Altererythrobacter arenosus sp. nov., Isolated from Marine Sediment

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacteriology
• Taxonomy

Background:

• The genus Altererythrobacter comprises bacteria with known roles in various environments.
• Isolation of novel bacterial strains is crucial for understanding microbial diversity and ecological functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize and classify a newly isolated bacterial strain, CAU 1644T, from sea sand.
• To determine if strain CAU 1644T represents a new species within the Altererythrobacter genus.

Main Methods:

• Phenotypic characterization including morphology, growth conditions, and biochemical tests.
• Genotypic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and core-genome sequencing.
• Phylogenetic analysis, average nucleotide identity (ANI), digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), and G+C content determination.

Main Results:

• Strain CAU 1644T is an aerobic, Gram-negative, yellow, rod-shaped bacterium.
• Phylogenetic analysis indicated affiliation with the Altererythrobacter genus, with highest 16S rRNA gene similarity to A. epoxidivorans (98.5%) and A. xiamenensis (98.0%).
• Low ANI (77.6%) and dDDH (20.1%) values with A. epoxidivorans, and (77.4% and 21.0%) with A. xiamenensis, supported its classification as a distinct species.

Conclusions:

• Strain CAU 1644T represents a novel species within the genus Altererythrobacter.
• The proposed name for this new species is Altererythrobacter arenosus sp. nov.
• The type strain is CAU 1644T (= KCTC 92082T = MCCC 1K07086T).