Definition
Colwellia demingiae is a species of marine bacteria belonging to the genus Colwellia within the family Alteromonadaceae. It is classified as a Gram‑negative, rod‑shaped, psychrophilic microorganism that has been isolated from cold marine environments.
Overview
The species was first described in the early 2000s following its isolation from sea‑ice or cold seawater samples collected in polar regions. Like other members of the genus, C. demingiae is aerobic and motile, possessing polar flagella. It is adapted to low‑temperature habitats, being capable of growth at temperatures near 0 °C and typically exhibiting optimal growth in the range of 4–15 °C. The bacterium is chemoorganotrophic, utilizing a variety of organic substrates for energy and carbon. Some isolates have been reported to produce extracellular polysaccharides, which may contribute to biofilm formation and ice‑binding properties, although detailed studies on these traits are limited.
Etymology / Origin
The generic name Colwellia honors microbiologist Rita R. Colwell for her contributions to marine microbiology. The specific epithet demingiae is derived from the surname of a scientist (presumably a researcher named Deming) who was recognized for work related to polar microbiology or the isolation of the strain. The exact dedication is not detailed in widely available sources.
Characteristics
| Feature | Reported Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Cell morphology | Gram‑negative, short rods, typically 0.5–0.8 µm wide and 1.5–3 µm long |
| Motility | Polar flagella confer motility |
| Oxygen requirement | Strictly aerobic |
| Temperature range | Growth at 0–20 °C; optimum reported between 4 and 15 °C (exact optimum not confirmed) |
| pH range | Growth reported in neutral to slightly alkaline media (pH 7–8) |
| Metabolism | Chemoorganotrophic; utilizes simple sugars, amino acids, and organic acids |
| Habitat | Marine cold environments, particularly sea ice and cold seawater of polar regions |
| Genomic data | Draft genome sequences have been deposited in public databases, revealing genes associated with cold adaptation and exopolysaccharide synthesis (specific genome details are not fully verified) |
Related Topics
- Genus Colwellia – a group of psychrophilic marine bacteria known for their ability to thrive in cold oceans and for producing antifreeze proteins.
- Psychrophilic microorganisms – microbes that grow optimally at low temperatures and are studied for their enzymes and biotechnological potential.
- Rita R. Colwell – American microbiologist after whom the genus is named; notable for work on marine microbiology and waterborne diseases.
- Polar microbiology – the study of microbial life in polar ecosystems, encompassing bacteria, archaea, and microeukaryotes adapted to extreme cold.
Note: While the general traits described above are consistent with the characteristics of the Colwellia genus and with the limited published data on C. demingiae, precise physiological parameters, genome annotations, and ecological roles have not been extensively documented in the primary literature. Consequently, some details remain to be fully confirmed.