Rhodospirillaceae

Rhodospirillaceae
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Kingdom:	Pseudomonadati
Phylum:	Pseudomonadota
Class:	Alphaproteobacteria
Order:	Rhodospirillales
Family:
Genera[1][2][3]
Aerophototrophica Tang et al. 2021 Algihabitans Wang et al. 2019 Aliidongia Chen et al. 2017 Caenispirillum Yoon et al. 2007 "Dechlorospirillum" Michaelidou et al. 2000 Denitrobaculum Wang et al. 2020 Dongia Liu et al. 2010 Ferruginivarius Wang et al. 2019 Haematospirillum Humrighouse et al. 2016 Hwanghaeella Kim et al. 2019 Hypericibacter Noviana et al. 2020 Indioceanicola Chen et al. 2018 Insolitispirillum Yoon et al. 2007 "Levispirillum" Pot and Gillis 2005 Magnetospirillum Schleifer et al. 1992 Marispirillum Lai et al. 2009 Novispirillum Yoon et al. 2007 Oleiliquidispirillum Li et al. 2020 Oleisolibacter Ruan et al. 2019 Pararhodospirillum Lakshmi et al. 2014 Phaeovibrio Lakshmi et al. 2011 Rhodospira Pfennig et al. 1998 Rhodospirillum Molisch 1907 (Approved Lists 1980) Roseospira Imhoff et al. 1998 "Roseospirillum" Glaeser and Overmann 1999 Tagaea Jean et al. 2016 Telmatospirillum Sizova et al. 2007

The Rhodospirillaceae are a family of bacteria within the Pseudomonadota. The family is metabolically diverse, though it is known for its purple nonsulfur bacteria, which produce energy through photosynthesis. Originally, all purple nonsulfur bacteria were classified in this family.^[4][5]

Members of this family are often found in anaerobic aquatic environments, such as mud and stagnant water, though they are capable of surviving in the presence of air.^[4] A notable genus, Magnetospirillum, exhibits magnetotaxis. These bacteria contain internal chains of magnetite that allow them to orient themselves along the Earth's magnetic field lines, aiding their movement toward the sediment of ponds where they live.^[4] The discovery of similar magnetite structures in Martian meteorites has led to speculation about the possibility of ancient life on Mars.^[6]