Paraburkholderia

Paraburkholderia is a genus of Proteobacteria that are gram negative, slightly curved rods that are motile by means of flagella. Unlike Burkholderia species, Paraburkholderia members are not commonly associated with human infection. Paraburkholderia members form a monophyletic clade within the Burkholderiaceae family, which is what prompted their distinction as a genus independent from Burkholderia species, in combination with the finding of robust conserved signature indels which are unique to Paraburkholderia species, and are lacking in members of the Burkholderia genus. These CSIs distinguish the genus from all other bacteria. Additionally, the CSIs that were found to be shared by Burkholderia species are absent in Paraburkholderia, providing evidence of separate lineages.

Conserved signature indels have also been found within the Paraburkholderia genus. These CSIs are in parallel with phylogenomic analyses that indicate to two monophyletic clades within the genus; one clade harbours unnamed and Candidatus Paraburkholderia, while the other clade is inclusive of environmental Paraburkholderia, commonly used for agricultural purposes. CSIs have been found exclusive to each of these clades, and have not been found specific for any other combination of Paraburkholderia species, providing an additional level of phylogenetic resolution within the genus level.