Nomenclature for "Micrococcus radiodurans" and Other Radiation-Resistant Cocci: Deinococcaceae fam. nov. and Deinococcus gen. nov., Including Five Species

Abstract

The data assembled by Brooks et al. (Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 30:627-646, 1980) suggest that the radiation-resistant, red, gram-positive, tetrad-forming cocci exemplified by “ Micrococcus radiodurans” (not on Approved Lists of Bacterial Names [Skerman et al., Int. J. System. Bacteriol. 30:225-420, 1980]) are a distinct natural group separate from Micrococcus. The nomenclature proposed here for these organisms utilizes specific epithets used in the original names of these organisms, which names were made illegitimate by omission from the Approved Lists. One species is added to those named before 1 January 1980. The proposals are as follows: Deinococcaceae fam. nov. Deinococcus gen. nov. (type genus) D. radiodurans nom. nov. (type species) D. radiophilus nom. nov. D. proteolyticus nom. nov. D. radiopugnans sp. nov. Species incertae sedis D. erythromyxa nom. nov. Descriptions of the taxa are provided.