Vibrio neptunius sp. nov., Vibrio brasiliensis sp. nov. and Vibrio xuii sp. nov., isolated from the marine aquaculture environment (bivalves, fish, rotifers and shrimps)

Collapse of scallop Nodipecten nodosus production in the tropical Southeast Brazil as a possible consequence of global warming and water pollution

Mollusc rearing is a relevant global socioeconomic activity. However, this activity has faced severe problems in the last years in southeast Brazil. The mariculture scallop production dropped from 51,2 tons in 2016 to 10,2 tons in 2022 in the Baia da Ilha Grande (BIG; Rio de Janeiro). However, the possible causes of this collapse are unknown. This study aimed to analyze decadal trends of water quality in Nodipecten nodosus spat and adult production in BIG. We also performed physical-chemical and biological water quality analyses of three scallop farms and two nearby locations at BIG in 2022 to evaluate possible environmental stressors and risks. Scallop spat production dropped drastically in the last five years (2018-2022: mean ± stdev: 0.47 ± 0.45 million). Spat production was higher in colder waters and during peaks of Chlorophyll a in the last 13 years. Reduction of Chlorophyll a coincided with decreasing spat production in the last five years. Warmer periods (>27 °C) of the year may hamper scallop development. Counts of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Vibrios) and Escherichia coli were significantly higher in warmer periods which may further reduce scallop productivity. Shotgun metagenomics of seawater samples from the five studied corroborated these culture-based counts. Vibrios and fecal indicator bacteria metagenomic sequences were abundant across the entire study area throughout 2022. The results of this study suggest the collapse of scallop mariculture is the result of a synergistic negative effect of global warming and poor seawater quality.

Vibrio intestinalis sp. nov., isolated from intestine of seahorse

A novel Gram-stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, facultatively anaerobic, and rod-shaped motile bacterial strain, designated as YLB-11^T, was isolated from seahorse intestine. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that YLB-11^T was most closely related Vibrio mytili LMG 19157^T (98.9 % nucleotide sequence identity). Phylogenetic analysis placed strain YLB-11^T within the genus Vibrio. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16: 1 ω6c/C_16 : 1 ω7c, 36.4 %), C_16 : 0 (19.1 %) and summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c/C_18:1 ω7c, 12.3 %). The DNA G+C content of YLB-11^T was 44.7 mol %. The in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values for whole-genome sequence comparisons between YLB-11^T and related species were clearly below the thresholds used for the delineation of a novel species. Therefore, YLB-11^T is considered to represent novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio intestinalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YLB-11^T (=MCCC 1A17441^T=KCTC 72604^T).

Vibrio ostreae sp. nov., a novel gut bacterium isolated from a Yellow Sea oyster

A Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, facultative anaerobic motile bacterium, designated strain OG9-811^T, was isolated from the gut of an oyster collected in the Yellow Sea, Republic of Korea. The strain grew at 10-37 °C, pH 6.0-9.0 and with 0.5-10% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain OG9-811^T affiliated with the genus Vibrio, with the highest sequence similarity of 98.2% to Vibrio coralliilyticus ATCC BAA-450^T followed by Vibrio variabilis R-40492^T (98.0 %), Vibrio hepatarius LMG 20362^T (97.7 %) and Vibrio neptunius LMG 20536^T (97.6 %); other relatives were Vibrio tritonius JCM 16456^T (97.4 %), Vibrio fluvialis NBRC 103150^T (97.0 %) and Vibrio furnissii CIP 102972^T (97.0 %). The complete genome of strain OG9-811^T comprised two chromosomes of a total 4 807 684 bp and the G+C content was 50.2 %. Results of analysis based on the whole genome sequence showed the distinctiveness of strain OG9-811^T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain OG9-811^T and the closest strains V. coralliilyticus ATCC BAA-450^T, V. variabilis R-40492^T, V. hepatarius LMG 20362^T, V. neptunius KCTC 12702^T , V. tritonius JCM 16456^T, V. fluvialis ATCC 33809^T and V. furnissi CIP 102972^T were 73.0, 72.6, 73.3, 73.0, 72.7, 78.5 and 77.8 %, respectively, while the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain OG9-811^T and the above closely related strains were 20.8, 21.2, 20.8, 21.7, 20.7, 23.2 and 22.4 %, respectively. The major fatty acids of strain OG9-811^T were summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c), summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c and/or C_18:1 ω7c) and C_16:0. The polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Strain OG9-811^T contained Q-8 as a quinone. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic characteristics, strain OG9-811^T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Vibrio ostreae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is OG9-811^T (=KCTC 72623^T=GDMCC 1.2610^T).

Vibrio tetraodonis subsp. pristinus subsp. nov., isolated from the coral Acropora cytherea at Palmyra Atoll, and creation and emended description of Vibrio tetraodonis subsp. tetraodonis subsp. nov

Strain OCN044^T was isolated from the homogenised tissue and mucus of an apparently healthy Acropora cytherea coral fragment collected from the western reef terrace of Palmyra Atoll in the Northern Line Islands and was taxonomically evaluated with a polyphasic approach. The morphological and chemotaxonomic properties are consistent with characteristics of the genus Vibrio: Gram-stain-negative rods, oxidase- and catalase-positive, and motile by means of a polar flagellum. Strain OCN044^T can be differentiated as a novel subspecies based on 21 differences among chemotaxonomic features (e.g., fatty acids percentages for C_12:0 and C_18:1 ω7c), enzymatic activities (e.g., DNase and cystine arylamidase), and carbon sources utilized (e.g., L-xylose and D-melezitose) from its nearest genetic relative. Phylogenetic analysis and genomic comparisons show close evolutionary relatedness to Vibrio tetraodonis A511^T but the overall genomic relatedness indices identify strain OCN044^T as a distinct subspecies. Based on a polyphasic characterisation, differences in genomic and taxonomic data, strain OCN044^T represents a novel subspecies of V. tetraodonis A511^T, for which the name Vibrio tetraodonis subsp. pristinus subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is OCN044^T (= LMG 31895^T = DSM 111778^T).

The Vibrio vulnificus stressosome is an oxygen-sensor involved in regulating iron metabolism

Stressosomes are stress-sensing protein complexes widely conserved among bacteria. Although a role in the regulation of the general stress response is well documented in Gram-positive bacteria, the activating signals are still unclear, and little is known about the physiological function of stressosomes in the Gram-negative bacteria. Here we investigated the stressosome of the Gram-negative marine pathogen Vibrio vulnificus. We demonstrate that it senses oxygen and identified its role in modulating iron-metabolism. We determined a cryo-electron microscopy structure of the VvRsbR:VvRsbS stressosome complex, the first solved from a Gram-negative bacterium. The structure points to a variation in the VvRsbR and VvRsbS stoichiometry and a symmetry breach in the oxygen sensing domain of VvRsbR, suggesting how signal-sensing elicits a stress response. The findings provide a link between ligand-dependent signaling and an output – regulation of iron metabolism - for a stressosome complex.

