- Volume 58, Issue 4, 2008

Three Gram-negative, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive, aerobic, non-motile bacterial strains, designated H9T, H10 and H15, were isolated during a study on the diversity of culturable psychrotolerant bacteria in raw cow's milk. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the three strains were very closely related to each other (sequence similarities of 99.6–99.8 %). A polyphasic taxonomic study of the isolates resulted in their identification as members of the genus Chryseobacterium (family Flavobacteriaceae, phylum Bacteroidetes). The three strains showed ≤96.9 % sequence similarity with respect to the type strains of described Chryseobacterium species, indicating that H9T, H10 and H15 represent a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium. The three strains grew at 7–37 °C (strain H10 grew at up to 41 °C), with 0–2.5 % NaCl and at pH 5.0–9.8. The dominant cellular fatty acids of strain H9T were 15 : 0 iso (38.9 %), 15 : 0 anteiso (15.6 %) and 17 : 0 iso 3-OH (12.7 %). Strain H10 also possessed 17 : 1 iso ω9c (14.8 %) as a major fatty acid. On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, the three milk isolates represent a novel species in the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the name Chryseobacterium bovis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H9T (=LMG 24227T =DSM 19482T).

The taxonomic status of a verrucomicrobial strain isolated from marine sediment was established based on a polyphasic examination. The novel isolate, strain YM29-052T, was obligately aerobic, Gram-negative, non-motile, coccoid or rod-shaped and chemoheterotrophic. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the new isolate shared approximately 94–99 % sequence similarity with members of genus Rubritalea of the family Verrucomicrobiaceae within the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’. Genomic DNA–DNA hybridization between strain YM29-052T and Rubritalea squalenifaciens HOact23T showed relatedness of <70 %, the value commonly accepted as the threshold for the phylogenetic definition of a species. Strain YM29-052T produces carotenoid compounds that render the cell biomass a pink colour; the strain also contains squalene. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of the novel strain contains muramic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content of strain YM29-052T was 47.7 mol%; MK-8 and MK-9 were the major menaquinones. The presence of iso-C14 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 1 ω7c as major cellular fatty acids supported the identification of the novel isolate as a member of the genus Rubritalea. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence, it was concluded that strain YM29-052T should be classified within a novel species of the genus Rubritalea, for which the name Rubritalea sabuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YM29-052T (=MBIC08323T =KCTC 22127T).

Ten pale-pink- and pale-yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, chemoheterotrophic bacteria designated strains YM20-087T, YM21-151, MN1-741T, YM27-120T, YM26-010T, YM24-184, YM20-122, A4T-83T, A5J-41-2T and A5J-40 were isolated from various marine environments and were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these isolates belonged to the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’ (subdivision 1) and represented three independent lineages that were distinct from species of genera of the family Verrucomicrobiaceae with validly published names. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of these strains contained muramic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. Strains MN1-741T, YM27-120T, YM26-010T, YM24-184 and YM20-122 produced pinkish carotenoid pigments. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence, it was concluded that these strains should be classified within three new genera, Persicirhabdus gen. nov. (with one species, the type species Persicirhabdus sediminis sp. nov.), Roseibacillus gen. nov. (with three species; type species Roseibacillus ishigakijimensis sp. nov.) and Luteolibacter gen. nov. (with two species; type species Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis sp. nov.), of the family Verrucomicrobiaceae within the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’. The names Persicirhabdus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain YM20-087T =MBIC08313T =KCTC 22039T), Roseibacillus ishigakijimensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain MN1-741T =MBIC08315T =KCTC 12986T), Roseibacillus ponti sp. nov. (type strain YM27-120T =MBIC08316T =KCTC 12987T), Roseibacillus persicicus sp. nov. (type strain YM26-010T =MBIC08317T =KCTC 12988T), Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain A4T-83T =MBIC08322T =KCTC 22041T) and Luteolibacter algae sp. nov. (type strain A5J-41-2T =MBIC08320T =KCTC 22040T) are therefore proposed. Emended descriptions of the class Verrucomicrobiae, the order Verrucomicrobiales and the family Verrucomicrobiaceae are also presented.

