Reclassification of Bisgaard taxon 33, with proposal of Volucribacter psittacicida gen. nov., sp nov and Volucribacter amazonae sp nov as new members of the Pasteurellaceae

A total of 25 strains isolated from parrots, budgerigars, parakeets (Psittaciformes) and a chicken, mostly associated with respiratory disease or septicaemia, were classified as a new genus, Volucribacter gen. nov., within the family Pasteurellaceae, on the basis on unique phenotypic characteristics and clear monophyly as determined by 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences from six strains showed at least 98.8% similarity and the closest similarity outside the genus was found to Bisgaard taxon 34 and to Pasteurella avium, at 94.6 and 94.5%, respectively. Phenotypes that separate the new genus from other genera of the Pasteurellaceae included at least two characters. The genus includes two species, Volucribacter psittacicida sp. nov. and Volucribacter amazonae sp. nov., corresponding to the two biovars previously outlined, underlining that most isolates have been obtained from psittacine birds. The two species can be separated by fermentation of meso-inositol, (-)-L-fucose, maltose and dextrin and a positive ONPG test. The type strains for Volucribacter psittacicida and Volucribacter amazonae are respectively Gerl. 236/81(T) (= CCUG 47536(T) = DSM 15534(T)) and 146/S8/89(T) (= CCUG 47537(T) = DSM 15535(T)).