- Volume 57, Issue 1, 2007

As part of an antibiotic-screening programme, the actinomycete strain HMC1T was isolated from soil collected from the banks of the Gamka River in the Swartberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape Province, South Africa. The isolate produced branching vegetative mycelia, which entwined to form rope-like structures. It exhibited antibiosis against Enterococcus faecium VanA (a vancomycin-resistant clinical strain) and Mycobacterium aurum A+. Organic solvent extracts of the culture filtrate and mycelial mass of strain HMC1T exhibited moderate antibiosis against Mycobacterium aurum A+, Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Tokyo) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RvT. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain HMC1T corresponded with those of members of the genus Actinomadura. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that the strain was closely related to members of the genus Actinomadura. Phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that strain HMC1T represents a novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the name Actinomadura rudentiformis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMC1T (=DSM 44962T=NRRL B-24458T).

A Gram-positive, non-motile, spherical, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, DS-52T, was isolated from soil from Dokdo, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. It grew optimally at 25 °C and pH 6.0–7.0. Strain DS-52T had meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, and galactose, mannose, xylose and rhamnose as whole-cell sugars. It contained MK-8(H4) and MK-9(H4) as the predominant menaquinones and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C17 : 0 as major fatty acids. Major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DS-52T is most closely related to the genus Nakamurella of the suborder Frankineae. Strain DS-52T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.5 % to Nakamurella multipartita JCM 9543T and 92.0–93.9 % to other members of the suborder Frankineae. The diagnostic diamino acid type and polar lipid profile of strain DS-52T were the same as those of the genus Nakamurella. However, strain DS-52T could be clearly distinguished from the genus Nakamurella by differences in predominant menaquinones, major fatty acids and cell-wall sugars. Accordingly, based on combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain DS-52T (=KCTC 19127T=CIP 108919T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species in a new genus, Humicoccus flavidus gen. nov., sp. nov.

Bacterial strain LW4T was isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater-treatment bioreactor. Cells of strain LW4T were Gram-positive cocci, with a diameter of 0.7–1.0 μm. Colonies produced on LB agar plates were yellow, smooth, circular and 0.5–1.5 mm in diameter. Strain LW4T was aerobic and grew over the temperature range 26–34 °C and pH range 5–9, with optimal growth at 30.5–31.5 °C and pH 6.0–6.2. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain LW4T contained amino acid residues of lysine, glutamic acid, alanine, glycine and aspartic acid. The most abundant cellular fatty acids of strain LW4T were anteiso-C15 : 0 (32.15 %) and iso-C15 : 0 (31.65 %). Major respiratory quinones were MK-8(H2) (57.3 %) and MK-7(H2) (32.9 %). The DNA G+C content was 71.4 mol% (T m). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain LW4T was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Micrococcus, with similarities ranging from 96.5 to 97.3 %. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness of strain LW4T to Micrococcus luteus DSM 20030T, Micrococcus lylae DSM 20315T and Micrococcus antarcticus AS 1.2372T were 55, 48 and 36 %, respectively. Based on these results, it is concluded that strain LW4T represents a novel species of the genus Micrococcus, for which the name Micrococcus flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain LW4T (=CGMCC 1.5361T=JCM 14000T).

Seven Gram-positive, coryneform bacteria with virtually identical whole-organism protein patterns were isolated from the surface of smear-ripened cheeses. Representatives of these strains were the subject of a polyphasic study designed to establish their taxonomic status. The organisms formed a distinct branch in the Microbacteriaceae 16S rRNA gene tree and were most closely related to members of the genus Agrococcus, sharing sequence similarities of 95.4–98.7 %. The chemotaxonomic profiles of the strains were consistent with their classification in the genus Agrococcus. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that the isolates should be classified in the genus Agrococcus as representatives of a novel species. The name Agrococcus casei sp. nov. is proposed for this taxon. Isolate R-17892t2T (=DSM 18061T=LMG 22410T) is the type strain of Agrococcus casei sp. nov.

