The family paenibacillaceae

Abstract

The family Paenibacillaceae has been created on the basis of the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. It embraces the species-rich type genera Paenibacillus, Ammoniphilus, Aneurinibacillus, Brevibacillus, Cohnella, Oxalophagus, and Thermobacillus and the recently described genera Fontibacillus and Saccharibacillus. Oval to ellipsoid spores are formed, most species are Gram staining positive, and some stain Gram negative. Other characteristics of taxonomic values are varying such as motility, relationship to oxygen, and catalase formation. The major menaquinone is either MK-7 or MK-6; anteiso-C 15:0, iso-C 15:0, iso-C 16:0, and C 16:0 are the major fatty acids; and the mol% G+C ranges between 36 and 59. Members of the family are frequently isolated from various soil habitats, compost, and various plant materials but also from freshwater, blood, and feces. The biology of the genus Cohnella is described here in greater detail.