Pseudomonas Tumuqiensis Sp. Nov., Isolated From Greenhouse Soil

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile bacterium, named LAMW06T, was isolated from greenhouse soil in Beijing, China. In the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, strain LAMW06T had the highest similarity with Pseudomonas cuatrocienegasensis 1NT was 97.4%. Phylogenetic analysis base on the 16S rRNA and three housekeeping gene sequences (gyrB, rpoB and rpoD) indicated that LAMW06T represented a member of the genus Pseudomonas. The genome sequence size of the isolate was 5.5 Mb, with the DNA G+C content of 63.5 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain LAMW06T and closely related members of Pseudomonas borbori R-20821T, Pseudomonas taeanensis MS-3T and Pseudomonas cuatrocienegasensis 1NT were 90.9%, 82.4%, 81.5 % and 43.0%, 25.9%, 24.6 % respectively. The major fatty acids contained summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), C18:1 ω7c and C16:0. The primary respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-9. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, six aminophospholipids, six phospholipids, one aminolipid and one glycolipid. According to the genotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, strain LAMW06T represents a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas tumuqiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LAMW06T (=GDMCC 1.2003T =KCTC 72829T).

Aspergillus sibiricus (Aspergillaceae, Eurotiales), a novel acid-tolerant species in Aspergillus section Fumigati

A novel species in Aspergillus section Fumigati is described as Aspergillus sibiricus. The new species was isolated from an open coal mine in Altai, Siberia, Russia and is represented by ex-type strain CBS 143307. We used a polyphasic taxonomic approach to characterise the species. A description based on morphological features is provided and shows that the new species differs morphologically from closely related species (A. assulatus, A. nishimurae and A. waksmanii). Partial sequences of the loci encoding β-tubulin (BenA), calmodulin (CaM), ribosomal polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2) and internal transcribed spacer rDNA region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) were analyzed as well. Sequences data, macro- and micromorphological and physiological characteristics distinguish A. sibiricus from all known species in section Fumigati, series Unilaterales. A. sibiricus, isolated from an acidic habitat (pH 3.2–3.4), is able to grow at pH 2 and is considered an acid-resistant species.

The necessity for carnivore experimentation in predicting the next zoonotic disease epidemic

Zoonoses are human infections or diseases caused by disease spillover from vertebrate animals to people [1]. Spillover is the movement of pathogens from their normal host to a novel species [2]; this can occur through bodily fluids, bites, food, water, or contact with surfaces where infected animals have travelled [3]. Although some zoonoses remain established within populations and primarily affect only one person per spillover (classified as enzootic zoonoses—e.g., rabies), others can be transmitted between people and result in localized, or even global outbreaks [4]. Zoonoses account for over 60% of infectious diseases in humans [4] and can be caused by viruses, parasites, bacteria, or fungi. Of these, viral zoonoses prove to be of greatest detriment to the public on a widespread scale, as they are responsible for numerous epidemics and pandemics, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) [5-7]. Research has also been conducted on different taxonomic orders of species, such as Carnivora — placental animals which obtain nutrients from flesh — and their viral spillover risk [11].

Detection and Molecular Characterization of a Novel Species of Circovirus in a Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) in Southern Italy

Thanks to recent developments in molecular methods, many new species have been discovered within the genus Circovirus, which comprises viruses of veterinary relevance found in a broad range of hosts. In particular, several circoviruses are known to infect birds, often causing immunosuppression and feathering disorders. Nonetheless, nothing is known about their circulation in birds of prey. In this study, samples from 61 birds of prey representing ten different species, recovered by a wildlife rescue centre in Southern Italy, were taken at necropsy and analysed by PCR with pan-Circovirus primers. Only one sample, collected from a tawny owl (Strix aluco), tested positive. Its genome, sequenced by primer walking, displays the typical features of circoviruses. Based on demarcation criteria, the detected strain qualifies as a novel species, which was named “tawny owl-associated circovirus” (ToCV). Phylogenetically, ToCV clustered with mammalian rather than avian circoviruses, and its closeness to a rodent circovirus suggests that its host may have been a micromammal eaten by the tawny owl. On the other hand, its detection in the spleen fits with the tropism of other avian circoviruses. Little can be therefore said on its biology and pathogenicity, and further efforts are needed to better characterize its epidemiology.

Microvirga Puerhi Sp. Nov., Isolated from Puerh Tea Garden Soil

Strain WGZ8T was isolated from a soil sample of Puerh tea garden in Puer city, Southwest China. The isolate was rod-shaped, Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-motile. Growth occurred within 0-3.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimal concentration, 0-1.0%), pH 5.0-11.0 (optimal pH, 7.0) and 10-40°C (optimal temperature, 28°C). 16S rRNA gene sequences based phylogenetic and phylogenomic analysis revealed that WGZ8T belonged to the genus Microvirga. Its major cellular fatty acids were C19:0 cyclo ω8c, C16:0, C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c. The profile of polar lipids included phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidyl-glycerol. The only respiratory quinone was detected as ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The genome size of strain WGZ8T was 5.17MB, and the content of DNA G+C was 61%. Based on the results of digital DNA-DNA hybridization and phenotypic results, strain WGZ8T could be concluded as a novel species of the genus Microvirga, for which the name Microvirga puerhi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WGZ8T (=CGMCC 1.19171T=JCM XXXXT).

