Methanocorpusculaceae contains only one genus, Methanocorpusculum, of very small, irregular
cocci, characterized by complex nutritional requirements. Substrates for methanogenesis are frequently formate and sometimes alcohols, but methane can also be produced via the hydrogenotrophic pathway (4H2 + CO2 = CH4 + 2H2O) (Whitman et al., 2006).