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped or coccoid bacterial strain, DS-51T, was isolated from a soil in Dokdo, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain DS-51T grew optimally at pH 8.0 and 30 °C without NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DS-51T forms a distinct line of descent within the radiation enclosed by the genus Nocardioides. The chemotaxonomic properties of strain DS-51T were consistent with those of the genus Nocardioides: the cell-wall peptidoglycan type was based on ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid, MK-8(H4) was the predominant menaquinone and iso-C16 : 0 was the major fatty acid. The DNA G+C content was 71.1 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain DS-51T had similarity levels of 92.5–95.1 % with the sequences of the type strains of Nocardioides species. Strain DS-51T could be distinguished from other Nocardioides species by differences in some phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain DS-51T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides insulae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DS-51T (=KCTC 19180T=DSM 17944T).

An actinobacterial strain containing demethylmenaquinone DMK-9(H4) as the diagnostic isoprenoid quinone was isolated from a tidal flat sediment sample, from South Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JC2054T represents a distinct phyletic line within the suborder Micrococcineae of the order Actinomycetales. The closest phylogenetic neighbour was Cellulomonas fermentans, with 94.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The novel isolate was strictly aerobic and slightly halophilic, with optimum growth occurring in 2–4 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells were non-motile, non-sporulating and rod-shaped. The peptidoglycan type was of the A-type of cross-linkage. l-ornithine was the diamino acid and d-glutamate represented the N-terminus of the interpeptide bridge. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-branched and straight-chain fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unknown phospholipid. The menaquinone composition of C. fermentans was determined to be MK-10(H4), MK-9(H4) and MK-8(H4) in the ratio 56 : 2 : 1. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented in this study, it is proposed that strain JC2054T should be classified as representing a novel genus and species of the suborder Micrococcineae, with the name Demequina aestuarii gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is JC2054T (=IMSNU 14027T=KCTC 9919T=JCM 12123T). In addition, it was clear from the phylogenetic analysis and chemotaxonomic data that C. fermentans does not belong to the genus Cellulomonas or any other recognized genera. Therefore, C. fermentans should be reclassified as representing a novel genus, for which the name Actinotalea fermentans gen. nov., comb. nov. is proposed, with strain DSM 3133T (=ATCC 43279T=CFBP 4259T=CIP 103003T=NBRC 15517T=JCM 9966T=LMG 16154T) as the type strain.

Two novel strains of halophilic archaea, DX253T and GY252, were isolated from Zodletone Spring, a low-salt, sulfide- and sulfur-rich spring in south-western Oklahoma, USA. The cells were cocci or coccobacilli and occurred singly or in pairs. The two strains grew in a wide range of salt concentrations (0.8–5.1 M) and required at least 5 mM Mg2+ for growth. The pH range for growth was 5–7.5 and the temperature range was 25–45 °C. In addition to having the capacity to grow at relatively low salt concentrations, cells remained viable in distilled water after prolonged incubation. The two diether phospholipids that are typical of members of the order Halobacteriales, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, were present. Phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and two unidentified glycolipids were also detected. Each strain had two distinct 16S rRNA gene sequences that were only 89.5–90.8 % similar to sequences from the most closely related cultured and recognized species within the order Halobacteriales. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was found to be 60.5 mol%. The closest relatives were clones and uncharacterized isolates obtained from coastal salt-marsh sediments with salinities equivalent to that of seawater. The physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic differences between strains DX253T and GY252 and other previously described genera of extremely halophilic archaea suggest that these novel strains represent a novel species and genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the name Haladaptatus paucihalophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DX253T (=JCM 13897T=DSM 18195T=ATCC BAA-1313T=KCTC 4006T).

A starch-hydrolysing and extremely halophilic archaeon (strain BD-3T), isolated from Aibi salt lake in Xin-Jiang, China, was characterized phenotypically and genotypically in order to determine its taxonomic status. On the basis of its polar lipid composition, nucleotide sequences of its 16S rRNA genes, genomic DNA G+C content (62.4 mol%) and growth characteristics, the organism could be assigned to the genus Haloarcula. Phenotypic differences and low DNA–DNA hybridization values to related Haloarcula species distinguished strain BD-3T from recognized Haloarcula species. It is therefore concluded that strain BD-3T represents a novel species, for which the name Haloarcula amylolytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BD-3T (=CGMCC 1.5335T=JCM 13557T).

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, yellow-pigmented bacterium, strain N4T, was isolated from a nickel-complexed cyanide-degrading bioreactor and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain N4T is affiliated to the genus Chryseobacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain N4T and the type strains of all known Chryseobacterium species were 93.2–95.8 %, suggesting that strain N4T represents a novel species within the genus Chryseobacterium. The strain contained iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 4 as the major fatty acids and menaquinone MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 38.2 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain N4T represents a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the name Chryseobacterium caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N4T (=KCTC 12506T=CCBAU 10201T=DSM 17710T).

A novel thermophilic, moderately halophilic, rod-shaped bacterium, strain MET-BT, with a sheath-like outer structure (toga) was isolated from an offshore oil-producing well in Congo, West Africa. Strain MET-BT was a Gram-negative bacterium with the ability to reduce elemental sulfur, but not sulfate, thiosulfate or sulfite into sulfide. The optimum growth conditions were 60 °C, pH 6.7–7.2 and 4–6 % NaCl. The DNA G+C content was 34.6 mol%. Strain MET-BT was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Petrotoga; Petrotoga miotherma, Petrotoga olearia and Petrotoga mexicana were the closest relatives, with type strains exhibiting more than 99 % identity in an analysis of small-subunit rRNA gene sequences. The values for DNA–DNA relatedness between the type strains of these three species and strain MET-BT were less than 42 %. As MET-BT was found to be genetically and physiologically different from other species of the genus Petrotoga, this strain is proposed as representing a novel species, for which the name Petrotoga halophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MET-BT (=DSM 16923T=CCUG 50214T).

The goal of this project was to isolate representative Fe(III)-reducing bacteria from kaolin clays that may influence iron mineralogy in kaolin. Two novel dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria, strains G12T and G13T, were isolated from sedimentary kaolin strata in Georgia (USA). Cells of strains G12T and G13T were motile, non-spore-forming regular rods, 1–2 μm long and 0.6 μm in diameter. Cells had one lateral flagellum. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the novel strains demonstrated their affiliation to the genus Geobacter. Strain G12T was most closely related to Geobacter pelophilus (94.7 %) and Geobacter chapellei (94.1 %). Strain G13T was most closely related to Geobacter grbiciae (95.3 %) and Geobacter metallireducens (95.1 %). Based on phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic differences between the novel isolates and other closely related species of the genus Geobacter, the isolates are proposed as representing two novel species, Geobacter argillaceus sp. nov. (type strain G12T=ATCC BAA-1139T=JCM 12999T) and Geobacter pickeringii sp. nov. (type strain G13T=ATCC BAA-1140T=DSM 17153T=JCM 13000T). Another isolate, strain R7T, was derived from a primary kaolin deposit in Russia. The cells of strain R7T were motile, spore-forming, slightly curved rods, 0.6×2.0–6.0 μm in size and with up to six peritrichous flagella. Strain R7T was capable of reducing Fe(III) only in the presence of a fermentable substrate. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that this isolate is unique, showing less than 92 % similarity to bacteria of the Sporomusa–Pectinatus–Selenomomas phyletic group, including ‘Anaerospora hongkongensis’ (90.2 %), Acetonema longum (90.6 %), Dendrosporobacter quercicolus (90.9 %) and Anaerosinus glycerini (91.5 %). On the basis of phylogenetic analysis and physiological tests, strain R7T is proposed to represent a novel genus and species, Pelosinus fermentans gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain R7T=DSM 17108T=ATCC BAA-1133T), in the Sporomusa–Pectinatus–Selenomonas group.

