Aquificota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aquificota |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Aquificota Reysenbach 2021 |
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The Aquificota are a special group of tiny living things called bacteria. They love to live in really tough places, like super hot springs or deep-sea vents. Imagine places where most other living things can't survive – that's where you'll find Aquificota!
The name Aquificota comes from one of the first types found, called Aquifex. This name means "water maker" because these bacteria can actually make water by using hydrogen. They have been found in hot springs, warm pools, and even deep in the oceans.
These bacteria are autotrophs. This means they can make their own food, just like plants do. They are very important because they help create food for other living things in their extreme environments. They are also Gram-negative and look like tiny rods. Unlike some other bacteria, they do not form spores. They are true bacteria, not Archaea, which are another type of tiny life that also lives in extreme places.
What are Aquificota?
The Aquificota group currently has 15 different types, called genera, and 42 known species. Scientists organize them into three main classes. Each class has its own order. For example, the Aquificales order includes the Aquificaceae and Hydrogenothermaceae families.
Another group, the Desulfurobacteriaceae, is the only family in the Desulfurobacteriales order. There's also a special species called Thermosulfidibacter takaii. It's unique and doesn't fit neatly into the other families.
How Scientists Study Them
Scientists use special tools to study these bacteria. They look for "molecular signatures" or "conserved signature indels" (CSIs). These are like unique barcodes in their DNA. These barcodes help scientists tell different Aquificota species apart. They also help understand how these bacteria are related to each other.
For example, the Aquificales order has different barcodes than the Desulfurobacteriales order. These barcodes also show how these groups are different in what they eat and how they get energy.
- Members of the Desulfurobacteriales group are strict anaerobes. This means they live without oxygen. They get their energy by using hydrogen.
- The Aquificales group are microaerophilic. This means they need a little bit of oxygen. They can use hydrogen, but also other things like sulfur, for energy.
Scientists also found a special part in a protein called SecA. This part is shared by all Aquificota and another group called Thermotogales. This special part helps the bacteria survive in very hot places. It helps their proteins stay strong and work well even when it's super hot.
Where They Fit in the Tree of Life
When scientists look at the DNA of Aquificota, they sometimes see them close to another group called Thermotogota. Both of these groups are "thermophilic", meaning they love heat. They live in extremely hot places.
However, other studies show different relationships. Some evidence suggests Aquificota might be more closely related to the Proteobacteria group. This group includes common bacteria like Campylobacterota. Scientists are still working to fully understand the exact family tree of these amazing heat-loving bacteria. Sometimes, bacteria can swap genes, which makes their family tree a bit tricky to figure out!
See also
In Spanish: Acuíficas para niños
- List of bacterial orders
- List of bacteria genera
