- Volume 63, Issue Pt_8, 2013

A Gram-staining-negative, yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic bacterial strain motile by gliding, designated BS12T, was isolated from a tidal flat at Boseong, Korea. Cells were moderately halotolerant, catalase- and oxidase-positive rods. Growth was observed at 5–40 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 5.5–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–7.5) and in the presence of 1–11 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–4 %). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 1ω9c and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipid pattern comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42.3 mol% and the only respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6. Phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BS12T formed a tight phyletic lineage with members of the genus Gramella . Strain BS12T was most closely related to ‘ Gramella jeungdoensis’ HMD3159 with sequence similarity of 97.5 %, but the DNA–DNA relatedness value between the two strains was only 22.1±2.2 %. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular features, strain BS12T was shown to represent a novel species of the genus Gramella , for which the name Gramella aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BS12T ( = KACC 16188T = JCM 17790T). An emended description of Gramella echinicola is also proposed.

Two rod-shaped, non-motile bacteria were isolated from two separate salt mines in Yunnan, south-western China. These strains, designated YIM D15T and YIM J21T, were Gram-negative and moderately halophilic. The two strains required 6–10 % NaCl (w/v; optimal) for growth. The DNA G+C contents of strains YIM D15T and YIM J21T were 49.0 mol% and 48.4 mol%, respectively. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profiles of strains YIM D15T and YIM J21T were composed predominantly of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown polar lipids and one glycolipid. Minor amounts of other lipids were also detectable. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω9c/10 methyl-C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the two isolates formed a distinct clade with the genus Fodinibius (in the phylum Bacteroidetes ) and were related to the species Fodinibius salinus , with sequence similarities of 91.9–92.4 %. Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains YIM D15T and YIM J21T were related to each other (97.3 % sequence similarity). The DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness between the two isolates was 34 %. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strains YIM D15T and YIM J21T should be classified as members of a novel genus and as two novel species, for which the names Aliifodinibius roseus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain YIM D15T = ACCC 10715T = KCTC 23442T) and Aliifodinibius sediminis sp. nov. (type strain YIM J21T = ACCC 10714T = DSM 21194T) are proposed.

Strain DCY 63T, isolated from the rhizosphere of ginseng, was a Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive rod. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DCY 63T belonged to the genus Chryseobacterium and was closely related to Chryseobacterium indoltheticum LMG 4025T (98.1 %), Chryseobacterium ginsenosidimutans THG 15T (98.0 %) and Chryseobacterium scophthalmum LMG 13028T (97.1 %). The major polar lipids of strain DCY 63T were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), four unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified polar lipids, and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl). The predominant isoprenoid quinone of strain DCY 63T was MK-6 and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 31.6 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain DCY 63T and C. indoltheticum LMG 4025T, C. ginsenosidimutans THG 15T and C. scophthalmum LMG 13028T were less than 30 %. On the basis of these data, strain DCY 63T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium , for which the name Chryseobacterium ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY 63T ( = KCTC 23760T = JCM 18019T). An emended description of Chryseobacterium gleum is also proposed.

A Gram-reaction-negative, non-spore-forming, gliding, non-translucent, colourless or yellow, aerobic and elevated-colony-forming strain, designated E403T, was isolated from the Bashi Channel and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain E403T could grow in the presence of 0.3–8 % (w/v) NaCl, at 16–43 °C and at pH 6–9, and grew optimally at 28 °C, pH 8, in natural seawater medium. The respiratory quinones were MK-6 and MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strain E403T was 37.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of members of the family Flavobacteriaceae showed that strain E403T formed a distinct evolutionary lineage within the stable cluster containing type strains Zhouia amylolytica HN-171T (92.2 % similarity) and Joostella marina En5T (92.4 % similarity). In addition to the large 16S rRNA gene sequence differences, E403T can also be distinguished from the reference type strains J. marina En5T and Sinomicrobium oceani SCSIO 03483T by several phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic properties. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain E403T is suggested to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae , for which the name Pustulibacterium marinum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E403T ( = CCTCC AB2012862T = CGMCC 1.12333T = KCTC 32192T).

