Magnetotactic bacteria are ubiquitous in aquatic environments and cosmopolitan in distribution. These microorganisms shows characteristic behaviour: they orient and swim in the direction of magnetic field. This peculiar behaviour is due to the formation of an intracellular enveloped magnetic grains called magnetosomes. In this present study, a preliminary examination was made to find out the presence of magnetotactic bacteria in River Tamiraparani, a perennial river in Tirunelveli District of Tamilnadu State, India. Collection and isolation of magnetotactic bacteria was done by modified race track method of purification. Then the magnetotactic bacteria were subjected to streak plate method and light microscopic observation. From this study the magnetically collected bacterial cells from river Tamiraparani are rod and oval in shape, gram negative and are geomagnetically sensitive.

Keywords: Magnetotactic Bacteria; Magnetosomes; Microorganisms; Race Track Method;