Adaptation
In order to compete in the oceanic
environment it lives in
Salinispora tropica has developed secondary metabolites that
fight off both predators and competing bacteria. Furthermore in
iron depleted environments the bacterium produces iron kelators,
which attract iron and help the organism to survive.
In most marine bacteria an electron transport chain
called NQR is found. Instead of pumping protons (H+) it pumps
sodium out of the membrane. It is
not yet clear whether this is the mechanism through which
S.
tropica is able to
tolerate high salinity environments.
This bacteria is only found in the
tropics and more specifically only in the Bahamas. This is due to
the fact that it requires both a temperature optimum of between 20° - 28° C
Nutrition and Reproduction
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