Polyphasic and genomic characterisation of Streptomyces zimensis sp. nov., a halotolerant Actinomycetota from the Saline Lake Zima in Morocco
Abstract
Members of the phylum Actinomycetota are widely distributed across diverse environments and are well known for their metabolic versatility and capacity to produce bioactive compounds. In this study, strain ZE1316R2Aᵀ was isolated from the saline water collected from Lake Zima (Morocco) and subjected to comprehensive polyphasic taxonomic characterisation. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16 S rRNA gene placed strain ZE1316R2Aᵀ within the genus Streptomyces , showing highest sequence similarity with S. albidoflavus DSM 40,455 T (99.71%). However, genome-based indices, including average nucleotide identity (ANIb = 94.84%, ANIm = 96.09%) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH = 64.9%), supported its distinction as a separate species. The draft genome (7.41 Mb; G + C = 73.26 mol%) comprises 6,464 coding sequences and reveals the presence of strain-specific genomic regions and biosynthetic gene clusters. Comparative analyses highlighted both a conserved core genome and a substantial accessory genome component, reflecting genomic differentiation relative to closely related taxa. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics were consistent with assignment to the genus Streptomyces , while supporting its differentiation at the species level. Based on the combined genomic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic evidence, strain ZE1316R2Aᵀ represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces zimensis sp. nov., is proposed. This study expands current knowledge of Streptomyces diversity associated with saline environments and highlights the genomic diversity present within closely related taxa. The type strain is ZE1316R2Aᵀ (= CCMM B1331 T = DSM 120541 T ).
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BibTeX
@article{oubassou2026polyphasic,
title = {{Polyphasic and genomic characterisation of Streptomyces zimensis sp. nov., a halotolerant Actinomycetota from the Saline Lake Zima in Morocco}},
author = {Ez-Zahra Oubassou and Soukaina Oudchaira and Valérie Cognat and Abdelmalek Alioua and Florence Arsène-Ploetze and Mathieu Erhardt and David Pflieger and Alexandre Berr and Mustapha Barakate},
journal = {Annals of Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s13213-026-01871-9},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05760447v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Polyphasic and genomic characterisation of Streptomyces zimensis sp. nov., a halotolerant Actinomycetota from the Saline Lake Zima in Morocco
AU - Ez-Zahra Oubassou
AU - Soukaina Oudchaira
AU - Valérie Cognat
AU - Abdelmalek Alioua
AU - Florence Arsène-Ploetze
AU - Mathieu Erhardt
AU - David Pflieger
AU - Alexandre Berr
AU - Mustapha Barakate
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/29
JO - Annals of Microbiology
DO - 10.1186/s13213-026-01871-9
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05760447v1
AB - Members of the phylum Actinomycetota are widely distributed across diverse environments and are well known for their metabolic versatility and capacity to produce bioactive compounds. In this study, strain ZE1316R2Aᵀ was isolated from the saline water collected from Lake Zima (Morocco) and subjected to comprehensive polyphasic taxonomic characterisation. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16 S rRNA gene placed strain ZE1316R2Aᵀ within the genus Streptomyces , showing highest sequence similarity with S. albidoflavus DSM 40,455 T (99.71%). However, genome-based indices, including average nucleotide identity (ANIb = 94.84%, ANIm = 96.09%) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH = 64.9%), supported its distinction as a separate species. The draft genome (7.41 Mb; G + C = 73.26 mol%) comprises 6,464 coding sequences and reveals the presence of strain-specific genomic regions and biosynthetic gene clusters. Comparative analyses highlighted both a conserved core genome and a substantial accessory genome component, reflecting genomic differentiation relative to closely related taxa. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics were consistent with assignment to the genus Streptomyces , while supporting its differentiation at the species level. Based on the combined genomic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic evidence, strain ZE1316R2Aᵀ represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces zimensis sp. nov., is proposed. This study expands current knowledge of Streptomyces diversity associated with saline environments and highlights the genomic diversity present within closely related taxa. The type strain is ZE1316R2Aᵀ (= CCMM B1331 T = DSM 120541 T ).
SN - 1590-4261
SN - 1869-2044
ER -