Pseudohalocynthiibacter

Pseudohalocynthiibacter is a genus of bacteria in the family Flavobacteriaceae. The genus was first described in 2016, and currently includes one species, Pseudohalocynthiibacter litoralis. This bacterium is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and non-motile organism that was isolated from the marine sponge Halocynthia igaboja in the Republic of Korea.

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

The genus Pseudohalocynthiibacter belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae, which is part of the order Flavobacteriales, class Flavobacteriia, phylum Bacteroidetes, and domain Bacteria. The genus was first proposed by Park et al. in 2016, following the isolation and characterization of Pseudohalocynthiibacter litoralis. The genus name combines the Greek words pseudo (false) and halocynthia (a genus of sea squirts), reflecting the initial misidentification of the host organism from which the bacterium was isolated.

Description[edit | edit source]

Pseudohalocynthiibacter litoralis is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and non-motile bacterium. It is capable of growing in the presence of 1-5% (w/v) NaCl, but not in the absence of NaCl. The bacterium is also capable of growing at temperatures between 15 and 30°C, with optimal growth occurring at 25°C.

Ecology[edit | edit source]

Pseudohalocynthiibacter litoralis was isolated from the marine sponge Halocynthia igaboja collected from the coast of the Republic of Korea. The ecological role of this bacterium within the sponge microbiome is currently unknown.

Research[edit | edit source]

Research on Pseudohalocynthiibacter is still in its early stages. Future studies may reveal more about the ecology, physiology, and potential applications of this bacterium.

File:Pseudohalocynthiibacter litoralis.jpg

Pseudohalocynthiibacter litoralis, the only species in the genus Pseudohalocynthiibacter.