A cryo-electron microscopy reconstruction of a stressosome complex from a Gram-negative bacterium, Vibrio vulnificus, reveals variations in subunit composition and symmetry, which could serve to adjust the activation threshold in the response to low levels of oxygen and starvation.

Molecular identification and antibiotic resistance patterns of diverse bacteria associated with shrimp PL nurseries of Bangladesh: suspecting Acinetobacter venetianus as future threat

Shrimp aquaculture has been accomplished with breeding and nursing of shrimp in an artificial environment to fulfill the increasing demand of shrimp consumption worldwide. However, the microbial diseases appear as a serious problem in this industry. The study was designed to identify the diverse bacteria from shrimp PL (post-larvae) nurseries and to profile antibiotic resistance patterns. The rearing water (raw seawater, treated and outlet water) and shrimp PL were collected from eight nurseries of south-west Bangladesh. Using selective agar plates, thirty representative isolates were selected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, antibiotic susceptibility test and MAR index calculation. Representative isolates were identified as Aeromonas caviae, Pseudomonas monteilii, Shewanella algae, Vibrio alginolyticus, V. brasiliensis, V. natriegens, V. parahaemolyticus, V. shilonii, V. xuii, Zobellella denitrificans which are Gram-negative, and Bacillus licheniformis and B. pumilus which are Gram-positive. Notably, six strains identified as Acinetobacter venetianus might be a concern of risk for shrimp industry. The antibiotic resistance pattern reveals that the strain YWO8-97 (identified as P. monteilii) was resistant to all twelve antibiotics. Ceftazidime was the most powerful antibiotic since most of the studied strains were sensitive against it. The six strains of A. venetianus showed multiple antibiotic resistance patterns. MAR index were ranged from 0.08 to 1.0, and values of 26 isolates were more than 0.2 which means prior high exposure to the antibiotics. From the present study, it can be concluded that shrimp PL nurseries in southern part of Bangladesh are getting contaminated with antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria.

An Integrative, Multiparametric Approach for the Comprehensive Assessment of Microbial Quality and Pollution in Aquaculture Systems

As the aquaculture sector significantly expanded worldwide in the past decades, the concept of sustainable aquaculture has developed with the challenge of not only maximizing benefits but also minimizing the negative impacts on the environment assuring, at the same time, food security. In this framework, monitoring and improving the microbiological water quality and animal health are a central topic. In the present study, we evaluated the seawater microbiological quality in a mariculture system located in a Mediterranean coastal area (Northern Ionian Sea, Italy). We furnished, for the first time, a microbial inventory based on conventional culture-based methods, integrated with the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach for vibrios identification and diversity analyses, and further implemented with microbial metabolic profiling data obtained from the Biolog EcoPlate system. Microbiological pollution indicators, vibrios diversity, and microbial metabolism were determined in two different times of the year (July and December). All microbial parameters measured in July were markedly increased compared to those measured in December. The presence of potentially pathogenic vibrios is discussed concerning the risk of fish disease and human infections. Thus, the microbial inventory here proposed might represent a new multiparametric approach for the suitable surveillance of the microbial quality in a mariculture system. Consequently, it could be useful for ensuring the safety of both the reared species and the consumers in the light of sustainable, eco-friendly aquaculture management.

Vibrio neptunius Produces Piscibactin and Amphibactin and Both Siderophores Contribute Significantly to Virulence for Clams

Vibrio neptunius is an inhabitant of mollusc microbiota and an opportunistic pathogen causing disease outbreaks in marine bivalve mollusc species including oysters and clams. Virulence of mollusc pathogenic vibrios is mainly associated with the production of extracellular products. However, siderophore production is a common feature in pathogenic marine bacteria but its role in fitness and virulence of mollusc pathogens remains unknown. We previously found that V. neptunius produces amphibactin, one of the most abundant siderophores in marine microbes. In this work, synthesis of the siderophore piscibactin was identified as the second siderophore produced by V. neptunius. Single and double mutants in biosynthetic genes of each siderophore system, piscibactin and amphibactin, were constructed in V. neptunius and their role in growth ability and virulence was characterized. Although the High Pathogenicity Island encoding piscibactin is a major virulence factor in vibrios pathogenic for fish, the V. neptunius wild type did not cause mortality in turbot. The results showed that amphibactin contributes more than piscibactin to bacterial fitness in vitro. However, infection challenges showed that each siderophore system contributes equally to virulence for molluscs. The V. neptunius strain unable to produce any siderophore was severely impaired to cause vibriosis in clams. Although the inactivation of one of the two siderophore systems (either amphibactin or piscibactin) significantly reduced virulence compared to the wild type strain, the ability to produce both siderophores simultaneously maximised the degree of virulence. Evaluation of the gene expression pattern of each siderophore system showed that they are simultaneously expressed when V. neptunius is cultivated under low iron availability in vitro and ex vivo. Finally, the analysis of the distribution of siderophore systems in genomes of Vibrio spp. pathogenic for molluscs showed that the gene clusters encoding amphibactin and piscibactin are widespread in the Coralliilyticus clade. Thus, siderophore production would constitute a key virulence factor for bivalve molluscs pathogenic vibrios.

Characterization of a novel shrimp pathogen, Vibrio brasiliensis, isolated from Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

A novel pathogenic strain Vibrio 20190611023 was isolated from the hepatopancreas of moribund cultured Penaeus vannamei suffering from black gill disease. This strain was identified as V. brasiliensis based on the phylogenetic analyses of 16S rDNA gene and five other housekeeping genes (i.e., gapA, ftsZ, mreB, topA and gyrB). Some biochemical features of this strain were determined with an API 20NE system, and its haemolytic activity was determined using a sheep blood agar plate. The pathogenicity of this isolate 20190611023 was confirmed by the experimental challenge tests and histopathological examinations. P. vannamei were challenged via reverse gavage with different doses of bacterial suspensions. The calculated median lethal dose (LD₅₀ ) was (3.16 ± 1.78) × 10⁵  CFU/g (body weight). Moreover, antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed, the results of which showed that the strain 20190611023 was sensitive to chloramphenicol, compound sulphamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and oxacillin, but resistant to erythromycin, kanamycin, gentamicin, cefoperazone, ceftriaxone, cefamezin and piperacillin. To our knowledge, this is the first report for demonstrating V. brasiliensis as a shrimp pathogen, which expands the host range of V. brasiliensis infection. The present study highlights that more attention should be paid to this novel pathogen in intensive shrimp aquaculture.

