Halomonas sp. strain DT-W, a halophile from the 11,000 m-depth of the Mariana Trench

Moderately halophilic strain DT-W was isolated from the mud of the Mariana Trench. Cells of the organism were rod-shaped (1.5-2 m x 0.5-0.8 µm) with some flagella extruding from the cells. Growth occurred in an NaCl concentration of about 0.1-15% (optimal: 3-5%), at pH of 6-9, and at temperatures ranging from 4-51 °C (optimal: 30-37 °C). The results of 16S rDNA analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization analyses showed that DT-W was closely related to Halomonas aquamarina, Halomonas axialensis and Halomonas meridiana. Furthermore, additional physiological properties and the cytochrome contents of DT-W were also analyzed.