Nitrospirota


The Nitrospirota are a phylum of bacteria. They include multiple genera such as Nitrospira, the largest.

History of knowledge

The first member of this phylum, Nitrospira marina, was discovered in 1985. The second member, Nitrospira moscoviensis, was discovered in 1995. Nitrospira inopinata was discovered in 2015 and cultivated in 2017.

Metabolism

Nitrospirota contains nitrifying taxa which oxidize nitrite to nitrate and commamox bacteria: Nitrospira inopinata. Dissulfurispira thermophila grows by disproportionation of thiosulfate or elemental sulfur.

Taxonomy

The currently accepted taxonomy is based on the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature and National Center for Biotechnology Information.