Classification of eight new species of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria: Nitrosomonas communis sp. nov., Nitrosomonas ureae sp. nov., Nitrosomonas aestuarii sp. nov., Nitrosomonas marina sp. nov., Nitrosomonas nitrosa sp. nov., Nitrosomonas eutropha sp. nov., Nitrosomonas oligotropha sp. nov. and Nitrosomonas halophila sp. nov.

H. P. Koops, B. Böttcher, U. C. Möller, A. Pommerening-Röser, G. Stehr

Institut für Allgemeine Botanik, Abteilung für Mikrobiologie, Universität Hamburg, Ohnhorststrasse 18, D-2000 Hamburg 52, Federal Republic of Germany

Abstract

Summary: A total of 13 species of lithotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria assigned to the genus Nitrosomonas were characterized. DNA homologies, G + C content of the DNA, shape and ultrastructure of the cells, salt requirements, ammonia tolerance, utilization of urea as ammonia source, and whole-cell protein patterns were analysed. In addition to the described species Nitrosomonas europaea and ‘Nitrosomonas cryotolerans’ eight new species are established. The names Nitrosomonas communis sp. nov., Nitrosomonas ureae sp. nov., Nitrosomonas aestuarii sp. nov., Nitrosomonas marina sp. nov., Nitrosomonas nitrosa sp. nov., Nitrosomonas eutropha sp. nov., Nitrosomonas oligotropha sp. nov. and Nitrosomonas halophila sp. nov. are proposed.