sp. nov., isolated from sheep.

Five strains of an unidentified Gram-positive, catalase-negative, chain-forming coccus-shaped organism recovered from sheep in Scotland were characterized using phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Based on morphological and biochemical criteria, the strains were tentatively identified as streptococci but they did not appear to correspond to any recognised species of the genus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed the strains were highly related to each other and confirmed their placement in the genus , with a maximum nucleotide identity of around 97 % to extant species. Best matches were with followed by . Average nucleotide identity and DNA-DNA hybridization values determined from whole-genome sequence were also consistent with the group representing a novel species. Best matches, again seen to , followed by and , were below accepted cut-off values for species delineation. Based on biochemical criteria and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown isolates from sheep be assigned to a new species of the genus as sp. nov. The type strain of is S784/96/1=CCUG 73951=NCTC 14363.