- Volume 57, Issue 2, 2007

A Gram-positive, non-motile, rod-shaped actinomycete strain, designated SSW1-57T, was isolated from a dried seaweed sample from the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. A neighbour-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism was related to members of the family Nocardioidaceae and formed a separate branch at the base of a taxon encompassing members of the genus Aeromicrobium, whereas it occupied an intermediate position between Aeromicrobium alkaliterrae–Aeromicrobium marinum and Aeromicrobium erythreum–Aeromicrobium fastidiosum clusters in maximum-parsimony and maximum-likelihood trees. The phylogenetic association of the isolate with the genus Aeromicrobium was supported by the following chemotaxonomic properties: ll-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan, MK-9(H4) as the major menaquinone and major fatty acids cis-9-octadecenoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, 10-methyl octadecanoic acid and 2-hydroxy hexadecanoic acid. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the novel organism and the type strains of the four recognized Aeromicrobium species were in the range 96.5–96.7 %. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic data, it is proposed that the organism should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Aeromicrobium, with the name Aeromicrobium tamlense sp. nov. The type strain is SSW1-57T (=JCM 13811T=NRRL B-24466T).

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated strain wged11T, was isolated from the root of ginseng, and its taxonomic position was established using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this organism formed a robust clade with recognized species of the genus Leifsonia. Strain wged11T was characterized by a high content of ω-cyclohexylundecanoic and anteiso- and iso-branched saturated fatty acids, MK-11 as the major menaquinone and dl-2,4-diaminobutyric acid in its cell-wall peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C content of strain wged11T was 66.4 mol%. Levels of similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain wged11T and those of the type strains of other members of the genus Leifsonia ranged from 94.7 to 97.6 %. The mean level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain wged11T and Leifsonia poae DSM 15202T, its nearest phylogenetic neighbour, was 35.3 %. Based on these findings, strain wged11T (=CGMCC 4.3491T=JCM 13908T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Leifsonia, Leifsonia ginsengi sp. nov.

Strains C23T and HBSQ001 were isolated from solar salterns and are novel square-shaped, aerobic, extremely halophilic members of the domain Archaea and family Halobacteriaceae. Cells stained Gram-negative and grew optimally in media containing 18 % salts at around neutral pH. Mg2+ is not required. The DNA G+C content of both isolates was 46.9 mol% and DNA–DNA cross-hybridization showed a relatedness of 80 %. Their 16S rRNA gene sequences showed only 2 nucleotide differences (99.9 % identity) and phylogenetic tree reconstructions with other recognized members of the Halobacteriaceae indicated that they formed a distinct clade, with the closest relative being Halogeometricum borinquense PR 3T (91.2 % sequence identity). The major polar glycolipid of both isolates was the sulfated diglycosyl diether lipid S-DGD-1. Electron cryomicrosopy of whole cells revealed similar internal structures, such as gas vesicles and polyhydroxyalkanoate granules, but the cell wall of isolate HBSQ001 displayed a more complex S-layer compared with that of isolate C23T. The phenotypic characterization and phylogenetic data support the placement of isolates C23T and HBSQ001 in a novel species in a new genus within the Halobacteriaceae, for which we propose the name Haloquadratum walsbyi gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Haloquadratum walsbyi is C23T (=JCM 12705T=DSM 16854T).

A novel halophilic archaeon, strain TL6T, was isolated from Telega Lake, a hypersaline environment in Prahova county, Romania. Strain TL6T was able to grow in media with a salt concentration of between 2.5 and 5.2 M, with optimum growth at a concentration of 3.5 M. The novel strain was able to grow at concentrations of 1 M MgCl2 or less, with an optimum of 0.4 M Mg2+. Growth of the novel strain occurred between pH 6.0 and 8.5, with an optimum of pH 7.0–7.5. The G+C content of the total DNA was 63.7 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the novel strain was most closely related to species of the genus Haloferax (97.3–99.3 % sequence similarity). The lipid profile of the novel strain corresponded to that of other species belonging to the genus Haloferax. A comparative analysis of the phenotypic properties and DNA–DNA hybridization between the novel strain and other species of the genus Haloferax strongly supported the conclusion that strain TL6T represents a novel species within this genus, for which the name Haloferax prahovense sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is TL6T (=JCM 13924T=DSM 18310T).

