Enterococcus ureilyticus sp. nov. and Enterococcus rotai sp. nov., two urease-producing enterococci from the environment

Abstract

A set of 25 urease-producing, yellow-pigmented enterococci was isolated from environmental sources. Phenotypic classification divided the isolates into two phena. Both phena were characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA base composition, rep-PCR fingerprinting and automated ribotyping. The obtained data distinguished the isolates from all members of the genus Enterococcus with validly published names and placed them in the Enterococcus faecalis species group. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments, pheS and rpoA sequencing and whole-cell protein electrophoresis provided conclusive evidence for the classification of each phenon as a novel species of the genus Enterococcus , for which the names Enterococcus ureilyticus sp. nov. (type strain CCM 4629T  = LMG 26676T  = CCUG 48799T), inhabiting water and plants, and Enterococcus rotai sp. nov. (type strain CCM 4630T  = LMG 26678T  = CCUG 61593T), inhabiting water, insects (mosquitoes) and plants, are proposed.