- Volume 61, Issue 11, 2011

A member of the genus Actinopolymorpha, designated PIP 143T, was isolated from the leaves of an Australian native apricot tree (Pittosporum phylliraeoides). The isolate was a Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic actinobacterium, with a well-developed substrate mycelium that fragmented into small rods. Phylogenetic evaluation based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the isolate in the family Nocardioidaceae. Strain PIP 143T was most closely related to Actinopolymorpha cephalotaxi I06-2230T (98.7 %) and Actinopolymorpha rutila YIM 45725T (98.1 %). Chemotaxonomic data, including cell-wall components, menaquinones and fatty acids, confirmed the affiliation of strain PIP 143T to the genus Actinopolymorpha. Phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical studies, in combination with DNA–DNA hybridization studies, allowed the differentiation of strain PIP 143T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours with validly published names. Therefore, a novel species is proposed, with the name Actinopolymorpha pittospori sp. nov. The type strain is PIP 143T ( = DSM 45354T  = ACM 5288T  = NRRL B-24810T).

An actinomycete, strain RI109-Li102T, was isolated from a lichen sample obtained from Rishiri Island in Japan. Cells of strain RI109-Li102T were Gram-positive, aerobic and non-motile and formed bud-like spore chains. The isolate grew with 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 5–9 and at 10–30 °C (optimum 30 °C). The whole-cell hydrolysate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4) and the diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 1 H. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain RI109-Li102T was most closely related to Actinomycetospora corticicola 014-5T (99.0 % rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis YIM 0006T (98.4 %). However, DNA–DNA hybridization assays, as well as physiological and biochemical analyses, showed that strain RI109-Li102T could be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relatives. It is proposed that strain RI109-Li102T ( = NBRC 106356T  = KCTC 19782T) be classified as the type strain of a novel species, with the name Actinomycetospora rishiriensis sp. nov.

A Gram-positive, aerobic bacterium, strain SA6T, was isolated from marine sediment taken at a depth of 20 cm on the seashore of Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, China. Strain SA6T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, no diagnostic sugars, type PIII phospholipids, and MK-10(H2) and MK-10(H4) as the predominant menaquinones. The organism showed a range of chemical and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Nocardiopsis. The almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain SA6T was aligned with corresponding sequences of representatives of the genus Nocardiopsis and related taxa by using two tree-making algorithms. Strain SA6T formed a distinct phyletic line within the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Nocardiopsis and was related most closely to the type strain of Nocardiopsis lucentensis. Strain SA6T could be distinguished from its nearest phylogenetic relatives in the genus Nocardiopsis based on DNA–DNA relatedness data and a combination of phenotypic properties. Strain SA6T should therefore be assigned to the genus Nocardiopsis as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Nocardiopsis flavescens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SA6T ( = CGMCC 4.5723T  = JCM 17424T).

A novel actinomycete producing 2-allyloxyphenol, designated strain MS1/7T, was isolated from sediments of the Sundarbans mangrove forest, India. Growth on International Streptomyces Project (ISP) media 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 produced olive green to grey aerial hyphae that carried smooth-surfaced spores in a flexuous (Rectiflexibiles) arrangement. The strain contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, but no diagnostic sugars in whole-cell hydrolysates. Hexa-, octa- and a minor amount of tetra-hydrogenated menaquinones with nine isoprene units [MK-9 (H4, H6, H8 and H10)] were present as isoprene analogues. Diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (34.80 %), iso-C16 : 0 (16.45 %), C16 (10.53 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (10.92 %). The strain showed greater than 99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of several recognized species of the genus Streptomyces, but in the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences it formed a distinct phyletic line and demonstrated closest relationships to viomycin-producers (Streptomyces californicus NRRL B-1221T, Streptomyces floridae MTCC 2534T and Streptomyces puniceus NRRL B-2895T). However, strain MS1/7T could be distinguished from these and other closely related species based on low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness (<44 %) and disparate physiological features, principally amino acid utilization and growth in NaCl. Strain MS1/7T is therefore suggested to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces sundarbansensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MS1/7T ( = MTCC 10621T = DSM 42019T).

A Gram-positive-staining, non-endospore-forming actinobacterium, designated C7T, was isolated from the leaf surface of Trifolium repens. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain C7T was shown to belong to the genus Williamsia and was most closely related to Williamsia maris SJS0289/JS1T (98.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Williamsia deligens IMMIB RIV-956T (96.4 %) and Williamsia serinedens IMMIB SR-4T (95.7 %). The quinone system consisted predominantly of the menaquinones MK-9(H2), MK-8(H2) and MK-7(H2). The major components in the polar lipid profile were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. Mycolic acids were present. These chemotaxonomic traits and the major fatty acids, which were C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and tuberculostearic acid, supported the affiliation of strain C7T with the genus Williamsia. Physiological and biochemical analysis revealed clear differences between strain C7T and its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, strain C7T represents a novel species, for which the name Williamsia phyllosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C7T ( = CCUG 60465T = CCM 7855T).

The taxonomic position of an actinomycete isolated from deep-sea sediment from the Indian Ocean was determined by using a polyphasic approach. The presence of iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids, ll-diaminopimelic acid as the characteristic diamino acid, and MK-9(H4, H6 and H8) as the major menaquinones supported the affiliation of strain IH32-1T to the genus Streptomyces. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain IH32-1T exhibited highest similarities to the type strains of Streptomyces globosus (97.6 %) and Streptomyces toxytricini (97.6 %). However, DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain IH32-1T and the type strains of S. globosus and S. toxytricini were determined as 55.2±4.7 and 38.3±2.5 %, respectively. Based on its chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain IH32-1T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces indicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IH32-1T ( = DSM 42001T = CGMCC 4.5727T).

A novel actinomycete, strain FXJ7.203T, was isolated from a coastal sediment sample collected in Bohai Bay, China. In 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, strain FXJ7.203T always formed a unique monophyletic line within the genus Nonomuraea and was most closely related to Nonomuraea turkmeniaca (97.9 %), Nonomuraea candida (97.8 %), Nonomuraea helvata (97.7 %) and Nonomuraea rubra (97.5 %). Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Nonomuraea. The polar lipid profile showed that its phospholipid type was PIV. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω6c, iso-C16 : 1 G, 10-methyl C17 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4) with minor amounts of MK-9(H2), MK-9(H0) and MK-9(H6). The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed differentiation of strain FXJ7.203T from closely related species. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic data, strain FXJ7.203T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea maritima sp. nov. is proposed, with strain FXJ7.203T ( = CGMCC 4.5681T  = NBRC 106687T) as the type strain.

A Cr(VI)-resistant, Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe, designated GCAF-1T, was isolated from chromium-contaminated soil by its ability to reduce Cr(VI) in low concentrations. Mixed acid fermentation during growth on glucose resulted in accumulation of acetate, butyrate, formate and lactate. Morphological studies indicated the presence of peritrichous flagella, pili and an S-layer. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were C16 : 0, C14 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω9c, summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B) and C18 : 1ω9c. The DNA G+C content of strain GCAF-1T was 30.7 mol%. Phylogenetic interference indicated that strain GCAF-1T clustered with group I of the genus Clostridium. Of strains within this cluster, strain GCAF-1T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (98.1–98.9 %) with Clostridium beijerinckii DSM 791T, C. saccharobutylicum NCP 262T, C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4T, C. puniceum DSM 2619T and C. roseum DSM 51T. However, strain GCAF-1T could be clearly distinguished from its closest phylogenetic neighbours by low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness (<50 %) and some phenotypic features. Based on the evidence presented here, strain GCAF-1T ( = DSM 23318T  = KCTC 5935T) represents a novel species of the genus Clostridium, for which the name Clostridium chromiireducens sp. nov. is proposed.

A Gram-negative-staining, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SY01T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment from Sacheon Bay, South Korea. Strain SY01T was characterized with respect to its phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics. The novel strain was spore-forming, motile, catalase-negative and oxidase-positive. Optimal growth of the strain occurred at 30 °C and pH 7.0. The DNA G+C content was 56.1 mol%. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and several unknown lipids were detected in the polar lipid profile. Anteiso-C15 : 0 (47.2 %), iso-C15 : 0 (18.9 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (10.5 %) were the major cellular fatty acids of strain SY01T. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities were found with Paenibacillus phyllosphaerae PALXIL04T (95.9 %), Paenibacillus tarimensis SA-7-6T (94.6 %) and Paenibacillus mendelii C/2T (94.4 %). Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological characteristics presented in this study, strain SY01T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus sacheonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SY01T ( = DSM 23054T = KACC 14895T).

