- Volume 62, Issue Pt_12, 2012

The bacterial strain LH2-2T was isolated from freshwater of Longhu Lake, a slightly alkaline lake (pH 8.8) in north-east China. Cells of strain LH2-2T were Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming rods, 0.3–0.5 µm wide and 2.0–4.0 µm long. Cells were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The strain was strictly aerobic and heterotrophic and oxidase- and catalase-positive. Growth occurred at 0–36 °C (optimum, 26–34 °C), pH 6.5–11 (optimum, pH 8.0–8.6) and in the presence of 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1 %). Strain LH2-2T contained Q-8 as the major respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH; 21.9 %), C17 : 1ω8c (18.9 %), C18 : 1ω7c (16.4 %) and C16 : 0 (12.7 %) after growth on marine agar 2216. The DNA G+C content was 47 mol% (T m). The 16S rRNA gene and a conserved portion of the gyrB gene were sequenced and used for phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene and gyrB sequences showed that strain LH2-2T was associated with the genus Rheinheimera and closely related to the type strains of Rheinheimera species, and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Rheinheimera pacifica KMM 1406T (97.4 %), R. aquimaris SW-353T (97.1 %) and R. chironomi K19414T (96.5 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness of strain LH2-2T to R. pacifica NBRC 103167T, R. aquimaris JCM 14331T and R. chironomi LMG 23818T was 39, 31 and 23 %, respectively. Based on these results, it is concluded that strain LH2-2T represents a novel species of the genus Rheinheimera , for which the name Rheinheimera longhuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LH2-2T ( = CGMCC 1.7003T  = NBRC 105632T). An emended description of the genus Rheinheimera is also provided.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated H63T, was isolated from aortic valve tissue of a patient with native valve endocarditis. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that H63T belongs to the genus Legionella , with its closest neighbours being the type strains of Legionella brunensis (98.8 % similarity), L. londiniensis (97.0 %), L. jordanis (96.8 %), L. erythra (96.2 %), L. dresdenensis (96.0 %) and L. rubrilucens , L. feeleii , L. pneumophila and L. birminghamensis (95.7 %). DNA–DNA hybridization studies yielded values of <70 % relatedness between strain H63T and its nearest neighbours in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, indicating that the strain represents a novel species. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, macrophage infectivity potentiator (mip) and RNase P (rnpB) genes confirmed that H63T represents a distinct species, with L. brunensis being its closest sister taxon. Fatty acid composition and biochemical traits, such as the inability to ferment glucose and reduce nitrate, supported the affiliation of H63T to the genus Legionella . H63T was distinguishable from its neighbours based on it being positive for hippurate hydrolysis. H63T was further differentiated by its inability to grow on BCYE agar at 17 °C, its poor growth on low-iron medium and the absence of sliding motility. Also, H63T did not react with antisera generated from type strains of Legionella species. H63T replicated within macrophages. It also grew in mouse lungs, inducing histopathological evidence of pneumonia and dissemination to the spleen. Together, these results confirm that H63T represents a novel, pathogenic Legionella species, for which the name Legionella cardiaca sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H63T ( = ATCC BAA-2315T  = DSM 25049T  = JCM 17854T).

Five strains (CAIM 1831T, CAIM 1832, CAIM 1833, CAIM 1834 and CAIM 1836) were isolated from cultured sole (Solea senegalensis) in two regions of Spain, two strains (CAIM 404 and CAIM 1294) from wild-caught spotted rose snapper (Lutjanus guttatus) in Mexico, and one strain (CAIM 1835) from corals in Brazil. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the novel isolates showed similarity to Vibrio ponticus (98.2–98.3 %, GenBank accession no. AJ630103) and to a lesser degree to Vibrio furnissii (97.2–97.3 %, X76336) and to Vibrio fluvialis (96.9–97.1 %, X74703). Multilocus sequence analysis clustered these strains closely together and clearly separated them from phylogenetically related species of the genus Vibrio . Genomic fingerprinting by rep-PCR clustered the novel strains according to their geographical origin. Phenotypic analyses showed a large variation among the new strains, but many tests enabled them to be differentiated from other species of the genus Vibrio . The mean ΔT m values between the strains analysed here and closely related type strains were above 6.79 °C. The values between the novel isolates were below 2.35 °C, well outside the limit suggested for the delineation of a bacterial species. The phenotypic and genotypic data presented here clearly place these new strains as a coherent group within the genus Vibrio , for which we propose the name Vibrio alfacsensis sp. nov. with CAIM 1831T ( = DSM 24595T = S277T) as the type strain.

