- Volume 55, Issue 1, 2005

A novel sulfate-reducing bacterium was isolated from a well that collected water from a deep aquifer at a depth of 430 m in the Paris Basin, France. The strain, designated B7-43T, was made up of vibrioid cells that were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Cells contained desulfoviridin. In the presence of sulfate, the following substrates were used as energy and carbon sources: lactate, pyruvate, malate, fumarate, ethanol, butanol, acetate/H2 and glycine. Sulfite and thiosulfate were also used as electron acceptors in the presence of lactate. In the absence of electron acceptors, pyruvate, malate and fumarate were fermented. Optimal growth was obtained in 1 g NaCl l−1 and at pH 7. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolate was most closely related to members of the genus Desulfovibrio (90 % similarity). It is thus proposed that strain B7-43T (=DSM 16056T=ATCC BAA-905T) represents a novel species within this genus, Desulfovibrio putealis sp. nov.

A Gram-negative, slightly halophilic, strictly aerobic, chemo-organotrophic bacterium was isolated from Mediterranean sea water near Valencia (Spain). 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the isolate represented a separate branch within the α-3 subclass of the Proteobacteria, now included within the order ‘Rhodobacterales’. Jannaschia helgolandensis was the closest relative, but their low sequence similarity and other features indicated that they were not related at the genus level. Isolate 5SM22T produced bacteriochlorophyll a and grew on solid media as regular salmon-pink colonies. Cells are motile rods, with polar flagella. The DNA G+C content is 59·1 mol%. Morphological, physiological and genotypic differences from related, thus far known genera support the description of Thalassobacter stenotrophicus gen. nov., sp. nov. with strain 5SM22T (=CECT 5294T=DSM 16310T) as the type strain.

Two marine, Gram-negative, aerobic, halophilic strains, designated KMM 3657T and KMM 3840T, were isolated and found to be phylogenetically closely related to each other, showing 96·6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Both strains are members of the genus Marinobacter in the γ-Proteobacteria (94·7–98·0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Strain KMM 3657T and Marinobacter lipolyticus SM19T were closely related, with 98·0 % sequence similarity. The novel strains shared generic physiological and chemotaxonomic properties with Marinobacter species, but differed in their temperature range for growth, inability to grow in 20 % NaCl and at >43 °C, metabolic properties and fatty acid composition. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis data, it is proposed that the strains represent two novel species, Marinobacter bryozoorum sp. nov., with the type strain KMM 3840T (=50-11T=DSM 15401T), and Marinobacter sediminum sp. nov., with the type strain KMM 3657T (=R65T=DSM 15400T).

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, moderately halophilic strains, JG-100T and JG-102, were isolated from squid jeotgal, a traditional Korean fermented seafood. The two strains grew optimally at 30 °C and in the presence of 2–3 % (v/w) NaCl. Strains JG-100T and JG-102 were characterized chemotaxonomically; they both had ubiquinone-8 as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and C18 : 1 ω9c as the major fatty acid. Their DNA G+C content was 44 mol%. Strains JG-100T and JG-102 showed 1 bp difference in their 16S rRNA gene sequences and a mean DNA–DNA relatedness level of 88 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains JG-100T and JG-102 form a distinct phylogenetic lineage within the cluster comprising Psychrobacter species. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains JG-100T and JG-102 had similarity levels of 95·2–98·4 % to sequences of the type strains of recognized Psychrobacter species. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strains JG-100T and JG-102 and the type strains of some phylogenetically related Psychrobacter species were 6–24 %. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data and genomic distinctiveness, strains JG-100T and JG-102 should be placed in the genus Psychrobacter as a novel species, for which the name Psychrobacter alimentarius sp. nov. (type strain, JG-100T=KCTC 12186T=DSM 16065T) is proposed.

