- Volume 59, Issue 9, 2009

A novel, obligately anaerobic, psychrotolerant bacterium, designated strain PPP2T, was isolated from guano of the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) in Chilean Patagonia. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, straight rods (0.7–0.8×3.0–5.0 μm) that were motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Growth was observed at pH 6.7−9.7 (optimum pH 8.3) and 2–37 °C (optimum 29 °C). Growth was observed between 0 and 4 % (w/v) NaCl with optimum growth at 0.5 % (w/v). Strain PPP2T was a catalase-negative chemo-organoheterotroph that was capable of fermentative metabolism. Peptone, bacto-tryptone, Casamino acids, oxalate, starch, chitin and yeast extract were utilized as substrates. The major metabolic products were acetate, butyrate and ethanol. Strain PPP2T was resistant to ampicillin, but sensitive to tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, kanamycin, vancomycin and gentamicin. The DNA G+C content of strain PPP2T was 39.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain PPP2T was related most closely to Clostridium sticklandii SR (∼90 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). On the basis of phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics, strain PPP2T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Proteocatella sphenisci gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Proteocatella sphenisci is PPP2T (=ATCC BAA-755T =JCM 12175T =CIP 108034T).

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain HS136T, was isolated from the hypersaline lake Howz-Soltan in Iran. Cells were motile rods, producing ellipsoidal endospores at a central–subterminal position in non-swollen sporangia. Strain HS136T, a strictly aerobic bacterium, grew between pH 7.0 and 10.0 (optimal growth at pH 8.0–8.5), between 25 and 45 °C (optimal growth at 40 °C) and at salinities of 5–20 % (w/v) NaCl, growing optimally at 10 % (w/v) NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain HS136T was shown to belong to the genus Bacillus within the phylum Firmicutes and showed closest phylogenetic similarity to Bacillus salarius BH169T (95.2 %) and Bacillus qingdaonensis CM1T (94.5 %). The DNA G+C content of this new isolate was 37.1 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain HS136T were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0, and its polar lipid pattern consisted of phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The peptidoglycan type is A1γ, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of polyphasic evidence from this study, Bacillus persepolensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain HS136T (=CCM 7595T=DSM 21632T=JCM 15720T=LMG 25222T) as the type strain.

A reductively dehalogenating, strictly anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacterium, designated strain AA1T, was isolated from the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba collected in the Mediterranean Sea and was characterized phenotypically and phylogenetically. Cells of strain AA1T were Gram-negative, short, curved rods. Growth of strain AA1T was observed between 20 and 37 °C (optimally at 28 °C) at pH 7–8. NaCl was required for growth; optimum growth occurred in the presence of 25 g NaCl l–1. Growth occurred with lactate, propionate, pyruvate, succinate, benzoate, glucose and sodium citrate as electron donors and carbon sources and either sulfate or 2-bromophenol as electron acceptors, but not with acetate or butyrate. Strain AA1T was able to dehalogenate several different bromophenols, and 2- and 3-iodophenol, but not monochlorinated or fluorinated phenols. Lactate, pyruvate, fumarate and malate were not utilized without an electron acceptor. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 58.5 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C14 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, C14 : 0 3-OH, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c and C18 : 1 ω7c. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons placed the novel strain within the class Deltaproteobacteria. Strain AA1T was related most closely to the type strains of Desulfoluna butyratoxydans (96 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Desulfofrigus oceanense (95 %) and Desulfofrigus fragile (95 %). Based on its phenotypic, physiological and phylogenetic characteristics, strain AA1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Desulfoluna, for which the name Desulfoluna spongiiphila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AA1T (=DSM 17682T =ATCC BAA-1256T).

