Conditional filamentation as an adaptive trait of bacteria and its ecological significance in soils.

Bacteria can regulate cell morphology in response to environmental conditions, altering their physiological and metabolic characteristics to improve survival. Conditional filamentation, in which cells suspend division while continuing lateral growth, is a strategy with a range of adaptive benefits. Here, we review the causes and consequences of conditional filamentation with respect to bacterial physiology, ecology and evolution.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., phenolic acid-degrading bacteria isolated from forest soil and emended description of .

Two bacterial strains, 1N and 5N, were isolated from hemlock forest soil using a soluble organic matter enrichment. Cells of 1N (0.65×1.

sp. nov., a phenolic acid-degrading bacterium isolated from acidic forest soil.

RP11 was isolated from forest soil following enrichment with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. Cells of RP11 are aerobic, non-sporulating, exhibit swimming motility, and are rods (0.8 µm by 1.