The Vibriolysin-Like Protease VnpA and the Collagenase ColA Are Required for Full Virulence of the Bivalve Mollusks Pathogen Vibrio neptunius

Vibrio neptunius is an important pathogen of bivalve mollusks worldwide. Several metalloproteases have been described as virulence factors in species of Vibrio that are pathogenic to bivalves, but little is known about the contribution of these potential virulence factors to Vibrio neptunius pathogenesis. In silico analysis of the genome of V. neptunius strain PP-145.98 led to the identification of two hitherto uncharacterized chromosomal loci encoding a probable vibriolysin-like metalloprotease and a putative collagenase, which were designated VnpA and ColA, respectively. Single defective mutants of each gene were obtained in V. neptunius PP-145.98, and the phospholipase, esterase and collagenase activities were studied and compared with those of the wild-type strain. The results showed that the single inactivation of vnpA resulted in a 3-fold reduction in phospholipase/esterase activity. Inactivation of colA reduced the collagenase activity by 50%. Finally, infection challenges performed in oyster larvae showed that ΔvnpA and ΔcolA—single mutant strains of V. neptunius—are between 2–3-fold less virulent than the wild-type strain. Thus, the present work demonstrates that the production of both VnpA and ColA is required for the full virulence of the bivalve pathogen V. neptunius.

The influence of diet on the microbiota of live-feed rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) used in commercial fish larviculture

Live-feed is indispensable to commercial fish larviculture. However, high bacterial loads in rotifers could pose a biosecurity risk. While this may be true, live-feed associated bacteria could also be beneficial to fish larvae through improved feed utilization or pathogen inhibition following host microbiota modification. The study objective was to elucidate the largely unexplored microbiota of rotifers propagated on five different diets through bacterial community profiling by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Investigated rotifer samples had a median observed alpha-diversity of 338 ± 87 bacterial species. Alpha- and Gamma-Proteobacteria dominated the rotifer microbiota followed by members of classes Flavobacteriia, Cytophagia, Mollicutes, Phycisphaerae and Bacteroidia. Different diets significantly altered the bacterial communities associated with rotifers according to PERMANOVA test results and beta dispersion calculations. A common core rotifer microbiome included 31 bacterial species present in relative abundances over 0.01%. We discuss the functional role of some microbiome members. Our data suggested the presence of several known fish pathogens in stock rotifers. However, we found no evidence for increased loads of these presumptive taxa in propagated live-feed rotifers during this field trial.

Vibrio and major commercially important vibriosis diseases in decapod crustaceans

Bacteria fromthe Vibriogenus are autochthonous to aquatic environments and ubiquitous in aquaculture production systems. Many Vibrio species are non-pathogenic and can be commonly found in healthy farmed aquatic animals. However, some Vibrio species and strains are pathogenic leading to a variety of 'vibriosis' diseases. These diseases can have a significant negative impact on animal production, including farmed crustaceans such as shrimps, lobsters, and crabs. As such, vibriosis can pose a threat to meeting growing food demand and global food security. Preventive management is essential to avoid the onset of vibriosis. This includes a robust health management plan, the use of prophylaxis and treatment measures, and enhancing animal health through nutrition. Furthermore, the use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, quorum sensing disruption, green water, biofloc, bacteriophages, and immune priming could also play a role in preventing and controlling a vibriosis outbreak. This review aims to inform and update the reader about the current state of knowledge about Vibrio and associated vibriosis in farmed crustaceans (i.e. shrimp, lobster, and crabs). Furthermore, the review will identify potential knowledge gaps in the literature, which serves as a basis for future research priorities.

The marine bivalve molluscs pathogen Vibrio neptunius produces the siderophore amphibactin, which is widespread in molluscs microbiota

Amphiphilic siderophores, including amphibactins, are the most abundant siderophores in oceans. Genes putatively encoding the amphibactin system were proposed in some bacteria and homologues of these genes are particularly abundant in multiple bacterial lineages inhabitant of low-iron seawater. However, since no defective mutant strains in any of these genes were studied to date, their role in amphibactin synthesis or uptake was not demonstrated. In this work, an in silico analysis of the genome of the mollusc pathogen Vibrio neptunius leads us to identify a gene cluster (denoted absABDEF) that is predicted to encode an amphibactin-like siderophore and several mutant strains unable to synthesize or use siderophores were constructed. The results showed that genes absABDEF are required for amphibactin synthesis. A comparative chemical analysis of V. neptunius wild type and biosynthesis mutants allowed us to identify a mixture of nine amphibactin forms produced by this bacterium. In addition, the gene abtA is predicted to encode the ferri-amphibactin outer membrane transporter. The prevalence of the amphibactin system in bivalve hemolymph microbiota was also studied. We found that the amphibactin system is widespread in hemolymph microbiota including both commensal and pathogenic bacterial species. Thus, its contribution to bacterial fitness must be more related to environmental persistence than to pathogenicity.

Antagonism of Quorum Sensing Phenotypes by Analogs of the Marine Bacterial Secondary Metabolite 3-Methyl-N-(2'-Phenylethyl)-Butyramide

Quorum sensing (QS) antagonists have been proposed as novel therapeutic agents to combat bacterial infections. We previously reported that the secondary metabolite 3-methyl-N-(2'-phenylethyl)-butyramide, produced by a marine bacterium identified as Halobacillus salinus, inhibits QS controlled phenotypes in multiple Gram-negative reporter strains. Here we report that N-phenethyl hexanamide, a structurally-related compound produced by the marine bacterium Vibrio neptunius, similarly demonstrates QS inhibitory properties. To more fully explore structure-activity relationships within this new class of QS inhibitors, a panel of twenty analogs was synthesized and biologically evaluated. Several compounds were identified with increased attenuation of QS-regulated phenotypes, most notably N-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-phenylpropanamide against the marine pathogen Vibrio harveyi (IC₅₀ = 1.1 µM). These findings support the opportunity to further develop substituted phenethylamides as QS inhibitors.

New Insights into Pathogenic Vibrios Affecting Bivalves in Hatcheries: Present and Future Prospects

Hatcheries constitute nowadays the only viable solution to support the husbandry of bivalve molluscs due to the depletion and/or overexploitation of their natural beds. Hatchery activities include the broodstock conditioning and spawning, rearing larvae and spat, and the production of microalgae to feed all stages of the production cycle. However, outbreaks of disease continue to be the main bottleneck for successful larval and spat production, most of them caused by different representatives of the genus Vibrio. Therefore, attention must be paid on preventive and management measures that allow the control of such undesirable bacterial populations. The present review provides an updated picture of the recently characterized Vibrio species associated with disease of bivalve molluscs during early stages of development, including the controversial taxonomic affiliation of some of them and relevant advances in the knowledge of their virulence determinants. The problematic use of antibiotics, as well as its eco-friendly alternatives are also critically discussed.

