Thermotoga is a rod-shaped hyperthermophile capable of growth to 90°C with an optimum of 80°C. Cells of
Thermotoga contain a sheath-like envelope (the "toga"), stain gram-negatively, and are nonsporing.
Thermotoga is an anaerobic, fermentive chemoorganotroph, catabolizing sugars and polymers such as starch and producing lactate, acetate, CO
2, and H
2 as fermentation products. Species of
Thermotoga have been isolated from terrestrial hot springs as well as marine hydrothermal vents.
Taken from the text Brock Biology of Microorganisms (10th ed.). Madigan, M.T., Martinko, J.M., and Parker, J. 2003. Prentice Hall. 441p.