- Volume 58, Issue 8, 2008

A Gram-positive, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic actinobacterium, designated TYLN1T, was isolated from an air sample from the campus of Wuhan University, China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain TYLN1T grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities revealed that the organism belongs to the genus Aeromicrobium. The G+C content of the strain was 73.3 mol%. The cell-wall diamino acid was ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid, the predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-8(H4) and the predominant fatty acid was C18 : 1 ω9c (68.38 %). These chemotaxonomic data also support the affiliation of strain TYLN1T to the genus Aeromicrobium. The values for DNA–DNA hybridization between strain TYLN1T and the phylogenetically closest relatives Aeromicrobium tamlense DSM 19087T and Aeromicrobium panaciterrae DSM 17939T were respectively 35 and 11.5 %. On the basis of the data from this study, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Aeromicrobium flavum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TYLN1T (=CCTCC AB 206046T =DSM 19355T).

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, yellow-pigmented actinomycete, designated strain NAA-13T, was isolated from a freshwater spring located in Kaoshiung, southern Taiwan. This strain was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The organism had chemotaxonomic and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Nocardioides. The strain contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the principal diamino acid of the peptidoglycan, MK-8(H4) as the major menaquinone, and iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 0 as the predominant fatty acids. 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed that the strain formed a monophyletic branch at the periphery of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Nocardioides; its closest neighbours were Nocardioides insulae DS-51T (94.9 % similarity), Nocardioides pyridinolyticus KCTC 0074BPT (96.5 % similarity) and Nocardioides aquiterrae GW-9T (96.6 % similarity). The DNA G+C content of strain NAA-13T was 71.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain NAA-13T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides fonticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NAA-13T (=LMG 24213T=BCRC 16874T).

A taxonomic study was performed on strain MSL-08T, which was isolated from a soil sample collected from Bigeum Island. The novel isolate was aerobic and Gram-positive. Cells were short and motile rods. Growth temperature ranged from 20 to 28 °C and the pH for growth ranged from 6.5 to 12.0. The optimum growth temperature and pH were 28 °C and 7.3, respectively. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9. Cell wall analysis showed B-type peptidoglycan containing 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, alanine, glycine, glutamate and lysine. The diagnostic phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids were ai-C15 : 0, i-C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω7c and ai-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 67.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain MSL-08T had less than 97 % similarity to any recognized species of the genus Frigoribacterium. Frigoribacterium faeni DSM 10309T was found to be the closest neighbour (96.95 %) to the novel strain. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain MSL-08T represents a novel member of the genus Frigoribacterium for which the name Frigoribacterium mesophilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MSL-08T (=DSM 19442T=KCTC 19311T).

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, mesophilic strain, designated YIM 45721T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample in Yunnan Province, China. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis, strain YIM 45721T was assigned to the genus Microlunatus and was most closely related to the type strain of Microlunatus phosphovorus (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Chemotaxonomic data, including cell-wall peptidoglycan structure, menaquinones and fatty acid profile, supported affiliation of strain YIM 45721T to the genus Microlunatus. Results of DNA–DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests enabled strain YIM 45721T to be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from M. phosphovorus. Therefore, strain YIM 45721T represents a novel species of the genus Microlunatus, for which the name Microlunatus aurantiacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 45721T (=CCTCC AB 206067T=DSM 18424T).

A bacterial strain, designated X.bu-bT, with chitin-, xylan-, cellulose- and starch-degrading activities, was isolated from compost at a cattle farm near Daejeon, Republic of Korea. The strain comprised Gram-positive, aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacteria. On the basis of an analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, the phylogenetic position of X.bu-bT was within the genus Cellulomonas, and the strain exhibited relatively high sequence similarities with respect to Cellulomonas biazotea DSM 20112T (98.1 %), C. cellasea DSM 20118T (98.1 %), C. fimi DSM 20113T (98.0 %), C. terrae DB5T (97.9 %), C. humilata ATCC 25174T (97.7 %), C. xylanilytica XIL11T (97.5 %), C. uda DSM 20107T (97.4 %), C. gelida DSM 20111T (97.3 %), C. iranensis OT (97.3 %) and C. flavigena DSM 20109T (97.0 %). The phylogenetic distance from other Cellulomonas species with validly published names was greater than 3 % (i.e. less than 97.0 % sequence similarity). Chemotaxonomic data also supported the classification of strain X.bu-bT within the genus Cellulomonas: l-ornithine was the cell-wall diamino acid, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major fatty acids, rhamnose, galactose, xylose and ribose were the cell-wall sugars, MK-9(H4) was the predominant menaquinone and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol were present in the polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 73.6 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed that the values for DNA–DNA relatedness between strain X.bu-bT and the phylogenetically closest neighbours were below 23 %. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain X.bu-bT represents a novel species of the genus Cellulomonas, for which the name Cellulomonas chitinilytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is X.bu-bT (=KCTC 19133T =DSM 17922T).

