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PubMed2026

Global lessons from antibiotic resistance: Metformin-hydrolysing genes in transposable elements, a new threat for type II diabetic patients?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the evolutionary origin, genomic mobility, and potential dissemination of metformin-hydrolysing genes (mfmAB), and to assess whether environmental selection by metformin pollution may drive the emergence of transferable pharmaceutical-degrading traits analogous to antibiotic resistance. METHODS: Large-scale comparative genomics was performed using publicly available bacterial genomes carrying mfmAB homologs. Phylogenomic reconstruction, average nucleotide identity analysis, genomic context comparison, plasmid characterization, and insertion sequence mapping were used to infer evolutionary history and identify mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer. RESULTS: mfmAB homologs were identified in twelve Aminobacter and three Pseudomonas genomes within a conserved ∼8.2 kb gene cluster. Phylogenomic analyses showed that metformin-degrading capacity emerged independently in multiple Aminobacter lineages across distinct continents, consistent with convergent evolution under anthropogenic selective pressure. Genomic comparisons indicated a chromosomal origin of mfmAB, followed by mobilization onto conjugative plasmids through IS1182-mediated transposition. In Pseudomonas, additional IS3/IS6-mediated transposition events integrated mfmAB into diverse plasmid backbones, frequently within composite transposons also encoding guanylurea and biguanide degradation pathways (guuH, bguH). These findings reveal a dynamic modular assembly of metabolic functions facilitating adaptation to pharmaceutical pollutants. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin pollution appears to promote the emergence and mobilization of pharmaceutical-degrading genes through mechanisms paralleling antibiotic resistance evolution. Although no clinical impact has yet been demonstrated, the potential spread of such genes into human-associated microbiomes and their possible co-selection with antibiotic resistance determinants represent an emerging One Health concern. Environmental surveillance of pharmaceutical-degrading genes is warranted to anticipate future threats to drug efficacy.

Convergent evolution↗

PubMed2026

Mesorhizobium bavaricum sp. nov. and Mesorhizobium monacense sp. nov., two novel Lotus-associated species harbouring symbiotic plasmids.

Legumes establish a mutualistic interaction with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Lotus japonicus is a model for studying this symbiosis; however, only a limited number of rhizobial species nodulating this host have been taxonomically described. Here, we characterise four Mesorhizobium strains (DC-1.1T, Qj1B1, DC-1.5T, and Qj2B2) isolated from root nodules of Lotus japonicus and Lotus burttii. Multi-locus phylogeny and phylogenomic analyses resolved these isolates into two well-supported monophyletic clades. Genome-based comparisons supported their classification as distinct taxa, with strains DC-1.1T and Qj1B1 showing 95.2% average nucleotide identity (ANI) and 62.9-63.5% digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) values relative to Mesorhizobium newzealandense ICMP 19545T, whereas DC-1.5T and Qj2B2 exhibited 92.5-92.8% ANI and 49.9-50.5% dDDH compared with Mesorhizobium waimense ICMP 19557T. Together with chemotaxonomic and physiological traits, these data support the proposal of two novel species, Mesorhizobium bavaricum sp. nov. (DC-1.1T and Qj1B1) and Mesorhizobium monacense sp. nov. (DC-1.5T and Qj2B2). Metagenomic analyses predicted high environmental prevalence for these novel taxa, particularly within soil habitats. Isolates DC-1.1T, Qj1B1, and DC-1.5T effectively nodulated Lotus burttii and significantly promoted plant growth, whereas Qj2B2 neither nodulated nor enhanced growth. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the nodulating isolates harbour symbiotic genes (nod, fix, and nif) on symbiotic plasmids, a rare feature in Mesorhizobium strains, whereas Qj2B2 lacks essential nod and nif genes. Consistent with these genomic features, symbiotaxonomic analysis assigned the nodulating isolates to symbiovar loti. These results highlight the potential of these isolates as models for comparative analyses of symbiotic plasmid evolution and horizontal gene transfer.

