- Volume 40, Issue 1, 1990

Bacterial strain GP9T (T = type strain), a nonmotile, nonsporeforming, mesophilic, methanogenic bacterium, was isolated from the primary sludge obtained from the waste treatment facility of a major kraft pulp mill in Canada. Single cells were 6.0 by 0.8 μm and stained gram positive. Growth and methane production occurred only with H2-CO2 as the substrate. Acetate, formate, propionate, butyrate, pyruvate, methanol, or trimethylamine could not serve as a sole source of carbon and energy for growth. The optimum pH for growth was between 5.6 and 6.2; consistent growth and methane production were not observed below pH 4.68. The optimum temperature for growth was 35°C, and little or no growth was observed during incubation at 15 and 50°C. Kanamycin and bacitracin were severe inhibitors of growth and methanogenesis, whereas 100 μM bromoethanesulfonic acid caused 30% inhibition. Supernatant from primary sludge enhanced growth by about 10%. The DNA base composition was 34 mol% guanine plus cytosine. On the basis of physiological characteristics, indirect immunofluorescence typing, and DNA-DNA hybridization studies, the isolate is named Methanobacterium espanolae sp. nov.

A collection of 47 strains of obligately anaerobic, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that were isolated mainly from spoiled beer and pitching yeast was studied to learn more about their taxonomic positions. A new species of the genus Pectinatus, Pectinatus frisingensis, a new species of the genus Selenomonas, Selenomonas lacticifex, and a new genus comprising two species, Zymophilus raffinosivorans and Zymophilus paucivorans, are described. All of the strains contained directly cross-linked meso-diaminopimelic acid-containing peptidoglycan and in addition the diamine cadaverine or (rarely) putrescine. The diamine was covalently linked to the α-carboxyl group of d-glutamic acid in the peptide subunit of peptidoglycan. Lipid F was also found as a characteristic cellular compound. The phylogenetic relationships of members of these new species were examined by reverse transcriptase sequencing of 16S rRNA or by DNA-DNA hybridization studies or both. All of the organisms belong to the subdivision containing species with gram-negative cell walls within the phylum of gram-positive bacteria. This finding is in good agreement with the presence of a peptidoglycan that contains diamine.

A new species of the genus Actinomadura which belongs to the Actinomadura madurae group of Goodfellow et al. was isolated from soil collected in Togo, West Africa. Traditional taxonomic methods plus contemporary fatty acid analysis techniques were used to establish the position of this species. Both physiological characteristics and fatty acid composition differentiate this strain from previously described species. This culture produces a new polyether antibiotic. It is characterized by the production of white to pink aerial hyphae on a limited number of media. The aerial hyphae appear asporogenous, forming thick fibers and projections instead of true spores. The reverse side is a distinctive reddish orange. This organism is resistant to 5% NaCl and grows at temperatures between 20 and 45°C. Whole cells contain meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, glucose, mannose, madurose, phosphatidylinositol, and diphosphatidylglycerol. The menaquinones detected were MK-9(H6) and minor amounts of MK-9(H8). The name proposed for this new species is Actinomadura fibrosa; the type strain is strain NRRL 18348.

A new Saccharopolyspora species isolated from soil collected in a sugar mill rum still is described. This organism is characterized by pale yellowish pink aerial hyphae that bear long chains of spores encased in distinctive spiny spore sheaths. Fragmentation occurs when the organism is cultured in liquid media. The new species contains meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose, and galactose (cell wall chemotype IV), has whole-cell sugar pattern type A, contains no mycolic acids, and contains phosphatidylcholine (phospholipid pattern type PIII). The single isolate has chemical and morphological properties consistent with the genus Saccharopolyspora. A comparison with previously described species of the genus in which we used standard techniques plus fatty acid analyses showed that this organism differs from previously described species. The name proposed for this new species is Saccharopolyspora spinosa. The type strain is strain A83543.1 (= NRRL 18395). The description is based on a single isolate.

