This article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. (July 2023) |
| Metallogenium | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | Metallogenium Perfilev & Gabe, 1961 |
| Type species | |
| Metallogenium personatum Perfilev & Gabe, 1961 | |
Metallogenium is a proposed genus of bacteria that has an affinity to form star-shaped manganese oxide minerals. The organism is supposedly observed in fresh water (limnic) environments. The genus is currently not assigned to any taxonomic family.
The bacterium is often likened to a modern analogue of the ~1.9 Ma fossil Eoastrion in respect to similar stellate aggregations. However, an evolutionary link between the two is not yet known as the earliest dated Metallogenium specimens come from the Cretaceous, so this is likely due to convergent evolution.