Adhesiota

Adhesiota is a provisional term used in microbiology to describe a proposed clade of adhesive-producing microorganisms, notably bacteria and certain fungi, that secrete extracellular polymeric substances enabling strong adhesion to abiotic and biotic surfaces. The term combines Latin adhaesio, "stickiness," with the -ota suffix used in some taxonomic designations. It is not currently recognized as a formal taxon by major databases and its circumscription varies among authors.

Characteristics commonly attributed to adhesiota include robust production of extracellular polymeric substances, surface adhesion receptors, and the ability to form dense biofilms under flow conditions. Members are hypothesized to inhabit wetted terrestrial and aquatic environments, including rocks in streams, submerged man-made structures, and pipe interiors, where adhesion affords protection from shear stress and survival in nutrient-poor settings.

Impact and significance: As a concept, adhesiota emphasizes the role of adhesion in microbial ecology and biofilm dynamics. In applied contexts, adhesive capabilities influence biofouling and biocorrosion, while certain adhesive matrices offer potential for biotechnological applications such as biofilm reactors or bioremediation.

Taxonomic status remains unsettled; some researchers treat adhesiota as a functional grouping rather than a strict clade, while others regard it as a provisional taxonomic label awaiting molecular phylogenetic support. The term should be distinguished from established groups described by definitive genetic criteria.

See also: biofilm, extracellular polymeric substance, microbial adhesion, biofouling.