Vibrio japonicus sp. nov., a novel member of the Nereis clade in the genus Vibrio isolated from the coast of Japan

A novel Vibrio strain, JCM 31412^T, was isolated from seawater collected from the Inland Sea (Setonaikai), Japan, and characterized as a Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, ovoid-shaped bacterium with one polar flagellum. Based on 16S rDNA gene identity, strain JCM 31412^T showed a close relationship with type strains of Vibrio brasiliensis (LMG 20546^T, 98.2% identity), V. harveyi (NBRC 15634^T, 98.2%), V. caribbeanicus (ATCC BAA-2122^T, 97.8%) and V. proteolyticus (NBRC 13287^T, 97.8%). The G+C content of strain JCM 31412^T DNA was 46.8%. Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) of eight loci (ftsZ, gapA, gyrB, mreB, pyrH, recA, rpoA and topA; 5535bp) further clustered strain JCM 31412^T in the Nereis clade, genus Vibrio. Phenotypically, strain JCM 31412^T differed from the closest related Vibrio species in its utilization of melibiose and raffinose, and its lack of casein and gelatin hydrolysis. It was further differentiated based on its fatty acid composition, specifically properties of C_12:03OH and summed features, which were significantly different from those of V. brasiliensis, V. nigripulchritudo and V. caribbeanicus type strains. Overall, the results of DNA-DNA hybridization, and physiological and biochemical analysis differentiated strain JCM 31412^T from other described species of the genus Vibrio. Based on these polyphasic taxonomic findings, it was therefore concluded that JCM 31412^T was a novel Vibrio species, for which the name Vibrio japonicus sp. nov. was proposed, with JCM 31412^T (= LMG 29636^T = ATCC TSD-62^T) as the type strain.

Vibrio bivalvicida sp. nov., a novel larval pathogen for bivalve molluscs reared in a hatchery

Three isolates were obtained from cultures of carpet shell clam (Ruditapes decussatus) reared in a bivalve hatchery (Galicia, NW Spain) from different sources: healthy broodstock, moribund larvae and the seawater corresponding to the larval tank. All isolates were studied by a polyphasic approach, including a phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated sequences of the five housekeeping genes ftsZ, gyrB, pyrH, recA and rpoA. The analysis supported their inclusion in the Orientalis clade of the genus Vibrio, and they formed a tight group separated from the closest relatives: Vibrio tubiashii subsp. europaensis, Vibrio tubiashii subsp. tubiashii and Vibrio orientalis. The percentages of genomic resemblance, including average nucleotide identity, DNA-DNA hybridization and in silico genome-to-genome comparison, between the type strain and the closest relatives were below values for species delineation and confirmed the taxonomic position of the new species, which could be differentiated from the related taxa on the basis of several phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, including FAME and MALDI-TOF-MS. The pathogenicity of the new species was demonstrated in larvae of R. decussatus, Ruditapes philippinarum, Ostrea edulis and Donax trunculus. The results demonstrated that the strains analyzed represented a novel species in the Orientalis clade of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio bivalvicida sp. nov. is proposed, with 605(T) (= CECT 8855(T)=CAIM 1904(T)) designated as the type strain.

Vibrio galatheae sp. nov., a member of the family Vibrionaceae isolated from a mussel

Based on genetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, a novel species belonging to the genus Vibrio is described. The facultatively anaerobic strain S2757T was isolated from a mussel collected in the Solomon Sea (Solomon Islands). Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of 16S rRNA and fur genes indicated affiliation of the strain to a novel species. This observation was supported by a multilocus sequence analysis including sequences of the housekeeping genes 16S rRNA, gyrB, pyrH, recA and topA. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values comparing the genomic sequence of strain S2757T with those of closely related type strains were lower than 23 and 82 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 45.3 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses clearly differentiated the strain from other Vibrio species. Hence, strain S2757T should be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio galatheae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2757T ( = DSM 100497T = LMG 28895T).

Rohul A, Sato K, Sato K, Mino S, Suda W, Oshima K, Hattori M, Ohkuma M, Meirelles PM, Thompson FL, Thompson C, A. Filho GM, Gomez-Gil B, Sawabe T, Sawabe T. Advanced Microbial Taxonomy Combined with Genome-Based-Approaches Reveals that Vibrio astriarenae sp. nov., an Agarolytic Marine Bacterium, Forms a New Clade in Vibrionaceae

Advances in genomic microbial taxonomy have opened the way to create a more universal and transparent concept of species but is still in a transitional stage towards becoming a defining robust criteria for describing new microbial species with minimum features obtained using both genome and classical polyphasic taxonomies. Here we performed advanced microbial taxonomies combined with both genome-based and classical approaches for new agarolytic vibrio isolates to describe not only a novel Vibrio species but also a member of a new Vibrio clade. Two novel vibrio strains (Vibrio astriarenae sp. nov. C7T and C20) showing agarolytic, halophilic and fermentative metabolic activity were isolated from a seawater sample collected in a coral reef in Okinawa. Intraspecific similarities of the isolates were identical in both sequences on the 16S rRNA and pyrH genes, but the closest relatives on the molecular phylogenetic trees on the basis of 16S rRNA and pyrH gene sequences were V. hangzhouensis JCM 15146T (97.8% similarity) and V. agarivorans CECT 5085T (97.3% similarity), respectively. Further multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) on the basis of 8 protein coding genes (ftsZ, gapA, gyrB, mreB, pyrH, recA, rpoA, and topA) obtained by the genome sequences clearly showed the V. astriarenae strain C7T and C20 formed a distinct new clade protruded next to V. agarivorans CECT 5085T. The singleton V. agarivorans has never been included in previous MLSA of Vibrionaceae due to the lack of some gene sequences. Now the gene sequences are completed and analysis of 100 taxa in total provided a clear picture describing the association of V. agarivorans into pre-existing concatenated network tree and concluded its relationship to our vibrio strains. Experimental DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) data showed that the strains C7T and C20 were conspecific but were separated from all of the other Vibrio species related on the basis of both 16S rRNA and pyrH gene phylogenies (e.g., V. agarivorans CECT 5085T, V. hangzhouensis JCM 15146T V. maritimus LMG 25439T, and V. variabilis LMG 25438T). In silico DDH data also supported the genomic relationship. The strains C7T also had less than 95% average amino acid identity (AAI) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) towards V. maritimus C210, V. variabilis C206, and V. mediterranei AK1T, V. brasiliensis LMG 20546T, V. orientalis ATCC 33934T, and V. sinaloensis DSM 21326. The name Vibrio astriarenae sp. nov. is proposed with C7 as the type strains. Both V. agarivorans CECT 5058T and V. astriarenae C7T are members of the newest clade of Vibrionaceae named Agarivorans.

