Publications

4888

ABSTRACT Symbiosis between insects and bacteria result in a variety of arrangements, genomic modifications, and metabolic interconnections. Here, we present genomic, phylogenetic, and morphological characteristics of a symbiotic system associated with Melophagus ovinus , a member of the blood-feeding family Hippoboscidae. The system comprises four unrelated bacteria representing different stages in symbiosis evolution, from typical obligate mutualists inhabiting bacteriomes to freely associated commensals and parasites. Interestingly, the whole system provides a remarkable analogy to the association between Glossina and its symbiotic bacteria. In both, the symbiotic systems are composed of an obligate symbiont and two facultative intracellular associates, Sodalis and Wolbachia . In addition, extracellular Bartonella resides in the gut of Melophagus . However, the phylogenetic origins of the two obligate mutualist symbionts differ. In Glossina , the mutualistic Wigglesworthia appears to be a relatively isolated symbiotic lineage, whereas in Melophagus , the obligate symbiont originated within the widely distributed Arsenophonus cluster. Although phylogenetically distant, the two obligate symbionts display several remarkably similar traits (e.g., transmission via the host's “milk glands” or similar pattern of genome reduction). To obtain better insight into the biology and possible role of the M. ovinus obligate symbiont, “ Candidatus Arsenophonus melophagi,” we performed several comparisons of its gene content based on assignments of the Cluster of Orthologous Genes (COG). Using this criterion, we show that within a set of 44 primary and secondary symbionts, “ Ca . Arsenophonus melophagi” is most similar to Wigglesworthia . On the other hand, these two bacteria also display interesting differences, such as absence of flagellar genes in Arsenophonus and their presence in Wigglesworthia . This finding implies that a flagellum is not essential for bacterial transmission via milk glands.

Abstract Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the genus Candidatus Paracaedibacter is: preferred name (not correct name) (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Bacteria / Pseudomonadati / Pseudomonadota / Alphaproteobacteria / Holosporales / Candidatus Paracaedibacteraceae / Candidatus Paracaedibacter Candidatus Paracaedibacter could not be recovered in GTDB ** . * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776

Abstract Bro.ca.di.a'les. N.L. fem. n. “ Candidatus Brocadia” type genus of the order; ‐ ales ending to denote an order; N.L. fem. pl. n. Brocadiales the order of “ Candidatus Brocadia”. Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the order Candidatus Brocadiales is: preferred name (not correct name) (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Bacteria / Pseudomonadati / Planctomycetota / Candidatus Brocadiia / Candidatus Brocadiales The order Candidatus Brocadiales can also be recovered in the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) as o__Brocadiales (version v220) ** . GTDB classification: d__Bacteria / p__Planctomycetota / c__Brocadiia / o__Brocadiales * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776

Phy.to.plas'ma. Gr. masc. n.phytosa plant; Gr. neut. n.plasmasomething formed or molded, a form.Tenericutes / Mollicutes / Acholeplasmatales / incertae Sedis ‐ Family II / “Candidatus Phytoplasma”Phytoplasmas (Sears and Kirkpatrick, 1994) are wall‐less, nutritionally fastidious, phytopathogenic prokaryotes 0.2–0.8 µm in diameter that morphologically resemble members of theMollicutes. Sequencing of nearly full‐length PCR‐amplified 16S rRNA genes (Gundersen et al., 1994; Namba et al., 1993; Seemüller et al., 1994), combined with earlier studies (Kuske and Kirkpatrick, 1992b; Lim and Sears, 1989), provided the first comprehensive phylogeny of the organisms and showed that they constitute a unique, monophyletic clade within theMollicutes. These organisms are most closely related to members of the genusAcholeplasmawithin theAnaeroplasmaclade as defined by Weisburg et al. (1989). Sustained culture in cell‐free media has not yet been demonstrated for any phytoplasma. Their genome sizes have been estimated to range from 530 to 1350 kb, and the G+C content of phytoplasma DNA is about 23–30 mol%. The presence of a characteristic oligonucleotide sequence in the 16S rRNA gene, CAA GAY BAT KAT GTK TAG CYG GDC T, and standard codon usage indicate that phytoplasmas represent a distinct taxon for which the name “CandidatusPhytoplasma” has been adopted by specialists in the molecular biology and pathogenicity of these and similar phytopathogenic organisms (IRPCM Phytoplasma/Spiroplasma Working Team – Phytoplasma Taxonomy Group, 2004). At present, the designation “Candidatus” must still be used for new types.

Abstract Me.tha.no.bre.vi.bac'ter. M.L. neut. n. methanum methane; L. masc. adj. brevis short; M.L. masc. n. bacter equivalent of Gr. neut. n. bakterion rod, staff; M.L. masc. n. Methanobrevibacter short methane (‐producing) rod. Oval rods or cocci to short rods , usually occurring in pairs or chains; about 0.5–0.7 µm in width and 0.8–1.4 µm in length. Rarely, filaments are formed. Nonsporing, Gram‐positive. Cell walls are composed of pseudomurein . Nonmotile. Strict anaerobes. Optimum temperature, 37–40°C; maximum, ~45°C; minimum, ~30°C. The mol % G + C of the DNA is : 27.5–31.6. Type species : Methanobrevibacter ruminantium (Smith and Hungate 1958) Balch and Wolfe 1981, 216 (Effective publication: Balch and Wolfe in Balch, Fox, Magrum, Woese and Wolfe, 1979, 284) ( Methanobacterium ruminantium Smith and Hungate 1958, 717). Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the genus Methanobrevibacter is: correct name (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Archaea / Methanobacteriati / Methanobacteriota / Methanobacteria / Methanobacteriales / Methanobacteriaceae / Methanobrevibacter The genus Methanobrevibacter can also be recovered in the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) as g__Methanobrevibacter (version v220) ** . GTDB classification: d__Archaea / p__Methanobacteriota / c__Methanobacteria / o__Methanobacteriales / f__Methanobacteriaceae / g__Methanobrevibacter * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776

Abstract Phlo.mo.bac.ter. Gr. n. phlomos bark; Gr. n. bakterion a small rod; M.L. neut. Phlomobacter rod in the bark. Filamentous bacteria occurring in the sieve tubes of phloem tissue of plants (Figures 1 and 2). The original description is from infected strawberry plants ( Fragaria × ananassa ) showing leaf marginal chlorosis and stunting in France (Nourrisseau et al., 1993). Like most other phloem‐restricted bacteria, Candidatus Phlomobacter fragariae has resisted in vitro cultivation. The mol % G + C of the DNA is : not determined. Type species : Candidatus Phlomobacter fragariae Zreik, Bové and Garnier 1998, 260. Taxonomic and Nomenclature Notes According to the List of Prokaryotic names with Standing in Nomenclature (LPSN), the taxonomic status of the genus Candidatus Phlomobacter is: misspelling (and no standing) (last update, February 2025) * . LPSN classification: Bacteria / Pseudomonadati / Pseudomonadota / Gammaproteobacteria / Enterobacterales / Enterobacteriaceae / Candidatus Phlomobacter Candidatus Phlomobacter could not be recovered in GTDB ** . * Meier‐Kolthoff et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D801 – D807 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab902 ** Parks et al. ( 2022 ). Nucleic Acids Res , 50 , D785 – D794 ; DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab776