- Volume 59, Issue 7, 2009

A novel strictly anaerobic, endospore-forming, rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium, designated strain SGB2T, was isolated from a mixed culture from a pond sediment during screening for sulfate-reducing bacteria capable of degrading cyanophycin (CGP). In this study, the taxonomic characterization of this mesophilic, proteolytic Clostridium isolate and the role which it, and its phylogenetic relatives, may play in peptide degradation and in the sulfur cycle are reported. Strain SGB2T was a commensal strain, utilizing CGP degradation products produced by other micro-organisms. Cells were motile until sporulation, forming oval, terminal spores that swell the cells. It showed optimum growth at 34 °C, pH 6.6 and in the absence of NaCl. Strain SGB2T utilized proteinaceous compounds such as peptone, Casamino acids, gelatin and trypticase soy, in addition to several amino acids and pyruvate. Utilization of many of these compounds was enhanced in the presence of thiosulfate. The isolate was unable to use any of the carbohydrates or alcohols investigated or CGP as carbon and energy sources. Thiosulfate and elemental sulfur were used as terminal electron acceptors. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain SGB2T belongs to the low-G+C-containing Clostridiales group. It exhibited 99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to its closest relatives Clostridium thiosulfatireducens Lup21T and Clostridium subterminale DSM 6970T. DNA–DNA hybridization values with these two strains were 39.4 and 42.1 %, respectively. Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, we conclude that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Clostridium, Clostridium sulfidigenes sp. nov. The type strain is SGB2T (=DSM 18982T =ATCC BAA-1538T).

Eight psychrotolerant, xylan-degrading strains of bacteria that were catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and able to reduce nitrate to nitrite were isolated from soil beneath moist non-acidic and acidic tundra in northern Alaska. The DNA G+C contents for the strains ranged from 46.4–50.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that each strain belonged to the genus Paenibacillus. The highest level of 16S rRNA gene similarity was found between the eight strains and Paenibacillus amylolyticus NRRL NRS-290T (98.9–99.1 %). However, despite relatively high 16S rRNA gene similarity, DNA–DNA hybridization, repetitive elements genotyping and phenotypic analysis revealed that at least two of the strains differed from P. amylolyticus NRRL NRS-290T. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain A10bT and P. amylolyticus NRRL NRS-290T (4.3 %), between strain B22aT and P. amylolyticus NRRL NRS-290T (48.8 %) and between strain A10bT and strain B22aT (11.0 %) were below those recommended by the ad hoc committee for those belonging to the same species. Significant phenotypic features that differentiate these novel strains from P. amylolyticus included their inability to utilize l-arabinose and ability to utilize glycogen as sole carbon sources. Unlike strains 1B4a and B22aT, strains A6a and A10bT produced ethanol as an end product of glucose fermentation, utilized acetic acid and 2,3-butanediol and did not utilize d-gluconic acid. MK-7 was the major isoprenoid quinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 was the most abundant fatty acid for strains A10bT and B22aT. On the basis of these results, strains A10bT and B22aT are each considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the names Paenibacillus tundrae sp. nov. and Paenibacillus xylanexedens sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strain of Paenibacillus tundrae sp. nov. is A10bT (=NRRL B-51094T=DSM 21291T). The type strain of Paenibacillus xylanexedens sp. nov. is B22aT (=NRRL B-51090T=DSM 21292T).