A taxonomic study was conducted on strain EM106T, isolated from a sediment sample of the East Sea, Republic of Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain EM106T belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae and is most closely related to Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211T and Winogradskyella ulvae KMM 6390T (97.8 and 97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain EM106T was 33.3 mol%, and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The polar lipids of EM106T were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. DNA–DNA relatedness data indicated that strain EM106T represented a distinct species, separate from W. echinorum KMM 6211T and W. ulvae KMM 6390T. Strain EM106T possessed iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH as the major cellular fatty acids. The isolate was Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, short rod-shaped and motile by gliding. The strain grew at 10–35 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 6.5–9.0 (optimum, 7.5), and with 0.5–5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5–1 % NaCl). The overall physiological features of strain EM106T were very similar to those of W. echinorum KMM 6211T but only strain EM106T had nitrate reductase activity. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain EM106T is proposed to represent a novel species, Winogradskyella pulchriflava. The type strain is EM106T( = KCTC 23858T = NCAIM B 02481T).

A yeast strain was isolated from olive brines in a fermented black olive and olive oil manufacturing plant in the town of Nyons (France). On the basis of domains 1 and 2 (D1/D2) large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequence analyses, the strain CLIB 1303T was found to be closely related, but clearly distinct, from the three existing species of the genus Citeromyces: Citeromyces matritensis, Citeromyces siamensis and Citeromyces haiwaiiensis. Strain CLIB 1303T exhibited 6 bp, 7 bp and 12 bp divergences in the D1/D2 LSU rRNA gene with C. siamensis, C. matritensis and C. hawaiiensis, respectively. ITS region divergence amounted to more than 8 %, 4 % and 4.5 % with C. siamensis, C. matritensis and C. hawaiiensis, respectively, in addition to several indels. Like C. matritensis and C. siamensis strains, strain CLIB 1303T was shown to be halotolerant and osmotolerant. Phenotypically, strain CLIB 1303T can be distinguished from other species of the genus Citeromyces by its inability to assimilate trehalose. The strain CLIB 1303T ( = CBS 12700T) was assigned to a novel species, Citeromyces nyonsensis sp. nov.

The ascomycetous genus Taphrina Fries originally contained more than 90 phytopathogenic microscopic dimorphic ascomycetes causing specific infections in different vascular plants. Although species have mainly been identified historically according to their host and morphological and physiological traits, they can be studied and preserved in the form of yeasts arising from germinating ascospores. Due to low DNA sequence divergence and the lack of available strains, the number of accepted Taphrina species has currently been reduced to 28. The aim of this study is the description of three previously accepted species. Taphrina bullata (type strain CCY 58-4-1 = CBS 12783), Taphrina insititiae (type strain CCY 58-5-1 = CBS 12782) and Taphrina rhizophora (type strain CCY 58-6-1 = CBS 12781), which have been omitted from a recent key. The host range, the divergence of the 26S rRNA gene sequence, internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit (rns) sequence strongly support their reassignment as species.

Two novel yeast species were isolated during three independent studies of yeasts associated with natural substrates in Brazil and Taiwan. Analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene showed that these novel species belong to the Wickerhamiella clade. The first was isolated from freshwater and a leaf of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) in Brazil and from leaves of Wedelia biflora in Taiwan. Described here as Wickerhamiella slavikovae sp. nov., it differs by 56 nucleotide substitutions and 19 gaps in the D1/D2 region of the large subunit rRNA gene from Candida sorbophila, the least divergent species. The second species, named Wickerhamiella goesii sp. nov., was isolated from leaves and the rhizosphere of sugar cane collected in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The species differs by 54 nucleotide substitutions and nine gaps in the D1/D2 domains from Candida drosophilae, its least divergent relative. The type strains are Wickerhamiella slavikovae sp. nov. IMUFRJ 52096T ( = CBS 12417T = DBVPG 8032T) and Wickerhamiella goesii sp. nov. IMUFRJ 52102T ( = CBS 12419T = DBVPG 8034T).

