Gräf W, Schmitt J
Zentralbl Bakteriol B. 1979 Oct;169(3-4):240-52.
The indicator function of aquatic myxobacteria for the purpose of evaluating drinking water quality as well as their occurrence in sewage effluent make it desirable to describe these hitherto little known organisms in more detail. To this end, a comparative investigation of anaerobic myxobacteria of the genus Sphaerocytophaga, two typical representatives of the Order Myxobacterales (Myxococcus fulvus, Sporocytophage cauliformis), and a strain ov Vitrepscilla (Vitroescilla proteolytica) was undertaken. With respect to culture morphology, the migratory fringe surrounding colonies of Sphaerocytophaga similar to the other strains studies was a prominent characteristic. In particular, the similarity with colonies of Sporocytophaga cauliformis was apparent. The gliding motility typical of Sphaerocytophaga could be demonstrated in all of the strains investigated. Scanning electron micrographs revealed an amorphous layer of slime covering the cell surfaces in all strains compared in this study, thus excluding the existence of more rigid organelles of locomotion. Taxonomically, the anaerobec myxobacteria of the oral cavity (Sphaerocytophaga) belong to the Order "Myxobacterales" and not the "Eubacterales", i.e., to the genus Fusobacterium. This is clearly suggested by their motility lacking flagella and, above all, by their cell morphology which differs from the Eubacterales.
