Halorubrum ezzemoulense sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from Ezzemoul sabkha, Algeria

Abstract

A novel extremely halophilic archaeon was isolated from Ezzemoul sabkha, Algeria. The strain, designated 5.1T, was neutrophilic, motile and Gram-negative. At least 15 % (w/v) NaCl was required for growth. The isolate grew at pH 6.5–9.0, with optimum growth at pH 7.0–7.5. Mg2+ was required for growth. Polar lipids were C20C20 derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, and phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and sulfated diglycosyl diether. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 5.1T was 61.9 mol% (T m). Phylogenetic analysis based on comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 5.1T clustered with Halorubrum species. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 5.1T from other Halorubrum species. The name Halorubrum ezzemoulense sp. nov. (type strain 5.1T=CECT 7099T=DSM 17463T) is proposed.