A novel marine bacterial strain, HY1T, was isolated from sediment of the South China Sea. The strain was aerobic and heterotrophic and formed saffron yellow-pigmented colonies on marine agar 2216. Cells were non-motile, Gram-negative rods, frequently occurring in chains. blastn searches revealed that the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain HY1T showed high similarity with those of members of the genera Gillisia (91.7–93.8 %) and Salegentibacter (92.6–93.5 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain clustered with members of both Salegentibacter and Gillisia and phylogenetic trees constructed using three different methods (neighbour-joining, maximum-parsimony and minimum-evolution) indicated that strain HY1T clustered more frequently with members of the genus Salegentibacter. The DNA G+C content of strain HY1T was 44.4 mol% and its major cellular fatty acids (⩾5 % of the total fatty acids) were iso-15 : 1 (5.0 %), iso-15 : 0 (6.8 %), anteiso-15 : 0 (6.4 %), 15 : 0 (10.4 %), iso-16 : 0 (13.5 %), summed feature 3 (comprising iso-15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1ω7c; 6.3 %), iso-17 : 0 3-OH (5.2 %) and 17 : 0 2-OH (5.0 %). Cells contained menaquinone 6. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses, strain HY1T should be classified as representing a novel species within the genus Salegentibacter, for which the name Salegentibacter catena sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HY1T (=CGMCC 1.6101T=JCM 14015T). Based on this study and on previously described Salegentibacter species, an emended description of the genus Salegentibacter is given.

A Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain EMB117T, was isolated from a municipal wastewater treatment plant and characterized by polyphasic taxonomy. The cells were non-spore-forming rods that showed gliding motility. Optimal growth occurred at 25–30 °C and pH 7.0–8.0. Strain EMB117T contained phosphatidylethanolamine as the predominant polar lipid, and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 33.5 mol% and the major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EMB117T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and was most closely related to Flavobacterium johnsoniae DSM 425T (97.8 % sequence similarity). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain EMB117T and F. johnsoniae ATCC 17061T was about 18 %. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, strain EMB117T represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium defluvii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EMB117T (=KCTC 12612T=DSM 17963T).

Ten new Flavobacterium-like strains were isolated from freshwater of the hard-water creek Westerhöfer Bach, northern Germany. These strains formed two phylogenetic groups: strains WB 1.1-56T, WB 1.1-04, WB 1.1-14, WB 1.1-57 and WB 1.1-63; and strains WB 4.2-33T, WB 4.1-86, WB 4.2-34, WB 4.2-32 and WB 4.2-78. Cells were Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, chemoheterotrophic rods. Their major fatty acid profiles were similar, consisting of iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). DNA G+C contents for strains WB 1.1-56T and WB 4.2-33T were 33.5 and 37.5 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain WB 1.1-56T was phylogenetically most closely related to Flavobacterium frigidimaris KUC-1T, and that strain WB 4.2-33T was related most closely to F. frigidimaris KUC-1T and Flavobacterium saccharophilum DSM 1811T. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains WB 1.1-56T and WB 4.2-33T and the type strains of recognized members of the genus Flavobacterium were below 98 %. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments confirmed the separate genomic status of strains WB 1.1-56T and WB 4.2-33T. Strains WB 1.1-56T and WB 4.2-33T and their respective relatives differed from phylogenetically related Flavobacterium species based on several phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of their phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, the two groups of strains are considered to represent two novel species, for which the names Flavobacterium aquidurense sp. nov. (type strain WB 1.1-56T=DSM 18293T=CIP 109242T) and Flavobacterium hercynium sp. nov. (type strain WB 4.2-33T=DSM 18292T=CIP 109241T) are proposed.

