The genomic structure of Brucella strains isolated from marine mammals gives clues to evolutionary history within the genus.
The genomic structure and the restriction maps were studied in 24 Brucella strains isolated from marine mammals. From SpeI restriction profiles, the strains could be ascribed to three clonal groups, each corresponding to a specific host. Cross contamination between exclusively terrestrial and exclusively marine hosts is unlikely suggesting the divergence of the different species of the genus Brucella which may have taken place 60 million years ago, concomitant with the radiation of their mammalian hosts (Artiodactyla) from other mammalian orders.
Bourg
Gisèle
G
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, ESPRI 26, UFR de Médecine, CS 83021, Avenue J F Kennedy, 30908 NIMES Cedex 02, France.
O'Callaghan
David
D
Boschiroli
Maria Laura
ML
D000818:Animals; D002002:Brucella / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004289:Dolphins / Q000382:microbiology*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / Q000662:veterinary; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D010802:Phylogeny; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D019576:Porpoises / Q000382:microbiology*; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000382:microbiology*
D004247:DNA