Gordonia desulfuricans sp nov., a benzothiophene-desulphurizing actinomycete

The taxonomic position of two actinomycetes isolated from soil was establis hed using a polyphasic approach. The organisms, designated 213E(T) and 213F , were found to have chemical and morphological properties consistent with their assignment to the genus Gordonia. Nearly complete sequences of the 16 S rDNA genes of the two strains were determined following the isolation and direct sequencing of the amplified genes. The tested strains were found to have identical 16S rDNA sequences and formed a phylogenetic line within th e evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Gordonia that was most close ly related to Gordonia rubropertincta DSM 43197(T). However. DNA-DNA relate dness data showed that strain 213E(T) and Gordonia rubropertincta DSM 43197 (T) belonged to distinct genomic species. Strains 213E(T) and 213F also sha red an identical phenotypic profile which distinguished them from represent atives of validly described Gordonia species. The combined genotypic and ph enotypic data show that strains 213E(T) and 213F merit recognition as a new species of Gordonia. The name proposed for the new species is Gordonia des ulfuricans, for which the type strain is 213E(T) (= NCIMB 40816(T)).