Jeotgalicoccus marinus facts for kids

Jeotgalicoccus marinus is a very small living thing, a type of bacteria. These bacteria are so tiny you need a microscope to see them! They are known as gram-positive bacteria, which is a way scientists classify them based on their cell walls.

Scientists first found Jeotgalicoccus marinus inside a sea urchin. This sea urchin was living in the warm waters of the South China Sea.

What is Jeotgalicoccus marinus?

Jeotgalicoccus marinus is a specific kind of bacteria. It belongs to a group called Jeotgalicoccus. These bacteria are part of the natural world all around us. They are important for understanding life in the ocean.

How Does it Look?

The cells of Jeotgalicoccus marinus are coccoid. This means they have a round or spherical shape. Imagine tiny little balls or circles when you think of them. Most bacteria come in a few basic shapes, and coccoid is one of them.

How Does it Breathe?

Jeotgalicoccus marinus is a facultative anaerobic bacterium. This is a fancy way of saying it can live with or without oxygen. If oxygen is around, it can use it to grow. But if there's no oxygen, it can still survive and grow using other methods. This makes it very adaptable.

Can it Live in Salt?

This bacterium is also considered moderate halophilic. The word "halophilic" means "salt-loving." So, Jeotgalicoccus marinus likes to live in places with some salt. It can handle a moderate amount of salt in its environment. This makes sense since it was found in the ocean.

Where Was it Discovered?

Scientists discovered Jeotgalicoccus marinus in 2009. They found it inside a sea urchin. Sea urchins are spiky ocean creatures that live on the seabed. The specific sea urchin was from the South China Sea. This area is a large part of the Pacific Ocean. It is known for its warm waters and diverse marine life. Finding new bacteria helps us learn more about the tiny life forms in our oceans.