Pacificimonas aurantium sp. nov., Isolated from the Seawater of the Pacific Ocean

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Marine Biology
• Bacteriology

Background:

• The genus Pacificimonas comprises marine bacteria with ecological significance.
• Characterization of novel marine microorganisms is crucial for understanding ocean biodiversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a novel bacterium from Pacific Ocean surface water.
• To determine the phylogenetic and genomic placement of the novel isolate.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and cultivation of bacteria from marine samples.
• Morphological, physiological, and biochemical characterization.
• 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and phylogenetic analysis.
• Fatty acid and polar lipid profiling.
• G+C content determination.

Main Results:

• A novel aerobic, Gram-negative, non-flagellated, gliding bacterium (JLT2012(T)) was isolated.
• The bacterium formed orange colonies and contained ubiquinone Q-10 and specific polyamines.
• Phylogenetic analysis placed JLT2012(T) within the genus Pacificimonas, distinct from known species.
• Highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.0%) was found with Pacificimonas flava JLT2015(T).
• Genomic DNA G+C content was 65.5 mol%.

Conclusions:

• Strain JLT2012(T) represents a novel species, Pacificimonas aurantium sp. nov.
• The proposed name reflects the bacterium's characteristic orange colony pigmentation.