Whole Genome Analysis by TYGS Assigns Azotobacter Species to The Pseudomonas Clade as a Distinct Group

Authors : Sedat Çam

Pages : 395-405

Doi:10.7161/omuanajas.1605494

View : 111 | Download : 211

Publication Date : 2025-10-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Azotobacter is a nitrogen-fixing soil bacterium and its close relationship with Pseudomonas species has been debated in several studies for the last two decades. Previous studies have focused on the partial sequences of 16S rDNA and protein-encoding gene regions but could not differentiate Azotobacter spp. from the genus Pseudomonas. Therefore, the present study examined the evolutionary relationships of Azotobacter and Pseudomonas species based on 16S rDNA gene and whole genome sequences. Whole genome sequence analysis was conducted by an automated high-throughput web server TYGS. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequences in all the phylogenetic analyses, all the analyzed Azotobacter species clustered within the genus Pseudomonas but in two separate groups. Azotobacter chroococcum and Azotobacter beijerinckii were in distinct clade within the Pseudomonas genera, showing that such two species are more closely related to each other than other species of the Azotobacter genus. As in the case of 16S rDNA-based comparisons, complete genome analysis with eight available Azotobacter strains demonstrated that such eight strains also grouped within the Pseudomonas genus but as a separate cluster. Phylogeny-based taxonomic classification of Azotobacter spp. needs to be re-evaluated with reliable distinguishing genes or the genus description may be changed as a Pseudomonas.
Keywords : TYGS, Pseudomonadaceae, Filogeni, Evrimsel İlişki

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