FEMS Microbiology Letters

Abstract Five halophilic archaeal strains, XH8T, CK5-1T, GDY1T, HW8-1T, and XH21T, were isolated from commercial coarse salt produced in different regions of China. Their 16S rRNA and rpoB′ gene sequences indicated that four of the strains (CK5-1T, GDY1T, HW8-1T, and XH21T) represent distinct species within the genus Haloplanus (family Haloferacaceae), while strain XH8T represents a novel genus within the same family. These assignments were supported by phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses, which showed that strains CK5-1T, GDY1T, HW8-1T, and XH21T cluster with the current species of the genus Haloplanus, while strain XH8T forms a separate branch from the genus Haloplanus. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity (AAI) values among these four strains and the current members of the genus Haloplanus were 23.1%–35.2% and 75.9%–83.8%, respectively; and those values between strain XH8T and other genera in the family Haloferacaceae were 18.8%–33.6% and 59.8%–66.6%, respectively, much lower than the threshold values for species demarcation. Strain XH8T may represent a novel genus of the family Haloferacaceae according to the cut-off value of AAI (≤72.1%) proposed to differentiate genera within the family Haloferacaceae. These five strains could be distinguished from the related species according to differential phenotypic characteristics. Based on these results, it is proposed that strain XH8T represents a novel genus within the family Haloferacaceae, and strains CK5-1T, GDY1T, HW8-1T, and XH21T represent four novel species of the genus Haloplanus, respectively. Additionally, these five strains possess genes encoding enzymes critical for the fermentation process in salt-fermented foods, indicating their potential as starter cultures for these applications.

Abstract The Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) is a taxonomic framework that defines prokaryotic taxa as monophyletic groups in concatenated protein reference trees according to systematic criteria. This has resulted in a substantial number of changes to existing classifications (https://gtdb.ecogenomic.org). In the case of union of taxa, GTDB names were applied based on the priority of publication. The division of taxa or change in rank led to the formation of new Latin names above the rank of genus that were only made publicly available via the GTDB website without associated published taxonomic descriptions. This has sometimes led to confusion in the literature and databases. A number of the provisional GTDB names were later published in other studies, while many still lack authorships. To reduce further confusion, here we propose names and descriptions for 329 GTDB-defined prokaryotic taxa, 223 of which are suitable for validation under the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) and 49 under the Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes described from Sequence Data (SeqCode). For the latter, we designated 23 genomes as type material. An additional 57 taxa that do not currently satisfy the validation criteria of either code are proposed as Candidatus.

ABSTRACT A mesophilic filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium, designated M50-1, was isolated from a microbial mat of the Chukhyn Nur soda lake (northeastern Mongolia) with salinity of 5−14 g/L and pH 8.0−9.3. The organism is a strictly anaerobic phototrophic bacterium, which required sulfide for phototrophic growth. The cells formed short undulate trichomes surrounded by a thin sheath and containing gas vesicles. Motility of the trichomes was not observed. The cells contained chlorosomes. The antenna pigments were bacteriochlorophyll d and β- and γ-carotenes. Analysis of the genome assembled from the metagenome of the enrichment culture revealed all the enzymes of the 3-hydroxypropionate bi-cycle for autotrophic CO2 assimilation. The genome also contained the genes encoding a type IV sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (sqrX). The organism had no nifHDBK genes, encoding the proteins of the nitrogenase complex responsible for dinitrogen fixation. The DNA G + C content was 58.6%. The values for in silico DNA‒DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity between M50-1 and a closely related bacterium ‘Ca. Chloroploca asiatica’ B7-9 containing bacteriochlorophyll c were 53.4% and 94.0%, respectively, which corresponds to interspecies differences. Classification of the filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium M50-1 as a new ‘Ca. Chloroploca’ species was proposed, with the species name ‘Candidatus Chloroploca mongolica’ sp. nov.

ABSTRACT Chloroflexales bacteria are mostly known as filamentous anoxygenic phototrophs that thrive as members of the microbial communities of hot spring cyanobacterial mats. Recently, we described many new Chloroflexales species from non-thermal environments and showed that mesophilic Chloroflexales are more diverse than previously expected. Most of these species were isolated from aquatic environments of mid-latitudes. Here, we present the comprehensive characterization of a new filamentous multicellular anoxygenic phototrophic Chloroflexales bacterium from an Arctic coastal environment (Kandalaksha Gulf, the White Sea). Phylogenomic analysis and 16S rRNA phylogeny indicated that this bacterium belongs to the Oscillochloridaceae family as a new species. We propose that this species be named ‘Candidatus Oscillochloris kuznetsovii’. The genomes of this species possessed genes encoding sulfide:quinone reductase, the nitrogenase complex and the Calvin cycle, which indicate potential for photoautotrophic metabolism. We observed only mesophilic anaerobic anoxygenic phototrophic growth of this novel bacterium. Electron microphotography showed the presence of chlorosomes, polyhydroxyalkanoate-like granules and polyphosphate-like granules in the cells. High-performance liquid chromatography also revealed the presence of bacteriochlorophylls a, c and d as well as carotenoids. In addition, we found that this bacterium is present in benthic microbial communities of various coastal environments of the Kandalaksha Gulf.