Biserrula pelecinus L. is a pasture legume that was introduced to Australia from the Mediterranean basin in 1993. Although the native rhizobial population could not nodulate B. pelecinus at the time of its introduction, recent research has shown the emergence of a diversity of strains (novel isolates) that are able to do so. Three novel isolates, WSM2073T, WSM2074 and WSM2076, had nearly identical 16S rRNA gene sequences, and clustered separately with all recognized species of the genus Mesorhizobium. Conversely, the novel isolate WSM2075T had >23 nt mismatches with the above three isolates. All four novel isolates shared 97–99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of all recognized Mesorhizobium species. However, strains WSM2073T, WSM2074 and WSM2076 showed <95.2 % dnaK gene sequence similarity to the type strains of recognized Mesorhizobium species, and <92.9 % to WSM2075T (which also shared <95.5 % dnaK gene sequence similarity to the type strains of recognized Mesorhizobium species). Results for GSII gene sequencing were consistent with those for the dnaK gene. The fatty acid profiles of the novel isolates were diagnostic of root-nodule bacteria, but did not match those of recognized bacterial species. Strain WSM2075T had a significantly different fatty acid profile from the other three isolates. The above results indicated that strains WSM2073T, WSM2074 and WSM2076 represent the same species. Strain WSM2073T showed <45 % DNA–DNA relatedness and WSM2075T <50 % DNA–DNA relatedness with the type strains of recognized Mesorhizobium species; these two novel isolates shared 59 % DNA–DNA relatedness. Collectively, these data indicate that strains WSM2073T, WSM2074 and WSM2076, and strain WSM2075T belong to two novel species of the genus Mesorhizobium, for which the names Mesorhizobium australicum sp. nov. and Mesorhizobium opportunistum sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strain of Mesorhizobium australicum sp. nov. is WSM2073T (=LMG 24608T=HAMBI 3006T) and the type strain of Mesorhizobium opportunistum sp. nov. is WSM2075T (=LMG 24607T=HAMBI 3007T).

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, purple non-sulfur bacterial strain, designated JA415T, was isolated from the mud of a pokkali rice field located on Vypeen Island, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Strain JA415T was motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Photo- and chemo-organoheterotrophic growth was observed using organic compounds as carbon sources and electron donors. Photo- and chemolithoautotrophic growth using thiosulfate as electron donor did not occur. Fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Intracellular photosynthetic membranes were lamellar stacks parallel to the cytoplasmic membrane. Bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series were present as photosynthetic pigments. Niacin, pantothenate and p-aminobenzoate were required as growth factors. C18 : 1 ω7c was the predominant cellular fatty acid component. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JA415T clustered with members of the genus Rhodoplanes in the class Alphaproteobacteria. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that strain JA415T be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Rhodoplanes, family Hyphomicrobiaceae, with the name Rhodoplanes pokkaliisoli sp. nov. The type strain is JA415T (=KCTC 5711T =NBRC 104972T).

A novel aerobic, obligately mixotrophic, moderately thermophilic, thiosulfate-oxidizing bacterium, S10T, was isolated from hot-spring sediment samples collected from Atri, Bhubaneswar, India. The cells of this isolate stained Gram-negative and were strictly aerobic, non-sporulating, rod-shaped and motile with a single polar flagellum. Strain S10T was positive for oxidase and catalase activities. It was capable of utilizing thiosulfate under mixotrophic growth conditions. Mixotrophic growth was observed at pH 6.0–8.5 and 25–45 °C; optimum growth occurred at pH 7.5–8.0 and 30–37 °C. The major cellular fatty acids were C12 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, C18 : 1 ω7c and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The DNA G+C content of strain S10T was 64.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the bacterium clustered within the radiation of the genus Thiomonas and showed 98.0 % similarity with Thiomonas perometabolis ATCC 23370T and Thiomonas intermedia ATCC 15466T. However, DNA–DNA reassociation values of strain S10T with Thiomonas perometabolis JCM 20426T and Thiomonas intermedia JCM 20425T, its nearest phylogenetic relatives, were 46 and 39 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, physiological and chemotaxonomic properties, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA reassociation studies, it is proposed that strain S10T represents a novel species of the genus Thiomonas, Thiomonas bhubaneswarensis sp. nov.; the type strain is S10T (=DSM 18181T =JCM 14806T).

Two Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped and non-motile strains, designated CL-CB221T and CL-CB467, were isolated from a Synechococcus culture derived from tropical surface water of the Pacific Ocean. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains were identical, and it was found that they belonged to the class Gammaproteobacteria, with Spongiibacter marinus HAL40bT as their closest relative (similarity of 96.3 %). Both strains grew optimally at 30–35 °C and pH 7–8 in the presence of 3–4 % (w/v) NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c, C17 : 1 ω8c, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The genomic DNA G+C contents were 57.7 and 57.8 mol%, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed high values (97±2 %) for relatedness between strains CL-CB221T and CL-CB467, which suggested that these two strains belong to a single species. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data presented, it is proposed that strains CL-CB221T and CL-CB467 represent a novel species of the genus Spongiibacter, for which the name Spongiibacter tropicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CL-CB221T (=KCCM 90065T =DSM 19543T).

