- Volume 63, Issue Pt_3, 2013

A Gram-staining-negative, pleomorphic, aerobic, halophilic archaeon, designated strain 294-194-5T, was isolated in Japan from commercial solar salt imported from the Philippines. Colonies of strain 294-194-5T were translucent and red. Strain 294-194-5T was able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum, 37–45 °C), with 14–30 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 18 %), and at pH 6.5–8.5 (optimum, pH 8.0). MgCl2 was not required for growth. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities showed that strain 294-194-5T was most closely related to Natronoarchaeum mannanilyticum YSM-123T (96.8–97.1 % sequence similarities). The major polar lipids of the novel strain were the C20C20 and C20C25 derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and the same glycolipids (disulfated diglycosyl diether and one unidentified glycolipid) as detected in N. mannanilyticum YSM-123T. The DNA G+C content of strain 294-194-5T was 63.0 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between the novel strain and N. mannanilyticum YSM-123Twere 46.5 % and 48.5 % (reciprocal). Based on these data, strain 294-194-5T represents a novel species of the genus Natronoarchaeum , for which the name Natronoarchaeum philippinense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 294-194-5T ( = JCM 16593T = CECT 7630T).

Three halophilic archaeal strains, MH1-34-1T, MH1-16-1 and MH1-224-5 were isolated from commercial salt samples produced from seawater in Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, respectively. Cells of the three strains were pleomorphic and stained Gram-negative. Strain MH1-34-1T was orange–red pigmented, while MH1-16-1 and MH1-224-5 were pink-pigmented. Strain MH1-34-1T was able to grow at 12–30 % (w/v) NaCl (with optimum at 18 % NaCl, w/v) at pH 4.5–7.2 (optimum, pH 5.2–5.5) and at 15–45 °C (optimum, 42 °C). Strains MH1-16-1 and MH1-224-5 grew in slightly different ranges. These strains required at least 1 mM Mg2+ for growth. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains MH1-34-1T, MH1-16-1 and MH1-224-5 were almost identical (99.8–99.9 % similarities), and the closest relative was Halarchaeum acidiphilum MH-1-52-1T with 98.4 % similarities. The DNA G+C contents of MH1-34-1T, MH1-16-1 and MH1-224-5 were 59.3, 60.8 and 61.0 mol%, respectively. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness amongst the three strains was 90–91 %, while that between each of the three strains and Halarchaeum acidiphilum MH1-52-1T was 51–55 %. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, it is proposed that the isolates should represent a novel species of the genus Halarchaeum , for which the name Halarchaeum salinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MH1-34-1T ( = JCM 16330T = CECT 7574T).

Two actinomycete strains were isolated from within the fynbos-rich area surrounded by the horseracing track at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, South Africa. Rapid molecular identification indicated that the isolates belonged to the family Micromonosporaceae . Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence blast analysis, the isolates were identified as members of the genus Micromonospora . Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolates clustered with each other and were most closely related to Micromonospora viridifaciens DSM 43909T. Further 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis using EzTaxon revealed that the isolates are closely related to Micromonospora auratinigra TT1-11T, Micromonospora chaiyaphumensis MC5-1T, Micromonospora eburnea LK2-10T, Micromonospora nigra DSM 43818T and Micromonospora olivasterospora DSM 43868T. DNA–DNA hybridization and physiological tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of both isolates from related species; however, their high DNA–DNA relatedness showed that they belong to the same genomic species. Strain Y22T ( = DSM 45644T = NRRL B-24859T) was selected as the type strain to represent this novel species, for which the name Micromonospora equina sp. nov. is proposed.

An aerobic actinomycete, designated SCSIO 01299T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment collected from the northern South China Sea at a depth of 3258 m. The isolate was found to be a natural producer of the synthesized antitumour agent deoxynyboquinone and its three new derivatives, pseudonocardians A, B and C. A blast search based on almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SCSIO 01299T had high sequence similarities with members of the genus Pseudonocardia . The 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic tree revealed that strain SCSIO 01299T was a member of the genus Pseudonocardia . Phenotypic analysis, chemotaxonomy and DNA–DNA relatedness could readily distinguish the isolate from established members in this genus. It was concluded that strain SCSIO 01299T represents a novel species, for which the name Pseudonocardia antitumoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCSIO 01299T ( = DSM 45322T  = CCTCC M 2011255T).

An endophytic actinomycete, designated strain I10A-01259T, was isolated from a surface-sterilized fruit of Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Maxim., a medicinal plant, which was collected from a suburb of Beijing, China. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the isolate contained galactose and meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol; the menaquinones consisted mainly of MK-9, MK-11 and MK-12, with a minor amount of MK-10. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain I10A-01259T was most closely related to Nocardiopsis arabia S186T (93.2 % sequence similarity), Thermobifida halotolerans YIM 90462T (93.0 %) and other strains of genera within the families Nocardiopsaceae and Thermomonosporaceae . On the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain I10A-01259T fell within the radius of the suborder Streptosporangineae , in which the strain formed a distinct lineage next to the genera of the families Nocardiopsaceae and Thermomonosporaceae . Based on the data from our polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel genus and species, Allonocardiopsis opalescens gen. nov., sp. nov., are proposed within the suborder Streptosporangineae . The type strain of Allonocardiopsis opalescens is strain I10A-01259T ( = CPCC 203428T  = DSM 45601T  = KCTC 19844T).

An actinomycete strain, designated Sco-B23T, was isolated from a brown-coloured layer of scoria collected near Darangshi Oreum (a small mountain) in Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells of the organism were Gram-positive, non-endospore-forming, non-motile cocci and grew at 20–35 °C, at pH 5.1–11.1 and with 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl. Colonies were circular, translucent and moderate yellow in colour with entire margins. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolate belonged to the genus Phycicoccus and formed a monophyletic line between a Phycicoccus bigeumensis – Phycicoccus dokdonensis cluster and a Phycicoccus aerophilus – Phycicoccus ginsenosidimutans cluster. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain Sco-B23T and the type strains of Phycicoccus species were: P. bigeumensis (98.8 %), P. dokdonensis (98.7 %), P. aerophilus (97.7 %), P. ginsenosidimutans (97.7 %), P. cremeus (96.9 %) and P. jejuensis (96.5 %). Chemotaxonomic analyses showed that the isolate possessed meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid of the peptidoglycan, MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone, a polar lipid profile including diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unknown phospholipid and two unknown lipids, predominant fatty acids represented by iso-C15 : 0, C17 : 1 cis9, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0, and DNA G+C content of 69.7 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain Sco-B23T and the close relatives within the genus Phycicoccus was below 18.1 %. On the basis of phenotypic features and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain Sco-B23T represents a novel species of the genus Phycicoccus , for which the name Phycicoccus badiiscoriae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Sco-B23T ( = KCTC 19807T  = KACC 15111T  = NBRC 107918T).

Two Gram-positive, non-endospore-forming rods, strains C5T and T8T , were isolated from the phyllospheres of Cerastium holosteoides and Trifolium repens, respectively, and were studied in detail for their taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis allocated both isolates clearly to the genus Rhodococcus . Isolate C5T was most closely related to Rhodococcus fascians and Rhodococcus yunnanensis , showing 99.2 % gene sequence similarity to both species. Strain T8T revealed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Rhodococcus corynebacterioides (98.8 %) and Rhodococcus kroppenstedtii (98.6 %). The quinone system of both strains was composed of dihydrogenated menaquinones with eight (major amount) as well as nine, seven and six isoprenoid units (MK-8H2, MK-9H2 MK-7H2 MK-6H2).The polar lipid profiles of strains C5T and T8T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and one unknown phospholipid. Additionally, strain C5T contained one unknown glycolipid, and strain T8T three unknown aminolipids. The fatty acid profiles contained major amounts of C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and 10-methyl C18 : 0, which supported the grouping of the two isolates in the genus Rhodococcus . Physiological/biochemical characterization and DNA–DNA hybridizations with the type strains of the most closely related species allowed a clear phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of both strains. For this reason, we propose strain C5T ( = LMG 26203T  = CCM 7906T) as the type strain of a novel species with the name Rhodococcus cerastii sp. nov., and strain T8T ( = LMG 26204T  = CCM 7905T) as the type strain of a second novel species with the name Rhodococcus trifolii sp. nov.