Two novel anaerobic, moderately thermophilic and cellulose-/cellobiose-digesting bacteria, EBR45T and EBR596T, were isolated from anaerobic sludge of a cellulose-degrading methanogenic bioreactor. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these strains belonged to cluster III within the low-G+C-content Gram-positive bacteria. The close relatives of EBR45T were Clostridium straminisolvens DSM 16021T (sequence identity, 94.6 %) and Clostridium thermocellum DSM 1237T (93.4 %). The closest relative of EBR596T was Clostridium stercorarium DSM 8532T (95.9 %). Both isolates were rod-shaped sporulators, growing optimally at 60 °C. EBR45T was Gram-staining-reaction-variable and non-motile, formed bright-yellow colonies on solid media, and grew on a relatively narrow range of carbohydrates including cellulose and cellobiose. EBR596T was Gram-staining-reaction-negative and motile, formed glossy white colonies and grew on cellobiose and various carbohydrates except cellulose. Major fatty acid compositions were 16 : 0 iso, 16 : 0 and 16 : 0 dimethylacetal (strain EBR45T) and 15 : 0 iso, 16 : 0 iso, 15 : 0 anteiso and 17 : 0 anteiso (strain EBR596T). The DNA G+C contents were 36.9 mol% (EBR45T) and 51.1 mol% (EBR596T). Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic data and genomic distinctiveness, strains EBR45T and EBR596T represent two novel species, for which the names Clostridium clariflavum sp. nov. (type strain EBR45T =DSM 19732T =NBRC 101661T) and Clostridium caenicola sp. nov. (type strain EBR596T =DSM 19027T =NBRC 102590T) are proposed.

A Gram-positive-staining, rod-shaped, motile, spore-forming and moderately halotolerant bacterium, designated ZLC-26T, was isolated from a sand soil sample collected from Xinjiang Province, China, and was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. This isolate grew optimally at 30–37 °C and pH 7–8. It grew with 0–8% NaCl (optimum, 0–2 %). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain ZLC-26T was closely related to members of the genus Bacillus, exhibiting the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Bacillus nealsonii DSM 15077T (97.1 %), B. shackletonii LMG 18435T (97.0 %), B. siralis 171544T (97.0 %), B. circulans IAM 12462T (96.7 %) and B. pocheonensis Gsoil 420T (96.7 %). Strain ZLC-26T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω11c and anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 38.2 mol%. These chemotaxonomic results supported the affiliation of strain ZLC-26T to the genus Bacillus. However, low DNA–DNA relatedness values and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain ZLC-26T from recognized Bacillus species. On the basis of the evidence presented, strain ZLC-26T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus korlensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZLC-26T (=CCTCC AB 207172T=NRRL B-51302T).

A novel obligately anaerobic, mesophilic, alkaliphilic spirochaete, strain ASpC2T, was isolated from an anaerobic sediment of alkaline, hypersaline Owens Lake in California, USA. The Gram-negative cells are motile, helical in shape and 0.23×8.0–18.0 μm. Growth occurs within the following ranges: 13–41 °C, with optimal growth at 35 °C; 1–3 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth at 2 % (w/v) NaCl; and pH 7.8–10.5, with optimal growth at pH 10.0. The novel isolate is strictly alkaliphilic and requires high concentrations of carbonate ions in the medium. It utilizes some sugars, some organic acids, some amino acids, Casamino acids, yeast extract and peptone. The main end products of glucose fermentation are CO2 and acetate. Strain ASpC2T is resistant to kanamycin and rifampicin, but sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin and tetracycline. The DNA G+C content of the new isolate is 43.8 mol%, its genome size is 6×108 Da and the melting temperature of its genomic DNA is 71 °C. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments demonstrated 46 % similarity with the phylogenetically most closely related species, Spirochaeta asiatica Z-7591T. On the basis of physiological and molecular properties, the new isolate belongs taxonomically to a novel species within the genus Spirochaeta, for which the name Spirochaeta dissipatitropha sp. nov. is proposed (type strain, ASpC2T=ATCC BAA-1083T=JCM 12856T). S. dissipatitropha ASpC2T is the second strain in the genus (after Spirochaeta smaragdinae SEBR 4228T) that is able to use proteolysis products as the sole energy source, and additional tests have shown that other halo-alkaliphilic spirochaetes (Spirochaeta americana, Spirochaeta alkalica and Spirochaeta africana) are also able to grow on yeast extract alone; therefore, an emended description for the genus Spirochaeta is given.

