Methanocaldococcaceae

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Methanocaldococcaceae is a family of archaea in the order Methanococcales. It contains two genera: Methanocaldococcus and Methanotorris. These microbes are spherical (coccoid), prefer neutral to slightly acidic conditions, and are mostly motile. They divide quickly, with generation times of about 25 to 45 minutes under optimal conditions. They obtain energy only by reducing carbon dioxide with hydrogen (hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis). Some species are found in marine hydrothermal vent environments. The taxonomy follows the classifications in LPSN and NCBI.