Epulopiscium fishelsoni is a gram-positive, rod shaped bacterium. It is one of the largest of the bacteria’. It can grow up to 600 micrometers by 80 micrometers. Microscopic analysis revealed that the cell membrane doesn’t stretch smoothly around the cell; instead, it is folded and wrinkled, with many pockets. It is kind of like our intestines. Picture a paper bag crumpled up into a ball, it would have the same surface area, but much smaller volume.
It was first discovered by Linn Montgomery at Northern Arizona University and examined by Norman Pace at Indiana University. They believed it was a protest due to its size. It wasn’t until the analysis of a potion of its DNA proved that it is a bacterium. They found hundreds of thousands in the intestines of several species of surgeonfish; which lives in and around coral reefs. Montgomery and Pace wanted to know more about these mysterious bacteria, but they couldn’t grow it in the lab. It never survived in captivity. This must be why there have been no free-living forms found. They don’t know the purpose of this bacteria or what they eat, but they believe it is a symbiont of the surgeonfish. Montegomery believes the bacteria “may enhance lipolytic activity in the main intestines” of the fish. What researchers are certain of is that is greatly reduces pH locally in the mid-intestine.
The most interesting facts of this bacterium are their DNA and how they reproduce. They have 25 times the amount of DNA as a human cell and the number of its genes has been counted to 85,000. They produce of viviparous offspring. This means “production of live young from within an organism.” It can produce live cells inside of itself. Two “baby” bacteria are formed at one end of the mother cell and after the cell wall is completed for each cell, they are released through a slit that opens out of one end of the mother cell.
There are still many questions to be answered about E. fishelsoni. Even with the little information scientists have been able to find out, it is one of the most interesting bacteria. The way they produce is very similar to humans. This makes me think that we are all not that different from everything else in this world*Disclaimer - This report was written by a student participaring in a microbiology course at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. The accuracy of the contents of this report is not guaranteed and it is recommended that you seek additional sources of information to verify the contents.
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