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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
08:01
Environmental Sampling of Photosynthetic Microbes and Their Viruses: From Field to Lab
Published on: July 3, 2025
Sphingomonas insulae sp. nov., isolated from soil.
Jung-Hoon Yoon1, So-Jung Kang, Soo-Young Lee
1Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), PO Box 115, Yusong, Taejon, Republic of Korea. jhyoon@kribb.re.kr
Summary
A novel Sphingomonas-like bacterium, Sphingomonas insulae sp. nov. DS-28(T), was discovered in Korean soil. This research details its unique characteristics and taxonomic classification within the Sphingomonas genus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Taxonomy
Background:
- The genus Sphingomonas comprises diverse Gram-negative bacteria with significant ecological roles.
- Accurate taxonomic classification is crucial for understanding bacterial diversity and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a novel Sphingomonas-like bacterial strain, DS-28(T), isolated from Dokdo soil.
- To determine the phylogenetic and genetic relatedness of strain DS-28(T) to existing Sphingomonas species.
- To formally propose a new species designation based on comprehensive taxonomic data.
Main Methods:
- Polyphasic taxonomic study including phenotypic characterization (growth conditions, fatty acid profiles, polar lipids).
- Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- DNA-DNA hybridization for genetic relatedness assessment.
Main Results:
- Strain DS-28(T) is a motile, rod-shaped bacterium with optimal growth at pH 6.5 and 25°C.
- Key chemotaxonomic features include Q-10 ubiquinone and specific major fatty acids (C(18:1)ω7c, C(14:0) 2-OH, C(16:0)).
- Phylogenetic and DNA-DNA relatedness data confirm strain DS-28(T) is distinct from known Sphingomonas species, with 16S rRNA gene similarities ranging from 93.3-98.3%.
Conclusions:
- Strain DS-28(T) represents a novel species within the genus Sphingomonas.
- The proposed name for this new species is Sphingomonas insulae sp. nov.
- The type strain is DS-28(T) (=KCTC 12872(T)=JCM 14603(T)).
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