Listeria floridensis sp nov., Listeria aquatica sp nov., Listeria cornellensis sp nov., Listeria riparia sp nov and Listeria grandensis sp nov., from agricultural and natural environments

Sampling of agricultural and natural environments in two US states (Colorado and Florida) yielded 18 Listeria-like isolates that could not be assigned to previously described species using traditional methods. Using whole-genome sequencing and traditional phenotypic methods, we identified five novel species, each with a genome-wide average BLAST nucleotide identity (ANIb) of less than 85% to currently described species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and amino acid sequences of 31 conserved loci showed the existence of four well-supported clades within the genus Listeria; (i) a clade representing Listeria monocytogenes, L. marthii, L. innocua, L. welshimeri, L. seeligeri and L. ivanovii, which we refer to as Listeria sensu stricto, (ii) a clade consisting of Listeria fleischmannii and two newly described species, Listeria aquatica sp. nov. (type strain FSL S10-1188(T)=DSM 26686(T)=LMG 28120(T)=BEI NR-42633(T)) and Listeria floridensis sp. nov. (type strain FSL S10-1187(T)=DSM 26687(T)=LMG 28121(T)=BEI NR-42632(T)), (iii) a clade consisting of Listeria rocourtiae, L. weihenstephanensis and three novel species, Listeria cornellensis sp. nov. (type strain TTU A1-0210(T)=FSL F6-0969(T)=DSM 26689(T)=LMG 28123(T)=BEI NR-42630(T)), Listeria grandensis sp. nov. (type strain TTU A1-0212(T)=FSL F6-0971(T)=DSM 26688(T)=LMG 28122(T)=BEI NR-42631(T)) and Listeria riparia sp. nov. (type strain FSL S10-1204(T)=DSM 26685(T)=LMG 28119(T)=BEI NR-42634(T)) and (iv) a clade containing Listeria grayi. Genomic and phenotypic data suggest that the novel species are non-pathogenic.