Identification of Janthinobacterium lividum from the soils of the islands of Scotia Ridge and from Antarctic peninsula

Abstract

Eight isolates of bacteria from the soils of maritime Antarctica and Antarctic peninsula have been identified as members of the genus Janthinobacterium. Based on their morphology, physiological characteristics, biochemical characteristics and mole percent G+C content of their DNA six of them have been identified as ‘J. lividum’ and the remaining two as ‘atypical J. lividum’. The Antarctic J. lividum unlike the mesophilic type strains were unique in that they could grow at pH 4, could produce acid from trehalose and none of them could tolerate more than 2.9% NaCl.