Gramella marina sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

Abstract

The taxonomic position of a novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, heterotrophic, gliding, yellow-orange-pigmented bacterium, isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and designated strain KMM 6048 T, was established. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the isolate was a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae affiliated with recognized species of the genus Gramella, forming a distinct lineage within the genus. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain KMM 6048T and the type strains of species of the genus Gramella were 97.4-98.4 %. In line with representative members of the genus Gramella, strain KMM 6048T was oxidase- and catalase-positive, hydrolysed gelatin and starch, utilized carbohydrates and possessed a DNA G+C content of 40.0 mol%. However, differentiating phenotypic traits and phylogenetic distinctiveness clearly indicated that the strain represented a novel species within the genus Gramella, for which the name Gramella marina sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is KMM 6048T (=KCTC 12366 T=LMG 25418T). ⓒ 2010 IUMS.