[Phylogenetic analysis of facultative methylotrophic bacteria of the genus Methylobacterium]

Phylogenetic analysis of Methylobacterium genus species using analysis of nucleotide sequence of 16S rRNA genes has shown that Methylobacterium zatmanii and M. rhodesianum possess high-level similarity with M. extorquens (99.4-98.8%), and M. fujisawaense and M. radiotolerans--with M. mesophilicum (98.9-97.8%). These species are also similar as to their phenotypical properties and their total DNAs have also close similarity. Thus, the right of M. zatmanii, M. rhodesianum, M. fujisawaense and M. radiotolerans species for existence needs confirmation. Some phenotypical properties which were assummed as a basis for formation of certain species of the genus Methylobacterium (radioresistance, e.g.) cannot serve as the differentiating characteristic of this genus species. High resistance to gamma- and UV-radiation is a specific sign of representatives of Methylobacterium genus.