Astaeota

Astaeota is a proposed phylum of bacteria. The name Astaeota is derived from Greek words meaning "star" and "ear," possibly referring to the shape of some of its members or their ribosomal RNA signatures. This group is primarily defined by molecular phylogenetic analyses, particularly those using ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Currently, Astaeota is not universally recognized as a formal phylum within bacterial taxonomy. Its phylogenetic placement and precise composition are still subjects of ongoing research and debate within the scientific community.

Members within the Astaeota cluster have been identified through environmental DNA sequencing and culturing efforts. These bacteria are found in a variety of environments, including soil and aquatic habitats. Their metabolic capabilities and ecological roles are not extensively characterized due to the limited number of formally described species and the reliance on molecular data for their classification. Further research is needed to isolate, culture, and fully describe the organisms belonging to this proposed phylum to confirm its taxonomic status and understand its diversity and contributions to microbial ecosystems.