- Volume 56, Issue 10, 2006

The family name ‘Geodermatophilaceae’ was first published by Normand et al. (1996) to contain the genera Geodermatophilus and Blastococcus, but a formal description and the designation of the type genus were not included, thus making the name invalid. Since then, the genus Modestobacter has been described as a member of the family ‘Geodermatophilaceae’ by Mevs et al. (2000) . We hereby formally describe the family ‘Geodermatophilaceae’ which includes the recently described genus Modestobacter. The type genus of the family is Geodermatophilus.

Despite differences in their morphologies, comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed high levels of similarity (>94 %) between strains of the filamentous bacterium ‘Candidatus Nostocoida limicola’ and the cocci Tetrasphaera australiensis and Tetrasphaera japonica and the rod Tetrasphaera elongata, all isolated from activated sludge. These sequence data and their chemotaxonomic characters, including cell wall, menaquinone and lipid compositions and fingerprints of their 16S–23S rRNA intergenic regions, support the proposition that these isolates should be combined into a single genus containing six species, in the family Intrasporangiaceae in the Actinobacteria. This suggestion receives additional support from DNA–DNA hybridization data and when partial sequences of the rpoC1 gene are compared between these strains. Even though few phenotypic characterization data were obtained for these slowly growing isolates, it is proposed, on the basis of the extensive chemotaxonomic and molecular evidence presented here, that ‘Candidatus N. limicola’ strains Ben 17, Ben 18, Ben 67, Ben 68 and Ben 74 all be placed into the species Tetrasphaera jenkinsii sp. nov. (type strain Ben 74T=DSM 17519T=NCIMB 14128T), ‘Candidatus N. limicola’ strain Ben 70 into Tetrasphaera vanveenii sp. nov. (type strain Ben 70T=DSM 17518T=NCIMB 14127T) and ‘Candidatus N. limicola’ strains Ver 1 and Ver 2 into Tetrasphaera veronensis sp. nov. (type strain Ver 1T=DSM 17520T=NCIMB 14129T).

The taxonomic position of a group of mesophilic actinomycetes isolated from arid Australian soils was determined using a polyphasic approach. The organisms shared chemical and morphological markers typical of members of the genus Amycolatopsis. They had identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and formed a distinct phyletic line in the Amycolatopsis mediterranei clade, being most closely related to A. mediterranei. In addition, they shared a range of phenotypic properties that distinguished them from representatives of all of the species classified in this clade. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicate that the strains merit species status within the genus Amycolatopsis. The name proposed for the novel species is Amycolatopsis australiensis sp. nov.; the type strain is GY048T (=DSM 44671T=NCIMB 14142T).

The taxonomic positions of two actinobacterial strains isolated from Mariana Trench sediment were established using a combination of genotypic and phenotypic data. The strains, isolates MT2.1T and MT2.2T, formed a distinct phyletic line in the Micrococcineae 16S rRNA gene tree together with Dermacoccus abyssi NCIMB 14084T. The isolates had chemical and phenotypic properties typical of members of the genus Dermacoccus and could be distinguished sharply from one another and from the type strains of Dermacoccus abyssi and Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis using DNA–DNA relatedness data. A range of phenotypic properties served to distinguish the two novel strains from one another and from the type strains of established Dermacoccus species. The G+C contents of the DNAs of strains MT2.1T and MT2.2T were 66.8 and 69.1 mol%, respectively. It is evident that the two isolates merit recognition as novel species within the genus Dermacoccus. The names proposed for these taxa are Dermacoccus barathri sp. nov. (type strain MT2.1T=DSM 17574T=NCIMB 14081T) and Dermacoccus profundi sp. nov. (type strain MT2.2T=DSM 17575T=NCIMB 14084T).

A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic status of a Gram-positive, aerobic actinomycete, strain HPA177T, isolated from a marine sponge, Hymeniacidon perleve. The organism formed branching, non-fragmenting vegetative hyphae and produced black pigment. Chemotaxonomic characteristics were consistent with its assignment to the genus Actinoalloteichus. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain HPA177T formed a robust clade with type strains of the genus Actinoalloteichus, but was distinct from them. A number of phenotypic characteristics also readily distinguished strain HPA177T from species of the genus Actinoalloteichus with validly published names. On the basis of the above data, it is proposed that strain HPA177T represents a novel species, Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis sp. nov. The type strain of Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis is HPA177T (=CGMCC 4.2500T=JCM 13436T).

