- Volume 62, Issue Pt_8, 2012

Legionella -like bacteria were isolated from the respiratory tract of two patients in California, USA, and South Australia, but were not thought to cause disease. These bacteria, strains F2632 and IMVS-3376T, were found to have identical Legionella macrophage infectivity potentiator (mip) gene sequences and were therefore further characterized to determine their genetic and phenotypic relatedness and properties. Both of these Gram-negative-staining bacterial strains grew on buffered charcoal yeast extract medium, were cysteine auxotrophs and made a characteristic diffusible bright yellow fluorescent pigment, with one strain making a late appearing colony-bound blue–white fluorescent pigment. The optimal in vitro growth temperature was 35 °C, with very poor growth at 37 °C in broth or on solid media. There was no growth in human A549 cells at either 35 or 37 °C, but excellent growth in Acanthamoeba castellani at 30 °C and poorer growth at 35 °C. Phylogenetic analysis of these bacteria was performed by sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, mip, ribonuclease P, ribosomal polymerase B and zinc metalloprotease genes. These studies confirmed that the new strains represented a single novel species of the genus Legionella for which the name Legionella steelei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMVS-3376T ( = IMVS 3113T = ATCC BAA-2169T).

A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out on 2C1-bT and 2C-21, two strains isolated from sewage flowing into River Geumho in Korea. Cells of the two strains were Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, motile and oval or rod-shaped. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of these two isolates with members of the Betaproteobacteria ; they were most closely related to Variovorax boronicumulans KCTC 22010T, Variovorax dokdonensis KCTC 12544T, Variovorax ginsengisoli KCTC 12583T, Variovorax paradoxus ATCC 17713T and Variovorax soli KACC 11579T showing 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.4–98.8 % with these strains and shared 100 % similarity with each other. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains 2C1-bT and 2C1-21 were 65.5 and 65.2 mol%, respectively. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data [Q-8 as the major ubiquinone; C16 : 0, summed feature 4 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C17 : 0 cyclo and summed feature 7 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or ω9t and/or ω12t) as major fatty acids] supported the affiliation of strains 2C1-bT and 2C-21 to the genus Variovorax . Based on evidence derived from this polyphasic analysis, it is proposed that strains 2C1-bT and 2C1-21 represent a novel species for which the name Variovorax defluvii sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is 2C1-bT ( = KCTC 12768T = JCM 17804T).

Two coccoid, non-motile bacteria were isolated from seawater in the north-western Pacific Ocean near Japan. The two strains, designated S1-36T and S1-72T, were Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, heterotrophic and catalase-negative. They were able to reduce nitrate to nitrogen. Both strains required NaCl for growth, with optimum growth in 2 % NaCl, and grew at 15–30 °C, with optimum growth at 20–25 °C. Genomic DNA G+C contents of strains S1-36T and S1-72T were 59.6 and 59.4 mol%, respectively. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 and major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1ω7c and C17 : 1ω8c. Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains S1-36T and S1-72T were related to each other (96.1 % sequence similarity) and both strains showed 92.3–94.7 % sequence similarity with members of the genus Haliea . On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic features, strains S1-36T and S1-72T should be classified as representatives of two novel species in a new genus, Halioglobus gen. nov., within the class Gammaproteobacteria . The names proposed are Halioglobus japonicus sp. nov., the type species of the genus, with S1-36T ( = NBRC 107739T = KCTC 23429T) as type strain, and Halioglobus pacificus sp. nov., with S1-72T ( = NBRC 107742T = KCTC 23430T) as type strain.

