has quality capable of facultative anaerobe bacterium Anaerobic bacterium that is capable of anaerobic methods of energy production but uses aerobic respiration in the presence of oxygen. Escherichia coli Note regarding the OWL definition, which may at first glance appear counterintuitive. Only PATO:anaerobic, and not PATO:aerobic, is included because although facultative anaerobe baceteria are capable of aerobic respiration, they do not depend upon it. Keep in mind that PATO:aerobic is defined as an organism's dependence upon oxygen. Thus aerobic organisms are only defined as being capable of aerobic respiration--and so they do not bear PATO:aerobic. Salmonella Shane Babcock Staphylococcus This is an inferred subclass of anaerobic bacteria. That said, I am actually not sure whether facultative anaerobe bacteria should be primarily classified under aerobic bacteria or under anaerobic bacteria. anaerobic bacterium fermentation aerobic respiration anaerobic respiration facultative anaerobe anaerobic