Spirochaete genome identified in red abalone sample represents a novel genus < em > Candidatus < /em > Haliotispira gen. nov. within the order < em > Spirochaetales < /em >

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2024 Jan;74(1). doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006198.ABSTRACTA fully assembled spirochaete genome was identified as a contaminating scaffold in our red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) genome assembly. In this paper, we describe the analysis of this bacterial genome. The assembled spirochaete genome is 3.25 Mb in size with 48.5 mol% G+C content. The proteomes of 38 species were compared with the spirochaete genome and it was discovered to form an independent branch within the family Spirochaetaceae on the phylogenetic tree. The comparison of 16S rRNA sequences and average nucleotide identity scores between the spirochaete genome with known species of different families in Spirochaetia indicate that it is an unknown species. Further, the percentage of conserved proteins compared to neighbouring taxa confirm that it does not belong to a known genus within Spirochaetaceae. We propose the name Candidatus Haliotispira prima gen. nov., sp. nov. based on its taxonomic placement and origin. We also tested for the presence of this species in different species of abalone and found that it is also present in white abalone (Haliotis sorenseni). In addition, we highlight the need for better classification of taxa within the class Spirochaetia.PMID:38179990 | DOI:10.1099/ijsem.0.006198

Source: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology - January 5, 2024 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sharu Paul Sharma Catherine M Purcell John R Hyde Andrew J Severin Source Type: research