Neisseria weaveri Andersen et al. 1993 is a later heterotypic synonym of Neisseria weaveri Holmes et al. 1993

Abstract

Two species of the genus Neisseria, namely Neisseria weaveri Andersen et al. 1993 and Neisseria weaveri Holmes et al. 1993, were simultaneously proposed and described in the same volume of International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, and have been maintained as heterotypic homonyms. However, the identical 16S rRNA gene sequence and high (99.1%) average nucleotide identity (ANI) between the genome sequences of the two type strains implied that these two taxa should be united as a single genomic species. To clarify their taxonomic status, phenotypic properties including enzymic activities and substrate-utilization profiles were investigated. The results demonstrated that the two taxa have no pronounced differences and should constitute a single species. Therefore, the reclassification of N. weaveri Andersen et al. 1993 as a later heterotypic synonym of N. weaveri Holmes et al. 1993 is proposed.