Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #160797

Title: ATOPOSTIPES SUICLOACALE GEN. NOV., SP. NOV., ISOLATED FROM AN UNDERGROUND SWINE MANURE STORAGE PIT

Author
item Cotta, Michael
item Whitehead, Terence
item COLLINS, MATTHEW - UNIV READING, UK
item LAWSON, PAUL - UNIV READING, UK

Submitted to: Anaerobe
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/2004
Publication Date: 6/1/2004
Citation: Cotta, M.A., Whitehead, T.R., Collins, M.D., Lawson, P.A. 2004. Atopostipes suicloacale gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from an underground swine manure storage pit. Anaerobe. 10(3):191-195.

Interpretive Summary: Odor emanating from anaerobic lagoons and swine production facilities has increased the tension among rural neighbors and among urban and rural residents. Storage of swine manure is associated with the microbial production of a variety of odorous compounds, including ammonia, volatile organic acids and alcohols, and sulfides. Identification of the predominant bacterial population present in swine feces and manure storage pits is crucial for determining a means to reduce the gaseous emissions and odor. We now report on the identification and scientific naming of a new genera and species of anaerobic bacteria, Atopostipes suicloacale.

Technical Abstract: Phenotypic and molecular genetic studies were performed on an unknown strictly anaerobic, catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from a pig manure storage pit. The unknown bacterium was nutritionally fastidious with growth enhanced by the addition of rumen fluid and was phenotypically initially identified as a Eubacterium species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies, however, revealed that the unknown bacterium was phylogenetically distant from Eubacterium limosum (the type species of the genus Eubacterium) and related organisms. Phylogenetically, the unknown species displayed a close association with an uncultured organism from human subgingival plaque and formed an unknown sub-line within a cluster of organisms which includes Alloioccoccus otitis, Alkalibacterium olivoapovliticus, Allofustis seminis, Dolosigranulum pigrum, and related organisms within the low mol% G+C Gram positive bacteria. Sequence divergence values of >8% with all known taxonomically recognized taxa, however, clearly indicates the novel bacterium represents a hitherto unknown genus. Based on both phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from pig manure be classified in a new genus and species, as Atopostipes suicloacale gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Atopostipes suicloacale is PPC79T = NRRL 23919T = DSM 15692.