title: Phylogenetic signal in phenotypic traits related to carbon source assimilation and chemical sensitivity in Acinetobacter species.
abstract: A common belief is that the phylogeny of bacteria may reflect molecular functions and phenotypic characteristics, pointing towards phylogenetic conservatism of traits. Here, we tested this hypothesis for a large set of Acinetobacter strains. Members of the genus Acinetobacter are widespread in nature, demonstrate a high metabolic diversity and are resistant to several environmental stressors. Notably, some species are known to cause opportunistic human infections. A total of 133 strains belonging to 33 species with validly published names, two genomic species and species of an as-yet unknown taxonomic status were analyzed using the GENIII technology of Biolog, which allows high-throughput phenotyping. We estimated the strength and significance of the phylogenetic signal of each trait across phylogenetic reconstructions based on partial RNA polymerase subunit B (rpoB) and core genome sequences. Secondly, we tested whether phylogenetic distance was a good predictor of trait differentiation by Mantel test analysis. And finally, evolutionary model fitting was used to determine if the data for each phenotypic character was consistent with a phylogenetic or an essentially random model of trait distribution. Our data revealed that some key phenotypic traits related to substrate assimilation and chemical sensitivity are linked to the phylogenetic placement of Acinetobacter species. The strongest phylogenetic signals found were for utilization of different carbon sources such as some organic acids, amino acids and sugars, thus suggesting that in the diversification of Acinetobacter carbon source assimilation has had a relevant role. Future work should be aimed to clarify how such traits have shaped the remarkable ability of this bacterial group to dominate in a wide variety of habitats.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), KU Leuven, Technology Campus De Nayer, Fortsesteenweg 30A, B-2860, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ado
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5016-0489
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Assche
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, E 28040, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Álvarez-Pérez
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300, RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Breij
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT - STADIUS), KU Leuven, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Brabanter
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), KU Leuven, Technology Campus De Nayer, Fortsesteenweg 30A, B-2860, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kris A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300, RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lenie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dijkshoorn
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Process Microbial Ecology and Bioinspirational Management (PME&BIM), Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), KU Leuven, Technology Campus De Nayer, Fortsesteenweg 30A, B-2860, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium. bart.lievens@kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lievens
mesh_terms: D000150:Acinetobacter / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005075:Biological Evolution; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D010641:Phenotype; D010802:Phylogeny
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon
keywords: Biolog; GENIII; Phenotypic and phylogenetic diversity; rpoB