Vibrio panuliri sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from spiny lobster, Panulirus penicillatus and transfer of Vibrio ponticus from Scophthalmi clade to the newly proposed Ponticus clade

A novel marine bacterium, strain LBS2(T) was isolated from eggs carried on pleopods of the spiny lobster collected from Andaman Sea. Heterotrophic growth occurred at 1-7% NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity revealed the strain LBS2(T) belonged to the genus Vibrio and showed above 97% similarity with eight type strains of the genus Vibrio. Multilocus analysis based on ftsZ, gapA, gyrB, mreB, pyrH recA, rpoA, and topA revealed LBS2(T) formed a separate cluster with Vibrio ponticus DSM 16217(T) with 89.8% multilocus gene sequence similarity. However, strain LBS2(T) is distantly related with other members of the Scophthalmi clade in terms of 16S rRNA signatures, phenotypic variations and multilocus gene sequence similarity, for which we propose LBS2(T) belongs to a new clade i.e. Ponticus clade with V. ponticus DSM 16217(T) as the representative type strain of the clade. DNA-DNA homologies between strain LBS2(T) and closely related strains were well below 70%. DNA G + C content was 45.3 mol%. On the basis of our polyphasic study, strain LBS2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio panuliri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LBS2(T) (= JCM 19500(T) = DSM 27724(T) = LMG 27902(T)).

Short chain N-acyl homoserine lactone production in tropical marine Vibrio sinaloensis strain T47

Quorum sensing (QS), acts as one of the gene regulatory systems that allow bacteria to regulate their physiological activities by sensing the population density with synchronization of the signaling molecules that they produce. Here, we report a marine isolate, namely strain T47, and its unique AHL profile. Strain T47 was identified using 16S rRNA sequence analysis confirming that it is a member of Vibrio closely clustered to Vibrio sinaloensis. The isolated V. sinaloensis strain T47 was confirmed to produce N-butanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) by using high resolution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. V. sinaloensis strain T47 also formed biofilms and its biofilm formation could be affected by anti-QS compound (cathechin) suggesting this is a QS-regulated trait in V. sinaloensis strain T47. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of AHL and biofilm production in V. sinaloensis strain T47.

Characterisation of a marine bacterium Vibrio brasiliensis T33 producing N-acyl homoserine lactone quorum sensing molecules

N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) plays roles as signal molecules in quorum sensing (QS) in most Gram-negative bacteria. QS regulates various physiological activities in relation with population density and concentration of signal molecules. With the aim of isolating marine water-borne bacteria that possess QS properties, we report here the preliminary screening of marine bacteria for AHL production using Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 as the AHL biosensor. Strain T33 was isolated based on preliminary AHL screening and further identified by using 16S rDNA sequence analysis as a member of the genus Vibrio closely related to Vibrio brasiliensis. The isolated Vibrio sp. strain T33 was confirmed to produce N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL) and N-(3-oxodecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C10 HSL) through high resolution tandem mass spectrometry analysis. We demonstrated that this isolate formed biofilms which could be inhibited by catechin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that documents the production of these AHLs by Vibrio brasiliensis strain T33.

Vibrio crosai sp. nov., isolated from a cultured oyster Crassostrea gigas

A motile, facultative anaerobic, marine bacterial isolate (CAIM 1437(T)) was obtained from a cultured oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in Sonora, México. The strain was studied by a phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the 16S rRNA and five housekeeping genes, i.e. ftsZ, gapA, pyrH, recA, and topA. Comparison of the almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence with those of other type strains of the genus Vibrio showed a close relationship with the type strains of Vibrio orientalis and Vibrio rotiferianus, with similarity values ranging from 98.4 to 98.3 %, respectively. MLSA placed this strain within the Orientalis clade. The DNA-DNA hybridization value of strain CAIM 1437(T) with V. orientalis was 59 % and with V. rotiferianus 55 %. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 45.6 mol %. Phenotypic characteristics also showed differences with the species analysed. The results presented here support the description of a novel species, for which the name Vibrio crosai sp. nov. is proposed, with CAIM 1437(T) (= DSM 27145(T)) as the type strain.

Vibrio ostreicida sp. nov., a new pathogen of bivalve larvae

The taxonomic position of the bivalve pathogen PP-203T was studied together with those of two similar isolates (PP-200 and PP-204). The bacterial strains were isolated from samples of young oyster spat in a bivalve hatchery in Galicia (NW Spain), which was continually affected by outbreaks of disease and severe mortalities. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the three strains formed a cluster within the genus Vibrio and were most closely related to Vibrio pectenicida DSM 19585T (97.9% similarity). Additional multilocus sequence analysis, including sequences of the housekeeping genes rpoA, recA, pyrH, gyrB and ftsZ, and DNA-DNA hybridization experiments indicated that the strains were distinct from currently known species of the genus Vibrio and confirmed the clustering of the three isolates. Several phenotypic features, such as growth in TCBS medium and nitrate reduction, proved useful for distinguishing the proposed novel species from its closest relatives. The findings support the description of a novel species to include the three isolates, for which the name Vibrio ostreicida sp. nov. (type strain PP-203T=CECT 7398T=DSM 21433T) is proposed.

New Vibrio species associated to molluscan microbiota: a review

The genus Vibrio consists of more than 100 species grouped in 14 clades that are widely distributed in aquatic environments such as estuarine, coastal waters, and sediments. A large number of species of this genus are associated with marine organisms like fish, molluscs and crustaceans, in commensal or pathogenic relations. In the last decade, more than 50 new species have been described in the genus Vibrio, due to the introduction of new molecular techniques in bacterial taxonomy, such as multilocus sequence analysis or fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism. On the other hand, the increasing number of environmental studies has contributed to improve the knowledge about the family Vibrionaceae and its phylogeny. Vibrio crassostreae, V. breoganii, V. celticus are some of the new Vibrio species described as forming part of the molluscan microbiota. Some of them have been associated with mortalities of different molluscan species, seriously affecting their culture and causing high losses in hatcheries as well as in natural beds. For other species, ecological importance has been demonstrated being highly abundant in different marine habitats and geographical regions. The present work provides an updated overview of the recently characterized Vibrio species isolated from molluscs. In addition, their pathogenic potential and/or environmental importance is discussed.

Vibrio zhuhaiensis sp. nov., isolated from a Japanese prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus)

A Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain E20121, was isolated from the digestive tract of a Japanese prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus) collected from the coastal sea water area of Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China. The new isolate was determined to be closely related to Vibrio ponticus DSM 16217(T), having 97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on recA, pyrH and rpoA also showed low levels of sequence similarities (72.6-96.6 %) with all species of the genus Vibrio. A multigene phylogenetic tree using concatenated sequences of the four genes (16S rRNA, rpoA, recA and pyrH) clearly showed that the new isolate is different from the currently known Vibrio species. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments revealed similarity values below 70 % with the closest related species V. ponticus DSM 16217(T). Several phenotypic traits enabled the differentiation of strain E20121 from the closest phylogenetic neighbours. The DNA G+C content of strain E20121 was determined to be 47.6 mol % and the major fatty acid components identified were C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c (39.8 %), C18:1ω7c (13.6 %) and C16:0 (9.6 %). Based on genotypic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA-DNA hybridization analyses, strain E20121 is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio for which the name Vibrio zhuhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E20121(T)(=DSM 25602(T) = CCTCC AB 2011174(T)).

