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Marine, Aerobic Hydrocarbon-Degrading Gammaproteobacteria: The Family Alcanivoracaceae

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Taxonomy, Genomics and Ecophysiology of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Microbes

Part of the book series: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ((HHLM))

Abstract

The family Alcanivoracaceae contains the group of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria that, due to their ability to use hydrocarbons as main carbon source, have been described as obligate hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (OHCB). Currently, the family includes the validly published genera Alcanivorax and Ketobacter. Most family members are highly specialized in degrading linear and branched alkanes of different origin. They typically dominate marine environments suffering from oil contamination and, through their highly adapted metabolic capabilities, are extremely efficient in the cleanup of marine oil spills. In particular, according to the results of the genome sequence analyses of nine species, they are proficient at scavenging nutrients and microelements, especially iron. They produce biosurfactants and can form biofilms around oil droplets and at the oil–water interface. Recent studies, discussed in this chapter with emphasis on the sequencing surveys, have expanded our knowledge and understanding of the diversity of Alcanivoracaceae bacteria, their wide distribution in the natural marine and terrestrial environments (both oil-contaminated and noncontaminated), and their possible association with various marine invertebrates and microalgae.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology, IRBIM-CNR, Messina, Italy

    Michail M. Yakimov, Francesca Crisafi & Renata Denaro

  2. Institute of Living Systems, Immanuel Kant Federal Baltic University, Kaliningrad, Russia

    Michail M. Yakimov

  3. Centre for Environmental Biotechnology, Bangor University, Bangor, UK

    Peter N. Golyshin

  4. Mediterranean Science Commission (CIESM), Monaco, Monaco

    Laura Giuliano

  5. School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK

    Peter N. Golyshin

Authors
  1. Michail M. Yakimov
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  2. Peter N. Golyshin
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  3. Francesca Crisafi
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  4. Renata Denaro
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  5. Laura Giuliano
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michail M. Yakimov .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, UK

    Terry J. McGenity

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Yakimov, M.M., Golyshin, P.N., Crisafi, F., Denaro, R., Giuliano, L. (2019). Marine, Aerobic Hydrocarbon-Degrading Gammaproteobacteria: The Family Alcanivoracaceae. In: McGenity, T. (eds) Taxonomy, Genomics and Ecophysiology of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Microbes. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14796-9_24

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