AUTHOR=Aullo Thomas , Ranchou-Peyruse Anthony , Ollivier Bernard , Magot Michel 

TITLE=Desulfotomaculum spp. and related gram-positive sulfate-reducing bacteria in deep subsurface environments

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=4

YEAR=2013

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2013.00362

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2013.00362

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Gram-positive spore-forming sulfate reducers and particularly members of the genus <italic>Desulfotomaculum</italic> are commonly found in the subsurface biosphere by culture based and molecular approaches. Due to their metabolic versatility and their ability to persist as endospores. <italic>Desulfotomaculum</italic> spp. are well-adapted for colonizing environments through a slow sedimentation process. Because of their ability to grow autotrophically (H<sub>2</sub>/CO<sub>2</sub>) and produce sulfide or acetate, these microorganisms may play key roles in deep lithoautotrophic microbial communities. Available data about <italic>Desulfotomaculum</italic> spp. and related species from studies carried out from deep freshwater lakes, marine sediments, oligotrophic and organic rich deep geological settings are discussed in this review.</p>