Verminephrobacter eiseniae gen. nov., sp nov., a nephridial symbiont of the earthworm Eisenia foetida (Savigny)

A Gram-negative, flagellated, heterotrophic, catalase-negative, rod-shaped bacterium previously identified as an earthworm symbiont was isolated from nephridia of the earthworm Eisenia foetida. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated its relatedness to the betaproteobacterial genus Acidovorax and the novel isolates shared 92-94 % sequence similarity with recognized species of this genus. Gene sequence phylogenies revealed that the group of earthworm symbionts formed a cohesive and independent clade. The DNA G + C content was 67.0 +/- 0.2 mol%. Major fatty acids were C(16:0), C(16:1)omega 7c and C(17:0) cyclo. While capable of growing in fully aerated media, all isolates favoured low oxygen concentrations and all required biotin or a mix of amino acids in order to grow on defined mineral media. Based on phylogenies inferred from three housekeeping gene sequences (gap, recA and rpoC), DNA-DNA hybridization values, the unique ecology and the distinct physiology of the novel strains, the new genus Verminephrobacter gen. nov. is proposed for the earthworm nephridial symbionts. The name Verminephrobacter eiseniae sp. nov. is proposed for the type species with strain EF01-2(T) (=ATCC BAA-1489(T)=DSM 19286(T)) as the type strain of the type species.