Latilactobacillus fragifolii sp. nov., isolated from leaves of a strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa)

Thirteen Gram- positive, catalase- positive, rod- shaped single colonies were obtained after culturing a strawberry leaf on de Man-Rogosa-Sharpe agar. Based on 16S rRNA gene and rpoA gene sequence similarities, ranging between 99.0-100% and 96.5-100%, respectively, the 13 isolates were found to be closely related to each other. Two of the independent isolates, AMBP162T and AMBP252, were whole- genome sequenced, and showed to be undistinguishable with an average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of 100 %. Compared to the reference genomes for all species in the family Lactobacillaceae, the AMBP162T genome was most similar to the reference strain of Latilactobacillus curvatus with ANI of only 89.5 %, indicating they were a different species. Based on genotypic and phenotypic data, a novel Latilactobacillus species, Latilactobacillus fragifolii sp. nov., with the type strain AMBP162T (=LMG 32285T=CECT 30357T) is proposed.

Automated summary

Thirteen Gram-positive, catalase-positive, rod-shaped colonies were isolated from a strawberry leaf and found to be closely related to each other based on gene sequence similarities. Two of the isolates (AMBP162T and AMBP252) were whole-genome sequenced and showed no distinguishable differences. Compared to reference genomes, the AMBP162T genome was most similar to Latilactobacillus curvatus, indicating a novel species. Based on genotypic and phenotypic data, a new Latilactobacillus species, Latilactobacillus fragifolii sp. nov., is proposed.