Two strains of purple non-sulfur bacteria (A-36sT and A-51s) were isolated from brackish steppe soda lakes of southern Siberia. Genetically, the isolates were related most closely to the type strains of Rhodovulum steppense and Rhodovulum strictum , from which they differed at the species level (98.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 40–53 % DNA–DNA relatedness). Cells of the two strains were ovoid to rod-shaped, 0.4–0.8 µm wide and 1.0–2.5 µm long, and motile by means of a polar flagellum. They contained internal photosynthetic membranes of vesicular type and photosynthetic pigments (bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene series). The strains were obligate haloalkaliphiles, growing over wide ranges of salinity (0.3–10.0 % NaCl) and pH (7.5–10.0), with growth optima at 1.0–3.0 % NaCl and pH 8.5–9.0. Photoheterotrophic and chemoheterotrophic growth occurred with a number of organic compounds and biotin, p-aminobenzoate, thiamine and niacin as growth factors. No anaerobic respiration on nitrite, nitrate or fumarate and no fermentation were demonstrated. The strains grew photolithoautotrophically and chemolithoautotrophically with sulfide, sulfur and thiosulfate, oxidizing them to sulfate. Sulfide was oxidized via deposition of extracellular elemental sulfur. No growth with H2 as the electron donor was observed. The major fatty acid was C18 : 1 (78 %). The major quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The DNA G+C content of strain A-36sT was 65.4 mol% (T m). According to genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the investigated strains were assigned to a novel species of the genus Rhodovulum , for which the name Rhodovulum tesquicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A-36sT ( = VKM B-2491T = ATCC BAA-1573T), which was isolated from steppe soda lake Sul’fatnoe (Zabaikal’skii Krai, southern Siberia, Russia).

Strain M-07T was isolated from nitrifying–denitrifying activated sludge treating piggery wastewater. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain M-07T belonged to the genus Advenella . 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between M-07T and Advenella incenata CCUG 45225T, Advenella mimigardefordensis DPN7T and Advenella kashmirensis WT001T was 96.5, 97.3 and 96.9 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain M-07T was 49.5 mol%, which was approximately 5 mol% lower than the range for the genus Advenella (53.5–58.0 mol%). The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain M-07T were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C17 : 0 cyclo and summed feature 2 (comprising one or more of C14 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 1 I, an unidentified fatty acid with an equivalent chain-length of 10.928 and C12 : 0 alde). The isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA relatedness, strain M-07T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Advenella , for which the name Advenella faeciporci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M-07T ( = JCM 17746T  = KCTC 23732T).

A Gram-stain-positive thermophilic bacterium, designated strain Nis3T, was isolated from compost. The strain grew at 23–57 °C (optimum, 50 °C); no growth was observed below 15 or above 60 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.9–8.8 (optimum, 7.0); no growth was observed below pH 5.4 or above pH 9.3. The DNA G+C content of strain Nis3T was 63.4 mol%. The dominant quinone type was ubiquinone Q-10. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C19 : 0ω8c cyclo and C18 : 0. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, an unknown glycolipid and a ninhydrin-positive phospholipid. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis assigned this bacterium to the family Phyllobacteriaceae in the Alphaproteobacteria but it shared less than 95.2 % sequence similarity with other members of the family. The chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics of strain Nis3T differed in some respects from those of members of the family Phyllobacteriaceae . Therefore, strain Nis3T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Phyllobacteriaceae , for which the name Thermovum composti gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Nis3T ( = JCM 17863T = KCTC 23707T).

A bacterial strain, designated Dd16T, was isolated from a hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) dumpsite at Lucknow, India. Cells of strain Dd16T were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped and yellow-pigmented. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain belonged to the genus Sphingomonas in the family Sphingomonadaceae , as it showed highest sequence similarity to Sphingomonas asaccharolytica IFO 15499T (95.36 %), Sphingosinicella vermicomposti YC7378T (95.30), ‘Sphingomonas humi’ PB323 (95.20 %), Sphingomonas sanxanigenens NX02T (95.14 %) and Sphingomonas desiccabilis CP1DT (95.00 %). The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c) C14 : 0 2-OH, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile of strain Dd16T also corresponded to those reported for species of the genus Sphingomonas (phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, and a sphingoglycolipid), again supporting its identification as a member of the genus Sphingomonas . The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q10, and sym-homospermidine was the major polyamine observed. The total DNA G+C content of strain Dd16T was 65.8 mol%. The results obtained on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis and after biochemical and physiological tests, clearly distinguished strain Dd16T from closely related members of the genus Sphingomonas . Thus, strain Dd16T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas for which the name Sphingomonas indica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Dd16T ( = DSM 25434T = CCM 7882T).