Mesorhizobium↗

PubMed2026

Two Saccharopolyspora isolates from archaeological excavation sites: polyphasic taxonomy, biosynthetic potential, bioactivity profiling and description of Saccharopolyspora antiqui sp. nov.

Archaeological excavation sites represent underexplored microbial habitats with the potential to recover taxonomically and biotechnologically valuable actinomycetes. In this study, two Saccharopolyspora strains, 5N708T and 5N102, were isolated from soil samples collected from the Gaziantep-Doliche-Dülük and Bitlis-Ahlat-Selçuklu Cemetery archaeological excavation sites in Türkiye. A polyphasic taxonomic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses, average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization, phenotypic characterization, and chemotaxonomic analyses, showed that strain 5N708T represents a novel species of the genus Saccharopolyspora, for which the name Saccharopolyspora antiqui sp. nov. is proposed, whereas strain 5N102 was assigned to Saccharopolyspora elongata. Both isolates were further evaluated for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities, and their biosynthetic potential was investigated by genome mining. Both strains showed activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with strain 5N708T producing the larger inhibition zone. Strain 5N102 exhibited markedly stronger antioxidant activity than strain 5N708T in radical scavenging, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and reducing power assays. In contrast, strain 5N708T showed more promising cytotoxic activity, with relative selectivity toward MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells compared with HEK293 cells after prolonged incubation. Genome mining revealed multiple biosynthetic gene clusters in both isolates, supporting their capacity to produce secondary metabolites. These findings indicate that archaeological soils are promising reservoirs of taxonomically novel and biologically active Saccharopolyspora strains.

Saccharopolyspora↗

PubMed2026

Vibrio limimangrovi sp. nov., Vibrio phycocola sp. nov. and Vibrio sediminis sp. nov., isolated from coastal habitats.

Four marine bacterial strains of the genus Vibrio, designated WJH972T, RC27, FJH11T, and HA2012T, were isolated from coastal habitats in China. Phenotypic and physiological characterization showed that all four strains are Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, short rod-shaped cells, and motile. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between the isolates and their closest relatives were 96.5% - 98.2%, above the genus-level threshold but below the species delineation cutoff. Genomic analysis revealed that strains WJH972T and RC27 shared an average nucleotide identity (ANI) of 98.7% and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value of 89.9%, confirming their conspecificity. In contrast, the ANI and dDDH values between the four strains and known Vibrio species ranged from 78.6% to 85.8% and from 13.7% to 59.3%, respectively, both falling below the thresholds for species delineation. The biosynthetic gene clusters support bacterial potentials for stress tolerance and antibiotic synthesis, consistent with strain FJH11T's resistance to all 20 antibiotics and other strains' sensitivity to chloramphenicol and penicillin. Based on these polyphasic taxonomic evidence above, three novel species are thus proposed: Vibrio limimangrovi sp. nov. (type strain FJH11T), Vibrio phycocola sp. nov. (type strain WJH972T), and Vibrio sediminis sp. nov. (type strain HA2012T). This study provides novel insights into the systematics, metabolic diversity, antibiotic resistance, and ecological distribution of the genus Vibrio.

Vibrio↗

PubMed2026

Rhodococcus dendrobeaniae sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from an Arctic marine invertebrate exhibiting cytotoxic activity, and an emended description of Rhodococcus sovatensis.

