Methylobacterium tarhaniae sp. nov., isolated from arid soil

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Environmental Microbiology

Background:

• The genus Methylobacterium comprises diverse Gram-negative bacteria known for their metabolic versatility.
• Facultative methylotrophic bacteria play significant roles in various ecosystems, including soil environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize a novel bacterial isolate from arid soil in Abuja, Nigeria.
• To determine the taxonomic position of the isolate using a polyphasic approach.

Main Methods:

• Polyphasic taxonomic analysis including 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
• Phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, and chemotaxonomic analyses (fatty acids, ubiquinones).
• Determination of DNA G+C content.

Main Results:

• Strain N4211(T) was identified as a reddish-orange-pigmented, Gram-negative, aerobic, facultative methylotroph.
• Phylogenetic analysis placed strain N4211(T) within the genus Methylobacterium, closely related to M. aquaticum, M. platani, and M. variabile.
• DNA-DNA relatedness values (60.0% with M. aquaticum, 48.2% with M. platani) and distinct chemotaxonomic profiles supported its novelty.
• The DNA G+C content was determined to be 67.3 mol%.

Conclusions:

• Strain N4211(T) represents a new species within the genus Methylobacterium.
• The proposed name for this novel species is Methylobacterium tarhaniae sp. nov.
• The type strain is N4211(T) (= KCTC 23615(T) = DSM 25844(T)).