A unique thermophilic microbial community developed initially from swine waste was investigated in this study. Cellulase activities were observed when this community was inoculated to media containing either cellulose or carboxymethylcellulose at 57 A degrees C. Through constructing a clone library for the 16S ribosomal DNA, it was revealed that this community was mainly composed of three genera: Thermobacillus, Brevibacillus, and Anoxybacillus. New findings regarding the thermo- and pH stability of crude cellulases secreted by Brevibacillus sp. JXL were presented. Recent study on the growth characteristics of Anoxybacillus sp. 527 was discussed.