[1] The first description of this organism was published in 1998 by Japanese microbiologists Yuichi Nogi, Chiaki Kato, and Koki Horikoshi, who named the species after its violet[2] appearance when it is grown on Marine Agar 2216 Plates.

[4] Researchers are evaluating this species to better understand the specific mechanisms S. violacea uses in order to thrive in its unusually cold and high-pressure environment.

[4] S. violacea is a member of Group 1 Shewanella due to specific genetic adaptations that have enabled the bacteria to thrive in extremely low temperatures and high pressures.

[4] Samples of S. violacea have been collected using the SHINKAI 6500 System, a crewed submersible operated by the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center.

Samples have been collected from the Ryukyu Trench at a depth of 5,110 m. The bacteria are found in the topmost layer of the sediment in this marine environment.

[5] The complete genome is accessible online as published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (see external links).

Shewanella violacea has an abnormally high percent of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) integrated into its phospholipids.

[4] The exact function of the unusual lipid composition found in S. violacea and other members of Group 1 Shewanella species is not yet fully understood.