We describe the yeast genus Tortispora gen. nov., an early-diverging lineage in the Saccharomycetales that displays the formation of helical ascospores. The genus is based on 16 strains resembling Candida caseinolytica that were isolated from necrotic plant tissue in warm regions of the New World. Based on sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the nuclear large subunit rRNA gene, as well as other data, the strains are assigned to eight distinct species. The species are nutritionally specialized and share the unusual ability to hydrolyse casein and to grow on 1-butanol as sole carbon source. One species of the proposed new genus produces a simple ascus with a helical ascospore, whereas other species of the clade have failed to form ascospores. All species in the clade, including C. caseinolytica, are assigned to Tortispora gen. nov. The new binomials are Tortispora ganteri sp. nov., type species of the genus (SUB 86-469.5T  = CBS 12581T  = NRRL Y-17035T), Tortispora caseinolytica f.a., comb. nov. (UCD-FST 83-438.3T  = CBS 7781T  = NRRL Y-17796T), Tortispora mauiana f.a., sp. nov. (UWOPS 87-2430.3T  = CBS 12803T  = NRRL Y-48832T), Tortispora agaves f.a., sp. nov. (UWOPS 94-257.6T  = CBS 12794T  = NRRL Y-63662T), Tortispora sangerardonensis f.a., sp. nov. (UWOPS 00-157.1T  = CBS 12795T  = NRRL Y-63663T), Tortispora cuajiniquilana f.a., sp. nov. (UWOPS 99-344.4T  = CBS 12796T  = NRRL Y-63664T), Tortispora starmeri f.a., sp. nov. (G 91-702.5T  = CBS 12793T  = NRRL Y-63665T) and Tortispora phaffii f.a., sp. nov. (UWOPS 91-445.1T  = CBS 12804T  = NRRL Y-48833T). In addition, species formerly assigned to the genus Ascobotryozyma are reassigned to the genus Botryozyma. The genera Trigonopsis, Botryozyma and Tortispora are assigned to the family Trigonopsidaceae fam. nov.

Nine methanol-assimilating yeast strains isolated from olive oil sediments in Slovenia, extra virgin olive oil from Italy and rotten wood collected in Hungary were found to form three genetically separated groups, distinct from the currently recognized yeast species. Sequence analysis from genes of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA, internal transcribed spacer region/5.8S rRNA, large subunit (LSU) rRNA D1/D2 domains and translational elongation factor-1α (EF-1α) revealed that the three closely related groups represent three different undescribed yeast species. Sequence analysis of the LSU rRNA gene D1/D2 domains placed the novel species in the Ogataea clade. The three novel species are designated as Ogataea kolombanensis sp. nov. (type strain: ZIM 2322T = CBS 12778T = NRRL Y-63657T), Ogataea histrianica sp. nov. (type strain: ZIM 2463T = CBS 12779T = NRRL Y-63658T) and Ogataea deakii sp. nov. (type strain: NCAIM Y.01896T = CBS 12735T = NRRL Y-63656T).

A novel Gram-stain-positive, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain E33T, was isolated from water of the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain E33T were motile rods and produced ellipsoidal endospores at a central or subterminal position in swollen sporangia. Strain E33T was a strictly aerobic bacterium, catalase- and oxidase-positive. The strain was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–25 % (w/v), with optimum growth occurring at 5–15 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 40 °C and pH 7.5–8.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain E33T was shown to belong to the genus Bacillus within the phylum Firmicutes and showed the closest phylogenetic similarity with the species Bacillus niabensis 4T19T (99.2 %), Bacillus herbersteinensis D-1-5aT (97.3 %) and Bacillus litoralis SW-211T (97.2 %). The DNA G+C content of the type strain of the novel species was 42.6 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain E33T were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, and the polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unknown glycolipids, an unknown lipid and an unknown phospholipid. The isoprenoid quinones were MK-7 (97 %), MK-6 (2 %) and MK-8 (0.5 %). The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. All these features confirm the placement of isolate E33T within the genus Bacillus . DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed low levels of relatedness between strain E33T and Bacillus niabensis IBRC-M 10590T (22 %), Bacillus herbersteinensis CCM 7228T (38 %) and Bacillus litoralis DSM 16303T (19 %). On the basis of polyphasic evidence from this study, a novel species of the genus Bacillus , Bacillus halosaccharovorans sp. nov. is proposed, with strain E33T ( = IBRC-M 10095T = DSM 25387T) as the type strain.

