Hybrid Identities Research Articles

Campylobacter molothri sp. nov. isolated from wild birds

Twenty-nine hippuricase-positive Campylobacter strains were isolated from wild birds and river water. Previous characterization using atpA typing indicated that these strains were related to Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli but were most similar to three recently described hippuricase-positive Campylobacter species recovered from zebra finches, i.e. C. aviculae, C. estrildidarum and C. taeniopygiae. Phylogenetic analyses using 330 core genes placed the 29 strains into a clade well separated from the other Campylobacter taxa, indicating that these strains represent a novel Campylobacter species. Pairwise digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values were below 70 and 95 %, respectively, thus providing further supporting evidence of a novel taxon. Standard phenotypic testing was performed. All strains are microaerobic or anaerobic, motile, Gram-negative, spiral cells that are oxidase, catalase and nitrate reductase positive, but urease negative. Genomic analyses indicate that the 29 strains can potentially synthesize very few amino acids de novo and are auxotrophic for many amino acids and cofactors, similar to the species composing the Campylobacter lari group. In addition, these strains encode complete Entner–Doudoroff and Leloir pathways, suggesting that they may possess the ability to utilize both glucose and galactose; these pathways were also identified in the genomes of the zebra finch-associated taxa. The data presented here show that these strains represent a novel species within Campylobacter, for which the name Campylobacter molothri sp. nov. (type strain RM10537T=LMG 32306T=CCUG 75331T) is proposed.

Paludibacillus litoralis gen. nov., sp. nov.: a novel species of a novel genus in the family Paracoccaceae, isolated from the sediment of a tidal flat located in Zhoushan, China.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as HZG-20T, was isolated from a tidal flat in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China. The 16S rRNA sequence similarities between strain HZG-20T and Pikeienuella piscinae RR4-56T, Coraliihabitans acroporae NNCM2T, Parvibaculum indicum P31T and Zhengella mangrovi X9-2-2T were 98.9, 91.7, 91.0 and 91.0%, respectively. Colonies of strain HZG-20T were 1.4 mm in diameter, milky white, round, smooth and convex after cultivating on marine agar at 30 °C for 48 h. Cells were catalase and oxidase-negative. Growth occurred at 15-37 ℃ (optimum, 28 ℃), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 6.0-8.0) and with 0-8% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1-3%). It contained Menaquinone-8 (H2) as the sole respiratory quinone, and C16:0 (11.8-13.6%), C18:1 ω9c (6.8-13.3%) and C15:0 anteiso (10.9-27.7%) as the major cellular fatty acids. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified phosphoglycolipid, two unidentified glycolipids (GL1-GL2) and three unidentified lipids (L1-L3). The genome of strain HZG-20T was 3 835 886 bp in length, comprised 3746 protein-coding genes, with DNA G+C content of 67.1 mol%. The phylogenetic and phylogenomic trees indicated that strain HZG-20T formed an independent and stable clade with P. piscinae RR4-56T. However, the average nucleotide identity, digit DNA-DNA hybridization and average amino acid identity values between strain HZG-20T and P. piscinae RR4-56T, C. acroporae NNCM2T, P. indicum P31T and Z. mangrovi X9-2-2T were 81.6, 71.1, 68.7 and 69.5%; 23.0, 18.5, 17.9 and 17.5%; and 78.2, 56.8, 56.5 and 61.9%, respectively, together with distinct chemotaxonomic features, indicating strain HZG-20T should not be assigned to known genera. As a result, a novel species of a novel genus within the family Paracoccaceae, designated as Paludibacillus litoralis gen. nov., sp. nov., was proposed. The type strain is HZG-20T (MCCC 1K08468T=KCTC 82692T).

Genomic and phenotypic characterisation of Leeuwenhoekiella obamensis sp. nov., a novel marine bacterium isolated from the surface water of a Japanese fishing port.

