Anaerococcus faecalis sp. nov., Isolated from Swine Faeces.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Genomics

Background:

• The genus Anaerococcus comprises obligate anaerobic bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Characterization of novel species is crucial for understanding microbial diversity and host-microbe interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel anaerobic bacterium from swine feces.
• To determine the phylogenetic and genomic properties of the novel isolate.
• To propose a new species within the Anaerococcus genus.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and cultivation of anaerobic bacteria from swine feces.
• Phenotypic characterization including Gram staining, morphology, motility, catalase, oxidase tests, and growth conditions (pH, NaCl tolerance).
• Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and whole-genome sequencing (DNA G+C content, genome size, gene content).
• Cellular fatty acid analysis.

Main Results:

• A novel obligate anaerobic, Gram-positive coccoid bacterium, strain AGMB00486T, was isolated.
• Optimal growth occurred at pH 8.0 and 37°C, with NaCl tolerance up to 4%.
• Phylogenetic analysis placed the isolate within the Anaerococcus genus, closely related to A. vaginalis.
• Genomic analysis revealed a DNA G+C content of 30.1 mol% and a genome size of 2,268,866 bp.
• Major cellular fatty acids included C14:0, C16:0, and C16:0 DMA.

Conclusions:

• Strain AGMB00486T represents a distinct species within the Anaerococcus genus.
• The proposed name for this novel species is Anaerococcus faecalis sp. nov.
• This finding contributes to the taxonomic classification of anaerobic bacteria and the understanding of swine gut microbiome composition.