Bacteriovorax antarcticus sp. nov., a bacterial predator isolated from near Potter Cove on King George Island, Antarctica

A new species of bacterial predator (PP10^T) was isolated from a biocrust sample taken from near Potter Cove, King George Island, Antarctica (62°14'15.62″S 58°43'15.65″W). The <i>Bdellovibrio</i> and like organism was vibrio-shaped and employed a single polar flagellum for motility. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that this isolate clustered within the genus <i>Bacteriovorax</i> in the family <i>Bacteriovoracaceae</i>. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between isolate PP10^T and the type strain (<i>Bacteriovorax stolpii</i> DSM 12778^T) were only 97.14%. The draft genome of PP10^T has a size of 4.243 Mbps, with 4148 genes and a G+C content of 38.49%. While the optimal temperature for its growth was 25 °C, PP10^T was active at 4 °C, classifying it as psychrotolerant. The results of genetic and physiological tests indicated phenotypic differentiation of strain PP10^T from the type strain <i>Bx. stolpii</i> DSM 12778^T. Based on physiological and phylogenetic analyses, as well as the prey spectrum, isolate PP10 represents a novel species within the genus <i>Bacteriovorax</i>, for which the name <i>Bacteriovorax antarcticus</i> sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PP10^T (= KCTC 8097^T = DSM 116241^T).