- Volume 57, Issue 9, 2007

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on strain YM26-026T, which was isolated from acid-treated sediment in Kamaishi, Japan. The bacterial cells were pale-pink-pigmented, Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, non-spore-forming, spherical and non-motile. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel isolate was a member of the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’ and shared approximately 84–87 % sequence similarity with strains of the class Opitutae that have been cultivated to date. Strain YM26-026T produced pale-pink pigments of carotenoid. β-Lactam antibiotic susceptibility tests and amino acid analysis of cell-wall hydrolysates indicated that the novel isolate did not contain muramic acid or diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall, suggesting that the strain lacks peptidoglycan. The G+C content of the DNA of strain YM26-026T was 54.0 mol%. Menaquinone-7 was the major quinone and C14 : 0 and C18 : 1 ω9c were the major fatty acids. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic studies, it was concluded that strain YM26-026T represents a new genus of the family Puniceicoccaceae within the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’, for which the name Cerasicoccus arenae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YM26-026T (=MBIC08280T=KCTC 12870T).

Strain KMT is a novel bacterium with the unique metabolic abilities of being able to respire selenate as the electron acceptor using acetate as the carbon substrate and possessing the ability to grow fermentatively on short-chain organic acids such as lactate, citrate and pyruvate. Strain KMT was isolated from a sediment enrichment culture of a highly impacted wetland system in New Jersey, USA. Strain KMT is able to reduce selenate as well as selenite to elemental selenium. The unique metabolic capabilities of strain KMT include the respiration of nitrate, poorly crystalline Fe(III) and anthraquinone disulfonate. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of the novel isolate indicates that strain KMT groups within the family Geobacteraceae in the class Deltaproteobacteria with approximately 96–97 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the closest known organisms Malonomonas rubra Gra Mal 1T, Pelobacter acidigallici Ma Gal 2T and species of the genus Desulfuromusa. Recognized species of the genera Malonomonas and Pelobacter cannot use any inorganic electron acceptors, while strains of the genus Desulfuromusa do not ferment organic substrates. This contrasts with the ability of strain KMT to ferment organic compounds as well as to couple selenate reduction to acetate utilization. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny and metabolic properties, strain KMT represents a novel species for which the name Pelobacter seleniigenes sp. nov. (type strain KMT=DSM 18267T=ATCC BAA-1388T) is proposed. Based on the phylogenetic grouping of species of the genus Pelobacter within the Desulfuromusa cluster, it is suggested that Malonomonas rubra Gra Mal 1T should also be included in this group.

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium (WSF2T) was isolated from coastal seawater of the Boso Peninsula in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain WSF2T represented a separate lineage within the genus Pseudovibrio. The DNA G+C content of strain WSF2T was 51.7 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain WSF2T and the type strains of Pseudovibrio species were significantly lower than those accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a species. Furthermore, some biochemical characteristics indicated that strain WSF2T differed from other Pseudovibrio species. Based on these characteristics, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species, Pseudovibrio japonicus sp. nov. The type strain is WSF2T (=IAM 15442T=NCIMB 14279T=KCTC 12861T).

Seven bacterial isolates from farmed Atlantic cod displaying chronic granulomatous disease were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. The isolates were Gram-negative, facultatively intracellular, non-motile, strictly aerobic coccobacilli which produced H2S from cysteine-supplemented media and are therefore phenotypically consistent with members of the genus Francisella. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences and six partial housekeeping gene sequences (groEL, shdA, rpoB, rpoA, pgm and atpA) confirmed the organism as a member of the genus Francisella, with Francisella philomiragia as its closest relative (99.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 92.2–99.0 % housekeeping gene sequence similarity). Despite the close relationship with F. philomiragia, isolates from Atlantic cod could be readily distinguished phenotypically and genetically from F. philomiragia ATCC 25015T. DNA–DNA hybridization studies revealed a mean reassociation value of 68 %. Thus, on the basis of phenotypic and molecular genetic evidence, we propose that the strains isolated from Atlantic cod should be recognized as Francisella philomiragia subsp. noatunensis subsp. nov. with the type strain 2005/50/F292-6CT (=NCIMB 14265T=LMG 23800T). Francisella philomiragia ATCC 25015T (=DSM 735T) is reclassified as Francisella philomiragia subsp. philomiragia subsp. nov.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, IG8T, was isolated from seawater off the Sanriku coast, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain IG8T represented a separate lineage within the genus Loktanella; the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values were found with the type strains of Loktanella salsilacus (98.6 %) and Loktanella fryxellensis (98.4 %). DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain IG8T and the type strains of L. salsilacus (27.9–36.1 %) and L. fryxellensis (11.3–31.0 %) were clearly below 70 %, the generally accepted limit for species delineation. The DNA G+C content of strain IG8T was 66.3 mol%. On the basis of DNA–DNA hybridization, some biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species, Loktanella atrilutea sp. nov. The type strain is IG8T (=IAM 15450T=NCIMB 14280T).

A Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming and moderately halophilic ellipsoid-shaped marine coccobacillus, designated strain SS011B1-4T, was isolated from benthic sediment of the South China Sea. Optimum growth occurred at 30–37 °C, pH 7.5–8.0 and 4–8 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain SS011B1-4T utilized a variety of organic substrates as sole carbon sources, but did not utilize toluene, n-tetradecane or crude oil. Strain SS011B1-4T had ubiquinone-9 as the major respiratory quinone and C18 : 1 ω9c, C16 : 0 and C12 : 0 3-OH as the predominant fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 62.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SS011B1-4T belonged to the genus Marinobacter of the Gammaproteobacteria. The results of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic analyses revealed that strain SS011B1-4T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacter. The name Marinobacter segnicrescens sp. nov. is therefore proposed, with strain SS011B1-4T (=LMG 23928T=CGMCC 1.6489T) as the type strain.

A novel Gram-negative, motile, nonsporulating, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from alkaline sludge-like wastes (‘alpeorujo’ or ‘alperujo’) of two-phase olive oil extraction is described. The strain, designated AW-7T, is an obligate aerobe that is halotolerant (tolerating up to 15 % w/v NaCl), sugar-tolerant (tolerating up to 45 % and 60 % w/v (+)-d-glucose and maltose respectively; these are the highest concentrations tolerated by any known members of the Bacteria domain) and alkalitolerant (growing at a broad pH range of 5–11). Strain AW-7T is chemo-organotrophic. Ubiquinone-9 was detected in the respiratory chain of strain AW-7T. The major fatty acids present are C18 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C12 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1 ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain AW-7T showed almost equal phylogenetic distances from Zymobacter palmae (95.6 % similarity) and Carnimonas nigrificans (95.4 % similarity). In addition, low DNA–DNA relatedness values were found for strain AW-7T against Carnimonas nigrificans CECT 4437T (22.5–25.4 %) and Z. palmae DSM 10491T (11.9–14.4 %). The DNA G+C content of strain AW-7T is 64.4 mol%. Physiological and chemotaxonomic data further confirmed the differentiation of strain AW-7T from the genera Zymobacter and Carnimonas. Thus, strain AW-7T represents a novel bacterial genus within the family Halomonadaceae, for which the name Halotalea gen. nov. is proposed. Halotalea alkalilenta sp. nov. (type strain AW-7T=DSM 17697T=CECT 7134T) is proposed as the type species of the genus Halotalea gen. nov. A reassignment of the descriptive 16S rRNA signature characteristics of the family Halomonadaceae permitted the placement of the novel genus Halotalea into the family; in contrast, the genus Halovibrio possessed only 12 out of the 18 signature characteristics proposed, and hence it was excluded from the family Halomonadaceae.