Four Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccoid isolates that were obtained from donkey oral cavities formed two distinct clonal groups when characterized by phenotypic and phylogenetic studies. From the results of biochemical tests, the organisms were tentatively identified as a streptococcal species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed the organisms to be members of the genus Streptococcus . Two of the isolates were related most closely to Streptococcus ursoris with 95.6 % similarity based on the 16S rRNA gene and to Streptococcus ratti with 92.0 % similarity based on the 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (groEL). The other two isolates, however, were related to Streptococcus criceti with 95.0 and 89.0 % similarities based on the 16S rRNA and groEL genes, respectively. From both phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, the four isolates formed two distinct clonal groups and are suggested to represent novel species of the genus Streptococcus . The names proposed for these organisms are Streptococcus orisasini sp. nov. (type strain NUM 1801T = JCM 17942T = DSM 25193T) and Streptococcus dentasini sp. nov. (type strain NUM 1808T = JCM 17943T = DSM 25137T).

A Gram-positive, spore-forming, aerobic, rod-shaped, xylanolytic bacterium designated strain CC-Alfalfa-35T was isolated from the rhizosphere of Medicago sativa L. in Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain CC-Alfalfa-35T was affiliated to the genus Cohnella . Strain CC-Alfalfa-35T shared 95.3 % pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of the type species of the genus Cohnella ( Cohnella thermotolerans DSM 17683T) besides showing a similarity of 97.4–93.6 % with other recognized species of the genus Cohnella . The DNA–DNA hybridization value between CC-Alfalfa-35T and Cohnella thailandensis KCTC 22296T was 37.7 %±1.7 % (reciprocal value, 55.7 %±3.0 %). Predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile constituted diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified aminophospholipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the DNA G+C content was 58.3 mol%. Strain CC-Alfalfa-35T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the major diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Based on the polar lipid and fatty acid profiles, which were in line with those of C. thermotolerans DSM 17683T, coupled with additional distinguishing genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-Alfalfa-35T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Cohnella , for which the name Cohnella formosensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-Alfalfa-35T ( = JCM 18405T = BCRC 80428T).

