The family clostridiaceae, other genera

Abstract

The family Clostridiaceae, containing beside the type genus Clostridium more than 30 additional genera of the Firmicutes, constitutes a physiologically and phylogenetically heterogeneous taxon, which are generally monospore-forming, anaerobic Gram-positive-staining rods, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in their peptidoglycan. Morphological variations, such as clusters consisting of multiples of four cells (Sarcina) and cells with multiple spores (Anaerobacter) or no spores, do occur. Many Clostridium species which do not belong to the authentic genus defined by the type species Clostridium butyricum are scattered among validly named Clostridiaceae genera and are taxonomically treated as incertae sedis. This brief overview concentrates on genera and species described since 2006, which are not covered in the chapter Clostridiaceae in Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, 2nd edition.