (PDF). Silva Comprehensive Ribosomal RNA Database [3]. Retrieved 2011-11-17. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)

External links

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