A novel yeast species, Metschnikowia cerradonensis sp. nov., is described from 12 strains isolated from flowers of Ipomoea carnea and from beetles of the genus Conotelus in the Cerrado ecosystem in the region of Jalapão, Tocantins State, Brazil. Analysis of the sequences of the rRNA gene cluster suggested that M. cerradonensis is closely related to Metschnikowia santaceciliae, Metschnikowia continentalis and an undescribed species represented by strain UWOPS 00-154.1. These species mate together but ascospores are very rarely formed, showing that they represent distinct biological species. M. cerradonensis is apparently endemic to the Cerrado ecosystem of the Jalapão area. The type strain of M. cerradonensis is UFMG 03-T67.1T (h+) (=CBS 10409T=NRRL Y-48067T) and the designated allotype is UFMG 03-T68.1 (h−) (=CBS 10410=NRRL Y-48068).

Two Gram-negative, motile and strictly aerobic marine bacteria were isolated from a tidal flat sediment sample obtained from Dae-Chun, Chung-Nam, Korea. They were preliminarily identified as Pseudoalteromonas-like bacteria, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showing nearly identical sequences (>99.7 % sequence similarity) and the highest similarity (98.4 %) to the species Pseudoalteromonas undina. Some phenotypic features of the newly isolated strains were similar to those of members of the genus Pseudoalteromonas, but several physiological and chemo-taxonomical properties readily distinguished the new isolates from previously described species. DNA–DNA hybridization with type strains of phylogenetically closely related species demonstrated that the isolates represent a novel Pseudoalteromonas species, for which the name Pseudoalteromonas marina sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain mano4T (=KCTC 12242T=DSM 17587T). In addition, on the basis of this study and polyphasic data obtained from previous work, it is proposed that the species Pseudoalteromonas sagamiensis should be reclassified as Algicola sagamiensis comb. nov. and that strain B-10-31T (=DSM 14643T=JCM 11461T) be designated the type strain.

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain EMB325T, was isolated from activated sludge that performed enhanced biological phosphorus removal in a sequencing batch reactor. The predominant fatty acids of strain EMB325T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω7c and C18 : 1 ω7c 11-methyl. The strain contained phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol as polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 63.3 mol%. The major quinone was Q-8. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EMB325T formed a phyletic lineage with members of the genus Simplicispira and was most closely related to Simplicispira psychrophila LMG 5408T and Simplicispira metamorpha DSM 1837T with similarities of 98.1 and 97.9 %, respectively. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain EMB325T and S. psychrophila LMG 5408T and S. metamorpha DSM 1837T were 28 and 23 %, respectively. On the basis of chemotaxonomic data and molecular characteristics, strain EMB325T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Simplicispira, for which the name Simplicispira limi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EMB325T (=KCTC 12608T=DSM 17964T).