A polyphasic study was conducted to establish the taxonomic status of strain T060T, an orange, aerobic, coccoid and non-motile actinomycete, isolated from a marine bryozoan (Dendrobeania sp.) collected in the Barents Sea. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed Rhodococcus sovatensis DSM 102881T as the closest related species to strain T060T with a similarity of 99.54%. Phylogenomic analysis confirmed a close relationship between T060T and R. sovatensis DSM 102881T, while supporting their distinction. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain T060T and R. sovatensis DSM 102881T were 26.4 and 84.3%, respectively, supporting the delineation of the isolate as a new species. Genomic characterization of the assembled genomes of T060T and R. sovatensis DSM 102881T showed genome sizes of 5.3 and 4.2 Mbp, with a G + C content of 64.38 and 65.01%, respectively. Genome analysis of strain T060T identified 15 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with low sequence similarity to known BGCs, indicating its capacity to produce unknown, potentially bioactive secondary metabolites. Furthermore, growth of T060T in eight different media revealed condition-dependent cytotoxic activity. The strongest cytotoxicity was observed for fractionated extracts from T060T grown in half-strength ISP 2 with filtered seawater against the human malignant cell lines MCF7 and A2058, and to a lesser extent against the non-malignant MRC5 cell line, highlighting its biotechnological potential. Based on the data from polyphasic taxonomy studies, it is proposed that strain T060T be classified in the genus Rhodococcus as Rhodococcus dendrobeaniae sp. nov. Additionally, the acquired data of R. sovatensis were used to amend its original description.

Rhodococcus↗

PubMed2026

Five novel Paenibacillus species from the plant rhizosphere: Paenibacillus corni sp. nov., Paenibacillus vaccinii sp. nov., Paenibacillus ericacearum sp. nov., Paenibacillus polytrichii sp. nov., and Paenibacillus artemisiae sp. nov.

Bacterial strains were isolated from different locations and screened for plant growth promoting (PGP) features. Comparative analyses of the 16S gene sequences of 5 of the strains indicated taxonomic relatedness within the genus Paenibacillus. A polyphasic taxonomic approach was employed to study the strains in detail to clarify their phylogenetic position. Genome-based analyses, including digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI), revealed values consistently below the accepted species delineation thresholds when compared with closest relatives of each strain. Additionally, the strains showed clear differences in their physiological and biochemical profiles to the type strains of the closest related species. A notably diverse set of genes potentially involved in plant growth promotion was detected in all strains. With respect to the analyses reported here, the following new names are proposed: Paenibacillus corni sp. nov., with AK-167T as the type strain (= LMG 34403T = DSM 121689T); Paenibacillus vaccinii sp. nov., with AK-264T as the type strain (= LMG 34404T = DSM 121714T); Paenibacillus ericacearum sp. nov., with AK-265T as the type strain (= CCM 6913T = LMG 34405T = DSM 121715T); Paenibacillus polytrichii sp. nov., with AK-286T as the type strain (= CCM 9614T = LMG 34406T = DSM 121716T); and Paenibacillus artemisiae sp. nov., with DT-106T as the type strain (= LMG 34409T = CCM 9610T = DSM 121690T).

Paenibacillus↗

PubMed2025

High-quality chromosome-level genome of three Meretrix species using Nanopore and Hi-C technologies.

Meretrix is a commercially valuable bivalve genus in Asia, but only one reference genome has hindered comprehensive genetic studies and germplasm resource evaluation. In this study, we present three reference genomes of Meretrix species: Meretrix sp. MF1, Meretrix sp. MT1, and Meretrix lamarckii JML1. Meretrix sp. MF1 was assembled at the chromosome level using Nanopore sequencing and Hi-C technologies, whereas Meretrix sp. MT1 and Meretrix lamarckii were assembled as scaffold-level assemblies. The chromosome-level genome of Meretrix sp. MF1 consists of 36 contigs, including 19 chromosomes and 17 scaffolds, with a total length of 883.3 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 46.87 Mb. Notably, the genome of Meretrix sp. MF1, a putative novel species, exhibits an Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) of 94.33% with its closest relative, Meretrix lamarckii. These genomic resources not only provide a crucial foundation for genetic research on Meretrix but also contribute to the development of effective conservation strategies for its sustainable management.

Animals↗

PubMed2025

Leclercia barmai sp. nov., isolated from worm castings of Eisenia fetida, is a urease-positive, 3-nitropropionic acid and glycerol-consuming bacterium.