The Clostridium bryantii-Methanospirillum hungatei syntrophic coculture, grown on caproate, was adapted to grow on crotonate. Then, C. bryantii was isolated in pure culture from crotonate bottle plates. A 16S rRNA sequence analysis of the pure subculture revealed that, as a member of the gram-positive phylum, it was not closely related to any of the Clostridium species with which it was compared or to any of the other clusters in the gram-positive phylum with which it was compared. However, it was closely related to another syntrophic fatty acid-degrading bacterium, Syntrophomonas wolfei. On the basis of its phylogeny, physiology, and cell wall ultrastructure, we propose assignment of C. bryantii to Syntrophospora bryantii gen. nov., nov. comb.

Seven ureaplasma strains isolated from the oral cavities of domestic cats (Felis domestica) were characterized and compared with the type strains of the three previously established species of this genus, Ureaplasma urealyticum (humans), Ureaplasma diversum (cattle), and Ureaplasma gallorale (chickens). The feline strains hydrolyzed urea but not arginine or glucose, were membrane bound, lacked cell walls, passed through 0.45-μm membrane filters, required cholesterol for growth, and formed minute (15- to 140-μm) colonies on agar medium. The seven feline strains fell into two distinct groups based on (i) their antigenic properties (determined by using the metabolism and growth inhibition and indirect immunoperoxidase procedures), (ii) their genomic properties (determined by using DNA-DNA hybridization and DNA cleavage pattern procedures), and (iii) their polypeptide profiles (determined by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses). Based on these properties, the two feline groups were unrelated to each other or to the three previously established species, and each group represents a distinct Ureaplasma species. Thus, we propose that ureaplasmas with these phylogenetic and genomic properties be given taxonomic status as Ureaplasma felinum and Ureaplasma cati, with strain FT2-B (= ATCC 49229 = NCTC 11709) and strain F2 (= ATCC 49228 = NCTC 11710) as the type strains, respectively.

The levels of DNA relatedness among two unclassified feline ureaplasma serogroups, four unclassified canine ureaplasma serogroups, and the three previously established Ureaplasma species were examined and compared. The strains examined included five feline strains representing two feline serogroups, four canine strains representing four canine serogroups, and the type strains of the three established species. Each strain representing each species or serogroup exhibited 78% or more actual DNA homology with its homologous DNA, but less than 10% DNA homology with DNAs from the heterologous strains. These findings indicate that each of these human, bovine, avian, feline, and canine strains is genomically distinct. In addition, the three previously recognized species (Ureaplasma urealyticum [human], Ureaplasma diversum [bovine], and Ureaplasma gallorale [avian]), which were established on the basis of phenotypic properties, were also shown to be genomically distinct. The three feline serogroup SI strains were genomically related (from 89 to 100% DNA homology) to each other but were unrelated (less than 10% DNA homology) to the feline serogroup SII strains, indicating that these two feline serogroups are also genomically distinct. Conversely, the two feline serogroup SII strains were genomically very similar (from 83 to 100% DNA homology) to each other but were unrelated (less than 10% DNA homology) to the three feline serogroup SI strains. However, canine serogroup SI strain D1M-C exhibited 73% DNA homology with serologically distinct canine serogroup SII strain D29M, indicating that these strains representing two separate serogroups belong to the same genomic species. Our findings indicate that the two feline ureaplasma serogroups and at least one canine ureaplasma serogroup are genomically distinct and are unrelated to the previously established species and that each serogroup represents a new species or subspecies within the genus Ureaplasma.

