Update on the genus Robertmurraya: a bacterial genus honoring Dr. Robert G.E. Murray (with some personal reminiscences)

Abstract

The genus Robertmurraya was created by my group in 2020 to recognize the contributions of Dr. Robert G.E. Murray to the field of prokaryotic taxonomy. This manuscript updates the information regarding this genus. In addition to the seven Robertmurraya species with validly published names, the work presented here shows that two species with effectively published names, “ Bacillus yapensis” and “ Bacillus dakarensis”, and an uncharacterized Bacillus sp. Y1 are also affiliated with this genus. Based on these results, reclassification of “ Bacillus yapensis” as a novel species Robertmurraya yapensis sp. nov. is proposed. It is also suggested that “ Bacillus dakarensis”, for which strains are not available from culture collections, should also be recognized as “ Robertmurraya dakarensis”. This article also reflects on the serendipitous way I came to know Dr. Murray and his extensive interactions with me and strong support for our work for more than 10 years. Dr. Murray also introduced me and our work to his friend and contemporary Dr. Peter Sneath, who like him also contributed extensively to the field of prokaryotic taxonomy. This introduction led to a fruitful collaboration with Dr. Sneath leading to a joint publication describing the use of the Character Compatibility approach to molecular sequence data.