A comprehensive polyphasic characterization has validated the unique taxonomic position of a novel bacterium, strain EMC7T, isolated from the worm castings of earthworm, Eisenia fetida, collected from the Centre for Floriculture and Agri-Business Management (COFAM), NBU (26.7072° N, 88.3554° E). Whole-genome sequence of this Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium showed maximum sequence homology with Leclercia adecarboxylata NBRC 102595T, placing it within the genus Leclercia. The genome of EMC7T is 5.03 Mbp with a G + C content of 56.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses established its distinctiveness from Leclercia adecarboxylata and Leclercia tamurae. DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value was 23.6%, and the average nucleotide identity (ANI) was 82.1%, both below the thresholds for prokaryotic species differentiation. Predominant fatty acids were C16:0 (29.53%), summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c, 16.51%), and C18:1ω7c (10.90%). Notably, EMC7T exhibited urease activity and could metabolize 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA), glycerol, tellurite, selenate, and selenite, suggesting potential bioremediation applications. Biochemical tests, phenotypic traits, genotypic data, and physiological properties cumulatively differentiated EMC7T from its closest relatives. Based on chemotaxonomic, phenotypic, genomic, and phylogenetic evidence, strain EMC7T represents a novel bacterial species of the genus Leclercia, for which the name Leclercia barmai sp. nov. (type strain EMC7T = MCC 5183T = JCM 36544T) is proposed.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Genomic insights that advance the species definition for prokaryotes.

To help advance the species definition for prokaryotes, we have compared the gene content of 70 closely related and fully sequenced bacterial genomes to identify whether species boundaries exist, and to determine the role of the organism's ecology on its shared gene content. We found the average nucleotide identity (ANI) of the shared genes between two strains to be a robust means to compare genetic relatedness among strains, and that ANI values of approximately 94% corresponded to the traditional 70% DNA-DNA reassociation standard of the current species definition. At the 94% ANI cutoff, current species includes only moderately homogeneous strains, e.g., most of the >4-Mb genomes share only 65-90% of their genes, apparently as a result of the strains having evolved in different ecological settings. Furthermore, diagnostic genetic signatures (boundaries) are evident between groups of strains of the same species, and the intergroup genetic similarity can be as high as 98-99% ANI, indicating that justifiable species might be found even among organisms that are nearly identical at the nucleotide level. Notably, a large fraction, e.g., up to 65%, of the differences in gene content within species is associated with bacteriophage and transposase elements, revealing an important role of these elements during bacterial speciation. Our findings are consistent with a definition for species that would include a more homogeneous set of strains than provided by the current definition and one that considers the ecology of the strains in addition to their evolutionary distance.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2026

Post-infection colonization and recurrent infections by ST11-KL64 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: a study of within-host evolution.

Bacteria pose a serious threat to hosts through adaptive mutations that confer stress resistance and promote persistent colonization. Here, we describe an adaptive evolution event involving eight highly similar ST11-KL64 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strains, isolated from a non-infected inpatient who acquired two distinct CRKP strains, CRKP-F1 and CRKP-S2 during the first hospitalization, recovered, and was discharged after receiving antimicrobial therapy but subsequently experienced two additional recurrent febrile episodes and re-admission. The strain CRKP-S2 showed significantly enhanced resistance to oxidative stress, survival within macrophages, and internalization ability, and carried an additional ~72 kb fragment containing oxidative stress response factors (including NAD(P)-dependent oxidoreductases), and a ~ 19kb plasmid fragment harboring catA2, sul2, umuC/D genes, compared to the initial strain CRKP-F1. All four strains, CRKP-B3, CRKP-U4, CRKP-F5 and CRKP-S6, from the second hospitalization exhibited higher genetic similarity to CRKP-S2 than each other, and each of these strains has its own unique mutations compared to CRKP-S2. The third-hospitalization strain CRKP-U7 displayed the highest average nucleotide identity (ANI) with CRKP-S2, and possessed unique mutations in cecR, rlmA1, and selB, distinct from second-hospitalization strains. However, the last strain, CRKP-B8, carries a new gene mutation based on CRKP-U7 and exhibits greater host adaptability than all other isolates. While these findings are suggestive, whether the ~72-kb and ~19-kb fragments and mutations in CRKP-S2 drove enhanced colonization, and whether subsequent mutations contributed to subclones linked to recurrent febrile, or merely coincided, remains unclear. The possibility of mixed colonization by co-circulating subclones cannot be excluded, and functional validation is needed.

Klebsiella pneumoniae↗

PubMed2025

Taxogenomic analysis of Pichia senei sp. nov. and new insights into hybridization events in the Pichia cactophila species complex.

Three strains of a novel yeast species were isolated from necrotic cactus tissues of Cereus saddianus and Micranthocereus dolichospermaticus and from phytotelmata of Bromelia karatas. DNA sequence analysis of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region and D1/D2 domains of the large subunit ribosomal RNA, along with whole genome phylogenomic analysis, showed that this yeast is most closely related to Pichia insulana, Pichia cactophila, and Pichia inconspicua. The new species differs by 10-13 nucleotide substitutions from these species in D1/D2 sequences and exhibits <90% genome-wide average nucleotide identity to them. The name Pichia senei sp. nov. is proposed for the novel species, which is homothallic and produces asci with one to four hat-shaped ascospores. The holotype is CBS 16311 (MycoBank MB 858723). Taxogenomic analyses of the P. cactophila species complex, including P. senei, provide new insights about the hybridizations events that shaped this group. Pichia insulana and P. inconspicua are identified as the parental lineages that originated P. cactophila, and P. senei also appears closely related to one of the progenitors of P. inconspicua. We assess phylogeny, heterozygosity, and ploidy to explore the processes shaping diversity, showing how genomic data support yeast species delimitation and reveal complex hybridization.

Phylogeny↗

PubMed1999

Divergence of the hyperthermophilic archaea Pyrococcus furiosus and P. horikoshii inferred from complete genomic sequences.

Divergence of the hyperthermophilic Archaea, Pyrococcus furiosus and Pyrococcus horikoshii, was assessed by analysis of complete genomic sequences of both species. The average nucleotide identity between the genomic sequences is 70-75% within ORFs. The P. furiosus genome (1.908 mbp) is 170 kbp larger than the P. horikoshii genome (1.738 mbp) and the latter displays significant deletions in coding regions, including the trp, his, aro, leu-ile-val, arg, pro, cys, thr, and mal operons. P. horikoshii is auxotrophic for tryptophan and histidine and is unable to utilize maltose, unlike P. furiosus. In addition, the genomes differ considerably in gene order, displaying displacements and inversions. Six allelic intein sites are common to both Pyrococcus genomes, and two intein insertions occur in each species and not the other. The bacteria-like methylated chemotaxis proteins form a functional group in P. horikoshii, but are absent in P. furiosus. Two paralogous families of ferredoxin oxidoreductases provide evidence of gene duplication preceding the divergence of the Pyrococcus species.

Archaeal Proteins↗

PubMed2007

DNA-DNA hybridization values and their relationship to whole-genome sequence similarities.

DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values have been used by bacterial taxonomists since the 1960s to determine relatedness between strains and are still the most important criterion in the delineation of bacterial species. Since the extent of hybridization between a pair of strains is ultimately governed by their respective genomic sequences, we examined the quantitative relationship between DDH values and genome sequence-derived parameters, such as the average nucleotide identity (ANI) of common genes and the percentage of conserved DNA. A total of 124 DDH values were determined for 28 strains for which genome sequences were available. The strains belong to six important and diverse groups of bacteria for which the intra-group 16S rRNA gene sequence identity was greater than 94 %. The results revealed a close relationship between DDH values and ANI and between DNA-DNA hybridization and the percentage of conserved DNA for each pair of strains. The recommended cut-off point of 70 % DDH for species delineation corresponded to 95 % ANI and 69 % conserved DNA. When the analysis was restricted to the protein-coding portion of the genome, 70 % DDH corresponded to 85 % conserved genes for a pair of strains. These results reveal extensive gene diversity within the current concept of "species". Examination of reciprocal values indicated that the level of experimental error associated with the DDH method is too high to reveal the subtle differences in genome size among the strains sampled. It is concluded that ANI can accurately replace DDH values for strains for which genome sequences are available.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

PubMed2026

Rhodoglobus galactosidasius sp. nov., a psychrophilic Actinomycetota producing a cold-active β-galactosidase isolated from Cape Hallett, Antarctica.

