A Taxonomic Study of Flavobacteria and Related Gram Negative Yellow Pigmented Rods

One hundred and seventy-nine yellow pigmented Gram negative rods, including 170 new isolates obtained from a variety of habitats, were investigated and the results analysed by computer. Nine phena, embracing 146 strains, were distinguished. Five of these comprised 88 of the 109 non-motile, aflagellate strains (i.e. 'atypical cytophagas') and they should be assigned to a re-defined genus Flavobacterium . A separate phenon containing 41 of the gliding isolates was delineated which should be ascribed provisionally to the genus Flexibacter . Only low G + C contents have been recorded for representative strains from these six phena but one strain (which would have been ascribed to Flavobacterium ) had a high G + C content; such organisms (both peritrichous and non-motile) should comprise a separate genus Empedobacter (Brisou). The remaining three phena respectively comprised strains of Erwinia herbicola , pseudomonads and unclassified aflagellate isolates; their taxonomic position is discussed.