Prevotella copri sp. nov. and Prevotella stercorea sp. nov., isolated from human faeces

Abstract

Six strains (CB7T, CB18, CB23, CB26, CB28 and CB35T) were isolated from human faeces. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, cellular fatty acid profiles and menaquinone profiles, these strains could be included within the genusPrevotellaand made up two clusters. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that five strains were most closely related toPrevotella veroralis, sharing about 92 % sequence similarity; the remaining strain was most closely related toPrevotella shahii, sharing about 90 % sequence similarity. All six strains were obligately anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-negative rods. The cellular fatty acid compositions of the six strains differed significantly from those of otherPrevotellaspecies. Five strains (CB7T, CB18, CB23, CB26 and CB28) contained dimethyl acetals and the major menaquinones of these strains were MK-11, MK-12 and MK-13. The major menaquinones of CB35Twere MK-12 and MK-13. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic findings, two novel species,Prevotella coprisp. nov. andPrevotella stercoreasp. nov., are proposed, representing the two different strain clusters. The DNA G+C contents of strains CB7Tand CB35Twere 45.3 and 48.2 mol%, respectively. The type strains ofP. copriandP. stercoreaare CB7T(=JCM 13464T=DSM 18205T) and CB35T(=JCM 13469T=DSM 18206T), respectively.