Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum:: An aerobic phototrophic acidobacterium

Only five bacterial phyla with members capable of chlorophyll (Chl)-based phototrophy are presently known. Metagenomic data from the phototrophic microbial mats of alkaline siliceous hot springs in Yellowstone National Park revealed the existence of a distinctive bacteriochlorophyll ( BChl)-synthesizing, phototrophic bacterium. A highly enriched culture of this bacterium grew photoheterotrophically, synthesized BChls a and c under oxic conditions, and had chlorosomes and type 1 reaction centers. Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum is a BChl-producing member of the poorly characterized phylum Acidobacteria.