Gram stain: positive Cell shape: coccus Arrangement: staphylo, tetrad or diplo Oxygen requirements: Other: Has been associated with spoilage of fish products
Habitat: primary habitat is mammalian skin; secondary is meat, dairy products; soil; water
Pathogenicity: Non-pathogenic but may be opportunistic in immunosuppressed individuals
These organisms are used regularly in lab. They are pigment producers: remember that luteus means yellow and roseus means pink. Another closely related organism that is used in lab is Sarcina lutea which many consider to be a subspecies.