Work

Genomic and phenotypic insights into the novel species Selenomonas lamontii type strain ATCC 33150, currently described as Selenomonas sputigena

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Selenomonas sputigena is an anaerobic, gram-negative bacterium found in the human mouth and upper respiratory tract. This organism is emerging as an important contributor to human health and disease. In the oral cavity, S. sputigena contributes to periodontitis and is associated with early childhood caries. Much of our current understanding of the genus Selenomonas and its relation to human health derives from studies of a single species, S. sputigena , and is further limited to the type strain, ATCC 35185. As S. sputigena is emerging as a significant contributor to human health, we sought to characterize the S. sputigena ATCC 33150 strain. Genomic analyses revealed that ATCC 33150, previously described as S. sputigena , is a novel Selenomonas sp., and we propose the name Selenomonas lamontii . Phenotypic comparison to S. sputigena reveals that S. lamontii grows more slowly and to a lower density in vitro. S. lamontii is more motile than S. sputigena and does not form surface-attached biofilms. Re-analysis of existing metagenomic data revealed the consistent presence of ATCC 33150 across all samples, with significantly elevated relative abundance in periodontitis-associated saliva compared to healthy donor controls. Collectively, we have identified ATCC 33150 as a new Selenomonas sp. and conducted one of the first direct comparative studies of traits relevant to colonization and persistence among Selenomonas spp. IMPORTANCE Recognizing that strain ATCC 33150, historically described as Selenomonas sputigena , is a previously undescribed species has important implications for microbial systematics, physiology, and pathogenesis. Accurate taxonomic assignment underpins all downstream biological interpretation (e.g., comparative genomics, microbiome composition studies, virulence studies, and metabolic modeling). The identification of a novel species, therefore, refines the phylogenetic framework of the genus Selenomonas , enables more precise genotype-phenotype correlations, and may uncover previously unrecognized adaptations relevant to oral biofilm ecology and host interactions. Beyond taxonomy, this discovery strengthens the foundation and rigor of future mechanistic studies and provides context for discrepancies in previous studies involving this strain and ATCC 35185.

Source: Microbiology Spectrum

DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00341-26