Thermotogae (ther-mo-TO-ge) is derived from a Greek root meaning hot (thermos) and a Latin root for the garment of a Roman citizen (toga). The name is derived from Thermotoga, a common genus in the group. It also is descriptive of the kingdom in that many taxa inhabit hot springs and deep ocean vents, and have a specialized outer covering called a toga.

A recently discovered group, the Thermobactera is unique according to its 16S rRNA sequences as well as its ecology. The bacteria occur in deep ocean vents and other hot springs areas, some with temperatures approaching the boiling point. They are characterized by the occurrence of an outer covering called a toga that is several times thicker than the cell wall.^[1]

Photo: TEM micrograph of Thermotoga with its outer covering or toga