Lonepinella koalarum
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| Lonepinella koalarum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Kingdom: | Pseudomonadati |
| Phylum: | Pseudomonadota |
| Class: | Gammaproteobacteria |
| Order: | Pasteurellales |
| Family: | Pasteurellaceae |
| Genus: | Lonepinella |
| Species: | L. koalarum |
| Binomial name | |
| Lonepinella koalarum Osawa et al., 1996 | |
Lonepinella koalarum is a species of Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria within the family Pasteurellaceae. It is the only species described in the genus Lonepinella and was first isolated from the feces of healthy koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Queensland, Australia.[1]
Lonepinella koalarum is a rod-shaped bacterium that grows optimally at approximately 37 °C on Columbia blood agar. It is catalase-negative, with variable oxidase activity reported.[1]
Ecological role
Lonepinella koalarum functions as a symbiont in koalas, primarily involved in degrading tannin-protein complexes in Eucalyptus leaves, which are a central dietary component for koalas.[2] Its presence supports healthy gut microbiota, particularly during antibiotic treatments.[2]