- Volume 55, Issue 1, 2005

Two methanogenic strains, 8-2T and 4-1, with rod-shaped (0·4–0·5×3–5 μm), non-motile cells, sometimes observed in chains, were isolated from two anaerobic digesters in Beijing, China. The two strains used H2/CO2 and formate for growth and produced methane. The temperature range for growth was 25–50 °C, with fastest growth at 37 °C. The pH ranges for growth and methane production were 6·5–8·0 for strain 8-2T and 6·8–8·6 for strain 4-1, with the fastest growth at pH 7·2 for strain 8-2T and pH 7·5–7·7 for strain 4-1. The G+C content of genomic DNA for strain 8-2T was 38·9 mol%. The similarity levels of the 16S rRNA sequence of strain 8-2T with other species of the genus Methanobacterium ranged from 93·8 to 96·0 %. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics, the novel species Methanobacterium beijingense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 8-2T (=DSM 15999T=CGMCC 1.5011T).

A novel small haemoplasma was detected following cytological examination of blood smears from a splenectomized dog with haemic neoplasia. The 16S rRNA and rnpB genes of the organism were partially sequenced and a phylogenetic tree constructed. The organism was most closely related to the small feline haemoplasma, ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum’ (94 % 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence identity; 75 % rnpB) and was only distantly related to Mycoplasma haemocanis (78 % 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence identity; 65 % rnpB). As this organism has not been cultured in vitro, the candidate species name ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum’ is proposed.

Three novel heterotrophic, Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, gliding, oxidase- and catalase-positive bacteria were isolated from algae collected in the Gulf of Peter the Great, Sea of Japan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the strains studied represented members of the family Flavobacteriaceae and showed 93·5–93·8 % similarity with their closest relative, Psychroserpens burtonensis. The DNA G+C content of the strains was 34–37 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1, iso-C16 : 0-3OH and iso-C17 : 0-3OH. On the basis of their phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the newly described bacteria have been assigned to the new genus Winogradskyella gen. nov., as Winogradskyella thalassocola sp. nov. (type strain, KMM 3907T=KCTC 12221T=LMG 22492T=DSM 15363T), Winogradskyella epiphytica sp. nov. (type strain, KMM 3906T=KCTC 12220T=LMG 22491T=CCUG 47091T) and Winogradskyella eximia sp. nov. (type strain, KMM 3944T (=KCTC 12219T=LMG 22474T).

A novel nitrate-reducing bacterium, CPW406T, was isolated from the sediment of a shallow, freshwater lake. The strain was a Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming rod, which formed yellow-pigmented colonies on nutrient agar and contained a polyamine pattern with sym-homospermidine as the major compound, MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone, 15 : 0 iso and 17 : 0 iso 3-OH as the major fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine and several unknown lipids in the polar lipid profile. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CPW406T was found to be most similar to that of the type strain of Chryseobacterium defluvii (DSM 14219T; 97·9 % similarity). However, DNA–DNA relatedness data and its phenotypic properties showed that strain CPW406T could be distinguished from all known Chryseobacterium species and thus represented a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium daecheongense sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is CPW406T (=DSM 15235T=KCTC 12088T).

A marine, heterotrophic, Gram-negative, aerobic, yellow-pigmented, bacterium that was motile by gliding, isolated from the green alga Acrosiphonia sonderi, was studied by polyphasic taxonomic methods. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain KMM 6031T formed a distinct lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, the novel bacterium was classified as Pibocella ponti gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is KMM 6031T (=KCTC 12262T=NBRC 100591T=LMG 22573T).

The taxonomic position of three novel sea-water isolates was determined. The strains studied were strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, pigmented, motile by gliding, Gram-negative and oxidase-, catalase-, β-galactosidase- and alkaline phosphatase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strains KMM 6020T, KMM 6021 and KMM 6028 occupied a distinct lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The predominant fatty acids were i15 : 0, i15 : 1, i15 : 0 3-OH, i17 : 1ω9c and i17 : 0 3-OH. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the novel bacteria were assigned to the genus Aquimarina gen. nov., as Aquimarina muelleri gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is KMM 6020T (=KCTC 12285T=LMG 22569T). From the results of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and phenotypic features, the species [Cytophaga] latercula Lewin 1969 is proposed to be reclassified in the new genus Stanierella as Stanierella latercula gen. nov., comb. nov., with type strain CIP 104806T (=ATCC 23177T=NCIMB 1399T=LMG 1343T).

