Pseudomonas pomi Cole 1959 Is a Later Subjective Synonym of Acetobacter pasteurianus (Hansen 1879) Beijerinck 1898, and Pseudomonas melophthora Allen and Riker 1932 is a Nomen Dubium

An examination of all known strains labeled Pseudomonas melophthora Allen and Riker 1932 and of the herein-designated type strain of P. pomi Cole 1959 (strain PDDCC 3878 [= NCPPB 463]) showed that they were similar to one another but atypical of members of the genus Pseudomonas Migula 1894. Because these organisms were found to be either motile (peritrichous cells) or nonmotile, able to grow at low pH values, and to oxidize ethanol and lactate to carbonate, it is suggested that they belong to Acetobacter Biejerinck 1898. P. pomi is regarded here as being a subjective junior synonym of A. pasteurianus (Hansen 1897) Beijerinck 1898, and P. melophthora is regarded here as being a nomen dubium. Isolates of P. pomi and similar organisms capable of inducing necrosis in apple fruit should be classified in A. pasteurianus until the relationships of pathogenic strains within the species are better understood.