A rapid (3-h) arylsulfatase assay for cell suspensions of mycobacteria, in which p-nitrophenyl sulfate is used as the substrate, was developed. Arylsulfatase activity was found in cell suspensions of representative strains of Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium scrofulaceum grown without the substrate in either Middlebrook 7H9 medium containing 0.2% (wt/vol) glucose and 0.05% (vol/vol) Tween 80 or Dubos broth medium, but was absent in cells grown in a low-pH, minimal medium containing 1% (vol/vol) Tween 80 as the sole carbon source. The levels of arylsulfatase activity of representatives of all three species were equal whether the activity was measured at pH 5.5, 6.5, or 7.5 and whether the cells were suspended in phosphate or Tris buffer. The addition of high levels of sulfate (present in the low-pH, Tween 80-containing medium) to Middlebrook 7H9 medium resulted in significantly lower levels of arylsulfatase activity in strains of M. scrofulaceum, but did not affect the levels in either M. avium or M. intracellulare. The levels of arylsulfatase activity were highest in M. avium, intermediate in M. intracellulare, and lowest in M. scrofulaceum strains. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of crude extracts from late-log-phase cells of representatives of each species produced activity bands of unique mobility (one in M. avium, three in M. intracellulare [82, 5, and 13%], and two in M. scrofulaceum [60 and 40%]).

The cellular morphology, colonial morphology, biochemical properties, DNA base compositions, and DNA-DNA homologies of three biovars of Fusobacterium necrophorum were examined. Some differences were found among the three biovars in cellular morphology, colonial morphology, and biochemical properties. The guanine-plus-cytosine contents of DNAs from biovar C strains Fn521T (T = type strain), Fn522, and Fn520 were 30.4, 29.3, and 28.0 mol%, respectively, and the guanine-plus-cytosine contents of DNAs from strains VPI 2891 (biovar A) and VPI 6161 (biovar B) were 31.3 and 32.0 mol%, respectively. Labeled DNA from biovar C strain Fn521T exhibited 96 and 82% relatedness to DNAs from biovar C strains Fn522 and Fn520, respectively; however, it exhibited only about 10% relatedness to DNAs from strains of biovars A and B. Labeled DNAs from strains VPI 2891 and VPI 6161 exhibited more than 70% relatedness to each other, but about 6 to 20% relatedness to DNAs from biovar C strains. Therefore, Fusobacterium pseudonecrophorum sp. nov., nom. rev. (ex Prévot 1940) is proposed for Fusobacterium necrophorum biovar C. The type strain is strain Fn521 (= JCM 3722).

Heterogeneity among isolates of Fusobacterium nucleatum has been recognized for many years. The phenotypic properties of 340 strains considered to be F. nucleatum were examined. While these strains were phenotypically similar and fit the description of F. nucleatum, they could be differentiated into three groups on the basis of electrophoretic patterns of whole-cell proteins and DNA homology. Strains in groups I and II showed >80% DNA homology within groups and <75% similarity between groups. Strains of group III demonstrated >85% DNA homology to each other and <65% similarity to strains in groups I and II. We propose that Fusobacterium nucleatum be divided into the following three subspecies: Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum, with type strain ATCC 25586; Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. polymorphum, with type strain ATCC 10953; and Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. vincentii, with type strain ATCC 49256.

Methanosaeta concilii gen. nov., sp. nov. (“Methanothrix concilii”) is described. Cells of species in the genus Methanosaeta are obligately anaerobic, gram-negative, nonmotile rods (length, 2.5 to 6.0 μm) with flat ends. The cells are enclosed within a proteinaceous, cross-striated sheath. Growth can occur as long filaments which represent chains of individual cells separated by spacer plugs and continuously enclosed by the tubular sheath. Acetic acid is used as the sole source of energy; its metabolism results in the production of about equimolar amounts of CH4 and CO2. Acetic acid and CO2 are carbon sources for growth. The description of Methanosaeta concilii, the type species, is based on type strain GP6 (= DSM 3671 = OGC 69 = NRC 2989 = ATCC 35969).

