South African Myxococcota: an untapped resource for microbial ecolo gy and biotechnology.

ABSTRACT: An extraordinary multicellular life cycle, ecological versatility, and prolific production of bioactive secondary metabolites characterise the phylum Myxococcota. While research has predominantly focused on Myxococcota in Asia, Europe, and North America, their potential occurrence in Sub-Saharan Africa remains largely unexplored. To date, only one study has isolated Myxococcota in South Africa, with additional findings limited to incidental detection through metagenomic studies. Considering South Africa's ecological diversity, its biomes may represent promising but under-examined environments for systematic bioprospecting aimed at discovering novel Myxococcota with ecological or biotechnological potential. The recent reclassification of Myxococcota from the former Deltaproteobacteria has p

SUBMITTER: Havenga B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12397197 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature