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

Authors: HAMM, PARIS - Western Illinois University; CAIMI, NICOLE - University Of New Mexico; NORTHUP, DIANA - University Of New Mexico; VALDEZ, ERNEST - Us Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center; BUECHER, DEBBIE - Buecher Biological Consulting; Dunlap, Christopher; Labeda, David; PORRAS-ALFARO, ANDREA - Western Illinois University

Submitted to: Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/21/2019
Publication Date: 9/1/2019
Citation: Hamm, P.S., Caimi, N.A., Northup, D.E., Valdez, E.W., Buecher, D.C., Dunlap, C.A., Labeda, D.P., Porras-Alfaro, A. 2019. Streptomyces corynorhini sp. nov., isolated from Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii). Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 112:1297-1305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-019-01261-z.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-019-01261-z

Interpretive Summary: ARS researchers from Peoria, IL collaborated with scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, Western Illinois University and the University of New Mexico to characterize a new species of bacteria isolated from bats. Bats play an important role in agriculture by controlling pest insects and acting as pollinators. The population of bats in the United States of American has declined sharply in recent years from a fungal disease that causes white-nose syndrome. In the current study, we identified a novel species of bacteria that can inhibit the fungal agent that causes the disease. The bacteria identified in this study will be evaluated later to determine their potential to control the disease in the field. This research benefits U.S. farmers and consumers that rely on crops impacted by the loss of these natural pollinators and insect predators.

Technical Abstract: Bacteria with the capability of inhibiting Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of White-Nose Syndrome, were isolated from a male Townsend's big-eared bat (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 potential. Multi-locus sequence analysis nests AC230**T with neighbors Streptomyces scopulirisis (NRRL B-24574**T), S. lushanensis (NRRL B-24994**T), S. odonnellii (NRRL B-24891**T), and S. niveus (NRRL 2466**T). Further phylogenetic analysis showed the MLSA distances between AC230**T and its nearest neighbors are much greater than the generally accepted threshold (>0.007) for species delineation. DNA-DNA relatedness between AC230**T and its nearest neighbors ranged between 25.7±2.1 to 29.9±2.4%. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of the type strain is 71.7 mole%. Isolate AC230**T presented a white to ivory hue on most ISP media and can grow on D-glucose, L-arabinose, sucrose, D-xylose, inositol, mannitol, D-fructose, and L-rhamnose as the exclusive carbon source. Capabilities of the type strain included growth from pH 5 to 12 and at NaCl concentrations up to 7.5%. Good growth was limited to 25 deg C and 35 deg C but not at 10 deg C or 45 deg C. Micromorphology depicts ovoid spores with smooth surfaces in flexuous chains. Based on our polyphasic study of AC230**T, the strain warrants the assignment to a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces vespertilionus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AC230**T (=JCM 33171**T, =ATCC TSD155**T).