The Taxonomy of the Genera Moraxella and Neisseria

SUMMARY: A reclassification of the Neisseriaceae is proposed, involving: (1) Inclusion of Moraxella as a genus of Neisseriaceae. (2) Transfer of Neisseria catarrhalis, N. ovis and N. caviae to Moraxella, or, alternatively, creation of a new genus for these species. (3) Unification of the species Neisseria flava, N. perflava and N. subflava under the name N. subflava. (4) Unification of the species Moraxella lacunata and M. liquefaciens under the name M. lacunata. (5) Exclusion of the genera Veillonella and Gemella from Neisseriaceae. The relationships of the organisms Acinetobacter anitratus and A. Iwoffi to the Neisseriaceae, if any, have not yet been sufficiently clarified to suggest the inclusion of these organisms in Neisseriaceae. Until this has been studied in more detail, the genus Acinetobacter appears to be suitable.