- Volume 62, Issue Pt_8, 2012

A novel Gram-negative, oval to rod-shaped, motile bacterium, strain AMV1T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a mud volcano of Baratang Island, Andamans, India. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0 (5.7 %), C18 : 1ω7c (78.6 %) and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (6.3 %). Strain AMV1T contained ubiquinone 10 (Q-10) as the major respiratory quinone and minor quantities of ubiquinone 9 (Q-9). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified lipids, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified aminolipid. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain AMV1T was related most closely to the type strains of Tepidamorphus gemmatus , Bauldia consociata , Afifella pfennigii and Amorphus coralli , four members of the order Rhizobiales (class Alphaproteobacteria ), with pairwise sequence similarities of 95.0, 94.5, 94.4 and 94.0 %, respectively; it shared <94 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with all the other members of the order Rhizobiales . Phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain AMV1T clustered with Tepidamorphus gemmatus and with species of the genera Amorphus , Rhodobium and Afifella . Phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics thus suggest that strain AMV1T is a representative of a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Lutibaculum baratangense gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Lutibaculum baratangense is AMV1T ( = KCTC 22669T = NBRC 105799T = CCUG 58046T).

Six Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterial strains were isolated from small holes on plaster walls of the stone chamber interior of the Kitora Tumulus in Asuka village, Nara Prefecture, Japan. These were investigated by means of a polyphasic approach. All the isolates were strictly aerobic and motile by peritrichous flagella. Phylogenetic trees generated based on 16S rRNA gene sequences identified two novel lineages (comprising five isolates and one isolate, respectively) within the genus Gluconacetobacter . The isolates were characterized by having Q-10 as the major ubiquinone system and C18 : 1ω7c (58.7–63.1 % of the total) as the predominant fatty acid. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments endorsed the species rank for the two lineages, for which the names Gluconacetobacter tumulicola sp. nov. (type strain K5929-2-1bT = JCM 17774T = NCIMB 14760T) and Gluconacetobacter asukensis sp. nov. (type strain K8617-1-1bT = JCM 17772T = NCIMB 14759T) are proposed.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding rod, designated T-y2T, was isolated from seawater of an oyster farm in the South Sea, Korea. Strain T-y2T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain T-y2T belonged to the genus Mesonia and exhibited 94.3–96.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of species of the genus Mesonia . The DNA G+C content of strain T-y2T was 42.1 mol%. Strain T-y2T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The only major phospholipid identified was phosphatidylethanolamine. The differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness of strain T-y2T revealed that it is distinguishable from recognized members of the genus Mesonia . On the basis of the data presented here, strain T-y2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mesonia , for which the name Mesonia ostreae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T-y2T ( = KCTC 23500T = CCUG 60802T).

A novel Gram-negative strain, designated M-SX103T, was isolated from a fresh leaf of Nicotiana tabacum Linn. collected at Yuxi City, Yunnan province, China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C, at pH 6.0–9.0 and with 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids of strain M-SX103T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate belongs to the genus Sphingobacterium , sharing 95.4–89.7 % sequence similarity with type strains of members of the genus Sphingobacterium ; it was most closely related to Sphingobacterium composti T5-12T. On the basis of the taxonomic evidence, a novel species, Sphingobacterium nematocida sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is M-SX103T ( = JCM 17339T = CCTCC AB 2010390T).

A Gram-negative, non-flagellated, motile by gliding, aerobic rod, designated DPG-24T, was isolated from seawater of Geoje Island in the South Sea, Korea. Strain DPG-24T grew optimally at 30–37 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DPG-24T belonged to the genus Winogradskyella and clustered with Winogradskyella poriferorum UST030701-295T and Winogradskyella exilis 022-2-26T. Strain DPG-24T exhibited 97.6 and 95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with W. poriferorum UST030701-295T and W. exilis 022-2-26T, respectively, and 92.4–95.7 % with other members of the genus Winogradskyella . Strain DPG-24T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 36.7 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and W. poriferorum JCM 12885T was 10.8 %. The differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness enabled strain DPG-24T to be differentiated from recognized members of the genus Winogradskyella . On the basis of the data presented, strain DPG-24T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella , for which the name Winogradskyella aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is DPG-24T ( = KCTC 23502T  = CCUG 60798T).

A Gram-negative, obligately anaerobic, non-spore-forming, long rod-shaped bacterium strain P2T was isolated from the offshore mangrove sediment of the South China Sea. Growth was observed at between 22 and 39 °C, with an optimum at 35 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.0–8.5, with an optimum around pH 7.0–7.5. Salt tolerance was determined between 0.2 and 3.5 % (w/v), optimum at 0.5–1.0 %. Catalase and oxidase activities were negative. Strain P2T utilized cysteine, lactate, pyruvate, yeast extract or H2/CO2+acetate as electron donors, and sulfate or sulfite as electron acceptors. Metabolism was strictly fermentative. The main organic fermentation products were propionate, acetate and succinate. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain P2T formed a distinct evolutionary lineage within the family Marinilabiliaceae . Strain P2T was most closely related to members of the genera Alkaliflexus (92.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Marinilabilia (91.7 %) and Anaerophaga (89.9 %) of the family Marinilabiliaceae . The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 44.2±1.0 mol%. The dominant fatty acids of strain P2T were iso-C15 : 0 (33.5 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (18.9 %), C16 : 0 (5.4 %), C16 : 0 3-OH (7.7 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (13.3 %). The respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (100 % of total quinone) and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain P2T was distinguishable from members of phylogenetically related genera by differences in several phenotypic properties. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and physiological evidence, a novel genus, Mangroviflexus, is proposed to harbour strain P2T ( = CGMCC 1.5167T = DSM 24214T) which is described as the type strain of a novel species, Mangroviflexus xiamenensis gen. nov., sp. nov.

A novel halophilic, Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and oxidase- and catalase-positive bacterial strain, designated WCC 4520T, was isolated from a semi-hard, Raclette-type cheese. The colonies were yellow–orange; flexirubin-type pigments were not found. The strain hydrolysed gelatin, hippurate, tyrosine and Tweens 20 and 80. Optimal growth was observed with 6–8 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7–8 and at 27–30 °C. The genomic DNA G+C content was 33.6 mol%. In phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain WCC 4520T appeared to be a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae and the closest phylogenetic neighbours were identified as Psychroflexus gondwanensis DSM 5423T (94.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Psychroflexus salinarum CCUG 56752T (94.0 %). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The only detected quinone was MK-6 and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified polar lipid. Minor polar lipids and traces of polyamines were also detected. On the basis of the data presented, strain WCC 4520T represents a novel species of the genus Psychroflexus , for which the name Psychroflexus halocasei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WCC 4520T ( = LMG 25857T = CCUG 59705T).

The genera Dokdonia and Krokinobacter , members of the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes , were found to be phylogenetically closely related from the result of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Dokdonia donghaensis DSW-1T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 99.3, 98.1 and 98.1 % to Krokinobacter genikus Cos-13T, Krokinobacter diaphorus MSKK-32T and Krokinobacter eikastus PMA-26T, respectively. A taxonomic study of D. donghaensis DSW-1T, K. genikus CIP 108744T, K. diaphorus CIP 108745T and K. eikastus CIP 108743T was conducted using a polyphasic approach. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) in the four strains were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and their overall fatty acid profiles were essentially similar. The predominant menaquinone found in the type strains of the three species of the genus Krokinobacter was MK-6, in line with the genus Dokdonia . The polar lipid profiles of the type strains of the three species of the genus Krokinobacter were similar to that of D. donghaensis DSW-1T in that phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid were the major polar lipids. In addition, one unidentified aminophospholipid was also present as a major polar lipid in K. diaphorus CIP 108745T and K. eikastus CIP 108743T. D. donghaensis DSW-1T was distinguishable from K. genikus CIP 108744T, K. diaphorus CIP 108745T and K. eikastus CIP 108743T by genetic relatedness and differential phenotypic properties. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that K. genikus , K. diaphorus and K. eikastus be reclassified into the genus Dokdonia as Dokdonia genika comb. nov. (type strain is Cos-13T = NBRC 100811T = CIP 108744T), Dokdonia diaphoros comb. nov. (type strain is MSKK-32T = NBRC 100817T = CIP 108745T), and Dokdonia eikasta comb. nov. (type strain is PMA-26T = NBRC 100814T = CIP 108743T), respectively. An emended description of the genus Dokdonia is also presented.

A Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, motile (by gliding) bacterial strain, designated A12T, was isolated from tundra soil collected from Ny-Ålesund, in the Arctic region of Norway. The temperature, NaCl and pH ranges for growth were 4–25 °C (optimum, 18 °C), 0–2 % (optimum, 0 %) and pH 6–9 (optimum, pH 7). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the Arctic isolate belonged to the genus Pedobacter and showed highest sequence similarity (94.4 %) to Pedobacter daechungensis KCTC 12637T. The DNA G+C content (38.3 mol%), polar lipid profile, presence of sphingolipid, MK-7 as the only respiratory quinone, and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids supported the allocation of strain A12T to the genus Pedobacter as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter arcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A12T ( = CCTCC AB 2010223T = NRRL B-59457T). Emended descriptions of the genus Pedobacter and of Pedobacter heparinus , Pedobacter daechungensis , Pedobacter terricola , Pedobacter glucosidilyticus and Pedobacter lentus are also given.

An orange, rod-shaped, gliding bacterium, designated strain PSC33T, was isolated from the gut microflora of a mussel collected from Gwangyang Bay, South Sea (Republic of Korea). Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 1 G, C15 : 0 3-OH and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The only isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The DNA G+C content of strain PSC33T was 37.9 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain PSC33T formed an evolutionary lineage within the radiation encompassing members of the genus Aquimarina with Aquimarina macrocephali JAMB N27T as its nearest neighbour (96.3 % sequence similarity). A number of phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain PSC33T from recognized members of the genus Aquimarina . On the basis of the data presented in this study, strain PSC33T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aquimarina , for which the name Aquimarina mytili sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PSC33T ( = KCTC 23302T = JCM 17454T). An emended description of A. macrocephali is also provided.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, non-spore-forming rod, designated 15C3T, was isolated from aerobic leaf-and-branch compost at EXPO Park in Osaka, Japan. Growth was observed at 9–33 °C (optimum 25 °C) and pH 5.6–7.9 (optimum pH 6.1–7.0). No growth occurred with >2 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain 15C3T reduced nitrate to nitrogen and showed catalase activity but not oxidase activity. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The isolate contained phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipid and menaquinone-6 as the major respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 15C3T was 33.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 15C3T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and was most closely related to Flavobacterium hercynium WB 4.2-33T (96.9 % sequence similarity). On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 15C3T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium compostarboris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15C3T ( = KACC 14224T  = JCM 16527T). Emended descriptions of F. hercynium , Flavobacterium resistens and Flavobacterium johnsoniae are also given.

Five yeast strains isolated from plant leaves collected in south-east Tibet formed cream to brownish colonies and produced asymmetrical ballistoconidia and CoQ-9 as the major ubiquinone. Sequence analysis of the 26S rRNA D1/D2 domain and the internal transcribed spacer region indicated that these strains represented two novel species of the genus Bensingtonia. The names Bensingtonia rectispora sp. nov. (type strain XZ 4C5T = CGMCC 2.02635T = CBS 10710T) and Bensingtonia bomiensis sp. nov. (type strain XZ 33D1T = CGMCC 2.02670T = CBS 10713T) are proposed for the two novel species, which are phylogenetically closely related to Bensingtonia naganoensis, Bensingtonia pseudonaganoensis and the type species of the genus, Bensingtonia ciliata.