HALOPHILIC ARCHAEBACTERIA FROM THE KALAMKASS OIL-FIELD

Two strains of halophilic archaebacteria, growing in a medium containi ng from 10 to 25% NaCl, were isolated from the brines of the Kalamkass (Mangyshlak) oil field. Both strains are extremely halophilic archaeb acteria according to the complex of their phenotypic properties. Strai n M-11 was identified as Haloferax mediterranei on the basis of the co mposition of polar lipids and DNA-DNA homology. The composition of pol ar lipids and 16S rRNA sequence of strain M-ls allowed us to assign it to the genus Haloferax. This strain differs from the approved species of the genus Haloferax, H.volcanii, and H.mediterranei. However, to d escribe it as a new species, additional investigations are necessary.