Two Gram-negative, chemoheterotrophic, non-motile strains, Mok-1-36T and MAOS-86T, were isolated from marine-sediment samples collected from the coasts of Okinawa island and the city of Odawara in Japan, respectively. Phylogenetic studies based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that Mok-1-36T and MAOS-86T were members of the family Flavobacteriaceae, clustering with members of the genera Ulvibacter and Vitellibacter, respectively. Strains Mok-1-36T and MAOS-86T shared pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 93.5 and 89.1 % with the type strains of Ulvibacter litoralis and Vitellibacter vladivostokensis, respectively. Phylogenetic distinctiveness and phenotypic differences from their phylogenetic neighbours indicated that these strains represent two novel species and genera within the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the names Sediminibacter furfurosus gen. nov., sp. nov. (MAOS-86T) and Gilvibacter sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. (Mok-1-36T) are proposed. The type strain of Sediminibacter furfurosus is MAOS-86T (=NBRC 101622T=CIP 109285T) and the type strain of Gilvibacter sediminis is Mok-1-36T (=NBRC 101626T=CIP 109286T).

A bacterial strain isolated from human faeces, M-165T, was characterized in terms of its phenotypic and biochemical features, cellular fatty acid profile, menaquinone profile and phylogenetic position (based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis). A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate was a member of the genus Parabacteroides. Strain M-165T was closely related to Parabacteroides merdae strains, showing 98 % sequence similarity. The strain was obligately anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-negative, rod-shaped and was able to grow on media containing 20 % bile. Although the phenotypic characteristics of the strain M-165T were similar to those of P. merdae, the isolate could be differentiated from P. merdae by means of API 20A tests for l-arabinose and l-rhamnose fermentation. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed the genomic distinctiveness of the novel strain with respect to P. merdae JCM 9497T (⩽60 % DNA–DNA relatedness). The DNA G+C content of the strain is 47.6 mol%. On the basis of these data, strain M-165T represents a novel species of the genus Parabacteroides, for which the name Parabacteroides johnsonii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M-165T (=JCM 13406T=DSM 18315T).

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain AKS 1T, was isolated from a desert soil sample collected from Akesu, XinJiang Province, China. A taxonomic study, including phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and phenotypic characteristics, was performed on the novel isolate. The predominant menaquinone of strain AKS 1T was MK-7. The major fatty acids included i-C15 : 0, ai-C17 : 1 B/i-C17 : 1 I and i-C17 : 0 3-OH. The G+C content of the DNA was 51.4 mol%. Based on the results of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain AKS 1T should be assigned as representing a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter akesuensis is proposed. The type strain is AKS 1T (=KCTC 12758T=CCTCC AB 206086T).

Two bacterial strains isolated from chicken caecum, C46T and C47, were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach that included analysis of the phenotypic and biochemical features, cellular fatty acid profiles, menaquinone profiles and phylogenetic position (using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that these strains belonged to the family Porphyromonadaceae. These strains shared 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other and were related to Parabacteroides distasonis (showing 86 % sequence similarity). The strains were found to be obligately anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-negative rods. Growth of the strains was inhibited on medium containing 20 % bile. The major menaquinones of the isolates were MK-11 and MK-12. This menaquinone composition was different from those of other genera of the family Porphyromonadaceae, such as Parabacteroides (in which the predominant menaquinones are MK-9 and MK-10), Porphyromonas (MK-9 and MK-10) and Tannerella (MK-10 and MK-11). This is an important chemotaxonomic characteristic of these micro-organisms. The DNA G+C content of strain C46T is 52.0 mol%. On the basis of these data, strains C46T and C47 represent a novel genus and species, for which the name Barnesiella viscericola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Barnesiella viscericola is C46T (=JCM 13660T=DSM 18177T).

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated Gsoil 042T, was isolated from a soil sample of a ginseng field in Pocheon province (South Korea) and was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. The isolate was positive for catalase and oxidase, but negative for gelatinase and production of indole and H2S. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 4 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH; 35.7 %), iso-C15 : 0 (24.3 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (11.6 %). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Gsoil 042T fell within the radiation of the cluster comprising Pedobacter species. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, the phylogenetically closest recognized species of the genus Pedobacter to strain Gsoil 042T included Pedobacter heparinus DSM 2366T (98.1 %), Pedobacter africanus DSM 12126T (97.8 %) and Pedobacter caeni LMG 22862T (97.2 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with other recognized species of the genus Pedobacter was less than 96.1 %. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed that the DNA–DNA relatedness between strain Gsoil 042T and its phylogenetically closest neighbours was less than 43 %. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain Gsoil 042T should be classified as representing a novel species in the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter panaciterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gsoil 042T (=KCTC 12594T=LMG 23400T).