A novel psychrophilic member of the phylum Actinomycetota, designated strain CPHL_1T, was isolated from the shoreline of Cape Hallett, Antarctica. Cells were Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods (0.7-1.0 µm in length) with orange to yellow pigmentation. Optimal growth occurred at 15 °C, pH 8.0, with NaCl tolerance up to 3% (w/v). Strain CPHL_1T exhibited cytosolic cold-active β-galactosidase activity, with an optimum at 15 °C and pH 7.0 and formed non-adherent biofilms. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the strain within the genus Rhodoglobus, showing high similarity to Rhodoglobus vestalii LV3T (99.4%) and Rhodoglobus aureus CMS 81yT (97.6%). Chemotaxonomic characteristics, including the predominance of anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 fatty acids, the presence of MK-11, MK-10 and MK-12 as the major respiratory quinones, and genomic G+C content of 60%, further supported its assignment to the genus Rhodoglobus. Whole-genome comparisons revealed clear taxonomic distinction, with strain CPHL_1T sharing 88.9% average nucleotide identity (ANI) and 38.3% digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values with R. aureus, and 81.7% ANI and 25.1% dDDH with R. vestalii, confirming its status as a novel species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the β-galactosidases from these Rhodoglobus strains form a well-supported clade with high sequence similarity. Based on these data, a novel species is proposed: Rhodoglobus galactosidasius sp. nov. (type strain CPHL_1T =ITEM 19986T =KCTC 59592T). Genomic analyses also highlighted its biosynthetic potential for specialized metabolites, consistent with the recognized metabolic diversity of the genus.

Phylogeny↗

PubMed2026

Streptomyces xingningensis sp. nov. and Streptomyces rhizosphaerae sp. nov. isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Camellia oleifera.

Two novel actinobacteria strains, designated YCB024T and YCB041T, were isolated from rhizosphere soil samples of Camellia oleifera collected from Xingning City, Guangdong Province, PR China. Both strains exhibited mycelial filaments and intertwined hyphal cells. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain YCB024T exhibited the highest 98.8% 16S rRNA gene similarity with Streptomyces yogyakartensis NBRC 100779T, Streptomyces javensis NBRC 100777T and Streptomyces violaceusniger NBRC 13459T, and strain YCB041T exhibited the highest 98.9% similarity with Streptomyces albospinus NBRC 13846T. The average nucleotide identities (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values among the two strains and their closely related species indicated that they were clearly different from other known Streptomyces species. The draft genome sizes of the two strains were 6.9 Mbp and 9.5 Mbp with DNA G+C contents of 70.4 mol% and 71.7 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids in strain YCB024T included iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0, and strain YCB041T included iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids of the two strains were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannoside or unidentified aminophospholipid. The respiratory quinones of both strains included MK-9 (H6), MK-9 (H8) and MK-10 (H4). Based on phylogenetic analysis, ANI and dDDH values, physiological and chemical properties, strains YCB024T and YCB041T represent two novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the names Streptomyces xingningensis sp. nov. (type strain YCB024T=GDMCC 4.314T=JCM 36249T) and Streptomyces rhizosphaerae sp. nov. (type strain YCB041T=GDMCC 4.469T=JCM 38170T) are proposed, respectively.

Streptomyces↗

PubMed2026

Description of two nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Azospirillum mesophilum sp. nov. and Azospirillum terrae sp. nov., isolated from paddy soils.