A Gram-negative, motile bacterium, designated DCY36T, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field in South Korea and was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain DCY36T belongs to genus Castellaniella in the family Alcaligenaceae of the class Betaproteobacteria. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain DCY36T and the three recognized representatives of the genus, Castellaniella caeni Ho-11T, Castellaniella defragrans 54PinT and Castellaniella denitrificans NKNTAUT, were 98.4, 97.5 and 98.1 %, respectively. Strain DCY36T exhibited relatively low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness with respect to these three species. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 63.7 mol%. Strain DCY36T contained ubiquinone Q-8. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 (27.4 %), C18 : 1 ω7c (16.9 %) and summed feature 4 (C16 : 1 ω7c and C15 : 0 iso 2-OH, 32.5 %). On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain DCY36T (=KCTC 22398T=JCM 15515T) should be classified in the genus Castellaniella as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Castellaniella ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed.

Extracellular peptidoglycan is commonly found in natural environments, yet little is known about its biodegradation in nature. We here describe a novel peptidoglycan-degrading bacterium, designated strain 332T, isolated from mesotrophic lake water in Denmark. The strain was a Gram-negative-staining, motile rod. It had chitinase and lysozyme activities, which are relevant to peptidoglycan degradation, and was capable of utilizing several mono- and disaccharides, amino acids and organic acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain 332T belonged to the genus Delftia. Fatty acids of the strain included C8 : 0 and C10 : 0, which are characteristic of the genus Delftia. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 65.3 mol%. A DNA–DNA hybridization value of 66.2 % was found between strain 332T and Delftia tsuruhatensis DSM 17581T. Based on differences in physiological and biochemical characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Delftia lacustris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 332T (=DSM 21246T =LMG 24775T). An emended description of Delftia tsuruhatensis is also presented.

Two novel sulfate-reducing bacteria, strains CY1T and CY2, were isolated from heavy-metal-contaminated sediments of Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA. Strains CY1T and CY2 were found to contain c-type cytochromes and to reduce sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, DMSO, anthraquinone disulfonate and fumarate using lactate as an electron donor. In a comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences, CY1T and CY2 were found to be 100 % identical, but only 97 and 92.4 % similar, respectively, to the type strains of Desulfovibrio mexicanus and Desulfovibrio aminophilus. Unlike these species, however, CY1T was neither able to disproportionate thiosulfate nor able to use yeast extract or amino acids as electron donors. These data, considered in conjunction with differences among strain CY1T and the two related type strains in chemotaxonomy, riboprint patterns, temperature and pH optima, support recognition of a distinct and novel species within the genus Desulfovibrio, Desulfovibrio idahonensis sp. nov., with the type strain CY1T (=DSM 15450T =JCM 14124T).

A Gram-negative, aerobic, neutrophilic, coccoid bacterium, strain E4A9T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the East Pacific polymetallic nodule region. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate was related to the type strain of Altererythrobacter epoxidivorans (96.0 % sequence similarity). Lower 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities were observed with other members of the genera Altererythrobacter (94.7 %), Erythrobacter (94.0–95.4 %), Erythromicrobium (94.8 %) and Porphyrobacter (94.6–95.1 %) of the family Erythrobacteraceae. Phylogenetic analysis including all described species of the family Erythrobacteraceae and several members of the family Sphingomonadaceae revealed that the isolate formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage with the family Erythrobacteraceae. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed ubiquinone-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 as major fatty acids, and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipid. The DNA G+C content was 71.5 mol%. The isolate contained carotenoids, but no bacteriochlorophyll a. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data presented in this study, strain E4A9T represents a novel species in a new genus in the family Erythrobacteraceae for which the name Croceicoccus marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is E4A9T (=CGMCC 1.6776T=JCM 14846T).

