Every state has an official animal, flower, and/or tree, but one state has an official bacterial species named in its honor: Methanohalophilus oregonense. What is the state and decipher the meaning of the genus name? (Note: ense =” belonging to”). the state is Oregon and I think this what my teach could be looking for Methano = methane

Halo = halogen (eg. chloride)
-philia = friendship

These are organisms that thrive on salt and methane
please help

Oregon is clearly the state. I'm no chemist or scientist at all, but from what I know of language, the rest sounds good to me. It was discovered in Alkali Lake, a saline lake. This should tell you more.

http://ijs.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/00207713-40-2-111

Thank you

Correct, the state is Oregon and Methanohalophilus oregonense is named in its honor. The genus name Methanohalophilus can be deciphered as follows:

1. Methano: This derives from the word "methane," which is a greenhouse gas and the primary component of natural gas. In biology, it commonly refers to organisms that utilize or produce methane.

2. Halo: This comes from the term "halogen," which includes elements such as chlorine, bromine, and iodine. In biology, "halo-" is often used to signify an affinity or tolerance for salty environments.

3. -philus: This suffix means "lover of" or "friend of" in Latin. In biology, it is used to indicate a specific association or preference. In this case, Methanohalophilus species are "friends" or organisms that thrive in habitats with high salt concentrations.

Therefore, the meaning of Methanohalophilus is a group of organisms that are capable of utilizing or producing methane and are adapted to thrive in highly salty environments. Methanohalophilus oregonense specifically refers to the species found in Oregon.