The New Ethane Decomposer (IMAGE) Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology Caption Laser-scanning microscopic image of the ethane decomposer Ethanoperedens thermophilum (red) and its partner bacterium Desulfofervidus auxilii (green). For identification and visualization, the organisms are specifically stained with a fluorescence-labelled gene probe. The white bar corresponds to 10 μm. In the lab, consortia can reach up to several 100 μm in diameter. Credit Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology/Cedric Hahn Usage Restrictions Only to be used in the context of this publication and citing the proper copyright. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.