Staphylococcus edaphicus sp. nov., Isolated in Antarctica, Harbors the <i>mecC</i> Gene and Genomic Islands with a Suspected Role in Adaptation to Extreme Environments

Abstract

Two Gram-stain-positive, coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains were isolated from abiotic sources comprising stone fragments and sandy soil in James Ross Island, Antarctica. Here, we describe properties of a novel species of the genus <i>Staphylococcus</i> that has a 16S rRNA gene sequence nearly identical to that of <i>Staphylococcus saprophyticus</i> However, compared to <i>S. saprophyticus</i> and the next closest relatives, the new species demonstrates considerable phylogenetic distance at the whole-genome level, with an average nucleotide identity of <85% and inferred DNA-DNA hybridization of <30%. It forms a separate branch in the <i>S. saprophyticus</i> phylogenetic clade as confirmed by multilocus sequence analysis of six housekeeping genes, <i>rpoB</i>, <i>hsp60</i>, <i>tuf</i>, <i>dnaJ</i>, <i>gap</i>, and <i>sod</i> Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and key biochemical characteristics allowed these bacteria to be distinguished from their nearest phylogenetic neighbors. In contrast to <i>S. saprophyticus</i> subsp. <i>saprophyticus</i>, the novel strains are pyrrolidonyl arylamidase and β-glucuronidase positive and β-galactosidase negative, nitrate is reduced, and acid produced aerobically from d-mannose. Whole-genome sequencing of the 2.69-Mb large chromosome revealed the presence of a number of mobile genetic elements, including the 27-kb pseudo-staphylococcus cassette chromosome <i>mec</i> of strain P5085^T (ψSCC<i>mec</i>_P5085), harboring the <i>mecC</i> gene, two composite phage-inducible chromosomal islands probably essential to adaptation to extreme environments, and one complete and one defective prophage. Both strains are resistant to penicillin G, ampicillin, ceftazidime, methicillin, cefoxitin, and fosfomycin. We hypothesize that antibiotic resistance might represent an evolutionary advantage against beta-lactam producers, which are common in a polar environment. Based on these results, a novel species of the genus <i>Staphylococcus</i> is described and named <i>Staphylococcus edaphicus</i> sp. nov. The type strain is P5085^T (= CCM 8730^T = DSM 104441^T).<b>IMPORTANCE</b> The description of <i>Staphylococcus edaphicus</i> sp. nov. enables the comparison of multidrug-resistant staphylococci from human and veterinary sources evolved in the globalized world to their geographically distant relative from the extreme Antarctic environment. Although this new species was not exposed to the pressure of antibiotic treatment in human or veterinary practice, mobile genetic elements carrying antimicrobial resistance genes were found in the genome. The genomic characteristics presented here elucidate the evolutionary relationships in the <i>Staphylococcus</i> genus with a special focus on antimicrobial resistance, pathogenicity, and survival traits. Genes encoded on mobile genetic elements were arranged in unique combinations but retained conserved locations for the integration of mobile genetic elements. These findings point to enormous plasticity of the staphylococcal pangenome, shaped by horizontal gene transfer. Thus, <i>S. edaphicus</i> can act not only as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance in a natural environment but also as a mediator for the spread and evolution of resistance genes.