The candidate division TM7, is a major lineage of Bacteria, the existence of which until recently was known solely through environmental 16S rRNA sequences as no species had been grown in the lab, a requirement for taxonomy, making it a candidate phylum. Axenic culture of TM7 from the oral cavity was reported in 2014. Along with Candidate divisions TM6, it was named after sequences obtained in 1994 in an environmental study of a soil sample of peat bog from near Gifhorn, Lower Saxony, Germany (52°30′N10°30′E), where 262 PCR amplified 16S rDNA fragments were cloned into a plasmid vector, named TM clones for 'Torf, Mittlere Schicht' (= peat, middle layer),. It has been found in several environments since such as from activated sludges, water-treatment plant sludge rainforest soil, human saliva, in association with sponges, cockroaches, gold mines and other environments (bar thermophilic), making it an abundant and widespread phylum.