A rod-shaped, phototrophic, purple non-sulfur bacterium was isolated in pure culture from seawater collected from the seashore of Visakhapatnam, on the east coast of India, in a medium that contained 2 % NaCl (w/v). Strain JA123T was Gram-negative and non-motile and had a requirement for NaCl. Photo-organoheterotrophic and chemo-organoheterotrophic growth occurred with organic compounds as carbon sources and electron donors. Photolithoautotrophic, chemolithoautotrophic and fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Strain JA123T contained vesicular intracellular photosynthetic membrane structures. Bacteriochlorophyll a and probably carotenoids of the spheroidene series were present as photosynthetic pigments. Biotin was required for growth. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA123T clustered with species of the genus Rhodobacter. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and morphological and physiological characteristics, strain JA123T is sufficiently different from other Rhodobacter species to propose a novel species, Rhodobacter vinaykumarii sp. nov., to accommodate this strain; the type strain is JA123T (=DSM 18714T =JCM 14544T =CCUG 54311T).

Three Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, nitrate-reducing isolates (R-32746, R-32768T and R-32729T) were obtained from soil. Analysis of repetitive sequence-based PCR showed that the three isolates represented two different strains. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization placed them within the genus Stenotrophomonas and revealed that they were genotypically different from each other and from all recognized Stenotrophomonas species. Analysis of the fatty acid composition and physiological and biochemical tests allowed differentiation from their closest phylogenetic neighbours. They are therefore considered to represent two novel species, for which the names Stenotrophomonas terrae sp. nov. and Stenotrophomonas humi sp. nov. are proposed, with strains R-32768T (=LMG 23958T=DSM 18941T) and R-32729T (=LMG 23959T=DSM 18929T), respectively, as the type strains.

Two bacterial strains, designated Gsoil 322T and Gsoil 328, were isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon province (Republic of Korea). The strains were Gram-negative, motile, aerobic rods that showed nearly identical physiological profiles and similar chemotaxonomic profiles. The two strains were oxidase-positive but catalase-negative, reduced nitrate to nitrite and had fatty acid profiles in which C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo and C16 : 1 ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH were predominant. The DNA G+C contents of Gsoil 322T and Gsoil 328 were 66.6 and 66.7 mol%, respectively. Q-8 was observed as the major quinone. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Gsoil 322T belongs to the class Betaproteobacteria and was most closely related to Methylibium petroleiphilum ATCC BAA-1232T (97.5 % sequence similarity). On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain Gsoil 322T (=KCTC 12591T =LMG 23394T) was classified in the genus Methylibium as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Methylibium fulvum sp. nov. is proposed.

Six representatives of a luminous bacterium commonly found in association with deep, cold-dwelling marine fishes were isolated from the light organs and skin of different fish species. These bacteria were Gram-negative, catalase-positive, and weakly oxidase-positive or oxidase-negative. Morphologically, cells of these strains were coccoid or coccoid-rods, occurring singly or in pairs, and motile by means of polar flagellation. After growth on seawater-based agar medium at 22 °C for 18 h, colonies were small, round and white, with an intense cerulean blue luminescence. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity placed these bacteria in the genus Photobacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on seven housekeeping gene sequences (16S rRNA gene, gapA, gyrB, pyrH, recA, rpoA and rpoD), seven gene sequences of the lux operon (luxC, luxD, luxA, luxB, luxF, luxE and luxG) and four gene sequences of the rib operon (ribE, ribB, ribH and ribA), resolved the six strains as members of the genus Photobacterium and as a clade distinct from other species of Photobacterium. These strains were most closely related to Photobacterium phosphoreum and Photobacterium iliopiscarium. DNA–DNA hybridization values between the designated type strain, Photobacterium kishitanii pjapo.1.1T, and P. phosphoreum LMG 4233T, P. iliopiscarium LMG 19543T and Photobacterium indicum LMG 22857T were 51, 43 and 19 %, respectively. In AFLP analysis, the six strains clustered together, forming a group distinct from other analysed species. The fatty acid C17 : 0 cyclo was present in these bacteria, but not in P. phosphoreum, P. iliopiscarium or P. indicum. A combination of biochemical tests (arginine dihydrolase and lysine decarboxylase) differentiates these strains from P. phosphoreum and P. indicum. The DNA G+C content of P. kishitanii pjapo.1.1T is 40.2 %, and the genome size is approximately 4.2 Mbp, in the form of two circular chromosomes. These strains represent a novel species, for which the name Photobacterium kishitanii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain, pjapo.1.1T (=ATCC BAA-1194T=LMG 23890T), is a luminous symbiont isolated from the light organ of the deep-water fish Physiculus japonicus.

