Cellulophaga

Cellulophaga is a genus of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria belonging to the family Flavobacteriaceae within the phylum Bacteroidetes. These bacteria are primarily found in marine environments, including seawater, marine sediments, and associated with marine organisms. A defining characteristic of Cellulophaga species is their ability to degrade cellulose, a complex polysaccharide that is a major component of plant cell walls. This ability makes them ecologically important in the decomposition of plant matter in marine ecosystems and contributes to the carbon cycle.

Cellulophaga species are typically motile via gliding motility, a mechanism common among Bacteroidetes. Their cell walls contain characteristic lipids and glycosphingolipids. Identification of Cellulophaga species often relies on phenotypic characteristics such as colony morphology, biochemical tests, and the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The GC content of their DNA typically falls within a specific range characteristic of the genus.

Research on Cellulophaga is ongoing, focusing on understanding the specific enzymes involved in cellulose degradation, their role in marine ecosystems, and their potential applications in biotechnology, such as the production of biofuels and other valuable compounds from cellulose. The genus has been the subject of taxonomic revisions as new species are discovered and characterized using molecular techniques.