Photobacterium phosphoreum

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Photobacterium phosphoreum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria Phylum: Proteobacteria Class: Gammaproteobacteria Order: Vibrionales Family: Vibrionaceae Genus: Photobacterium Species: P. phosphoreum
Binomial name
Photobacterium phosphoreum

Description and significance

Photobacterium phosphoreum is a luminescent bacterium. Its physical characteristics are gram-negative, rod-like shape, plump and large (0.8-1.3 um in diameter and 1.8-2.4 um in length). It can be motile or non-motile. Those that are motile have 1-3 unsheathed polar flagella. Its optimum temperature is 18-25˚C. It emits a blue-green light.

Its major significance is its symbiotic relationship with some marine animals like fishes and squids. They have specialized organs that provide P. phosphoreum with a safe place to reside and food; while these animals use the light that the bacteria provide for camouflage and even for attracting mates.

References

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=659

http://www.microbiologyatlas.kvl.dk/biologi/english/showmorf.asp?articleid=44

http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab/b203.htm

http://www.biology.pl/bakterie_sw/index_en.html

http://cibt.bio.cornell.edu/programs/archive/0608alum/lumos.pdf

http://web.mst.edu/~microbio/BIO221_2005/P_phosphoreum.htm