A novel restricted facultatively methylotrophic marine strain, MPT, possessing the ribulose monophosphate pathway of C1-carbon compound assimilation was isolated from a seawater sample obtained from Mokpo, South Korea. The novel isolate is aerobic, Gram-negative, asporogenous and a non-motile short rod. It grows well on methanol, methylated amines, dimethylsulfide and DMSO. Optimal growth occurs with 3 % NaCl at 30 °C and pH 7.0. Fructose is utilized as a multicarbon source. Growth factors are not required and vitamin B12 does not stimulate growth. The cellular fatty acid profile of the novel strain consists primarily of straight-chain saturated C16 : 0 and unsaturated C16 : 1 acids. The major ubiquinone is Q-8. The dominant phospholipids are phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content is 44.9 mol% (T m). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA relatedness (25–41 %) with the type strains of marine methylotrophs belonging to the genus Methylophaga, it is suggested that isolate MPT represents a novel species, Methylophaga aminisulfidivorans sp. nov. (type strain MPT=KCTC 12909T=VKM B-2441T=JCM 14647T).

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped, Marinobacter-like bacterial strain, ISL-40T, was isolated from a marine solar saltern of the Yellow Sea in Korea. The taxonomic position of the novel strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain ISL-40T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0 and at 30 °C. It contained Q-9 as the predominant ubiquinone. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and 10-methyl C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 58.1 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ISL-40T belongs to the genus Marinobacter. Strain ISL-40T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 93.5–96.4 % to the type strains of recognized Marinobacter species. The differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness of strain ISL-40T revealed that it is separate from recognized Marinobacter species. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, therefore, strain ISL-40T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter salicampi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ISL-40T (=KCTC 12972T=CCUG 54357T).

A rod-shaped, marine, phototrophic, purple sulfur bacterium containing gas vesicles was isolated from a marine solar saltern at Kakinada, India. Cells of strain JA134T are Gram-negative, non-motile rods, with vesicular intracytoplasmic membranes, and the strain has an absolute requirement for NaCl for growth. Bacteriochlorophyll a and the carotenoid okenone are present as photosynthetic pigments. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA134T clusters with members of the genus Halochromatium, but is distinctly separated from the species reported so far. The morphological and physiological differences of strain JA134T from other Halochromatium species support the description of strain JA134T (=ATCC BAA-1363T =DSM 18859T =JCM 14151T) as the type strain of a novel species, Halochromatium roseum sp. nov.

A freshwater bacterium, designated IMCC1728T, was isolated from a eutrophic pond. The strain was Gram-negative, chemoheterotrophic and facultatively aerobic, forming non-motile rods that contained poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the most closely related species to strain IMCC1728T was Methylibium petroleiphilum (97.0 % similarity). Phylogenetic trees generated using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this isolate formed an independent phyletic line of the genus Methylibium clade of the class Betaproteobacteria. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 66.2±0.4 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acid constituents were C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (43.1 %), C16 : 0 (20.3 %), C12 : 0 (13.4 %) and C10 : 0 3-OH (7.3 %). The strain contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone. Several phenotypic characteristics, including flagellation, temperature range for growth and carbon source utilization patterns, differentiated strain IMCC1728T from species of the genus Methylibium. Therefore, it is proposed that strain IMCC1728T represents a novel species, Methylibium aquaticum sp. nov. The type strain is IMCC1728T (=KCCM 42364T=NBRC 102349T).

A Gram-negative, non-motile and rod-, oval- or coccoid-shaped strain, DSW-17T, was isolated from seawater of the East Sea, Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain DSW-17T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0 and 25 °C. It contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1 ω7c as the major fatty acid. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content was 65.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DSW-17T was phylogenetically most closely affiliated to the genus Jannaschia. Strain DSW-17T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.5 % with the type strains of three recognized species of the genus Jannaschia. DNA–DNA relatedness data and differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain DSW-17T is distinguishable from the recognized species of the genus Jannaschia. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strain DSW-17T was classified in the genus Jannaschia as a member of a novel species, for which the name Jannaschia donghaensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DSW-17T (=KCTC 12862T=JCM 14563T).

