Genome description of a potentially novel species of Rossellomorea sp. strain H39_3 isolated from Hindon River, India

In October 2024, a possibly novel species, belonging to genus Rossellomorea, designated as strain H39_3, was isolated using LB medium from surface water representing station H39 located on the Hindon River, in close proximity to Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh of India. The 16S rRNA sequence of this isolate showed 100% identity with Rossellomorea marisflavi from the INSDC DNA databases (GenBank/DDBJ/ENA). Whole-genome sequencing was undertaken using long-read sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies chemistry in MinION platform, followed by genome annotation undertaken against the RefSeq and GTDB databases. The genome is approximately 4.46 Mb in size, with GC content of 48.64%. The low average nucleotide identity (92.23 %) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (46.1 %) values showed affiliation with the reference strain Rossellomorea marisflavi indicating the isolate as a potential novel species. Functional analysis of the draft genome of this isolate revealed array of genes including the presence of arsC (arsenate reductase), assimilatory nitrate reduction pathway and ability to degrade polysaccharides. The presence of nitrogen metabolizing genes such as nirB (nitrite reductase subunit B) along with ability to breakdown complex forms of carbon offer the potential of this strain for application towards bioremediation of contaminated river ecosystems.