A high-G+C-content Gram-positive bacterium, designated as strain AC4rT, was isolated from a highly alkaline, non-saline groundwater environment (pH 11.4). This organism formed small rod-shaped cells, was aerobic, heterotrophic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative and had an optimum growth temperature of 35 °C and an optimum pH of 9.5. The strain possessed a B2β-type cell-wall peptidoglycan, with d-Orn as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major respiratory quinones were unsaturated menaquinones with 13 and 14 isoprene units. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-15 : 0, iso-16 : 0, iso-14 : 0 and iso-15 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 67.1 mol%. In a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain AC4rT showed the highest level of similarity (99.2 %) to the type strain of Microcella putealis; however, the DNA–DNA reassociation value between these two organisms was low (38.3 %). On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, the DNA–DNA reassociation value and distinct phenotypic characteristics, strain AC4rT represents a novel species within the genus Microcella, for which the name Microcella alkaliphila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AC4rT (=LMG 22690T=CIP 108473T).

Strain NCIMB 9991T is a Gram-positive, short rod-shaped, yellow-pigmented bacterium, with a high DNA G+C content, and was originally deposited in 1967 as Arthrobacter sp. The bacterium is aerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that this strain was highly related genealogically to Plantibacter flavus DSM 14012T. Strain IAM 14817T (=NCIMB 9991T) has the following characteristics: the predominant menaquinones are MK-9 and MK-10, the DNA G+C content is 68 mol%, the diamino acid in the cell wall is 2,4-l-diaminobutyric acid and the muramic acid in the peptidoglycan is of an acetyl type. The major fatty acid is 12-methyl tetradecanoic acid (anteiso-C15 : 0), followed by 14-methyl hexadecanoic acid (anteiso-C17 : 0), 14-methyl pentadecanoic acid (iso-C16 : 0) and hexadecanoic acid (C16 : 0). On the basis of morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, together with DNA–DNA hybridization and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, strain IAM 14817T represents a novel species within the genus Plantibacter, for which the name Plantibacter auratus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain IAM 14817T (=NCIMB 9991T=NBRC 15702T).

A marine actinomycete strain, designated KSW2-15T, was isolated from a dried seaweed sample collected from a sandy beach on the coast of Jeju in the Republic of Korea. The organism produced non-motile, non-endospore-forming, Gram-positive, coccoid cells. The colonies were circular, translucent and yellow in colour with entire margins. meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present as the diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The acyl type of the muramic acid was acetyl. Mycolic acids were not present. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were of the saturated, unsaturated and iso-branched methyl types. The DNA G+C content was 74 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain KSW2-15T formed a loose association with ‘Candidatus Nostocoida limicola’, within the radiation of the family Intrasporangiaceae of the suborder Micrococcineae. The organism showed the highest levels of sequence similarity with ‘Candidatus Nostocoida limicola’ (96.1 %), Terrabacter tumescens (96.1 %) and Terrabacter terrae (96.0 %). The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the isolate and members of other genera of the family Intrasporangiaceae were in the range 92.1–95.5 %. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, the isolate should be classified within a novel genus and species, for which the name Phycicoccus jejuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Phycicoccus jejuensis is strain KSW2-15T (=KCCM 42315T=NRRL B-24460T).

An actinomycete strain, NAR01T, was isolated from root nodules of a Coriaria plant. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NAR01T showed most similarity to the type strains of Micromonospora endolithica (98.94 %) and Micromonospora chersina (98.4 %). The chemotaxonomic results obtained confirmed the taxonomic position of the isolate within the genus Micromonospora, and revealed differences at the species level. Physiological and biochemical tests showed that strain NAR01T could be clearly distinguished from its closest phylogenetic neighbours, while DNA–DNA hybridization results indicated that the isolate represents a novel species. On the basis of these results, strain NAR01T (=DSM 44875T=LMG 23557T) is proposed as the type strain of the novel species Micromonospora coriariae sp. nov.

