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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY logo International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology

Volume 75, Issue 11

Comprehensive genomic review of the genus with the proposal of two new subspecies No Access

Abstract

is a genus of moderately halophilic bacteria within the class , commonly isolated from diverse saline environments. Traditional phenotypic methods have proven insufficient to resolve taxonomic boundaries among closely related species in this genus. With the advent of whole-genome sequencing, genome-based analyses have become essential for accurate species and subspecies delineation. This study used comprehensive phenotypic and genomic comparisons to investigate the taxonomic relationship between YIM 95161 and MK-B5. Phylogenomic analyses based on core gene alignments revealed that YIM 95161 and MK-B5 form a robust monophyletic clade, consistent with high average nucleotide identity (>96%) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values (>70%), confirming their membership within the same species. However, notable and consistent differences in growth physiology, enzymatic activity, fatty acid composition and genomic G+C content (69.5 mol% vs. 63.4–63.6 mol%) support the recognition of two distinct subspecies. Carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) repertoires also revealed divergence in CAZyme profiles, aligning with ecological differentiation. Therefore, we propose that YIM 95161 be reclassified as subsp. subsp. nov., while MK-B5ᵀ be retained as subsp. subsp. nov. This refined classification highlights the value of integrated genomic and phenotypic approaches in resolving intraspecific structure and improving taxonomic resolution within halophilic bacterial genera.

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Keyword(s): average nucleotide identity (ANI) , digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) , genomics , reclassification , Salinisphaera orenii subsp. halophila and Salinisphaera orenii subsp. orenii
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2025-11-27
2025-12-16

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Comprehensive genomic review of the genus Salinisphaera with the proposal of two new subspecies
Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 75, 006975 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1099/ijsem.0.006975
/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.006975
/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.006975
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