leptothrix (bacterium) leptothrix (bacterium) leptothrix is a genus of gram-negative bacteria in the class betaproteobacteria. the name is from the greek leptos thrix (literally 'fine hair'). they occur in standing or slow-flowing, ferruginous, neutral to slightly acidic fresh waters with only low concentrations of organic matter. the energy metabolism of leptothrix is strictly aerobic, oxidative, and chemoorganoheterotrophic. five species are known: l. ochracea, l. discophora, l. cholodnii, l. lopholea, and l. mobilis. leptothrix scientific classification domain: bacteria phylum: pseudomonadota class: betaproteobacteria order: burkholderiales (unranked): incertae sedis genus: leptothrixkützing 1843 type species leptothrix ochracea(roth 1797) kützing 1843 species leptothrix cholodnii mulder and van veen 1963 leptothrix discophora (ex schwers 1912) spring et al. 1997 leptothrix lopholea dorff 1934 leptothrix mobilis spring et al. 1997 leptothrix ochracea (roth 1797) kützing 1843 synonyms detoniella trevisan in de toni and trevisan 1889 chlamydothrix migula 1900