- Volume 64, Issue Pt_1, 2014

A psychrotolerant hydrogenotrophic methanogen, strain Pt1, was isolated from a syntrophic propionate-oxidizing methanogenic consortium obtained from granulated biomass of a two-stage low-temperature (3–8 °C) anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) bioreactor, fed with a mixture of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) (acetate, propionate and butyrate). The strain was strictly anaerobic, and cells were curved rods, 0.4–0.5×7.5–25 µm, that sometimes formed wavy filaments from 25 to several hundred micrometres in length. Cells stained Gram-negative and were non-sporulating. They were gently motile by means of tufted flagella. The strain grew at 5–37 °C (optimum at 20–30 °C), at pH 6.0–10 (optimum 7.0–7.5) and with 0–0.3 M NaCl (optimum 0 M NaCl). Growth and methane production was found with H2/CO2 and very weak growth with formate. Acetate and yeast extract stimulated growth, but were not essential. The G+C content of the DNA of strain Pt1 was 40 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Pt1 was a member of the genus Methanospirillum and showed 97.5 % sequence similarity to Methanospirillum hungatei JF1T and 94 % sequence similarity to Methanospirillum lacunae Ki8-1T. DNA–DNA hybridization of strain Pt1 with Methanospirillum hungatei JF1T revealed 39 % relatedness. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic position, strain Pt1 is a representative of a novel species of the genus Methanospirillum , for which the name Methanospirillum stamsii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Pt1T ( = DSM 26304T = VKM B-2808T).

A previously undescribed, slowly growing, scotochromogenic mycobacterial strain (49061T) was isolated from a patient with pulmonary infections during the hsp65-sequence-based identification of Korean clinical isolates. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence was unique and the phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence (1393 bp) placed the organism into the slow-growing Mycobacterium group close to Mycobacterium gordonae (99.0 % sequence similarity). Growth characteristics and acid-fastness also supported the placement of this species into the genus Mycobacterium . Phenotypically, this strain was generally similar to Mycobacterium gordonae ; however, of particular interest, the optimal growth temperature of strain 49061T was 25–30 °C, and it was not able to grow at 37 °C on 7H10 agar slants. Unique MALDI-TOF MS profiles of lipids, phylogenetic analysis based on another two gene sequences (hsp65 and rpoB) and a low DNA–DNA relatedness (46.52±0.7) strongly supported the taxonomic status of this strain as a representative of a distinct species from M. gordonae . It was concluded that the strain represents a novel species for which the name Mycobacterium paragordonae is proposed with the type strain 49061T ( = JCM 18565T = KCTC 29126T).

A filamentous actinomycete strain, designated GW9-2T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, West Antarctica. The strain was identified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain grew slowly on most media tested, producing small amounts of aerial mycelia and no diffusible pigments on most media tested. The strain grew in the presence of 0–12 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–4 %), at pH 9.0–11.0 (optimum, pH 9.0) and 10–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C). The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, no diagnostic sugars and MK-9(H4) as the predominant menaquinone. The major phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. DNA–DNA relatedness was 37.6 % with Nocardiopsis lucentensis DSM 44048T, the nearest phylogenetic relative (97.93 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). On the basis of the results of a polyphasic study, a novel species, Nocardiopsis fildesensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is GW9-2T ( = CGMCC 4.7023T = DSM 45699T = NRRL B-24873T).

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated isolate J4T, was isolated from a neutral saline lake sample from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain J4T is most closely related to Salinibacillus aidingensis 25-7T (with 96.7 % similarity), Salinibacillus kushneri 8-2T (96.5 %), Ornithinibacillus scapharcae TW25T (96.4 %), Salirhabdus euzebyi CVS-14T (96.4 %) and Ornithinibacillus californiensis MB-9T (96.2 %). Chemotaxonomic analysis showed menaquinone-7 (MK-7) to be the major isoprenoid quinone of strain J4T; diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol were the major cellular polar lipids and the cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain J4T was determined to be 36.2 mol%. Strain J4T was positive for catalase activity and negative for oxidase activity. Strain J4T was observed to grow at 25–50 °C (optimal 35–42 °C), pH 6.5–8.0 (optimal 7.0–7.5) and in media containing 1–21 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 9–12 %). Based on these data, strain J4T represents a novel species of the genus Salinibacillus and the name Salinibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is J4T ( = CGMCC 1.12331T = JCM 18732T).

Genomic, taxonomic and biochemical studies were performed on two strains of α-haemolytic streptococci that showed them to be clustered with major members of the Streptococcus mitis group. These Gram-stain-positive strains were isolated from tooth surfaces of caries-free humans and showed the classical spherical shape of streptococcal species growing in chains. