- Volume 64, Issue Pt_1, 2014

A novel exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium, designated strain SE3T, was isolated from Pacific Ocean sediment. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, motile, strictly aerobic, oxidase-positive and catalase-positive, and required Na+ for growth. Its major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8), and its cellular fatty acid profile mainly consisted of C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. The DNA G+C content was 46.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis suggested that strain SE3T is a member of the genus Pseudoalteromonas . Strain SE3T exhibited close phylogenetic affinity to Pseudoalteromonas arabiensis JCM 17292T (99.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica LMEB 39T (98.39 %) and Pseudoalteromonas donghaensis HJ51T (97.65 %). The DNA–DNA reassociation values between strain SE3T and P. arabiensis JCM 17292T, P. lipolytica JCM 15903T and P. donghaensis LMG 24469T were 31, 26 and 44 %, respectively. Owing to the significant differences in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and DNA–DNA relatedness data, the new isolate merits classification as a representative of novel species, for which the name Pseudoalteromonas shioyasakiensis is proposed. The type strain is SE3T ( = JCM 18891T = NCIMB 14852T).

Two marine bacteria, designated strains MBE#61T and MBE#74T, were isolated from a piece of sunken bamboo in the marine environment in Japan. Both of these strains were Gram-stain-negative, but had different cell shapes: MBE#61T was spiral, whereas MBE#74T was rod-shaped. The temperature, pH and salt concentration ranges for growth of strain MBE#61T were 4–38 °C (optimal at 32 °C), pH 4.5–11.0 (optimal at pH 7.0–8.0) and 1–11 % (optimal at 2 %) NaCl, whereas those of strain MBE#74T were 4–36 °C (optimal at 30 °C), pH 4.0–10.5 (optimal at pH 7.0–8.0) and 1–12 % (optimal at 4 %) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that both strains belong to the genus Thalassospira within the class Alphaproteobacteria . Similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MBE#61T and those of the type strains of species of the genus Thalassospira was 97.5–99.0 %, and that of strain MBE#74T was 96.9–98.6 %; these two isolates were most closely related to Thalassospira lucentensis QMT2T. However, the DNA–DNA hybridization values between T. lucentensis QMT2T and strain MBE#61T or MBE#74T were only 16.0 % and 7.1 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain MBE#61T was 54.4 mol%, and that of strain MBE#74T was 55.9 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of the two strains was Q-10 (MBE#61T, 97.3 %; MBE#74T, 93.5 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain MBE#61T were C18 : 1ω7c (31.1 %), summed feature 3 comprising C16 : 0ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (26.1 %) and C16 : 0 (20.9 %); those of strain MBE#74T were C16 : 0 (26.2 %), C17 : 0 cyclo (19.9 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (12.1 %). On the basis of these results, strain MBE#61T and strain MBE#74T are considered to represent novel species of the genus Thalassospira , for which names Thalassospira alkalitolerans sp. nov. and Thalassospira mesophila sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are MBE#61T ( = JCM 18968T = CECT 8273T) and MBE#74T ( = JCM 18969T = CECT 8274T), respectively. An emended description of the genus Thalassospira is also proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped bacterium, designated 26DY36T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the North Atlantic Rise. The isolate required NaCl and grew best with 2 % (w/v) sea salts at a temperature of 30–35 °C and at pH 7.0. It formed yellow colonies, produced carotenoid-like pigments and did not produce bacteriochlorophyll a. Strain 26DY36T was positive for hydrolysis of aesculin, gelatin, tyrosine and Tweens 20, 40, 60 and 80, but negative for hydrolysis of casein, DNA and starch. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major polar lipid profile consisted of sphingoglycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and two unidentified glycolipids. The principal fatty acids (>5 %) were C18 : 1ω7c, C17 : 1ω6c, C15 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 59.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 26DY36T should be assigned to the genus Altererythrobacter . 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between the isolate and the type strains of species of the genus Altererythrobacter were in the range 92.7–96.5 %. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain 26DY36T represents a novel species of the genus Altererythrobacter , for which the name Altererythrobacter atlanticus sp. nov. (type strain, 26DY36T = CGMCC 1.12411T = JCM 18865T) is proposed.

A bacterial strain, designated strain LP01T, was isolated from a laboratory-scale microcosm packed with a mixture of soil and sewage sludge compost designed to study the evolution of microbial biodiversity over time. The bacterial strain was selected for its potential ability to store polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) as intracellular granules. The cells were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-endospore-forming motile rods. Phylogenetically, the strain was classified within the genus Massilia , as its 16S rRNA gene sequence had similarity of 99.2 % with respect to those of Massilia albidiflava DSM 17472T and M. lutea DSM 17473T. DNA–DNA hybridization showed low relatedness of strain LP01T to the type strains of other, phylogenetically related species of the genus Massilia . It contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) as the major fatty acid(s). It was found to contain small amounts of the fatty acids C18 : 0 and C14 : 0 2-OH, a feature that served to distinguish it from its closest phylogenetic relatives within the genus Massilia . The DNA G+C content was 66.0 mol%. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data obtained in this study suggest that strain LP01T represents a novel species of the genus Massilia , for which the name Massilia umbonata sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LP01T ( = CECT 7753T = DSM 26121T).