Four strains (JA310T, JA531T, JA447 and JA490) of red to reddish brown pigmented, rod-shaped, motile and budding phototrophic bacteria were isolated from soil and freshwater sediment samples from different geographical regions of India. All strains contained bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series. The major cellular fatty acid of strains JA310T and JA531T was C18 : 1ω7c, the quinone was Q-10 and polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an aminohopanoid and an unidentified aminolipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that all strains clustered with species of the genus Rhodopseudomonas in the class Alphaproteobacteria . Strains JA531T, JA447 and JA490 were genotypically (>80 % related based on DNA–DNA hybridization) and phenotypically closely related to each other and the three strains were distinct from strain JA310T (33 % related). Furthermore, all four strains had less than 48 % relatedness (DNA–DNA hybridization) with type strains of members of the genus Rhodopseudomonas , i.e. Rhodopseudomonas palustris ATCC 17001T, Rhodopseudomonas faecalis JCM 11668T and Rhodopseudomonas rhenobacensis DSM 12706T. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains JA310T and JA531T were 63.8 and 62.4 mol%, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that strains JA310T ( = NBRC 106083T = KCTC 5839T) and JA531T ( = NBRC 107575T = KCTC 5841T) be classified as the type strains of two novel species of the genus Rhodopseudomonas , Rhodopseudomonas parapalustris sp. nov. and Rhodopseudomonas harwoodiae sp. nov., respectively. In addition, we propose that strain DSM 123T ( = NBRC 100419T) represents a novel species, Rhodopseudomonas pseudopalustris sp. nov., since this strain differs genotypically and phenotypically from R. palustris ATCC 17001T and other members of the genus Rhodopseudomonas . An emended description of R. palustris is also provided.

Bacteria were isolated from black lesions on shoots of European pear trees (Pyrus communis L.) in an orchard in Japan. Previous characterization of this novel pathogen by phenotypic and genotypic methods suggested that it should belong to the genus Erwinia but might not correspond to either Erwinia amylovora or Erwinia pyrifoliae . Here, phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene, gyrB, and rpoD gene sequences indicated that it could not be assigned to any recognized species of the genus Erwinia . DNA–DNA hybridization confirmed that the bacterial strains represented a novel species. The DNA G+C contents, the fatty acid profile and phenotypic characteristics resembled those previously reported for members of the genus Erwinia . On the basis of these and previous results, the pathogen represents a novel species of the genus Erwinia , for which the name Erwinia uzenensis sp. nov. (type strain: YPPS 951T = LMG 25843T = NCPPB 4475T) is proposed.

A Gram-negative, non-motile and coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated MA1-1T, was isolated from a sea squirt (Halocynthia roretzi) collected from the South Sea, Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain MA1-1T is phylogenetically closely related to Litoreibacter species and to Thalassobacter arenae . It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.3, 97.1 and 97.3 % to the type strains of Litoreibacter albidus , Litoreibacter janthinus and T. arenae , respectively. Strain MA1-1T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the predominant fatty acid. The polar lipid profile of strain MA1-1T was similar to those of the type strains of L. albidus and L. janthinus . T. arenae was found to be phylogenetically and chemotaxonomically more closely related to Litoreibacter species and strain MA1-1T than to Thalassobacter stenotrophicus , the type species of the genus Thalassobacter . The DNA G+C content of strain MA1-1T was 57.9 mol%, and DNA–DNA relatedness to the type strains of the two Litoreibacter species and T. arenae was 9–14 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the observed phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, distinguished strain MA1-1T from the two Litoreibacter species and T. arenae . On the basis of the data presented, strain MA1-1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Litoreibacter , for which the name Litoreibacter meonggei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MA1-1T ( = KCTC 23699T  = CCUG 61486T). In this study, it is also proposed that Thalassobacter arenae is reclassified as a member of the genus Litoreibacter , Litoreibacter arenae comb. nov. (type strain GA2-M15T  = DSM 19593T  = KACC 12675T). An emended description of the genus Litoreibacter is also presented.

A novel methane-oxidizing bacterium, strain Fw12E-YT, was isolated from floodwater of a rice paddy field in Japan. Cells of strain Fw12E-YT were Gram-negative, motile rods with a single polar flagellum and type I intracytoplasmic membrane arrangement. The strain grew only on methane or methanol as sole carbon and energy source. It was able to grow at 10–40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.5–7.0 (optimum 6.5) and with 0–0.1 % (w/w) NaCl (no growth above 0.5 % NaCl). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Fw12E-YT is related most closely to members of the genus Methylomonas , but at low levels of similarity (95.0–95.4 %). Phylogenetic analysis of pmoA and mxaF genes indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Methylomonas (97 and 92 % deduced amino acid sequence identities to Methylomonas methanica S1T, respectively). The DNA G+C content of strain Fw12E-YT was 57.1 mol%. Chemotaxonomic data regarding the major quinone (MQ-8) and major fatty acids (C16 : 1 and C14 : 0) also supported its affiliation to the genus Methylomonas . Based on phenotypic, genomic and phylogenetic data, strain Fw12E-YT is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Methylomonas , for which the name Methylomonas koyamae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Fw12E-YT ( = JCM 16701T = NBRC 105905T = NCIMB 14606T).