The levels of genotypic relatedness among Leuconostoc oenos (53 strains), Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides (7 strains), Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum (5 strains), Leuconostoc paramesenteroides (3 strains), Leuconostoc lactis (3 strains), Leuconostoc sp. (3 strains), and Pediococcus acidilactici (1 strain) were determined. L. oenos is genotypically homogeneous and forms a distinct species. Leuconostoc sp. strains ATCC 21435, ATCC 21436, and ATCC 21437 are genotypically not closely related to any Leuconostoc sp. L. paramesenteroides and L. lactis are regarded as genotypically heterogeneous collections of strains. P. acidilactici ATCC 12697 and L. mesenteroides NCDO 530 should be reclassified as L. paramesenteroides and L. oenos, respectively.

The DNA base compositions of 78 alkaliphilic Bacillus strains were determined. These strains were grouped as follows: DNA group A, guanine-plus-cytosine (G+C) content of 34.0 to 37.5 mol% (17 strains); DNA group B, G+C content of 38.2 to 40.8 mol% (33 strains); and DNA group C, G+C content of 42.1 to 43.9 mol% (28 strains). DNA group A includes the type strain of Bacillus alcalophilus Vedder 1934. DNA-DNA hybridization studies with DNA group A strains revealed that only one strain, strain DSM 2526, exhibited a high level of DNA homology with B. alcalophilus DSM 485T (T = type strain). Neither strain DSM 485T nor any other DNA group A strain is homologous to any of the Bacillus type strains with comparable base compositions. Six strains formed a distinct group containing three highly homologous strains and three strains exhibiting >50% DNA homology.

A leptospiral isolate from a bovine kidney was found to be antigenically different from all previously recognized serovars of Leptospira interrogans based on the cross-agglutinin absorption test. The new serovar belongs to the Sejroe serogroup, and the name Leptospira interrogans serovar unipertama is proposed for it, with strain K2-1 as the reference strain.

A bifidobacterial isolate from human feces was found to have very low genetic relatedness to any previously described species of the genus. This strain, which also contained a unique type of peptidoglycan, l-lysine-l-alanine-l-serine (A3α), is considered to represent a new species, which is designated Bifidobacterium gallicum. Its description is presented. The type strain is strain DSM 20093.

Sequence comparisons of selected regions from small (18S) and large (25S) subunit rRNAs were used to examine species relationships in the anamorphic yeast genera Sterigmatomyces, Fellomyces, Tsuchiyaea, and Kurtzmanomyces. On the basis of sequence similarity, the genus Sterigmatomyces is comprised of Sterigmatomyces halophilus and Sterigmatomyces elviae, while the genus Fellomyces contains three recognized species, Fellomyces fuzhouensis, Fellomyces penicillatus, and Fellomyces polyborus. Tsuchiyaea wingfieldii and Kurtzmanomyces nectairii are well separated from the other species which we examined. Comparisons with selected teleomorphs indicated that the genus Fellomyces is closely related to the genus Sterigmatosporidium, whereas the genus Sterigmatomyces exhibited somewhat closer relatedness with the genus Leucosporidium. Impacting on our estimates of relatedness was the finding that nucleotide substitution in the rRNA regions which we examined seems relatively constant only among closely related species.

The purpose of this announcement is to effect the valid publication of the following new names and new combinations under the procedure described previously [Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 27(3):iv, 1977]. Authors and other individuals wishing to have new names and/or combinations included in future lists should send the pertinent reprint or a photocopy thereof to the IJSB (c/o ASM) for confirmation that all of the other requirements for valid publication have been met. It should be noted that the date of valid publication of these new names and combinations is the date of publication of this list, not the date of the original publication of the names and combinations. The authors of the new names and combinations are as given below, and these authors’ names will be included in the author index of the present issue and in th volume author index in this issue of the IJSB.

Inclusion of a name on these lists validates the name and thereby makes it available in bacteriological nomenclature. The inclusion of a name on this list is not to be construed as taxonomic acceptance of the taxon to which the name is applied. Indeed, some of these names may, in time, be shown to be synonyms, or the organisms may be transferred to another genus, thus necessitating the creation of a new combination.