A novel, Gram-negative, non-motile, non-sporulating, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from a viscous two-phase olive-oil mill waste (‘alpeorujo’) is described. The strain, designated AW-6T, is an obligate aerobe, forming irregular, pigmented creamy white colonies. The pH and temperature ranges for growth were pH 5–8 and 5–45 °C, with optimal pH and temperature for growth of pH 6–7 and 28–32 °C, respectively. Strain AW-6T was chemo-organotrophic and utilized mostly d(+)-glucose, protocatechuate and d(+)-xylose, followed by l-cysteine, d(−)-fructose, d(+)-galactose, l-histidine, lactose, sorbitol and sucrose. Menaquinone-7 was detected in the respiratory chain of strain AW-6T. The major fatty acids of strain AW-6T were C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The closest phylogenetic relative of strain AW-6T was clone BIti35 (89.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), while Sphingobacterium thalpophilum DSM 11723T was the closest recognized relative within the Sphingobacteriaceae (88.2 % similarity). Strain AW-6T showed a low level of DNA–DNA relatedness to S. thalpophilum DSM 11723T (33.8–37.0 %). The DNA G+C content of strain AW-6T was 45.6 mol%. Physiological and chemotaxonomic data further confirmed the distinctiveness of strain AW-6T from members of the genera Sphingobacterium and Pedobacter. Thus, strain AW-6T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Sphingobacteriaceae, for which the name Olivibacter sitiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AW-6T (=DSM 17696T=CECT 7133T).

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, rod-shaped, red-pigmented strain, designated YIM 007T, was found as a contaminant on an agar plate in the laboratory of Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, China. The optimum growth pH and temperature for the isolate were 7.0–7.5 and 30 °C, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-8. The polar lipid profile consisted mainly of various unknown phosphoglycolipids and glycolipids. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0, C17 : 0 and C17 : 1 ω8c. l-Ornithine was detected in its peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C content was 64.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM 007T showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity levels of 86.8–92.1 % to the other described Deinococcus species. Based on the high 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence and phenotypic differences, it is proposed that the unknown strain should be classified as a novel species in the genus Deinococcus with the name Deinococcus yunweiensis sp. nov. The type strain is YIM 007T (=KCTC 3962T=DSM 17005T).

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped, psychrophilic bacterium, LT17T, was isolated from deep-sea sediments (3300 m depth) of the East Sea (Sea of Japan). Optimal growth of LT17T requires the presence of 2.5 % (w/v) NaCl, a pH of 7.0–7.5 and a temperature of 17 °C. The isolate grows optimally under a hydrostatic pressure of 10 MPa and growth is possible between 0.1 and <30 MPa. The novel strain is positive in tests for catalase, oxidase, lipase, β-glucosidase and gelatinase activities and reduces nitrate to nitrate. The predominant cellular fatty acids are iso-C13 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7 and C20 : 5ω3. The DNA G+C content of strain LT17T is 38.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences places this bacterium in the class Gammaproteobacteria, within the genus Shewanella. The closest relatives of strain LT17T are Shewanella japonica (97.8 % gene sequence similarity), Shewanella pacifica (97.5 %), Shewanella olleyana (96.8 %), Shewanella frigidimarina (96.5 %) and Shewanella gelidimarina (95.4 %). The DNA–DNA hybridization levels between the novel isolate and its closest known phylogenetic relatives, S. japonica and S. pacifica, are lower than 14 %. On the basis of this polyphasic evidence, strain LT17T represents a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella donghaensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LT17T (=KCTC 10635BPT=JCM 12524T).

