Regular irregular shells of 0.6-1 micron in diameter. Gram negative. Moving from one to several flagella. Strictly aerobic, chemolithoautotrophic optional. Lithotrophe growth of sulfide ores such as pyrite, sphalerite and chalcopyrite and S °, producing sulfuric acid. Organotroph growth on beef extract, peptone and yeast extract. Optimum growth at 75 ° C and pH 1 to 4.5. DNA: 45 mol% G+ C Three species, Metallosphaera Sedula .