A borrelidin-producing actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-W2T, was isolated from the root surface of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The organism was found to have morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of streptomycetes. The G+C content of the DNA was 66.12 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NEAU-W2T revealed that the strain formed a distinct clade within the 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic tree and showed highest similarity (99.61 %) to Streptomyces neyagawaensis ATCC 27449T. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NEAU-W2T and S. neyagawaensis ATCC 27449T was 58.51 %. Strain NEAU-W2T could also be differentiated from S. neyagawaensis ATCC 27449T and other Streptomyces species showing high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98–99 %), as well as other borrelidin-producing strains, based on morphological and physiological characteristics. On the basis of its physiological and molecular properties, it is proposed that strain NEAU-W2T represents a novel Streptomyces species, Streptomyces heilongjiangensis sp. nov. The type strain is NEAU-W2T ( = CGMCC 4.7004T  = ATCC BAA-2424T  = DSM 42073T).

A novel filamentous bacterial strain, HSS8-18T, was isolated from soil from a hot-spring pond in Krabi province, Thailand. The isolate produced single globose bodies and short, finger-like sporangia directly from the substrate mycelium. The cell wall of the isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glycine, arabinose and xylose. The characteristic phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylethanolamine and hydroxyl phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H2), MK-9(H4) and MK-10(H4) and the predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.0 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that isolate HSS8-18T belonged to the genus Planosporangium and shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Planosporangium flavigriseum YIM 46034T (98.3 %) and P. mesophilum YIM 48875T (98.0 %). However, DNA–DNA hybridization results and some physiological and biochemical properties indicated that strain HSS8-18T could be readily distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives. Based on phenotypic and genotypic properties, isolate HSS8-18T is judged to represent a novel species of the genus Planosporangium , for which the name Planosporangium thailandense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain HSS8-18T ( = BCC 41917T  = JCM 17129T).

Five nocardioform isolates from human clinical sources were evaluated. Analysis of the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene showed 99.9–100 % similarity among the strains. The results of a comparative phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolates belonged to the genus Nocardia . Phenotypic and molecular analyses were performed on the clinical isolates. Traditional phenotypic analyses included morphological, biochemical/physiological, chemotaxonomic and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling. Molecular studies included 1441-bp 16S rRNA and 1246-bp gyrB gene sequence analyses, as well as DNA–DNA hybridizations. Biochemical analysis failed to differentiate the putative novel species from its phylogenetic neighbours; however, molecular studies were able to distinguish the patient strains and confirm them as members of a single species. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, similarity between the isolates and their closest relatives (type strains of Nocardia araoensis , N. arthritidis , N. beijingensis and N. niwae ) was ≤99.3 %. Analysis of partial gyrB gene sequences showed 98–99.7 % relatedness among the isolates. Nocardia lijiangensis and N. xishanensis were the closest related species to the isolates based on gyrB gene sequence analysis, and their type strains showed 95.7 and 95.3 % similarity, respectively, to strain W9988T. Resistance to amikacin and molecular analyses, including DNA–DNA hybridization, distinguished the five patient strains from their phylogenetic neighbours, and the results of this polyphasic study indicated the existence of a novel species of Nocardia , for which we propose the name Nocardia amikacinitolerans sp. nov., with strain W9988T ( = DSM 45539T  = CCUG 59655T) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain I10A-01402T, was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of a medicinal plant, Perilla frutescens, collected in a suburb of Beijing, China. Chemotaxonomically, the strain contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The major fatty acids were C17 : 1ω9c, C18 : 1ω9c, C17 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.4 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain I10A-01402T belonged to the genus Nocardioides . Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a robust cluster with Nocardioides ginsengisegetis Gsoil 485T, N. koreensis MSL-09T and N. alkalitolerans KSL-1T. On the basis of the evidence from our polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel species, Nocardioides perillae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is I10A-01402T ( = CPCC 203382T  = DSM 24552T  = KCTC 29022T).