The taxonomic position of a novel marine bacterium isolated from the green alga Ulva fenestrata collected in the Sea of Japan was established. Cells of the strain studied, designated KMM 6017T, were strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, pink-pigmented, non-motile by gliding, Gram-negative and oxidase-, catalase-, β-galactosidase- and alkaline phosphatase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain occupied a distinct lineage within the phylum ‘Bacteroidetes’ and formed a cluster with [Flexibacter] tractuosus and Reichenbachia agariperforans. The G+C content of the DNA of KMM 6017T was 40·2 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The predominant fatty acids were i15 : 1, i15 : 0 and i17 : 0 3-OH (34·2, 24 and 7·7 %, respectively). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the novel bacterium was assigned to the genus Roseivirga gen. nov., as Roseivirga ehrenbergii gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is KMM 6017T (=KCTC 12282T=LMG 22567T).

A bacterial strain, designated KMM 6049T, was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius inhabiting the Sea of Japan. The bacterium studied was strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, yellow-pigmented, non-motile, Gram-negative and oxidase-, catalase-, β-galactosidase- and alkaline phosphatase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain KMM 3524T was closely related to Salegentibacter holothuriorum and Salegentibacter salegens (sharing 97·7 and 98 % sequence similarity, respectively). DNA–DNA relatedness levels between strains KMM 6049T and S. holothuriorum KMM 3524T and S. salegens DSM 5424T were 24 and 45 %, respectively, indicating that KMM 6049T belongs to a novel species of the genus Salegentibacter, for which the name Salegentibacter mishustinae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6049T (=KCTC 12263T=LMG 22584T=NBRC 100592T).

Spiroplasma sp. strain GNAT3597T was isolated from the biting midge genus Atrichopogon (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). It was serologically distinct from other Spiroplasma species, groups or subgroups. Dark-field microscopy of the cells revealed the classical helical shape and subsequent transmission electron microscopy revealed cells surrounded by only a cell membrane (i.e. lacking a cell wall). Growth of strain GNAT3597T occurred in M1D medium at 30 °C. Strain GNAT3597T catabolized both glucose and arginine, but did not hydrolyse urea. The DNA G+C content of strain GNAT3597T was 29±1 mol%. Only one strain, SMCAT (Spiroplasma mirum), is serologically related to strain GNAT3597T, although the relationship is weak (positive reaction to only a 1 : 80 dilution). It is therefore proposed that strain GNAT3597T (=ATCC BAA-520T=NBRC 100390T) represents a novel species, Spiroplasma atrichopogonis sp. nov. (class Mollicutes: order Entomoplasmatales: family Spiroplasmataceae).

The taxonomic position of a novel marine, heterotrophic, aerobic, pigmented bacterium, non-motile by gliding, that was isolated from a sea-water sample collected in the Sea of Japan, was determined. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain KMM 6034T is a member of the genus Gillisia. The phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data showed that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Gillisia, for which the name Gillisia mitskevichiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6034T (=KCTC 12261T=NBRC 100590T=LMG 22575T).

A novel marine bacterium isolated from the soft coral Paragorgia arborea in the Sea of Okhotsk was studied by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain, KMM 6029T, was strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, yellow-pigmented, non-motile by gliding, Gram-negative and oxidase-, catalase- and alkaline phosphatase-positive. From results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain KMM 6029T occupied a distinct lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae and showed 95·5 % similarity to its closest relative, Formosa algae. The DNA G+C content was 37·6 mol%. Major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The predominant fatty acids were i15 : 0, a15 : 0, i15 : 1, a15 : 1, i16 : 1, i16 : 0, i16 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (i15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1ω7c). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics the novel bacterium has been assigned to Bizionia gen. nov., as Bizionia paragorgiae gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is KMM 6029T (=KCTC 12304T=LMG 22571T).

A novel marine bacterium, strain KMM 6050T, was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius, which inhabits the Sea of Japan. The strain studied was strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, yellow–orange-pigmented, motile by gliding, Gram-negative and oxidase-, catalase-, β-galactosidase- and alkaline phosphatase-positive. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain KMM 6050T occupies a distinct lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae and is most closely related to the species Mesonia algae and Salegentibacter salegens (sequence similarity of 92·5–92·6 %). The DNA G+C content of KMM 6050T was 39·6 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The predominant fatty acids were i15 : 0, a15 : 0, 15 : 0, i16 : 1, i16 : 0, i16 : 0 3-OH and i17 : 0 3-OH. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the novel bacterium has been assigned to the genus Gramella gen. nov., as Gramella echinicola sp. nov. The type strain is KMM 6050T (=KCTC 12278T=NBRC 100593T=LMG 22585T).

Two yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative and aerobic bacterial strains, designated AT1013T and AT1047T, were isolated from terrestrial samples of the Antarctic. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, the two Antarctic strains shared 97·7 % sequence similarity and showed moderate relationships to the genera Chryseobacterium (92·5–95·3 %), Riemerella (92·3–93·5 %), Bergeyella (92·5–92·6 %) and Kaistella (92·5–93·3 %). In phylogenetic analyses, the two isolates formed a robust monophyletic clade and represented a distinct phyletic line that equated to novel generic status. Cells were non-motile, non-gliding and psychrotolerant with an optimum growth temperature of about 20 °C. Flexirubins were absent. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The predominant cellular fatty acids were 15 : 0 iso, 15 : 0 anteiso and 17 : 1 iso ω9c. DNA G+C contents were 34–36 mol%. The two isolates shared low genomic relatedness (27 %) and were differentiated from each other by several phenotypic characteristics. The polyphasic data presented in this study indicated that these isolates should be recognized as two separate novel species in a novel genus within the family Flavobacteriaceae. The name Sejongia gen. nov. is therefore proposed for the Antarctic isolates, with the type species Sejongia antarctica sp. nov. (type strain AT1013T=IMSNU 14040T=KCTC 12225T=JCM 12381T) and Sejongia jeonii sp. nov. (type strain AT1047T=IMSNU 14049T=KCTC 12226T=JCM 12382T).

A yellow-pigmented bacterial strain (CC-H3-2T), isolated from the rhizosphere of Lactuca sativa L. (garden lettuce) in Taiwan, was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells were Gram-negative, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that the organism belongs to the genus Chryseobacterium, with the highest sequence similarity to the type strains of Chryseobacterium indoltheticum (97·7 %), Chryseobacterium scophthalmum (97·5 %), Chryseobacterium joostei (97·2 %) and Chryseobacterium defluvii (97·2 %). The major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (52·2 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed levels of only 27·4 % to C. scophthalmum, 27·1 % to C. indoltheticum, 14·1 % to C. joostei and 7·8 % to C. defluvii. DNA–DNA relatedness and biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties demonstrate that strain CC-H3-2 T represents a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium formosense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-H3-2T (=CCUG 49271T=CIP 108367T).

A Gram-negative, aerobic to microaerophilic rod was isolated from 10 m depths of the hypersaline, heliothermal and meromictic Ekho Lake (East Antarctica). The strain was oxidase- and catalase-positive, metabolized a variety of carboxylic acids and sugars and produced lipase. Cells had an absolute requirement for artificial sea water, which could not be replaced by NaCl. A large in vivo absorption band at 870 nm indicated production of bacteriochlorophyll a. The predominant fatty acids of this organism were 16 : 0 and 18 : 1ω7c, with 3-OH 10 : 0, 16 : 1ω7c and 18 : 0 in lower amounts. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. Ubiquinone 10 was produced. The DNA G+C content was 67 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that the isolate represents a member of the Roseobacter clade within the α-Proteobacteria. The organism showed no particular relationship to any members of this clade but clustered on the periphery of the genera Jannaschia, Octadecabacter and ‘Marinosulfonomonas’ and the species Ruegeria gelatinovorans. Distinct morphological, physiological and genotypic differences to these previously described taxa supported the description of a new genus and a novel species, for which the name Roseisalinus antarcticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EL-88T (=DSM 11466T=CECT 7023T).