Reclassification of Pseudomonas echinoides Heumann 1962, 343(AL), in the genus Sphingomonas as Sphingomonas echinoides comb. nov.

[Pseudomonas] echinoides DSM 1805(T)(= ATCC 14820(T), DSM 50409(T), ICBP 28 35(T), NCIB 9420(T)) has been reinvestigated to clarify its taxonomic posit ion. 16S rDNA sequence comparisons demonstrated that this species clusters phylogenetically with species of the genus Sphingomonas. Investigation of f atty acid patterns, polar lipid profiles, polyamine patterns and quinone sy stems supported this delineation. Substrate utilization profiles and bioche mical characteristics displayed no distinct overall similarity to any valid ly described species of the genus Sphingomonas. Therefore, the reclassifica tion of [Pseudomonas] echinoides as Sphingomonas echinoides comb, nov. is p roposed, based upon the estimated phylogenetic position derived from 16S rR NA gene sequence data, chemotaxonomic data and previously published genomic DNA G + C content data.