Two isolates of intra-amoeba-growing bacteria, LegAT ( = DSM 24804T = CSUR P146T) and LegMT ( = DSM 24805T = CSUR P145T), were characterized on the basis of microscopic appearance, staining characteristics, axenic growth at different temperatures and the sequences of the mip, rpoB, 16S rRNA and rnpb genes, as well as the 23S–5S region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these two isolates lay within the radius of the family Legionellaceae . Furthermore, the analysis of these genes yielded congruent data that indicated that, although strain LegMT clusters specifically with Legionella feeleii ATCC 35072T and LegAT clusters with Legionella nautarum ATCC 49596T, the divergence observed between these species was greater than that observed between other members of the family. Taken together, these results support the proposal that these two isolates represent novel members of the genus Legionella , and we propose to name them Legionella tunisiensis sp. nov. for LegMT ( = DSM 24805T = CSUR P145T) and Legionella massiliensis sp. nov. for LegAT ( = DSM 24804T = CSUR P146T).

A Gram-staining negative, motile, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped (0.8–1.5×1.5–2.0 µm), halophilic bacterium, designated strain NTU-107T, was isolated from brine samples collected from the abandoned Beimen saltern in southern Taiwan. The novel strain grew with 0–15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum between 5 % and 10 %), at 15–55 °C (optimum 40 °C) and at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum pH 7.5). The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, the genomic DNA G+C content was 66.5 mol%, and the predominant ubiquinone was Q-9. The major polar lipids included phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. In a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain NTU-107T clustered with members of the genus Halomonas . In hybridization experiments, however, the levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NTU-107T and the type strains of its closest phylogenetic neighbours ( Halomonas koreensis , H. organivorans and H. ventosae ) were all found to be less than 40 %. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genetic data, strain NTU-107T represents a novel species within the genus Halomonas , for which the name Halomonas beimenensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NTU-107T ( = BCRC 17999T = KCTC 22876T = JCM 16084T).

A non-motile, coccobacillus-shaped and pink pigmented bacterium, designated strain 03SU10-PT, was isolated from wetland freshwater (Woopo wetland, Republic of Korea). Cells were Gram reaction-negative and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The major fatty acids (>10 % of total) were C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). The predominant respiratory lipoquinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content was 68 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and an unknown aminolipid. Spermidine, putrescine and 1,3-diaminopropane were the major polyamines. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that strain 03SU10-PT formed an evolutionary lineage within the radiation enclosing the members of the genus Roseomonas . The nearest neighbour to the novel strain was Roseomonas stagni HS-69T (96.3 % gene sequence similarity). The evidence provided by the polyphasic taxonomic approach used in this study indicated that strain 03SU10-PT could not be assigned to any recognized species; therefore a novel species is proposed, Roseomonas riguiloci sp. nov., with 03SU10-PT ( = KCTC 23339T = JCM 17520T) as the type strain.

A Gram-staining negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated 101-1T, was isolated from a sea tidal flat, Taean, Korea. The strain formed small light-yellow, smooth, and circular colonies on marine agar. Cells were weakly halophilic, motile rods showing catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain 101-1T was observed at 15–40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 6.5–7.0) and 1.0–9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0–3.5 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 53.3 mol%. Strain 101-1T contained ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the respiratory quinone and iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 as major fatty acids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 101-1T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with members of the genus Kordiimonas and was most closely related to Kordiimonas gwangyangensis GW14-5T and Kordiimonas lacus S3-22T with 97.3 % and 96.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain 101-1T and K. gwangyangensis GW14-5T and K. lacus S3-22T were 24.8±4.4 % and 32.2±3.6 %, respectively. Based on the data from the phenotypic and genotypic studies, strain 101-1T represents a novel species of the genus Kordiimonas , for which the name Kordiimonas aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 101-1T ( = KACC 16184T = JCM 17742T).