Two 4-chlorophenol-degrading bacteria, strains 4C1-aT and 4C1-b, were isolated from sewage flowing into Geumho River near the Daegu industrial complex in Korea. Cells of the strains were Gram-positive and non-motile, displayed a rod–coccus life cycle and formed creamy white colonies on R2A agar or peptone-carbohydrate agar. The strains had chemotaxonomic markers that were consistent with classification in the genus Arthrobacter, i.e. MK-9(H2) as the major menaquinone, iso- and anteiso-branched components as the predominant fatty acids, galactose, glucose and rhamnose as cell-wall sugars, peptidoglycan-type A3α, and DNA G+C content of 63.5–64.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, showed that the strains were most similar to Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus DSM 12829T, Arthrobacter oxydans DSM 20119T and Arthrobacter scleromae JCM 12642T (with 98.4, 97.8 and 97.8 % similarity, respectively) and formed a separate lineage with A. chlorophenolicus in the genus Arthrobacter. Combined phenotypic data and DNA–DNA hybridization data supported the conclusion that strains 4C1-aT and 4C1-b represent a novel species in the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter defluvii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4C1-aT (=KCTC 19209T=DSM 18782T).

A Gram-positive, non-motile, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated CAAS 251T, was isolated from paper-mill effluent in Wuhan, China. The organism grew optimally at 40–42 °C and at pH 9.0–10.0. The major menaquinones were MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9. The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (34.78 %), anteiso-C17 : 0 (25.24 %) and C16 : 0 (13.37 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 65.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CAAS 251T belongs to the genus Nesterenkonia, having sequence identities ranging from 96.0 to 97.0 % with respect to eight recognized species of the genus Nesterenkonia. Data from DNA–DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests indicated that strain CAAS 251T represents a novel species of the genus Nesterenkonia, for which the name Nesterenkonia flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAAS 251T (=CCTCC AB 207010T=JCM 14814T).

A Gram-positive, motile, mesophilic bacterium that formed yellowish-white, circular, convex, glistening colonies, strain MSL-27T, was isolated from a soil sample from Bigeum Island, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain MSL-27T are non-spore-forming, irregular rods, usually fragmenting into shorter rods or coccoid elements. The growth temperature and pH ranges are 20–37 °C and pH 6.0–12.0, with optimum growth at 28 °C and pH 8.0. MK-11 is the major menaquinone and dl-2,4-diaminobutyric acid is found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major fatty acids are i-C16 : 0 (39 %), ai-C15 : 0 (36 %), ai-C17 : 0 (18 %) and i-C15 : 0 (2 %). The G+C content is 69.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain MSL-27T should be placed in the genus Leifsonia. Levels of similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MSL-27T and those of the type strains of the other members of the genus Leifsonia ranged from 95.8 to 96.7 %. Based on phenotypic characteristics, biochemical properties and chemotaxonomic features, strain MSL-27T (=KCTC 19268T =DSM 19322T) represents the type strain of a novel species of Leifsonia, for which the name Leifsonia bigeumensis sp. nov. is proposed.

A polyphasic taxonomic analysis of all species of the genus Catellatospora with validly published names revealed morphological, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic heterogeneity. The type species, Catellatospora citrea, and Catellatospora methionotrophica, Catellatospora chokoriensis, Catellatospora coxensis and Catellatospora bangladeshensis had similar morphological and chemotaxonomical properties. Phylogenetic studies based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that Catellatospora koreensis and Catellatospora tsunoense were heterogeneous and were also heterogeneous with other species of the genus Catellatospora with respect to the menaquinone composition. DNA–DNA hybridization data showed that the type strains of Catellatospora koreensis and Catellatospora tsunoense were significantly different from each other and other recognized species in the genus Catellatospora. Therefore, on the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic differences, two new genera with the names Catelliglobosispora gen. nov. and Hamadaea gen. nov. are proposed to accommodate two species classified originally as belonging to the genus Catellatospora and Catelliglobosispora koreensis gen. nov., comb. nov. and Hamadaea tsunoensis gen. nov., comb. nov. are described. The type species of the genus Catelliglobosispora is Catelliglobosispora koreensis (type strain LM 042T=JCM 10976T=DSM 44566T=IMSNU 50729T) and the type species of the genus Hamadaea is Hamadaea tsunoensis (type strain 6420-PT=JCM 9105T=DSM 44101T=IMSNU 22005T).

