Cellulosimicrobium fucosivorans sp. nov., isolated from San Elijo Lagoon, contains a fucose metabolic pathway linked to carotenoid production.

Cellulosimicrobium strain SE3 was isolated from the San Elijo coastal lagoon near San Diego. A whole genome-based phylogenetic comparison shows great heterogeneity within the Cellulosimicrobium genus. Based on average nucleotide identity, whole genome-based comparison, and the presence of a unique L-fucose metabolic pathway, strain SE3 was shown to belong to a novel species within the genus, together with five other strains. The name Cellulosimicrobium fucosivorans sp. nov. is proposed, with strain SE3 as the type strain. The strain encodes a unique alpha-L-fucosidase and the L-fucose metabolic pathway is homologous to the one recently described in Campylobacter jejuni. C. fucosivorans is able to grow on L-fucose, and interestingly, the biosynthesis of the yellow carotenoid is dependent on the presence of L-fucose in the media. The ability to metabolize fucose and the linked production of carotenoids are expected to provide C. fucosivorans with a competitive advantage in the sunny coastal lagoon area.