A genus of bacteria of uncertain taxonomic affiliation, containing curved to crescentic or helical, Gram-negative, strictly anaerobic rods that are motile with an active tumbling motion. Several flagella are present in a tuft, often near the centre of the concave side. The type species, Selenomonas sputigena, is found in the human buccal cavity.
Origin: G. Selene, moon, + monas, single (unit)
(05 Mar 2000)