- Volume 57, Issue 9, 2007

A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic position of an isolate, strain DS472T, from soil in Kyoto, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that this strain constitutes a new subline within the genus Rhodococcus, with Rhodococcus yunnanensis YIM 70056T and Rhodococcus fascians DSM 20669T as its nearest phylogenetic neighbours (98.2 and 97.8 % sequence similarity, respectively). DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed 36 and 29 % relatedness between the isolate and its phylogenetic relatives, R. yunnanensis and R. fascians, respectively. Chemotaxonomic characteristics, including the major quinone MK-8(H2), predominant fatty acids C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c and 10-methyl C18 : 0, the presence of cell-wall chemotype IV and mycolic acids, were consistent with the properties of members of the genus Rhodococcus. The DNA G+C content was 64.5 mol%. On the basis of both phenotypic and genotypic evidence, strain DS472T represents a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus kyotonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain DS472T (=IAM 15415T=CCTCC AB206088T).

An actinomycete, designated strain E71T, was isolated from the stem of Sambucus adnata Wall, a Chinese medicinal plant, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the organism was a member of the genus Glycomyces, and formed a distinct phyletic line distantly related to recognized species of the genus Glycomyces. Morphological and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain E71T to the genus Glycomyces. A number of physiological properties and a unique menaquinone profile allowed differentiation of the strain from related Glycomyces species. It is therefore proposed that strain E71T represents a novel species of the genus Glycomyces, for which the name Glycomyces sambucus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E71T (=CGMCC 4.3147T=DSM 45047T).

A polyphasic taxonomic study was undertaken to establish the status of a novel actinomycete, strain S155T, isolated from a sand dune soil in Egypt. The organism formed characteristic synnemata-like structures and exhibited chemical and morphological features consistent with its classification in the genus Streptomyces. An almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate was compared with corresponding sequences of representative streptomycetes. The 16S rRNA gene sequence data supported the assignment of the strain to the genus Streptomyces and showed that it formed a distinct phyletic line; the organism was most similar to the type strains of Streptomyces ruber (97.0 %), Streptomyces rubiginosus (97.0 %), Streptomyces roseiscleroticus (96.9 %) and Streptomyces thermoalcalitolerans (97.1 %). It was readily distinguished from the type strains of these species using a combination of phenotypic properties. On the basis of these results, strain S155T (=CGMCC 4.2055T =DSM 41902T) is proposed as the type strain of the novel species Streptomyces synnematoformans sp. nov.

A novel isolate, CP153-2T, was obtained from topsoil biological crusts in the Colorado Plateau (USA). Colonies were black in colour due to melanin-like pigments when grown on oligotrophic medium, but not when grown on copiotrophic medium. Induction of melanogenesis was independent of growth phase or illumination conditions, including exposure to UVB and UVA radiation, but exposure to UVB could enhance total pigment production and growth under low nitrogen prevented its synthesis. This mode of regulation was previously unknown among melanin-producing bacteria. Polyphasic characterization of the strain revealed that cells were short, straight to curved or irregular rods that developed into pairs and formed multiseptate short filaments, with rare bud-like cells. Short rods were typically motile by means of flagella; multicellular structures tended to be sessile. Cells stained Gram-positive, grew at 4–30 °C and had a narrow range of pH tolerance (pH 5–9). The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C18 : 1; MK-9(H4) was the major respiratory quinone. Its peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity data, its closest relative (98.1 % similarity) was Modestobacter multiseptatus DSM 44406T, which is similar morphologically. Based on the above characteristics, strain CP153-2T was also assigned to the genus Modestobacter. However, CP153-2T had a relatedness of only 49.9 % in whole-genome reassociation comparisons with the type strain of M. multiseptatus and thus formally represents a novel species, for which the name Modestobacter versicolor sp. nov. is proposed. Additional evidence in support of a novel species comes from phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. Strain CP153-2T (=ATCC BAA-1040T =DSM 16678T) is the type strain of M. versicolor.

Phylogenetic analysis of ‘Sarraceniospora aurea’ NBRC 14752 and strain NBRC 15120, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that these organisms are related to members of the genus Actinocorallia. These organisms contained glutamic acid, alanine and meso-diaminopimelic acid as cell-wall amino acids and the menaquinones MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strains were consistent with those of the genus Actinocorallia. However, DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic characteristics revealed that the strains differed from the recognized species of the genus Actinocorallia. Therefore, we propose that ‘Sarraceniospora aurea’ NBRC 14752 and strain NBRC 15120 be reclassified in the genus Actinocorallia as a novel species, Actinocorallia aurea sp. nov. (type strain NBRC 14752T=DSM 44434T).

A Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, motile, rod- or coccoid-shaped bacterium, strain 5516J-36T, was isolated from an air sample from Jeju region, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The organism grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.0–8.0. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that this strain was highly related phylogenetically to Terrabacter terrae PPLBT and Terrabacter tumescens DSM 20308T, showing 98.9 % sequence similarity to both strains. However, the DNA–DNA reassociation values between 5516J-36T and the type strains of Terrabacter terrae and Terrabacter tumescens were low (51 and 48 %, respectively). The peptidoglycan type was A3γ, the predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4), the polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified phosphoglycolipid and the whole-cell sugars were glucose, ribose, rhamnose, xylose and galactose. Mycolic acids were absent. The major fatty acids (>5 % of total fatty acids) were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 71.7 mol%. On the basis of the above data, it is proposed that strain 5516J-36T represents a novel species, Terrabacter aerolatus sp. nov. The type strain of Terrabacter aerolatus is 5516J-36T (=KACC 20556T =DSM 18562T).

Four Gram-positive, catalase-positive, short rod- or coccoid-shaped bacterial strains, R27T, R44, R45 and R47, 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 R27T, R44, R45 and R47 belong to the same species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the four strains form a distinct evolutionary lineage within the family Propionibacteriaceae. The novel four strains had cell-wall peptidoglycan based on ll-diaminopimelic acid, MK-9(H4) as the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acid. The DNA G+C contents were 68.8–69.2 mol%. These chemotaxonomic properties, together with phylogenetic distinctiveness, distinguish the four novel strains from recognized members of the family Propionibacteriaceae. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strains R27T, R44, R45 and R47 are classified as representatives of a new genus and novel species, Aestuariimicrobium kwangyangense gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Propionibacteriaceae. The type strain of Aestuariimicrobium kwangyangense sp. nov. is R27T (=KCTC 19182T=JCM 14204T).

Screening of soil samples from the Durmitor National Park, Serbia and Montenegro, for strains producing immunosuppressants with a similar mechanism of action to FK506 resulted in the isolation of the actinomycete strain MS405T. Isolate MS405T was found to have morphological and phenotypic properties that were consistent with its classification as a Streptomyces strain. The DNA G+C content of strain MS405T was 72 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence data confirmed the taxonomic position of the strain, following the generation of phylogenetic trees by using various treeing algorithms. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain MS405T was shown to belong to the Streptomyces albidoflavus ‘supercluster’, being related to Streptomyces aureus DSM 41785T (99.59 % similarity) and Streptomyces kanamyceticus DSM 40500T (99.32 %). The 16S–23S rRNA internally transcribed spacer (ITS) region exhibited variations in length and sequence composition, showing limited usefulness in phylogenetic analyses. However, DNA relatedness values support the classification of this isolate within a novel species. A number of physiological and biochemical tests distinguished strain MS405T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, strain MS405T represents a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces durmitorensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain MS405T (=DSM 41863T =CIP 108995T).

A novel bacterial strain designated Gsoil 616T 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 Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod- or coccoid-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Nocardioides in the family Nocardioidaceae but was clearly separated from established species of this genus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain Gsoil 616T and the type strains of Nocardioides species with validly published names ranged from 91.8 to 96.1 %. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 73 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data [major menaquinone MK-8(H4) and major fatty acid iso-C16 : 0] supported the affiliation of strain Gsoil 616T to the genus Nocardioides. However, the results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from other Nocardioides species. Therefore, strain Gsoil 616T represented a novel species within the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides panacihumi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gsoil 616T (=KCTC 19187T =DSM 18660T).

Strain KV-657T was isolated from a paddy field soil sample collected in Japan using GPM agar plates supplemented with catalase. The strain was a Gram-positive, aerobic organism that formed branching hyphae with ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic peptidoglycan diamino acid. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4). Mycolic acids were not detected. The G+C content of the DNA was 70 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that this strain is closely related to Intrasporangium calvum DSM 43043T, with a similarity of 97.6 %. Based on the morphological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties of this strain and phylogenetic analysis, it was concluded that this isolate represents a new genus and species in the family Intrasporangiaceae, for which the name Humihabitans oryzae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Humihabitans oryzae is KV-657T (=NRRL B-24470T =NBRC 101802T).

A novel halophilic archaeon (strain B1T) belonging to the genus Natronococcus was isolated from shrimp jeotgal, a traditional fermented food from Korea. Colonies of this strain were orange–red and cells were non-motile cocci that stained Gram-variable. Strain B1T grew in 7.5–30.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at 21–50 °C and pH 7.0–9.5, with optimal growth occurring in 23–25 % (w/v) NaCl and at 37–45 °C and pH 7.5. Strain B1T was most closely related to the type strain of Natronococcus occultus, with which it shared 97.91 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Within the phylogenetic tree, this novel strain shared a branching point with N. occultus and occupied a phylogenetic position that was distinct from the main Natronococcus branch. The degree of DNA–DNA hybridization with the type strain of N. occultus, the most closely related species phylogenetically, was 16.4 %. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that strain B1T represents a novel species of the genus Natronococcus, for which the name Natronococcus jeotgali is proposed. The type strain is B1T (=KCTC 4018T=DSM 18795T=JCM 14583T=CECT 7216T).

