The Classification and Characterization of Chromobacteria from a Lowland River

A number of strains of chromobacteria which gave diffuse spreading colonies were isolated from the River Wey. Phenotypic data for the isolates indicated that these spreading chromo-bacteria had many characters of Chromobacterium but they could not be accommodated in either of the two recognized species - C. lividum and C. violaceum. Although closest to C. violaceum, the spreading chromobacteria represent a well-defined group of strains which we propose should be considered as a separate species and for which the specific name Chromobacterium fluviatile sp. nov. is suggested. The DNA of strains so far analysed has a mol % GC of 50 to 52, adding further confirmation that they are distinct from other species of Chromobacterium.