Vibrio variabilis sp. nov. and Vibrio maritimus sp. nov., isolated from Palythoa caribaeorum

Two novel vibrio isolates (R-40492T and R-40493T) originating from the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum in Brazil in 2005 were taxonomically characterized by means of a polyphasic approach comprising multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH), ΔT m analysis and phenotypic characterization. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that R-40492T and R-40493T fell within the genus Vibrio and were most closely related to each other with 99 % similarity; similarities of these two novel isolates towards Vibrio neptunius LMG 20536T, Vibrio coralliilyticus LMG 20984T, Vibrio nigripulchritudo LMG 3896T, Vibrio sinaloensis LMG 25238T and Vibrio brasiliensis LMG 20546T varied between 97.1 and 98.5 %. DDH experiments showed that the two isolates had less than 15 % relatedness to the phylogenetically most closely related Vibrio species. R-40492T and R-40493T had 55–57 % relatedness to each other. The ΔTm between R-40492T and R-40493T was 6.12 °C. In addition, MLSA of concatenated sequences (16S rRNA, ftsZ, gyrB, recA, rpoA, topA, pyrH and mreB; 6035 bp in length) showed that the two novel isolates formed a separate branch with less than 92 % concatenated gene sequence similarity towards known species of vibrios. Two novel species are proposed to accommodate these novel isolates, namely Vibrio variabilis sp. nov. (type strain, R-40492T = LMG 25438T = CAIM 1454T) and Vibrio maritimus sp. nov. (type strain, R-40493T = LMG 25439T = CAIM 1455T).

Usefulness of a real-time PCR platform for G+C content and DNA–DNA hybridization estimations in vibrios

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of a real-time PCR platform to estimate the DNA G+C content (mol%) and DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) values in the genus Vibrio. In total, nine vibrio strains were used to determine the relationship between genomic DNA G+C content and T m (°C). The T m and HPLC datasets fit a linear regression curve with a significant correlation coefficient, corroborating that this methodology has a high correlation with the standard methodology based on HPLC (R2 = 0.94). Analysis of 31 pairs of vibrios provided a wide range of ΔT m values, varying between 0.72 and 12.5 °C. Pairs corresponding to strains of the same species or strains from sister species showed the lowest ΔT m values. For instance, the ΔT m of the sister species Vibrio harveyi LMG 4044T and Vibrio campbellii LMG 11216T was 5.2 °C, whereas the ΔT m of Vibrio coralliilyticus LMG 20984T and Vibrio neptunius LMG 20536T was 8.75 °C. The mean ΔT m values corresponding to pairs of strains with DDH values lower than 60 % or higher than 80 % were, respectively, 8.29 and 2.21 °C (significant difference, P<0.01). The high correlation between DDH values obtained in previous studies and the ΔT m values (R2 = 0.7344) indicates that the fluorimetric methodology is a reliable alternative for the estimation of both DNA G+C content and ΔT m in vibrios. We suggest that strains of the same Vibrio species will have less than 4 °C ΔT m. The use of a real-time PCR platform represents a valuable alternative for the development of the taxonomy of vibrios.

Vibrio plantisponsor sp. nov., a diazotrophic bacterium isolated from a mangrove associated wild rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka)

Two Gram negative, facultatively anaerobic, halophilic, motile, slightly curved rod-shaped bacterial strains MSSRF60(T) and MSSRF64 were isolated from the roots of a mangrove-associated wild rice collected in the Pichavaram mangroves, India. These strains possess the key functional nitrogenase gene nifH. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA, recA, gapA, mreB, gyrB and pyrH, gene sequences revealed that strains MSSRF60(T) and MSSRF64 belong to the genus Vibrio, and had the highest sequence similarity with the type strains of Vibrio diazotrophicus LMG 7893(T) (99.7, 94.8, 98.5, 97.9, 94.0 and 90.7%, respectively), Vibrio areninigrae J74(T) (98.2, 87.5, 91.5, 88.9, 86.5 and 84.6% respectively) and Vibrio hispanicus LMG 13240(T) (97.8, 87.1, 91.7, 89.8, 84.1 and 81.9%, respectively). The fatty acid composition too confirmed the affiliation of strains MSSRF60(T) and MSSRF64 to the genus Vibrio. These strains can be differentiated from the most closely related Vibrio species by several phenotypic traits. The DNA G+C content of strain MSSRF60(T) was 41.8mol%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic (multilocus sequence analysis using five genes and genomic fingerprinting using BOX-PCR) and DNA-DNA hybridization analyses, strains MSSRF60(T) and MSSRF64 represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio plantipsonsor sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MSSRF60(T) (=DSM 21026(T)=LMG 24470(T)=CAIM 1392(T)).

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses of the vertical distribution and diversity of Vibrio spp. populations in the Cariaco Basin

The Cariaco system is the second largest permanently anoxic marine water body in the world. Its water column is characterized by a pronounced vertical layering of microbial communities. The goal of our study was to investigate the vertical distribution and diversity of Vibrio spp. present in the Cariaco Basin waters using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA fragments. Representatives of the Vibrio genus were detected by nested and direct PCR in seawater at 10 depths. Sequence analyses of 55 DGGE bands revealed that only 11 different operational taxonomic units (OTU) are identified as Vibrio species. Between one and five OTUs were detected at each depth and the most common OTUs were OTU 1 and OTU 2, which phylogenetically clustered with Vibrio chagasii and Vibrio fortis, respectively. OTUs 3 and 4 were only found in the anoxic zone and were identified as Vibrio orientalis and Vibrio neptunius, respectively. Several Vibrio species detected are potentially pathogenic to human, prawns and corals such as Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio shilonii. In the Cariaco Basin, different Vibrio species were found to be specific to specific depths strata, suggesting that this genus is a natural component of the microbial communities in this marine redox environment.

Fast detection of Vibrio species potentially pathogenic for mollusc

Vibrio tasmaniensis, Vibrio splendidus and Vibrio neptunius species were distributed worldwide and associated with aquaculture and have been reported as the cause of diseases in aquatic organisms. Polyphasic analyses for bacterial identification are not feasible for routine diagnostic because of the time involved. The aim of this study is to design three PCR primer sets that can assist with fast detection of these species. They were designed from the 16S ribosomal RNA gene, and PCR conditions were found. Each PCR test successfully identified all the tested strains of each target species. The combined specificity of V. tasmaniensis and V. splendidus primer sets offered the best coverage (86%) in terms of separating target organisms from other related species. The primer set of V. tasmaniensis showed a lower sensitivity limit (500 fg of DNA) than the V. splendidus set (1 pg) and both sets gave positive amplification using homogenized tissues from inoculated clams, with 10(2) and 10(4) cfu/g of clam, respectively. The primer set of V. neptunius was highly specific, showing only cross-reaction with V. parahaemolyticus species from 44 tested species. Its sensitivity limit was 100 pg of DNA. A small number of biochemical tests were proposed concurrently with the PCR to differentiate the cross-reacting bacteria. The time of detection of the three tested species was reduced and the further affected animals can be diagnosed in a rapid fraction of time. The detection of virulent strains of V. tasmaniensis pointed to the risk of mollusc culture outbreaks.

