- Volume 64, Issue Pt_12, 2014

A Gram-stain-negative, coccoid- or oval-shaped, gliding bacterial strain, designated HDW-31T, belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria , was isolated from seawater of the Yellow Sea, Korea, and was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain HDW-31T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HDW-31T fell within the clade comprising the genus Altererythrobacter , clustering with the type strains of Altererythrobacter luteolus and Altererythrobacter gangjinensis , with which strain HDW-31T exhibited 97.0 and 96.0 % sequence similarity values, respectively. Sequence similarities to the type strains of the other recognized species of the genus Altererythrobacter were 93.5–96.0 %. The DNA G+C content was 57.9 mol% and mean DNA–DNA relatedness between strain HDW-31T and the type strain of A. luteolus was 5.3 %. Strain HDW-31T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, a sphingoglycolipid, two unidentified glycolipids and an unidentified lipid. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain HDW-31T is distinguishable from recognized species of the genus Altererythrobacter . On the basis of the data presented, strain HDW-31T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Altererythrobacter , for which the name Altererythrobacter aestiaquae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HDW-31T ( = KCTC 42006T = CECT 8527T).

Root nodule bacteria were isolated from Centrolobium paraense Tul. grown in soils from the Amazon region, State of Roraima (Brazil). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of seven strains (BR 10247T, BR 10296, BR 10297, BR 10298, BR 10299, BR 10300 and BR 10301) placed them in the genus Bradyrhizobium with the closest neighbours being the type strains of Bradyrhizobium paxllaeri (98.8 % similarity), Bradyrhizobium icense (98.8 %), Bradyrhizobium lablabi (98.7 %), Bradyrhizobium jicamae (98.6 %), Bradyrhizobium elkanii (98.6 %), Bradyrhizobium pachyrhizi (98.6 %) and Bradyrhizobium retamae (98.3 %). This high similarity, however, was not confirmed by the intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) 16S–23S rRNA region sequence analysis nor by multi-locus sequence analysis. Phylogenetic analyses of five housekeeping genes (dnaK, glnII, gyrB, recA and rpoB) revealed Bradyrhizobium iriomotense EK05T ( = LMG 24129T) to be the most closely related type strain (95.7 % sequence similarity or less). Chemotaxonomic data, including fatty acid profiles [major components being C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (18 : 1ω6c/18 : 1ω7c)], DNA G+C content, slow growth rate and carbon compound utilization patterns, supported the placement of the novel strains in the genus Bradyrhizobium . Results of DNA–DNA relatedness studies and physiological data (especially carbon source utilization) differentiated the strains from the closest recognized species of the genus Bradyrhizobium . Symbiosis-related genes for nodulation (nodC) and nitrogen fixation (nifH) placed the novel species in a new branch within the genus Bradyrhizobium . Based on the current data, these seven strains represent a novel species for which the name Bradyrhizobium neotropicale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BR 10247T ( = HAMBI 3599T).

A strictly aerobic, light-yellow-coloured, stalked bacterium, designated strain ZFGT-14T, was isolated from the root of Geum aleppicum Jacq. collected from Taibai Mountain in Shaanxi province, north-west China, and was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. This novel isolate grew at 7–33 °C (optimum 25–28 °C) and pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum pH 7.0–8.0). Flexirubin-type pigments were not produced. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and motile with a single polar flagellum. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and glycolipids. The DNA G+C content was 57.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ZFGT-14T was most closely related to the genus Asticcacaulis and had low sequence similarity (95.0–95.9 %) with all species with validly published names within the genus Asticcacaulis . Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, strain ZFGT-14T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Asticcacaulis , for which the name Asticcacaulis endophyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZFGT-14T ( = CCTCC AB 2013012T = KCTC 32296T = LMG 27605T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated RSS1-M3T, was isolated from a golden sea squirt (Halocynthia aurantium) collected from the East Sea, South Korea. Strain RSS1-M3T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain RSS1-M3T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.55 %) to the type strain of Pelagicola litoralis . Neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain RSS1-M3T clustered with the type strains, or proposed type strains, of Planktotalea frisia , Pacificibacter maritimus , Roseovarius marinus and Halocynthiibacter namhaensis , showing sequence similarity of 94.88–96.32 %. Strain RSS1-M3T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipid profile of strain RSS1-M3T, containing phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid as major components, could be distinguished from those of the phylogenetically related genera. The DNA G+C content of strain RSS1-M3T was 55.8 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic properties, strain RSS1-M3T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the class Alphaproteobacteria , for which the name Ascidiaceihabitans donghaensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RSS1-M3T ( = KCTC 42118T = CECT 8599T).