Phytoplasmas classified in group 16SrXII infect a wide range of plants and are transmitted by polyphagous planthoppers of the family Cixiidae. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence identity and biological properties, group 16SrXII encompasses several species, including ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense ’, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma japonicum ’ and ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fragariae ’. Other group 16SrXII phytoplasma strains are associated with stolbur disease in wild and cultivated herbaceous and woody plants and with bois noir disease in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.). Such latter strains have been informally proposed to represent a separate species, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’, but a formal description of this taxon has not previously been published. In the present work, stolbur disease strain STOL11 (STOL) was distinguished from reference strains of previously described species of the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma ’ genus based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and a unique signature sequence in the 16S rRNA gene. Other stolbur- and bois noir-associated (‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’) strains shared >99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with strain STOL11 and contained the signature sequence. ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ is the only phytoplasma known to be transmitted by Hyalesthes obsoletus. Insect vectorship and molecular characteristics are consistent with the concept that diverse ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ strains share common properties and represent an ecologically distinct gene pool. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA, tuf, secY and rplV–rpsC gene sequences supported this view and yielded congruent trees in which ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’ strains formed, within the group 16SrXII clade, a monophyletic subclade that was most closely related to, but distinct from, that of ‘Ca. Phytoplasma australiense ’-related strains. Based on distinct molecular and biological properties, stolbur- and bois noir-associated strains are proposed to represent a novel species level taxon, ‘Ca. Phytoplasma solani’; STOL11 is designated the reference strain.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, PN2T, was isolated from a soil sample collected near the Pindari glacier. It contained anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c alcohol as the predominant fatty acids, MK-7 as the major menaquinone and A4α type (l-Lys–d-Glu) peptidoglycan. Based on these characteristics, strain PN2T was assigned to the genus Paenisporosarcina . Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain PN2T within the genus Paenisporosarcina and showed a sequence similarity of 98.5–99.0 % with members of this genus. Paenisporosarcina macmurdoensis CMS 21wT, Paenisporosarcina quisquiliarum SK 55T and Sporosarcina antarctica N-05T were identified as the most closely related species with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.6 %, 99.0 % and 98.4 %, respectively. The values for DNA–DNA relatedness between strain PN2T and P. macmurdoensis , P. quisquiliarum and S. antarctica were below the 70 % threshold value (32.0 %, 42.0 % and 38.0 % respectively). In addition, strain PN2T exhibited a number of phenotypic differences from P. macmurdoensis , P. quisquiliarum and S. antarctica . Based on the cumulative differences, strain PN2T was identified as representing a novel species and the name Paenisporosarcina indica sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain of Paenisporosarcina indica sp. nov. is PN2T (LMG 23933T = JCM 15114T). Furthermore, based on the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the species Sporosarcina antarctica was reclassified as a species of the genus Paenisporosarcina and renamed Paenisporosarcina antarctica comb. nov. In addition, an emended description of the genus Paenisporosarcina is presented.

A Gram-positive-staining, aerobic, endospore-forming bacterium (Ca7T) was isolated from a bioreactor showing extensive phosphorus removal. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain Ca7T was grouped in the genus Bacillus , most closely related to Bacillus nanhaiensis JSM 082006T (100 %), Bacillus barbaricus V2-BIII-A2T (99.2 %) and Bacillus arsenicus Con a/3T (97.7 %). Moderate 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities were found to the type strains of the species Bacillus gelatini and Bacillus rigui (96.4 %), Bacillus macauensis (95.1 %) and Bacillus solisalsi (96.1 %). All these species were grouped into a monophyletic cluster and showed very low sequence similarities (<94 %) to the type species of the genus Bacillus , Bacillus subtilis . The quinone system of strain Ca7T consists predominantly of menaquinone MK-7. The polar lipid profile exhibited the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. In addition, minor compounds of an unidentified phospholipid and an aminophospholipid were detected. No glycolipids were found in strain Ca7T, which was consistent with the lipid profiles of B. nanhaiensis , B. barbaricus , B. arsenicus , B. rigui , B. solisalsi , B. macauensis and B. gelatini , but in contrast to B. subtilis . The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid and the polyamine pattern contained predominantly spermidine and spermine. The major fatty acids, which were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0, supported the grouping of strain Ca7T in the family Bacillaceae . The strain showed DNA–DNA similarities of 48 % (reciprocal 47 %) to B. nanhaiensis DSM 23009T, 31 % (reciprocal 36 %) to B. barbaricus V2-BIII-A2T and 29 % (reciprocal 39 %) to B. arsenicus DSM 15822T, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that strain Ca7T is a representative of a novel species, which can be differentiated from its closest relatives by physiological and biochemical tests. Because of the low sequence similarity of strain Ca7T to B. subtilis , which was shared by B. nanhaiensis , B. barbaricus , B. arsenicus , B. gelatini , B. rigui , B. solisalsi and B. macauensis , and their unique lipid patterns, we propose that strain Ca7T represents a novel species in a novel genus for which the name Fictibacillus phosphorivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Ca7T ( = CCM 8426T = LMG 27063T). In addition we propose the reclassification of B. nanhaiensis , B. barbaricus , B. arsenicus , B. rigui , B. macauensis , B. solisalsi and B. gelatini as Fictibacillus nanhaiensis comb. nov., Fictibacillus barbaricus comb. nov., Fictibacillus arsenicus comb. nov., Fictibacillus rigui comb. nov., Fictibacillus macauensis comb. nov., Fictibacillus solisalsi comb. nov. and Fictibacillus gelatini comb. nov., respectively [type strains JSM 082006T ( = DSM 23009T = KCTC 13712T), V2-BIII-A2T ( = CCM 4982T = DSM 14730T), Con a/3T ( = MTCC 4380T = DSM 15822T = JCM 12167T), WPCB074T ( = KCTC 13278T = JCM 16348T), ZFHKF-1T ( = JCM 13285T = DSM 17262T), YC1T ( = KCTC 13181T = CGMCC 1.6854T) and LMG 21881T ( = DSM 15866T), respectively].

A novel, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic, rod- or coccoid-shaped bacterium, designated strain ORY33T, was isolated from the gut of a camel cricket (Diestrammena coreana). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain ORY33T belonged to the genus Weissella , with highest sequence similarity to Weissella koreensis S-5623T (97.7 %). The strain grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7 in the presence of 0 % (w/v) NaCl. Catalase and oxidase activities were negative. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain ORY33T was 45.1 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain ORY33T and closely related members of the genus Weissella were less than 27 %. The major fatty acids of strain ORY33T were C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0 and C14 : 0. Based on these phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic analyses, strain ORY33T represents a novel species belonging to the genus Weissella , for which the name Weissella diestrammenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ORY33T ( = KACC 16890T = JCM 18559T).

The taxonomic position of three Lactobacillus -like micro-organisms (strains SG293T, SG296 and SG310) isolated from fermented rice grain (Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica) in Japan was investigated. These heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria were Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and did not show catalase activity. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain SG293T revealed that the type strains of Lactobacillus malefermentans (98.3 %), Lactobacillus odoratitofui (96.2 %), Lactobacillus similis (96.1 %), Lactobacillus kimchicus (96.1 %), Lactobacillus paracollinoides (95.9 %) and Lactobacillus collinoides (95.7 %) were the closest neighbours. Additional phylogenetic analysis on the basis of pheS and rpoA gene sequences, as well as biochemical and physiological characteristics, indicated that these three strains were members of the genus Lactobacillus and that the novel isolates had a unique taxonomic position. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c and C19 : 1 cyclo 9,10. Because low DNA–DNA hybridization values among the isolates and Lactobacillus malefermentans JCM 12497T were observed, it is proposed that these unidentified isolates be classified as a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus , Lactobacillus oryzae sp. nov. The type strain is SG293T ( = JCM 18671T = DSM 26518T).

A novel obligately anaerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped mesophilic, halophilic, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, was isolated from sediments of Guaymas Basin. The strain, designated Ra1766G1T, grew at 20–40 °C (optimum, 30–35 °C) and at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 6.5–7.5). It required 0.5–7.5 % NaCl (optimum, 2–3 %) for growth. Sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfite, fumarate, nitrate and nitrite were not used as terminal electron acceptors. Strain Ra1766G1T used cellobiose, glucose, mannose, maltose, arabinose, raffinose, galactose, ribose, sucrose, pyruvate and xylose as electron donors. The main fermentation product from glucose metabolism was acetate. The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso DMA-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The main polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, iso-DMA-C15 : 0 glycolipids and phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 31.2 mol%. The closest phylogenetic relatives of strain Ra1766G1T were Natranaerovirga pectinivora AP3T (92.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Natranaerovirga hydrolytica APP2T(90.2 %) and Defluviitalea saccharophila 6LT2T (88.9 %). On the basis of phylogenetic inference and phenotypic properties, strain Ra1766G1T represents a novel species of a new genus for which the name Vallitalea guaymasensis is proposed. The type strain of the type species is Ra1766G1T ( = DSM 24848T = JCM17997T).