Formosa algae gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae

Abstract

Four light-yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, short-rod-shaped, non-motile isolates were obtained from enrichment culture during degradation of the thallus of the brown algaFucus evanescens. The isolates studied were chemo-organotrophic, alkalitolerant and mesophilic. Polar lipids were analysed and phosphatidylethanolamine was the only phospholipid identified. The predominant cellular fatty acids were 15 : 0, i15 : 0, ai15 : 0, i15 : 1 and 15 : 1(n-6). The DNA G+C contents of the four strains were 34·0–34·4 mol%. The level of DNA relatedness of the four isolates was conspecific (88–98 %), indicating that they belong to the same species. The 16S rDNA sequence of strain KMM 3553Twas determined. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that KMM 3553Tformed a distinct phyletic line in the phylumBacteroidetes, classFlavobacteriain the familyFlavobacteriaceaeand that, phylogenetically, this strain could be placed almost equidistant from the generaGelidibacterandPsychroserpens(16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 94 %). On the basis of significant differences in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is suggested that the isolates represent a novel species in a new genus; the nameFormosa algaegen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 3553T(=CIP 107684T).