- Volume 57, Issue 10, 2007

Two novel Microbacterium species are described on the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic studies. The two strains, designated YM10-847T and YM11-607T, were isolated from river sediment and unidentified hydroid, respectively, of a marine lake. The strains were Gram-positive, catalase-positive bacteria with l-ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was N-glycolyl. The major menaquinones were MK-10 and MK-11 for YM10-847T, and MK-11 and MK-12 for YM11-607T. Mycolic acids were not detected. The DNA G+C content of strains YM10-847T and YM11-607T was 67.8 and 71.6 mol%, respectively. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the two strains belong to the genus Microbacterium. DNA–DNA relatedness data showed that YM10-847T and YM11-607T are two novel species of this genus. On the basis of these results, strains YM10-847T and YM11-607T represent two novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the names Microbacterium sediminicola sp. nov. and Microbacterium marinilacus sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are YM10-847T (=MBIC08264T=DSM 18905T) and YM11-607T (=MBIC07778T=DSM 18904T), respectively.

Fifteen strains of red-pigmented, strictly aerobic, coccoid, extremely halophilic archaea were isolated from fish sauce (nam-pla) produced in Thailand. They grew optimally at 37 °C, pH 6–8 and in the presence of 20–30 % (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C contents of the isolates were 60.0–61.8 mol%. They had MK-8(H2) as a major menaquinone component and C20C20 and C20C25 derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol methylphosphate and a sulfated glycolipid, S-DGA-1, as major polar lipid components. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that a representative strain, HDB5-2T, was affiliated with Halococcus dombrowskii JCM 12289T, Halococcus qingdaonensis JCM 13587T and Halococcus morrhuae JCM 8876T (levels of similarity of 98.2–98.7 %). Based on data from DNA–DNA hybridization experiments, the 15 strains represented a single species, showing hybridization values of >78.9 % to representative strain HDB5-2T, but were unrelated to either Halococcus dombrowskii JCM 12289T or Halococcus morrhuae JCM 8876T, with levels of relatedness of <50 %. Moreover, a comparison of phenotypic properties discriminated these new isolates from recognized species of the genus Halococcus. The 15 strains are thus considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halococcus, for which the name Halococcus thailandensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HDB5-2T (=BCC 20213T =JCM 13552T =PCU 278T).

An extremely halophilic archaeon, strain Fa-1T, was isolated from a marine solar saltern in Fujian, China. Strain Fa-1T required Mg2+ and at least 2.0 M NaCl for growth. It was able to grow at pH 6.5–9.0 (optimally at pH 7.0–7.5) and at 20–55 °C (optimally at 37–42 °C). The major polar lipids of strain Fa-1T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and a sulfated diglycosyl diether. On the basis of a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Fa-1T was closely related to nine species of the genus Halorubrum, showing sequence similarities of 97.4–98.4 %. The G+C content of the DNA of strain Fa-1T is 64.9 mol% (T m). DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain Fa-1T and the most closely related members of the genus Halorubrum were below 51 %. On the basis of the data from this study, strain Fa-1T represents a novel species of the genus Halorubrum, for which the name Halorubrum litoreum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Fa-1T (=CGMCC 1.5336T =JCM 13561T).

A novel, extremely halophilic archaeon B3T was isolated from shrimp-salted seafood. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features and 16S rRNA gene sequence were characterized. Strain B3T is non-motile, Gram-variable, requires at least 10 % (w/v) NaCl for growth and grows in the ranges of 21–50 °C and pH 6.5–9.0. The DNA G+C content of strain B3T was 63.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain B3T belonged to the genus Halalkalicoccus and was phylogenetically closely related to the type strain Halalkalicoccus tibetensis (98.64 %). However, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed 7.0 % relatedness between strain B3T and a strain of a reference species of the genus Halalkalicoccus. Combined analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA–DNA relatedness data, physiological and biochemical tests indicated that the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics differentiate strain B3T from other Halalkalicoccus species. On the basis of the evidence presented in this report, strain B3T represents a novel species of the genus Halalkalicoccus, for which the name Halalkalicoccus jeotgali. sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B3T (=KCTC 4019T=DSM 18796T=JCM 14584T=CECT 7217T).

