Ralstonia syzygii and Blood Disease Bacterium Are One Genomic Species
Author Information
Author(s): Remenant Benoît, de Cambiaire Jean-Charles, Cellier Gilles, Jacobs Jonathan M., Mangenot Sophie, Barbe Valérie, Lajus Aurélie, Vallenet David, Medigue Claudine, Fegan Mark, Allen Caitilyn, Prior Philippe
Primary Institution: Peuplements Végétaux et Bioagresseurs en Milieu Tropical (UMR PVBMT), INRA-CIRAD, Saint Pierre, La Réunion, France
Hypothesis
Despite their phenotypic differences, Ralstonia syzygii, the Blood Disease Bacterium, and some Asian R. solanacearum strains form a single genomic species.
Conclusion
The study confirms that R. syzygii and the Blood Disease Bacterium are genetically similar to R. solanacearum strains from Indonesia, suggesting they belong to the same genomic species.
Supporting Evidence
- Whole-genome comparisons confirmed that the three phylotype IV strains share more syntenic regions with each other than with other R. solanacearum strains.
- Genetic distances showed that phylotype IV strains of BDB, R. syzygii, and R. solanacearum form one genomic species.
- The study proposes a revision of the taxonomy of the R. solanacearum species complex based on genomic data.
Takeaway
Scientists found that two bacteria that cause diseases in plants are actually very closely related, even though they look and act differently.
Methodology
The genomes of R. syzygii strain R24 and BDB strain R229 were sequenced and compared to other R. solanacearum genomes to analyze their genetic relationships.
Limitations
The study may not represent the full diversity of R. syzygii and BDB at the isolate level.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website