A phylogenetic analysis of the myxobacteria Myxococcus fulvus, Stigmatella aurantiaca, Cystobacter fuscus, Sorangium cellulosum and Nannocystis exedens

Five representatives of the order Myxobacterales were characterized by oligonucleotide cataloguing of their 16S ribosomal RNA to determine their phylogenetic relationship to one another and to other gliding and non-gliding Gram-negative bacteria. Myxococcus fulvus, Stigmatella aurantiaca and Cystobacter fuscus are highly related, while Sorangium cellulosum and Nannocystis exedens are clearly separated from each other and from the former organisms. All myxobacteria are members of one line of descent, which is specifically related to the broad groups of non-sulphur and sulphur purple bacteria and their non-phototrophic relatives. Myxobacteria are distantly related to Cytophaga johnsonae, which stands completely isolated at present.