Two aerobic bacterial strains, YIM B024T and YIM B025, were isolated from a salt mine in Yunnan, south-west China. Both strains showed almost the same physiological properties. Cells were Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. The novel strains grew at 15–37 °C, pH 6.5–9.0 and 0.25–20 % (w/v) NaCl; optimum growth was observed at 28–30 °C, pH 7.0–8.5 and 1.5–10 % NaCl. Oxidase, catalase and nitrate-reducing activities were detected. The two strains were closely related to each other with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 100 %. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed high relatedness values (90±0.4 %) between strains YIM B024T and YIM B025, which suggested that these two new strains constituted a single species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two isolates formed a loose cluster with members of the genus Roseivivax in the Roseobacter clade, but were clearly separated from this genus. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two isolates and members of the genus Roseivivax ranged from 92.4 to 93.9 %. The major polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and four unknown phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c, 11-methyl C18 : 1 ω7c and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The sole respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the genomic DNA G+C content was 63.0–64.1 mol%. The distinct phylogenetic position and a combination of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics supported the proposal of the new isolates as representing a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Sediminimonas qiaohouensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is YIM B024T (=KCTC 22349T=CCTCC AA 208033T).

Two strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria containing photosynthesis-related genes, designated strains CL-SK44T and CL-JM1T, were isolated from a culture of the marine phytoplankton Cryptomonas sp. and coastal seawater from Korea, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the two strains were related to members of the genera Thalassobius (95.3–96.7 % similarity), Pelagibaca (95.3–96.0 %) and Donghicola (95.6 %) in the family Rhodobacteraceae. However, the two novel strains did not form a robust clade with any species of the Roseobacter clade, forming a distinct clade. The major polar lipids of the strains were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid, profiles that were distinguishable from those of the related genera examined. Although the level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains CL-SK44T and CL-JM1T was very high (99.1 %), DNA–DNA relatedness between the strains was 13 %, suggesting that they represent genomically distinct species. In addition, the two strains could be differentiated based on the presence of a minor polar lipid, on the hydrolysis of gelatin and the utilization of carbon sources. Based on the data from the present study, strains CL-SK44T and CL-JM1T are considered to represent separate novel species of a new genus of the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the names Marivita cryptomonadis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type species) and Marivita litorea sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of Marivita cryptomonadis and Marivita litorea are CL-SK44T (=KCCM 90070T=JCM 15447T) and CL-JM1T (=KCCM 90071T=JCM 15446T), respectively.

The placement of ‘Pseudomonas butanovora’ in the genus Thauera was proposed previously, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, upon further studies of taxonomical characteristics. In this study, physiological characteristics and DNA–DNA reassociation data are presented and the transfer of ‘P. butanovora’ to the genus Thauera is proposed. The original description of the strain (strain Bu-B1211) indicated that it was capable of denitrification but not anaerobic growth. ‘P. butanovora’ is capable of anaerobic respiration and growth, utilizing nitrate as a terminal electron acceptor during the oxidation of organic acids and alcohols, but not aromatic hydrocarbons or open-chain terpenoids. The total fatty acid composition supported the assignment of strain Bu-B1211 to the Betaproteobacteria and resembled that of members of the genus Thauera. The combination of 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic evidence, physiological and taxonomical characteristics and DNA–DNA reassociation data supported the placement of ‘Pseudomonas butanovora’ Bu-B1211 in the genus Thauera as representing a novel species, for which the name Thauera butanivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Bu-B1211T (=IAM 12574T=ATCC 43655T=DSM 2080T).

A taxonomic study was carried out on a strain, designated W3-3AT, which was isolated from a pyrene-degrading consortium, enriched from sediment of the Pacific Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain W3-3AT belonged to the genus Bowmanella, with the highest sequence similarity (99.0 %) with Bowmanella denitrificans BD1T, whereas sequence similarities with other species were less than 93 %. The nucleotide sequence similarity of both gyrB and rpoD genes of strain W3-3AT and B. denitrificans BD1T was 81.1 %. However, the protein sequence similarities of the gyrB and rpoD genes of strain W3-3AT and B. denitrificans BD1T were 96.1 % and 91.0 %, respectively. Phylogenetic trees based on these housekeeping genes showed that strain W3-3AT and B. denitrificans BD1T formed a distinct lineage in the Gammaproteobacteria. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain W3-3AT and B. denitrificans BD1T was 43 %. Strain W3-3AT could also be differentiated from B. denitrificans BD1T based on the repetitive extragenic palindromic DNA-PCR fingerprint. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA of strain W3-3AT was 49 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data showed that strain W3-3AT represents a novel species of the genus Bowmanella, for which the name Bowmanella pacifica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain W3-3AT (=CGMCC 1.7086T=LMG 24568T=MCCC 1A01018T).

