Abstract
With the advent of cheaper, high-throughput sequencing technologies, the ability to survey biodiversity in previously unexplored niches and geographies has expanded massively. Within Anaplasma, a genus containing several intra-hematopoietic pathogens of medical and economic importance, at least 25 new species have been proposed since the last formal taxonomic organization. Given the obligate intracellular nature of these bacteria, none of these proposed species have been able to attain formal standing in the nomenclature per the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes rules. Many novel species’ proposals use sequence data obtained from targeted or metagenomic PCR studies of only a few genes, most commonly the 16S rRNA gene. We examined the utility of the 16S rRNA gene sequence for discriminating Anaplasma samples to the species level. We find that while the genetic diversity of the genus Anaplasma appears greater than appreciated in the last organization of the genus, caution must be used when attempting to resolve to a species descriptor from the 16S rRNA gene alone. Specifically, genomically distinct species have similar 16S rRNA gene sequences, especially when only partial amplicons of the 16S rRNA are used. Furthermore, we provide key bases that allow classification of the formally named species of Anaplasma.
Highlights
Academic Editors: Chao-Nan LinThe genus Anaplasma contains obligate intracellular bacteria capable of colonizing both mammalian and arthropod cells
We evaluate the utility of near-complete and partial 16S rRNA sequences to resolve Anaplasma isolates to the species level and test the relationship between 16S rRNA and average nucleotide identity (ANI) for the genus Anaplasma
An initial analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between 16S rRNA gene sequence identity and genome nucleotide identity within the genus Anaplasma
Summary
Academic Editors: Chao-Nan LinThe genus Anaplasma contains obligate intracellular bacteria capable of colonizing both mammalian and arthropod cells. 25 new species have been proposed in the literature These proposed species range from clinical isolates of infected animals to unique sequence variants detected in broad multispecies-based 16S rRNA metagenomic studies. Some, such as the proposed “A. capra”, represent an important source of human and animal disease [3–5], while others appear as single, orphan isolates from unique animal hosts. The intracellular nature of these bacteria and the consequent inability to produce pure cultures make taxonomic studies and new species descriptions in line with the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) difficult to impossible [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