Two Shewanella-like bacterial strains, WP2T and WP3T, which were isolated from west Pacific deep-sea sediment, were studied to determine their taxonomic position. Cells of the two bacteria were facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative rods and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strain WP2T was psychrophilic, growing optimally at about 10–15 °C, whereas strain WP3T was psychrotolerant, growing optimally at 15–20 °C. The two strains grew in the pressure range 0.1–50 MPa, with optimal growth at 20 MPa. Strain WP3T was able to use nitrate, fumarate, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), DMSO and insoluble Fe(III) as terminal electron acceptors during anaerobic growth, whereas strain WP2T was able to use only nitrate, TMAO and DMSO. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains WP2T and WP3T were 97 % identical, and showed highest similarity (97 %) to those of Shewanella fidelis KMM 3589 and Shewanella benthica ATCC 43992T, respectively. The gyrB gene sequences of strains WP2Tand WP3 T were also determined, and showed highest similarity to those of Shewanella violacea JCM 10179T (90 %) and Shewanella sairae SM2-1T (87 %), respectively. Contrary to the 16S rRNA gene sequence results, the phylogeny based on gyrB gene sequence analysis placed strain WP2T, S. violacea and S. benthica in one group, while strain WP3T grouped with S. fidelis and S. sairae. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments supported the placement of strain WP2T with S. violacea and S. benthica. Phylogenetic evidence, together with DNA–DNA relatedness and phenotypic characteristics, indicated that the two new strains represented two novel deep-sea Shewanella species. The names Shewanella psychrophila sp. nov. (type strain WP2T=JCM 13876T=CGMCC 1.6159T) and Shewanella piezotolerans (type strain WP3T=JCM 13877T=CGMCC 1.6160T) are proposed.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, slightly halophilic, non-motile and coccoid- or rod-shaped bacterial strain, SW-277T, was isolated from seawater, Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain SW-277T was catalase- and oxidase-positive and grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0 and 37 °C in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SW-277T belongs to the Alphaproteobacteria as part of the clade comprising the genera Roseivivax and Salipiger with a bootstrap resampling value of 72.5 %. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain SW-277T and members of the genera Roseivivax and Salipiger were between 93.8 and 94.7 %. Strain SW-277T 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 59.7 mol%. Strain SW-277T could be distinguished from members of the phylogenetically related genera Salipiger and Roseivivax by phenotypic differences and low 16S rRNA gene similarity values. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SW-277T (=KCTC 12735T=JCM 13604T) should be classified as a representative of a novel species in a new genus, Donghicola eburneus gen. nov., sp. nov.

A moderately halophilic, aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium was isolated from a tidal flat area of Dae-Chun, Chung-Nam, Korea. The strain, designated mano11T, comprised rod-shaped cells that were motile by means of polar flagella. It grew with 3–12 % NaCl and at 4–37 °C and pH 5.3–9.3. The predominant menaquinone present in this strain was MK-7 and diaminopimelic acid was not found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain mano11T belongs to the genus Marinobacterium. Strain mano11T exhibited 92.8–98.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity when compared with the type strains of three other species of the genus Marinobacterium. DNA–DNA hybridization between strain mano11T and Marinobacterium georgiense DSM 11526T, its closest relative in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, was 13 %. On the basis of the phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic data, strain mano11T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacterium, for which the name Marinobacterium halophilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is mano11T (=KCTC 12240T=DSM 17586T).

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, strain 3-2W4T, was isolated from the aeration tank of a wastewater treatment plant in Zurich and was found to have the exceptional capacity to degrade synthetic β-peptides. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 3-2W4T is closely related to Sphingosinicella microcystinivorans Y2T, but DNA–DNA hybridization experiments between these two strains revealed that they belong to two different species. The two strains displayed different fingerprints after PCR analysis using the repetitive primers BOX, ERIC and REP. Strain 3-2W4T did not degrade microcystin, which is a characteristic trait of Sphingosinicella microcystinivorans Y2T. Like Sphingosinicella microcystinivorans Y2T, strain 3-2W4T had the following characteristics: fatty acids comprising mainly C18 : 1 ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and C16 : 0, the presence of ubiquinone Q-10 and sym-homospermidine as the predominant polyamine compound. The polar lipid profiles of the two strains were almost identical, consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. Strain 3-2W4T and Sphingosinicella microcystinivorans Y2T utilized the β-peptides H-βhVal-βhAla-βhLeu-OH and H-βhAla-βhLeu-OH as sole carbon and energy sources and shared β-peptidyl aminopeptidase activity in common, which distinguishes them from Sphingomonas and Sphingopyxis type strains. On the basis of these results, strain 3-2W4T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingosinicella, for which the name Sphingosinicella xenopeptidilytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3-2W4T (=DSM 17130T=CCUG 52537T). The descriptions of the genus Sphingosinicella and the species Sphingosinicella microcystinivorans are emended.

