Mycobacterium poriferae sp. nov., a Scotochromogenic, Rapidly Growing Species Isolated from a Marine Sponge

Abstract

Five strains of a rapidly growing, orange, scotochromogenic Mycobacterium species were isolated from a marine sponge. Although they displayed similarities to M. aurum and M. parafortuitum, they proved to belong to a proposed new species, Mycobacterium poriferae sp. nov. (ATCC 35087). We distinguished the type strain of M. poriferae from that of M. aurum by its pattern of carbon sources used, acid production from carbon sources, and amidases, by its ability to tolerate 5% sodium chloride, its failure to use benzamide as sole nitrogen source, and its use of l-serine as sole carbon and nitrogen source. We distinguished the type strain of M. poriferae from that of M. parafortuitum by its pattern of carbon sources used, acid production from carbon sources, and amidases, by its ability to tolerate 5% sodium chloride, its failure to grow at 42°C, its strong pigmentation, its failure to reduce nitrate, its failure to tolerate 0.0250% hydroxylamine hydrochloride, its ability to use l-serine as dual carbon and nitrogen source, and its failure to use acetamide as dual carbon and nitrogen source. The pattern of mycolic acid derivatives produced by acid methanolysis of whole organisms was that of the group typified by M. avium and which contains α-mycolates, ketomycolates, and wax ester derivatives.