Candidatus Nitrosomarinus catalinensis strain:SPOT01 Genome sequencing. Candidatus Nitrosomarinus catalinensis strain:SPOT01

This project represents the sequencing of the complete genome of a new strain of marine Thaumarchaea, SPOT01, obtained from seawater from Coastal California. Like other members of Group 1.1a Thaumarchaea, SPOT01 oxidizes ammonia to nitrite. SPOT01 represents a new phylogenetic clade distinct from previous isolates of marine Thaumarchaea of the genera Nitrosopumilus and Nitrosopelagicus. The size of the SPOT01 genome (1.36 Mb) is notably smaller than most other marine Thaumarchaea and is only slightly larger than Nitrosopelagicus brevis which has the smallest known genome of marine Thaumarchaea. Initial metagenomic analysis indicates that it is prevalent in cold or temperate marine waters. Given that it is divergent from all previous marine Thaumarchaeal isolates (< 83% average nucleotide identity) this strain has been provisionally assigned to a new genus, Nitrosomarinus, reflecting that it oxides ammonia to nitrite and its found in sea water.