# Genomic evidence that Ornithinicoccus soli Jiang et al. 2020 is a later heterotypic synonym of Segeticoccus rhizosphaerae Lee and Whang 2020

## TL;DR

This study shows that two soil bacteria species, Ornithinicoccus soli and Segeticoccus rhizosphaerae, are actually the same species based on genomic and phylogenetic evidence.

## Contribution

The paper provides genomic evidence to reclassify Ornithinicoccus soli as a later synonym of Segeticoccus rhizosphaerae.

## Key findings

- Both strains share identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and similar genomic features.
- Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values confirm they are the same species.
- Phylogenetic analysis shows they form a distinct cluster separate from other genera.

## Abstract

The genus Segeticoccus includes only one species with validly published name, Segeticoccus rhizosphaerae. The type strain Segeticoccus rhizosphaerae YJ01T was isolated from soil in Korea, while Ornithinicoccus soli XNB-1T was isolated from soil in China. Both strains share similar phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, including predominant menaquinone MK-8(H4) and major polar lipids diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Whole genome sequences revealed a DNA G+C content of 70.1 mol% for both strains and 100% similarity in their 16S rRNA gene sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed they form a distinct cluster separate from other genera. Genomic comparisons showed average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values of 99.16 and 94.2%, respectively, indicating they represent a single species. Based on this genomic evidence, Ornithinicoccus soli Jiang et al. 2020 is proposed to be a later heterotypic synonym of Segeticoccus rhizosphaerae Lee and Whang 2020.