Isolation and characterization of two new methane-producing cocci: Methanogenium olentangi, sp. nov., and Methanococcus deltae, sp. nov.

R. E. Corder, The Ohio State University
L. A. Hook, The Ohio State University
J. M. Larkin, Louisiana State University
J. I. Frea, The Ohio State University

Abstract

Two new methane-producing cocci have been isolated from separate sediment enrichments using a defined synthetic growth medium. A freshwater methanogen, Methanogenium olentangyi, sp. nov., was isolated from Olentangy River sediment, Columbus, Ohio. The organism was a non-motile, irregular coccus that produced methane from CO2 plus H2, and required acetate for growth. A marine methanogen, Methanococcus deltae, sp. nov., was isolated from Gulf of Mexico sediments and was a non-motile, irregular coccus that grew on CO2 plus H2, or on formate. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of the deoxyribonucleic acid of the isolates was 54.4 and 40.5 mol%, respectively. © 1983 Springer-Verlag.