Three strains of anaerobic, variably pigmenting, Gram-negative bacilli isolated from human oral mucosal tissue were subjected to a comprehensive range of phenotypic and genotypic tests and were found to comprise a homogeneous group. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization revealed that the strains constituted a novel group within the genus Prevotella, being most closely related to Prevotella melaninogenica and Prevotella veroralis. A novel species, Prevotella histicola sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate these strains. Prevotella histicola is saccharolytic and produces acetic acid and succinic acid as major end products of fermentation and trace to minor amounts of isovaleric acid and lactic acid. The G+C content of the DNA of the type strain is 43 mol%. The type strain of Prevotella histicola is T05-04T (=DSM 19854T=CCUG 55407T).

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, agarolytic bacterial strain, designated JW-26T, was isolated from seawater off Jeju Island in Korea, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Strain JW-26T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of approximately 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain JW-26T joins Tamlana crocina HST1-43T, with which it exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 95.5 %. Strain JW-26T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 1 as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 36.8 mol%. There were no distinct phenotypic and, particularly, chemotaxonomic properties to differentiate strain JW-26T from the genus Tamlana. DNA–DNA relatedness data and differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain JW-26T is distinguishable from the type strain of T. crocina. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, therefore, strain JW-26T represents a novel species within the genus Tamlana, for which the name Tamlana agarivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JW-26T (=KCTC 22176T =CCUG 55327T).

Two strains of phototrophic, purple non-sulfur bacteria capable of growing at low temperatures (5 °C) were isolated from the Himalayas. The two strains showed positive phototaxis and grew over a relatively wide temperature range (5–40 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA194T clustered with members of the genus Rhodobacter. Strain JA194T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Rhodobacter sphaeroides DSM 158T (99 %). However, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments between Rba. sphaeroides DSM 158T and strain JA194T revealed a level of relatedness of only 67 %. The DNA base composition of strain JA194T was 66.67 mol% G+C (by HPLC). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, morphological, physiological, Fourier transform infrared fingerprinting and DNA–DNA hybridization studies, strain JA194T (=KCTC 5602T =JCM 14598T) is sufficiently different from other Rhodobacter species to merit its description as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Rhodobacter megalophilus sp. nov. is proposed.

A pink- to light-reddish-pigmented, aerobic, pointed, budding, mesophilic strain designated MSL-20T was isolated from soil from Bigeum island, Korea. The isolate was Gram-negative. Cells were motile rods without flagella. The temperature and pH for growth were 20–37 °C (optimum 28 °C) and pH 7.0–11.0 (optimum pH 7.0±0.2). Q-10 was the predominant respiratory ubiquinone. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 (37 %), C18 : 1 ω7c (36 %) and 11-methyl C18 : 1 ω7c (12 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that Rubellimicrobium thermophilum DSM 16684T was its closest neighbour (95.2 % similarity); the isolate had less than 97.0 % similarity to all species with validly published names. Chemotaxonomic data were determined for this isolate, including peptidoglycan type, diagnostic sugar composition, fatty acid profiles, ubiquinones and polar lipids; the results supported the affiliation of strain MSL-20T to the genus Rubellimicrobium. The DNA G+C content was 72.3 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain MSL-20T represents a novel species of the genus Rubellimicrobium, for which the name Rubellimicrobium mesophilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MSL-20T (=KCTC 22012T =DSM 19309T).

The taxonomic status of a pale-yellow-coloured bacterial isolate from rhizosphere soil of Fortunella hindsii (Champ. ex Benth.) Swingle was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate constituted a distinct branch within the genus Sphingobium. The generic assignment was confirmed by chemotaxonomic data, which revealed the presence of a fatty acid profile that was characteristic for the genus Sphingobium, consisting of straight-chain saturated and unsaturated as well as 2-OH fatty acids and the lack of 3-OH fatty acids, ubiquinone with ten isoprene units (Q-10) as the predominant respiratory quinone, and a polar lipid pattern that consisted of the predominant compounds phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid and an unknown glycolipid. Spermidine was the major polyamine component. The genotypic and phenotypic data (physiology and fatty acid and polar lipid profiles) showed that the isolate merits classification as representing a novel species of the genus Sphingobium, for which the name Sphingobium rhizovicinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-FH12-1T (=CCM 7941T=BCRC 17770T).

