TRANSFER OF HALOBACTERIUM-SACCHAROVORUM, HALOBACTERIUM-SODOMENSE, HALOBACTERIUM-TRAPANICUM NRC-34021 AND HALOBACTERIUM-LACUSPROFUNDI TO THEGENUS HALORUBRUM GEN-NOV, AS HALORUBRUM-SACCHAROVORUM COMB-NOV, HALORUBRUM-SODOMENSE COMB-NOV, HALORUBRUM-TRAPANICUM COMB-NOV, AND HALORUBRUM-LACUSPROFUNDI COMB-NOV

Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences from Halobacterium saccharovorum N CIMB 2081, Hb. sodomense ATCC 33755, Hb. lacusprofundi ACAM 34, and Hb . trapanicum NRC 34021 indicate that these four species are phylogenet ically distinct from Hb. salinarium, the only species in the genus Hal obacterium sensu stricto. In addition, these four species comprise a p hylogenetic group, distinct from all other halobacteria. Accordingly, we propose that Halobacterium saccharovorum, Hb. sodomense, Hb. trapan icum NRC 34021 and Hb. lacusprofundi should be classified in the new g enus, Halorubrum.