Genomic insights into the mangrove-associated cultivable bacteria and their ecological function

Microbes are indispensable players in sustaining mangrove plant health and ecosystem productivity. However, studies concerning the isolation and function of mangrove-associated bacteria remain limited. Detailed genomic analysis could provide some insights into their ecological functions. In this study, we isolated 163 bacterial strains from the mangrove sediments of Sanya River Mangrove Nature Reserve, including 51 putative novel species and 2 novel genera. The genomes of 75 isolates were sequenced, combined with 160 publicly available genomes from NCBI, resulting in an integrated gesnomic characterization of 235 mangrove-associated isolates. Genomic analyses revealed that most isolates possess putative functions (e.g., siderophore production and phosphate solubilization) in supporting mangrove plant health. Furthermore, key bacterial taxa such as Pseudomonadales and Rhizobiales were identified as critical biogeochemical linkers connecting the carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. Our findings provide valuable microbial resources and a theoretical foundation for developing strategies to enhance plant health and restore mangrove ecosystems.