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, motile, oxidase- and catalase-positive, rod-shaped strain, designated ZS2-30T, was isolated from Antarctic intertidal sandy sediment. The strain grew at 4–35 °C (optimum, 25 °C) and in 0–25 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3.0–4.0 %). It could reduce nitrate to nitrite and hydrolyse Tween 80. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain ZS2-30T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 1ω9c, C12 : 0 3-OH and C12 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain ZS2-30T was 55.8 mol%. Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZS2-30T was affiliated with the genus Marinobacter . It showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of three species of the genus Marinobacter , namely Marinobacter maritimus (98.3 %), Marinobacter psychrophilus (98.1 %) and Marinobacter goseongensis (97.1 %), but the DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain ZS2-30T and the above three species were all lower than 45 %. Moreover, strain ZS2-30T could be distinguished from closely related species of the genus Marinobacter by various phenotypic properties. Based on this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain ZS2-30T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Marinobacter , for which the name Marinobacter antarcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Marinobacter antarcticus is ZS2-30T ( = CGMCC 1.10835T = KCTC 23684T).

Six isolates of a facultatively anaerobic bacterium were recovered in culture from marine invertebrates and vertebrates, including packhorse lobster (Jasus verreauxi), abalone (Haliotis sp.) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), between 1994 and 2002. The bacteria were Gram-negative, rod-shaped and motile by means of more than one polar flagellum, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive and able to grow in the presence of 0.5–8.0 % NaCl (optimum 3.0–6.0 %) and at 10–37 °C (optimum 25–30 °C). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using five loci (2443 bp; gyrB, pyrH, ftsZ, mreB and gapA), the closest phylogenetic neighbours of strain TCFB 0772T were the type strains of Vibrio communis (99.8 and 94.6 % similarity, respectively), Vibrio owensii (99.8 and 94.1 %), Vibrio natriegens (99.4 and 88.8 %), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (99.4 and 90.3 %), Vibrio rotiferianus (99.2 and 94.4 %), Vibrio alginolyticus (99.1 and 89.3 %) and Vibrio campbellii (99.1 and 92.3 %). DNA–DNA hybridization confirmed that the six isolates constitute a unique taxon that is distinct from other known species of Vibrio . In addition, this taxon can be readily differentiated phenotypically from other Vibrio species. The six isolates therefore represent a novel species, for which the name Vibrio jasicida sp. nov. is proposed; the novel species is represented by the type strain TCFB 0772T ( = JCM 16453T  = LMG 25398T) (DNA G+C content 45.9 mol%) and reference strains TCFB 1977 ( = JCM 16454) and TCFB 1000 ( = JCM 16455).

Two Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria, designated strains SL-1T and F11, which had the ability to decompose polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), were isolated from soil samples contaminated by oil. The cells were motile by polar or lateral flagella. According to comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strains SL-1T and F11 were identical and showed the greatest degree of similarity (96.8 %) to both Rhizobium oryzae Alt505T and Rhizobium mesosinicum CCBAU 25010T; however, only Rhizobium oryzae with SL-1T and F11 formed a separate clade. There were low similarities (<90 %) between the atpD and recA sequences of the two strains and those of the genus of Rhizobium . The bacteria grew at temperatures of 10–40 °C with an optimum of 30 °C. The pH range for growth was 6.0–10.0 and optimum pH was 7.0–8.0. Growth occurred at NaCl concentrations up to 3.0 % (w/v). They were catalase- and oxidase-positive. The main cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (18 : 1ω7c and/or 18 : 1ω6c) and 16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 62.2 mol%. Strain SL-1T showed 29 and 0 % DNA–DNA relatedness, respectively, with the most related strains R. oryzae Alt505T and R. mesosinicum CCBAU 25010T according to phylogenic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. According to physiological and biochemical characteristics and genotypic data obtained in this work, the bacteria represent a novel species of the genus Rhizobium , and the name Rhizobium petrolearium is proposed. The type strain is SL-1T ( = ACCC 11238T = KCTC 23288T) and it could nodulate Medicago sativa in nodulation tests.

