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Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer) is widely farmed as a sustainable source of protein for countries in the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. However, microbial species of the gut microbiome of healthy Asian Seabass remain largely uncharacterized and uncultured. Here, we analysed the microbial composition along the gastrointestinal tract of a farmed healthy Asian Seabass. We used different cultivation approaches to obtain isolates from the seabass intestinal tract and describe the isolation and characterization of a novel strain, TLL-SE01 T . Analysis of the strain's 16S rRNA gene indicates that the strain belongs to the family Vibrionaceae with Photobacterium damselae as its closest relative, albeit sharing only 94.8% (aligned region 1553 bp) nucleotide identity. Comparative genomic analysis with all validly published Vibrionaceae species with available genomes revealed average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA-DNA hybridisation (DDH) values of around 70% and 24% respectively to strain TLL-SE01 T , which are well below proposed thresholds for species delineation (ANI, 95-96%; DDH, 70%). The alignment fraction and ANI genus demarcation boundaries for all genera in the Vibrionaceae family were determined for which strain TLL-SE01 T is well below the calculated values, indicating that it belongs to a novel genus. Single- and core-gene phylogenetic analysis places strain TLL-SE01 T in a monophyletic clade, further supporting its designation to a novel genus. Phenotypic comparison between strain TLL-SE01 T and its close relatives indicated additional differences, such as growth response at different salt concentrations and different metabolic capabilities. Based on genotypic, phylogenetic and phenotypic differences to other Vibrionaceae species, we propose a novel species in a new genus, Parasalinivibrio latis gen. nov. sp. nov. and strain TLL-SE01 T (= BCRC 81435 T  = JCM 36283 T ) as the type strain., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

The majority of bacteria engaged in bioluminescent symbiosis are environmentally acquired and facultatively symbiotic. A few enigmatic bioluminescent symbionts have not been successfully cultured, which has led to speculation that they may be obligately dependent on their hosts. Here, we report the draft genome of the uncultured luminous symbiont of an anomalopid flashlight fish, 'Candidatus Photodesmus katoptron'. The genome of the anomalopid symbiont is reduced by 80% compared with close relatives and lacks almost all genes necessary for amino acid synthesis and for metabolism of energy sources other than glucose, supporting obligate dependence on the host for growth. 'Candidatus Photodesmus katoptron' is the first described obligate mutualistic symbiont of a vertebrate. Unlike most other obligate mutualists, the anomalopid symbiont genome has retained complete pathways for chemotaxis and motility as well as most genes involved in cell wall production, consistent with the hypothesis that these bacteria may be transmitted environmentally during an extra-host phase., (© 2013 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Grimontia indica strain AK16(T) sp. nov. is the type strain of G. indica sp. nov. a new species within the genus Grimontia. This strain, whose genome is described here, was isolated from seawater sample collected from southeast coast of Palk Bay, India. G. indica AK16(T) is a Gram-negative, facultative aerobic rod shaped bacterium. There are only two other strains in the genus Grimontia one of which, Grimontia hollisae CIP 101886(T), is a reported human pathogen isolated from human stool sample while the other, 'Grimontia marina IMCC5001(T)', was isolated from a seawater sample. As compared to the pathogenic strain Grimontia hollisae CIP 101886(T), the strain AK16(T) lacks some genes for pathogenesis like the accessory colonization factors AcfA and AcfD, which are required for the colonization of the bacterium in the host body. While it carries some pathogenesis genes like OmpU, which are related to pathogenesis of Vibrio strains. This suggests that the life cycle of AK16(T) may include some pathogenic interactions with marine animal(s), or it may be an opportunistic pathogen. Study of the Grimontia genus is important because of the severe pathogenic traits exhibited by a member of the genus with only three species reported in total. The study will provide some vital information which may be useful in future clinical studies on the genus.

The systematic position of some Vibrio species was ascertained by the method of molecular DNA -- DNA hybridization. The DNA of the brine vibrios V. costicola and V. fischeri were shown to have about 10% of sequences homologous with DNA of a typical cholera vibrio (V. cholerae eltor No. 334). Similarity between the genomes of other representatives of the Vibrionaceae family, as well as in DNA hybridization of V. costicola and V. fischeri, was found to be approximately on the same level. All species included into the genus, Vibrio on account of their phenotypic characteristics may be considered to have essential differences in the structures of their genomes.

The DNA of Allomonas, a new group of microorganisms, has been studied to determine the taxonomic status of this group. In the nucleotide composition of the DNA of a typical representative of this group 57.4 mol % G + C have been revealed, which permits to sharply differentiate Allomonas from vibrios and Plesiomonas. A relatively low level of similarity between the DNA of Allomonas and that of other representatives of the family Vibrionaceae has been determined by the method of molecular DNA hybridization (6-18% of homologies), this level being approximately the same in vibrios, Plesiomonas and Aeromonas. These data indicate the necessity of regarding Allomonas as a separate genus of the family Vibrionaceae.

A new group of microorganisms isolated from river and sewage water was studied by the method of molecular DNA-DNA hybridization and included into the family Vibrionaceae on account of their phenotypical properties. The genomes of the microorganisms belonging to this group proved to be highly similar (41-92% of homologies), which suggested that they were related on the genus level. The degree of similarity between the nucleotide sequences in the DNA of the bacteria under study and the DNA of other representatives of the family Vibrionaceae (the genera Vibrio, Beneckea, Aeromonas, Plesiomonas) amounting to 10-20% of homology indicates that the group of microorganisms under study forms a separate genus within the family Vibrionaceae.

By comparing the data on the nucleotide composition of DNA, and the phenotypic characteristics, most of the representatives of the genus Aeromonas were clearly differentiated from NAG vibrios isolated in the process of sanitary control of the environment. At the same time some microorganisms with the Aeromonas phenotype, but having a different DNA structure were detected. The use of the method of molecular DNA hybridization indicated that these bacteria were the taxons analogous to the genus Aeromonas.