Aeromonadales ord. nov.

Abstract

The order Aeromonadales, which contains a single family, Aeromonadaceae, with the Aeromonas, is herein proposed. Gram-negative, straight, rigid rods. Facultatively anaerobic; oxidase positive with rare exceptions and catalase positive. Includes motile (single, polar flagellum) and nonmotile species, as well as mesophilic and psychrophilic species. Primarily aquatic inhabitants of freshwater, marine, and especially estuarine environments, often associated with aquatic animals. Some species are either primary or opportunistic pathogens in humans, as well as a variety of other warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals and invertebrates.

Editorial Note: The family Succinivibrionaceae has been placed in this chapter by the editors as familia incertae sedis based on a phylogenetic analysis that indicated distant relationships between the 16S rDNA sequences of the type species of the four genera included in the Succinivibrionaceae and the 16S rDNA sequences of some members of the genus Aeromonas. This placement should not be taken to imply that members of the Succinivibrionaceae are or should be included in the definition of the order Aeromonadales as proposed here by Martin-Carnahan and Joseph.