COMPARISON OF SPECIES AND VARIETIES OF THE GENUS BACILLUS

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Abstract
Cultures of species of Bacillus whose spores possess a typical exosporium and whether bearing parasporal bodies or not, were considered members of the Bacillus cereus group and as such the content of spore phosphorus (P) fractions was compared. On the basis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content and in some instances the content of residue (spore coat) P this group could be further divided into 4 sub groups. Media and the presence or absence of crystal-or parasporal body-forming ability did not alter DNA or residue P content. Spores of 3 strains of B. megaterium had the same DNA content as typical B. cereus. Two possessed a high content of residue P; in another it was nil. Spores of 3 highly motile bacilli such as B. subtilis possessed a DNA-P content hall that found in B. cereus. The average DNA content of spores of different species tended to be multiples of that amount characteristic of the species with the smallest spores.