Conclusions: The developmental processes, functional properties and dynamics of H. volcanii biofilms provide
insight on how haloarchaeal species might persist, interact and exchange DNA in natural communities. H. volcanii
demonstrates some biofilm phenotypes similar to bacterial biofilms, but also has interesting phenotypes that may
be unique to this organism or to this class of organisms, including changes in cellular morphology and an unusual
form of social motility. Because H. volcanii has one of the most advanced genetic systems for any archaeon, the
phenotypes reported here may promote the study of genetic and developmental processes in archaeal biofilms.