A collection of 12 strains, isolated from diseased tortoises and tentatively identified as [Pasteurella] testudinis-like based on phenotypic characters, was compared with three reference strains of [P.] testudinis. All strains could be separated from the reference strains with respect to 16S rRNA gene sequences, partial sequences of the rpoB housekeeping gene and by phenotypic characters. Based upon differences in 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequences, the new isolates are suggested to represent a novel species in a new genus of the family Pasteurellaceae Pohl 1981, for which the name Chelonobacter oris gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1662T (=CCUG 55632T=DSM 21392T). β-Haemolysis and acid production from (+)-l-arabinose, dulcitol, (−)-d-mannitol, (+)-d-mannose, trehalose and salicin separated the new strains from members of existing genera of the family Pasteurellaceae, in addition to the β-galactosidase, urease and α-glucosidase reactions. Differences in indole production, phosphatase, β-glucosidase and production of acid from dulcitol and trehalose separated C. oris from [P.] testudinis. Several phenotypic characters separated C. oris from Bisgaard's taxa 14 and 32.

Seven non-motile, facultatively anaerobic, alginolytic marine bacteria were isolated from the cultured clams Ruditapes philippinarum and Ruditapes decussatus. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these marine bacteria were closely related to the recently described species Vibrio comitans, Vibrio rarus and Vibrio inusitatus (≥99.0 % sequence similarity). Phylogenetic analysis based on the housekeeping genes rpoA, recA and atpA grouped the isolates together and allocated them to the Vibrio halioticoli species group. Amplified fragment length polymorphism DNA fingerprinting also grouped them together and enabled them to be differentiated from recognized species of the V. halioticoli clade. DNA–DNA hybridizations showed that the isolates belonged to a novel species; phenotypic features such as the ability to grow at 4 °C and in the presence of 6 % NaCl also enabled them to be separated from other species. The DNA G+C content of RD 15.11T is 44.4 mol%. The genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the isolates represent a novel species in the V. halioticoli clade. The name Vibrio breoganii sp. nov. is proposed, with RD 15.11T (=CECT 7222T =LMG 23858T) as the type strain.

A novel red-pigmented, Gram-negative, motile, fluorescent, rod-shaped strain, DZ0503SBS1T, with a single lateral flagellum, was isolated from the intestine of the nematode Heterorhabditidoides chongmingensis. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain is a member of the genus Serratia, sharing highest sequence similarities with Serratia marcescens subsp. sakuensis JCM 11315T (99.8 %), S. marcescens subsp. marcescens DSM 30121T (99.5 %) and Serratia ureilytica LMG 22860T (98.3 %). Similarities between the rpoB gene sequence of strain DZ0503SBS1T and those of S. marcescens subsp. sakuensis JCM 11315T, S. marcescens subsp. marcescens DSM 30121T and S. ureilytica LMG 22860T were 98.0, 97.4 and 98.3 %, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization values of strain DZ0503SBS1T with S. marcescens subsp. sakuensis JCM 11315T, S. marcescens subsp. marcescens DSM 30121T and S. ureilytica LMG 22860T were 68.2, 65.1 and 53.0 %, respectively. The major isoprenoid quinone of strain DZ0503SBS1T was Q-8 and the predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0 (34.76 %), cyclo-C17 : 0 (20.03 %) and cyclo-C19 : 0 ω8c (17.24 %). The cyclo-C19 : 0 ω8c content (17.24 %) was significantly different from those found in S. marcescens subsp. sakuensis JCM 11315T and S. marcescens subsp. marcescens DSM 30121T. Some characteristics of strain DZ0503SBS1T, i.e. fluorescence and its symbiotic association with nematodes, have not been reported previously in any species of the genus Serratia. Phenotypic and biochemical characteristics and molecular data show that strain DZ0503SBS1T represents a novel species, for which the name Serratia nematodiphila sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is DZ0503SBS1T (=KCTC 22130T =CGMCC 1.6853T).