Elotespora mumbaiensis sp. nov.: A novel species of Anamorphic Ascomycota reported from Peninsular India

N/A

Jeotgalibacillus Auranticolor sp. nov., Isolated from Freshwater Collected from Baiyangdian Lake Lake, China

A novel Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, orange-pigmented bacterial strain, designated R-1-5s-1T, was isolated from Baiyangdian Lake, China. Strain R-1-5s-1T grew at 15-37℃ (optimum 37℃) and pH 7-11 (optimum pH 8) in Luria-Bertani medium. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain R-1-5s-1T was assigned to the genus Jeotgalibacillus and showed the closest relationships with Jeotgalibacillus salarius ASL-1T (97.69%), Jeotgalibacillus alkaliphilus JC303T (97.29%), Jeotgalibacillus marinus DSM 1297T (97.15%), Jeotgalibacillus campisalis SF-57T (97.01%), and Jeotgalibacillus spp. (≤ 97%). The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol; the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C17:0, and anteiso-C17:0; and the major respiratory quinones were MK-7 and MK-8. The peptidoglycan type of the cell wall was A1a linked via L-lysine as the diamino acid. The G+C content was 43.6%, and the draft genome size of strain R-1-5s-1T was 3.4 Mbp. Between strain R-1-5s-1T and the related strain J. salarius ASL-1T, the ANI and dDDH relatedness values were 78.9% and 20.8%, respectively. Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic analyses revealed that strain R-1-5s-1T is a novel species in the genus Jeotgalibacillus, for which the name Jeotgalibacillus auranticolor sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R-1-5s-1T (=CGMCC 1.13567T=KCTC 43038T).

Comparative Genomic Study of Vinyl Chloride Cluster and Description of Novel Species, Mycolicibacterium vinylchloridicum sp. nov.

Advanced physicochemical and chemical absorption methods for chlorinated ethenes are feasible but incur high costs and leave traces of pollutants on the site. Biodegradation of such pollutants by anaerobic or aerobic bacteria is emerging as a potential alternative. Several mycobacteria including Mycolicibacterium aurum L1, Mycolicibacterium chubuense NBB4, Mycolicibacterium rhodesiae JS60, Mycolicibacterium rhodesiae NBB3 and Mycolicibacterium smegmatis JS623 have previously been described as assimilators of vinyl chloride (VC). In this study, we compared nucleotide sequence of VC cluster and performed a taxogenomic evaluation of these mycobacterial species. The results showed that the complete VC cluster was acquired by horizontal gene transfer and not intrinsic to the genus Mycobacterium sensu lato. These results also revealed the presence of an additional xcbF1 gene that seems to be involved in Coenzyme M biosynthesis, which is ultimately used in the VC degradation pathway. Furthermore, we suggest for the first time that S/N-Oxide reductase encoding gene was involved in the dissociation of the SsuABC transporters from the organosulfur, which play a crucial role in the Coenzyme M biosynthesis. Based on genomic data, M. aurum L1, M. chubuense NBB4, M. rhodesiae JS60, M. rhodesiae NBB3 and M. smegmatis JS623 were misclassified and form a novel species within the genus Mycobacterium sensu lato. Mycolicibacterium aurum L1T (CECT 8761T = DSM 6695T) was the subject of polyphasic taxonomic studies and showed ANI and dDDH values of 84.7 and 28.5% with its close phylogenetic neighbour, M. sphagni ATCC 33027T. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic data considering strain L1T (CECT 8761T = DSM 6695T) as a type strain of novel species with the proposed name, Mycolicibacterium vinylchloridicum sp. nov.

Arthrobacter cheniae and Arthrobacter frigidicola sp. nov., isolated from a glacier

Two Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, pink and light pink colony-forming bacteria, designated as Hz2T and MDT2-14T, respectively, were isolated from glacier cryoconite samples. Comparisons based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains Hz2T and MDT2-14T take Arthrobacter bussei KR32T and Arthrobacter zhaoguopingii J391T as their closest neighbours, respectively. The average nucleotide identity values between the two novel strains and their closest relatives were 83.56 and 93.06 %, respectively. The two strains contain MK-9(H2) as their predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids of both strains were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acids of strain Hz2T were anteiso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and iso-C15 : 0, while the major fatty acids of strain MDT2-14T were anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Based on these data, we propose two novel species, Arthrobacter cheniae sp. nov. (Hz2T = CGMCC 1.9262T=NBRC 113086T) and Arthrobacter frigidicola sp. nov. (MDT2-14T=CGMCC 1.9882T=NBRC 113089T).