Seven genotypically distinct strains assigned to the genus Erysipelothrix were isolated in different laboratories from several animal sources. Strain D17_0559-3-2-1T and three further strains were isolated from samples of duck, pig and goose. The strains had >99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to each other and to strain VA92-K48T and two further strains isolated from samples of medical leech and a turtle. The closest related type strains to the seven strains were those of Erysipelothrix inopinata (96.74 %) and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (95.93 %). Average nucleotide identity, amino acid identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization results showed that the strains represented two separate novel species. One further phylogenetically distinct strain (165301687T) was isolated from fox urine. The strain had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of Erysipelothrix tonsillarum (95.67 %), followed by Erysipelothrix piscisicarius (95.58 %) and Erysipelothrix larvae (94.22 %) and represented a further novel species. Chemotaxonomic and physiological data of the novel strains were assessed, but failed to unequivocally differentiate the novel species from existing members of the genus. MALDI-TOF MS data proved the discrimination of at least strain 165301687T from all currently described species. Based on the presented phylogenomic and physiological data, we propose three novel species, Erysipelothrix anatis sp. nov. with strain D17_0559-3-2-1T (=DSM 111258T= CIP 111884T=CCM 9044T) as type strain, Erysipelothrix aquatica sp. nov. with strain VA92-K48T (=DSM 106012T=LMG 30351T=CIP 111492T) as type strain and Erysipelothrix urinaevulpis sp. nov. with strain 165301687T (=DSM 106013T= LMG 30352T= CIP 111494T) as type strain.
Keywords: Erysipelothrix; Erysipelotrichales; duck; fish; goose; leech; livestock; novel; pig; reptile.