Identification and flagellation of coryneform bacteria from poultry litter.

Thirth coryneform isolates from poultry litter were identified and checked for motility and flagellation. Twenty-seven formed a yellow pigment and 3 were orange. Twenty-three yellow strains were found to be Arthrobacter citreus, although starch was hydrolyzed by these strains. Four strains, including the three mainly pale yellow isolates, grew on citrate plus an ammonium salt and were classified as A. aurescens. Three orange strains were found to be Brevibacterium linens. Only six strains of A. citreus were motile. These strains displayed flagellated rods after 1 day and flagellated cocci after 5 days incubation. The flagellar shape and arrangement were studied. Non-motile strains never showed flagella after staining.