Gilliamella intestini sp. nov., Gilliamella bombicola sp. nov., Gilliamella bombi sp. nov. and Gilliamella mensalis sp. nov.: Four novel Gilliamella species isolated from the bumblebee gut

Abstract

Spectra of five isolates (LMG 28358T, LMG 29879T, LMG 29880T, LMG 28359T and R-53705) obtained from gut samples of wild bumblebees of Bombus pascuorum, Bombus lapidarius and Bombus terrestris were grouped into four MALDI-TOF MS clusters. RAPD analysis revealed an identical DNA fingerprint for LMG 28359T and R-53705 which also grouped in the same MALDI-TOF MS cluster, while different DNA fingerprints were obtained for the other isolates.Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the four different strains identified Gilliamella apicola NCIMB 14804T as nearest neighbour species. Average nucleotide identity values of draft genome sequences of the four isolates and of G. apicola NCIMB 14804T were below the 96% threshold value for species delineation and all four strains and G. apicola NCIMB 14804T were phenotypically distinct. Together, the draft genome sequences and phylogenetic and phenotypic data indicate that the four strains represent four novel Gilliamella species for which we propose the names Gilliamella intestini sp. nov., with LMG 28358T as the type strain, Gilliamella bombicola sp. nov., with LMG 28359T as the type strain, Gilliamella bombi sp. nov., with LMG 29879T as the type strain and Gilliamella mensalis sp. nov., with LMG 29880T as the type strain.