Cystobacter velatus closely resembles Cystobacter badius but
differs in the following characteristics: sporangioles golden
brown, preferentially in chains that tend to loop upward
and to form three-dimensional networks, arise below a thin
but tough, colorless, translucent slime layer that is pushed
upward by the maturing sporangioles and becomes delicately
plicated, giving the sporangioles a strikingly striated
appearance (Fig. BXII.d.78). Single sporangioles on pedicels
are absent.
Growth pattern and nutritional requirements as for C.
fuscus, C. badius, and C. ferrugineus, with the exception that
Cystobacter velatus may or may not attack chitin.
Cystobacter velatus is found in the usual myxobacterial
habitats and is moderately common.
The species was described by Krzemieniewska and
Krzemieniewski (1926), who classified it as a variant of Cystobacter
fuscus (then “Polyangium fuscum” ). Cystobacter velatus
differs substantially from the latter, so that it can be justi-
fiably regarded as a separate species. The differentiation of
Cystobacter velatus from Cystobacter badius can be very difficult,
as the two overlap in most characteristics. The darker color
of the sporangioles of the former, and the plicated slime
cover on the fruiting bodies of the latter are not always
prominent. Chitin degradation appears to be a distinguishing
characteristic, but it remains to be established how reliable
it is. Whether the two species are really separate is
an open question at this time.
Strain Cb v34 was isolated in 1996 from a soil sample
with rotting wood collected near Jaipur, Rajasthan, India,
in 1995, reference strain Cb v37 was isolated in the same
year from a similar sample from the same site.
The mol% G C of the DNA is: not determined.
Type strain: Cb v34, DSM 14718, JCM 14718.
Additional Remarks: Reference strains include DSM 14719