Terrabacter aerolatus sp. nov., isolated from an air sample

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Taxonomy
• Environmental Microbiology

Background:

• Aerobic, Gram-positive bacteria play roles in various ecosystems.
• Accurate bacterial classification is crucial for understanding microbial diversity and function.
• Airborne microorganisms represent a significant, yet often understudied, component of the biosphere.

Purpose of the Study:

• To taxonomically characterize a novel bacterial isolate, strain 5516J-36(T), obtained from an air sample.
• To determine the phylogenetic placement and distinctiveness of the isolate within the Terrabacter genus.
• To formally propose the isolate as a new species based on comprehensive polyphasic analysis.

Main Methods:

• Polyphasic taxonomic approach including 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
• DNA-DNA reassociation assays to assess genomic relatedness.
• Analysis of chemotaxonomic markers: peptidoglycan type, menaquinone, polar lipids, and whole-cell sugars.
• Fatty acid profiling and DNA G+C content determination.

Main Results:

• Strain 5516J-36(T) showed 98.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Terrabacter terrae and Terrabacter tumescens.
• Low DNA-DNA reassociation values (51% and 48%) indicated significant genomic divergence from related species.
• Distinct chemotaxonomic features were identified, including specific polar lipids and fatty acid profiles, and the absence of mycolic acids.
• The DNA G+C content was determined to be 71.7 mol%.

Conclusions:

• Strain 5516J-36(T) represents a distinct lineage within the Terrabacter genus.
• Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic data, the isolate is proposed as a novel species, Terrabacter aerolatus sp. nov.
• The type strain for Terrabacter aerolatus is designated as 5516J-36(T).