A novel aerobic marine bacterium, FRT2T, isolated from surface water of a fishing port in Fukui, Japan, was characterised based on phylogenomic and phylogenetic analyses combined with classical phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterisations. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain FRT2T clustered with genus Leeuwenhoekiella. Closest relatives of FRT2T were Leeuwenhoekiella palythoae KMM 6264T and Leeuwenhoekiella nanhaiensis G18T with 16S rRNA gene sequence identities of 95.1% and 94.5%, respectively, suggesting that FRT2T is a novel species of genus Leeuwenhoekiella. Phylogenetic analysis of 81 bacterial core gene sequences also placed FRT2T in a highly supported lineage distinct from described Leeuwenhoekiella species. Values of digital DNA-DNA hybridisation and average nucleotide identity between FRT2T and type strains of species of genus Leeuwenhoekiella indicate that FRT2T is a novel species of the genus Leeuwenhoekiella. Cells were Gram-stain-negative rods with 0.3-0.8µm width and 1.6-4.1µm length. The bacterium was strictly aerobic, produced yellow-orange-pigments and showed gliding motility. Na+ was needed to grow FRT2T with optimal growth in the presence of 3.0-4.0% (w/v) NaCl. Growth pH and temperature ranges were 5.5-8.5 (optimum pH 6.5-7.5) and 10-39°C (optimum 25-35°C), respectively. Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω6c and/or C16:1ω7c). The only respiratory quinone was MK-6. Genomic G + C content of FRT2T was 38.9%. FRT2T represents a novel species, for which the name Leeuwenhoekiella obamensis sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain FRT2T (= BCRC 81451T = DSM 118489T = JCM 36940T).

Hybrid Identity Work Strategies of Academic Entrepreneurs: Connection Building and Difference Building

Hybrid Identity Work Strategies of Academic Entrepreneurs: Connection Building and Difference Building

“Diasporic Identity: A Transnational Consciousness”- in Rai’s There is a Carnival Today

The novel, Aja Ramita Chha by Indra Bahadur Rai translated as There is a Carnival Today in English by \Manjushree Thapa has been viewed applying concept of hybridity and diaspora of postcolonial theory as methodological tools propounded by Homi K Bhabha to analyze cultural identity of diaspora. Cultural identity of diaspora is hybridized because of affiliation and connectedness to both home land and host land. Identity of old diaspora connected to nation is replaced by new diaspora associated with trans -nation and globalization. The researcher has focused to answer the questions such as, how is the cultural identity of diaspora hybridized? What are the experiences that diasporas feel while living in in-between position? The researcher has used theory of diaspora to show the cultural affiliation with home land, and theory of transnationalism to explain mobility of the characters crossing the border. The concept of hybridity under diaspora has been applied to analyze the cultural aspect of the characters living in- between positions in the host land. The finding of the research is that diasporas living in the host land live through dual identity, double consciousness, conflicted mentality, divided self and hybrid identity because of their contentedness and affiliation to both land of origin and land of destination.

Description and genomic characterization of Mesorhizobium marinum sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from sea sediment.

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic strains, designed ZMM04-4T and ZMM04-5, were isolated from sea sediment collected from Qinzhou Bay, Guangxi Zhuang Automous Region, China. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, aminophospholipid and phospholipid. The predominant fatty acids were C18:1ω7c, C19:0 cyclo ω8c and C16:0. Strain ZMM04-4T shared 99.7% similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence with ZMM04-5. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain ZMM04-4T and ZMM04-5 were 92.9% and 98.6%, respectively, indicating that strains ZMM04-4T, ZMM04-5 belong to the same species. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analysis indicated that strains ZMM04-4T and ZMM04-5 belong to the genus Mesorhizobium and showed the highest sequence similarity to Mesorhizobium qingshengii CGMCC 1.12097T (97.7%-97.8% sequence similarity) and Mesorhizobium shangrilense DSM 21850T (97.7%-97.8%). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strains ZMM04-4T, ZMM04-5 and their closely related species were within the ranges of 76.5%-77.2% and 20.9%-21.8%, respectively, indicating that strains ZMM04-4T, ZMM04-5 were novel species. In accordance with phylogenetic and genomic as well as phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterizations, strains ZMM04-4T and ZMM04-5 should be assigned to the genus Mesorhizobium and indentified as a novel species, for which the name Mesorhizobium marinum sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is ZMM04-4T (=MCCC 1K08883T=KCTC 8273T).

