Fer.ro.plas'ma. L. neut. n. ferrum iron; N.L. prefix ferro pertaining to ferrous iron; Gr. neut. n. plasma something shaped or molded; N.L. neut. n. Ferroplasma a ferrous-iron-oxidizing form.

Euryarchaeota / Thermoplasmata / Thermoplasmatales / Ferroplasmaceae / Ferroplasma

Ferroplasma (Golyshina et al. 2000, 1004VP) is one of two genera within the family Ferroplasmaceae, the order Thermoplasmatales. Ferroplasma is a monospecific genus with one species with a validly published name, Ferroplasma acidiphilum. Morphologically, cells are irregular, spherical cocci, filamentous, or pleomorphic forms with lengths from 1 to 3 µm and widths ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 µm. Cells are nonmotile. No cell wall, only the cytoplasmic membrane is present. Acidophilic, mesophilic, and aerobic to facultatively anaerobic. Iron-oxidizing chemolitho- or chemoorganotrophs that assimilate both CO2 and organic carbon sources. Total lipids are mainly represented by glycophospholipids with β-d-glucopyranosyl caldarchaetidylglycerol. Populate ore deposits, mines, and acid mine drainage waters across the globe.

DNA G + C content (mol%): 36–37 (HPLC). Inhabiting sulfide-containing environments.