Paenibacillus solisilvae sp. nov., isolated from birch forest soil

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Soil microorganisms play crucial roles in ecosystem functions.
• The genus Paenibacillus harbors diverse species with various ecological roles.
• Continuous discovery of novel bacteria is essential for understanding microbial diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel bacterium from a birch forest soil sample.
• To determine the phylogenetic and taxonomic position of the novel isolate.
• To propose a new species within the Paenibacillus genus.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and cultivation of bacteria from soil samples.
• Gram staining, motility tests, and optimal growth condition determination.
• Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences.
• Genomic DNA G+C content determination.
• Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) calculations.
• Cellular fatty acid analysis, respiratory quinone identification, and polar lipid profiling.

Main Results:

• A Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, strain LAM7113^T, was isolated.
• Phylogenetic analysis indicated close relation to Paenibacillus baekrokdamisoli (96.2% 16S rRNA gene similarity).
• ANI (66.1%) and DDH (27.0%) values supported its distinction from known species.
• Key chemotaxonomic markers included anteiso-C15:0, iso-C15:0, and Menaquinone-7.
• Strain LAM7113^T showed optimal growth at pH 8.0, 30 °C, and 1.0% NaCl.

Conclusions:

• Strain LAM7113^T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus.
• The proposed name for the novel species is Paenibacillus solisilvae sp. nov.
• The type strain is LAM7113^T (=CGMCC 1.16619^T=JCM 32513^T).