type genus of Bacteroidaceae; genus of gram-negative rodlike anaerobic bacteria producing no endospores and no pigment and living in the gut of man and animals

Bacteroides is a genus of Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria. Bacteroides species are non-endospore-forming, anaerobes, and may either be motile or non-motile, depending on the species. The DNA base composition is 40-48% GC.