Genome Sequence and Characterization of Coliphage Môr Ffagbaw

The quality of coastal waters around the United Kingdom is an area of increasing concern following sewer overflow, where wastewater is discharged into the environment. Coliphages, viruses that infect coliform bacteria, are associated with water quality in aquatic systems, yet remain largely uncharacterized at the genomic level.

Phage môr ffagbaw was isolated from seawater against Escherichia coli by enrichment and plaque assays. Whole genome sequencing, transmission electron microscopy, and host range analysis against the E. coli reference (ECOR) collection were used to characterize the phage.

The virion had a siphovirus morphology and genomic analysis placed it within the family Drexlerviridae, subfamily Tempevirinae, and forms a new species within the genus Hanrivervirus. Spot assays revealed that phage môr ffagbaw could form plaques on 6 out of 72 ECOR strains (8%).

Môr ffagbaw represents a new species of phage within the genus Hanrivervirus, with a narrow host range.