Summary auto-generated
Researchers isolated a novel bacterium, designated strain UST040201-002T, from coastal seawater in Hong Kong. This Gram-negative, non-motile coccobacillus was characterized using polyphasic taxonomy including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, physiological testing, and biochemical analysis. The strain's 16S rRNA gene showed only 91% similarity to Caedibacter taeniospiralis and 89-90% similarity to Francisella species, forming a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the order Thiotrichales. The bacterium is aerobic, mesophilic (optimal growth 30-33°C), requires sodium or potassium ions, and grows optimally at 2-3% NaCl. It possessed ubiquinone-8 as its isoprenoid quinone and had a DNA G+C content of 53.9 mol%. The fatty acid profile differed significantly from related Francisella species. Based on combined phylogenetic and phenotypic data, the authors propose a new genus and species: Fangia hongkongensis gen. nov., sp. nov., with strain UST040201-002T as the type strain.
Key findings
- A novel Gram-negative bacterium isolated from Hong Kong coastal seawater represents a new genus and species, Fangia hongkongensis, within the order Thiotrichales
- The organism shares 91% 16S rRNA similarity with Caedibacter taeniospiralis and 89-90% with Francisella species but forms a distinct phylogenetic lineage
- Fangia hongkongensis differs from Francisella members by higher G+C content (53.9 mol% vs 33-36 mol%), unique fatty acid profile, and production of oxidase and gelatinase
- The bacterium is a strictly aerobic, non-motile, marine coccobacillus requiring Na+ or K+ with optimal growth at 30-33°C and 2-3% NaCl
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Abstract
A Gram-negative, coccobacillus-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain UST040201-002T, was isolated in February 2004 from seawater at the outlet of a sandfilter in Port Shelter, Hong Kong SAR, China. This strain possessed ubiquinone-8; its 16S rRNA gene sequence shared only 91 % similarity with the sequence from Caedibacter taeniospiralis and 89–90 % similarity with sequences from Francisella tularensis, Francisella novicida, Francisella philomiragia and Wolbachia persica. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain formed a distinct clade with C. taeniospiralis. This subcluster formed a tight coherent group with members of the family Francisellaceae and W. persica. Combined phylogenetic and physiological data suggest that strain UST040201-002T represents a novel genus and species within the order Thiotrichales. The name Fangia hongkongensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is UST040201-002T (=JCM 14605T=NRRL B-41860T).