title: Proposal to restrict the genusClostridiumPrazmowski toClostridium butyricumand related species.
abstract: The genusClostridiumas presently constituted is phylogenetically and phenotypically incoherent. Data from polyphasic taxonomic studies indicate that the genus comprises a collection of very heterogeneous species. Numerous phylogenetic studies, principally based on sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, indicate that the genusClostridiumshould be restricted toClostridiumcluster I asClostridium sensu stricto. Despite these findings, authors continue to add novel species to the genusClostridiumthat do not fall within the radiation of cluster I and the type speciesClostridium butyricum, thus perpetuating the confusion associated with the taxonomy of this group. Here, we formally propose that members of the genusClostridiumPrazmowski be restricted to the type speciesC. butyricumand cluster I species.Eubacterium moniliforme,Eubacterium tarantellae,Sarcina maximaandSarcina ventriculishould be transferred to the genusClostridiumasClostridium moniliformecomb. nov.,Clostridium tarantellaecomb. nov.,Clostridium maximumcomb. nov. andClostridium ventriculicomb. nov. A novel genus,Hathewayagen. nov., is proposed for the speciesClostridium histolyticum,Clostridium limosumandClostridium proteolyticumasHathewaya histolyticagen. nov. comb. nov.,Hathewaya limosacomb. nov. andHathewaya proteolyticacomb. nov. The type species of the genusHathewayaisHathewaya histolytica.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA.
authors.forename: Fred A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Rainey