ESCHERICHIA AURESCENS (PARR) COMB. NOV., A PIGMENTED SPECIES

Abstract

Six coliform organisms which produce a golden-brown to a red carotenoid pigment were found to resemble closely members of the genus Escherichia, specifically E. coli. Although these chromogens are in many other respects indistinguishable from E. coli, their ability to produce this characteristic pigment warrants their recognition as a sp. distinct from E. coli. The name Escherichia aurescens (Parr) comb. nov. is proposed. The carotenoid nature of the pigment and the biochemical reactions of the organism preclude their inclusion in the genus Serratia.