sp. nov., isolated from alpaca ().

Ten strains of an -like organism were isolated from alpaca () in the UK over a period of 5 years, with no known epidemiological linkages. The isolates are distinct, based on both phenotype and genotype, from any previously described species. Molecular analysis, based on 16S rRNA, and gene sequences, placed the isolates as a novel, early branching, lineage within the currently recognised . In agreement with the results of the single-gene analysis, average nucleotide identity values, based on whole genome sequences, showed very similar identities to a number of members of the notably , and . At least two phenotypic characteristics differentiate the alpaca isolates from other species, and from taxa likely falling within this group but awaiting formal species description, with and subsp. being the most closely related phenotypically. The alpaca isolates can be differentiated from by production of β-galactosidase (ONPG) and acid from raffinose, and from subsp. by production of acid from d-sorbitol and failure to produce acid from d-xylose. Isolates were obtained from multiple sites in alpaca including respiratory tract, alimentary tract and internal organs although further evidence is required to understand any pathogenic significance. Based on the results of characterization described here, it is proposed that the isolates constitute a novel species, sp. nov. The type strain is W1618 (LMG30745 NCTC14090) isolated in the UK in 2012 from oesophageal ulceration in an alpaca ().