Living BeingsCompare species
Methanobrevibacter smithii
Methanobrevibacter smithii
African Savanna Elephant
Loxodonta africana
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | Methanobrevibacter smithii | African Savanna Elephant |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | Small cells require microscopy and validated taxonomic methods for study. Closely related gut methanogens need careful strain-level discrimination. | Broad ears, a long trunk and column-like legs give the animal its familiar outline. The trunk tip has two finger-like projections. Both sexes can develop tusks. |
| Habitat and range | The oxygen-poor distal intestine provides a host-associated environment supplied with microbial fermentation products. | Savannas and open woodland provide a shifting mixture of browse, grass, shade and drinking water. Seasonal water availability influences the places that herds use. |
| Diet and nutrition | Hydrogen-consuming methanogenesis uses products released by other community members, contributing to methane formation. | Grasses, leaves, bark and other plant material make up its diet. The trunk gathers food and moves it to the mouth. |
| Behavior and activity | Surface glycans, adhesin-like proteins and nutrient competition help explain persistence in the intestinal environment. | Female relatives and their young form long-lasting social groups. Older females hold knowledge of familiar routes and resources; adult males have a different pattern of association. |
| Reproduction and life cycle | Cell multiplication occurs within suitable anaerobic conditions. Genomic comparisons distinguish strains and newly separated related species. | Calves are born alive and depend on milk and extended social care. Learning from other elephants is an important part of growing up. |
| Geographic distribution | Human-derived isolates and genomic studies document host-associated occurrence. A person's carriage cannot be inferred from a species profile. | Native to sub-Saharan Africa. This account follows the savanna-elephant species concept rather than treating all African elephants as one species. |
| Ecological role | Removal of fermentation products can affect interactions among members of the gut microbial community. | Feeding and movement alter vegetation, and dung transfers seeds and nutrients. Habitat fragmentation and killing for ivory threaten populations. |
| Distinctive adaptations | The genome study identified surface glycans resembling those in the gut mucosa and regulated adhesin-like proteins. It also examined consumption of products made by carbohydrate-fermenting bacteria. These results explain potential mechanisms of persistence and microbial interaction; observations in experimental mice do not establish a health outcome for every human carrying this archaeon. | Data unavailable |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: cellular organisms.