Reclassification of Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio logei, Vibrio salmonicida and Vibrio wodanis as Aliivibrio fischeri gen. nov., comb. nov., Aliivibrio logei comb. nov., Aliivibrio salmonicida comb. nov. and Aliivibrio wodanis comb. nov.

Abstract

Four closely related species, Vibrio fischeri, Vibrio logei, Vibrio salmonicida and Vibrio wodanis, form a clade within the family Vibrionaceae; the taxonomic status and phylogenetic position of this clade have remained ambiguous for many years. To resolve this ambiguity, we tested these species against other species of the Vibrionaceae for phylogenetic and phenotypic differences. Sequence identities for the 16S rRNA gene were ≥97.4 % among members of the V. fischeri group, but were ≤95.5 % for members of this group in comparison with type species of other genera of the Vibrionaceae (i.e. Photobacterium and Vibrio, with which they overlap in G+C content, and Enterovibrio, Grimontia and Salinivibrio, with which they do not overlap in G+C content). Combined analysis of the recA, rpoA, pyrH, gyrB and 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the species of the V. fischeri group form a tightly clustered clade, distinct from these other genera. Furthermore, phenotypic traits differentiated the V. fischeri group from other genera of the Vibrionaceae, and a panel of 13 biochemical tests discriminated members of the V. fischeri group from type strains of Photobacterium and Vibrio. These results indicate that the four species of the V. fischeri group represent a lineage within the Vibrionaceae that is distinct from other genera. We therefore propose their reclassification in a new genus, Aliivibrio gen. nov. Aliivibrio is composed of four species: Aliivibrio fischeri comb. nov. (the type species) (type strain ATCC 7744T =CAIM 329T =CCUG 13450T =CIP 103206T =DSM 507T =LMG 4414T =NCIMB 1281T), Aliivibrio logei comb. nov. (type strain ATCC 29985T =CCUG 20283T =CIP 104991T =NCIMB 2252T), Aliivibrio salmonicida comb. nov. (type strain ATCC 43839T =CIP 103166T =LMG 14010T =NCIMB 2262T) and Aliivibrio wodanis comb. nov. (type strain ATCC BAA-104T =NCIMB 13582T =LMG 24053T).

The microbiome of North Sea copepods

“…Aliivibrio spp. in the marine environment are often associated with animals; some species are mutualistic symbionts or pathogens of marine animals (Urbanczyk et al 2007). Six phylotypes in this study cluster with Vibrio genera known as pathogens.…”

“…This was already observed by (Alonso-Sáez et al 2007) who found that Gammaproteobacteria were not detected in DGGE analysis at all. Primer bias for cloning approaches especially for the Bacteroidetes groups was also discussed previously (Urbanczyk et al 2007). In our study, Bacteroidetes, an important group of the coastal marine bacterial community (Eilers et al 2001), were found frequently by DGGE band sequencing as well as in the clone libraries.…”

Vibrio inhibens sp. nov., a novel bacterium with inhibitory activity against Vibrio species

“…6 Vibrio species are common inhabitants of aquatic environments, and they can be isolated under a wide range of salinity and temperature conditions from oysters, clams, mussels, and fish, as well as from sediment and plankton. 7,8 Some species have been reported to cause infections in humans and aquatic animals, 9,10 whereas a small number of other species have been used as probiotics in aquaculture.…”

Aliivibrio finisterrensis sp. nov., isolated from Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum and emended description of the genus Aliivibrio

“…A recent study by Urbanczyk et al (2007) demonstrated the phylogenetical and phenotypical distinction of the group from other genera in the family Vibrionaceae and proposed the novel genus Aliivibrio. The genus Aliivibrio contains four species: Aliivibrio fischeri and three psychrotolerant species, Aliivibrio salmonicida, Aliivibrio wodanis and Aliivibrio logei.…”

“…A recent study by Urbanczyk et al (2007) , is known for the light organ symbiosis with the Hawaiian bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes and has been studied as a model for vibrio-host interactions. Bacterial bioluminescence acts as an anti-predatory mechanism and serves researchers as a way to monitor bacterial colonization (Stabb, 2006).…”