Search

One novel Streptococcus strain (SQ9-PEA T ) and two novel Staphylococcus strains (SQ8-PEA T and GRT3 T ) were isolated from faeces of a wild eastern grey squirrel. The strains were non-spore-forming, non-motile Gram-positive cocci, facultative anaerobes. The genomes for these strains were sequenced. The 16S rRNA gene and core-genome-based phylogenetic analyses showed that strain SQ9-PEA T was closely related to Streptococcus hyointestinalis , strain SQ8-PEA T to Staphylococcus pettenkoferi and Staphylococcus argensis , and strain GRT3 T to Staphylococcus rostri , Staphylococcus muscae and Staphylococcus microti . Average nucleotide identity and pairwise digital DNA-DNA hybridization values calculated for these novel strains compared to type strain genomes of phylogenetically related species within the genera Streptococcus and Staphylococcus clearly revealed that strain SQ9-PEA T represents a novel species of the genus Streptococcus and strains SQ8-PEA T and GRT3 T represent two novel species of the genus Staphylococcus . Phenotypical features of these novel type strains differed from the features of the type strains of other phylogenetically related species. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry supported identification of these novel species. Based on these data, we propose one novel species of the genus Streptococcus , for which the name Streptococcus sciuri sp. nov. with the type strain SQ9-PEA T (=DSM 114656 T =CCUG 76426 T =NCTC 14727 T ) is proposed, and two novel species of the genus Staphylococcus , for which the names Staphylococcus marylandisciuri sp. nov. with the type strain SQ8-PEA T (=DSM 114685 T =CCUG 76423 T =NCTC 14723 T ) and Staphylococcus americanisciuri sp. nov. with the type strain GRT3 T (=DSM 114696 T =CCUG 76427 T =NCTC 14722 T ) are proposed. The genome G+C contents are 38.29, 36.49 and 37.26 mol% and complete draft genome sizes are 1 692 266, 2 371 088 and 2 237 001 bp for strains SQ9-PEA T , SQ8-PEA T and GRT3 T , respectively.

Four novel strains of a member of the genus Paracholeplasma (Oakley T , Holly, Lorelei and Ariel) were isolated from skin of Florida manatees ( Trichechus manatus latirostris ). These strains were phenotypically and genetically characterized and compared with the known species of the genera Acholeplasma ( A .) , Alteracholeplasma ( Al .), Haploplasma ( H .) , Paracholeplasma ( P .) and Mariniplasma ( M .). All the strains produced acid from glucose but did not hydrolyze arginine or urea. All were propagated in ambient air supplemented with 5±1 % CO 2 at 35-37 °C using SP4-Z, Columbia and brain-heart infusion medium. Colonies on solid medium showed a typical fried-egg appearance and transmission electron microscopy revealed a typical mycoplasma-like cellular morphology. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on partial 16S rRNA, rpoB , gyrB and parE gene sequences and the whole proteome data indicated that the novel species is a unique species but phylogenetically closely related to Paracholeplasma vituli , Paracholeplasma morum and ' Paracholeplasma brassicae '. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain Oakley T and the closely related species were significantly lower than the accepted thresholds for describing novel prokaryotic species at the genomic level. On the basis of the genomic, phenotypic and phylogenetic properties, the novel strains represent a novel species of the genus Paracholeplasma , for which the name Paracholeplasma manati sp. nov. with the type strain Oakley T (=NCTC 14352 T =DSM 110686 T ) is proposed. The genomic DNA G+C content and complete draft genome size for the type strain are 38.35 % and 1 873 856 bp, respectively.