Gram-negative, curved, motile bacteria (strains EqF1T and EqF2) were isolated from faecal samples from two clinically healthy horses. Both strains possessed a single, monopolar, sheathed flagellum and were urease-negative. The novel strains grew at 37 °C under microaerobic conditions and were positive for oxidase, catalase and alkaline phosphatase activities. The isolates reduced nitrate to nitrite, but γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity was not detected. The novel isolates did not grow at 42 °C or on media containing 1 % glycine. They were resistant to cephalotin and nalidixic acid and susceptible to metronidazole. Analysis of the 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequences of the two novel strains identified them as representing a single species within the genus Helicobacter. In terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, Helicobacter pullorum and Helicobacter canadensis were the most closely related species (98 % similarity). 23S rRNA gene sequence analysis also classified strains EqF1T and EqF2 within the enterohepatic division of the genus Helicobacter, but only 94 % similarity was detected with H. pullorum and H. canadensis, which are helicobacters with unsheathed flagella. The most closely related species in terms of 23S rRNA gene sequence similarity was Helicobacter canis (95 %). Numerical analysis of whole-cell protein extracts by SDS-PAGE was performed and the novel isolates were clearly differentiated from H. pullorum, H. canadensis, H. canis and other species of the genus Helicobacter. This finding was also confirmed by sequence analysis of the hsp60 gene. On the basis of these genetic, biochemical and protein data, the isolates are classified as representing a novel species, for which the name Helicobacter equorum sp. nov. is proposed (type strain EqF1T=LMG 23362T=CCUG 52199T).

A yellowish-brown bacterium was isolated from photoheterotrophic enrichment cultures obtained from water samples of an aquaculture pond at Bhimunipatnam, India. Enrichment and isolation in a medium containing 2 % NaCl (w/v) yielded strain JA125T, the cells of which were rod-shaped and non-motile. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain JA125T belongs to the class Alphaproteobacteria and is closely related to the type strains of Rhodovulum iodosum (96 %), Rhodovulum adriaticum (95 %), Rhodovulum robiginosum (95 %), Rhodovulum sulfidophilum (94 %) and Rhodovulum marinum (94 %). The cells of strain JA125T contained vesicular internal membranes and bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene series. Strain JA125T grew optimally at 28 °C and at pH 7.0–8.0. The best growth occurred photoheterotrophically with a number of organic compounds serving as carbon sources and electron donors. The strain grew photoautotrophically, but chemoautotrophic growth did not occur. Strain JA125T was able to utilize sulfide, sulfate, thiosulfate and thioglycolate as sulfur sources. Biotin was required as a growth factor. The DNA G+C content was 58 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and the morphological and physiological data, strain JA125T is significantly different from other species of the genus Rhodovulum and represents a novel species, for which the name Rhodovulum imhoffii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JA125T (=JCM 13589T=DSM 18064T).

Two novel strains, SL014B61AT and SL014B11A, were isolated from an oil-polluted saline soil from Gudao in the coastal Shengli Oilfield, eastern China. Cells of strains SL014B61AT and SL014B11A were motile, Gram-negative and rod-shaped. Growth occurred at NaCl concentrations of between 0 and 15 % and at temperatures of between 10 and 45 °C. Strain SL014B61AT had Q9 as the major respiratory quinone and C16 : 0 (21.2 %), C18 : 1ω9c (20.3 %), C16 : 1ω7c (7.3 %) and C16 : 1ω9c (6.4 %) as predominant fatty acids. The G+C content of the DNA was 57.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SL014B61AT belonged to the genus Marinobacter in the class Gammaproteobacteria. Strain SL014B61AT showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Marinobacter bryozoorum (97.9 %) and showed 97.8 % sequence similarity to Marinobacter lipolyticus. DNA–DNA relatedness to the reference strains Marinobacter bryozoorum and Marinobacter lipolyticus was 35.5 % and 33.8 %, respectively. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that strains SL014B61AT and SL014B11A represent a novel species, Marinobacter gudaonensis sp. nov. The type strain is strain SL014B61AT (=DSM 18066T=LMG 23509T=CGMCC 1.6294T).