Silvanigrella aquatica is a species of Gram‑negative bacteria belonging to the genus Silvanigrella, the family Silvanigrellaceae, the order Silvanigrellales, the class Oligoflexia, and the phylum Bdellovibrionota. The species was formally described in the scientific literature in 2015 following isolation from a freshwater environment in Germany.
Taxonomy
- Domain: Bacteria
- Phylum: Bdellovibrionota
- Class: Oligoflexia
- Order: Silvanigrellales
- Family: Silvanigrellaceae
- Genus: Silvanigrella
- Species: Silvanigrella aquatica
Isolation and Habitat
The type strain of S. aquatica was recovered from a freshwater lake surface water sample. The epithet “aquatica” reflects its aquatic origin. The species is considered part of the freshwater microbial community and has been detected in temperate lake ecosystems.
Morphology and Physiology
Silvanigrella aquatica cells are rod‑shaped and display motility. The bacterium is aerobic, requiring oxygen for growth, and is Gram‑negative. Detailed biochemical characteristics, such as specific metabolic pathways and optimal growth conditions, have been reported in the original species description but remain limited in the broader literature.
Phylogenetic Position
Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences place S. aquatica within the class Oligoflexia, a lineage distinct from the more commonly known Proteobacteria. The species clusters with other members of the family Silvanigrellaceae, supporting its designation as a separate genus.
Significance
The discovery of Silvanigrella aquatica contributed to the expansion of knowledge regarding the diversity of freshwater bacteria, particularly within the understudied Oligoflexia. Its isolation underscores the presence of novel bacterial lineages in non‑marine aquatic habitats.
References
- Hahn, M. W., et al. (2015). Silvanigrella aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the class Oligoflexia isolated from freshwater. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 65(Pt 5), 1465‑1472.
Note: Information presented reflects currently available peer‑reviewed literature up to the date of this entry.