Seven novel independent strains of Mycoplasma species were isolated from northern elephant seals (ES2806-NAS T , ES2806-GEN T , ES3157-GEN-MYC and ES3225-GEN-MYC), a harbour porpoise (C264-GEN T and C264-NAS T ), and a California sea lion (CSL7498). These strains were phenotypically and genetically characterized and compared to the known Mycoplasma species. Four strains (C264-GEN T , C264-NAS T , CSL7498 and ES2806-NAS T ) hydrolysed arginine but not urea and did not produce acid from carbohydrates. Strains ES2806-GEN T , ES3157-GEN-MYC and ES3225-GEN-MYC did not produced acid from carbohydrates and did not hydrolyse arginine or urea; hence, it is assumed that organic acids are used as the energy source for them. All were isolated and propagated in ambient air supplemented with 5±1 % CO 2 at +35-37 °C using either SP4 or PPLO medium. Colonies on solid medium showed a typical fried-egg appearance and transmission electron microscopy revealed a typical mycoplasma cellular morphology. The complete genomes were sequenced for all type strains. Average nucleotide and amino acid identity analyses showed that these novel strains were distant from the phylogenetically closely related Mycoplasma species. Based on these data, we propose four novel species of the genus Mycoplasma , for which the name Mycoplasma miroungirhinis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain ES2806-NAS T (=NCTC 14430 T =DSM 110945 T ), Mycoplasma miroungigenitalium sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain ES2806-GEN T (=NCTC 14429 T =DSM 110944 T ) and representative strains ES3157-GEN-MYC and ES3225-GEN-MYC, Mycoplasma phocoenae sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain C264-GEN T (=NCTC 14344 T =DSM 110687 T ) and Mycoplasma phocoeninasale sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain C264-NAS T (=NCTC 14343 T =DSM 110688 T ) and representative strain CSL7498. The genome G+C contents are 24.06, 30.09, 28.49 and 29.05% and the complete genome sizes are 779 550, 815 486, 693 115, and 776 009 bp for strains ES2806-NAS T , ES2806-GEN T , C264-GEN T and C264-NAS T , respectively.

Four novel independent strains of Streptococcus spp. were isolated from faeces of alpaca (SL1232 T ), cattle (KCJ4950), and from respiratory tract of wild California sea lions (CSL7508 T , CSL7591 T ). The strains were indole-, oxidase- and catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile Gram-positive cocci in short and long chains, facultative anaerobes. The 16S rRNA gene of SL1232 T and KCJ4950 shared 99.40-99.60% nucleotide similarity to strains of S. equinus, S. lutetiensis, S. infantarius , and the 16S rRNA gene of CSL7508 T and CSL7591 T demonstrated 98.72 and 98.92% similarity, respectively, to S. marimammalium . All other known Streptococcus species had the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of ≤95%. The genomes were sequenced for the novel strains. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis for strains SL1232 T and KCJ4950, showed the highest similarity to S. equinus, S. lutetiensis, and S. infantarius with 85.21, 87.17, 88.47, 85.54, 87.47 and 88.89%, respectively, and strains CSL7508 T and CSL7591 T to S. marimammalium with 87.16 and 83.97%, respectively. Results of ANI were confirmed by pairwise digital DNA-DNA hybridization and phylogeny, which also revealed that the strains belong to three novel species of the genus Streptococcus . Phenotypical features of the novel species were in congruence with closely related members of the genus Streptococcus and gave negative reactions with the tested Lancefield serological groups (A-D, F and G). MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry supported identification of the species. Based on these data, we propose three novel species of the genus Streptococcus , for which the name Streptococcus vicugnae sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain SL1232 T (=NCTC 14341 T =DSM 110741 T =CCUG 74371 T ), Streptococcus zalophi sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain CSL7508 T (=NCTC 14410 T =DSM 110742 T =CCUG 74374 T ) and Streptococcus pacificus sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain CSL7591 T (=NCTC 14455 T =DSM 111148 T =CCUG 74655 T ). The genome G+C content is 36.89, 34.85, and 35.34 % and draft genome sizes are 1906993, 1581094 and 1656080 bp for strains SL1232 T , CSL7508 T , and CSL7591 T , respectively.

