Ruminococcus bovis sp. nov., a novel species of amylolytic Ruminococcus isolated from the rumen of a dairy cow

This study describes JE7A12(T) (=ATCC TSD-225(T)=NCTC 14479(T)), an isolate from the ruminal content of a dairy cow. Phenotypic and genotypic traits of the isolate were explored. JE7A12(T) was found to be a strictly anaerobic, catalase-negative, oxidase-negative, coccoid bacterium that grows in chains. The API 50 CH carbon source assay detected fermentation of o-glucose, o-fructose, o-galactose, glycogen and starch. HPLC showed acetate to be the major fermentation product as a result of carbo-hydrate fermentation. Phylogenetic analysis of JE7A12(T) based on 16S rRNA nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequences from the whole genome indicated a divergent lineage from the closest neighbours in the genus Ruminococcus. The results of 16S rRNA sequence comparison, whole genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA G+C content data indicate that JE7A12(T) represents a novel species which we propose the name Ruminococcus bovis with JE7A12(T) as the type strain.

Automated summary

This study characterized a novel species named Ruminococcus bovis isolated from the ruminal content of a dairy cow. The strain was found to be a strict anaerobic bacterium capable of fermenting carbohydrates to produce acetate as a major fermentation product. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Ruminococcus bovis represents a divergent lineage within the genus Ruminococcus.