A taxonomic study was performed on two isolates, designated strains MK-B5T and MK-B7, isolated from sediment of a solar saltern pond in Gomso Bay, Republic of Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strains MK-B5T and MK-B7 belong to the Gammaproteobacteria and are related most closely to Salinisphaera shabanensis JCM 11575T ( = E1L3AT) (96.3 and 96.5 % similarity, respectively), Salinisphaera dokdonensis KCCM 90064T ( = CL-ES53T) (95.6 and 95.6 %) and Salinisphaera hydrothermalis JCM 115514T ( = EPR70T) (95.1 and 95.3 %). The level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains MK-B5T and MK-B7 was 99.8 %. The G+C contents of their genomic DNAs were 63.4 and 63.6 mol%, respectively, and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. DNA–DNA relatedness between strains MK-B5T and MK-B7 was 98 %, indicating that the two isolates represent a single species. However, the level of DNA–DNA relatedness between the two isolates and S. shabanensis E1L3AT (26.4–30.8 %) indicates that they represent a novel species. Strains MK-B5T and MK-B7 possessed C14 : 0, C16 : 0 and C19 : 0ω8c cyclo as major fatty acids. The two isolates were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, short rod-shaped and motile. They grew at 10–40 °C (optimum, 35–37 °C), at pH 5.0–8.5 (optimum, 7.0–7.5) and with 5–25 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 15 % NaCl). On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strains MK-B5T and MK-B7 are thus considered to represent a novel species of the genus Salinisphaera , for which the name Salinisphaera orenii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MK-B5T ( = KCTC 23198T = JCM 17073T).

A moderately salt-tolerant and obligately alkaliphilic, chemolithoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium, strain HL-EbGr7T, was isolated from a full-scale bioreactor removing H2S from biogas under oxygen-limited conditions. Another strain, ALJ17, closely related to HL-EbGr7T, was isolated from a Kenyan soda lake. Cells of the isolates were relatively long, slender rods, motile by a polar flagellum. Although both strains were obligately aerobic, micro-oxic conditions were preferred, especially at the beginning of growth. Chemolithoautotrophic growth was observed with sulfide and thiosulfate in a pH range of 8.0–10.5 (optimum at pH 10.0) and a salinity range of 0.2–1.5 M total Na+ (optimum at 0.4 M). The genome sequence of strain HL-EbGr7T demonstrated the presence of genes encoding the reverse Dsr pathway and a truncated Sox pathway for sulfur oxidation and enzymes of the Calvin–Benson cycle of autotrophic CO2 assimilation with ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) type I. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7, C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the two strains belonged to a single phylotype within the genus Thioalkalivibrio in the Gammaproteobacteria . Despite being related most closely to Thioalkalivibrio denitrificans , the isolates were unable to grow by denitrification. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analysis, the novel isolates are proposed to represent a novel species, Thioalkalivibrio sulfidiphilus sp. nov., with the type strain HL-EbGr7T ( = NCCB 100376T  = UNIQEM U246T).

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, short rod-shaped, heterotrophic bacterium, designated strain YIM D21T, was isolated from a salt mine in Yunnan province, south-west China. Strain YIM D21T formed cream–yellow colonies, was non-motile and moderately halophilic, and tolerated NaCl concentrations of 1–15 % (w/v), with optimum growth at 5–10 % (w/v). Growth occurred at 15–42 °C (optimum 28 °C) and at pH 6.5–8.5 (optimum 7.5–8.0). The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, three unidentified phospholipids, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and cyclo C19 : 0ω8c and the DNA G+C content was 67.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain YIM D21T belongs to the genus Roseivivax . 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of YIM D21T were 95.7, 95.0 and 94.8 % with the type strains of Roseivivax halodurans , Roseivivax lentus and Roseivivax halotolerans , respectively. Physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain YIM D21T from closely related species with validly published names. We therefore propose that this isolate represents a novel species, Roseivivax sediminis sp. nov.; the type strain is YIM D21T ( = KCTC 23444T = ACCC 10710T).