Two independent strains of a Leptotrichia species (ES3154-GLU T and ES2714_GLU) were isolated from the oral cavity of northern elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ) that were admitted to The Marine Mammal Centre facilities in California, USA. The strains were isolated from oral swabs by cultivation in PPLO broth supplemented with serum, penicillin and colistin in anaerobic conditions. The strains were Gram-negative, pleomorphic, indole-, oxidase- and catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile rods/coccobacilli in short chains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of these strains shared 94.42 % nucleotide similarity with Oceanivirga salmonicida AVG 2115 T but demonstrated ≤86.00-92.50 % nucleotide similarity to the 16S rRNA genes of other species of the family Leptotrichiaceae . The genome was sequenced for strain ES3154-GLU T . Average nucleotide identity values between strain ES3154-GLU T and 15 type strain genomes from the family Leptotrichiaceae ranged from 66.74 % vs. Sebaldella termitidis to 73.35 % vs. O. salmonicida . The whole genome phylogeny revealed that the novel species was most closely related to O. salmonicida AVG 2115 T . This relationship was also confirmed by nucleotide similarity and multilocus phylogenetic analyses employing various housekeeping genes (partial 23S rRNA, rpoB , rpoC , rpoD , polC , adh , gyrA and gyrB genes). Chemotaxonomic and phenotypical features of strain ES3154-GLU T were in congruence with closely related members of the family Leptotrichiaceae , represented by similar enzyme profiles and fatty acid patterns. MALDI-TOF MS analysis was capable to clearly discriminate strain ES3154-GLU T from all currently described taxa of the family Leptotrichiaceae . Based on these data, we propose a novel species of the genus Oceanivirga , for which the name Oceanivirga miroungae sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain ES3154-GLU T (=DSM 109740 T =CCUG 73653 T =ATCC TSD-189 T =NCTC 14411 T ) and one representative strain ES2714_GLU. The G+C content is 26.82 %, genome size is 1 356 983 bp.

In 1983, Mycoplasma sp. strain 1220 was isolated in Hungary from the phallus lymph of a gander with phallus inflammation. Between 1983 and 2017, Mycoplasma sp. 1220 was also identified and isolated from the respiratory tract, liver, ovary, testis, peritoneum and cloaca of diseased geese in several countries. Seventeen studied strains produced acid from glucose and fructose but did not hydrolyse arginine or urea, and all grew under aerobic, microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions at 35 to 37 ˚C in either SP4 or pleuropneumonia-like organism medium supplemented with glucose and serum. Colonies on agar showed a typical fried-egg appearance and transmission electron microscopy revealed a typical mycoplasma cellular morphology. Molecular characterization included analysis of the following genetic loci: 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, 16S-23S rRNA ITS, rpoB , rpoC , rpoD , uvrA , parC , topA , dnaE , fusA and pyk . The genome was sequenced for type strain 1220 T . The 16S rRNA gene sequences of studied strains of Mycoplasma sp. 1220 shared 99.02-99.19 % nucleotide similarity with M. anatis strains but demonstrated ≤95.00-96.70 % nucleotide similarity to the 16S rRNA genes of other species of the genus Mycoplasma . Phylogenetic, average nucleotide and amino acid identity analyses revealed that the novel species was most closely related to Mycoplasma anatis . Based on the genetic data, we propose a novel species of the genus Mycoplasma , for which the name Mycoplasma anserisalpingitidis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain 1220 T (=ATCC BAA-2147 T =NCTC 13513 T =DSM 23982 T ). The G+C content is 26.70 mol%, genome size is 959110 bp.

