[3][1][2][4][5] The microbial mat forms at the sediment surface and is between 10 and 20 mm thick, below a fine layer (2–3 cm) of gypsum crust.
[3] H. neutriphila is a phototrophic, purple bacteria with a spirilloid morphology and motile with polar flagella.
[3] H. neutriphila has a photosynthetic intracellular membrane system that consists of lamellar stacks with spirilloxanthin and BChl a as the major carotenoids.
[3] Optimal growth for H. neutriphila occurs with a 9-12% (w/v) NaCl presence in culture and a medium supplemented with 1mM Na2S.9H20, 2mM acetate, 1mM succinate, and 0.05% yeast extract.
[3] The growth rate for the type strain is recorded to be 0.034 h^ -1 and cell replication occurs through binary fission.