The classification of luminescent bacteria

Summary The luminescent bacteria are logically placed in two genera. The common coccoid and frequently non-motile species placed byBeije-rinck first in his genusPhotobacterium, 1889 under the namePhotobacterium phosphorescens syn.Bacterium phosphorescens Fischer, should be recognized as the type species ofPhotobacterium. Other characters indicate that this genus should be placed in the FamilyPseudomonadaceae Winslowet al.. and should include other straight, rod-shaped, luminescent, polar flagellate bacteria that ferment glucose without, however, necessarily producing gas (H₂ and CO₂) as does the type species. The species that have the form of vibrios should be accepted as members of the genusVibrio as suggested by several previous investigators. They have characters much like those ofVibrio comma, the type species of the genusVibrio.