An ovoid-rod-shaped, phototrophic, purple non-sulfur bacterium, designated strain JA322T, was isolated in pure culture from a water sample collected from a saline pond with purple-coloured water, located near Satpada in Orissa, India. Strain JA322T was Gram-negative and non-motile and grew photoheterotrophically with a number of organic compounds serving as carbon sources or electron donors. Intracellular photosynthetic membranes were of the vesicular type. Bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene series were present as photosynthetic pigments. Biotin and thiamine were required for growth of strain JA322T. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA322T was related most closely to the type strains of Rhodovulum euryhalinum (95.8 % similarity) and Rhodovulum strictum (94.8 %) and clustered with species of the genus Rhodovulum of the family Rhodobacteraceae. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular genetic evidence, it is suggested that strain JA322T represents a novel species of the genus Rhodovulum, for which the name Rhodovulum lacipunicei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JA322T (=NBRC 104147T=KCTC 5700T).

A non-motile, coccobacilli-shaped, pale-pink-pigmented bacterium, designated strain CW67T, was isolated from a water-cooling system in Gwangyang, Republic of Korea. Cells were found to be Gram-negative, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive, the major fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c (43.6 %) and C16 : 0 (15.8 %), the predominant respiratory lipoquinone was Q-10 and the DNA G+C content was 69.5 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that strain CW67T forms an evolutionary lineage within the radiation of the genus Roseomonas and that its closest relative is Roseomonas gilardii subsp. rosea MDA5605T (94.7 % sequence similarity). Evidence from this polyphasic study showed that strain CW67T could not be assigned to any recognized species. It therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Roseomonas frigidaquae sp. nov. is proposed, with CW67T (=KCTC 22211T =JCM 15073T) as the type strain.

Two luminous marine bacterial strains, LC2-005T and LC2-102, were isolated from seawater at Kuroshio Region and Sagami Bay in Japan, respectively. These bacteria were Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, motile and rod-shaped. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strains LC2-005T and LC2-102 formed a cluster within the Vibrio harveyi species group. However, multilocus sequence analysis using five loci (pyrH, ftsZ, mreB, gyrB and gapA) and DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated that these strains were distinct from the currently known Vibrio species. Additionally, these strains differ from related Vibrio species in utilization of glucose, mannitol, inositol, sorbitol, rhamnose, sucrose, melibiose and arabinose, production of lysine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase, tryptophan deaminase, esterase (C4), lipase (C4), chymotrypsin, acid phosphatase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase and the ability to reduce nitrate to nitrite. The major fatty acids were C15 : 0 iso 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω7c and C14 : 0. The DNA G+C contents of strains LC2-005T and LC2-102 were 45.2 and 45.5 mol%, respectively. On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomic evidence presented in this study, it can be concluded that strains LC2-005T and LC2-102 belong to the same genospecies and represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio azureus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LC2-005T (=NBRC 104587T =KCTC 22352T).

