HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by NAKAMURA, L. K. Articles by JACKSON, M. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by NAKAMURA, L. K. Articles by JACKSON, M. A. Agricola Articles by NAKAMURA, L. K. Articles by JACKSON, M. A.

Clarification of the Taxonomy of Bacillus mycoides

Microbial Properties Research, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604

^* Corresponding author. Mailing address: National Center for Agcultural Utilization Research, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, L 61604. Phone: (309) 681-6395. Fax: (309) 681-6672.

ABSTRACT

Because of the very similar physiological properties and base sequences of the 16S rRNAs of Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, and Bacillus thuringiensis, some taxonomists question the validity of separating these organisms into distinct species. DNA relatedness studies based on spectrophotometrically measured renaturation rates were carried out to determine the taxonomic relationships of the three species. A study of 58 strains revealed that the levels of relatedness between B. cereus and B. mycoides and between B. cereus and B. thuringiensis ranged from 22 to 44% and from 59 to 69%, respectively. On the basis of the moderately high levels of DNA relatedness which we determined, B. cereus and B. thuringiensis appeared to be genetically related but taxonomically distinct entities. The B. mycoides group was genetically distantly related to the B. cereus group and represented a separate taxon. Furthermore, our data indicated that the B. mycoides group consists of two genetically distinct groups, each of which represents a distinct species. In addition to rhizoidal colonial morphology and lack of motility, the B. mycoides group could be distinguished from B. cereus by differences in fatty acid profiles and acetanilide-producing activities.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. A. Luna, D. S. King, J. Gulledge, A. C. Cannons, P. T. Amuso, and J. Cattani Susceptibility of Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus pseudomycoides and Bacillus thuringiensis to 24 antimicrobials using Sensititre(R) automated microbroth dilution and Etest(R) agar gradient diffusion methods J. Antimicrob. Chemother., September 1, 2007; 60(3): 555 - 567. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. G. Bavykin, Y. P. Lysov, V. Zakhariev, J. J. Kelly, J. Jackman, D. A. Stahl, and A. Cherni Use of 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, and gyrB Gene Sequence Analysis To Determine Phylogenetic Relationships of Bacillus cereus Group Microorganisms J. Clin. Microbiol., August 1, 2004; 42(8): 3711 - 3730. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y.-H. Chang, Y.-H. Shangkuan, H.-C. Lin, and H.-W. Liu PCR Assay of the groEL Gene for Detection and Differentiation of Bacillus cereus Group Cells Appl. Envir. Microbiol., August 1, 2003; 69(8): 4502 - 4510. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Daffonchio, A. Cherif, and S. Borin Homoduplex and Heteroduplex Polymorphisms of the Amplified Ribosomal 16S-23S Internal Transcribed Spacers Describe Genetic Relationships in the "Bacillus cereus Group" Appl. Envir. Microbiol., December 1, 2000; 66(12): 5460 - 5468. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				V. Ryzhov, Y. Hathout, and C. Fenselau Rapid Characterization of Spores of Bacillus cereus Group Bacteria by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Appl. Envir. Microbiol., September 1, 2000; 66(9): 3828 - 3834. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H.-J. Bach, D. Errampalli, K. T. Leung, H. Lee, A. Hartmann, J. T. Trevors, and J. C. Munch Specific Detection of the Gene for the Extracellular Neutral Protease of Bacillus cereus by PCR and Blot Hybridization Appl. Envir. Microbiol., July 1, 1999; 65(7): 3226 - 3228. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				D. Daffonchio, S. Borin, G. Frova, R. Gallo, E. Mori, R. Fani, and C. Sorlini A Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA Marker Specific for the Bacillus cereus Group Is Diagnostic for Bacillus anthracis Appl. Envir. Microbiol., March 1, 1999; 65(3): 1298 - 1303. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				V. Mäntynen and K. Lindström A Rapid PCR-Based DNA Test for Enterotoxic Bacillus cereus Appl. Envir. Microbiol., May 1, 1998; 64(5): 1634 - 1639. [Abstract] [Full Text]