Streptomyces corynorhini sp. nov., isolated from Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii)

Abstract

Four bacterial strains, with the capability of inhibiting Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of white-nose syndrome, were isolated from male Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii, Family: Vespertilionidae) in New Mexico. Isolates AC161, AC162, AC208, and AC230^T were characterised as a novel clade using morphological, phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis. A draft genome of the type strain was completed to determine its taxonomy and secondary metabolite biosynthetic potential. Multi-locus sequence analysis nests AC230^T with neighbours Streptomyces scopuliridis (NRRL B-24574^T), Streptomyces lushanensis (NRRL B-24994^T), Streptomyces odonnellii (NRRL B-24891^T) and Streptomyces niveus (NRRL 2466^T). Further phylogenetic analysis showed the MLSA distances between AC230^T and its near neighbours are much greater than the generally accepted threshold (> 0.007) for bacterial species delineation. DNA-DNA relatedness between AC230^T and its near neighbours ranged between 25.7 ± 2.1 and 29.9 ± 2.4%. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of the type strain is 71.7 mol%. Isolate AC230^T presents a white to ivory hue on most ISP media and its micromorphology exhibits ovoid spores with smooth surfaces in flexuous chains. Based on our study of AC230^T, the strain warrants the assignment to a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces corynorhini sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AC230^T (= JCM 33171^T, = ATCC TSD155^T).

Keywords: Actinobacteria; Bat; Streptomyces; Taxonomy; White-nose syndrome.