Calorithrix insularis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel representative of the phylum Calditrichaeota

A moderately thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium designated as strain KRT was isolated from a shallow-water submarine hydrothermal vent (Kunashir Island, Southern Kurils, Russia). Cells of strain KRT were thin (0.2-0.3 µm), flexible, motile, Gram-stain-negative rods of variable length. Optimal growth conditions were pH 6.6, 55 °C and 1-3 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain KRT was able to ferment a wide range of proteinaceous substrates, pyruvate, and mono-, di- and polysaccharides. The best growth occurred with proteinaceous compounds. Nitrate significantly stimulated the growth on proteinaceous substrates decreasing H2 formation, ammonium being the main product of nitrate reduction. Strain KRT did not need the presence of a reducing agent in the medium and tolerated the presence of oxygen in the gas phase up to 3 % (v/v). In the presence of nitrate, aerotolerance of isolate KRT was enhanced up to 6-8 % O2 (v/v). Strain KRT was able to grow chemolithoheterotrophically, oxidizing H2 and reducing nitrate to ammonium. Yeast extract (0.05 g l-1) was required for growth. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain KRT was 47.3 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed isolate KRT in the phylum Calditrichaeota where it represented a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Calorithrix insularis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Calorithrix insularis is KRT (=DSM 101605T=VKM B-3022T).