Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Quantification of Circulating Pig-Specific DNA in the Blood of a Xenotransplantation Model
Published on: September 22, 2020
Micrococcus porci sp. nov., Isolated from Feces of Black Pig (Sus scrofa)
Ai-Yun Lee1, Chia-Hsuan Chen2, Jong-Shian Liou1
1Bioresource Collection and Research Center (BCRC), Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu 30062, Taiwan.
Abstract:
An aerobic bacterium, designated as strain KD337-16T, was isolated from the fecal samples of a black pig. It exhibited spherical, non-motile and non−spore-forming, Gram-positive cells. KD337-16T was identified as a member of the genus Micrococcus through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and its closest relatives were found to be Micrococcus endophyticus YIM 56238T (99.5% similarity), Micrococcus luteus NCTC 2665T (99.1%), Micrococcus yunnanensis YIM 65004T (99.1%), Micrococcus aloeverae AE-6T (99.1%), Micrococcus antarcticus T2T (98.9%), and Micrococcus flavus LW4T (98.7%). Phylogenomic trees were constructed, and strain KD337-16T was found to form its own cluster as an independent lineage of M. flavus LW4T. Between KD337-16T and its close relatives, the average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity, and digital DNA−DNA hybridization were below the respective species delineation thresholds at 82.1−86.6%, 78.1−86.1%, and 24.4−34.9%. The major cellular fatty acids and polar lipids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0, and DPG and PG, respectively. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H2). Taken together, the results indicate that strain KD337-16T is a novel species of the genus Micrococcus, for which the name Micrococcus porci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KD337-16T (=BCRC 81318T = NBRC 115578T).
Insights
A novel aerobic bacterium, Micrococcus porci sp. nov., was isolated from black pig feces. This new species, strain KD337-16T, is distinct from known Micrococcus species based on genomic and chemotaxonomic analyses.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Genomics
Background:
- The genus Micrococcus comprises Gram-positive, aerobic bacteria found in diverse environments.
- Accurate species delineation is crucial for understanding microbial diversity and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and formally name a novel bacterial species isolated from pig feces.
- To determine the phylogenetic and taxonomic position of the isolate within the Micrococcus genus.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing for initial identification.
- Phylogenomic analysis including average nucleotide identity (ANI) and average amino acid identity (AAI).
- Chemotaxonomic analysis of cellular fatty acids, polar lipids, and menaquinones.
Main Results:
- Strain KD337-16T, a Gram-positive coccus, was isolated from black pig fecal samples.
- Phylogenetic analysis placed KD337-16T within the Micrococcus genus, forming an independent lineage.
- Genomic and chemotaxonomic data supported its classification as a novel species, Micrococcus porci sp. nov.
Conclusions:
- Strain KD337-16T represents a new species, Micrococcus porci sp. nov., distinct from its closest relatives.
- The study expands the known diversity of the Micrococcus genus.
- This finding contributes to the understanding of bacterial populations in swine gastrointestinal tracts.
