Taxonomic revision of the family Aurantimonadaceae: proposal of Dennerimonas gen. nov., Mesocryomonas gen. nov., Rathsackimonas gen. nov. and Plantimonas gen. nov., along with the reclassification of Jeongeupella Jiang et al. 2024 as a later heteroty

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus <i>Aureimonas</i>, utilizing both 16S rRNA gene sequences and comprehensive whole-genome data, revealed its polyphyletic nature, necessitating a revision to accommodate phylogenetically distinct species. Based on established threshold values for genus demarcation - specifically, 16S rRNA gene similarity, Average Amino Acid Identity and Percentage of Conserved Proteins - a notably substantial divergence was observed within the genus <i>Aureimonas</i>, and the division of <i>Aureimonas</i> into four distinct genera is strongly supported. To address this, we propose the establishment of four new genera: <i>Dennerimonas</i> gen. nov., <i>Mesocryomonas</i> gen. nov., <i>Rathsackimonas</i> gen. nov. and <i>Plantimonas</i> gen. nov. These classifications accommodate species that are significantly divergent from the type species of <i>Aureimonas</i>, thereby more accurately reflecting their distinct evolutionary lineages. Additionally, <i>Aureimonas glaciistagni</i> is proposed to be reclassified within the genus <i>Jiella</i> as <i>Jiella glaciistagni</i> comb. nov. based on phylogenetic evidence indicating a closer evolutionary relationship to <i>Jiella</i> species than to other members of <i>Aureimonas</i>. Our analysis, which included assessments of 16S rRNA gene similarity, Average Nucleotide Identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values exceeding species delineation thresholds, further supports the reclassification of <i>Jeongeupella</i> Jiang <i>et al</i>. 2024 as a later heterotypic synonym of <i>Antarcticirhabdus</i> Du <i>et al</i>. 2023.