A bacterial isolate, strain TU-7T, with an optimum growth temperature of about 45–50 °C and an optimum pH for growth between 8.0 and 8.5, was recovered from a hot spring in the Furnas area of the island of São Miguel in the Azores. The new isolate is non-pigmented, facultatively chemolithoorganotrophic, strictly aerobic and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The organism oxidized thiosulfate to sulfate with enhancement of growth. This organism assimilated organic acids but did not assimilate carbohydrates or polyols. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed strain TU-7T within the radiation of the Alphaproteobacteria as a deep branch of the family Acetobacteriaceae. The major fatty acids of strain TU-7T are 18 : 1ω7c, 18 : 0, 19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and an aliphatic chain with an equivalent chain-length of 20.195, identified as 19 : 0 2-OH cyclo ω8 (Δ11 : 12). Ubiquinone 10 is the major respiratory quinone and the major polar lipids are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol in addition to two unidentified aminolipids. Bacteriochlorophyll a and puf genes were not detected. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and physiological and biochemical characteristics, we describe a novel species of a new genus represented by strain TU-7T, for which we propose the name Elioraea tepidiphila gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Elioraea tepidiphila is strain TU-7T (=DSM 17972T =CIP 109115T).

Two bacterial organisms, 50640T and 823, were isolated from fresh water in Marseilles, France, and were further identified as members of the genus Yersinia on the basis of their phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Their unique phenotypic profile differed from that of closely related species of Yersinia bercovieri and Yersinia mollaretii by exhibiting positive indole and inositol tests, and from that of Yersinia frederiksenii by lacking the ability to ferment l-rhamnose. A polyphasic approach, including almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequencing (1461 bp) and partial sequencing of hsp60 (683 bp), gyrB (662 bp), sodA (624 bp) and rpoB (1049 bp) showed that isolates 50640T and 823 exhibited 98.5, 93.5, 90.4, 92.4 and 96.6 % similarity with Y. mollaretii, 98.7, 93.0, 90.1, 89.1 and 96.2 % with Y. bercovieri, and 98.4, 93.2, 89.8, 88.9 and 95.2 % with Y. frederiksenii, respectively. Both isolates exhibited an identical 16S rRNA gene sequence and differed by one to five point mutations in housekeeping gene sequences. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on the combination of these four housekeeping genes indicated that the two isolates formed a unique branch supported by a bootstrap value of 93 %. Their unique phenotypic traits, 16S rRNA gene sequence, together with housekeeping gene sequences exhibiting <97 % similarity with closely related species, and phylogenetic analyses suggested that the two isolates represent a so far undescribed Yersinia species. The name Yersinia massiliensis sp. nov. is proposed for this new taxon (type strain 50640T=CIP 109351T=CCUG 53443T; isolate 823=CIP 109352=CCUG 53444).

Three bacterial strains were isolated from different saline soils in Spain. The novel strains were moderately halophilic, exopolysaccharide-producing, Gram-negative, non-motile rods. The strains required NaCl and grew best with 7.5−10 % (w/v) NaCl in the medium. They formed wax-coloured colonies, were oxidase-positive and showed respiratory metabolism, using oxygen, nitrate and nitrite as terminal electron acceptors. The novel strains were able to denitrify and did not produce acid from sugars. The DNA G+C contents varied between 62.7 and 66.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and sequence signatures of this gene showed that all three novel isolates belonged to the genus Halomonas in the class Gammaproteobacteria and formed an independent phylogenetic line. The most phylogenetically related species were Halomonas alimentaria, Halomonas campaniensis, Halomonas gudaonensis and Halomonas ventosae, with which the novel strains showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of between 96.3 and 95.2 %. The principal fatty acids of the novel strains were 16 : 0, 18 : 1ω7c, 16 : 1ω7c and 19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The predominant respiratory lipoquinone was ubiquinone with nine isoprene units (Q-9). The name Halomonas cerina sp. nov. is proposed for these isolates. The type strain is SP4T (=CECT 7282T=LMG 24145T).

