Isolation of novel species from the genus Dermacoccus by phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Erin Clingerman (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Sean O’Connell
Abstract: There are estimated to be 1030 total bacterial cells on earth and approximately 1011 cells/m2 of bacteria on human skin. Microorganisms are ubiquitous, and there are countless services that microbes provide, such as breaking down harmful pollutants in the environment, providing nitrogen fixation to plant root systems, allowing for fermentation of foods and beverages, and assisting the human body in innumerable ways. The use of 16S rDNA sequencing has allowed bacterial taxonomists to presumptively identify many species by grouping similar species via a 97.5% threshold of sequence homology. This analysis coupled with metabolic and phenotypic tests is instrumental in the identification of novel species, such as species in the Dermacoccus genus. Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis is a common resident of the skin and is the type species within the genus found in the family Dermacoccaceae. The genus contains only four species described to date; D. barathri, D. abyssi, D. profundi, and D. nishinomiyaensis. Species within this genus can often have very similar 16S rDNA sequences, thus they require more extensive study with bacteriological laboratory testing and additional methods including phylogenetics. Seventeen cultures that closely align with the genus Dermacoccus were obtained in Cullowhee, North Carolina at Western Carolina University from a variety of human-associated environments and were tested using a combination of DNA sequencing and phenotypic testing to determine if novel species were isolated. Based on this work, it appears that at a minimum, three new species have been discovered.
Isolation of novel species from the genus Dermacoccus by phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses
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Created on 4/1/2019
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2019
- Keywords
- Dermacoccus, Gram Positive, Novel Species, Skin
- Subjects
- Skin
- Gram-positive bacteria
- Actinobacteria