A Gram-negative, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated ISL-43T, was isolated from a marine solar saltern of the Yellow Sea, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by means of a polyphasic study. Strain ISL-43T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0 and 30 °C and in the presence of approximately 2 % NaCl. It contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and C16 : 0, C19 : 0 ω8c, C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, and C18 : 1 ω7c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 58.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ISL-43T fell within the genus Marinimicrobium, clustering with Marinimicrobium agarilyticum M18T with a bootstrap value of 100 %. Strain ISL-43T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.1 and 95.5 % to M. agarilyticum M18T and Marinimicrobium koreense M9T, respectively. Strain ISL-43T exhibited DNA–DNA relatedness values of 17 and 10 % to M. agarilyticum KCTC 12357T and M. koreense KCTC 12356T, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strain ISL-43T represents a novel species within the genus Marinimicrobium, for which the name Marinimicrobium locisalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ISL-43T (=KCTC 22484T=CCUG 56757T).

A Gram-negative, aerobic, orange-coloured bacterium, designated strain GSW-2T, was isolated from seawater sampled at a beach and its taxonomic status was established by using a polyphasic approach. Vegetative cells produced a prostheca and reproduced by budding. Mature vegetative cells were spherical, oval- or rod-shaped (0.6–1.1×1.2–1.3 μm) and both vegetative cells and buds produced one or more flagella. Cells grew well at 30 °C and at pH 8.1–9.1, and produced a non-diffusible pigment. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain GSW-2T was most closely related to the type strain of Hirschia baltica (97.5 % similarity), a member of the family Hyphomonadaceae, class Alphaproteobacteria. Chemotaxonomic characteristics supported the assignment of strain GSW-2T to the genus Hirschia, including the dominant cellular fatty acids (summed feature 7 and C16 : 0), isoprenoid quinone (mainly Q-10) and DNA G+C content (44.5 mol%). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain GSW-2T and Hirschia baltica DSM 5838T were 8.8–13.6 %. On the basis of phenotypic features and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain GSW-2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Hirschia, for which the name Hirschia maritima sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GSW-2T (=DSM 19733T=JCM 14974T).

A liberibacter (isolate NZ082226) was detected in a symptomatic tomato plant and subsequently in five other members of the family Solanaceae: capsicum, potato, tamarillo, cape gooseberry and chilli. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the deduced amino acid sequence of the rplJ gene and a partial nucleotide sequence of the β operon indicated that isolate NZ082226 represents a novel candidate species of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter’, for which the name ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ is proposed.

Three obligately aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria, designated strains WM1T, TPB606T and TPB621, were isolated from acidic Sphagnum-dominated tundra and Siberian wetlands in Russia. Cells of these isolates were Gram-negative, non-motile coccobacilli that occurred singly, in pairs or in chains, and were covered by large capsules. The novel strains were moderately acidophilic and psychrotolerant organisms capable of growth at pH 3.0–7.6 and 2–30 °C. Cells contained numerous intracellular poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules (3–4 per cell). The major cellular fatty acid was cyclo C19 : 0 ω8c and the predominant quinone was Q-10. Strains TPB606T and TPB621, isolated from Siberian wetland, possessed almost identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and shared 97.2 % sequence similarity with tundra strain WM1T. The three strains were shown to belong to the Alphaproteobacteria, but were related only distantly to the type strains of acidophilic bacteria Acidisphaera rubrifaciens (93.4–94.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Rhodopila globiformis (92.2–93.3 %), and members of the genera Acidiphilium (91.3–93 %) and Acidocella (91.8–92.4 %). The DNA G+C contents of the novel strains were 60.5–61.9 mol%. The low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness (37 %) and a number of phenotypic differences between the Siberian strains TPB606T and TPB621 and the tundra strain WM1T indicated that they represent two separate species. As the three isolates are clearly distinct from all recognized acidophilic members of the Alphaproteobacteria, they are considered to represent two novel species of a new genus, for which the names Acidisoma tundrae gen. nov., sp. nov. and Acidisoma sibiricum sp. nov. are proposed. The type strain of Acidisoma sibiricum is TPB606T (=DSM 21000T=VKM B-2487T) and the type strain of Acidisoma tundrae is WM1T (=DSM 19999T=VKM B-2488T).

