Saccharopolyspora mangrovi sp. nov., a novel mangrove soil actinobacterium with distinct metabolic potential revealed by comparative genomic analysis

A novel mangrove soil-derived actinomycete, strain S2-29^T, was found to be most closely related to Saccharopolyspora karakumensis 5K548^T based on 16 S rRNA sequence (99.24% similarity) and genomic phylogenetic analyses. However, significant divergence in digital DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity, and unique biosynthetic gene cluster possession distinguished S2-29^T as a distinct Saccharopolyspora species. Pan genome evaluation revealed exceptional genomic flexibility in genus Saccharopolyspora, with > 95% accessory genome content. Strain S2-29^T harbored 718 unique genes, largely implicated in energetic metabolisms, indicating different metabolic capacities from its close relatives. Several uncharacterized biosynthetic gene clusters in strain S2-29^T highlighted the strain’s untapped capacity to produce novel functional compounds with potential biotechnological applications. Designation as novel species Saccharopolyspora mangrovi sp. nov. (type strain S2-29^T = JCM 34,548^T = CGMCC 4.7716^T) was warranted, expanding the known Saccharopolyspora diversity and ecology. The discovery of this mangrove-adapted strain advances understanding of the genus while highlighting an untapped source of chemical diversity.