A novel actinomycete, strain KST3-10T, was isolated from sand sediment of a beach in Jeju, Korea, and was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The organism produced circular, smooth, translucent, apricot-coloured colonies comprising coccoid- or rod-shaped cells. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism belonged to the family Geodermatophilaceae and consistently formed a distinct sub-branch outside the radiation of the genus Blastococcus. The organism showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.2 % with respect to Blastococcus aggregatus DSM 4725T and 98.1 % with respect to Blastococcus saxobsidens BC444T. The type strains of the two Blastococcus species shared 98.2 % sequence similarity with respect to each other, whereas the levels of sequence similarity between the novel organism and the type strains of the less closely related neighbours, Modestobacter multiseptatus and Geodermatophilus obscurus, were in the range 96.2–96.9 %. The physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data revealed that the novel organism can be readily differentiated from members of the genus Blastococcus and that it merits separate species status. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic evidence, strain KST3-10T represents a novel species of the genus Blastococcus, for which the name Blastococcus jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KST3-10T (=NRRL B-24440T=KCCM 42251T).

Two Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped actinomycete strains, KSL-113T and KSL-133, were isolated from an alkaline soil in Korea, and their taxonomic positions were investigated by using a polyphasic approach. The strains grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 9.0. Phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic similarities indicated that strains KSL-113T and KSL-133 represent the same species. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains KSL-113T and KSL-133 fell within the family Microbacteriaceae of the suborder Micrococcineae, the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values (98.2 %) being obtained with respect to Microcella putealis CV-2T. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strains KSL-113T and KSL-133 and the other members of the family Microbacteriaceae used in the phylogenetic analysis were less than 96.0 %. Strains KSL-113T and KSL-133 could be clearly distinguished from members of the family Microbacteriaceae on the basis of differences in chemotaxonomic properties, including the predominant menaquinone type, the cell-wall peptidoglycan type and the fatty acid profile. Accordingly, on the basis of the combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strains KSL-113T and KSL-133 constitute a novel genus and species of the family Microbacteriaceae, for which the name Yonghaparkia alkaliphila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Yonghaparkia alkaliphila is KSL-113T (=KCTC 19126T=CIP 108920T).

Two Gram-positive, catalase-positive, irregular short rod- or coccoid-shaped bacterial strains, N113T and R33, were isolated from an enrichment culture with diesel oil-degradation activity and their taxonomic positions were investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic similarities indicated that strains N113T and R33 were representatives of the same species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains N113T and R33 form a lineage independent from those of members of the family Intrasporangiaceae. The novel isolates had cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid, MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone and 10-methyl-C18 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents were 69.6–69.9 mol%. These chemotaxonomic properties, together with phylogenetic distinctiveness, distinguish the two novel strains from recognized members of the family Intrasporangiaceae. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strains N113T (=KCTC 19143T=JCM 13585T) and R33 are classified as representatives of a novel genus and species, Kribbia dieselivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Intrasporangiaceae.

A novel halophilic archaeon, NG4T, was isolated from Jilantai salt lake in Inner Mongolia, China. The taxonomy of strain NG4T was studied by polyphasic methods. Strain NG4T grew at pH 5.5–8.5 and at a temperature of 22–55 °C. It was chemo-organotrophic, aerobic and required concentrations of 2.7–5.2 M NaCl and 0.05–0.3 M Mg2+ for growth. Cells were Gram-negative, slender rods. Colonies on agar plates containing 25 % (w/v) total salts were red, elevated and round. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain NG4T was phylogenetically related to Halobacterium salinarum DSM 3754T (98.2 %) and Halobacterium noricense A1T (97.3 %). The DNA G+C content was 64.2 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness values with Hbt. salinarum DSM 3754T and Hbt. noricense A1T were 47 and 35 %, respectively. The polar lipids of strain NG4T consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, methylated phosphatidylglycerol phosphate, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate, triglycosyl diether, sulfated triglycosyl diether and sulfated tetraglycosyl diether. It was concluded that strain NG4T represents a novel species of the genus Halobacterium, for which the name Halobacterium jilantaiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NG4T (=CGMCC 1.5337T=JCM 13558T).

