Abstract
A re-evaluation of the taxonomic position of two strains, 1383(T) and 2249, isolated from poppy seeds and tea leaves, which had been identified as Siccibacter turicensis (formerly Cronobacter zurichensis ), was carried out. The analysis included phenotypic characterization, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of five housekeeping genes (atpD, fusA, glnS, gyrB and infB; 2034 bp) and ribosomal MLSA (53 loci; 22 511 bp). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and MLSA showed that the strains formed an independent phylogenetic lineage, with Siccibacter turicensis LMG 23730(T) as the closest neighbour. Average nucleotide identity analysis and phenotypic analysis confirmed that these strains represent a novel species, for which the name Siccibacter colletis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1383(T) ( = NCTC 14934(T) = CECT 8567(T) = LMG 28204(T)). An emended description of Siccibacter turicensis is also provided.