Haloferax volcanii

Haloferax volcanii is a halophile originally discovered in the Dead Sea. It has a disc or cupped shape and reproduces by building cytoplasmic bridges with others in the Haloferax genus and sharing genetic information [1]. As with most halophiles, it requires a high salt concentration in order to thrive.

It was originally classified in the genus Halobateria, but due to its unique structure and low sodium chloride requirement (as compared to other halobacteria), it was eventually placed in in the Haloferax genus. There are two separate sequencing projects associated with this species. They are "in progress" by San Diego State University and TIGR [2].