Pseudorhodobacter ponti sp. nov., isolated from seawater

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Taxonomy

Background:

• The genus Pseudorhodobacter comprises marine bacteria with significant roles in biogeochemical cycles.
• Accurate taxonomic classification is crucial for understanding microbial diversity and function in marine ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize a newly isolated bacterial strain, HWR-46T, from the Yellow Sea.
• To determine the phylogenetic and taxonomic position of strain HWR-46T within the Pseudorhodobacter genus.
• To propose a new species designation based on polyphasic taxonomic data.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and cultivation of bacterial strain HWR-46T from seawater.
• Polyphasic taxonomic analysis including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA G+C content determination, and DNA-DNA hybridization.
• Analysis of phenotypic characteristics such as optimal growth conditions, major fatty acids, and polar lipids.

Main Results:

• Strain HWR-46T, a Gram-negative, non-motile rod, grew optimally at 20-25°C and 2-3% NaCl.
• Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed HWR-46T within the Pseudorhodobacter clade, with 98.4% similarity to Pseudorhodobacter aquimaris.
• Low DNA-DNA relatedness (24.6±1.5%) with P. aquimaris and distinct phenotypic features confirmed its novelty.
• Major fatty acid was summed feature 8, and major polar lipids included phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol.

Conclusions:

• Strain HWR-46T represents a distinct species within the genus Pseudorhodobacter.
• The proposed name for this novel species is Pseudorhodobacter ponti sp. nov.
• The type strain is HWR-46T (=KCTC 52470T=NBRC 112426T).