STAPHYLOCOCCUS LUTRAE SP-NOV, A NEW COAGULASE-POSITIVE SPECIES ISOLATED FROM OTTERS

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed with three strains of a catalase-positive, gram-positive, coccus-shaped bacterium isolate d from otters, The results of a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demons trated that these strains represent a hitherto unknown subline within the genus Staphylococcus. Based on the results of the phylogenetic ana lysis and phenotypic criteria, we propose that these bacteria should b e classified as members of a nem species, Staphylococcus lutrae. The t ype strain of S. lutrae is DSM 10244.