Open AccessThe phylogenetic diversity of thermophilic members of the genus Bacillus as revealed by 16S rDNA analysis
Author(s) -
Rainey Fred A.,
Fritze Dagmar,
Stackebrandt Erko
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1994.tb06639.x
Subject(s) - biology , phylogenetic tree , bacilli , bacillus (shape) , thermophile , 16s ribosomal rna , genus , phylogenetics , zoology , taxon , microbiology and biotechnology , phylogenetic diversity , evolutionary biology , bacteria , genetics , botany , gene
Abstract Sixteen thermophilic strains of the genus Bacillus , representing eight validly described and six invalidly described species, as well as one unassigned strain, were investigated by comparative 16S rDNA analyses and the sequences compared to the existing database for the genera Bacillus and Alicyclobacillus . The majority of strains were found to cluster in two groups represented by B. stearothermophilus and B. pallidus. Bacillus smithii, B. thermocloacae , and B. thermoruber are phylogenetically well separated and cluster within the radiation of mesophilic bacilli. The as yet undescribed taxon ‘B. flavothermus’ warrants species status. B. schlegelii and B. tusciae group peripherally with members of Alicyclobacillus and may be reclassified when more phenotypic data support their phylogenetic position.