A mesophilic, strictly microaerophilic, chemosynthetic bacterium, designated strain P2DT, was isolated from the sediment of an active shallow-water hydrothermal vent in Paleochori Bay, on the Greek island of Milos. The cells were Gram-staining-negative rods that measured approximately 0.8–1.3 µm in length and 0.4–0.5 µm in width. Strain P2DT grew at 20–50 °C (optimum 35 °C), with 1.0–5.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3.0 %), and at pH 4.5–8.0 (optimum pH 5.5). The generation time under optimal conditions was 1.1 h. Growth occurred under chemolithoautotrophic conditions with and CO2 as the energy and carbon sources, respectively. Oxygen (5 %) was used as sole terminal electron acceptor. No growth was observed in the presence of acetate, formate, lactate, tryptone or peptone. Chemolithoheterotrophic growth occurred when d-glucose or sucrose were present as carbon sources. None of the organic compounds tested was used as an electron donor. The genomic DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 44.9 mol%. In a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain P2DT was found to be most closely related to Thiomicrospira psychrophila DSM 13453T (92.8% sequence similarity). Based on the phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic evidence, strain P2DT represents a novel species of a new genus within the class Gammaproteobacteria of the family Piscirickettsiaceae , for which the name Galenea microaerophila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is P2DT ( = DSM 24963T = JCM 17795T).

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain BR-18T, was isolated from marine sand collected on the western coast of South Korea. The taxonomic position of the novel strain was determined using a polyphasic approach. Strain BR-18T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 6.5–7.0 and in the absence of NaCl. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the novel strain fell within a clade comprising members of the genus Mucilaginibacter and appeared most closely related to Mucilaginibacter lutimaris BR-3T (96.6 % sequence similarity) and Mucilaginibacter rigui WPCB133T (95.9 %). The novel strain showed lower levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of other members of the genus Mucilaginibacter (93.4–95.5 %) and those of other species included in the phylogenetic analyses (<91.6 %). Strain BR-18T contained MK-7 as its predominant menaquinone, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and iso-C15 : 0 as its major fatty acids, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid as its major polar lipids, and sphingolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 42.4 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain BR-18T represents a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter , for which the name Mucilaginibacter litoreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BR-18T ( = KCTC 23697T  = CCUG 61484T).

A Gram-negative, non-motile bacterial strain that formed straight rods and straw yellow colonies, designated FCS-5T, was isolated from a marine sediment from the Arabian Sea. The isolate exhibited most of the phenotypic properties expected for a member of the genus Flavobacterium . The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C17 : 1ω9c and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). The only isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The only polyamine was homospermidine and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 32.4 mol%. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain FCS-5T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and exhibited 99.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Flavobacterium beibuense F44-8T and 90.9–94.6 % sequence similarity with other members of the genus Flavobacterium . The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed the discrimination of the isolate from its phylogenetic relatives. Strain FCS-5T is a representative of a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium rakeshii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FCS-5T ( = MTCC 10967T = JCM 17928T). An emended description of F. beibuense is also proposed.

A taxonomic study was carried out on five Gram-staining-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped bacteria isolated from the gills and livers of five diseased rainbow trout. The five novel isolates were designated strains 687B-08T, 445-08, 452-08, 453B-08 and 967B-08. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the five novel strains appeared almost identical (99.0–100 % sequence similarity) and to belong to the genus Chryseobacterium . Strain 687B-08T (the strain selected to represent the five novel isolates) was found to be most closely related to Chryseobacterium oncorhynchi 701B-08T (98.9 % sequence similarity), Chryseobacterium ureilyticum F-Fue-04IIIaaaaT (98.6 %), Chryseobacterium indologenes ATCC 29897T (98.3 %), Chryseobacterium jejuense JS17-8T (98.1 %) and Chryseobacterium gleum ATCC 35910T (98.1 %). In DNA–DNA hybridizations, DNA–DNA relatedness values of 99–100 % were recorded between the five novel strains. Lower DNA–DNA relatedness values (21–57 %) were recorded between strain 687B-08T and C. oncorhynchi 701B-08T, C. ureilyticum F-Fue-04IIIaaaaT and the type strains of other closely related, established species of the genus Chryseobacterium . The predominant respiratory quinone of strain 687B-08T was MK-6 and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1ω6c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 687B-08T was 38.6 mol%. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic evidence, the five novel strains isolated from rainbow trout represent a single, novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium , for which the name Chryseobacterium viscerum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 687B-08T ( = CECT 7793T  = CCUG 60103T).