Paenibacillus zeirhizosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from surface of the maize (Zea mays) roots in a horticulture field, Hungary.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming bacterium with peritrichous flagella, designated as P96T was isolated from the surface of maize roots. Strain P96T grew optimally at 28 °C, pH 7.0. The strain contained A1γ meso-Dpm-direct in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The dominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The genome size of strain P96T was 4.8 Mb, and the G+C content was 50.01%. Phylogenomic analyses based on the whole-genome sequences classified the strain into the genus Paenibacillus. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity relatedness analysis resulted in values below the threshold for prokaryotic species delineation, with the highest values observed for Paenibacillus enshidis KCTC 33519T (29.4 and 85.2%, respectively). Genotypic data together with phenotypic properties supported the classification of strain P96T as representative of a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus zeirhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P96T (=LMG 32802T = NCAIM B 02678T).

Latina/o Canadian Literature: The Issues of Migratory Mourning and Bilingualism in Guillermo Verdecchia’s Fronteras Americanas: American Borders (1993) and Carmen Rodríguez’s and a body to remember with (1997)

Canada comprises a wide variety of people of multifarious ethnic and cultural heritages with immigrants constituting 23% of the entire population (Statistics Canada 2022). Among those groups, Latina/o Canadians are a small but vibrant community whose artistic output is often overlooked. This paper provides a brief overview of the history and characteristics of Latina/o presence and literary output in Canada as well as discusses two Latina/o Canadian texts, namely and a body to remember with (1997), a short story collection by Chilean-Canadian author, Carmen Rodríguez, and Fronteras Americanas: American Borders (1993) by Argentinian-Canadian playwright, Guillermo Verdecchia. The analysis is focused on the discussion of the characters’ migratory mourning, as defined by Joseba Achotegui (2019), which is involved in the formation of immigrants’ hybrid identities as they continually reevaluate their relationship with the host and home country. Additionally, this paper touches upon the textual representations of military trauma that has impacted generations of Latina/o immigrants fleeing dictatorships in the 1970s and 1980s (Hazelton 2007). Finally, this paper investigates the ways in which the Spanish language is employed in the texts. This paper argues that bilingualism underscores Rodríguez’s and Verdecchia’s hybridity and decolonial approach as they undermine the notion of America as a predominantly English-speaking continent dominated by the imperial US.

Interculturalism And Integration In Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Lowland And Ahmed Saadawi's Frankenstein In Baghdad

This research paper shows how the theme of cultural merging is represented in the two selected novels: Jhumpa Lahiri's The Lowlandand Ahmed Saadawi's Frankenstein in Baghdad, as formed at the crossroad of various cultures and the stories of their characters. The study, through a postcolonial theoretical framework, analyzes how hybridity, diaspora, and cultural identity come together to create a complex cultural interface between the individuals in the works under investigation. In The Lowland, Lahiri unfolds the immigrant experience in the lives of Subhash and Gauri, punctuating the narrative with tensions and reconciliations that their Indian and American cultural influences beget. It shows how cultural hybridity forms their identities and relationships, leading to answers in the quest for belonging, not without challenges of displacement. In Frankenstein in Baghdad, Saadawi paints a grim post-invasion Baghdad, wherein traditional and modern elements compose a discordant symphony amidst the chaotic operations of war. Making the Whatsitsname, composed of body parts from victims of bombings and killings, is a literal manifestation of the fragmented and hybrid identity that emerges in this volatile context. The novel's thematic expression of fragmentation, survival, and cultural clash is a befitting comment on the social and political landscape of contemporary Iraq. Further, the paper reflects on what effect these narratives might have on the reader's perception of cultural hybridity and the protagonist's identity, leading to the development of empathy and a more profound understanding of the challenges of living in a multicultural world. Moreover, this study identifies how much significant are these novels for postcolonial and contemporary literature, they do not only contribute but also propel discourse on cultural interactions and identity formation.

Political performativity within football fan communities: the case of anti-fascist football fan communities in Greece

ABSTRACT Drawing from Butler’s performativity and Performative Sport Fandom theory, this study focuses on the anti-fascist football fan communities in Greece. Our findings reveal that, despite the implementation of strict measures to establish the ‘No politica’ doctrine, the hybrid identity of ‘antifascist fan’ often prevails in the football stands in Greece. The public discourse expressed by anti-fascist fan communities, and the actions they undertake, are imbued with class consciousness and a solidarity culture, while being inspired by and stemming from a wide range of social issues, which are not inferior to the agenda of political collectives. Thus, they emerge as significant agents of anti-fascist discourse and action.

