Arthrobacter nasiphocae sp. nov., from the common seal (Phoca vitulina)

Collins, M. D., Hoyles, L., Foster, G., Falsen, E. and Weiss, N. (2002) Arthrobacter nasiphocae sp. nov., from the common seal (Phoca vitulina). International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 52 (2). pp. 569-571. ISSN 1466-5034

Abstract/Summary

An unknown gram-positive, catalase-positive, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from the nasal cavities of two common seals. Chemical analysis revealed the presence in the bacterium of a hitherto unknown cell-wall murein [type: L-Lys-L-Ala2-Gly(2-3)-L-Ala (Gly)]. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the unidentified rod was related to the Arthrobacter group of organisms, although sequence divergence values of >3% from established members of this genus indicated that it represents a novel species. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from seals (Phoca vitulina) be classified as a novel species, Arthrobacter nasiphocae sp. nov. The type strain of Arthrobacter nasiphocae is CCUG 42953T.