Multilocus sequence analysis of the genus Citrobacter and description of Citrobacter pasteurii sp nov.

Strains originating from various sources and classified as members of the genus Citrobacter within the family Enterobacteriaceae were characterized by sequencing internal portions of genes rpoB, fusA, pyrG and leuS, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, average nucleotide identity (ANI) of genomic sequences and biochemical tests. Phylogenetic analysis based on the four housekeeping genes showed that the 11 species of the genus Citrobacter with validly published names are well demarcated. Strains CIP 55.13(T) and CIP 55.9 formed a distinct branch associated with Citrobacter youngae. The ANI between CIP 55.9 and CIP 55.13(T) was 99.19%, whereas it was 94.75 % between CIP 55.13(T) and strain CIP 105016(T) of the species C. youngae, the most closely related species. Biochemical characteristics consolidated the fact that the two isolates represent a separate species, for which the name Citrobacter pasteurii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CIP 55.13(T) (=DSM 28879(T)=Na 1a(T)).