The 16S rRNA Gene Is Not a Precise Classifier for Luteibacter Species

Luteibacter species are found throughout agricultural and plant associated microbial communities, and have largely been identified and classified through comparisons of the 16S rRNA genes. Through comparisons of 16S classifications with whole genome phylogenies and ANI, we highlight a somewhat unique situation whereby Luteibacter pinisoli and Luteibacter sp. 9143 would be classified as the same species using 16S rRNA sequences but are clearly differentiated by these other metrics. We present this case as an outlier, but also as an example for the challenges of classification solely using 16S rRNA gene sequences.