Cells spherical, 0.5–1.5 µm in diameter, occurring singly, in pairs, in tetrads, in short chains (3–4 cells), and characteristically dividing in more than one plane to form irregular grape-like clusters. Gram-stain-positive. Nonmotile. Resting stages not produced. Cell wall contains peptidoglycan and teichoic acid. The diamino acid present in the peptidoglycan is l-lysine (peptidoglycan group A3). Usually unencapsulated or limited capsule formation.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 27–41 (Tm, Bd).
Type species: Staphylococcus aureus. Identified as constituent of skin microbiome. [PMC2746716] Identified as constitutent of skin microbiome. [PMC 2746716]
This genus contains microbial species that can reside in the human gastrointestinal tract. [PMC 4262072]
Microbial Abundance Data: Staphylococcus (Percent of total population with standard deviation [PMID: 22698087])