Vibrio sinaloensis sp. nov., isolated from the spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus Steindachner, 1869

Nine bacterial strains were studied by means of rep-PCR, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological characterization. Typing analysis by means of rep-PCR showed that all nine strains were highly homogeneous, with similarities above 94 %. The strains were isolated from the same geographical area (Mazatlán, Sinaloa state, Mexico) and the same type of host (cultured rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus), although from different individuals and organs. Comparison of the almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequences of five strains showed that they belonged to the genus Vibrio and are closely related to the type strains of Vibrio brasiliensis and Vibrio hepatarius, with similarity values ranging from 97.9 to 98.1 % and from 97.4 to 97.8 %, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization value of strain CAIM 797(T) with the type strain of V. brasiliensis (CAIM 495(T)) was 47.5 %, with a reciprocal value of 44.7 %. The main phenotypic features of the strains were in agreement with the phylogenetic and genomic data. The results presented here support the description of a novel species, for which the name Vibrio sinaloensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain CAIM 797(T) (=CECT 7298(T)) as the type strain.

Studies on diseased freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii infected with Vibrio vulnificus

The present study was aimed at isolation and characterization of the pathogenic bacterium from diseased freshwater prawn. The effect of the bacterial pathogen on hepatopancreas, gills and exoskeleton was also investigated. Diseased freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii were collected from commercial hatchery in Behera Governorate, Egypt. The diseased prawn showed dark brown focal lesions and necrosis of appendage tips. The causative bacterial pathogen was isolated from haemolymph and hepatopancreas of the diseased prawn. Based on the morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics, in addition EPI 20E test, the isolated pathogen was characterized as Vibrio vulnificus. Histopathology, hepatopancreas showed haemocytic infiltration in the interstitial sinuses, thickening and ruptures of the basal lamina and necrosis of its tubules. Similarly, the accumulation of haemocytes in the haemocoelic space, swelling, fusion of lamellae and abnormal gill tips. Also, the cuticular layers of the exoskeleton of diseased prawn had a rough or wrinkled surface and were disrupted and separated from the epidermis. The pathogen, V. vulnificus showed different degrees of sensitivity to different antimicrobial agents. It was highly sensitive to each of the antibiotics rifadin, virbamycin, oflaxcin, garamycin, flummox and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxzole) and resistant to nalidixic acid, unasyn, velosef, claforan, negram and amoxicillin. The minimal inhibitory concentration of trimethoprin/sulfamethoxzole for the studied pathogen, V. vulnificus was 0.31/5.93 microg.

Diversity of Vibrios associated with reared clams in Galicia (NW Spain)

The aim of the present study was to characterize and identify vibrios isolated from cultured clams in Galicia (NW Spain). A total of 759 isolates were obtained, phenotypically characterized, grouped and assigned to the genus Vibrio. Subsequently, the genomic diversity of 145 representative strains was analyzed by means of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), which revealed a high genetic diversity amongst these isolates. Only 57 out of 145 strains could be identified to the species level, and they were distributed in 13 AFLP clusters. V. cyclitrophicus, V. splendidus and V. alginolyticus were the most abundantly represented species. Eighty-eight isolates remained unidentified, 59 were distributed over 16 clusters, while 29 were unclustered. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA and two house-keeping genes (rpoA and recA) from representative strains belonging to eight unidentified clusters with the highest number of isolates confirmed their assignation to the Vibrionaceae family, and some of these probably represent new species within the genus. The present study confirmed that the phenotypic characterization of vibrios is not sufficient to identify them at the species level. A wide diversity of vibrios was found in cultured clams from all four geographic locations analyzed. In total, more than 12 Vibrio species and at least three potential new species in this genus were identified.

Identification of Vibrio spp. with a set of dichotomous keys

AIMS

To define a binary biochemical key for the identification of all recognized Vibrio spp.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A matrix of phenotypical results was developed based on the previous taxonomical studies and the first description manuscripts. A unification of results from various sources was also performed to integrate different taxonomical studies within the same data matrix. Established criteria for selecting the optimal set of tests yielded the highest discrimination, as well as the lowest number of tests. An initial identification key was defined using arginine dihydrolase, lysine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase tests, as well as defining eight different clusters. This key leads each cluster to a secondary key for species identification. Most of Vibrio spp. presented an identification threshold of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

A new set of biochemical keys has been determined provides a scheme for the rapid identification of clinical and environmental species of Vibrio. No more than 14 are needed for even the most complicated identifications. This newly defined set of keys updates and improves similar findings published in previous studies.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

These biochemical keys are designed for use in routine applications, particularly in environmental and clinical studies involving a high number of isolates.

Phylogeny and molecular identification of vibrios on the basis of multilocus sequence analysis

We analyzed the usefulness of rpoA, recA, and pyrH gene sequences for the identification of vibrios. We sequenced fragments of these loci from a collection of 208 representative strains, including 192 well-documented Vibrionaceae strains and 16 presumptive Vibrio isolates associated with coral bleaching. In order to determine the intraspecies variation among the three loci, we included several representative strains per species. The phylogenetic trees constructed with the different genetic loci were roughly in agreement with former polyphasic taxonomic studies, including the 16S rRNA-based phylogeny of vibrios. The families Vibrionaceae, Photobacteriaceae, Enterovibrionaceae, and Salinivibrionaceae were all differentiated on the basis of each genetic locus. Each species clearly formed separated clusters with at least 98, 94, and 94% rpoA, recA, and pyrH gene sequence similarity, respectively. The genus Vibrio was heterogeneous and polyphyletic, with Vibrio fischeri, V. logei, and V. wodanis grouping closer to the Photobacterium genus. V. halioticoli-, V. harveyi-, V. splendidus-, and V. tubiashii-related species formed groups within the genus Vibrio. Overall, the three genetic loci were more discriminatory among species than were 16S rRNA sequences. In some cases, e.g., within the V. splendidus and V. tubiashii group, rpoA gene sequences were slightly less discriminatory than recA and pyrH sequences. In these cases, the combination of several loci will yield the most robust identification. We can conclude that strains of the same species will have at least 98, 94, and 94% rpoA, recA, and pyrH gene sequence similarity, respectively.

