Gram-stain-positive, non-acid-fast. Nonsporeforming. Nonmotile, anaerobic, rod-shaped cells that are small and coccoid and of variable shape. Saccharoclastic. Glucose is degraded exclusively and characteristically through the fructose 6-phosphate (F6PPK; EC 4.1.2.22) shunt (see treatment of the genus Bifidobacterium, above). The products from glucose fermentation are l-(+)-lactic acid and acetic acid in the molar ratio of 1:2.9. Dextran is fermented. Found in human dental caries and plaque.
DNA G+C content (mol%): 45 ± 1 (Tm).
Type species: Scardovia inopinata
This genus contains microbial species that can reside in the human gastrointestinal tract. [PMC 4262072]
Microbial Abundance Data: Scardovia (Percent of total population with standard deviation [PMID: 22698087])