A novel bacterial strain, YC7001T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rice collected at Jinju, Korea, and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain YC7001T were Gram-negative-staining, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped, aerobic, heterotrophic and non-motile. Strain YC7001T grew optimally at 25–30 °C, pH 5.0–8.0 and degraded gelatin, cellulose and chitin. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YC7001T belonged to the genus Chitinophaga in the family Chitinophagaceae . The most closely related species were Chitinophaga sancti NBRC 15057T (96.9 %), Chitinophaga ginsengisoli Gsoil 052T (95.9 %), Chitinophaga pinensis DSM 2588T (95.7 %), Chitinophaga filiformis IFO 15056T (95.7 %) and Chitinophaga niabensis JS13-10T (95.0 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness value of strain YC7001T with C. sancti NBRC 15057T was 15.2±0.6 %. Strain YC7001T contained MK-7 as the major menaquinone and homospermidine as the major polyamine. The major fatty acids of strain YC7001T were C15 : 0 iso, C16 : 1ω5c and C17 : 0 iso 3-OH. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminolipids and unknown lipids. The total genomic DNA G+C content was 41.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain YC7001T represents a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga , in the family Chitinophagaceae , for which the name Chitinophaga oryziterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC7001T ( = KACC 14533T = JCM 16595T).

A novel Gram-negative-staining strain, designated 6.2ST, was isolated from a soil sample and identified as a biosurfactant producer. Its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The cells were non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. The organism grew optimally at 30-37 °C, with 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl, and at pH 7.0. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain 6.2ST was found to be a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and was most closely related to four type species of the genus, showing sequence similarities of 96.8–98.9 %. Partial chaperonin 60 (cpn60) gene sequence analysis was useful in resolving the phylogenetic relationships between strain 6.2ST and closely related taxa, with similarities ranging from 85.5 % (with Sphingobacterium thalpophilum DSM 11723T) to 90.3 % (with Sphingobacterium canadense CR11T and Sphingobacterium multivorum JCM 21156T). The results of DNA–DNA hybridization experiments between the novel strain and its closest relatives gave a DNA–DNA relatedness value of less than 70 %, and consequently confirmed that this new strain did not belong to a previously described species of the genus Sphingobacterium . The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2 OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c); iso-C15 : 0; iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.0 mol%. According to its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and the phylogenetic data, strain 6.2ST represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium detergens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 6.2ST ( = CECT 7938T = LMG 26465T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and coccoid- to short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Dy73T, was isolated from a microbial fuel cell that had been inoculated with rice paddy field soil and fed starch, peptone and fish extract as fuels. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny, strain Dy73T was affiliated with the genus Dysgonomonas in the phylum Bacteroidetes , and most closely related to Dysgonomonas mossii CCUG 43457T with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 99.7 %. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness value between strain Dy73T and Dysgonomonas mossii CCUG 43457T was 34.8 %. In addition, strain Dy73T was found to be different from other recognized species of the genus Dysgonomonas in taxonomically important traits, including habitat, DNA G+C content, bile resistance and fatty-acid composition. Based on these characteristics, strain Dy73T represents a novel species of the genus Dysgonomonas for which the name Dysgonomonas oryzarvi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Dy73T ( = JCM 16859T = KCTC 5936T).

A Gram-staining-positive, strictly aerobic, spherical, non-motile, red-pigmented bacterium, designated strain MK03T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in South Korea. The taxonomic position of the novel strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. In phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain MK03T was placed in a clade formed by members of the genus Deinococcus in the family Deinococcaceae and appeared to be most closely related to Deinococcus aerolatus 5516T-9T (97.4 % sequence similarity), Deinococcus marmoris AA-63T (97.2 %), Deinococcus radiopugnans ATCC 19172T (97.2 %) and Deinococcus saxicola AA-1444T (96.9 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 64.5 mol%. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain MK03T were typical of members of the genus Deinococcus : MK-8 was identified as the predominant respiratory quinine, the major fatty acids were C16 : 1ω7c, C15 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0 and C15 : 0, ornithine was found to be the diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and the novel strain showed resistance to gamma radiation, with a D10 value (i.e. the dose required to reduce the bacterial population by 10-fold) in excess of 9 kGy. In hybridization experiments, only low DNA–DNA relatedness values (11.6–34.5 %) were recorded between the novel strain and its closest relatives in the genus Deinococcus . Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and DNA–DNA relatedness data, strain MK03T represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus , for which the name Deinococcus humi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MK03T ( = KCTC 13619T  = JCM 17915T).