Abstract:

Taxonomic study on an unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative and regular
rod-shaped bacterial strain R4BT, isolated from the stomach of honeybees,
was performed. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the
phylogenetic position of the novel strain was within the genus
Lactobacillus, the highest sequence similarity to R4BT was shown by the type
strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus (93.5%). Difference from other species
of lactobacilli was also confirmed by sequences of other phylogenetic
markers applicable in taxonomy of the genus Lactobacillus, ribotyping and
rep-PCR analysis. The DNA G + C content of the strain is 41.3%. Phenotypic
and phylogenetic characteristics also confirmed the independent status at
the species level as well. Remarkably, the strain R4BT was able to inhibit
Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae (causal agent of American foulbrood in
honeybees) and Melissococcus plutonius (causal agent of European foulbrood)
in vitro. The name Lactobacillus apis sp. nov. is proposed for this new
taxon. The type strain is R4BT (=CCM 8403T = LMG 2696T). 
More here:

http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/content/early/2013/10/04/ijs.0.053033-0.abstract


Ghislain De Roeck,
Belgium.

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