Predatory Organisms with Untapped Biosynthetic Potential: Descriptions of Novel <i>Corallococcus</i> Species <i>C. aberystwythensis</i> sp. nov., <i>C. carmarthensis</i> sp. nov., <i>C. exercitus</i> sp. nov., <i>C. interemptor</i> sp. nov., <i>C. llansteffanensis</i> sp. nov., <i>C. praedator</i> sp. nov., <i>C. sicarius</i> sp. nov., and <i>C. terminator</i> sp. nov

Abstract

Corallococcus is a genus of predators with broad prey ranges, whose genomes contain large numbers of gene clusters for secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The physiology and evolutionary heritage of eight Corallococcus species strains were characterized using a range of analyses and assays. Multiple metrics confirmed that each strain belonged to a novel species within the Corallococcus genus. The strains exhibited distinct patterns of drug resistance and predatory activity, which mirrored their possession of diverse sets of biosynthetic genes. The breadth of antimicrobial activities observed within the Corallococcus genus highlights their potential for drug discovery and suggests a previous underestimation of both their taxonomic diversity and biotechnological potential. Taxonomic assignment of environmental isolates to novel species allows us to begin to characterize the diversity and evolution of members of this bacterial genus with potential biotechnological importance, guiding future bioprospecting efforts for novel biologically active metabolites and antimicrobials.