New Acidophilic Thermophilic Microbes

Abstract

We have examined samples from low pH high temperature habitats and found an unusual variety of new microbes within both mixing pools and flowing springs. These new microbes were all discovered in the acid hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA (YNP). The mixing pools are turbid habitats with free floating microorganisms. In contrast, the organisms discovered in the channels of flowing hot springs were attached to sulfur crystals like Sulfolobus-type cells in nearby springs, but they are rod shaped rather than coccoid like Sulfolobus (Brock et al., 1972). In the sections that follow we present information on the variety of new rod shaped microbes growing below pH 3 and at 70°C or higher.