Nucleotide sequence of 16S rRNA and phylogenetic position of the green sulfur bacterium Clathrochloris sulfurica.

The almost complete primary structure of the 16S rRNA from the green sulfur bacterium "Clathrochloris sulfurica" was determined by reverse transcriptase sequencing. Comparison of defined invariable parts of the molecule from representatives of 9 major lines of descent from the eubacterial kingdom shows C. sulfurica to be highly related to Chlorobium vibrioforme. The relationship between "Clathrochloris" and Chlorobium is in accord with the present allocation of these two genera into the family Chlorobiaceae.