A newly isolated facultatively methylotrophic bacterium (strain 3tT) was investigated. Cells of the isolate were Gram-stain-negative, asporogenous, non-motile rods that multiplied by binary fission. The strain utilized methanol, methylamine and a variety of multicarbon compounds as carbon and energy sources. Growth occurred at pH 6.5–8.5 (optimally at 7.0–7.5) and at 10–45 °C (optimally at 30–37 °C). The major fatty acids of methanol-grown cells were C16 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. The predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The major ubiquinone was Q-8. Strain 3tT possessed pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-linked methanol dehydrogenase and assimilated C1 units at the level of formaldehyde and CO2 via the serine cycle. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 63.6 mol% (T m). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.1 %) and rather low DNA–DNA relatedness (30 %) with the type strain of the type species of the genus Methyloversatilis ( Methyloversatilis universalis FAM5T), and physiological and biochemical characteristics, the isolate was classified as a representative of a new species of the genus and named Methyloversatilis thermotolerans 3tT ( = VKM B-2692T = CCUG 61694T = DSM 25156T).

Comparative phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genetic analysis revealed significant similarities among strains of the genera Tepidiphilus and Petrobacter . Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and DNA–DNA relatedness of the type strains Tepidiphilus margaritifer N2-214T and Petrobacter succinatimandens 4BONT showed sequence similarity of 98.9 % and less than 40 % relatedness, indicating that these strains represent different species of same genus. Both strains had phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids. Their fatty acid profiles were almost identical, with the predominant fatty acids C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. In view of this, we propose to transfer the member of the genus Petrobacter to the genus Tepidiphilus as Tepidiphilus succinatimandens comb. nov. and to emend the description of the genus Tepidiphilus . Further, a novel bacterium, strain JHK30T, was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring located at Jharkhand, India, and was identified following a polyphasic approach. Cells were non-sporulating, aerobic, Gram-stain-negative rods and motile by a single polar flagellum. Optimum temperature for growth was 50–55 °C at pH 6.5–7.0. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed 99.71 % similarity with P. succinatimandens 4BONT ( = DSM 15512T) and 98.71 % with T. margaritifer N2-214T ( = DSM 15129T). However, DNA–DNA relatedness of strain JHK30T with these two type strains was well below 70 %. The DNA G+C base composition was 66.1 mol%. Strain JHK30T represents a novel species of the genus Tepidiphilus for which the name Tepidiphilus thermophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JHK30T ( = JCM 19170T = LMG 27587T= DSM 27220T).

Two bacterial strains, designated JS4-4T and SHS5-24T, were isolated from forest soil of Jeju Island and fresh water of Seoho lake in Suwon city, respectively, South Korea. Both strains were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile rods. Strains JS4-4T and SHS5-24T showed high sequence similarities (97.6–95.8 %) and (96.5–95.6 %), respectively, to the members of the genus Undibacterium . The sequence similarity between strains JS4-4T and SHS5-24T was 97.0 %. A phylogenetic tree showed that these strains fell within the radius of the genus Undibacterium . The main fatty acids of strains JS4-4T and SHS5-24T were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) (50.1 and 58.7 %, respectively) and C16 : 0 (28.3 and 24.5 %, respectively). Both strains had ubiquinone 8 as the only respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. Strain JS4-4T showed <70 % DNA–DNA hybridization with members of the genus Undibacterium . Thus, based on the evidence of a polyphasic study, it is proposed that strains JS4-4T and SHS5-24T represent two novel species, for which the names Undibacterium jejuense sp. nov. (type strain JS4-4T = KACC 12607T = NBRC 108922T) and Undibacterium seohonense sp. nov. (type strain SHS5-24T = KACC 16656T = NBRC 108929T) are proposed.

Several fast-growing strains nodulating Vicia faba in Peru, Spain and Tunisia formed a cluster related to Rhizobium leguminosarum . The 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical to that of R. leguminosarum USDA 2370T, whereas rpoB, recA and atpD gene sequences were phylogenetically distant, with sequence similarities of less than 96 %, 97 % and 94 %, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization analysis showed a mean relatedness value of 43 % between strain FB206T and R. leguminosarum USDA 2370T. Phenotypic characteristics of the novel strains also differed from those of the closest related species of the genus Rhizobium . Therefore, based on genotypic and phenotypic data obtained in this study, we propose to classify this group of strains nodulating Vicia faba as a novel species of the genus Rhizobium named Rhizobium laguerreae sp. nov. The type strain is FB206T ( = LMG 27434T = CECT 8280T).

