Editing Corynebacterium (section)

== Taxonomy ==
The genus ''Corynebacterium'' was created by Lehmann and Neumann in 1896 as a [[taxonomy (biology)|taxonomic]] group to contain the bacterial rods responsible for causing diphtheria. The genus was defined based on [[morphology (biology)|morphological]] characteristics. Based on studies of [[16S rRNA]], they have been grouped into the subdivision of Gram-positive [[Eubacteria]] with high [[Guanine|G]]:[[Cytosine|C]] content, with close phylogenetic relationships to ''[[Arthrobacter]]'', ''[[Mycobacterium]]'', ''[[Nocardia]]'', and ''[[Streptomyces]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=2439888 |pmc=373105 |year=1987 |last1=Woese |first1=C. R. |title=Bacterial evolution |journal=Microbiological Reviews |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=221–71 |doi=10.1128/MMBR.51.2.221-271.1987 }}
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The term comes from [[Greek language|Greek]] κορύνη, ''{{lang|grc|korýnē}}'' 'club, mace, staff, knobby plant bud or shoot'<ref>{{LSJ|koru/nh|κορύνη|ref}}.</ref> and βακτήριον, ''{{lang|grc|baktḗrion}}'' 'little rod'.<ref>{{LSJ|bakth/rion|βακτήριον}}, {{LSJ|bakthri/a|βακτηρία|shortref}}.</ref> The term "diphtheroids" is used to represent corynebacteria that are non[[pathogenic]]; for example, ''[[Corynebacterium diphtheriae|C. diphtheriae]]'' would be excluded.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}} The term diphtheroid comes from Greek διφθέρα, ''{{lang|grc|diphthérā}}'' 'prepared hide, leather'.<ref>{{LSJ|difqe/ra|διφθέρα|shortref}}.</ref><ref>{{OEtymD|diphtheria}}</ref>