Three strains of anaerobic, non-pigmented, Gram-negative bacilli isolated from various human clinical samples were characterized in terms of phenotypic and genotypic tests, including sequence analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes. The strains were most closely related to the type strains of Prevotella marshii and Prevotella shahii on the basis of both 16S rRNA (89.8 and 89.0 % identity, respectively) and rpoB gene sequences (83.1 and 82.8 % identity, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates constituted a robust homogeneous group distinct from known species in the genus Prevotella. The rrn skeleton (as determined by PFGE) and the DNA G+C content, determined to be 39.4 mol% for strain LBN 293T, distinguished the novel isolates from the type strains of P. marshii and P. shahii. The three strains were saccharolytic and produced acetic, lactic and succinic acids as major metabolic end products. Polyphasic investigations supported the proposal of a novel species, Prevotella nanceiensis sp. nov., with LBN 293T (=AIP 261.03T =CIP 108993T =CCUG 54409T) as the type strain.

Five isolates that were related phylogenetically to members of the genus Pedobacter were isolated from freshwater of the hard-water creek Westerhöfer Bach, North Germany. The five strains (WB 2.1-25T, WB 2.3-71T, WB 3.3-3T, WB 3.3-22T and WB 2.3-45T) were Gram-negative and chemoheterotrophic, with rod-shaped cells. Most of their metabolic properties matched those given in the description of the genus Pedobacter. Consistent with the genus description, their fatty acids included mainly iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c, iso-C15 : 0 2-OH or both); C16 : 1 ω5c, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0 3-OH and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH were present in smaller amounts. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7. With one exception, binary similarity values of the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequences determined among the isolates as well as between the isolates and type strains of Pedobacter species were lower than 98.5 %. The only exception was the close relationship between Pedobacter caeni DSM 16990T and strain WB 2.3-45T (99.2 % similarity). DNA–DNA reassociation values determined for this pair of strains was 29.8 %, indicating that strain WB 2.3-45T represents a unique genospecies. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains WB 2.1-25T and WB 2.3-71T form a group that is moderately related to P. caeni and strain WB 2.3-45T (98.5 % similarity). Strains WB 3.3-3T and WB 3.3-22T (98.5 % similarity) branched separately from these four organisms. The five phylogenetically isolated strains differed from each other as well as from the type strain of the type species (Pedobacter heparinus DSM 2366T) and some related representatives of the genus in several metabolic reactions and cultural parameters. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, five novel species are proposed: Pedobacter duraquae sp. nov., with WB 2.1-25T (=DSM 19034T=CIP 109481T) as the type strain; Pedobacter westerhofensis sp. nov., with WB 3.3-22T (=DSM 19036T=CIP 109479T) as the type strain; Pedobacter metabolipauper sp. nov., with WB 2.3-71T (=DSM 19035T=CIP 109480T) as the type strain; Pedobacter hartonius sp. nov., with WB 3.3-3T (=DSM 19033T=CIP 109468T) as the type strain; and Pedobacter steynii sp. nov., with WB 2.3-45T (=DSM 19110T=CIP 109507T) as the type strain.

The taxonomic positions of three strains of marine gliding bacteria, TISTR 1736, TISTR 1741 and TISTR 1750T, isolated from the southern coastline of Thailand were evaluated by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the three isolates formed a distinct lineage within the family ‘Flammeovirgaceae’, phylum Bacteroidetes, and were related to the genus Flexithrix. The DNA G+C contents of the isolates were in the range 40–43 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids were 16 : 1ω5c (cis-5-hexadecenoic acid) and 15 : 0 (pentadecanoic acid). The major hydroxyl fatty acids were 3-OH 17 : 0 (3-hydroxyheptadecanoic acid), 3-OH 15 : 0 (3-hydroxypentadecanoic acid) and 3-OH 16 : 0 (3-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, these marine bacteria are considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Rapidithrix thailandica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rapidithrix thailandica is TISTR 1750T (=IAM 15448T).

Strain H38T was isolated during a study on the diversity of culturable psychrotolerant bacteria in raw milk. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain H38T belongs to the genus Chryseobacterium (family Flavobacteriaceae, phylum Bacteroidetes), with the highest similarity (96.7 %) to Chryseobacterium hispanicum VP48T. Strain H38T grows aerobically, at 4–41 °C, with 0–2.5 % NaCl and at pH 6.5–10.5. Light induces the formation of yellow carotenoid pigments. The dominant cellular fatty acids are 15 : 0 iso (41.6 %), 15 : 0 anteiso (16.6 %) and 17 : 0 iso 3-OH (10.3 %). The G+C content of the DNA is 37.8 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain H38T (=LMG 24029T =DSM 19056T) is classified in the genus Chryseobacterium as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium haifense sp. nov. is proposed.

Two facultatively aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria capable of degrading pectin, xylan, laminarin and some other polysaccharides were obtained from the acidic Sphagnum peat bog Bakchar, in western Siberia, Russia, and were designated strains TPT18T and TPT56T. Cells of these isolates are Gram-negative, non-motile, long rods that are covered by large capsules. On ageing, they transform into spherical L-forms. Strains TPT18T and TPT56T are acido- and psychrotolerant organisms capable of growth at pH 4.2–8.2 (with an optimum at pH 6.0–6.5) and at 2–33 °C (with an optimum at 20 °C). The major fatty acids are iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c); the quinones are MK-7 and MK-6. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the novel strains share 97 % sequence similarity and belong to the family Sphingobacteriaceae; however, they are related only distantly to members of the genera Pedobacter (91.8–93.3 % similarity) and Sphingobacterium (89.6–91.2 % similarity). The DNA G+C content of strains TPT18T and TPT56T is 42.4 and 46.1 mol%, respectively. The low DNA–DNA hybridization value (42 %) and a number of phenotypic differences between strains TPT18T and TPT56T indicated that they represent two separate species. Since the two isolates are clearly distinct from all currently described members of the family Sphingobacteriaceae, we propose a novel genus, Mucilaginibacter gen. nov., containing two novel species, Mucilaginibacter gracilis sp. nov. and Mucilaginibacter paludis sp. nov. The type strains of Mucilaginibacter gracilis and Mucilaginibacter paludis are respectively TPT18T (=ATCC BAA-1391T =VKM B-2447T) and TPT56T (=ATCC BAA-1394T =VKM B-2446T).

Thermophilic (strain GOMI-1T) and mesophilic (strain KOME-1T) strains were isolated from two different cultures of propionate-degrading consortia obtained from thermophilic digester sludge and rice paddy soil, respectively. The two strains were non-spore-forming, non-motile and Gram-negative. Both strains were obligately anaerobic micro-organisms, showing multicellular filamentous morphotypes more than 100 μm in length. The cell width for strain GOMI-1T was 0.2–0.4 μm and that of strain KOME-1T was 0.4–0.6 μm. Strain GOMI-1T could grow at 45–65 °C with a pH range of 6.0–7.5 (optimum growth at 55 °C, pH 7.0). The temperature range for growth of strain KOME-1T was 30–40 °C and the pH range was pH 5.0–8.5 (optimum growth around 37 °C, pH 7.0). Yeast extract was required for growth of both strains. Strain GOMI-1T was able to grow with a number of carbohydrates in the presence of yeast extract. In yeast extract-containing medium, strain KOME-1T could utilize proteins and a limited range of sugars for growth. The G+C contents of the DNA of strains GOMI-1T and KOME-1T were respectively 54.7 and 57.6 mol%. Major fatty acids of strain GOMI-1T were C16 : 0, C14 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, whereas those of strain KOME-1T were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C14 : 0. Based on comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains GOMI-1T and KOME-1T, the strains were placed in different phylogenetic positions in the class Anaerolineae of the bacterial phylum Chloroflexi. Their phenotypic and genetic traits strongly supported the conclusion that the strains should be described as two independent taxa in the class Anaerolineae. Hence, we propose the names Bellilinea caldifistulae gen. nov., sp. nov., and Longilinea arvoryzae gen. nov., sp. nov., for strains GOMI-1T and KOME-1T. The type strains of Bellilinea caldifistulae and Longilinea arvoryzae are respectively GOMI-1T (=JCM 13669T =DSM 17877T) and KOME-1T (=JCM 13670T =KTCC 5380T).

