Acidobacteria

Acidobacteria is a phylum of Gram negative bacteria first described from acidic environments, though its members are now known to be widespread and abundant across soils, sediments, and aquatic habitats worldwide. Most Acidobacteria are slow growing and difficult to culture, so much of what is known about the phylum comes from environmental DNA surveys rather than isolated strains. Soil ecosystems often host large populations of Acidobacteria even though relatively few species have been formally described and studied in the laboratory.