During an investigation into the microbiota of beaked whales (Mesoplodon bidens), nine isolates were obtained from different organs of four animals. The isolates were Gram-positive-staining, catalase-negative, short rod-shaped or coccoid organisms. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of these isolates allocated them to the genus Weissella, showing 96.3 % and 96.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Weissella viridescens NRIC 1536Tand Weissella minor NRIC 1625T, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, physiological and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that the new isolates from whales represent a novel species of the genus Weissella, Weissella ceti sp. nov. The type strain of Weissella ceti is 1119-1A-09T ( = CECT 7719T = CCUG 59653T).

A rod-shaped, endospore-forming, Gram-reaction-positive bacterium, designated strain WPCB018T, was isolated from a fresh water sample collected from Woopo wetland, Korea. The isolate was identified as a member of the genus Paenibacillus on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and unknown aminophospholipids. The diamino acid found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (32.2 %), C16 : 0 (20.1 %) and C18 : 0 (18.1 %). The DNA G+C content was 56.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain WPCB018T belongs to a cluster comprising species of the genus Paenibacillus, its closest neighbours being Paenibacillus humicus PC-147T (97.5 %) and Paenibcillus pasadenensis SAFN-007T (96.2 %). Genomic DNA–DNA hybridizations performed with strain WPCB018T and type strains of the species P. humicus, P. pinihumi, P. phyllosphaerae, P. pasadenensis and P. tarimensis showed relatedness values of only 10, 17, 18, 19 and 20 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, molecular and genetic evidence, strain WPCB018T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus wooponensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the novel species is WPCB018T ( = KCTC 13280T  = JCM 16350T).

A Gram-reaction-negative, yellow-pigmented, gliding, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium (RA5-111T) was isolated from foreshore soil. The taxonomic status of the novel isolate was determined using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain RA5-111T could be assigned to the genus Gramella, with sequence similarities of 97.7, 97.3 and 96.2 % to the type strains of Gramella echinicola, Gramella portivictoriae and Gramella marina, respectively. Chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics also supported the affiliation of strain RA5-111T with the genus Gramella. The genomic DNA G+C content was 39.1 mol%. The isolate contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and a summed feature (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c) as major fatty acids, and phosphatidylethanolamine and unknown phospholipids as the polar lipids. DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data clearly indicate that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Gramella, for which the name Gramella gaetbulicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RA5-111T ( = KCTC 23022T  = JCM 16528T  = NBRC 106272T).

The taxonomic position, growth characteristics and antibiotic resistance properties of a slightly yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated R26T, isolated from the midgut of the mosquito Anopheles gambiae, were studied. The isolate produced rod-shaped cells, which stained Gram-negative. The bacterium had two growth optima at 30–31 °C and 37 °C. Strain R26T demonstrated natural antibiotic resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, streptomycin and tetracycline. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate showed 98.6 % sequence similarity to that of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica ATCC 13253T and 98.2 % similarity to that of Elizabethkingia miricola GTC 862T. The major fatty acids of strain R26T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 4 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c/t). Strain R26T contained only menaquinone MK-6 and showed a complex polar lipid profile consisting of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown phospholipid and unknown polar lipids and glycolipids. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments with E. meningoseptica CCUG 214T ( = ATCC 13253T) and E. miricola KCTC 12492T ( = GTC 862T) gave relatedness values of 34.5 % (reciprocal 41.5 %) and 35.0 % (reciprocal 25.7 %), respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization results and some differentiating biochemical properties indicate that strain R26T represents a novel species, for which the name Elizabethkingia anophelis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R26T ( = CCUG 60038T  = CCM 7804T).

A Gram-staining-negative bacterium, designated strain BLN2T, was isolated from within the roots of reeds (Phragmites australis) in Beijing Cuihu Wetland (China) and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells were yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic and devoid of flagella, but showed gliding motility. Strain BLN2T produced yellow, translucent, circular and convex colonies, with optimal growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6) and the predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 34.8 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain BLN2T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and was most closely related to Flavobacterium anhuiense CGMCC 1.6859T (97.0 % sequence similarity). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain BLN2T and F. anhuiense CGMCC 1.6859T was 25.7 %. Based on the phenotypic data and phylogenetic inference presented, it is concluded that strain BLN2T represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium phragmitis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BLN2T ( = DSM 23314T = CGMCC 1.10370T).

