Halobacteria

Halobacteria are a group of extremophilic microorganisms known as archaea that thrive in highly salty environments, such as salt ponds and salt flats. Unlike most bacteria, they prefer hypersaline conditions where few other organisms can survive. Halobacteria have unique adaptations, including special pigments like bacteriorhodopsin that enable them to capture light energy and produce energy directly from sunlight. They play important roles in their ecosystems by contributing to nutrient cycling and can even be used in biotechnological applications. Despite their name, they are not true bacteria but belong to a distinct domain of life called archaea.