Two novel aerobic, rod-shaped, motile bacterial strains, designated as sgz302134T and sgz301742T, were isolated from paddy soil in Fujian Province. Strains sgz302134T and sgz301742T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with the type strains Azospirillum isscasi C340-1T (98.2%) and Azospirillum thiophilum DSM 21654T (97.4%), respectively. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that two strains clustered with members of the genus Azospirillum. Growth of strains sgz302134T and sgz301742T was observed at 10-45 °C, pH 5.0-9.5 and 0-0.5% (w/v) NaCl and 15-37 °C, pH 6.0-9.0 and 0-1.0% (w/v) NaCl, respectively. Strains sgz302134T and sgz301742T contained Q-10 as the main quinone. The main fatty acids (>10%) of both strains were summed feature 2 (C12 : 0 aldehyde), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strains sgz302134T and sgz301742T was 68.4 and 68.3%, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the two strains and their related reference strains were 27.8 and 87.4% and 22.0 and 84.3%, respectively. Both strains possessed nif genes nifBDEHKN. Based on the above results, these two strains represent two novel species of the genus Azospirillum, for which the names Azospirillum mesophilum sp. nov. and Azospirillum terrae sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are sgz302134T (=MCCC 1K09520T=KCTC 8840T) and sgz301742T (=MCCC 1K09804T=KCTC 18149T), respectively.

Soil Microbiology↗

PubMed2026

Genomic Characterization of Aeromonas dhakensis Isolated From a Fatal Dolphin Case.

Aeromonas dhakensis has emerged as a significant pathogen affecting both aquatic animals and humans; however, genomic data for isolates from marine mammals remain scarce. In this study, we characterised the genome of A. dhakensis strain KDL-001, isolated from a fatal dolphin case, using whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics. Taxonomic analyses, including MLST and average nucleotide identity (ANI), confirmed the isolate as A. dhakensis. Core-genome phylogeny further revealed that KDL-001 is closely related to strains derived from fish and aquatic environments. Notably, in silico screening of virulence-associated genes showed that the virulence-associated gene profile of the dolphin isolate was broadly comparable to those of other A. dhakensis strains, with no isolate-specific virulence-associated genes being identified within the limits of this analysis. These findings demonstrate that the dolphin-derived isolate is genomically comparable to previously described A. dhakensis strains and possesses conserved virulence-associated genes commonly found within the species.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

An analysis of Wolbachia incidence and genetics in non-ant Hymenoptera diversity.

Wolbachia bacteria are widespread maternally inherited symbionts of Nematoda and diverse Arthropoda hosts. Their evolutionary success is determined by the ability to affect the biology of the host in different ways, promoting the relative fitness of females harbouring Wolbachia, as well as sporadic cases of horizontal transmission of Wolbachia between different host species. Here, we revised Wolbachia infection in the Hymenoptera with respect to the symbiont occurrence in host taxa and Wolbachia genetics. The representatives of about half of the extant families and 1000 out of 140,000 non-ant hymenopteran species have been tested for Wolbachia infection. We concluded that Wolbachia are found in all major hymenopteran families. More than 75% of Wolbachia diversity belongs to the A supergroup, whereas other variants belong to the B supergroup and only two isolates belong to the supergroup F. One of the main results of this study is the discovery of a specific Wolbachia genetic pattern (based on multilocus sequence typing [MLST]) in Apoidea hosts. Two haplotypes, ST-479 and ST-wH14, along with their alleles within other sequence types (STs), form the core of symbiont diversity, comprising 81% of unique host-Wolbachia ST associations. These haplotypes have not been reported beyond the Apoidea superfamily or Hymenoptera order. The reasons and mechanisms underlying this pattern in Apoidea remain unknown. Another important result of our study concerns the use of the MLST protocol, which has been previously criticised. We analysed 51 Wolbachia genomes for the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and MLST data, and found that genome and MLST variation are highly correlated. Therefore, the MLST protocol for Wolbachia remains reliable for many research tasks.

Animals↗