Abstract
A novel approach to the taxonomy of several free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria is proposed on the basis of two DNA parameters. 1) DNA base composition, expressed as average molar (guanine + cytosine) content, determined by thermal denaturation and 2) DNA homology, determined by DNA hybridization with bothPseudomonas fluorescens andPseudomonas putida.
The following taxonomic conclusions emerged:
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1.
The existence ofBeijerinckia andDerxia as individual genera seems justified.
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2.
Azotobacter is genetically heterogeneous and appears to contain three groups of organisms. The widely divergent base composition strongly suggests separate generic status. The specieschroococcum, beijerinckii andvinelandii have very closely related DNA base compositions. It is proposed to restrict the generic nameAzotobacter to these organisms. The speciesinsignis andmacrocytogenes deserve separate generic status asAzomonas. DNA from theagilis strains is widely divergent from that of the above groups.Azotococcus might be a suitable generic name.
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3.
Pseudomonas azotogensis does not belong inPseudomonas. Its exact generic taxonomic position is not clear.
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De Ley, J., Park, I.W. Molecular biological taxonomy of some free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 32, 6–16 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02097440
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02097440