Rod-shaped, Gram-negative. Occurs as obligate endosymbionts of the nematode X. pachtaicum (Nematoda, Longidoridae) and a few other species of the X. americanum group, as follows from the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Transmitted vertically through nematode generations. The DNA G+C content (39.4 % as determined for the type species) is lower than that in the recognized and Canditatus taxa of Burkholderiaceae.
Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the genus belongs to the family Burkholderiaceae, order Burkholderiales, class Betaproteobacteria and is clearly different from all other genera with validly published names and Canditatus taxa composing Burkholderiaceae.
The type species is 'Candidatus Xiphinematincola pachtaicus’.