A bacterial strain, designated GAU11T, was isolated from soil in Japan. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile rods. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain GAU11T showed high similarity to those of Comamonas zonglianii BF-3T (98.8 %), Pseudacidovorax intermedius CC21T (96.4 %), Acidovorax caeni R-24608T (96.2 %), Alicycliphilus denitrificans K601T (96.2 %), Pseudorhodoferax soli TBEA3T (95.9 %) and Comamonas terrigena LMG 1253T (95.9 %). Strain GAU11T contained ubiquinone 8 as the sole ubiquinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids. Its major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The DNA G+C content of strain GAU11T was 68.2 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain GAU11T and C. zonglianii DSM 22523T was 52 or 68 % (reciprocal value). Phenotypic characterization indicated that strain GAU11T represents a member of the genus Comamonas , but at the same time distinguished it from C. zonglianii DSM 22523T. From polyphasic characterization, this strain should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Comamonas , for which the name Comamonas humi sp. nov. (type strain GAU11T = JCM 19903T = DSM 28451T) is proposed.

A novel, moderately thermophilic, bacterial strain (skMP5T) was isolated from sediment of a freshwater lake in Japan. The cells were rod-shaped, motile and Gram-stain-negative. Growth was observed at temperatures ranging from 25 to 52 °C, with optimum growth observed at 48–50 °C. The pH range for growth was pH 5.0–8.2, with optimum growth at pH 6.0–7.0. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 72 mol%. The major components in the fatty acid profile were iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of the strain was ubiquinone Q-8. The strain was facultatively anaerobic, and reduced nitrate to nitrite under anoxic conditions. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate was a member of the family Xanthomonadaceae within the class Gammaproteobacteria , showing highest sequence similarity with Tahibacter aquaticus RaM5-2 (93.6 %) and Metallibacterium scheffleri DKE6T (93.3 %). On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic properties, strain skMP5T represents a novel species of a new genus, Mizugakiibacter sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of the type species is skMP5T ( = DSM 27098T = NBRC 109608T).

A nitrogen-fixing marine bacterium, designated strain Gal22T, was isolated from mangrove roots of Rhizophora mangle. Cells were Gram-stain-negative rods, motile with a single polar flagellum. Growth was observed at 4–42 °C, pH 5.5 to 10 and with 0–18 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain Gal22T was positive for catalase and oxidase. Q-8 was the predominant lipoquinone. The DNA G+C content was 57.0 mol%. Based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene, strain Gal22T belongs to the genus Marinobacterium . The closely related strains were shown to be Marinobacterium lutimaris DSM 22012T and Marinobacterium litorale IMCC1877T with 99 % and 96 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. DNA–DNA relatedness analysis indicated that strain Gal22T was different from M. lutimaris DSM 22012T. On the basis of genotypic, morphological and biochemical characteristics, a novel species, Marinobacterium mangrovicola sp. nov. (type strain, Gal22T = DSM 27697T = CIP 110653T), is proposed.

A translucent, white, Gram-reaction-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-flagellated, slightly curved or curved bacterial strain, designated YT8T, was isolated from the fresh water of the Maotai section of Chishui River, China. Cells were catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YT8T is a member of the genus Arenimonas with similarity to other members of this genus ranging from 93.7 to 95.0 %. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8), major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified polar lipids, while major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strain YT8T was 66.6 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic features studied, strain YT8T is suggested to represent a novel species of the genus Arenimonas , for which the name Arenimonas maotaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YT8T ( = CGMCC 1.12726T = JCM 19710T).

