the hard, variously colored, calcareous skeleton secreted by certain marine polyps. 2. such skeletons collectively, forming reefs, islands, etc. 3. the solitary or colonial polyp that secretes this calcareous skeleton.
Ancient methanogens are the source of natural gas. Halophiles are bacteria that thrive in high salt concentrations such as those found in salt lakes or pools of sea water. Thermophiles are the heat-loving bacteria found near hydrothermal vents and hot springs.
Halobacteria (plural form of the word halobacterium) redirects here. For the genus, see halobacterium. In taxonomy, the Halobacteria (also Halomebacteria) are a class of the Euryarchaeota, found in water saturated or nearly saturated with salt.Halobacteria are now recognized as archaea, rather than bacteria.The name 'halobacteria' was assigned to this group of organisms before the existence of the domain Archaea was realized, and remains valid according to taxonomic rules.alobacteria are now recognized as archaea, rather than bacteria. The name 'halobacteria' was assigned to this group of organisms before the existence of the domain Archaea was realized, and remains valid according to taxonomic rules.