Devosia alba sp. nov., a potential nitrite-reducing bacterium isolated from a mudflat.

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Bacterial Taxonomy
• Environmental Microbiology

Background:

• The genus Devosia comprises Gram-negative bacteria with diverse environmental roles.
• Accurate bacterial classification is crucial for understanding microbial ecology and evolution.
• Novel species discovery enriches the known microbial biodiversity and aids in ecological studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel bacterium from a mudflat environment.
• To determine the taxonomic placement of the novel isolate using polyphasic characterization.
• To propose a new species within the genus Devosia.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and cultivation of strain RY10T from a mudflat sample.
• Physicochemical characterization including growth conditions (temperature, pH, salinity).
• Chemotaxonomic analysis (respiratory quinone, fatty acids, polar lipids).
• Genomic analysis (DNA G+C content, 16S rRNA gene sequencing).
• Phylogenetic analysis and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) for taxonomic delineation.

Main Results:

• Strain RY10T is a Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium with polar and lateral flagella.
• Optimal growth observed at 25°C, pH 7.0, and 2.0-3.0% NaCl.
• Chemotaxonomic profile includes Q-10, specific fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0, Summed Features 3 & 8), and characteristic polar lipids.
• Genomic analysis revealed a DNA G+C content of 62.3%.
• Phylogenetic and dDDH analyses confirmed strain RY10T represents a distinct species within the genus Devosia, with <70% dDDH and <95% ANI values to related species.

Conclusions:

• Strain RY10T represents a novel species of the genus Devosia, named Devosia alba sp. nov.
• The discovery of Devosia alba expands the phylogenetic and ecological understanding of the Devosia genus.
• This finding underscores the importance of exploring diverse environments for novel microbial life.