Complete genome sequence of Paracoccus marcusii phage vB_PmaS-R3 isolated from the South China Sea

Paracoccus spp. are isolated from both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, indicating their ubiquitous existence in the environment. Here we present the first phage isolated from this genus, vB_PmaS-R3, and its complete genome sequence. Paracoccus phage vB_PmaS-R3 is a siphophage isolated from the South China Sea. The genome sequence is 42,093 bp, with a G + C content of 56.36 %. Fifty-two open reading frames were predicted from the genome. The genome can mainly be divided into three regions: genes for DNA metabolism, regulatory genes and structure forming genes. Genes encoding DNA metabolism and structural proteins showed high sequence homology to corresponding genes of Burkholderia phage KL1 and Pseudomonas phage PA73. In addition, four gene transfer agent-like genes were found in the vB_PmaS-R3 genome. A putative L-alanoyl-D-glutamate peptidase was predicted as the endolysin. A MazG gene was found in the vB_PmaS-R3 genome, which indicates genomic adaption to the nutrient-limited marine environment. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40793-015-0089-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.