New paper: Three new Rothia species from Antarctic birds

Our new collaborative study, published in FEMS Microbiology Ecology, describes three previously unknown bacterial species associated with Antarctic birds: Rothia ornithocola, Rothia pygoscelis and Rothia antarctica.

The study examined 11 strains isolated from penguin oral cavities, bird faeces and nesting sites on James Ross and Marambio Islands. A combination of genome sequencing, phylogenomic analyses and extensive phenotypic characterization confirmed that the strains represent three distinct species within the genus Rothia.

Beyond taxonomy, the genomes revealed several biosynthetic gene clusters potentially involved in the production of terpenes, siderophores and other specialized metabolites. Particularly interesting were diverse enterobactin-like pathways enriched among bird- and animal-associated Rothia. Their architecture differed between the Antarctic lineages, suggesting diversification in response to distinct host-associated niches. However, siderophore production was not detected under the laboratory conditions tested, indicating that activation may require more complex environmental or host-derived signals than iron limitation alone.

Within this collaboration, our PharmMUNI team led the biosynthetic gene cluster analyses and experimental siderophore testing, with major contributions from my PhD student Peter Špaček. This work represents one of the first published studies developed directly within our new research group and combines our long-standing experience in bacterial systematics with our current focus on microbial natural products.

The work was supported by the Czech Science Foundation project GAČR 25-17343S and the MASH StG/CoG programme of Masaryk University. Antarctic sampling and access to the long-term strain collection were enabled through the Czech Antarctic Research Programme and the Johann Gregor Mendel Czech Antarctic Station.