The taxonomic position of a yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated DS20T, isolated from a hexachlorocyclohexane dump site at Lucknow, India was determined based on a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. A neighbour-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DS20T occupied a distinct phylogenetic position in the Sphingobium cluster, showing highest similarity with ‘Pseudomonas abikonensis’ IAM 12404 (98.8 %), followed by Sphingobium rhizovicinum CC-FH12-1T (97.4 %) and Sphingobium olei IMMIB HF-1T (97.2 %). Therefore, the taxonomic characterization of ‘P. abikonensis’ NBRC 16140 was also undertaken. Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and morphological analyses, based on signature sequences, DNA–DNA hybridizations, fatty acid profiles, physiological characterizations and polar lipid profiles confirmed that both strains DS20T and ‘P. abikonensis’ NBRC 16140 represent two distinct species of the genus Sphingobium. Therefore, two novel Sphingobium species are proposed, Sphingobium lactosutens sp. nov. (type strain, DS20T=CCM 7540T=MTCC 9471T) and Sphingobium abikonense sp. nov. (type strain, NBRC 16140T=IAM 12404T=KCTC 2864T).

A Gram-negative, pale-yellow, non-spore-forming bacterium, motile with single polar flagella, strain E6T, was isolated from coastal seawater collected from Tianjin, China, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain E6T requires NaCl for growth and grows optimally at pH 8.2 and 36 °C and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. It is positive for catalase and oxidase, and reduces nitrate to nitrite. The major fatty acids (>10 %) are C18 : 1 ω7c (64.71 %) and 11-methyl C18 : 1 ω7c (12.38 %), the ubiquinone system is Q-10 and the DNA G+C content is 53.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain E6T represented a new lineage in the Alphaproteobacteria and is related to genera Cucumibacter, Devosia, Ochrobactrum and Ahrensia. Strain E6T shows highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (93.3 %) to Cucumibacter marinus CL-GR60T and less than 92.2 % similarity to other relatives. It can be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic neighbours on the basis of several phenotypic features, including nitrate reduction, assimilation of d-glucose, l-arabinose, d-mannose, mannitol and maltose and major fatty acid composition. A polyphasic analysis supported the conclusion that strain E6T represents a novel genus and species of the family Hyphomicrobiaceae, for which the name Zhangella mobilis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Zhangella mobilis is E6T (=CGMCC 1.7002T =JCM 15144T).

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, strain KIS3-4T, was isolated from soil collected on Daechung Island in the West Sea of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain KIS3-4T in a distinct lineage in the family Xanthomonadaceae. Strain KIS3-4T shared 87.3–93.7 % sequence similarity with members of the family Xanthomonadaceae, and was related most closely to the genera Dyella and Dokdonella. In its biochemical characteristics, strain KIS3-4T was clearly separable from other genera within the family Xanthomonadaceae on the basis of the hydrolysis of cellulose and urea, high G+C content (64 mol%) and fatty acid profile. Major fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) were iso-C17 : 1 ω9c (32.8 %), iso-C17 : 0 (18.0 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (12.7 %). Q-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine and several unidentified aminophospholipids and phospholipids were present. Based on its unique phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic features, strain KIS3-4T represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Rudaea cellulosilytica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rudaea cellulosilytica is KIS3-4T (=KACC 12734T =JCM 15422T).

A novel Gram-negative and facultative anaerobic strain, designated MS1T, was isolated from gajami sikhae, a traditional fermented food in Korea made from flatfish. Strain MS1T was motile, rod-shaped and oxidase- and catalase-positive, and required 1–2 % (w/v) NaCl for growth. Growth occurred at temperatures ranging from 4 to 40 °C and the pH range for optimal growth was pH 6.5–9.0. Strain MS1T was capable of reducing trimethylamine oxide, nitrate and thiosulfate. Phylogenetic analysis placed strain MS1T within the genus Alishewanella. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MS1T was related closely to Alishewanella aestuarii B11T (98.67 % similarity) and Alishewanella fetalis CCUG 30811T (98.04 % similarity). However, DNA–DNA reassociation experiments between strain MS1T and reference strains showed relatedness values <70 % (42.6 and 14.8 % with A. aestuarii B11T and A. fetalis CCUG 30811T, respectively). Genotypic, physiological and biochemical analyses allowed the differentiation of strain MS1T from type strains of species belonging to the genus Alishewanella. Therefore, we propose that strain MS1T (=KCTC 22429T =JCM 15561T) is assigned to a novel species, Alishewanella jeotgali sp. nov.