The phylum Korarchaeota

This phylum is still under scrutiny and contains only a single representative Korarchaeum cryptofilum. Environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences were detected in a single spring in Yellowstone Park and it was first suggested in which this group was an artifact, perhaps formed through other environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences ligating during PCR. However, cultivation of ‘Korarchaeum cryptofilum’ in mixed culture at 85?C eventually enabled the assembly of a complete genome sequence. Analysis of genes confirmed that the organism was physiologically and phylogenetically distinct from other known Archaea. The 16S signature has also been found in a number of geographically separated environments but little is known about the functions of these filamentous organisms except which they are anaerobic heterotrophs.