The taxonomic position of strain LMG 23452T, which was isolated from coastal sediment from an aquaculture site near Qingdao, China, in 2000, was determined. Strain LMG 23452T comprised Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, motile rods and was found to be a halotolerant, aerobic, chemoheterotroph that produces catalase and oxidase. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain LMG 23452T shared approximately 89 % sequence similarity with members of the genera Devosia, Hyphomonas, Ensifer and Chelatococcus, which belong to two different orders within the Alphaproteobacteria. Further phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain LMG 23452T formed a separate branch within the order Rhizobiales, falling between the genera Devosia and Ensifer of the families Hyphomicrobiaceae and Rhizobiaceae, respectively. Strain LMG 23452T could be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic neighbours on the basis of several phenotypic features, including hydrolysis of the substrates starch and casein and assimilation of the carbohydrates d-glucose, d-mannose, mannitol, maltose and l-arabinose, and chemotaxonomically by the presence of the fatty acids C14 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1 ω11c, C16 : 1 ω5c and C18 : 1 ω5c. The major fatty acids detected in strain LMG 23452T were C18 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C16 : 1 ω7c and C17 : 1 ω6c and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 57.1 mol%. Therefore, the polyphasic data support the placement of strain LMG 23452T within a novel genus and species, for which the name Sneathiella chinensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 23452T (=CBMAI 737T).

A polyphasic study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from soil cultivated with Korean ginseng in the Eumseong region of Korea. The novel strain, GP25-8T, grew optimally at pH 6–7, 28 °C and 0–1 % NaCl (w/v). The major fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C15 : 0 iso 2-OH) and C16 : 0 (together representing 71.2 % of the total). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain GP25-8T and members of the genus Burkholderia ranged from 94.7 to 97.4 %, indicating that this novel strain was phylogenetically related to members of that genus. The novel strain showed the highest sequence similarities to Burkholderia caryophylli ATCC 25418T (97.4 %) and Burkholderia phenazinium LMG 2247T (97.2 %); the levels of DNA–DNA hybridization with these strains were 28 and 12 %, respectively. These results support the conclusion that strain GP25-8T represents a novel species within the genus Burkholderia, for which the name Burkholderia soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GP25-8T (=KACC 11589T=DSM 18235T).

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, strain SS011B1-20T, was isolated from sediments of the South China Sea. Growth occurred at NaCl concentrations between 0 and 10 % and at temperatures between 10 and 37 °C. Strain SS011B1-20T contained Q-10 as the major respiratory quinone and C18 : 1 ω7c (81.2 %), C16 : 0 (7.0 %) and C18 : 1 methyl (4.3 %) as the predominant fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 64.7 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain SS011B1-20T belonged to a clade within the genus Oceanicola in the Alphaproteobacteria, the highest sequence similarities being found with respect to Oceanicola batsensis (96.3 %) and with Oceanicola granulosus (94.9 %). Strain SS011B1-20T could be clearly distinguished from other Oceanicola species on the basis of the genotypic, phenotypic and phylogenetic data. Thus, it is proposed that strain SS011B1-20T represents a novel species of the genus Oceanicola, with the name Oceanicola nanhaiensis sp. nov. The type strain is SS011B1-20T (=LMG 23508T=CGMCC 1.6293T).

Five novel endospore-forming, nitrogen-fixing bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of plants of the species Sabina squamata, Weigela florida and Zanthoxylum simulans. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the five strains formed a distinct cluster within the genus Paenibacillus. These novel strains showed the highest levels (96.2–98.2 %) of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Paenibacillus azotofixans. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness between these novel strains and P. azotofixans was 12.9–29.5 %. The DNA G+C contents of the five strains were found to be 51.9–52.9 mol%. Phenotypic analyses showed that a significant feature of the novel strains (differentiating them from P. azotofixans and other Paenibacillus species) is that all of them were unable to produce acid and gas from various carbohydrates such as glucose, sucrose, lactose and fructose. Anteiso-branched C15 : 0 was the major fatty acid present in the novel type strain. On the basis of these data, the five novel strains represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus sabinae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T27T (=CCBAU 10202T=DSM 17841T).