Pathogenicity of vibrios to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) and Artemia nauplii

The taxonomy of marine vibrios has changed rapidly over the last two decades, and a wealth of new species have been identified. Many Vibrio species are pathogenic to fish and crustaceans; however, little is known about the virulence of many of the novel species. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of various recent isolates of vibrios to cause disease in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) and crustacea, i.e. Artemia nauplii. Of 56 isolates, representing 26 species of Enterovibrio, Photobacterium and Vibrio, obtained from a diversity of healthy and diseased aquatic animal hosts and water samples from many geographical locations, Vibrio brasiliensis, V. coralliilyticus, V. ezurae, V. fortis, V. kanaloaei, V. neptunius, V. rotiferianus and V. tubiashii were pathogenic to rainbow trout and Artemia nauplii with mortalities of up to 100%. The extracellular products of these pathogenic isolates were harmful to the animal models. In contrast, cultures of Enterovibrio norvegicus, E. coralii, Photobacterium rosenbergii, Vibrio campbellii, V. chagasii, V. cyclitrophicus, V. gallicus, V. gigasii, V. hepatarius, V. hispanicus, V. lentus, V. nereis, V. pacini, V. pomeroyi, V. shilonii, V. superstes, V. tasmaniensis and V. xuii demonstrated either non- or low virulence in the animal models.

Application of sliding-window discretization and minimization of stochastic complexity for the analysis of fAFLP genotyping fingerprint patterns of Vibrionaceae

Minimization of stochastic complexity (SC) was used as a method for classification of genotypic fingerprints. The method was applied to fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphism (fAFLP) fingerprint patterns of 507 Vibrionaceae representatives. As the current BinClass implementation of the optimization algorithm for classification only works on binary vectors, the original fingerprints were discretized in a preliminary step using the sliding-window band-matching method, in order to maximally preserve the information content of the original band patterns. The novel classification generated using the BinClass software package was subjected to an in-depth comparison with a hierarchical classification of the same dataset, in order to acknowledge the applicability of the new classification method as a more objective algorithm for the classification of genotyping fingerprint patterns. Recent DNA–DNA hybridization and 16S rRNA gene sequence experiments proved that the classification based on SC-minimization forms separate clusters that contain the fAFLP patterns for all representatives of the species Enterovibrio norvegicus, Vibrio fortis, Vibrio diazotrophicus or Vibrio campbellii, while previous hierarchical cluster analysis had suggested more heterogeneity within the fAFLP patterns by splitting the representatives of the above-mentioned species into multiple distant clusters. As a result, the new classification methodology has highlighted some previously unseen relationships within the biodiversity of the family Vibrionaceae.

Vibrio ponticus sp. nov., a neighbour of V fluvialis-V. furnissii clade, isolated from gilthead sea bream, mussels and seawater

A new Vibrio species, Vibrio ponticus, is proposed to accommodate four marine bacteria isolated from sea water, mussels and diseased sea bream (Sparus aurata), at the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Strains are Gram negative, slightly halophilic bacteria that require Na+ ion for growth, oxidase and catalase positive, negative for arginine dihydrolase and ornithine decarboxylase but positive for lysine decarboxylase and indole, and utilize beta-hydroxybutyrate as a sole carbon source. Phylogenetic analysis locate these marine bacteria in the vicinity of the V. fluvialis-V. furnissii clade, sharing with these two species 16S rDNA sequence similarities slightly above 97% (97.1 and 97.3%, respectively). DNA-DNA hybridisation values confirm that the four strains form a genospecies and represent a new species in the genus Vibrio. We propose strain 369T (CECT 5869T, DSM 16217T) as the type strain.

Biodiversity of vibrios

Vibrios are ubiquitous and abundant in the aquatic environment. A high abundance of vibrios is also detected in tissues and/or organs of various marine algae and animals, e.g., abalones, bivalves, corals, fish, shrimp, sponges, squid, and zooplankton. Vibrios harbour a wealth of diverse genomes as revealed by different genomic techniques including amplified fragment length polymorphism, multilocus sequence typing, repetetive extragenic palindrome PCR, ribotyping, and whole-genome sequencing. The 74 species of this group are distributed among four different families, i.e., Enterovibrionaceae, Photobacteriaceae, Salinivibrionaceae, and Vibrionaceae. Two new genera, i.e., Enterovibrio norvegicus and Grimontia hollisae, and 20 novel species, i.e., Enterovibrio coralii, Photobacterium eurosenbergii, V. brasiliensis, V. chagasii, V. coralliillyticus, V. crassostreae, V. fortis, V. gallicus, V. hepatarius, V. hispanicus, V. kanaloaei, V. neonatus, V. neptunius, V. pomeroyi, V. pacinii, V. rotiferianus, V. superstes, V. tasmaniensis, V. ezurae, and V. xuii, have been described in the last few years. Comparative genome analyses have already revealed a variety of genomic events, including mutations, chromosomal rearrangements, loss of genes by decay or deletion, and gene acquisitions through duplication or horizontal transfer (e.g., in the acquisition of bacteriophages, pathogenicity islands, and super-integrons), that are probably important driving forces in the evolution and speciation of vibrios. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomics through the application of, e.g., microarrays will facilitate the investigation of the gene repertoire at the species level. Based on such new genomic information, the taxonomy and the species concept for vibrios will be reviewed in the next years.

Use of recA as an alternative phylogenetic marker in the family Vibrionaceae

This study analysed the usefulness of recA gene sequences as an alternative phylogenetic and/or identification marker for vibrios. The recA sequences suggest that the genus Vibrio is polyphyletic. The high heterogeneity observed within vibrios was congruent with former polyphasic taxonomic studies on this group. Photobacterium species clustered together and apparently nested within vibrios, while Grimontia hollisae was apart from other vibrios. Within the vibrios, Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio mimicus clustered apart from the other genus members. Vibrio harveyi- and Vibrio splendidus-related species formed compact separated groups. On the other hand, species related to Vibrio tubiashii appeared scattered in the phylogenetic tree. The pairs Vibrio coralliilyticus and Vibrio neptunius, Vibrio nereis and Vibrio xuii and V. tubiashii and Vibrio brasiliensis clustered completely apart from each other. There was a correlation of 0·58 between recA and 16S rDNA pairwise similarities. Strains of the same species have at least 94 % recA sequence similarity. recA gene sequences are much more discriminatory than 16S rDNA. For 16S rDNA similarity values above 98 % there was a wide range of recA similarities, from 83 to 99 %.

Vibrio fortis sp. nov. and Vibrio hepatarius sp. nov., isolated from aquatic animals and the marine environment

In this study, the taxonomic positions of 19 Vibrio isolates disclosed in a previous study were evaluated. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences partitioned these isolates into groups that were closely related (98.8-99.1 % similarity) to Vibrio pelagius and Vibrio xuii, respectively. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments further showed that these groups had <70 % similarity to other Vibrio species. Two novel Vibrio species are proposed to accommodate these groups: Vibrio fortis sp. nov. (type strain, LMG 21557(T)=CAIM 629(T)) and Vibrio hepatarius sp. nov. (type strain, LMG 20362(T)=CAIM 693(T)). The DNA G+C content of both novel species is 45.6 mol%. Useful phenotypic features for discriminating V. fortis and V. hepatarius from other Vibrio species include production of indole and acetoin, utilization of cellobiose, fermentation of amygdalin, melibiose and mannitol, beta-galactosidase and tryptophan deaminase activities and fatty acid composition.