A thermophilic, obligately anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium (strain CBS-1T) was isolated from a hot spring mixture of water and mud of the Changbai Mountains, China. Strain CBS-1T was found to be non-sporulating, Gram-negative, with optimal growth at 75–80 °C. It grew on a wide range of carbon sources, including glucose, lactose, maltose, starch, sorbitol and pyruvate amongst others. The DNA G+C content of strain CBS-1T was 31.9 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain was a member of the genus Fervidobacterium. The high concentration of C16 : 0 (52.2 %) in the fatty acid profile of the cell envelope supported its inclusion as a member of the genus Fervidobacterium. On the basis of the low values of DNA–DNA hybridization (25.8 and 20.5 %) and phenotypic features, strain CBS-1T represents a novel species of the genus Fervidobacterium, for which the name Fervidobacterium changbaicum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CBS-1T (=DSM 17883T=JCM 13353T).

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, coccoid or rod-shaped, chemoheterotrophic bacteria designated strains YM21-132T and YM27-005T were isolated from marine animals, and were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic examination. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two isolates belong to the genus Rubritalea of the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’ (subdivision 1). The novel isolates shared approximately 97–98 % sequence similarity with each other and showed 93–97 % similarity with Rubritalea species of the family Verrucomicrobiaceae. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strains YM21-132T and YM27-005T was less than 70 %, which is accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a species. Both strains produced reddish carotenoid pigments and squalene. The cell wall peptidoglycan of both strains contained muramic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA were 48.0 mol% (strain YM21-132T) and 50.3 mol% (strain YM27-005T). The presence of MK-8 and MK-9 as the major isoprenoid quinones, and iso-C14 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 1 ω7c as the major cellular fatty acids supported the identification of the two novel strains as members of the genus Rubritalea. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic studies, it was concluded that these strains should be classified as representing two novel, separate species in the genus Rubritalea within the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’, for which the names Rubritalea spongiae sp. nov. (type strain YM21-132T=MBIC08281T=KCTC 12906T) and Rubritalea tangerina sp. nov. (type strain YM27-005T=MBIC08282T=KCTC 12907T) are proposed.

A moderately halophilic, Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain BH843T, was isolated from a solar saltern in Korea and subjected to a taxonomic analysis. Strain BH843T grew at salinities of 1–14 % (w/v) NaCl and at temperatures of 10–40 °C. The cells were motile cocci or short rods with single flagella and contained C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C17 : 0 cyclo as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66 mol% and the predominant ubiquinone was Q-9. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain BH843T formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Halomonas, and the levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to recognized Halomonas species were below 95.1 %. The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain BH843T and the type strains of phylogenetically closely related Halomonas species were below 25 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, strain BH843T represents a novel species within the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas kribbensis is proposed. The type strain is BH843T (=KCTC 12584T=DSM 17892T).

A novel marine bacterium, strain JCS350T, was isolated from marine sediment samples collected from a cold-seep area. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed high similarity to that of Erythrobacter luteolus SW-109T (95.9 % sequence similarity). Lower 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities were shown to other members of the genus Erythrobacter (94.6–95.4 %) and members of the genus Porphyrobacter (94.5–95.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis with all members of the family Erythrobacteraceae and several members of the family Sphingomonadaceae revealed that the isolate formed a phyletic line with [Erythrobacter] luteolus that was distinct from other members of the family Erythrobacteraceae. The dominant fatty acids of strain JCS350T were 18 : 1ω7c, 16 : 1ω7c and cyclopropane 17 : 0. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10. The DNA G+C content was 54.5 mol%. The isolate did not contain bacteriochlorophyll a. Optimal growth required the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl with either 0.18 % CaCl2 or 0.59 % MgCl2, at pH 6.5 and at 35 °C. On the basis of the evidence of this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain JCS350T should be classified in a novel genus and species in the family Erythrobacteraceae, for which the name Altererythrobacter epoxidivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The misclassified species [Erythrobacter] luteolus is transferred to the new genus as Altererythrobacter luteolus comb. nov. The type strain of Altererythrobacter epoxidivorans is JCS350T (=KCCM 42314T =JCM 13815T) and the type strain of Altererythrobacter luteolus is SW-109T (=KCTC 12311T =JCM 12599T).

