Campylobacter iguaniorum sp. nov., isolated from reptiles

Abstract

During samplings of reptiles for Epsilonproteobacteria, Campylobacter strains not belonging to any of the established taxa were isolated from lizards and chelonians. Initial AFLP, PCR, and 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that these strains were most closely related to Campylobacter fetus and Campylobacter hyointestinalis. A polyphasic study was undertaken to determine the taxonomic position of five strains. The strains were characterized by 16S rRNA and atpA sequence analysis, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and conventional phenotypic testing. The whole genome sequences were determined for strains 1485E and 2463D, and the average nucleotide and amino acid identities were determined for these strains. The strains formed a robust phylogenetic clade, divergent from all other Campylobacter taxa. In contrast to most currently known Campylobacter taxa, the strains showed growth at ambient temperatures, which might be an adaptation to their reptilian hosts. This study clearly shows that these strains isolated from reptiles represent a novel species within the genus Campylobacter, for which the name Campylobacter iguaniorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1485ET (=LMG 28143T=CCUG 66346T).