LACTOSPHAERA GEN-NOV, A NEW GENUS OF LACTIC-ACID BACTERIA, AND TRANSFER OF RUMINOCOCCUS-PASTEURII SCHINK 1984 TO LACTOSPHAERA-PASTEURII COMB-NOV

The phylogenetic position and physiology of strain KoTa2(T) (T = type strain), which was previously classified as a Ruminococcus pasteurii s train, were studied, A determination of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequence of this taxon revealed its position within the radiation of the gram- positive lactic acid bacteria having low DNA G+C contents and that it is closely related to the genus Camobacterium. L-Lactic acid was produ ced from glucose by a fructose-1,6-bisphosphate-activated lactate dehy drogenase, and oxygen tolerance was observed, characteristics which ar e consistent with assignment to this group, On the basis of its phenot ypic characteristics and unique signature nucleotides, we propose that strain KoTa2 (= DSM 2381 = ATCC 35945) should be transferred to a new genus, Lactosphaera gen. nov., as the type strain of the species Lact osphaera pasteurii comb, nov.