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, strictly aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated CS100T, was isolated from soil in Chungbuk, Korea. Phylogenetic analysis and comparative studies based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain CS100T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium in the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strain CS100T showed the highest sequence similarities to Flavobacterium glaciei JCM 13953T (97.6 %) and Flavobacterium johnsoniae KACC 11410T (97.1 %). Sequence similarity to other members of the genus Flavobacterium was 91.5–97.0 %. Growth occurred at 4–30 °C, at pH 5.0–9.0 and in the presence of 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl. Flexirubin-type pigments were produced. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the major respiratory quinone and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (17.3 %), summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c, 15.5 %) and C16 : 0 (11.8 %). The DNA G+C content was 36.4 mol%. Strain CS100T hydrolysed skimmed milk and gelatin, but not chitin or pectin, and showed oxidase and catalase activities. DNA–DNA relatedness was 3.0 % with F. glaciei JCM 13953T and 11.5 % with F. johnsoniae KACC 11410T. On the basis of the evidence from this study, strain CS100T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium chungbukense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CS100T ( = KACC 15048T = JCM 17386T).

Four halophilic archaeal strains, designated TNN18T, TBN12, TNN28T and TBN19, were isolated from brines sampled from two artificial marine solar salterns in eastern China. Strains TNN18T and TNN28T were isolated from the Tainan marine solar saltern, whereas strains TBN12 and TBN19 were from the Taibei marine solar saltern. Colonies of the four strains were red-pigmented and their cells were pleomorphic, motile, Gram-reaction-negative rods. Strains TNN18T and TBN12 were able to grow at 25–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), in 10–30 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 15 %), with 0–1.0 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.05 M) and at pH 5.5–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5), while strains TNN28T and TBN19 were able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), in 15-30 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 18–20 %), in 0.005–1.0 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.01–0.3 M) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5). Cells of these strains lyse in distilled water; minimal NaCl concentrations to prevent cell-lysis are 10 % (w/v) for strains TNN18T and TBN12 and 12 % (w/v) for strains TNN28T and TBN19. The major polar lipids of strains TNN18T and TBN12 were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester (PGP-Me), phosphatidylglycerol sulfate (PGS) and one major glycolipid (GL1), which was chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-DGD-1). Minor amounts of other lipids (GL0, GL2, GL3 and GL4) were also detectable. The polar lipid profiles of strains TNN28T and TBN19 contained PG, PGP-Me, GL1, which was chromatographically identical to S-DGD-1, and three to four minor unidentified glycolipids (GL2–GL5). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strains TNN18T and TBN12 formed a distinct clade with strains of the closest related species, Haloquadratum walsbyi (91.5–91.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and strains TNN28T and TBN19 formed a distinct clade with strains of the species Halosimplex carlsbadense (89.9–93.3 % similarity) and two members of the genus Halorhabdus (92.5–93.3 % similarity). The DNA G+C contents of strains TNN18T, TBN12, TNN28T and TBN19 were 61.5, 62.4, 61.9 and 61.5 mol%, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strains TNN18T and TBN12, and strains TNN28T and TBN19 were 82.9 % and 88.2 %, respectively. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that the four strains represent two novel species of two new genera within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the names Halobellus clavatus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain TNN18T  = CGMCC 1.10118T  = JCM 16424T) and Halorientalis regularis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain TNN28T  = CGMCC 1.10123T  = JCM 16425T) are proposed.

A novel obligately anaerobic, extremely thermophilic, organotrophic bacterium, strain 1445tT, was isolated from a hot spring on Kunashir Island (Kuril Islands, Russia). Cells were motile rods (0.4–0.5×1.0–3.0 µm). The temperature range for growth at pH 7.8 was 46–80 °C, with optimum growth at 65 °C. The pH range for growth at 65 °C was pH 5.7–9.0, with optimum growth at pH 7.8. Growth was not observed at or below 40 °C, at or above 84 °C, at or below pH 5.4 or at or above pH 9.5. The isolate degraded a wide range of substrates including starch, cellulose and cellulose derivatives. Elemental sulfur stimulated growth, but sodium sulfate, sulfite and thiosulfate did not. DNA G+C content was 31 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 1445tT belonged to the genus Fervidobacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with strains of other species of the genus Fervidobacterium were 94.9–98.3 %; the type strain of Fervidobacterium gondwanense was the closest relative of strain 1445tT. DNA–DNA hybridization of strain 1445tT and F. gondwanense AB39T revealed a relatedness value of 20 %. Based on phylogenetic data and physiological properties of the isolate, a novel species, designated Fervidobacterium riparium sp. nov., is proposed with strain 1445tT ( = DSM 21630T  = VKM B-2549T) as the type strain.