A novel marine bacterium was isolated from a sediment sample from Hwasun Beach in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The cells were found to be Gram-negative, aerobic, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, motile rods. The organism required natural seawater or artificial sea salts for growth. The temperature and pH ranges for growth were 20–42 °C and pH 5.1–12.1, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism belonged to the order Rhizobiales and formed a robust cluster with members of the genus Devosia. Its phylogenetic neighbours were the type strains of Devosia riboflavina (96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Devosia neptuniae (96.7 %), Devosia soli (96.5 %) and Devosia limi (96.2 %), ‘Devosia terrae’ DCY11 (96.2 %) and ‘Candidatus Devosia euplotis’ (96.2 %). The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10, the major fatty acids were C18 : 1, C18 : 0 and C16 : 0 and the G+C content of the DNA was 59.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic data and the results of phylogenetic analyses, strain HST3-14T represents a novel species of the genus Devosia, for which the name Devosia subaequoris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain HST3-14T (=KCTC 12772T =JCM 14206T).

A polyphasic taxonomic study including DNA–DNA reassociation experiments and an extensive biochemical characterization was performed on 14 Burkholderia isolates from moss gametophytes of nutrient-poor plant communities on the southern Baltic Sea coast in northern Germany. The strains were classified within two novel species, for which the names Burkholderia bryophila sp. nov. and Burkholderia megapolitana sp. nov. are proposed. The former species also includes isolates from grassland and agricultural soil collected in previous studies. Strains Burkholderia bryophila 1S18T (=LMG 23644T =CCUG 52993T) and Burkholderia megapolitana A3T (=LMG 23650T =CCUG 53006T) are the proposed type strains. They were isolated from Sphagnum rubellum and Aulacomnium palustre, respectively, growing in the ‘Ribnitzer Großes Moor’ nature reserve (Mecklenburg-Pommern, Germany). All moss isolates of both novel species showed antifungal activity against phytopathogens as well as plant-growth-promoting properties.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, Brevundimonas-like bacterial strain, DS-18T, was isolated from soil in Dokdo, Korea, and its exact taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain DS-18T grew optimally at pH 6.5–7.0 and 25 °C without NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DS-18T belonged to the genus Brevundimonas. Strain DS-18T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 68.7 mol%. Strain DS-18T exhibited levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.3–98.7 % to the type strains of Brevundimonas species and Mycoplana bullata. Mean DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain DS-18T and the type strains of phylogenetically related Brevundimonas species and M. bullata were in the range 15–32 %. Strain DS-18T differed from Brevundimonas species and M. bullata in several phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strain DS-18T represents a novel species of the genus Brevundimonas, for which the name Brevundimonas lenta sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DS-18T (=KCTC 12871T =JCM 14602T).

Two novel red-pigmented Vibrio strains, MSSRF3T and MSSRF10, with antibacterial activity against phytopathogens were isolated from the rhizosphere region of mangrove-associated wild rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka), in Pichavaram, India. The cells were Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic and rod-shaped and were motile by means of single polar flagella. The two strains were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, and were able to grow in 0.1–10 % NaCl (with optimum growth in 2 % NaCl) and at temperatures of 20–42 °C (optimum growth at 25–30 °C). Both strains produced acid and gas from d-glucose under anaerobic conditions and utilized a wide range of compounds as sole carbon and energy sources. The DNA G+C contents determined were 51.3 mol% for strain MSSRF3T and 51.0 mol% for strain MSSRF10. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, rpoA, recA and pyrH gene sequences showed that strains MSSRF3T and MSSRF10 belong to the genus Vibrio and are very closely related to Vibrio ruber JCM 11486T, with which they share 98.3–98.5 % (16S rRNA), 98.3–99.7 % (rpoA), 90.2–99.8 % (recA) and 91.3–99.4 % (pyrH) gene sequence similarities, respectively. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness were 44 % between strains MSSRF3T and MSSRF10, 80 % between strain MSSRF10 and V. ruber JCM 11486T and 45 % between strain MSSRF3T and V. ruber JCM 11486T. Strain MSSRF3T was phenotypically similar to V. ruber JCM 11486T. However, the inability to reduce nitrate to nitrite, the ability to grow in 0.1 % NaCl and the presence of caseinase were characteristics that allowed differentiation between V. ruber JCM 11486T and strain MSSRF3T. In addition, strain MSSRF3T could be differentiated from strain MSSRF10 and its closest relative V. ruber JCM 11486T with respect to its genomic fingerprinting analysis (random amplified polymorphic DNA, GTG5, BOX, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and ribotyping). Therefore, based on phenotypic, genotypic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridization analyses, strain MSSRF3T (=LMG 23790T=DSM 18581T) should be classified as representing the type strain of a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed.