- Volume 63, Issue Pt_6, 2013

Two extremely halophilic archaea, designated YIM 94188T and YIM 94189, were isolated from Qijiaojing lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China and subjected to taxonomic characterization using a polyphasic approach. The cells of the two strains were coccoid, non-motile and Gram-stain-negative. Colonies were pink–white-pigmented and aerobic. Growth occurred at 10–30 % (w/v) NaCl, 20–55 °C and pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum: 20–25 % NaCl, 37–42 °C, pH 6.5–7.0). Magnesium was necessary for growth in the range of 0.2–1.2 M. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains belonged to the genus Halopelagius showing 98.5 % sequence similarity to the closest phylogenetic neighbour, Halopelagius inordinatus RO5-2T. In addition, the DNA–DNA hybridization values of strains YIM 94188T and YIM 94189 to Halopelagius inordinatus RO5-2T were 35.7 % and 37.7 %, respectively. Polar lipid analyses revealed that the two strains contained phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester (PGP-Me), sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-DGD-1) and mannosyl glucosyl diether (DGD-1). The DNA G+C contents of strains YIM 94188T and YIM 94189 were 66.3 mol% and 64.6 mol%, respectively. On the basis of physiological and chemotaxonomic data, and phylogenetic analysis, strains YIM 94188T and YIM 94189 were classified as representing a novel species in the genus Halopelagius . The name Halopelagius fulvigenes sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM 94188T ( = CCTCC AB 2010456T = JCM 17506T) as the type strain.

A novel actinobacterial strain was isolated from a seawater sample collected on Mara Island, Jeju, Republic of Korea. Cells of this organism were aerobic, Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, non-motile cocci that occurred singly or in pairs. Colonies were circular, smooth, convex and white–cream in colour. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism belonged to the family Dermacoccaceae and formed a monophyletic clade between the type strains of Demetria terragena (96.8 % similarity) and Branchiibius hedensis (95.2 % similarity). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained l-lysine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine and serine, indicating that the isolate possessed peptidoglycan type A4α. The whole-cell sugars were galactose, glucose, mannose, xylose, arabinose, ribose and rhamnose. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown phospholipid and five unknown lipids. The cellular fatty acid profile was represented by large amounts of iso-methyl branched and monounsaturated iso- and anteiso-methyl branched acids, along with the presence of a diagnostic 10-methyl acid. The G+C content of the DNA was 71 mol%. On the basis of data from polyphasic analyses presented here, strain MSW-24T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Dermacoccaceae , for which the name Tamlicoccus marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Tamlicoccus marinus is MSW-24T ( = KCTC 19485T = DSM 21415T).

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on two previously unidentified Arcanobacterium -like Gram-positive strains isolated from harbour seals. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that both bacteria belonged to the genus Arcanobacterium and were most closely related to Arcanobacterium haemolyticum CIP 103370T (98.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), A. canis P6775T (97.4 %), A. phocae DSM 10002T (97.4 %), A. pluranimalium M430/94/2T (95.7 %) and A. hippocoleae CCUG 44697T (95.5 %). The presence of the major menaquinone MK-9(H4) supported the affiliation of the isolates with the genus Arcanobacterium . The polar lipid profile consisted of major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified glycolipids. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and summed feature 5 (comprising C18 : 2ω6,9c and/or anteiso-C18 : 0). Physiological and biochemical tests clearly distinguished the isolates from other members of the genus Arcanobacterium . Based on the common origin and various physiological properties comparable to those of A. phocae , it is proposed that the isolates are classified as members of a novel species with the name Arcanobacterium phocisimile sp. nov. The type strain is 2698T ( = LMG 27073T  = CCM 8430T).

A Gram-staining-positive, non-motile, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, vibrio-shaped bacterial strain, CL-TW6T, was isolated from a reservoir seawater sample from a solar saltern in Korea. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CL-TW6T revealed a clear affiliation with the family Microbacteriaceae . Strain CL-TW6T showed the closest phylogenetic relationships with the genera Yonghaparkia and Microcella , with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 94.8–95.3 %. The strain grew in the presence of 1–9 % sea salts, at 15–35 °C and at pH 7.0–9.0. The major cellular fatty acids of strain CL-TW6T were anteiso-C15 : 0 (32.6 %), iso-C16 : 0 (20.4 %), iso-C15 : 0 (13.2 %) and iso-C14 : 0 (11.8 %) and the major menaquinones were MK-9 and MK-10. Cell-wall analysis showed that the peptidoglycan of strain CL-TW6T contained 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, alanine, glycine and glutamic acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CL-TW6T was 60.0 mol%. The combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data showed clearly that strain CL-TW6T could be distinguished from members of the family Microbacteriaceae with validly published names. Thus, strain CL-TW6T should be classified as representing a novel genus and species in the family Microbacteriaceae , for which the name Pontimonas salivibrio gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Pontimonas salivibrio is CL-TW6T ( = KCCM 90105T  = JCM 18206T).

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-J5T was isolated from roots of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that NEAU-J5T is phylogenetically related to members of the family Micromonosporaceae . The whole-cell sugars were galactose, mannose and glucose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C17 : 1ω7c, iso-C15 : 0 and C17 : 0. The phospholipids were phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The DNA G+C content was 72.2 mol%. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and characteristic patterns of 16S rRNA gene signature nucleotides, strain NEAU-J5T represents a novel species of a new genus within the family Micromonosporaceae , for which the name Xiangella phaseoli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Xiangella phaseoli is strain NEAU-J5T ( = CGMCC 4.7038T = DSM 45730T).

Corynebacterium propinquum is a Gram-positive rod occasionally recovered from clinical infections which, according to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, is most closely related (>99 % sequence similarity) to Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum . The two species are very similar biochemically, commonly differentiated by a single test, the detection of urease, where strains of C. propinquum are described as being urease-non-producing and strains of C. pseudodiphtheriticum are described as urease-producing. In this study, historical and contemporary strains of C. propinquum and C. pseudodiphtheriticum from this laboratory were definitively characterized, which included use of rpoB sequencing. Urease-producing strains of C. propinquum as well as typical urease-non-producing isolates were identified after rpoB sequencing, with six of these being originally identified as C. pseudodiphtheriticum . Based on these observations, we propose emendation of the description of C. propinquum to include strains which produce urease. MALDI-TOF analysis may be a useful tool to differentiate these taxa. Existing commercial databases should be updated to include urease-positive strains of C. propinquum .

A novel actinomycete, strain PS33-18T, that formed club-shaped and spherical structures borne on the tip of the aerial mycelia was isolated from a temperate peat swamp forest soil in Phu-Sang National Park, Phayao Province, Thailand. The isolate contained glutamic acid, alanine and meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell sugars of strain PS33-18T were glucose, madurose, mannose, rhamnose and ribose. The characteristic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major cellular fatty acids were C17 : 1ω8c, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain PS33-18T was 71.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain PS33-18T should be classified in the genus Acrocarpospora . The level of similarity between this strain and the closely related species Acrocarpospora macrocephala NBRC 16266T was 98.3 %, Acrocarpospora pleiomorpha NBRC 16267T was 97.9 %, Acrocarpospora corrugata NBRC 13972T was 97.6 %, Herbidospora sakaeratensis NBRC 102641T was 97.6 % and Planotetraspora kaengkrachanensis NBRC 104272T was 97.3 %. DNA–DNA hybridization results and physiological and biochemical properties indicated that strain PS33-18T could be distinguished readily from its closest phylogenetic relatives. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, this strain represents a novel species, for which the name Acrocarpospora phusangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PS33-18T ( = BCC 46906T = NBRC 108782T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain KLBMP 1279T, was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of a coastal halophyte, Salicornia europaea Linn., collected from Jiangsu Province, in the east of China. The taxonomic status of this organism was established using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain KLBMP 1279T was closely related to Modestobacter marinus 42H12-1T (99.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Modestobacter versicolor CP153-2T (98.4 %) and Modestobacter multiseptatus AA-826T (97.5 %). Chemotaxonomic characteristics were consistent with its assignment to the genus Modestobacter in that the isolate had meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall, MK-9(H4) as major menaquinone and a polar lipid profile containing diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, two unknown aminophospholipids and an unknown phospholipid. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c. The DNA G+C content was 71.7 mol%. However, DNA–DNA hybridization assays as well as physiological and biochemical analyses differentiated strain KLBMP 1279T from its closest phylogenetic relatives. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic evidence, the isolate KLBMP 1279T represents a novel species of the genus Modestobacter , for which the name Modestobacter roseus sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is KLBMP 1279T ( = KCTC 19887T = NBRC 108673T = DSM 45764T). An emended description of the genus Modestobacter is also proposed.

A novel Gram-positive, multiloculated thalli-forming, aerobic, actinobacterial strain, CF9/1/1T, was isolated in 2007 during environmental screening for xerophilic fungi in arid desert soil from the Sahara desert, Chad. The isolate grew best at a temperature range of 20–35 °C and at pH 6.0–8.5 and with 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl, forming black-coloured and irregular colonies on GYM agar. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus . The DNA G+C content of the novel strain was 75.4 mol%. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as a diagnostic diamino acid. The main phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, a not yet structurally identified aminophospholipid and a small amount of phosphatidylglycerol; MK-9(H4) was identified as the dominant menaquinone and galactose was a diagnostic sugar. The major cellular fatty acids were branched-chain saturated acids: iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed 94.6–97.0 % sequence similarities with those of five members of the genus: Geodermatophilus ruber DSM 45317T (94.6 %), Geodermatophilus obscurus DSM 43160T (94.8 %), Geodermatophilus siccatus DSM 45419T (96.2 %), Geodermatophilus nigrescens DSM 45408T (96.7 %) and Geodermatophilus arenarius DSM 45418T (97.0 %). Based on the evidence from this polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel species, Geodermatophilus telluris sp. nov., is proposed; the type strain is CF9/1/1T ( = DSM 45421T = CCUG 62764T).

A previously undescribed, slowly growing, non-chromogenic Mycobacterium strain (299T) was isolated from the sputum sample of a patient with a symptomatic pulmonary infection. Phenotypically, strain 299T was generally similar to Mycobacterium koreense DSM 45576T and Mycobacterium triviale ATCC 23292T. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 299T was similar to that of M. koreense DSM 45576T (GenBank accession no. AY734996, 99.5 % similarity); however, it differed substantially from that of M. triviale ATCC 23292T (X88924, 98.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 299T clustered together with M. koreense DSM 45576T and M. triviale ATCC 23292T, supported by high bootstrapping values (99 %). Unique mycolic acid profiles and phylogenetic analysis based on two different chronometer molecules, the hsp65 and rpoB genes, strongly supported the taxonomic status of this strain as representing a distinct species. These data support the conclusion that strain 299T represents a novel mycobacterial species, for which the name Mycobacterium parakoreense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 299T ( = DSM 45575T = KCTC 19818T).

A strictly anaerobic, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated GH1T, was isolated from the rumen of Korean native cattle (HanWoo). Cells were straight to slightly curved rods (2.0–4.5 µm long) and were motile by peritrichous flagella. The isolate grew at 30–45 °C (optimum 40 °C), at pH 5.5–6.5 (optimum pH 6.0) and with up to 3.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain GH1T produced acid from d-glucose, d-ribose and d-xylose, with butyric acid being the major end product. The genomic DNA G+C content was 54.6 mol%. Based on comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain GH1T was most closely related to Oscillibacter valericigenes Sjm18-20T (97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). DNA–DNA hybridization between strain GH1T and O. valericigenes DSM 18026T showed 24 % reassociation. The major fatty acids were iso-C13 : 0 (13.0 %), iso-C15 : 0 (17.6 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (8.4 %) and C14 : 0 (4.1 %), and the cellular fatty acid methyl esters as dimethylacetals (DMAs) were C16 : 0 DMA (17.8 %), iso-C15 : 0 DMA (15.2 %) and C14 : 0 DMA (4.52 %). The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain GH1T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the major cell-wall sugar was galactose. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, phylogenetic analysis, DNA G+C content, DNA–DNA relatedness and distinct phenotypic characteristics, strain GH1T is classified in the genus Oscillibacter as a member of a novel species, for which the name Oscillibacter ruminantium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GH1T ( = KCTC 15176T = NBRC 108824T = JCM 18333T).