Identification and Bioactivity Analysis of a Novel Bacillus Species, B. maqinnsis sp. nov. Bos-x6-28, Isolated from Feces of the Yak (Bos grunniens).

Background: The identification of novel bacterial species from the intestines of yaks residing on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is pivotal in advancing our understanding of host-microbiome interactions and represents a promising avenue for microbial drug discovery. Methods: In this study, we conducted a polyphasic taxonomic analysis and bioactive assays on a Bacillus strain, designated Bos-x6-28, isolated from yak feces. Results: The findings revealed that strain Bos-x6-28 shares a high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.91%) with B. xiamenensis HYC-10T and B. zhangzhouensis DW5-4T, suggesting close phylogenetic affinity. Physiological and biochemical characterizations demonstrated that Bos-x6-28 could utilize nine carbon sources, including D-galactose, inositol, and fructose, alongside nine nitrogen sources, such as threonine, alanine, and proline. Analysis of biochemical markers indicated that Bos-x6-28's cell wall hydrolysates contained mannose, glucose, and meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid, while menaquinone-7 (MK-7), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylglycerol (DPG) were found in the cell membrane. The primary cellular fatty acids included C16:0 (28.00%), cyclo-C17:0 (19.97%), C14:0 (8.75%), cyclo-C19:0 (8.52%), iso-C15:0 (5.49%), anteiso-C15:0 (4.61%), and C12:0 (3.15%). Whole-genome sequencing identified a genome size of 3.33 Mbp with 3353 coding genes. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses confirmed Bos-x6-28 as a novel species, hereby named B. maqinnsis Bos-x6-28 (MCCC 1K09379). Further genomic analysis unveiled biosynthetic gene clusters encoding bioactive natural compounds, including β-lactones, sactipeptides, fengycin, and lichenysin analogs. Additionally, in vitro assays demonstrated that this strain exhibits antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. Conclusions: These findings collectively indicate the novel Bacillus species B. maqinnsis Bos-x6-28 as a promising source for novel antibiotic and antitumor agents.

Description of Massilia orientalis sp. nov., Isolated from Rhizosphere Soil of Ageratina adenophora.

A novel bacteria strain, designated YIM B02787T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Ageratina adenophora, in Yunnan, southwest China. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile with one polar flagellum. Growth occurred at 4-45°C (optimum, 20-30°C) and pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, 7.0-8.0), and in presence of 0-1% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on both 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences data revealed that strain YIM B02787T belongs to the genus Massilia, being closely related to Massilia phosphatilytica KCTC 52513T (98.93% similarity), M. putida KCTC 42761T (98.86%), and M. kyonggiensis JCM 19189T (98.78%). The DNA G+C content was 65.9%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the isolate strain and aforementioned closely neighbors were low, at 35.8-48.9 and 88.5-92.5%, respectively. Strain YIM B02787T contained Q-8 as the ubiquinone and major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c, 45.5%) and C16:0 (27.5%). The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids, and one unidentified polar lipid. On the basis of its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain YIM B02787Trepresents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia orientalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM B02787T (= NBRC 116628T = CGMCC 1.61539T).

Family recipe diaries and consumption of transcultural Anglo-Indian identity

ABSTRACT This article focuses on the present mixed-race Anglo-Indians (a minority community of India) and their ancestrally derived culinary culture. The Anglo-Indians as a race were historically formed at the contact zone of European colonizers and ‘native’ Indians. The hybrid nature of their culinary culture, vis-à-vis their sociocultural identity, is the prime focus of the research. To this end, I investigate 19 Anglo-Indian family recipe diaries (currently in use) from various regions of India. I read them as markers of the syncretic cultural character of the community. The hybrid identity of the culture, as reflected in their culinary culture, negotiates cultural differences and affiliations and engages with issues of identity and representations, adapts and appropriates colonial legacies, and subverts any homogeneous notion of ‘national food culture’.

Navigating the Textual Currents of Reconstruction in Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi

Abstract This article argues that the sketchlike patchwork of texts, identities, and histories that make up Mark Twain’s Life on the Mississippi emerges through the narrative mixing of passengers and pilots. Situating Twain’s Life in relation to Washington Irving’s The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., the article suggests that in the aftermath of slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction, Twain attempted to define the New (South) against the Old using the genre of the sketch. Concerned as it was with the ruins, relics, and monuments of the nation’s cultural ancestors, Irving’s Sketch-Book provided a useful framework for a writer like Twain whose Life on the Mississippi reconceptualized post-Reconstruction expressions of new southern literary identities. Lastly, the article argues that the many mixtures present in Twain’s Life are predicated on Irving’s earlier explorations of “racial” degeneracy, blended nations, hybrid identities, cross-cultural exchange, intertextuality, indigeneity, and mixed-race dynamics.

Unveiling online identity construction: A case study of language teaching micro-celebrities on Bilibili

In the digital age, the global online language education market is experiencing rapid growth. Language teaching micro-celebrities are individuals who create and share language content on social media, attracting large audiences and monetizing their popularity. As these figures gain traction, it is crucial to explore how they construct their identities. The present study examines the identity formation of three language teaching micro-celebrities on Bilibili, a popular Chinese video-sharing platform known for its focus on animation, comics, and games (ACG) content. We utilized Tracy’s (2002) framework on identity. Employing qualitative methods, we analyzed 30 videos from these micro-celebrities to investigate their identities and the multimodal resources they use for identity construction. Findings reveal that these micro-celebrities strategically cultivate multifaceted and hybrid identities, portraying themselves as successful yet relatable language teachers, intimate peers, and entrepreneurial individuals. By leveraging various multimodal resources, they seamlessly blend their native language, English, and visual elements to enhance understanding and establish unique personas. This research underscores the fluid and adaptable use of multimodal resources by language teaching micro-celebrities, highlighting their dual pedagogical and promotional roles. It contributes to a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between online language teaching and micro-celebrity culture in Chinese social media.

Confucian modernity in the architecture of Penang's Chinese community

This article investigates the distinctive architectural landscape of the Chinese community in Penang, emphasising the historical and cultural significance of structures such as Chung Ling High School in the early twentieth century. It explores how these edifices, often labelled as ‘architecture without architects’, epitomise a confluence of Chinese and Western influences, reflecting the concepts of Confucian modernity. The analysis critiques conventional interpretations of architectural modernity by underscoring the socio-spatial contexts and grassroots construction processes that define these buildings. It examines how these structures function as mediums for cultural exchange and societal transformation, shedding light on the hybrid identity and communal cohesion of the Chinese diaspora in Penang. Through a comprehensive analysis of the architectural evolution and the socio-cultural dynamics within the local Chinese community, the article seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of how architecture contributes to shaping the dynamics of China-Penang relations. By doing so, it challenges singular meta-narratives and emphasises the importance of comprehending local architectural history through diverse interactions. Furthermore, it serves as a call for re-evaluation and critical examination of the history of overseas Chinese architecture within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Cultural Assimilation and Identity Formation of Freedmen in the Roman Provinces: Case Studies from Gaul and Egypt

This essay discusses the cultural assimilation and identity formation of free people in Roman Gaul and the Egyptian provinces. Through comparative analyses, the article explores how freed people navigated new social roles and developed hybrid identities influenced by Roman, Celtic and Egyptian cultures. In Gaul, the freedmen underwent a mixed process of Romanisation and cultural exchange that resulted in the formation of a Roman-Celtic identity, especially among the elite. In contrast, Egyptian freedmen maintained a strong attachment to their native culture, despite widespread Roman and Hellenistic influences. The critical factors of urbanisation, socio-economic status and legal constraints shaped the distinctive identity trajectories of the freedmen in these provinces, providing insights into the complex interplay between power, identity and cultural integration in the Roman world. Overall, the cultural assimilation and identity formation of freed people in Roman Gaul and the Egyptian provinces highlight the complexity of cultural integration across different regions. By examining these processes, we gain deeper insights into the interplay between power, identity, and cultural adaptation within the Roman Empire.

Roseateles microcysteis sp. nov., Isolated from Co-cultivation of Microcystis aeruginosa and Myriophyllum spicatum.