The bacterial strain Gp_4_7.1T, isolated from the marine sponge Isops phlegraei collected at the Sula Ridge off the Norwegian coast, was characterized. The isolate was a motile spirillum that was monopolarly and monotrichously flagellated. It was aerobic, Gram-negative, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. Optimal growth occurred between 20 and 30 °C, at pH 7–8 and with a salt concentration of 2–3 % (w/v). The isolate showed a relatively restricted nutritional profile. Substrate utilization tests were only positive for arabinose. Enzyme tests were positive for esterase lipase C8, lipase C14, leucine arylamidase and naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase. The strain was not able to reduce nitrate. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1 ω7 and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 62.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison classified the strain as a member of the order Oceanospirillales in the class Gammaproteobacteria. Strain Gp_4_7.1T formed a distinct phyletic line with less than 94 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to its closest relatives with validly published names. Based on the determined data, it is proposed that the strain represents a novel species in a new genus, Spongiispira norvegica gen. nov., sp. nov.; the type strain of Spongiispira norvegica is Gp_4_7.1T (=DSM 17749T =NCIMB 14401T).

A novel obligately chemolithoautotrophic, sulfur-oxidizing bacterium designated strain BDA453T was isolated from a hot spring in Fukushima prefecture, Japan. The cells were short-rod-shaped and possessed an inclusion, a Gram-negative type cell wall and a single polar flagellum. Strain BDA453T grew by sulfur-oxidizing respiration with thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfide and tetrathionate as electron donors and used only carbon dioxide as a carbon source. The optimum growth conditions were 45 °C, pH 6.5 and the absence of NaCl. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the isolate was a member of the Gammaproteobacteria and related to the genera Halothiobacillus and Thiovirga in the family Halothiobacillaceae. However, the phylogenetic tree constructed using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BDA453T was distant from any other known bacteria with sequence similarities of less than 90 %. On the basis of phenotypic features and phylogenetic analysis, strain BDA453T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Halothiobacillaceae, for which the name Thiofaba tepidiphila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thiofaba tepidiphila is BDA453T (=NBRC 103218T=DSM 19618T).

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, slightly curved rod-shaped bacterial strain was isolated from black sand collected from Soesoggak, Jeju island, Korea. The strain, designated J74T, was able to grow in the presence of 1–7.5 % NaCl, at temperatures of 4–45 °C and at pH 5–10. Strain J74T was oxidase- and catalase-positive, arginine dihydrolase-negative and sensitive to the vibriostatic agent O/129. Strain J74T was characterized based on physiology, morphology, biochemical features and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolate required sodium ions for growth and utilized a wide range of compounds as sole sources of carbon and energy. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain J74T belongs to the class Gammaproteobacteria. It was found to be associated with the genus Vibrio and was phylogenetically related most closely to the type strain of Vibrio hispanicus (98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). However, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments between strain J74T and V. hispanicus KCTC 12827T revealed a level of relatedness of 37.7 %. Thus, phenotypic and phylogenetic data suggested that J74T should be placed in the genus Vibrio as representing a novel species, for which the name Vibrio areninigrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is J74T (=KCTC 22122T =JCM 14949T).

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from black sand collected at Soesoggak, Jeju island, Korea. The strain, designated J83T, was able to grow in the presence of 5 % NaCl, at temperatures of 4–45 °C and over the pH range 5.5–9.5. The isolate reduced nitrate to nitrite and was positive for oxidase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase and leucine arylamidase. Strain J83T utilized malate, maltose, mannitol and glucose as sole sources of carbon. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain J83T belongs to the class Gammaproteobacteria and is related to species of the genus Shewanella. Strain J83T exhibited 97.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of Shewanella hafniensis. Based on DNA–DNA hybridization, the level of relatedness between strain J83T and S. hafniensis NBRC 100975T was 39.3 %. On the basis of phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic data, strain J83T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella basaltis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is J83T (=KCTC 22121T =JCM 14937T).