A novel gliding marine bacterium (strain 59SAT) was isolated from marine barnacle debris. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a distinct lineage within the genus Aureispira in the family ‘Saprospiraceae’. The DNA G+C content of strain 59SAT was 38.7 mol%, the major respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 20 : 4ω6c and 16 : 0. On the basis of the data from DNA–DNA hybridization, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain 59SAT represents a novel species of the genus Aureispira, for which the name Aureispira maritima sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 59SAT (=IAM 15439T=TISTR 1726T).

A taxonomic study of a novel marine, heterotrophic, non-gliding, halotolerant and light-pink-pigmented bacterium was carried out using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain KMM 6241T is a member of the phylum Bacteroidetes. Strain KMM 6241T formed a cluster with the genera Algoriphagus, Chimaereicella and Hongiella with sequence similarities of 94.0–98.2 %. Hongiella ornithinivorans was the closest relative of the novel isolate. Comparative analysis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics of strain KMM 6241T and representatives of the genera Algoriphagus, Chimaereicella and Hongiella revealed many similar features. Consequently, phylogenetic evidence supported by phenotypic and genotypic similarities support the transfer of members of the genera Chimaereicella and Hongiella to the genus Algoriphagus and the establishment of a novel species, Algoriphagus vanfongensis sp. nov., with strain KMM 6241T (=DSM 17529T=KCTC 12716T) as the type strain.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, DS-139T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Dokdo, Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Strain DS-139T grew optimally at 25 °C and pH 6.5–7.5 in the presence of 0–0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 39.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DS-39T belongs to the genus Pedobacter in the family Sphingobacteriaceae. The similarity values between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain DS-139T and those of the type strains of recognized Pedobacter species, except Pedobacter saltans, were in the range 93.9–96.7 %. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, were sufficient to assign strain DS-139T to a species that is separate from recognized Pedobacter species. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, therefore, strain DS-139T represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter insulae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DS-139T (=KCTC 12820T =DSM 18684T).

A Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain EMB34T, was isolated from a wastewater treatment plant in Korea. Growth was observed between 10 and 40 °C (optimum, 25–35 °C) and between pH 6.0 and 9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5–8.0). The cells were non-motile rods, linked with extracellular fibrils. The predominant fatty acids of strain EMB34T were iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C16 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and the strain contained phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol as the polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 34.2 mol% and the major quinone was menaquinone-6. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain EMB34T formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Flavobacterium. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with other Flavobacterium species were less than 94.5 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, it is clear that strain EMB34T represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium filum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EMB34T (=KCTC 12610T=DSM 17961T).

A motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain WPCB189T, was isolated from fresh water collected from the Woopo wetland (Republic of Korea). The cells were found to be Gram-negative, aerobic and catalase- and oxidase-positive. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this isolate forms a lineage within the genus Pedobacter, showing sequence similarities of 89.7–96.4 % with respect to recognized species of the genus, and represents a novel member of this genus. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c (summed feature 3, 29.7 %), iso-C15 : 0 (26.4 %) and iso-C17 : 1 3-OH (10.1 %). The DNA G+C content was 38.0 mol%. On the basis of data obtained from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain WPCB189T represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter koreensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WPCB189T (=KCTC 12536T=NBRC 101153T).

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, pleomorphic bacterial strains, DS-40T and DS-45T, were isolated from a soil sample collected from Dokdo, Korea, and their exact taxonomic positions were investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strains DS-40T and DS-45T grew optimally at 25 °C and pH 6.5–7.5 in the presence of 0–1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. They contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and possessed iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents of strains DS-40T and DS-45T were 36.0 and 36.8 mol%, respectively. Strains DS-40T and DS-45T shared a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.7 % and demonstrated a mean DNA–DNA relatedness level of 12 %. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains DS-40T and DS-45T were most closely phylogenetically affiliated with the genus Pedobacter of the family Sphingobacteriaceae. Strains DS-40T and DS-45T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 91.4–93.7 and 89.9–91.6 % with respect to the type strains of Pedobacter and Sphingobacterium species, respectively. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, together with the phylogenetic data, support the assignment of strains DS-40T and DS-45T as two distinct species within the genus Pedobacter. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strains DS-40T and DS-45T represent two novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the names Pedobacter lentus sp. nov. and Pedobacter terricola sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The respective type strains are DS-40T (=KCTC 12875T=JCM 14593T) and DS-45T (=KCTC 12876T=JCM 14594T).