A novel rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain MS17T was obtained from a co-culture of Microcystis aeruginosa and Myriophyllum spicatum. The examination of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence showed a significant degree of similarity between strain MS17T and Paucibacter sediminis S2-9T (98.4%), Roseateles violae PFR6T (98.1%), 'Roseateles cellulosilyticus' P8T (98.0%), Roseateles aquae APW11T (97.9%), Roseateles oligotrophus CHU3T (97.7%), Roseateles saccharophilus DSM 654T (97.6%), Kinneretia aquatilis CR182T (97.7%), Pelomonas aquatica CCUG 52575T (97.6%), and Roseateles toxinivorans 2C20T (97.0%). Between strain MS17T and the type strains of closely related species, digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were below 21.9% and 78.48%. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. The main fatty acids (> 10.0%) were C15:1 ω6c, C16:0, C17:0, and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c). The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified phospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminophospholipid, unidentified aminolipid, and three unidentified lipids. The genomic G + C content was 65.9%. According to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic relationships, and chemotaxonomic data, strain MS17T has been categorized as a newly discovered species belonging to the Roseateles genus, and the name Roseateles microcysteis sp. nov. is suggested. It exhibits distinct biochemical properties that differentiate it from closely related species. The type strain is MS17T (=KCTC 8001T = LMG 33142T).

Xenorhabdus bharatensis sp. nov., Xenorhabdus entomophaga sp. nov., Xenorhabdus siamensis sp. nov., and Xenorhabdus thailandensis sp. nov. Isolated from Steinernema Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Four Gram-stain-negative bacterial strains, CS20T, AUT15.5T, XENO-11T, and CCN3.3T, isolated from Steinernema entomopathogenic nematodes, were found to represent novel species within the genus Xenorhabdus (Gammaproteobacteria, Morganellaceae). In this study, we described these new species using whole-genome phylogenomic reconstructions, sequence identity values from core genome sequences, and phenotypic characterization. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that: (i) strain CS20T is closely related to X. stockiae DSM 17904T, (ii) strain AUT15.5T is closely related to X. budapestensis DSM 16342T, (iii) strain XENO-11T is closely related to X. khoisanae DSM 25463T, and (iv) strain CCN3.3T is closely related to X. griffiniae DSM 17911T. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value between strain CS20T and X. stockiae DSM 17904T is 97.8%, between strain AUT15.5T and X. budapestensis DSM 16342T is 98.1%, between strain XENO-11T and X. khoisanae DSM 25463T is 97.8%, and between strain CCN3.3T and X. griffiniae DSM 17911T is 98.6%. Phylogenomic reconstructions using whole-genome sequences showed that: (i) strain CS20T is closely related to X. stockiae DSM 17904T and X. innexi DSM 16336T, (ii) strain AUT15.5T is closely related to X. indica DSM 17382T, (iii) strain XENO-11T is closely related to X. khoisanae DSM 25463T, and (iv) strain CCN3.3T is closely related to X. griffiniae DSM 17911T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strains CS20T, AUT15.5T, XENO-11T, and CCN3.3T and the type strains of their more closely related species are below the 70% and the 95–96% divergence thresholds, respectively, used for prokaryotic species delineation. Hence, we propose the following four new species: Xenorhabdus bharatensis sp. nov. (the type strain is CS20T=CCM 9320T=CCOS 2070T), X. entomophaga sp. nov. (the type strain is XENO-11T=CCM 9389T=CCOS 2111T), X. siamensis sp. nov. (the type strain is AUT15.5T=CCM 9405T=CCOS 2116T), and X. thailandensis sp. nov. (the type strain is CCN3.3T=CCM 9406T=CCOS 2115T). The following biochemical tests may be useful for differentiating the novel species from their more closely related taxa: acetoin production, arginine dihydrolase, citrate utilization, gelatinase, glucose oxidation, indole production, and tryptophan deaminase. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the biodiversity and phylogenetic relationships of entomopathogenic bacteria associated with insect parasitic nematodes.

Religion as Life: Critical Content Analysis of Picturebooks About the Lives of Muslim Children

Religion remains an aspect of culture often missing from picturebooks, based on the misunderstanding that religion has no place in U.S. public schools. This absence is particularly critical for books reflecting the lives of Muslim children, given the rising Islamophobia in the United States. A critical content analysis to examine representations of Muslim children in contemporary picturebooks set in the United States was conducted through a postcolonial lens. Islamic religious practices are integrated into the daily lives of Muslim children in these books for an audience of Muslim and non-Muslim readers. The books represent Muslim children and their families as culturally and religiously diverse, portray religious differences as resources for communities, and reflect the hybrid identities of Muslim children. The books serve as counternarratives, creating a space for Muslim authors and illustrators to voice and validate their life experiences for a broad audience of readers.