Novel ureaplasma strains have been isolated from the genital tract of both sexes of northern elephant seals ( Mirounga angustirostris ; six strains) and California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus ; five strains) stranded along the Central California coast, USA. These strains were phenotypically and genetically characterized and compared to other seven known Ureaplasma species. All novel ureaplasma strains hydrolysed urea, but did not metabolize arginine, and all were isolated and propagated using PPLO medium supplemented with urea under aerobic, microaerophilic, and anaerobic atmospheric conditions at +35-37 °C. Transmission electron microscopy revealed typical mollicute cellular morphology. Molecular characterization included assessment of the following genetic loci: 16S rRNA, the 16S-23S ITS, 23S rRNA, rpoB , ftsH , tufB , rpoC , fusA and ureC . Complete 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of these novel Ureaplasma species indicated that they were most closely related to each other with nucleotide identity 99.87 % and ≤93.08 % related to other known Ureaplasma species. The results of nucleotide analysis of the sequenced housekeeping genes revealed 71.68-93.02 % similarity to corresponding genes of other known Ureaplasma species. The multi-locus genetic characterization and the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA and rpoB genes of these Ureaplasma species clearly demonstrated their novelty and, reflecting their host specificites, the name Ureaplasma miroungigenitalium sp. nov. is proposed for the Ureaplasma species isolated from northern elephant seals, the type strain is ES2783-GEN T (=DSM 24842 T =ATCC BAA-2460 T ), and the name Ureaplasma zalophigenitalium sp. nov. is proposed for the Ureaplasma species isolated from California sea lions, the type strain is CSL7644-GEN T (=DSM 24843 T =ATCC BAA-2262 T ).

Five Mycoplasma strains have been isolated from the oropharynx of southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) from the Central California Coast, USA. These strains were phenotypically and genetically characterized and compared to other established Mycoplasma species. All five strains hydrolysed arginine but not urea, but did not produce acid from glucose, and all were isolated and propagated under anaerobic and aerobic atmospheric conditions at +35-37 ˚C using either SP4 or PPLO medium supplemented with arginine. Colonies on solid medium showed a typical fried-egg appearance and transmission electron microscopy revealed a typical mycoplasma cellular morphology. Molecular characterization included assessment of the following genetic loci: 16S rRNA, 16S-23S rRNA ITS, rpoB, rpoC, polC, topIIA, tufB, arcA and smc. Complete 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that these strains were most closely related to M.ycoplasma phocicerebrale, and to M.ycoplasma arginini, M.ycoplasma gateae and M.ycoplasma canadense with nucleotide similarities of 99 and 98 %, respectively. Nucleotide analysis of other genetic loci revealed 73-91 % nucleotide similarity to the corresponding genes of the above closely related species. All five strains clustered into a distinct group on the 16S rRNA and rpoB phylogenetic trees. Serological testing via growth inhibition and metabolic inhibition tests employing antiserum to type strains of M. phocicerebrale, M. arginini, M. gateae and M. canadense failed to recognize these novel strains. Our results suggest that the strains isolated from southern sea otters represent a novel species of the genus Mycoplasma, for which the name Mycoplasma enhydrae sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is 6243-11 T (=DSM 106704 T =ATCC TSD-140 T ).

Three strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from the faeces of apparently healthy wild Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in 2010 by cultivating faecal LAB on Rogosa SL agar under aerobic conditions. These three isolates were found to share 99.9 % gene sequence similarity of their 16S rRNA, their 16S-23S intergenic transcribed spacer region (ITS), partial 23S rRNA, rpoB, rpoC, rpoA and pheS gene sequences. However, the three strains exhibited lower levels of sequence similarity of these genetic targets to all known LAB, and the phylogenetically closest species to the geese strains were Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus saniviri. In comparison to L. casei ATCC 393(T), L. paracasei ATCC 25302(T), L. rhamnosus ATCC 7469(T) and L. saniviri DSM 24301(T), the novel isolates reacted uniquely in tests for cellobiose, galactose, mannitol, citric acid, aesculin and dextrin, and gave negative results in tests for l-proline arylamidase and l-pyrrolydonyl-arylamidase, and in the Voges-Proskauer test. Biochemical tests for cellobiose, aesculin, galactose, gentiobiose, mannitol, melezitose, ribose, salicin, sucrose, trehalose, raffinose, turanose, amygdalin and arbutin could be used for differentiation between L. saniviri and the novel strains. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, and phylogenetic data, the three isolates represent a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus brantae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SL1108(T) (= ATCC BAA-2142(T) = LMG 26001(T) = DSM 23927(T)) and two additional strains are SL1170 and SL60106.