title: Streptococcus marimammalium sp. nov., isolated from seals.
abstract: Two strains of an unidentified, Gram-positive, catalase-negative, chain-forming, coccus-shaped organism recovered from seals were characterized using phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Based on morphological and biochemical criteria the strains were tentatively identified as streptococci but they did not appear to correspond to any recognized species of the genus Streptococcus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies showed that the strains were closely related to each other and confirmed their placement in the genus Streptococcus. Sequence divergence values of >5 % with reference streptococcal species demonstrated the organisms from seals represent a novel species. SDS-PAGE analysis of whole-cell proteins confirmed that the two organisms were closely related to each other but were different from all currently defined streptococcal species. Based on biochemical criteria, molecular chemical and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown isolates from seals be assigned to a novel species of the genus Streptococcus, Streptococcus marimammalium sp. nov. The type strain is M54/01/1T (=CCUG 48494T=CIP 108309T).
authors.affiliation: School of Food Biosciences, University of Reading, PO Box 226, Reading RG6 6AP, UK.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.affiliation: SAC Veterinary Services, Drummondhill, Stratherrick Road, Inverness IV2 4JZ, UK.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.affiliation: Culture Collection, Department of Clinical Bacteriology, University of Göteborg, Guldhedsg 10, S-413 46 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Enevold
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falsen
authors.affiliation: School of Food Biosciences, University of Reading, PO Box 226, Reading RG6 6AP, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010641:Phenotype; D046049:Phoca / Q000382:microbiology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S