Researchers from CESAM have led two independent studies resulting in the discovery of a new bacterial genus and species associated with marine sponges, with potential relevance to the nitrogen cycle in coral reef ecosystems.

Developed in collaboration with Instituto Superior Técnico and National Penghu University of Science and Technology, the research identified Aquimarina rhabdastrellae sp. nov., capable of complete denitrification, and Spongorhabdus nitratireducens gen. nov., sp. nov., a nitrate-reducing bacterium within the Endozoicomonadaceae family.

These findings advance the characterization of microbial diversity in marine sponges and strengthen understanding of bacteria potentially involved in key biogeochemical processes in coral reef ecosystems.

Read the full article on the CESAM website: here.

Picture Credit: CESAM / The image illustrates the marine sponge Xestospongia sp., from the Penghu Islands, Taiwan.