Lactosphaera gen. nov., a new genus of lactic acid bacteria, and transfer of Ruminococcus pasteurii Schink 1984 to Lactosphaera pasteurii comb. nov.

The phylogenetic position and physiology of strain KoTa2T (T = type strain), which was previously classified as a Ruminococcus pasteurii strain, were studied. A determination of the 16S ribosomal DNA sequence of this taxon revealed its position within the radiation of the gram-positive lactic acid bacteria having low DNA G+C contents and that it is closely related to the genus Carnobacterium. L-Lactic acid was produced from glucose by a fructose-1,6-bisphosphate-activated lactate dehydrogenase, and oxygen tolerance was observed, characteristics which are consistent with assignment to this group. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and unique signature nucleotides, we propose that strain KoTa2 (= DSM 2381 = ATCC 35945) should be transferred to a new genus, Lactosphaera gen. nov., as the type strain of the species Lactosphaera pasteurii comb. nov.