An aerobic, motile, Gram-negative, ice-active substance-producing, rod-shaped psychrophile, designated strain ArB 0140T, was isolated from seawater collected from near a glacier in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain ArB 0140T showed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Moritella. Characteristic chemotaxonomic data [predominant isoprenoid quinone, Q8; major fatty acids, C14 : 0, C14 : 1, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 and C22 : 6 (docosahexaenoic acid; DHA)] also corroborated the affiliation of strain ArB 0140T to the genus Moritella. The maximal growth rate of the novel strain was observed at 9 °C, with a maximum temperature for growth of 18 °C. The genomic DNA G+C content was 46.9 mol%. Based on the data obtained from this polyphasic study, including DNA–DNA relatedness, physiological and biochemical tests and ice-controlling activity, strain ArB 0140T was found to be genetically and phenotypically different from other recognized species of the genus Moritella. Therefore strain ArB 0140T represents a novel species, for which the name Moritella dasanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ArB 0140T (=KCTC 10814T=KCCM 42845T=JCM 14759T).

A novel sulfate-reducing bacterium (strain JS1T) was isolated from lake Pangong, a salt-water lake situated in the Himalayas of Leh District, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Cells of strain JS1T are Gram-negative, vibriod, motile by means of single polar flagellum, contain desulfoviridin, are catalase-positive and can hydrolyse starch. Strain JS1T grew optimally at pH 8.5–9.0 and at temperatures ranging from 10 to 50 °C (optimum 28–30 °C). Chemo-organoheterotrophy was the only growth mode of strain JS1T and was possible on a wide range of organic compounds. Sulfate alone but not sulfite, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, nitrite or nitrate was used as electron acceptor. It has no requirement for NaCl but can tolerate up to 2 % NaCl (w/v). p-Aminobenzoate is a required growth factor. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the bacterium demonstrated similarity between strain JS1T and the members of the genus Desulfovibrio. The position of strain JS1T within the phylogenetic tree indicated that it clustered closely with Desulfovibrio acrylicus DSM 10141T (89.85 % sequence similarity). On the basis of phenotypic and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that strain JS1T be classified as a novel species of the genus Desulfovibrio of the family Desulfovibrionaceae, with the species name Desulfovibrio psychrotolerans sp. nov. The type strain of the species is JS1T (=JCM 14597T=KCTC 5573T=DSM 19430T).

A strictly anaerobic, mesophilic, sulfate-reducing bacterial strain, designated MSL71T, was isolated from an estuarine sediment from the Sea of Japan bordering the Japanese islands and was characterized phenotypically and phylogenetically. The cells were found to be Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, slightly curved rods. Catalase and oxidase activities were not detected. The optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 2.0 % (w/v), the optimum temperature was 30 °C and the optimum pH was 6.3. Strain MSL71T utilized formate, butyrate, pyruvate, lactate, malate, ethanol, propanol, butanol, glycerol and H2 as electron donors for sulfate reduction. The organic electron donors used were incompletely oxidized, mainly to acetate. The strain did not use acetate, propionate, fumarate, succinate, methanol, glycine, alanine, serine, aspartate or glutamate. Sulfite and thiosulfate were used as electron acceptors with lactate as an electron donor, but fumarate was not utilized. Without electron acceptors, pyruvate and malate, but not lactate or fumarate, were fermented. The genomic DNA G+C content was 62.0 mol%. Menaquinone MK-8(H4) was the major respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7, C18 : 1 ω9, C18 : 1 ω7 and C14 : 0 3-OH. A phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the strain in the class Deltaproteobacteria. The closest recognized relative of strain MSL71T was Desulfofrigus fragile (93.9 % sequence similarity) and the next closest recognized species was Desulfofrigus oceanense (93.5 %). On the basis of the significant differences in the 16S rRNA gene sequence and phenotypic characteristics between strain MSL71T and each of the related species, a novel genus and species, Desulfoluna butyratoxydans gen. nov., sp. nov., are proposed to accommodate strain MSL71T. The type strain is MSL71T (=JCM 14721T=DSM 19427T).

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming organism, strain MSSRF26T, was isolated from mangrove-associated wild rice in India. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain MSSRF26T was shown to belong to the Alphaproteobacteria, most closely related to Altererythrobacter luteolus and Altererythrobacter epoxidivorans (96.1 and 95.9 % similarity to the respective type strains). Chemotaxonomic data [major ubiquinones Q-10 (91 %) and Q-9 (9 %); major polyamine spermidine, with putrescine, cadaverine and spermine detected only in trace amounts; major polar lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid; major fatty acid C18 : 1 ω7c and C14 : 0 2-OH as hydroxylated fatty acid] supported the affiliation of MSSRF26T to the genus Altererythrobacter. Fatty acid data and physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from described Altererythrobacter species. Strain MSSRF26T therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Altererythrobacter indicus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain MSSRF26T (=LMG 23789T =DSM 18604T).

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming bacterium was isolated from a soil sample collected from the area adjoining an India Pesticide Limited plant, Lucknow, India. Strain IPL18T was characterized on the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, this strain was shown to belong to genus Devosia, with highest sequence similarity of 97.5 % to Devosia riboflavina DSM 7230T. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain IPL18T shows an evolutionary relationship with Devosia neptuniae J1T. Strain IPL18T contains C18 : 1 ω7c, 11-methyl C18 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids along with 3-OH C18 : 0, characteristic of the genus Devosia. The branched-chain fatty acid iso-H C18 : 1 (4.69 %), not present in any of the Devosia species known so far, has been reported in strain IPL18T. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization experiments (13 % relatedness with D. riboflavina DSM 7230T and 11 % with D. neptuniae J1T), phylogenetic analysis and biochemical tests confirm that strain IPL18T represents a novel species of the genus Devosia for which the name Devosia chinhatensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IPL18T (=CCM 7426T=MTCC 8593T).

Novel bacterial species were isolated from sediments adjacent to sperm whale carcasses off Kagoshima, Japan, at a depth of 226–246 m. The isolated strains, JAMM 0745T, JAMM 1380, JAMM 1475 and JAMM 1610, were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming and motile by means of a single polar or subterminal flagellum. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of the novel isolates indicated a relationship to a symbiotic bacterial clone of the polychaete Osedax japonicus (99.6–99.9 % sequence similarity) and these bacteria were closely related to members of the genus Neptunomonas (95.6–96.0 % similarity) within the class Gammaproteobacteria. The novel strains were able to produce isoprenoid quinone Q-8 as the major quinone component. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 1 and C18 : 1, with C18 : 2 and C20 : 2 present in smaller amounts. The DNA G+C contents of the four novel strains were about 43.6–43.8 mol%. Based on the taxonomic differences observed, the four isolated strains appear to represent a novel species of the genus Neptunomonas. The name Neptunomonas japonica sp. nov. (type strain JAMM 0745T=JCM 14595T=DSM 18939T) is proposed for the novel strains.

We have carried out a polyphasic taxonomic study of strain 11ST, a halophilic, Gram-negative bacterium that is able to respire on nitrate and nitrite in anaerobiosis. Strain 11ST was isolated from a solar saltern in Cahuil, a region next to Pichilemu (Chile). It grows at NaCl concentrations within the range of 3–20 % w/v (optimum 5–7.5 %), temperatures from 4 to 45 °C (optimum 20–32 °C) and within a pH range of 5–10 (optimum pH 7–9). Its 16S rRNA gene sequence indicates that it belongs to the genus Halomonas in the class Gammaproteobacteria. Its closest relatives are Halomonas alimentaria, H. denitrificans, H. organivorans and H. ventosae, with the type strains of which our strain showed maximum 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.1–98.1 %. Its G+C content is 65.3 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization studies showed 54.2 % relatedness between strain 11ST and H. alimentaria DSM 15356T and 47.2 % relatedness between strain 11ST and H. organivorans CECT 5995T. Lower DNA–DNA hybridization percentages were obtained against the type strains of other related Halomonas species. Its major fatty acids are C12 : 0 3-OH (5.56 %), iso-C15 : 0 2-OH/C16 : 1 ω7c (22.30 %), C16 : 0 (27.80 %) and C18 : 1 ω7c (29.92 %). The proposed name for the novel species is Halomonas nitroreducens sp. nov., with strain 11ST (=CECT 7281T =LMG 24185T) being the type strain.