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, chemo-organotrophic, mesophilic, aerobic bacterium, designated A1T, was isolated from sludge of a wastewater treatment plant. Strain A1T showed good ability to degrade ammonia and grew well on media amended with methanol and ammonia. Strain A1T grew with 0–11 % (w/v) NaCl, at 20–42 °C, but not <15 or >45 °C and at pH 6–10 (optimum pH 8.0–9.0). The isolate was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The DNA G+C content was 70.7 mol%. A comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain A1T formed a distinct phyletic lineage in the genus Brevibacterium and showed high sequence similarity with Brevibacterium casei NCDO 2048T (96.9 %), Brevibacterium celere KMM 3637T (96.9 %) and Brevibacterium sanguinis CF63T (96.4 %). DNA–DNA hybridization revealed <43 % DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and its closest phylogenetic relatives. The affiliation of strain A1T with the genus Brevibacterium was supported by the chemotaxonomic data: predominant quinone menaquinone MK-7(H2); polar lipid profile containing diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid; characteristic cell-wall diamino acid meso-diaminopimelic acid; whole-cell sugars galactose, xylose and ribose; absence of mycolic acids; and major fatty acids iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain A1T from members of the genus Brevibacterium . On the basis of the results in this study, a novel species, Brevibacterium ammoniilyticum sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is A1T ( = KEMC 41-098T  = JCM 17537T  = KACC 15558T).

A novel Gram-stain-positive, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain G8BT, was isolated from water of the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain G8BT were rod-shaped, motile and produced oval endospores at a terminal position in swollen sporangia. Strain G8BT was strictly aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The strain was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–12.5 % (w/v), with optimum growth occurring at 5–7.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 35–40 °C and pH 7.5–8.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain G8BT was shown to belong to the genus Ornithinibacillus within the phylum Firmicutes and showed closest phylogenetic similarity with Ornithinibacillus bavariensis WSBC 24001T (97.6 %). The DNA G+C content of strain G8BT was 36.9 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain G8BT were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, and its polar lipid pattern consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, four unknown phospholipids and an unknown aminolipid. The isoprenoid quinones were MK-7 (98 %) and MK-8 (2 %). Strain G8BT contained a peptidoglycan of type A4β, l-Orn–d-Asp. All these features confirmed the placement of isolate G8BT within the genus Ornithinibacillus . DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low level of relatedness (6 %) between strain G8BT and Ornithinibacillus bavariensis DSM 15681T. On the basis of evidence from this study, a novel species of the genus Ornithinibacillus , Ornithinibacillus halophilus sp. nov., is proposed, with strain G8BT ( = IBRC-M 10683T = KCTC 13822T) as the type strain.

A novel bacterial strain DCY53T was isolated from a soil sample from a ginseng field and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-reaction-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming and motile with flagella. The strain was aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, optimum growth temperature and pH were 30–37 °C and 6.0–7.5, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain DCY53T was shown to belong to the genus Bacillus and the closest phylogenetic relatives were Bacillus pocheonensis KCTC 13943T (98.3 %), Bacillus bataviensis LMG 21833T (98.0 %), Bacillus soli LMG 21838T (97.9 %), Bacillus drentensis LMG 21831T (97.8 %), Bacillus niacini DSM 2923T (97.8 %), Bacillus novalis LMG 21837T (97.7 %), Bacillus vireti LMG 21834T (97.6 %) and Bacillus fumarioli LMG 17489T (97.3 %). The DNA G+C content was 43.6 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA–DNA relatedness with closest relatives was below 55 %. The results of the genotypic analysis in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that DCY53T represented a novel species within the genus Bacillus , for which we propose the name Bacillus ginsengisoli. The type strain is DCY53T ( = KCTC 13945T = JCM 17335T).