A novel Gram-staining-negative, coccoid, non-motile bacterium, designated strain V1-41T, was isolated from a sample of marine sediment collected, at a depth of 200 m, from Kongsfjorden (an inlet on the west coast of Spitsbergen, an island that forms part of the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean). The strain formed cream–brown colonies on marine agar. Cells of the novel strain were positive in tests for catalase, oxidase, lysine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase activities but negative for gelatinase and lipase activities. They hydrolysed aesculin, starch and urea, but not casein or DNA. Most of the cellular fatty acids were medium-chain and saturated (37.1 %) or long-chain and unsaturated (27.8 %), with C12 : 0 (37.1 %), C18:1ω7c, and summed features 2 (19.3%) and 3 (24.1%) predominating. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminophospholipids, four unidentified phospholipids and one other unidentified lipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel strain’s closest known relatives were Oceanisphaera litoralis DSM 15406T (98.5 % sequence similarity) and Oceanisphaera donghaensis BL1T (98.3 %). In DNA–DNA hybridizations, however, the levels of relatedness between strain V1-41T and O. litoralis DSM 15406T and between the novel strain and O. donghaensis DSM 17589T were found to be only 19 % and 29 %, respectively. Based on these low levels of similarity at the DNA–DNA level and the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic differences from O. litoralis DSM 15406T and O. donghaensis DSM 17589T, strain V1-41T represents a novel species of the genus Oceanisphaera for which the name Oceanisphaera arctica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is V1-41T ( = CCUG 58690T = KCTC 23013T = NBRC 106171T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, irregularly circular, aerobic/microaerobic appendaged bacterium (strain 120-1T) was isolated from Naga-ike, one of the freshwater lakes in the Skarvsnes ice-free area of Antarctica. Strain 120-1T grew between 5 and 35 °C, with optimum growth at 30 °C. The pH range for growth was between 6.0 and 9.0 (optimum of approximately pH 7.0). The range of NaCl concentration allowing growth of strain 120-1T was between 0 and 5.0 %, with an optimum of 0.5–1.0 %. Strain 120-1T was able to utilize organic compounds such as glucose, arabinose, gluconate, adipate and malate. Red colonies were formed on plate medium and the carotenoids were present in the cells. Ubiquinones Q-9 and Q-10 were the major respiratory quinones. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and C18 : 1ω7c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.1 mol%. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences and physiological characteristics of strain 120-1T indicate that strain 120-1T is a phylogenetically novel bacterium, and that it represents a novel species in a new genus, Rhodoligotrophos gen. nov., in the order Rhizobiales , family Rhodobiaceae . The name Rhodoligotrophos appendicifer gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed as the type species of this new genus, with 120-1T ( = JCM 16873T = ATCC BAA-2115T) as the type strain.

In a survey of the biodiversity and biogeography of rhizobia associated with soybean (Glycine max L.) in different sites of the Northern (Huang-Huai-Hai) Plain of China, ten strains were defined as representing a novel genomic species in the genus of Bradyrhizobium . They were distinguished from defined species in restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and the 16S–23S rRNA gene intergenic spacer (IGS). In BOX-PCR, these strains presented two patterns that shared 94 % similarity, demonstrating that they were a homogenous group with limited diversity. In phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene, IGS and housekeeping gene sequences, four representative strains formed a distant lineage within the genus Bradyrhizobium , which was consistent with the results of DNA–DNA hybridization. The strains of this novel group formed effective nodules with G. max, Glycine soja and Vigna unguiculata in cross-nodulation tests and harboured symbiotic genes (nodC and nifH) identical to those of reference strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum , Bradyrhizobium liaoningense and ‘Bradyrhizobium daqingense’ originating from soybean, implying that the novel group may have obtained these symbiotic genes by lateral gene transfer. In analyses of cellular fatty acids and phenotypic features, some differences were found between the novel group and related Bradyrhizobium species, demonstrating that the novel group is distinct phenotypically from other Bradyrhizobium species. Based upon the data obtained, these strains are proposed to represent a novel species, Bradyrhizobium huanghuaihaiense sp. nov., with CCBAU 23303T ( = LMG 26136T  = CGMCC 1.10948T  = HAMBI 3180T) as the type strain. The DNA G+C content of strain CCBAU 23303T is 61.5 mol% (T m).

