Surreal illustration of interconnected bacterial cells and DNA strands representing Tenericutes classification.

Decoding the Tiny World of Tenericutes: A Corrected Guide to Mycoplasmoidales and Beyond

Mira Elwood in Science & Nature June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Dive into the updated classification of Tenericutes bacteria, unraveling the mysteries of Mycoplasmoidales, its families, and the intriguing genera within."

In the ever-evolving field of microbiology, the precise classification of organisms is crucial for accurate research and understanding. A 2018 paper published in Antonie van Leeuwenhoek sought to provide a comprehensive phylogenetic framework for the phylum Tenericutes, a group of bacteria known for their lack of a cell wall. This research proposed the creation of a new order, Mycoplasmoidales, and introduced two new families: Mycoplasmoidaceae and Metamycoplasmataceae. These families encompass intriguing genera such as Eperythrozoon and Ureaplasma, along with five novel genera.

However, as is common in scientific endeavors, errors can sometimes creep into published works. Following the initial publication, minor inaccuracies were identified in the data presented in Tables 9, 10, and 11 of the original paper. These tables contained information about the type strains of newly proposed name combinations within the Tenericutes classification.

This article serves as a guide to the Correction to the Phylogenetic framework paper, highlighting the updated and revised information. Whether you're a student, researcher, or simply curious about the microbial world, understanding these changes is vital for staying current with the latest developments in bacterial taxonomy.

Unpacking the Tenericutes: Why Classification Matters

Surreal illustration of interconnected bacterial cells and DNA strands representing Tenericutes classification.

Tenericutes are a fascinating group of bacteria primarily because of what they lack: a cell wall. This characteristic makes them highly adaptable but also poses challenges for traditional classification methods. Instead of relying on cell wall structure, scientists often turn to genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to understand their evolutionary relationships.

The original 2018 paper aimed to provide a more refined classification system for Tenericutes, reflecting the growing wealth of genomic data. The key proposal was the creation of the order Mycoplasmoidales, designed to encompass bacteria with distinct evolutionary lineages. Within this order, the families Mycoplasmoidaceae and Metamycoplasmataceae were established to further delineate specific groups.

Mycoplasmoidales: A newly proposed order to categorize Tenericutes with unique evolutionary traits.
Mycoplasmoidaceae: One of the new families introduced to classify Tenericutes.
Metamycoplasmataceae: The second novel family, housing genera like Eperythrozoon and Ureaplasma.

To rectify the errors, the authors published a correction outlining the specific changes to the protologues (formal descriptions) of several new name combinations. These corrections focused on ensuring accurate information for the type strains, which serve as the reference points for each species.

Why These Corrections Matter for Microbiology

While the corrections may seem minor, they are essential for maintaining accuracy and clarity in scientific communication. Accurate taxonomic classifications are the foundation upon which further research is built. When classifications are incorrect, it can lead to confusion, misinterpretation of data, and ultimately, flawed conclusions. By addressing these errors, the authors ensure that future studies on Tenericutes are based on a solid and reliable framework. For researchers, students, and healthcare professionals who rely on accurate microbial classifications, these refined details are essential for the advancement of microbiological knowledge and practice. Whether you're involved in studying microbial communities, understanding infectious diseases, or developing new diagnostic tools, keeping up-to-date with the latest taxonomic revisions is vital.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10482-018-1175-9, Alternate LINK

Title: Correction To: Phylogenetic Framework For The Phylum Tenericutes Based On Genome Sequence Data: Proposal For The Creation Of A New Order Mycoplasmoidales Ord. Nov., Containing Two New Families Mycoplasmoidaceae Fam. Nov. And Metamycoplasmataceae Fam. Nov. Harbouring Eperythrozoon, Ureaplasma And Five Novel Genera

Subject: Molecular Biology

Journal: Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Radhey S. Gupta, Sahil Sawnani, Mobolaji Adeolu, Seema Alnajar, Aharon Oren

Published: 2018-10-16

Everything You Need To Know

What is Tenericutes, and why is its classification important?

Tenericutes is a phylum of bacteria distinguished by the absence of a cell wall, making them highly adaptable. Their classification is crucial because it provides a framework for understanding their evolutionary relationships and facilitates accurate research. The 2018 paper aimed to provide a refined classification, using genomic data to create the order Mycoplasmoidales and the families Mycoplasmoidaceae and Metamycoplasmataceae, which are essential for the advancement of microbiological knowledge and practice. This helps researchers, students, and healthcare professionals to have accurate microbial classifications.

What is Mycoplasmoidales and what are its key components?

Mycoplasmoidales is a newly proposed order within the Tenericutes phylum. It was created to categorize Tenericutes bacteria with unique evolutionary traits. The key components of Mycoplasmoidales include two families: Mycoplasmoidaceae and Metamycoplasmataceae. These families further delineate specific groups of bacteria and include genera such as *Eperythrozoon* and *Ureaplasma*.

Why were corrections made to the Tenericutes classification, and what impact do they have?

Corrections were made to the 2018 paper due to minor inaccuracies in the data, particularly in the tables related to the type strains of new name combinations. These corrections ensure accuracy and clarity in scientific communication by updating the protologues. Accurate taxonomic classifications are the foundation for future research, preventing confusion and flawed conclusions. For example the authors of the paper, corrected the taxonomic tables with the new names. The main impact of these revisions is that they help future studies by ensuring they are based on a solid and reliable framework.

What are the specific roles of Mycoplasmoidaceae and Metamycoplasmataceae within the Tenericutes classification?

Mycoplasmoidaceae and Metamycoplasmataceae are two families established within the Mycoplasmoidales order. They serve to further categorize the diverse groups of Tenericutes bacteria based on their evolutionary relationships. Metamycoplasmataceae specifically houses genera like *Eperythrozoon* and *Ureaplasma*. These families help refine the classification of Tenericutes, providing a more detailed understanding of the relationships between different genera.

How do these taxonomic revisions benefit researchers and professionals in microbiology?

The refined taxonomic details are essential for advancing microbiological knowledge and practice. Researchers can avoid misinterpreting data by using the corrected classification. Students can better understand the relationships of bacteria, and healthcare professionals can ensure the use of accurate microbial classifications when developing new diagnostic tools. This ensures that future studies on Tenericutes are based on a solid and reliable framework. The corrections allow the research to be more accurate, more easily understood, and more effective.