Abstract:Myxobacteria are predatory Gram-negative bacteria ubiquitous and often predominant in soil, ocean, and freshwater environments. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequences, myxobacteria were classified as an order Myxococcales affiliated to the class δ-Proteobacteria. The recent phylogenetic studies based on 120 conserved single-copy marker genes and the 16S rRNA gene sequences have upgraded Myxococcales to the phylum Myxococcota. This review briefly summarizes the characteristics of myxobacteria and the history of the phylogenetic research and then makes a perspective on the future studies and applications of myxobacterial resources.