A taxonomic study was carried out on a cellulase-producing bacterium, strain G21T, isolated from mangrove soil in Xiamen, Fujian province, China. Cells were Gram-negative, slightly curved rods, motile with a single polar flagellum. The strain grew at 15–40 °C and in 0.5–10 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain G21T belonged to the genus Vibrio and formed a clade with Vibrio furnissii ATCC 350116T (97.4 % sequence similarity), V. fluvialis LMG 7894T (97.1 %) and V. ponticus CECT 5869T (96.1 %). However, multilocus sequence analysis (using rpoA, recA, mreB, gapA, gyrB and pyrH sequences) and DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated that the strain was distinct from the closest related Vibrio species. Additionally, strain G21T could be differentiated from them phenotypically by the ability to grow in 10 % NaCl but not on TCBS plates, its enzyme activity spectrum, citrate utilization, oxidization of various carbon sources, hydrolysis of several substrates and its cellular fatty acid profile. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 46.0 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, with trace amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant quinones were Q-8 and Q-7. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization analysis, it is concluded that strain G21T represents a novel species of the genus Vibrio , for which the name Vibrio xiamenensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G21T ( = DSM 22851T  = CGMCC 1.10228T).

A Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-sporulating, rod-shaped and slightly halophilic bacterial strain, designated UST090418-1611T, was isolated from the marine sponge Xestospongia testudinaria collected from the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain UST090418-1611T in the family Alteromonadaceae with the closest relationship to the genus Marinobacter . The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the strain and the type strains of recognized Marinobacter species ranged from 92.9 to 98.3 %. Although strain UST090418-1611T shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Marinobacter mobilis CN46T, M. zhejiangensis CN74T and M. sediminum R65T (98.3, 97.4 and 97.3 %, respectively), the relatedness of the strain to these three strains in DNA–DNA hybridization was only 58, 56 and 33 %, respectively, supporting the novelty of the strain. In contrast to most strains in the genus Marinobacter , strain UST090418-1611T tolerated only 6 % (w/v) NaCl, and optimal growth occurred at 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl, pH 7.0–8.0 and 28–36 °C. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C12 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C12 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c). The genomic DNA G+C content was 57.1 mol%. Based on the physiological, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics presented in this study, we suggest that the strain represents a novel species in the genus Marinobacter , for which the name Marinobacter xestospongiae sp. nov. is proposed, with UST090418-1611T ( = JCM 17469T  = NRRL B-59512T) as the type strain.

A novel Gram-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from Qurugöl Lake located in a mountainous region near Tabriz city in the north-west of Iran. Growth occurred at pH 6–10 (optimum, pH 7±0.5) and at 10–40 °C (optimum, 30 °C). Strain RCRI4T was able to grow in the absence and presence of NaCl to 3 % (w/v). The major fatty acids were C17 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c/C15 iso3-OH, C17 : 1ω8c and C16 : 0. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 45.3 mol%. Based on the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences, phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain RCRI4T associated with the genus Alishewanella , and closely related type strains include Alishewanella agri BLO6T (97.8 %), Alishewanella aestuarii B11T (97.7 %), Rheinheimera perlucida BA131T (97.5 %), Alishewanella fetalis CCUG 30811T (97.3 %) and Alishewanella jeotgali MS1T (97.1 %). The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain RCRI4T and phylogenetically the closest related strains, A. agri BLO6T and R. perlucida BA131T, was 9 and 14 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic results, it is suggested that strain RCRI4T represents a novel species of the genus Alishewanella , for which the name Alishewanella tabrizica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RCRI4T ( = LMG 26473T = JCM 17275T = KCTC 23723T).