Polymorphism Of A Deep Marine Benthic Bacterium From The Gulf Of Mexico

An interesting bacterium (#271) was isolated from the abyssal plain of the Sigsbee Deep of the Gulf of Mexico. The organism exhibits marked polymorphism (baciloid, coryneform and myceloid morphologies) in response to certain cultural conditions. the organism has been observed undergoing reproduction by transverse fission, fragmentation and arthrospore production. The presence of arthrospores indicates the bacterium is a member of the genus Arthrobacter; however, computed affinity coefficients do not confirm this genus. Until further studies have been completed on this isolate the authors are reluctant to place it in a generic group.