A novel Gram-staining-positive, rod-shaped, motile, strictly aerobic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated WCC 4585T, was isolated from a pharmaceutical production line. The organism grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 8 and in the presence of 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Oval endospores were formed subterminally and terminally in swollen sporangia. The cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid (type A1γ) and the genomic DNA G+C content was 38.7 mol%. The major menaquinone was MK-7. The cellular fatty acid profile contained major amounts of iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0, and the cellular phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and aminophospholipid. The isolate was most closely related to Bacillus oceanisediminis H2T, Bacillus infantis SMC 4352-1T, Bacillus firmus NCIMB 9366T, Bacillus circulans ATCC 4513T and Bacillus horneckiae DSM 23495T with which it shared less than 98.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain WCC 4585T and five type strains of related species were ≤27 % and sequence similarity values based on groEL sequences were ≤88.7 %. On the basis of the characteristics presented, strain WCC 4585T is proposed to represent a novel species, Bacillus gottheilii sp. nov. The type strain is WCC 4585T( = DSM 23668T = CCUG 59876T = LMG 25856T).

A Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain xj7T, was isolated from roots of Typha angustifolia L. growing in Beijing Cuihu Wetland, China. The isolate was identified as a member of the genus Paenibacillus based on phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference. The novel strain was spore-forming, motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Optimal growth of strain xj7T occurred at 28–30 °C and pH 7.0–7.5. Diphosphatidylglycerol was the most abundant polar lipid and occurred along with phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown phospholipid and three unknown aminophospholipids. The diamino acid found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acid components were anteiso-C15 : 0 (56.1 %), iso-C16 : 0 (9.1 %), C16 : 0 (8.0 %), iso-C14 : 0 (6.3 %) and iso-C15 : 0 (5.1 %). The G+C content of genomic DNA was 47.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain xj7T fell within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the genus Paenibacillus , its closest neighbours were Paenibacillus borealis KK19T (97.5 %) and Paenibacillus durus DSM 1735T (97.1 %). However, the DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain xj7T and P. borealis KK19T and between strain xj7T and P. durus DSM 1735T, were both 35 %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain xj7T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus , for which the name Paenibacillus typhae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is xj7T ( = CGMCC 1.11012T = DSM 25190T).

Magnetotactic bacteria are a morphologically, metabolically and phylogenetically disparate array of bacteria united by the ability to biomineralize membrane-encased, single-magnetic-domain mineral crystals (magnetosomes) that cause the cell to orientate along the Earth’s geomagnetic field. The most commonly observed type of magnetotactic bacteria is the ubiquitous magnetotactic cocci, which comprise their own phylogenetic group. Strain MC-1T, a member of this group, was isolated from water collected from the oxic–anoxic interface of the Pettaquamscutt Estuary in Rhode Island, USA, and cultivated in axenic culture. Cells of strain MC-1T are roughly spherical, with two sheathed bundles of flagella at a single pole (bilophotrichous). Strain MC-1T uses polar magnetotaxis, and has a single chain of magnetite crystals per cell. Cells grow chemolithoautotrophically with thiosulfate or sulfide as the electron donors, and chemo-organoheterotrophically on acetate. During autotrophic growth, strain MC-1T relies on the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle for CO2 fixation. The DNA G+C content is 54.2 mol%. The new genus and species Magnetococcus marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. are proposed to accommodate strain MC-1T ( = ATCC BAA-1437T  = JCM 17883T), which is nominated as the type strain of Magnetococcus marinus. A new order (Magnetococcales ord. nov.) and family (Magnetococcaceae fam. nov.) are proposed for the reception of Magnetococcus and related magnetotactic cocci, which are provisionally included in the Alphaproteobacteria as the most basal known lineage of this class.