Two strains belonging to the genus Shewanella, HAW-EB2T and HAW-EB5T, were isolated previously from marine sediment sampled from the Atlantic Ocean, near Halifax harbour in Canada, for their potential to degrade explosive hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). In the present study, strains HAW-EB2T and HAW-EB5T were found to display high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (90–99.5 %) to species of Shewanella, but their gyrB sequences were significantly different from each other and from species of Shewanella (79–87.6 %). Furthermore, DNA–DNA hybridization showed that the genomic DNA of the two strains was only 22 % related and showed less than 41 % relatedness to closely related species of Shewanella. In comparison to other species of Shewanella, strains HAW-EB2T and HAW-EB5T were also unique in some phenotypic properties such as activities of β-galactosidase and tyrosine arylamidase and the ability to metabolize certain organic acids and sugars. Both strains HAW-EB2T and HAW-EB5T utilize malate, valerate, peptone and yeast extract as sole carbon and energy sources. The major membrane fatty acids of the two strains were C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7, C18 : 1 ω7 and C20 : 5 ω3 and their major quinones were Q-7, Q-8 and MK-7. On the basis of these results, strain HAW-EB2T (=NCIMB 14238T =CCUG 54553T) is proposed as the type strain of Shewanella canadensis sp. nov. and strain HAW-EB5T (=NCIMB 14239T =CCUG 54554T) is proposed as the type strain of Shewanella atlantica sp. nov.

Two novel sulfate-reducing bacterial strains, designated E-2T and IMP-2, were isolated from geographically distinct locations. Strain E-2T was recovered from marine sediments near Sfax (Tunisia), whereas strain IMP-2 originated from oilfield production fluids in the Gulf of Mexico. Cells were Gram-negative, non-sporulated, motile, vibrio-shaped or sigmoid. They were strictly anaerobic, mesophilic and moderately halophilic. Sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur served as electron acceptors, but not nitrate or nitrite. H2 (with acetate as carbon source), formate, fumarate, lactate, malate, pyruvate, succinate and fructose were used as electron donors in the presence of sulfate as terminal electron acceptor. Lactate was oxidized incompletely to acetate. Fumarate and pyruvate were fermented. Desulfoviridin and c-type cytochromes were present. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the two strains showed that they were phylogenetically similar (99.0 % similarity) and belonged to the genus Desulfovibrio, with Desulfovibrio indonesiensis and Desulfovibrio gabonensis as their closest phylogenetic relatives. The G+C content of the DNA was respectively 60.4 and 62.7 mol% for strains E-2T and IMP-2. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed that the novel strains had a high genomic relatedness, suggesting that they belong to the same species. We therefore propose that the two isolates be affiliated to a novel species of the genus Desulfovibrio, Desulfovibrio marinus sp. nov. The type strain is strain E-2T (=DSM 18311T =JCM 14040T).

During a biodiversity survey of Argentinian soil fungi, we recovered a rare Scedosporium-like fungus which was proven to be genetically and morphologically different from known species of Scedosporium (anamorph of Pseudallescheria) and relatives and is proposed here as representing a new genus. This genus is mainly characterized by producing sympodial conidia from denticulate conidiogenous cells. This isolate was morphologically identical to Graphium tectonae and thus the new combination Parascedosporium tectonae gen. nov., comb. nov. is proposed. Sequence analysis of four regions of three genes, i.e. β-tubulin (two loci), calmodulin and the internal transcribed spacer region of the 5.8S rRNA, confirmed our proposal. Both the phylogenetic analysis and morphological studies excluded Pseudallescheria africana and Pseudallescheria fimeti from the genus Pseudallescheria. The former is proposed as a member of the new genus Petriellopsis, and the latter has been accommodated in Lophotrichus. The type strains of Parascedosporium tectonae gen. nov., comb. nov., Petriellopsis africana gen. nov., comb. nov. and Lophotrichus fimeti comb. nov. are respectively CBS 127.84T, CBS 311.72T and CBS 129.78T.