Sal.e.gen.ti.bac'ter. L. n. sal, salis salt; L. pres. part. egens needy; N.L. masc. n. bacter rod; N.L. masc. n. Salegentibacter salt‐needy rod.

Bacteroidetes / Flavobacteriia / Flavobacteriales / Flavobacteriaceae/ Salegentibacter

Cells are rod‐shaped, 0.4–0.8 × 0.7–11.5 µm. Cells may occur singly, in pairs, or in short chains. Spores and resting cells are not present. Gas vesicles and helical or ring‐shaped cells are not formed. Nonmotile or motile by gliding. Gram‐stain‐negative. Strictly aerobic, having an oxidative type of metabolism. Catalase‐positive. Most species are oxidase‐positive. Chemoheterotrophic. Colonies are bright‐yellow‐pigmented due to production of carotenoids. Flexirubin pigments are not produced. Most strains form alkaline phosphatase, amylase, and esterases (Tweens 20, 40, and 80) but do not form lipases, cellulases, and chitinases, produce indole from L‐tryptophan, or form acetoin (Voges–Proskauer test). Preferred substrates are carbohydrates. Most strains grow at 5°C. Optimal parameters for growth range from 25 to 35°C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 3–8% (w/v) NaCl. Require Na⁺ ions for growth. Slightly to moderately halophilic. All strains tolerate 8% or more NaCl. The major fatty acids are C_15:0, C_15:1 iso, C_15:0 iso, C_15:0 anteiso, C_16:1 ω7c or summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_15:0 2‐OH iso), C_16:0 3‐OH iso, C_17:0 3‐OH iso, and C_17:0 2‐OH. The major respiratory quinone is menaquinone‐6. The major polyamine is homospermidine. Habitats include the surfaces of marine fauna including holothurians, sea urchins and sponges, hypersaline lake surface waters, and marine sediment.

DNA G + C content (mol%): 37–41 (T_m, HPLC).

Type species: Salegentibacter salegens (Dobson, Colwell, McMeekin and Franzmann 1993) McCammon and Bowman 2000, 1062^VP (Flavobacterium salegens Dobson, Colwell, McMeekin and Franzmann 1993, 81).