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.
Archaebacteria. The archaebacteria kingdom (Archaebacterium in Latin) is made up of single-celled organisms and the name of the kingdom means âancient bacteria.â Scientists actually believe that members of the archaebacteria kingdom were among the first life forms on Earth billions of years ago.