A horseshoe-shaped, orange-pigmented strain, HMD3055T, was isolated from a solar saltern in Korea. Strain HMD3055T grew optimally at 25 °C and with a salt concentration of 3–5 %. The predominant quinone of strain HMD3055T was menaquinone (MK)-7. The major fatty acids of strain HMD3055T were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or 10-methyl C16 : 0). The polar lipids of HMD3055T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid and five unidentified polar lipids. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMD3055T formed a distinct lineage within the genus Cyclobacterium . Strain HMD3055T was closely related to Cyclobacterium lianum (95.8 %), Cyclobacterium lianum HY9T (95.8 %), C. marinum DSM 745T (93.2 %) and C. amurskyense KMM6143T (92.6 %) form a distinct lineage from other members of the genus Cyclobacterium . The DNA G+C content of strain HMD3055T was 45.6 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, it is concluded that strain HMD3055T represents a novel species of the genus Cyclobacterium , for which the name Cyclobacterium jeungdonense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMD3055T ( = KCTC 23150T = CECT 7706T).

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain 22II14-10F7T, which was isolated from the deep-sea water of the Atlantic Ocean with oil-degrading enrichment. The bacterium was Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive and rod-shaped. Growth was observed at salinities from 0.5 to 15 % and at temperatures from 4 to 37 °C; it was unable to hydrolyse Tween 40, 80 or gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 22II14-10F7T represented a member of the genus Zunongwangia , with highest sequence similarity of 97.3 % to Zunongwangia profunda SM-A87T, while the similarities to other species were all below 94.0 %. The DNA–DNA hybridization estimate of the similarity between strain 22II14-10F7T and Z. profunda SM-A87T was 27.20±2.43 % according to their genome sequences. The principal fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 , iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/ω6c) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c or C16 : 0 10-methyl). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 35.5 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-6. Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), two aminolipids (AL1 and AL2) and five unknown lipids (L1–L5) were present. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain 22II14-10F7T represents a novel species of the genus Zunongwangia , for which the name Zunongwangia atlantica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 22II14-10F7T ( = CGMCC1.12470T = LMG 27421T = MCCC 1A06481T).

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated HMC4223T, was isolated from a tidal flat in Taean, Republic of Korea. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMC4223T formed a lineage within the genus Algoriphagus and exhibited highest sequence similarity to Algoriphagus hitonicola 7-UAHT (96.3 %). The major fatty acids of strain HMC4223T were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c). The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and five unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain HMC4223T was 48.4 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMC4223T represents a novel species of the genus Algoriphagus , for which the name Algoriphagus taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain HMC4223T ( = KCTC 22709T = NBRC 105728T). An emended description of Algoriphagus hitonicola is also presented.

A novel strain designated MRP-15T, belonging to the class Sphingobacteriia (phylum Bacteroidetes ), was isolated from the rhizoplane of Dioscorea japonica in South Korea and was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. The strain was found to comprise Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain belonged to the genus Chitinophaga but was clearly separated from established species of the genus Chitinophaga . 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain MRP-15T and type strains of established species of the genus Chitinophaga ranged from 90.3 to 97.8 %. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data (major menaquinone, MK-7; major fatty acids, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1ω5c) supported the affiliation of strain MRP-15T with the genus Chitinophaga . Therefore strain MRP-15T represents a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga , for which the name Chitinophaga polysaccharea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MRP-15T ( = KACC 17184T = NCAIMB 02530T).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, yellow-pigmented and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain WB5T, was isolated from the intestinal tract of an abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, collected from the northern coast of Jeju in Korea. The isolate grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7 and in the presence of 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain WB5T was clustered in the genus Cloacibacterium and shared the highest sequence similarity with C. normanense (98.2 % similarity). The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. Menaquinone-6 was the major respiratory quinone. The genomic DNA G+C content was 29.6 mol%. The DNA–DNA hybridization values indicated <22 % genomic relatedness with other members of the genus Cloacibacterium . The results of physiological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses showed that strain WB5T represents a novel species of the genus Cloacibacterium , for which the name Cloacibacterium haliotis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WB5T ( = KACC 17210T = JCM 18869T).