Twelve facultatively anaerobic, endophytic diazotrophs were isolated from surface-sterilized roots of the wild rice species Oryza latifolia and characterized by phenotypic and molecular methods. Six isolates were grouped together as group A by phenotypic characters, and this grouping was confirmed by SDS-PAGE whole-cell protein patterns and insertion sequence-based PCR (IS-PCR) methods. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that group A, represented by strain Ola 51T, is closely related to Enterobacter radicincitans D5/23T (98.9 % similarity, except that E. radicincitans D5/23T has a 70 bp insertion) and Enterobacter cloacae (98.0 % similarity to the type strain). rpoB gene sequence analysis also showed strain Ola 51T has the highest sequence similarity to E. radicincitans DSM 16656T (98.3 %), but supported the distinct position. Biological and biochemical tests, protein patterns, genomic DNA fingerprinting, antibiotic resistance and comparison of cellular fatty acids showed differences among group A, E. radicincitans DSM 16656T and E. cloacae ATCC 13047T. DNA–DNA hybridization distinguished strain Ola 51T from closely phylogenetically related Enterobacter species. Based on these data, the novel species Enterobacter oryzae sp. nov. is proposed, with strain Ola 51T (=LMG 24251T =CGMCC 1.7012T) as the type strain.

Two bacterial isolates, designated strains 5420S-26T and 5516S-1T, were recovered from air samples collected in Suwon, Korea. Cells of both strains were aerobic, Gram-negative, motile rods. Phylogenetically, these strains were positioned within the radius of the genus Massilia. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strains shared 97.3 % sequence similarity and had sequence similarities of 94.9–98.1 % with respect to type strains of species belonging to the genus Massilia. In DNA–DNA hybridization tests, the two strains showed <39 % relatedness with respect to strains of closely related species of the genus Massilia and 27 % relatedness to each other. Both strains contained Q-8 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone and possessed summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) as the major fatty acid. Strain 5516S-1T was found to contain the fatty acid C20 : 0 (in small amounts), a feature that served to distinguish it from both 5420S-26T and recognized members of the genus Massilia. The DNA G+C contents of 5420S-26T and 5516S-1T were 67.8 and 66.6 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data accumulated in this study revealed that 5420S-26T and 5516S-1T represent novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the names Massilia niabensis sp. nov. (type strain 5420S-26T =KACC 12632T =DSM 21312T) and Massilia niastensis sp. nov. (type strain 5516S-1T =KACC 12599T =DSM 21313T) are proposed, respectively.

Eight strains of an unknown thermotolerant Campylobacter species were isolated from the caecal contents of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). All strains were initially identified as belonging to the genus Campylobacter by means of genus-specific PCR, but none were identified using species-specific PCR for known thermophilic species. Cells were spiral shaped with bipolar unsheathed flagella, with no periplasmic fibres, and appeared coccoid after 10–12 days of incubation. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene, rpoB and groEL sequences revealed that all strains formed a robust clade that was very distinct from recognized Campylobacter species. 16S rRNA gene sequence pairwise comparisons of strain 150BT with the type strains of other Campylobacter species revealed that the nearest phylogenetic neighbour was Campylobacter helveticus NCTC 12470T, with 96.6 % similarity. The uniqueness of these rabbit isolates was confirmed by whole-cell protein electrophoresis. Taken together, these data indicate that the strains belong to a novel Campylobacter species for which the name Campylobacter cuniculorum sp. nov. is proposed, with 150BT (=LMG 24588T =CCUG 56289T) as the type strain.

Two novel strains isolated from soils, JS12-10T and JS14-6T, were characterized using a polyphasic approach to determine their taxonomic positions. These isolates were found to be aerobic, Gram-negative, motile with one polar flagellum, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. Phenotypic and fatty acid data supported the affiliation of JS12-10T and JS14-6T to the genus Dyella. However, chemotaxonomic data and DNA–DNA relatedness values allowed differentiation of these strains from other Dyella species with validly published names. Strains JS12-10T and JS14-6T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Dyella ginsengisoli Gsoil 3046T (98.4 %) and Dyella japonica XD53T (97.9 %), respectively, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between them was 97.1 %. DNA–DNA hybridization values between the novel isolates and strains of other recognized Dyella species were 29–38 %. Therefore, strains JS12-10T and JS14-6T represent two novel species of the genus Dyella, for which the names Dyella soli sp. nov. (type strain JS12-10T =KACC 12747T =JCM 15423T) and Dyella terrae sp. nov. (type strain JS14-6T =KACC 12748T =JCM 15424T) are proposed.