A numerical study of fluorescent Pseudomonas strains isolated from three Lebanese spring waters

A numerical analysis based on 161 phenotypic characteristics was performed with 58 strains of fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from 3 Lebanese spring waters, and 49 type or collection strains belonging or related to genus Pseudomonas. The data were analysed using the Dice similarity coefficient (SD) and the unweighted pair group algorithm with arithmetic averages. Eleven clusters (I to XI) were defined at the 72% similarity level. Clusters I, III to V, and VIII were further divided into 14 subclusters. Three subclusters: Vb (eight strains), Vd (seven strains) and Ve (nine strains), contained only strains isolated from the 3 Lebanese spring waters, without any type or collection strains. Genomic studies such as DNA/DNA hybridization and 16S rDNA sequence analysis will be necessary to specify the taxonomic status of these three groups within the genus Pseudomonas