Praktilaceae

Praktilaceae is a proposed family of bacteria within the phylum Firmicutes and the order Bacillales. It was circumscribed on the basis of phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences that grouped several isolates into a distinct clade separate from other Bacillales families.

The type genus is Praktilia. The family currently includes several described genera, including Praktilobacillus and Practilococcus, which together define the characteristic genetic and phenotypic traits used to distinguish the group from related taxa.

Morphology and physiology are variable but common features include Gram-positive cells that are predominantly rod-shaped, with some members capable of forming endospores. Metabolism is largely fermentative, with facultative aerobic capabilities reported in multiple members. Motility is variable, with some taxa possessing flagella while others are non-motile.

Ecology and distribution: Praktilaceae isolates have been recovered from diverse environments, including soil, freshwater, estuarine sediments, and plant-associated niches. In ecological studies, members of this family are considered to contribute to organic matter breakdown and nutrient cycling, particularly in microhabitats where complex carbohydrates are abundant.

Genomics and phylogeny: Genome sizes typically range from roughly 3.2 to 4.5 megabases, with G+C contents commonly between 40 and 58 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses support a coherent lineage within Bacillales, though exact boundaries of the family may be refined with future sequencing data.

Significance and status: The circumscription of Praktilaceae remains provisional and subject to revision as more genomes are sequenced and additional isolates are characterized. The group is of interest primarily to microbial systematics, ecology, and potential biotechnological applications such as enzyme production and bioremediation.