Comparative genome analysis of the genus Marivirga and proposal of two novel marine species: Marivirga arenosa sp. nov., and Marivirga salinae sp. nov

Abstract

Background The phylum Bacteroidota represents a significant proportion of heterotrophic bacteria found in marine ecosystems. Members of the phylum Bacteroidota are actively involved in the degradation of biopolymers such as polysaccharides and proteins. Bacteroidota genomes exhibit a significant enrichment of various enzymes, including carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), carboxypeptidases, esterases, isomerases, peptidases, phosphatases, and sulfatases. The genus Marivirga, a member of the family Marivirgaceae within the phylum Bacteroidota, comprises six documented species. During a microbial diversity study, three novel Marivirga strains (BKB1-2^T, ABR2-2, and BDSF4-3^T) were isolated from the West Sea, Republic of Korea. Results To explore the taxonomic status and genomic characteristics of the novel isolates, we employed a polyphasic taxonomic approach, which included phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and comprehensive genome analysis. The three isolates were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, moderately halophilic, and had a gliding motility. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values among the two isolates, BKB1-2^T and BDSF4-3^T, and the six reference strains were 70.5–76.5% for ANI and 18.1–25.7% for dDDH. Interestingly, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the strains harbor genes for a comprehensive pathway for dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), as well as other nitrogen pathways for the reduction of nitrite, nitric oxide, and nitrous oxide. Additionally, the antiSMASH analysis indicated that the strains contained three to eight biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) associated with the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, the strains carried a high number of CAZyme ranging from 53 to 152, which was also demonstrated by an in vitro analysis of degradation of the polysaccharide cellulose, chitin, laminarin, starch, and xylan. Additionally, all the strains carried genes for the metabolism of heavy metals, and exhibited tolerance to heavy metals, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in millimoles (mM) in ranges of Co²⁺ (3–6), Cu²⁺ (0.2–0.4), Ni²⁺ (3–5), Zn²⁺ (2–4), Mn²⁺ (20–50), and Hg²⁺ (0.3). Conclusions Based on polyphasic taxonomic approach, the three isolated strains represent two novel species names Marivirga arenosa sp. nov. (BKB1-2^T = KCTC 82989^T = InaCC B1618^T), and Marivirga salinae sp. nov. (BDSF4-3^T = KCTC 82973^T = InaCC B1619^T).