Methanomethylophilus

Methanomethylophilus is a genus of strictly anaerobic, methanogenic archaea within the order Methanomassiliicoccales. This genus currently includes only one validly published species, Methanomethylophilus alvi, isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract. ^[1]

Methanomethylophilus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Archaea
Phylum:	Thermoplasmatota
Class:	Methanomassiliicoccia
Order:	Methanomassiliicoccales
Family:	Methanomethylophilaceae
Genus:	Methanomethylophilus Borrel et al. 2023
Type species
Methanomethylophilus alvi Borrel et al. 2023

Etymology

The name Methanomethylophilus is derived from the Greek words methano (methane), methyl (methyl group), and philos (loving), indicating an archaeon that utilizes methyl compounds to produce methane.^[1]

Characteristics

Members of Methanomethylophilus are coccoid archaea that produce methane through methyl-dependent hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. They utilize methyl compounds such as methanol, monomethylamine, dimethylamine, and trimethylamine in combination with hydrogen (H_2) as electron donor. The optimal growth temperature for the type species is approximately 37°C, suitable for human gut conditions.^[1]

Species

The genus contains a single validly published species:

• Methanomethylophilus alvi – isolated from human gut microbiota.^[1]