Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Aquaspirillum based on 16S rRNA gene sequences

Phylogenetic analysis of 15 species of the genus Aquaspirillum based on 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequences indicated that the genus Aquaspirillum is phylogenetically heterogeneous and the species could be divided into four groups as follows: Aquaspirillum serpens, the type species of this genus, A. dispar and A. putridiconchylium are situated in the family Neisscriaceae; members of the second group, A. gracile, A. delicatum, A. anulus, A. giesbergeri, A. sinuosum, A. metamorphum and A. psychrophilum, are included in the family Comamonadaceae; the two members of the third group, A. arcticum and A. autotrophicum, are included in the family Oxalobacteriaceae; and members of the fourth group, A. polymorphum, A. peregrinum, and A. itersonii, are included in the alpha-subdivision of Proteobacteria. Thus, phylogenetic studies indicated that all the species excepting A. serpens, the type species, should be transferred to distinct genera. (C) 2002 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.