Description and genome-wide analysis of Profundicola chukchiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., marine bacteria isolated from bottom sediments of the Chukchi Sea

Two Gram-negative, aerobic halophilic non-motile strains designated KMM 9713 and KMM 9724(T) were isolated from the bottom sediments sampled from the Chukchi Sea in the Arctic Ocean, Russia. The novel strains grew in 0.5−5% NaCl, at 7−42°C, and pH 5.5−10.5. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences revealed that strains KMM 9713 and KMM 9724(T) were close to each other and shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 91.28% with the type strain Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale DSM 15997(T) and 90.15–90.92% with the members of the genus Empedobacter in the family Weeksellaceae. Phylogenetic trees indicated that strains KMM 9713 and KMM 9724(T) formed a distinct line adjacent to their relative O. rhinotracheale DSM 15997(T). The average nucleotide identity values between strain KMM 9724(T) and O. rhinotracheale DSM 15997(T), Empedobacter brevis NBRC 14943(T), and Moheibacter sediminis CGMCC 1.12708(T) were 76.73%, 75.78%, and 74.65%, respectively. The novel strains contained the predominant menaquinone MK-6 and the major fatty acids of iso-C(17:0) 3-OH, iso-C(15:0) followed by iso-C(17:1)ω6. Polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one an unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids, and two or three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C contents of 34.5% and 34.7% were calculated from genome sequence of the strains KMM 9713 and KMM 9724(T), respectively. Based on the phylogenetic evidence and distinctive phenotypic characteristics, strains KMM 9713 and KMM 9724(T) are proposed to be classified as a novel genus and species Profundicola chukchiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Profundicola chukchiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is strain KMM 9724(T) (= KACC 22806(T)).