RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Dunlap, Christopher A. A1 Bowman, Michael J. A1 Schisler, David A. A1 Rooney, Alejandro P.YR 2016 T1 Genome analysis shows Bacillus axarquiensis is not a later heterotypic synonym of Bacillus mojavensis; reclassification of Bacillus malacitensis and Brevibacterium halotolerans as heterotypic synonyms of Bacillus axarquiensis JF International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, VO 66 IS 6 SP 2438 OP 2443 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.001048 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1466-5034, AB Bacillus axarquiensis and Bacillus malacitensis were previously reported to be later heterotypic synonyms of Bacillus mojavensis , based primarily on DNA–DNA relatedness values. We have sequenced draft genomes of Bacillus axarquiensis NRRL B-41617T and Bacillus malacitensis NRRL B-41618T. Comparative genomics and DNA–DNA relatedness calculations showed that while Bacillus axarquiensis and Bacillus malacitensis are synonymous with each other, they are not synonymous with Bacillus mojavensis . In addition, a draft genome was completed for Brevibacterium halotolerans , a strain long suspected of being a Bacillus subtilis group member based on 16S rRNA similarities (99.8 % with Bacillus mojavensis ). Comparative genomics and DNA–DNA relatedness calculations showed that Brevibacterium halotolerans is synonymous with Bacillus axarquiensis and Bacillus malacitensis . The pairwise in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values calculated in comparisons between the three conspecific strains were all greater than 92 %, which is well above the standard species threshold of 70 %. While the pairwise in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values calculated in comparisons of the three conspecific strains with Bacillus mojavensis were all less than 65 %. The combined results of our genotype and phenotype studies showed that Bacillus axarquiensis, Bacillus malacitensis , and Brevibacterium halotolerans are conspecific and distinct from Bacillus mojavensis . Because the valid publication of the name Bacillus axarquiensis predates the publication of the name Bacillus malacitensis , we propose that Bacillus malacitensis be reclassified as a synonym of Bacillus axarquiensis . In addition, we propose to reclassify Brevibacterium halotolerans as a synonym of Bacillus axarquiensis . An amended description of Bacillus axarquiensis is provided., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.001048