A Gram-staining-negative, chemoheterotrophic, yellow-pigmented, gliding, catalase- and oxidase-positive, flexirubin-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain IMCC9485T, was isolated from a seawater sample collected from the Arctic Ocean. Optimal growth of strain IMCC9485T was observed at 25 °C, pH 7–8 and in the presence of 1.5–2.5 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain IMCC9485T belonged to the genus Formosa and was closely related to Formosa algae KCTC 12364T (98.2 %) and Formosa agariphila KCTC 12365T (98.0 %). DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and F. algae and F. agariphila was far lower than 70 %, which indicated that strain IMCC9485T is a novel genomic species of the genus Formosa . The major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C15 : 1G (13.7 %), C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (13.4 %) and iso-C15 : 0 (12.3 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.6 mol%. Strain IMCC9485T contained menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminophospholipids and unknown polar lipids as polar lipid constituents. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and differential phenotypic characteristics, it is suggested that strain IMCC9485T ( = KACC 17484T = KCCM 42937T = NBRC 106080T) be assigned to the genus Formosa as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Formosa arctica sp. nov. is proposed.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, strictly aerobic strain with gliding motility, designated XH134T, was isolated from surface seawater of the South Pacific Gyre (45° 58′ S 163° 11′ W) during the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 329. The major respiratory quinone of strain XH134T was MK-6. The dominant fatty acids of strain XH134T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and 10-methyl C16 : 0 and/or iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The polar lipids of strain XH134T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid and three unknown polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain XH134T was 32.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain was related most closely to Aquimarina macrocephali JAMB N27T with 96.9 % sequence similarity. A number of phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain XH134T from described members of the genus Aquimarina . On the basis of combined phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain XH134T represents a novel species of the genus Aquimarina , for which the name Aquimarina megaterium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XH134T ( = CGMCC 1.12186T = JCM 18215T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming and gliding marine bacterium, designated strain CC-AMZ-304T, was isolated from coastal surface seawater near Taichung harbour, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMZ-304T predominantly synthesized zeaxanthin and thus formed yellow colonies on marine agar. The novel strain showed an unstable phylogenetic position, although sharing high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.9–94.9, 95.7 and 95.1–93.9 % with Gaetbulibacter species (n = 4), Aestuariibaculum suncheonense SC17T and Bizionia species (n = 7), respectively. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMZ-304T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified lipids, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified glycolipid. The major (>5 % of the total) fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and C15 : 1ω5c. The DNA G+C content was 36.0 mol%. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone and the major polyamine was triamine sym-homospermidine. Phylogenetic distinctiveness, unique polar lipid composition, presence of significant amounts of branched hydroxyl fatty acids (iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH) and a low amount of anteiso-C15 : 0, and several additional distinguishing biochemical features clearly discriminated strain CC-AMZ-304T from the type species of the genera Aestuariibaculum and Gaetbulibacter . Thus, based on data from the present polyphasic study, strain CC-AMZ-304T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Flavobacteriaceae , for which the name Aquibacter zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of Aquibacter zeaxanthinifaciens is CC-AMZ-304T ( = JCM 18557T = BCRC 80463T). Emended descriptions of the genera Aestuariibaculum and Gaetbulibacter are also proposed.

A novel Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped marine bacterium (JLT2011T) was isolated from surface seawater. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JLT2011T could be assigned to the genus Gramella and was most closely related to Gramella gaetbulicola , with 96.2 % similarity. The genomic DNA G+C content was 42.1 %. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C18 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c). The major menaquinone was MK-6. The major components of the polar lipid profile were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and taxonomic data presented, strain JLT2011T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Gramella , for which the name Gramella flava sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is JLT2011T ( = CGMCC 1.12375T = LMG 27360T).

A novel, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium designated H-12T was isolated from a mixed sandy soil sample collected from Xinjiang, China. Strain H-12T grew at 20–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 7.0–11.0 (optimum, pH 8.5) on TGY medium with 0–5 % NaCl (w/v). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain H-12T shared sequence similarities with Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850T (90.0 %). Strain H-12T showed a low level of DNA–DNA relatedness to Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850T (45.5 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone of strain H-12T was MK-7 and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16:1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. DNA G+C content of strain H-12T was 44.15 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic data, strain H-12T is proposed to be a representative of a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium arenae sp. nov. is suggested and the type strain is H-12T ( = ACCC 05758T = KCTC 32294T).

An orange-pigmented bacterial strain, designated LP100T, was isolated from hexachlorocyclohexane-contaminated soil (Lucknow, India). A neighbour-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain LP100T occupied a distinct phylogenetic position in the Pontibacter species cluster, showing highest similarity with Pontibacter lucknowensis DM9T (97.4 %). Levels of similarity to strains of other Pontibacter species ranged between 94.0 and 96.8 %. Strain LP100T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and sym-homospermidine was the major polyamine in the cell. The major cellular fatty acids of strain LP100T were anteiso-C17 : 0 A, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C18 : 1 H. The polar lipid profile of strain LP100T showed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid, three unknown aminolipids and two unknown polar lipids. The G+C content of strain LP100T was 58.2 mol%. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization, biochemical and physiological tests clearly distinguish the novel strain from closely related species of the genus Pontibacter . Therefore, strain LP100T represents a novel species of the genus Pontibacter for which the name Pontibacter indicus is proposed. The type strain is LP100T ( = CCM8435T = MCC2027T).