Spiroplasma eriocheiris sp. nov., associated with mortality in the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis

A motile bacterium, designated strain TDA-040725-5(T), was isolated from the haemolymph of a Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, with tremor disease. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain was phylogenetically distinct from other spiroplasmas but was closely related to Spiroplasma mirum ATCC 29335(T). Cells of strain TDA-040725-5(T) were variable in length and shape, helical and motile, as determined by phase-contrast light microscopy. Examination by electron microscopy revealed wall-less cells delimited by a single membrane. The strain grew in M1D or R-2 liquid media at 20-40 °C, with optimum growth at 30 °C. Doubling time at the optimal temperature was 24 h. The strain catabolized glucose and hydrolysed arginine but did not hydrolyse urea. The DNA G+C content was 29.7±1 mol%. The genome size was ~1.4-1.6 Mbp. Serological analysis, performed using the deformation test, did not reveal any reciprocal titres ≥320, indicating that strain TDA-040725-5(T) had minimal cross-reactivity to strains of recognized species of the genus Spiroplasma. Based on this evidence, strain TDA-040725-5(T) ( = CCTCC M 207170(T)  = DSM 21848(T)) represents a novel species of the genus Spiroplasma, for which the name Spiroplasma eriocheiris sp. nov. is proposed, belonging to the novel Spiroplasma serological group XLIII.