Strain CC-SEYA-1T, a motile, Gram-negative, non-violet-pigmented bacterium, was isolated on nutrient agar from spring-water samples collected from Yang-Ming Mountain, Taipei County, Taiwan. 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed that the strain clustered with Chromobacterium violaceum (96.8 % similarity) and Chromobacterium subtsugae (96.5 % similarity), followed by Aquitalea magnusonii (95.8 % similarity). The fatty acid profile was slightly different from those reported for C. violaceum, C. subtsugae and A. magnusonii. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization, and physiological and biochemical tests allowed both genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from the described Chromobacterium species. It is evident from the data obtained that the strain should be classified as a novel species in the genus Chromobacterium. The name proposed for this taxon is Chromobacterium aquaticum sp. nov.; the type strain is CC-SEYA-1T (=CCUG 55175T=BCRC 17769T).

A Gram-negative, heterotrophic, agarolytic, marine bacterium, designated strain SA1T, was isolated from a seawater sample collected in the shallow coastal region of Keelung, Taiwan. Cells were straight to slightly curved rods. Nearly all of the cells were non-motile and non-flagellated during the exponential phase of growth in broth cultures; a few cells (<1 %) were motile and were considered to have monotrichous flagella. The isolate required NaCl for growth and grew optimally at 30–35 °C and 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. It grew aerobically and was incapable of anaerobic growth by fermentation of glucose or other carbohydrates. However, anaerobic growth could be achieved by reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine (71.8 %), diphosphatidylglycerol (12.7 %), phosphatidylglycerol (12.2 %) and phosphatidylserine (3.3 %). Isoprenoid quinones consisted of Q-10 (87.5 %), MK-9 (6.6 %) and MK-7 (5.9 %). Major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (28.6 %), C17 : 1 ω8c (22.8 %), C16 : 0 (14.5 %), C18 : 1 ω7c (11.0 %) and C17 : 0 (6.4 %). The DNA G+C content was 55.6 mol%. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain SA1T formed a distinct lineage within the class Gammaproteobacteria. Strain SA1T was related most closely to Teredinibacter turnerae, Cellvibrio spp., Saccharophagus degradans, Pseudomonas spp. and Microbulbifer spp., strains of these species sharing <93 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with strain SA1T. The phylogenetic data and those from physiological, morphological and chemotaxonomic characterizations indicated that strain SA1T represents a novel species and genus, for which the name Simiduia agarivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SA1T (=BCRC 17597T=JCM 13881T).

Using tDNA-PCR, the type strain CCM 7198T (←CIP 107470T ←17A04T) of Acinetobacter grimontii was found to be indistinguishable from Acinetobacter junii strains. Therefore, the phenotypic properties, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) patterns and 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequences of the type strain of A. grimontii (CCM 7198T) were determined. We found that the strain used l-arginine and l-glutamate, in contrast to the original description and in accordance with the phenotypic properties of A. junii. By AFLP analysis, A. grimontii CCM 7198T clustered at 50.2 % with a set of A. junii strains previously identified by DNA–DNA hybridization, which is in accordance with the previously established intraspecies values of this technique. Sequence similarity of the 16S rRNA gene between the type strains of the two species was found to be 99.9 %. Finally, DNA–DNA relatedness between the type strains of A. junii and A. grimontii was redetermined and was found to be 85 %. These findings were corroborated for a second representative of the A. grimontii type strain, DSM 14968T. These data confirm that Acinetobacter grimontii is a later heterotypic synonym of Acinetobacter junii.

