Characterization of sp. nov., A New Halophilic Bacterium Isolated from the High-Altitude Hypersaline Lake Socompa, Argentina.

The genus belongs to the family and includes Gram-stain-negative, motile by a polar flagellum, and facultatively anaerobic curved rods. They are halophilic bacteria commonly found in hypersaline aquatic habitats and salted foods. This genus includes five species and two subspecies. A presumed novel species, strain S35, was previously isolated from the high-altitude volcanic, alkaline, and saline lake Socompa (Argentinean Andes). In this study we carried out a complete taxonomic characterization of strain S35, including the 16S rRNA gene sequence and core-genome analysis, the average nucleotide identity (ANIb, ANIm, and orthoANI), and DNA-DNA hybridization (GGDC), as well as the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterization. It grew at 3%-20% (w/v) NaCl, pH 6-10, and 10-42 °C, with optimum growth at 7.0%-7.5% (w/v) NaCl, pH 8.0, and 37 °C, respectively. Strain S35 was oxidase- and catalase-positive, able to produce acid from D-glucose and other carbohydrates. Hydrolysis of DNA, methyl red test, and nitrate and nitrite reduction were positive. Its main fatty acids were C, C7 and C6, and C7 and/or C6. ANI, GGDC, and core-genome analysis determined that strain S35 constitutes a novel species of the genus , for which the name sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S35 (= CECT 9634 = BNM 0535).