A light-orange, aerobic bacterium, strain UST040201-001T, that degrades casein, gelatin and Tween 20, was isolated in February 2004 from a sand-filtered seawater sample from Port Shelter, Hong Kong SAR, China. The strain possessed menaquinone-6 and its 16S rRNA gene sequence shared only 90.1 % similarity with that of Brumimicrobium glaciale IC156T. Phylogenetic analysis showed that UST040201-001T formed a distinct lineage within the family Cryomorphaceae. Its ecophysiological and biochemical characteristics suggest that this strain represents a novel genus and species within the phylum Bacteroidetes. The name Lishizhenia caseinilytica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Lishizhenia caseinilytica is UST040201-001T (=NRRL B-41434T=JCM 13821T).

A total of 26 isolates of non-fermenting, Gram-negative rods, obtained between 1980 and 2004 by various clinical laboratories in Belgium, with phenotypic characteristics resembling those of members of the genera Chryseobacterium and Empedobacter (indole-positive) and a biochemical profile resembling that of CDC group II-h, but urease-positive, were collected at the Université Catholique de Louvain Microbiology Laboratory, Belgium. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were determined for most of the isolates and showed 94–95 % similarity with the type strain of Empedobacter brevis as the closest relative, indicating that these isolates might belong to a separate genus. Furthermore, the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the isolates were similar, but two clusters (genomovars) could be distinguished. The sequence similarities were 99.5–100 % for the 14 isolates of genomovar 1 and 99.4–100 % for the 12 isolates of genomovar 2. The similarity between the two clusters was 98.3–99.5 %. The presence of two clearly different groups was corroborated by using tRNA intergenic length polymorphism analysis, which also enabled differentiation of the novel species from all other species studied thus far using this technique. DNA–DNA hybridization results excluded a close relatedness to Empedobacter brevis. The DNA G+C contents of the reference strains of genomovars 1 and 2 were 33.8±0.4 and 34.4±0.2 mol%, respectively. The name Wautersiella falsenii gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed for this group, comprising two closely related genomovars. The type strain of the species and reference strain for genomovar 1 is NF 993T (=CCUG 51536T=CIP 108861T), which was isolated from a surgical wound. The reference strain for genomovar 2 is NF 770 (=CCUG 51537=CIP 108860), which was isolated from blood.

The taxonomic position of a novel marine, heterotrophic, strictly aerobic, gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain KMM 6059T, was determined. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that this strain represents a member of the genus Mesonia. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data showed that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Mesonia, for which the name Mesonia mobilis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6059T (=KCTC 12708T=LMG 23670T). An emended description of the genus Mesonia based on the new data is also given.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain EMB47T, was isolated from activated sludge performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal in a sequencing batch reactor. Growth was observed between 10 and 40 °C (optimum, 25–35 °C) and between pH 5.0 and 8.5 (optimum, pH 7.5–8.0). The predominant fatty acids of strain EMB47T were iso-C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 1 G, C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 and it contained phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine as polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.8 mol% and the major quinone was MK-6. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain EMB47T formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Flavobacterium. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to Flavobacterium species were below 94.7 %. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, strain EMB47T represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium croceum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EMB47T (=KCTC 12611T=DSM 17960T).

Four yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, motile strains were isolated from the glassy rind of submarine basaltic lava from the Jan Mayen area of the Norwegian/Greenland Sea at a depth of 1300 m below sea level. The four strains had identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and were indistinguishable in all phenotypic and chemotypic tests performed, indicating that they belonged to the same species. The strains had an obligately aerobic chemo-organotrophic metabolism. The strains were capable of growth at temperatures between −2 and 34 °C, at pH between 6.5 and 8.6, and at sea salt concentrations between 3 and 60 g l−1. The strains were able to utilize organic acids, amino acids and sugars but not alcohols; they were also capable of hydrolysing a wide range of macromolecules. The predominant fatty acids were 15 : 0 iso, 15 : 1 iso, 15 : 0 iso 3-OH and 17 : 0 iso 3-OH. The mean DNA G+C content of the strains was 31.4 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strains were affiliated to the genera Gaetbulibacter and Algibacter. However, phenotypic characteristics, especially aerobic metabolism, suggested that the strains should be placed within a new genus. On the basis of the polyphasic characterization of the four strains, it is suggested that the strains be included in the family Flavobacteriaceae as representatives of a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Flaviramulus basaltis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H35T (=CIP 109091T=DSM 18180T).