The Identity of Proteus hydrophilus Bergey et al. and Proteus melanovogenes Miles&Halanan, and their Relation to the Genus Aeromonas Kluyver&van Niel

Abstract

SUMMARY: Proteus melanovogenes, originally isolated from black-rot in eggs, does not differ from Pr. hydrophilus, the cause of red-leg in frogs, more than different strains in each species differ from one another; and the two species may be considered as identical. Both ‘species’ resemble Aerobacter liquefaciens Eeijerinck, Pseudomonas fermentars von Wohlzogen Kuuml;hr and Ps. ichthyosmia. The divergences from a common type displayed by these species may be sufficient to warrant the preservation of some as separate species, some as varieties, but all strains of this type with the property of producing 2:3-butanediol from glucose should be allotted to the genus Aeromonas in the Pseudomonadaceae, as recommended by Kluyver & van Niel (1936).