Reclassification of Algoriphagus aquimaris Kim et al. 2020 as a later heterotypic synonym of Algoriphagus formosus Ye et al. 2020 using a polyphasic approach

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2025 Sep;75(9). doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006887.

Abstract

16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that Algoriphagus aquimaris F21T shared the highest sequence similarity of 100.00% to Algoriphagus formosus XAY3209T. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that A. aquimaris F21T formed a cluster with A. formosus XAY3209T, suggesting that there was a close genetic relationship between them. However, the average nucleotide identity (ANIb/m) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between A. aquimaris F21T and A. formosus XAY3209T were 97.48%/97.73% and 79.50%, respectively, greater than the 95-96.00% and 70.00% cut-off points recommended for delineating bacterial species, which suggested that these two strains belonged to the same species. In addition, the comprehensive comparison of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics further verified this conclusion. Based on all these data above and rule 42 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, we propose that A. aquimaris Kim et al. 2020 is a later heterotypic synonym of A. formosus Ye et al. 2020.

Keywords: Algoriphagus aquimaris; Algoriphagus formosus; polyphasic approach; reclassification.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Typing Techniques
  • Bacteroidetes* / classification
  • Bacteroidetes* / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Genome, Bacterial
  • Nucleic Acid Hybridization
  • Phylogeny*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • DNA, Bacterial