Reclassification of Methylarcula marina Doronina et al. 2000 as Paracoccus methylarcula nom. nov.

Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the type species of the genus Methylarcula, Methylarculamarina h1T was closely related to Paracoccus saliphilus DSM 18447T with high sequence similarity (97.8%). The genome of Methylarcula marina h1T was sequenced and its average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization with Paracoccus type strains were 72.6–88.2% and 19.1–36.3%, respectively. Genome comparison showed significant similarity between the genes of methylo-trophy of Methylarcula marina h1T and Paracoccus saliphilus DSM 18447T. Genome analysis of M. marina strain h1T revealed the presence of the genes involved in oxidation of methanol, formaldehyde, and methylamine, as well as of the genes of the N-methylglutamate and icl− serine pathways, but not the genes of functional ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase. According to the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genome-encoded traits of Methylarcula marina h1T, it should be transferred to the genus Paracoccus as a novel species, for which the name Paracoccus methylarcula nom. nov. (type strain h1T = VKM B-2159T = CCUG 72982T) is proposed.