Salinicoccus amylolyticus sp. nov., isolated from a saltern

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Taxonomy

Background:

• The genus Salinicoccus comprises halophilic bacteria found in various environments.
• Exploring microbial diversity in hypersaline ecosystems is crucial for understanding adaptation and discovering novel species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel bacterial strain from a saltern in Gujarat, India.
• To determine the taxonomic position of the isolated strain within the Salinicoccus genus.

Main Methods:

• 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization for phylogenetic and genotypic characterization.
• Phylogenetic analysis of recA/fusA gene translated products.
• Chemotaxonomic analysis including polar lipids, fatty acids, cell-wall amino acids, and isoprenoid quinones.

Main Results:

• Strain JC304T, a Gram-positive coccus, was isolated from an Indian saltern.
• Phylogenetic analyses indicated JC304T is a distinct species within the Salinicoccus genus, most closely related to Salinicoccus roseus.
• DNA-DNA hybridization showed less than 46% relatedness to closely related species, confirming its novelty.
• Chemotaxonomic data, including major fatty acids (iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0) and menaquinone (MK-6), supported its classification.

Conclusions:

• Strain JC304T represents a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, named Salinicoccus amylolyticus sp. nov.
• The study expands the known diversity of the Salinicoccus genus and highlights the potential of salterns as sources of novel microorganisms.