Three Gram-negative, non-pigmented, rod-shaped, facultatively aerobic bacterial strains, designated d8-1T, d8-2 and IMCC1716, were isolated from a freshwater spring sample and a eutrophic freshwater pond. Based on characterization using a polyphasic approach, the three strains showed highly similar phenotypic, physiological and genetic characteristics. All of the strains harboured the nitrogenase gene nifH, but nitrogen-fixing activities could not be detected in nitrogen-free culture media. The three strains shared 99.6–99.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and showed 89–100 % DNA–DNA relatedness, suggesting that they represent a single genomic species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains d8-1T, d8-2 and IMCC1716 formed a monophyletic branch in the periphery of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Azonexus. Their closest neighbours were Azonexus caeni Slu-05T (96.7–96.8 % similarity) and Azonexus fungiphilus BS5-8T (96.3–96.6 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness of the novel strains to these two species of the genus Azonexus was less than 70 %. The isolates could also be differentiated from recognized members of the genus Azonexus on the basis of phenotypic and biochemical characteristics. It is evident, therefore, that the three strains represent a novel species of the genus Azonexus, for which the name Azonexus hydrophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is d8-1T (=LMG 24005T=BCRC 17657T).

Strains originally identified phenotypically as members of the species Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were subjected to a more detailed classification employing 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization, determination of the DNA base composition and phenotypic characterization. The quinone system, consisting of the predominant compound ubiquinone Q-8 and minor amounts of menaquinone MK-8, the major components of the polar lipid profile, as well as the polyamine pattern, with putrescine as the major compound, supported the assignment of the strains to the genus Yersinia. Based on DNA–DNA relatedness, a specific 16S rRNA gene sequence type, absence of melibiose fermentation and a polar lipid profile lacking phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and two aminolipids, the strains were identified as members of a novel species for which the name Yersinia similis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Yersinia similis sp. nov. is strain Y228T (=CCUG 52882T=LMG 23763T).

The taxonomic status of a light-orange-coloured bacterial isolate from an oil-contaminated soil sample was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the isolate belonged phylogenetically to the genus Azospirillum, with Azospirillum canadense, Azospirillum brasilense and Azospirillum doebereinerae as its closest phylogenetic relatives (97.3, 97.0 and 97.0 % similarity, respectively). DNA–DNA pairing studies showed that the unidentified organism displayed 25.0, 17.0 and 19.0 % relatedness to the type strains of A. brasilense, A. canadense and A. doebereinerae, respectively. The generic assignment was confirmed by chemotaxonomic data, which revealed a fatty acid profile that was characteristic of the genus Azospirillum, consisting of straight-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids with C18 : 1 ω7c as the major fatty acid, and ubiquinone with ten isoprene units (Q-10) as the predominant respiratory quinone. On the basis of both the phenotypic and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown isolate be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Azospirillum, for which the name Azospirillum rugosum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMMIB AFH-6T (=CCUG 53966T=DSM 19657T).

New Gammaproteobacteria were isolated from 3rd stage fly larvae of the parasitic fly Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Phylogenetic analysis of the new isolates showed that these bacteria belong to a distinct lineage close to Ignatzschineria larvae, which was originally isolated from the same species of fly. The low similarity values in 16S rRNA gene sequences (93.8–94.8 %), and differences in fatty acid profiles, RiboPrint patterns, MALDI-TOF mass spectra of cell extracts, and physiological and biochemical characteristics differentiate the isolates from the type strain of Ignatzschineria larvae (DSM 13226T), and indicate that our isolates represent a new genus within the Gammaproteobacteria. The major isoprenoid quinone of the strains is Q8, the major fatty acids are C18 : 1 and C14 : 0, and the predominant polar lipids are phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. The G+C content of the DNA of the type strain is 44.3 mol%. The name Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed for this novel genus and species. The type strain is S5T (=DSM 18708T=CCM 7401T).