We previously reported the presence of an OXA-23 carbapenemase in an undescribed species of the genus Acinetobacter isolated from horse dung at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium. Here we include six strains to corroborate the delineation of this taxon by phenotypic characterization, DNA–DNA hybridization, 16S rRNA gene and rpoB sequence analysis, % G+C determination, MALDI-TOF MS and fatty acid analysis. The nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain UG 60467T showed the highest similarities with those of the type strains of Acinetobacter bouvetii (98.4 %), Acinetobacter haemolyticus (97.7 %), and Acinetobacter schindleri (97.2 %). The partial rpoB sequence of strain UG 60467T showed the highest similarities with ‘Acinetobacter bohemicus’ ANC 3994 (88.6 %), A. bouvetii NIPH 2281 (88.6 %) and A. schindleri CIP 107287T (87.3 %). Whole-cell MALDI-TOF MS analyses supported the distinctness of the group at the protein level. The predominant fatty acids of strain UG 60467T were C12 : 0 3-OH, C12 : 0, C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). Strains UG 60467T and UG 60716 showed a DNA–DNA relatedness of 84 % with each other and a DNA–DNA relatedness with A. schindleri LMG 19576T of 17 % and 20 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain UG 60467T was 39.6 mol%. The name Acinetobacter gandensis sp. nov. is proposed for the novel taxon. The type strain is UG 60467T ( = ANC 4275T = LMG 27960T = DSM 28097T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, mesophilic, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 2-3T, was isolated from surface seawater at Muroto city, Kochi prefecture, Japan. This strain grew well with starch. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain fell within the family Rhodobacteraceae and that the strain was related most closely to the genus Pacificibacter (94.0 % sequence similarity to the type strain). The DNA G+C content was 52.4 mol%. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C14 : 0 and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. Strain 2-3T did not grow at 4 or 35 °C, while the type strain of the type species of the genus Pacificibacter grows at both temperatures. From the taxonomic data obtained in this study, it is proposed that strain 2-3T be placed into a novel genus and species named Amylibacter marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. in the family Rhodobacteraceae . The type strain of Amylibacter marinus is 2-3T ( = NBRC 110140T = LMG 28364T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated and rod-shaped or ovoid bacterial strain, designated RA1T, was isolated from faeces collected from Beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) in Yeosu aquarium, South Korea. Strain RA1T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain RA1T joins the cluster comprising the type strains of three species of the genus Amphritea , with which it exhibited 95.8–96.0 % sequence similarity. Sequence similarities to the type strains of other recognized species were less than 94.3 %. Strain RA1T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain RA1T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified lipids and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain RA1T was 47.4 mol%. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain RA1T is separated from other species of the genus Amphritea . On the basis of the data presented, strain RA1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Amphritea , for which the name Amphritea ceti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RA1T ( = KCTC 42154T = NBRC 110551T).

A Gram-staining-negative, motile by flagella, non-pigmented, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-producing, strictly aerobic and sphere-shaped bacterium, IMCC3490T, was isolated from a coastal seawater sample from the Antarctic Peninsula. Optimal growth of strain IMCC3490T was observed at 20 °C, pH 8.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain IMCC3490T belonged to the genus Granulosicoccus in the family Granulosicoccaceae . The strain was closely related to Granulosicoccus antarcticus IMCC3135T (98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Granulosicoccus coccoides Z 271T (98.5 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness values between IMCC3490T and type strains of the two species of the genus were far lower than 70 %, which indicated strain IMCC3490T is a novel genomic species of the genus Granulosicoccus . The major fatty acids of strain IMCC3490T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The isoprenoid quinone detected was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was 61.0 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses, DNA–DNA relatedness values and phenotypic data, it is suggested that strain IMCC3490T represents a novel species of the genus Granulosicoccus , for which the name Granulosicoccus marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMCC3490T ( = KACC 17483T = NBRC 109704T). An emended description of the genus Granulosicoccus is also provided.

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming coccoid bacteria (strains F8/08-60T and F8/08-61) isolated from clinical specimens obtained from baboons (Papio spp.) that had delivered stillborn offspring were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, both strains, which possessed identical sequences, were assigned to the genus Brucella . This placement was confirmed by extended multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA), where both strains possessed identical sequences, and whole-genome sequencing of a representative isolate. All of the above analyses suggested that the two strains represent a novel lineage within the genus Brucella . The strains also possessed a unique profile when subjected to the phenotyping approach classically used to separate species of the genus Brucella, reacting only with Brucella A monospecific antiserum, being sensitive to the dyes thionin and fuchsin, being lysed by bacteriophage Wb, Bk2 and Fi phage at routine test dilution (RTD) but only partially sensitive to bacteriophage Tb, and with no requirement for CO2 and no production of H2S but strong urease activity. Biochemical profiling revealed a pattern of enzyme activity and metabolic capabilities distinct from existing species of the genus Brucella . Molecular analysis of the omp2 locus genes showed that both strains had a novel combination of two highly similar omp2b gene copies. The two strains shared a unique fingerprint profile of the multiple-copy Brucella-specific element IS711. Like MLSA, a multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) showed that the isolates clustered together very closely, but represent a distinct group within the genus Brucella . Isolates F8/08-60T and F8/08-61 could be distinguished clearly from all known species of the genus Brucella and their biovars by both phenotypic and molecular properties. Therefore, by applying the species concept for the genus Brucella suggested by the ICSP Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Brucella, they represent a novel species within the genus Brucella , for which the name Brucella papionis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain F8/08-60T ( = NCTC 13660T = CIRMBP 0958T).

