Sphingobium algorifonticola sp. nov., isolated from a cold spring

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Taxonomy
• Genomics

Background:

• Cold springs are unique environments harboring diverse microbial communities.
• Bacterial taxonomy relies on polyphasic approaches combining phenotypic and genotypic data.
• The genus Sphingobium comprises bacteria with diverse metabolic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize and classify a novel bacterial isolate from a cold spring in Taiwan.
• To determine the phylogenetic placement of strain TLA-22^T within the Sphingobium genus.
• To propose a new species name for the novel isolate.

Main Methods:

• Polyphasic taxonomy including phenotypic characterization (morphology, growth conditions, chemotaxonomy).
• Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and whole-genome data (coding sequences of 92 protein clusters).
• Determination of genomic DNA G+C content, major fatty acids, hydroxy fatty acids, polar lipids, polyamines, and isoprenoid quinones.

Main Results:

• Strain TLA-22^T is a Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium with bright yellow colonies, optimal growth at 20-25°C, pH 6-6.5, and 0.5% NaCl.
• Phylogenetic analyses placed TLA-22^T within the Sphingobium genus, closely related to Sphingobium aromaticiconvertens RW16^T (97.4% 16S rRNA gene similarity).
• Average nucleotide identity (74.8-75.7%) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (20.1-22.0%) values supported its classification as a distinct species.

Conclusions:

• Strain TLA-22^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobium.
• The proposed name for this new species is Sphingobium algorifonticola sp. nov.
• The type strain is TLA-22^T (=BCRC 81097^T =LMG 30309^T=KCTC 62189^T).