- Volume 39, Issue 3, 1989

Numerical taxonomic and deoxyribonucleic acid relatedness data for several strains belonging to the genus Saccharothrix, which has been described previously, clearly delineated two new species, each containing two strains. These new species can be physiologically differentiated from previously described species. The name Saccharothrix texasensis sp. nov. is proposed for the species represented by strain NRRL B-16134T (T = type strain), and the name Saccharothrix waywayandensis sp. nov. is proposed for the species represented by strain NRRL B-16159T.

Halobacterium denitrificans (Tomlinson, Jahnke, and Hochstein) was described at a time when the taxonomic subdivision of the family Halobacteriaceae was in a state of flux. On the basis of both biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, this organism exhibits features which indicate that it is more closely related to members of the genus Haloferax. On the basis of such criteria, we propose that Halobacterium denitrificans be reclassified as Haloferax denitrificans comb. nov. The type strain is strain ATCC 35960 (= DSM 4425).

Results of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-ribosomal ribonucleic acid and DNA-DNA hybridizations, together with a phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analysis, revealed that nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from roots and stems of sugarcane belong to a new species in the genus Acetobacter, for which the name Acetobacter diazotrophicus sp. nov. is proposed. Strain LMG 7603 (= Döbereiner PA1 5 = ATCC 49037) is the type strain.

Studies of root nodule bacteria isolated from Galega orientalis and Galega officinalis are reviewed, and as a result a new species, Rhizobium galegae, is proposed. The type strain of the species is R. galegae HAMBI 540 (= ATCC 43677), which forms nitrogen-fixing root nodules on G. orientalis. Deoxyribonucleic acid homology distinguishes R. galegae from other rhizobia, whereas nodulation of Galega sp. and sensitivity to phage gal 1/R phenotypically separate the strains currently included in the species from other members of the genus Rhizobium. Other criteria supporting the formation of a new species include ribosomal ribonucleic acid-deoxyribonucleic acid homology data, protein and lipopolysaccharide patterns, serological properties, and numerical taxonomy data.

Biochemical, chemical, and nucleic acid analyses were carried out on some lactobacilli isolated from the vaginas of patients suffering from trichomoniasis. Phenotypically the strains resembled Lactobacillus fermentum and L. reuteri. Nucleic acid studies, however, showed that the vaginal strains were distinct from these and all other lactobacilli examined and therefore warrant a new species. The name Lactobacillus vaginalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of L. vaginalis is NCTC 12197.