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Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
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Microbacterium arthrosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from the faeces of the pill millipede Arthrosphaera magna Attems

P Kämpfer1, P D Rekha2, P Schumann3

  • 1Institut für Angewandte Mikrobiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
|July 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

A new bacterium, Microbacterium arthrosphaerae sp. nov., was identified from millipede feces. This Gram-positive rod exhibits unique peptidoglycan and menaquinone profiles, distinguishing it within the Microbacterium genus.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Taxonomy
  • Arthropod Symbionts

Background:

  • The genus Microbacterium comprises diverse Gram-positive bacteria found in various environments.
  • Accurate taxonomic classification is crucial for understanding microbial diversity and function.
  • Invertebrate-associated bacteria represent a largely unexplored reservoir of microbial novelty.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To taxonomically characterize a novel bacterial strain isolated from the pill millipede Arthrosphaera magna Attems.
  • To determine the phylogenetic and genotypic relationship of the isolate to known Microbacterium species.
  • To propose a new species designation based on comprehensive phenotypic and genotypic analyses.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and cultivation of the bacterial strain from millipede feces.
  • 16S rRNA gene sequencing for phylogenetic analysis.
  • Analysis of peptidoglycan composition, menaquinone profile, polar lipids, and fatty acid profiles.
  • Physiological and biochemical testing.
  • DNA-DNA hybridization with closely related species.

Main Results:

  • The isolate, designated strain CC-VM-Y(T), is a Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the genus Microbacterium.
  • Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed highest similarity to Microbacterium insulae DS-66(T) (98%).
  • Unique peptidoglycan composition (ornithine, alanine, glycine, homoserine, glutamic acid, and threo-3-hydroxy glutamic acid) and menaquinone content (MK-13, MK-12, MK-11) were determined.
  • Fatty acid profiles were consistent with the genus Microbacterium.
  • Phenotypic and genotypic data, including DNA-DNA hybridization, revealed significant differences from related species.

Conclusions:

  • Strain CC-VM-Y(T) represents a novel species within the genus Microbacterium.
  • The proposed name for this new species is Microbacterium arthrosphaerae sp. nov.
  • This finding expands the known diversity of the genus Microbacterium and highlights potential novel bacteria associated with millipedes.

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