The name Stomatococcus mucilaginosus gen.nov., sp.nov., ep.rev., is proposed for a group of organisms previously called “Micrococcus mucilaginosus,” a name which is not on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names. Stomatococcus mucilaginosus consists of gram-positive, encapsulated, nonmotile, non-spore-forming spheres. The distinctive biochemical characters of this organism are as follows: catalase test weakly positive or negative; acid, but not gas, is produced from glucose, trehalose, and glycerol; no acid is produced from mannitol, lactose, or xylose; hydrolyzes gelatin and esculin; produces acetoin; and reduces nitrate to nitrite. This organism is negative in tests for coagulase, deoxyribonuclease, phosphatase, and arginine dihydrolase; it does not grow on nutrient agar supplemented with 5% NaCl. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of its deoxyribonucleic acid varies between 56 and 60 mol%. The genus is placed in the family Micrococcaceae since the strains possess most of the characteristics of this family. Four striking differences between S. mucilaginosus and species of the genus Micrococcus are found in the following: encapsulation of cells, catalase reaction, ability to grow on nutrient agar supplemented with 5% NaCl, and guanine-plus-cytosine content of the deoxyribonucleic acid. Strain CCM 2417 (= ATCC 25296 = NCTC 10663) is the type strain of this new species. S. mucilaginosus is the type species of the genus Stomatococcus.
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