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated SP-35T, was isolated from compost and was subjected to a taxonomic study. This isolate was short-rod-shaped and non-spore-forming. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequence comparison indicated the isolate was related to the genus Comamonas . 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that its closest neighbours were the type strains Comamonas odontotermitis Dant 3-8T (96.8 % similarity), Comamonas testosteroni DSM 50244T (96.5 %), Comamonas guangdongensis CY01T (95.9 %) and Comamonas composti YY287T (95.6 %). Using phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization, fatty acid composition data and a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics we could clearly distinguish strain SP-35T from type strains of the genus Comamonas . The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SP-35T was 63.1 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidlyglycerol. Differences in phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics support the classification of strain SP-35T as a representative of a novel species in the genus Comamonas , for which the name Comamonas serinivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SP-35T ( = DSM 26136T = JCM 18194T).

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain P73T, which was isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Indian Ocean by enrichment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The strain was able to degrade biphenyl, naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, anthracene, phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene, dibenzofuran, fluorene, 4-methyldibenzothiophene and fluoranthene, but not pyrene or chrysene. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain P73T formed a clade with the genera Celeribacter and Huaishuia within the family Rhodobacteraceae , with highest sequence similarity of 96.98 % to Celeribacter neptunius H 14T, followed by Huaishuia halophila ZXM137T (96.42 %). The bacterium was Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, rod-shaped and non-motile. Growth was observed at salinities from 0.5 to 12 % and at temperatures from 10 to 41 °C. The principal fatty acids (>10 %) of strain P73T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c) and C19 : 0ω8c cyclo. The sole respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, one unknown aminolipid, one unknown phospholipid and one unknown lipid; a second unknown phospholipid and one unknown glycolipid were present as minor components. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 66.0 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain P73T represents a novel species of the genus Celeribacter , for which the name Celeribacter indicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P73T ( = MCCC 1A01112T = LMG 27600T = DSM 27257T). Phylogenetic study and existing phenotypic information also show that Huaishuia halophila should be transferred to the genus Celeribacter as Celeribacter halophilus comb. nov. (type strain ZXM137T = MCCC 1A06432T = CGMCC 1.8891T = LMG 24854T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, coccoid- or oval-shaped bacterial strain, designated S-5T, belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria , was isolated from a tidal flat sediment of the Yellow Sea, Korea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain S-5T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S-5T fell within the clade comprising the species of the genus Erythrobacter , clustering with the type strains of Erythrobacter pelagi , Erythrobacter citreus and Erythrobacter seohaensis with which it exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.0–96.7 %). The DNA G+C content was 66.0 mol%. Strain S-5T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C17 : 1ω6c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid and two unidentified lipids. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain S-5T is distinguishable from other species of the genus Erythrobacter . On the basis of the data presented, strain S-5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Erythrobacter , for which the name Erythrobacter lutimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-5T ( = KCTC 42109T = CECT 8624T).

A Gram-stain-negative, coccoid- or short-rod-shaped and non-gliding bacterial strain, designated CDM-7T, was isolated from the zone where the ocean meets a freshwater spring at Jeju island, South Korea, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain CDM-7T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CDM-7T falls within the clade comprising species of the genus Defluviimonas, clustering with the type strain of Defluviimonas aestuarii , with which it exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value (98.4 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain CDM-7T and the type strains of Defluviimonas denitrificans and Defluviimonas indica were 97.1 and 96.2 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 66.8 mol% and the mean DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain CDM-7T and the type strains of D. aestuarii and D. denitrificans were 15.6±2.5 and 6.7±3.2 %, respectively. Strain CDM-7T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) as the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified lipid. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain CDM-7T is distinguishable from other species of the genus Defluviimonas . On the basis of the data presented, strain CDM-7T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Defluviimonas , for which the name Defluviimonas aquaemixtae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CDM-7T ( = KCTC 42108T = CECT 8626T).

A Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated H7T, was isolated from the Gobi desert, Xinjiang Province of China. The temperature, NaCl and pH ranges for growth were 8–40 °C (optimum 30 °C), 0–5 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 6–10 (optimum pH 7), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain H7T belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and showed highest sequence similarity (91 %) to Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850. The genomic DNA G+C content was 44.3 mol%. MK-7 was identified as the predominant respiratory quinone. Strain H7T contained C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids. These data support the affiliation of strain H7T to the genus Sphingobacterium while phenotypic data indicated it is a representative strain of a novel species for which the name Sphingobacterium gobiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H7T ( = ACCC 05757T = KCTC 32293T).