Bifidobacterium bombi sp. nov., from the bumblebee digestive tract

Killer, J., Kopecny, J., Mrazek, J., Rada, V., Benada, O., Koppova, I., Havlik, J. and Straka, J. (2009) Bifidobacterium bombi sp. nov., from the bumblebee digestive tract. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 59(8), pp. 2020-2024. (doi: 10.1099/ijs.0.002915-0) (PMID:19567560)

Abstract

Gram-positive-staining, anaerobic, non-spore-forming, lactate- and acetate-producing bacterial strains were isolated from the digestive tracts of different bumblebee species (Bombus lucorum, Bombus pascuorum and Bombus lapidarius). All of the isolates produced fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase activity. A representative strain, BluCI/TPT, was characterized further. Cells of strain BluCI/TPT showed occasional bifurcation and irregular constrictions. The bacterium utilized a wide range of carbohydrates. Glucose was fermented to acetate and lactate. The DNA base composition was 47.2 mol% G+C. Complete 16S rRNA and partial hsp60 gene sequences were obtained and phylogenetic relationships were determined. Strain BluCI/TPT and related isolates were located in the actinobacterial cluster and were closely related to the genera Bifidobacterium, Scardovia, Aeriscardovia and Parascardovia. The results presented support the proposal of a novel species to accommodate strain BluCI/TPT, with the name Bifidobacterium bombi sp. nov.; the type strain is BluCI/TPT (=DSM 19703T =ATCC BAA-1567T).

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Havlik, Dr Jaroslav
• Authors: Killer, J., Kopecny, J., Mrazek, J., Rada, V., Benada, O., Koppova, I., Havlik, J., and Straka, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
• Publisher: Microbiology Society
• ISSN: 1466-5026
• ISSN (Online): 1466-5034
• Published Online: 01 August 2009