BEGGIATOA
\bˌɛɡɪɐtˈə͡ʊə], \bˌɛɡɪɐtˈəʊə], \b_ˌɛ_ɡ_ɪ__ɐ_t_ˈəʊ_ə]\
Definitions of BEGGIATOA
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By Willam Alexander Newman Dorland
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A genus of the Schizomycetes and of the family Beggiatoceae, consisting of long, straight, unbranched filaments, which in the swarming stage are sometimes spiral, thicker than in the allied genus, Leptothrix, and are also distinguished by their containing sulphur in the form of strongly refracting granules and by not being surrounded by an enclosing sheath. They are motile by means of an undulating membrane. The Beggiatoae possess the property of decomposing sulphur compounds with the evolution of hydrogen sulphid. They occur in both running and stagnant water which receives sewage or other refuse, in sulphur springs, upon mud, and upon animal and vegetable bodies.
By Smith Ely Jelliffe