Three strains, 002-048T, RB589 and 002-051T, isolated from field soil in Japan, were characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolates were Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, non-motile rods that formed ellipsoidal, subterminal endospores. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of these isolates included the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall peptidoglycan, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The DNA G+C content was 44–46 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolates represented an independent lineage that is distinct from related taxa and exhibited less than 94.3 % sequence similarity with respect to those taxa. Moreover, a DNA–DNA hybridization analysis showed that the three isolates represented two species. On the basis of their phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, the isolates represent two species within a novel genus, for which the names Terribacillus saccharophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. and Terribacillus halophilus sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of T. saccharophilus is 002-048T (=IAM 15309T=KCTC 13936T) and the type strain of T. halophilus is 002-051T (=IAM 15310T=KCTC 13937T).

A novel Gram-positive bacterium, strain A35T, was isolated from coastal soil at Chiba, Japan, and was identified as a member of the genus Paenibacillus on the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses. The bacterium was found to be a facultatively anaerobic and endospore-forming rod. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, the major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0 and the DNA G+C content was 48.1 mol%. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain A35T and Paenibacillus species with validly published names were less than 94 %. Strain A35T was clearly distinguishable from reference species for the genus Paenibacillus. Therefore, on the basis of these data, a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, Paenibacillus terrigena sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is A35T (=IAM 15291T=CCTCC AB206026T).

A thermophilic, Gram-positive, endospore-forming, sulfate-reducing bacterial strain, designated RL80JIVT, was isolated from a geothermally active underground mine in Japan. Cells were rod-shaped and motile. The temperature and pH ranges for growth were 61–80 °C (optimum at 69–72 °C) and pH 6.4–7.9 (optimum at pH 6.8–7.3), and the strain tolerated up to 0.5 % NaCl. Strain RL80JIVT utilized sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur as electron acceptors. Electron donors utilized were H2 in the presence of CO2, and carboxylic acids. Fermentative growth occurred on lactate and pyruvate. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone MK-7. Major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. Strain RL80JIVT was found to be affiliated with the thiosulfate-reducer Thermanaeromonas toyohensis DSM 14490T (90.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and with the sulfate-reducer Desulfotomaculum thermocisternum DSM 10259T (90.0 % similarity). Strain RL80JIVT is therefore considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Desulfovirgula thermocuniculi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Desulfovirgula thermocuniculi is RL80JIVT (=DSM 16036T=JCM 13928T).

Two novel polysaccharide-degrading bacteria (strains DCY03T and DCY04) were isolated from a soil sample of a ginseng field in the Republic of Korea and were identified as representing members of the genus Paenibacillus on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Cells of the two isolates were Gram-positive, spore-forming, non-motile, straight rods. Based on DNA–DNA relatedness data, the strains were considered to belong to the same species. The DNA G+C content ranged from 56.6 to 57.0 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0 (63.8–62.8 %). Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two novel isolates and the type strains of recognized Paenibacillus species were 91.4–96.5 %. Strains DCY03T and DCY04 could clearly be distinguished from phylogenetically closely related Paenibacillus species on the basis of DNA–DNA relatedness data and phenotypic characteristics. Therefore, on the basis of these data, the two isolates are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY03T (=KCTC 13010T=LMG 23604T).

The prokaryotic, generic name Schineria Tóth et al. 2001 is illegitimate owing to the prior existence of the name Schineria for a genus within the Diptera [Principle 2, Rule 51b(4) of the Bacteriological Code (1990 Revision)]. Therefore, a new genus name, Ignatzschineria gen. nov., is proposed for this taxon. As a result, a new combination is required for the type species, Ignatzschineria larvae comb. nov., to replace the illegitimate combination Schineria larvae Tóth et al. 2001 .