A novel thermophilic, acidophilic bacterium, designated strain Pd55T, was isolated from a self-temperature-recording in situ colonization system deployed in a hydrothermal diffusing flow (maximum temperature of 78 °C) at the TOTO caldera in the Mariana Arc. Cells of strain Pd55T were motile, short rods with a single polar flagellum. Growth was observed between 30 and 68 °C (optimum growth at 50 °C; 120 min doubling time) and between (initial) pH 4·2 and 7·0 (optimum at pH 5·2). The isolate was a strictly anaerobic chemolithoautotroph capable of using molecular hydrogen as sole energy source and carbon dioxide as sole carbon source. Elemental sulfur served as the sole electron acceptor to support growth. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 34·0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate was related to members of the genera Nautilia and Caminibacter, although it appeared to be a novel lineage prior to the divergence between Nautilia and Caminibacter. Strain Pd55T could also be differentiated from Nautilia and Caminibacter species on the basis of its physiological properties. It is, therefore, proposed that strain Pd55T (=JCM 12420T=DSM 16356T) represents the type strain of a novel species in a new genus, Lebetimonas acidiphila gen. nov., sp. nov.

The aim of this study was to improve the definition and identification of a group of veterinarily important bacteria referred to as the [Pasteurella] aerogenes–[Pasteurella] mairii–[Actinobacillus] rossii complex. These organisms have mainly been isolated from the reproductive and intestinal tracts of pigs and in most cases have been considered as opportunistic pathogens. A collection of 87 strains were characterized by phenotypic analysis from which 41 strains were selected for 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, out of which 23 have been sequenced in the present study. One group of 21 strains phenotyped as biovars 1, 3–5, 9–11, 19 and 25–27, including the type strain of [P.] aerogenes, showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 99·6 % or higher; another group of 18 strains including biovars 2, 6–8, 12–15, 21, 23, 24 and 26A and the type strain of [A.] rossii showed 97·8 % or higher 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Between the two groups, 93·8–95·7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was observed. Strains of [P.] mairii showed 99·5 % similarity, with 95·5–97·2 and 93·8–95·5 % similarity to strains of [P.] aerogenes and [A.] rossii, respectively. Four strains could not be classified with any of these groups and belonged to other members of Pasteurellaceae. Comparisons were also made to DNA–DNA hybridization data. Biovars 1, 9, 10, 11 and 19, including the type strain of [P.] aerogenes, linked at 70 % DNA reassociation, whereas strains identified as biovars 2, 6, 7, 8, 12, 15 and 21 of [P.] aerogenes linked at 81 %. The latter group most likely represents [A.] rossii based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons. DNA reassociation between the [P.] aerogenes and [A.] rossii groups was at most 37 %, whereas 47 % was the highest DNA reassociation found between [P.] aerogenes and [P.] mairii. The study showed that [P.] aerogenes, [P.] mairii and [A.] rossii can not be easily separated and may consequently be misidentified based on current knowledge of their phenotypic characteristics. In addition, these taxa are difficult to separate from other taxa of the Pasteurellaceae. A revised scheme for separation based upon phenotypic characters is suggested for the three species [P.] aerogenes emend., [P.] mairii emend. and [A.] rossii emend., with the respective type strains ATCC 27883T, NCTC 10699T and ATCC 27072T.

A halophilic non-spore-forming bacterium of the γ-Proteobacteria, designated strain BH030046T, was isolated from a solar saltern in Korea. Cells were Gram-negative, chemoheterotrophic, short rod-shaped and motile with a polar flagellum. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain BH030046T formed a distinct lineage in the family Alteromonadaceae and was distinguished from its closest related genera Alteromonas (91·4–94·8 %), Aestuariibacter (92·1–93·5 %) and Glaciecola (92·1–93·5 %) on the basis of low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Physiological and biochemical data also showed that the isolate was different from members of these three genera. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 and C18 : 1 ω7c. DNA G+C content was 48 mol% and the major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The strain grew optimally at 30–35 °C, pH 7·0–8·0 and 2–5 % NaCl. On the basis of physiological and molecular properties, strain BH030046T (=KCTC 12239T=DSM 16280T) represents a novel genus and species in the family Alteromonadaceae, for which the name Salinimonas chungwhensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.

A polyphasic taxonomic study of 14 isolates recovered from various human and veterinary clinical samples was performed. Phenotypically these isolates shared several characteristics with members of the Alcaligenaceae and related genera. Random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting and whole-cell protein analysis suggested the presence of multiple genomic groups, which was confirmed by DNA–DNA hybridization experiments. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that these isolates were related to the genera Pelistega, Taylorella, Oligella, Pigmentiphaga, Alcaligenes, Kerstersia, Achromobacter and Bordetella and belonged to the family Alcaligenaceae. Based on the results of the present study the organisms were classified in a novel genus, Advenella gen. nov. This genus comprises one named species, Advenella incenata sp. nov. (type strain LMG 22250T=CCUG 45225T) and five currently unnamed genomic species. The DNA G+C content of members of the novel genus Advenella is between 54·0 and 57·7 mol%.

A Gram-negative, polarly flagellated bacterium was isolated from a sea-water sample collected from the Karadag Natural Reserve of the Eastern Crimea and characterized to clarify its taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis of this novel organism revealed Marinomonas vaga, Marinomonas communis, Marinomonas mediterranea, Marinomonas primoryensis and ‘Marinomonas protea’ as its closest relatives (similarity 95–97 %). The G+C content of the DNA was 46·5 mol%. The organism grew between 4 and 33 °C, tolerated 10 % NaCl, was slightly alkaliphilic and was not able to degrade starch, gelatin, agar or Tween 80. Phosphatidylethanolamine (53·4 %) and phosphatidylglycerol (46·6 %) were the predominant phospholipids. The major fatty acids were 16 : 0 (15·5 %), 16 : 1ω7 (26·7 %) and 18 : 1ω7 (47·1 %). The phylogenetic, genetic and physiological properties of the organism placed it within a novel species, proposed as Marinomonas pontica sp. nov., the type strain of which is 46-16T (=LMG 22531T=KMM 3492T=UCM 11075T).

Members of the genus Methylobacterium are ubiquitous in nature and can be isolated from almost any freshwater environment where dissolved oxygen exists. This genus is composed of a variety of pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic (PPFM) bacteria. During a screening programme to monitor the bacterial population present in the drinking water of a municipal water supply in Seville (Spain) during the year 2003, five strains of PPFM bacteria were isolated and characterized. Analysis of their complete 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that they constituted two separate phylogenetic groups (strains GP34T and GR18, and strains GR16T, GP22 and GP32, respectively) showing highest similarity to members of the genus Methylobacterium. The highest 16S rRNA sequence similarities of strain GP34T were found with respect to the type strains of Methylobacterium radiotolerans (96·6 %) and Methylobacterium fujisawaense (96·4 %) and the highest 16S rRNA sequence similarities of strain GR16T were to the type strains of Methylobacterium extorquens (96·0 %) and Methylobacterium rhodesianum (95·8 %). The G+C content of their DNA ranged from 66·5 to 67·8 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization studies confirmed that they constituted two separate genospecies. On the basis of this phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic study, two novel species of the genus Methylobacterium are proposed: Methylobacterium hispanicum sp. nov., with type strain GP34T (CECT 5997T=CCM 7219T=DSM 16372T=CIP 108332T), and Methylobacterium aquaticum sp. nov., with type strain GR16T (CECT 5998T=CCM 7218T=DSM 16371T=CIP 108333T).

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, psychrophilic, motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, strain U1T, was isolated from Ushuaia located at the southernmost tip of Argentina. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain U1T was found to be closely related to Marinomonas communis (DSM 5604T) and Marinomonas primoryensis (IAM 15010T). At the DNA–DNA level, however, the values for similarity were 41 and 25 %, respectively. The major fatty acids present were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c, iso-C17 : 1 and C18 : 1 ω7c and the G+C content of the DNA was 43·6 mol%. All of the above characteristics support the affiliation of strain U1T to the genus Marinomonas. Furthermore, on the basis of phenotypic features, chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, it appears that strain U1T is distinct from the four Marinomonas species with validly published names. Strain U1T, therefore, represents a novel species, for which the name Marinomonas ushuaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of M. ushuaiensis is U1T (=MTCC 6143T=DSM 15871T=JCM 12170T).

Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that [Alysiella] sp. IAM 14971 (=ATCC 29468) is closely related to the genus Moraxella of the γ-Proteobacteria (96–97 % similarity). The newly obtained phenotypic data also indicate that [Alysiella] sp. IAM 14971 is distinct from the genus Alysiella and similar to the genus Moraxella. On the basis of these results, the strain should be classified in the genus Moraxella, as Moraxella oblonga sp. nov. The type strain is IAM 14971T (=ATCC 29468T).

A Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, pleomorphic and lipolytic bacterial strain, M37T, was isolated from an intertidal sediment of the Yellow Sea in Korea. This organism grew optimally at 25–28 °C and in the presence of 1–2 % NaCl. It did not grow without NaCl or in the presence of more than 6 % NaCl. Strain M37T was characterized chemotaxonomically by having Q-8 as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 47 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain M37T within the clade comprising Photobacterium species, forming a coherent cluster with the type strains of Photobacterium profundum and Photobacterium indicum (16S rRNA gene similarity levels of 97·5–98·0 %). The mean DNA–DNA relatedness levels between strain M37T and P. profundum JCM 10084T and P. indicum DSM 5151T were in the range 12–15 %. Similarities between 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain M37T and those of the type strains of the other Photobacterium species ranged from 93·9 % (with Photobacterium fischeri) to 96·2 % (with Photobacterium phosphoreum). On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic and genomic distinctiveness, strain M37T (=KCTC 10562BPT=DSM 16190T) should be placed in the genus Photobacterium as a novel species, for which the name Photobacterium lipolyticum sp. nov. is proposed.

Two Gram-negative, oxidase-positive rods (strains BSB 9.5T and BSB 41.8T) isolated from wastewater were studied using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons demonstrated that both strains cluster phylogenetically within the family Comamonadaceae: the two strains shared 99·9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and were most closely related to the type strains of Hydrogenophaga palleronii (98·5 %) and Hydrogenophaga taeniospiralis (98·0 %). The fatty acid patterns and substrate-utilization profiles displayed similarity to the those of the five Hydrogenophaga species with validly published names, although clear differentiating characteristics were also observed. The two strains showed DNA–DNA hybridization values of 51 % with respect to each other. No close similarities to any other Hydrogenophaga species were detected in hybridization experiments with the genomic DNAs. On the basis of these results, two novel Hydrogenophaga species, Hydrogenophaga defluvii sp. nov. and Hydrogenophaga atypica sp. nov. are proposed, with BSB 9.5T (=DSM 15341T=CIP 108119T) and BSB 41.8T (=DSM 15342T=CIP 108118T) as the respective type strains.

This paper describes a phenotypic and genotypic investigation of the taxonomy of [Haemophilus] paragallinarum, Pasteurella gallinarum, Pasteurella avium and Pasteurella volantium, a major subcluster within the avian 16S rRNA cluster 18 of the family Pasteurellaceae. An extended phenotypic characterization was performed of the type strain of [Haemophilus] paragallinarum, which is NAD-dependent, and eight NAD-independent strains of [Haemophilus] paragallinarum. Complete 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained for one NAD-independent and four NAD-dependent [Haemophilus] paragallinarum strains. These five sequences along with existing 16S rRNA gene sequences for 11 other taxa within avian 16S rRNA cluster 18 as well as seven other taxa from the Pasteurellaceae were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The analysis demonstrated that [Haemophilus] paragallinarum, Pasteurella gallinarum, Pasteurella avium and Pasteurella volantium formed a monophyletic group with a minimum of 96·8 % sequence similarity. This group can also be separated by phenotypic testing from all other recognized and named taxa within the Pasteurellaceae. As both genotypic and phenotypic testing support the separate and distinct nature of this subcluster, the transfer is proposed of Pasteurella gallinarum, [Haemophilus] paragallinarum, Pasteurella avium and Pasteurella volantium to a new genus Avibacterium as Avibacterium gallinarum gen. nov., comb. nov., Avibacterium paragallinarum comb. nov., Avibacterium avium comb. nov. and Avibacterium volantium comb. nov. The type strains are NCTC 1118T (Avibacterium gallinarum), NCTC 11296T (Avibacterium paragallinarum), NCTC 11297T (Avibacterium avium) and NCTC 3438T (Avibacterium volantium). Key characteristics that separate these four species are catalase activity (absent only in Avibacterium paragallinarum) and production of acid from galactose (negative only in Avibacterium paragallinarum), maltose (negative only in Avibacterium avium) and mannitol (negative in Avibacterium gallinarum and Avibacterium avium).

A highly efficient dye-decolorizing bacterium, strain S12T, was isolated from activated sludge of a textile-printing waste-water treatment plant in Guangzhou, China. The cells were Gram-negative and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The strain was capable of anaerobic growth either by fermentation of glucose or by anaerobic respiration and utilized a variety of electron acceptors, including nitrate, iron oxide and thiosulfate. The physiological properties, tested by using the Biolog GN2 system, were similar to those of the genus of Shewanella. Analysis of the nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain S12T showed the highest similarity (98 and 97 %, respectively) to Shewanella baltica and Shewanella putrefaciens. However, the level of gyrB similarity between strain S12T and S. putrefaciens was 87 %. DNA from strain S12T showed 41·8 and 41·9 % DNA relatedness, respectively, to the DNA of S. baltica DSM 9439T and S. putrefaciens DSM 6067T. The DNA G+C content of strain S12T was 49·3 mol%. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-7 and Q-8. The dominant fatty acids were 15 : 0, 16 : 0, iso-15 : 0 and 16 : 1ω7c, similar to the profiles of other Shewanella species. On the basis of its physiological and molecular properties, strain S12T appears to represent a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella decolorationis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S12T (=CCTCC M 203093T=IAM 15094T).

A Gram-negative, motile, yellow-pigmented, slightly halophilic bacterial strain, SW-151T, was isolated from sea water of the Yellow Sea in Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The isolate grew optimally at 30 °C and in the presence of 2–3 % NaCl. Strain SW-151T was characterized chemotaxonomically as having Q-10 as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and C18 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and C17 : 1 ω6c as the major fatty acids. Sphingoglycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 58 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain SW-151T joins the evolutionary radiation enclosed by the genus Sphingopyxis. Similarities between the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain SW-151T and the type strains of Sphingopyxis species ranged from 92·3 to 94·3 %, which is low enough to categorize strain SW-151T as a species distinct from previously described Sphingopyxis species. On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain SW-151T (=KCTC 12232T=DSM 16223T) should be classified as a novel Sphingopyxis species, for which the name Sphingopyxis flavimaris sp. nov. is proposed.

A halophilic γ-proteobacterium, designated CL-SP19T, was isolated from hypersaline water from a solar saltern located in Seosin, Korea. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed an affiliation with the genus Idiomarina. The sequence similarities between CL-SP19T and type strains of the genus Idiomarina ranged from 95·9 to 96·9 %. Cells were straight or slightly curved rods and were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The major fatty acids were C15 : 0 iso (17·1 %) and C17 : 0 iso (15·2 %). Three fatty acids, C19 : 0 ω8c cyclo (3·5 %), C14 : 1 ω5c (1·4 %) and C18 : 3 ω6c (1·2 %), were found in minor quantities, but uniquely in CL-SP19T among Idiomarina species. The DNA G+C content was 45·0 mol%. On the basis of its physiology, fatty acid composition and 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain CL-SP19T could be assigned to the genus Idiomarina but distinguished from the recognized species of the genus. Strain CL-SP19T, therefore, represents a novel species, for which the name Idiomarina seosinensis sp. nov. is proposed, with CL-SP19T (=KCTC 12296T=JCM 12526T) as the type strain.

A moderately thermophilic aerobic bacterium, strain 25-4T, was isolated from a hot spring at Baekdoo Mountain in Korea. The cells were Gram-negative, motile rods each having a polar flagellum. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain represented a new lineage within the family ‘Xanthomonadaceae’ of the ‘Gammaproteobacteria’, being most closely related to the genera Thermomonas, Xanthomonas, Luteimonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Stenotrophomonas and Xylella and having 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the most related species of the genera of between 92·9 and 94·4 %. The strain contained Q-8 as the major isoprenoid quinone and had a fatty acid profile with predominant iso-branched fatty acids. Growth occurred at pH 6·0–10, with an optimum at pH 9·0, and at 25–53 °C, with an optimum at 47 °C. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 50·7 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and its phenotypic characteristics, strain 25-4T belongs to a new genus, Silanimonas gen. nov., within the ‘Gammaproteobacteria’. The sole species of this genus is Silanimonas lenta sp. nov. (type strain, 25-4T=DSM 16282T=KCTC 12236T).