Information based on LPSN 2021 Margalitia is a genus of gram-positive or gram-variable rod-shaped bacteria in the family Bacillaceae from the order Bacillales.
[3] Members of Margalitia are previously species belonging to Bacillus, a genus that has been recognized as displaying extensive polyphyly and phylogenetic heterogeneity due to the vague criteria[4] (such as the ability to form endospores in the presence of oxygen)[5] previously used to assign species to this clade.
Multiple studies using comparative phylogenetic analyses have been published in an attempt to clarify the evolutionary relationships between Bacillus species, resulting in the establishment of numerous novel genera such as Alkalihalobacillus, Brevibacillus, Solibacillus, Alicyclobacillus, Virgibacillus and Evansella.
[1] Source:[1] Members of this genus are aerobic and found in diverse locations such as ripened Pu'er tea and volcanic soils.
Two conserved signature indels (CSIs) have been identified through genomic analysis as exclusive for this genus in the proteins histidine tRNA ligase and peptide chain release factor 3, which can be used as a molecular means to reliably demarcate this genus from other Bacillaceae genera and bacteria.