L. mucor L. pacifica L. arctica L. sargassi Leucothrix is a genus of large, filamentous bacteria, which live as epiphytes in marine habitats.
[1] Leucothrix is a large bacterium that forms filaments between 2-3 μm wide and up to 0.5 cm in length.
They are usually found as epiphytes on marine plants and algae, but also grow attached to other surfaces like the shells of crustaceans.
Like the related genus Thiothrix, individual cells can be released from filaments, forming "gonidia", which can disperse and colonize new surfaces.
[4] Physiologically, Leucothrix are chemoheterotrophic, which distinguishes them from Thiothrix, which are able to use sulfur oxidation as a source of energy.