A strictly anaerobic, moderately thermophilic, halotolerant rod, designated BELH25T, was isolated from a water sample of a Tunisian hot spring. Cells were non-motile, 2–6 µm long and 0.4–0.6 µm wide, appearing singly or in pairs. The isolate grew at 45–70 °C (optimum 55 °C), at pH 6.2–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0–4 % NaCl (optimum 0–2.0 %). Sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfite, nitrate and nitrite were not used as terminal electron acceptors. Strain BELH25T used cellobiose, fructose, galactose, glucose, maltose, mannose, sucrose, starch and yeast extract as electron donors. The main fermentation products from glucose metabolism were formate, acetate, ethanol and CO2. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 37.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain BELH25T was most closely related to Caloramator viterbiensis JW/MS-VS5T and Fervidicella metallireducens AeBT (92.2 and 92.1 % sequence similarity, respectively), and the isolate was positioned approximately equidistantly between these genera. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain BELH25T is proposed to be a member of a novel species of a novel genus within the order Clostridiales , family Clostridiaceae , for which the name Fonticella tunisiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is BELH25T ( = DSM 24455T = JCM 17559T).

A novel filamentous bacterium, designated strain JIR-001T, was isolated from hemipelagic sediment in deep seawater. This strain was non-motile, Gram-positive, aerobic, heterotrophic and thermophilic; colonies were of infinite form and ivory coloured with wrinkles between the centre and the edge of the colony on ISP2 medium. The isolate grew aerobically at 55–73 °C with the formation of aerial mycelia; spores were produced singly along the aerial mycelium. These morphological features show some similarities to those of the type strains of some species belonging to the family Thermoactinomycetaceae . Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that strain JIR-001T belongs to the family Thermoactinomycetaceae within the class Bacilli . Similarity levels between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JIR-001T and those of the type strains of Thermoactinomycetaceae species were 85.5–93.5 %; highest sequence similarity was with Melghirimyces algeriensis NariEXT. In the DNA–DNA hybridization assays between strain JIR-001T and its phylogenetic neighbours the mean hybridization levels with Melghirimyces algeriensis NariEXT, Planifilum fimeticola H0165T, Planifilum fulgidum 500275T and Planifilum yunnanense LA5T were 5.3–7.5, 2.3–4.7, 2.1–4.8 and 2.5–4.9 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain JIR-001T was 55.1 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, glucolipid, phosphatidylserine, an amino-group containing phospholipid, an unknown phospholipid and two unknown lipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glutamic acid and alanine. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain JIR-001T is considered to represent a novel species in a new genus of the family Thermoactinomycetaceae , for which the name Polycladomyces abyssicola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Polycladomyces abyssicola is JIR-001T ( = JCM 18147T = CECT 8074T).

A hyperthermophilic anaerobic bacterium, designated D2C22T, was isolated from the hydrothermal hot spring of Guelma in north-east Algeria. The isolate was a Gram-stain-positive, non-sporulating, non-motile rod, appearing singly or in pairs (0.3–0.4×8.0–9.0 µm). Strain D2C22T grew anaerobically at 45–85 °C (optimum 65 °C), at pH 5–9 (optimum pH 6.8) and with 0–20 g NaCl l−1. Strain D2C22T used glucose, galactose, lactose, fructose, ribose, xylose, arabinose, maltose, cellobiose, mannose, melibiose, sucrose, xylan and pyruvate (only in the presence of yeast extract or biotrypticase) as electron donors. The end products from glucose fermentation were acetate, lactate, CO2 and H2. Nitrate, nitrite, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfate and sulfite were not used as electron acceptors. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 41.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain D2C22T was most closely related to Caldicoprobacter oshimai JW/HY-331T, Caldicoprobacter algeriensis TH7C1T and Acetomicrobium faecale DSM 20678T (95.5, 95.5 and 95.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain D2C22T is proposed to be a representative of a novel species of the genus Caldicoprobacter within the order Clostridiales , for which the name Caldicoprobacter guelmensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D2C22T ( = DSM 24605T = JCM 17646T).

A novel red-pigmented bacterial strain, designated WS 4628T, was isolated from a pharmaceutical clean room of a vaccine-producing company and was investigated in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. The strain was Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, motile, catalase-positive and produced spherical to slightly ellipsoidal endospores in rods. The genomic DNA G+C content was 44.1 mol%. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 and the predominant quinone was MK-6. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. meso-diaminopimelic acid (type A1γ) was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and the major whole-cell sugars were glucose and ribose. The closest phylogenetic neighbours were identified as Bacillus badius ATCC 14574T (95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Bacillus indicus Sd/3T (94.8 %), Jeotgalibacillus alimentarius YKJ-13T (94.8 %) and Bacillus cibi JG-30T (94.8 %). Phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and morphological differences between strain WS 4628T and its closest relatives in the families Bacillaceae and Planococcaceae suggest that this strain represents a novel species in a new genus in the family Bacillaceae for which the name Domibacillus robiginosus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of the type species is WS 4628T ( = DSM 25058T = LMG 26645T).

A strictly anaerobic, extremely halophilic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from the hypersaline (>20 % NaCl) surface sediments of Sehline Sebkha in Tunisia. The strain, designated 1SehelT, was strictly halophilic and proliferated at NaCl concentrations of between 5 % and 30 % (saturation), with optimal growth at 20 % NaCl. Strain 1SehelT was non-spore-forming, non-motile, appearing singly or in pairs, or occasionally as long chains and measured 0.5–0.8 µm by 3–10 µm. Strain 1SehelT grew optimally at pH values of 7.4 but had a very broad pH range for growth (pH 5.2–9.4). It grew at temperatures between 20 and 50 °C with an optimum at 43 °C. Strain 1SehelT required yeast extract for growth. The isolate fermented glucose, galactose, fructose, glycerol, mannose, maltose, ribose, pyruvate and sucrose. The fermentation products from glucose utilization were lactate, acetate, formate, ethanol, CO2 and H2. The G+C ratio of the DNA was 32.7 mol%. The major fatty acids were C15 : 1ω6c/7c, C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C15 : 0. On the basis of phylogenetic and physiological properties, strain 1SehelT ( = DSM 25582T = JCM 18213T) is proposed as the type strain of Halanaerobium sehlinense sp. nov., within the family Halanaerobiaceae .

A novel anaerobic thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium designated strain LINDBHT1T was isolated from an anaerobic digester treating abattoir wastewaters in Tunisia. Strain LINDBHT1T grew at temperatures between 50 and 65 °C (optimum 55–60 °C), and at pH between 5.9 and 9.2 (optimum pH 6.0–6.8). Strain LINDBHT1T required salt for growth (1–40 g NaCl l−1), with an optimum of 20–30 g l−1. In the presence of sulfate as terminal electron acceptor, strain LINDBHT1T used H2/CO2, propanol, butanol and ethanol as carbon and energy sources but fumarate, formate, lactate and pyruvate were not utilized. Butanol was converted to butyrate, while propanol and ethanol were oxidized to propionate and acetate, respectively. Sulfate, sulfite and thiosulfate were utilized as terminal electron acceptors but elemental sulfur, iron (III), fumarate, nitrate and nitrite were not used. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the small-subunit rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain LINDBHT1T was affiliated to the genus Desulfotomaculum with the type strains of Desulfotomaculum halophilum and Desulfotomaculum alkaliphilum as its closest phylogenetic relatives (about 89 % similarity). This strain represents a novel species of the genus Desulfotomaculum , Desulfotomaculum peckii sp. nov.; the type strain is LINDBHT1T ( = DSM 23769T = JCM 17209T).

A novel sulfate-reducing, strictly anaerobic and endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain A5LFS102T, was isolated from a subsurface landfill sample. The strain was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Optimal growth was observed at 37 °C and pH 7.5 with sulfate as an electron acceptor. Sulfite and thiosulfate were utilized as electron acceptors. The respiratory isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone MK-7. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis assigned strain A5LFS102T to the genus Desulfotomaculum . Both 16S rRNA and dissimilatory sulfate reductase (dsr) genes were compared with those of representative members of the genus Desulfotomaculum . Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain A5LFS102T was closely related to Desulfotomaculum aeronauticum DSM 10349T (94.6 % sequence similarity). The G+C content of the DNA was 45.4 mol%. The total cellular fatty acid profile was dominated by C16 fatty acids. These phenotypic and genotypic data showed that strain A5LFS102T should be recognized as representative of a novel species of the genus Desulfotomaculum , for which the name Desulfotomaculum defluvii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A5LFS102T ( = DSM 23699T = JCM 14036T = MTCC 7767T).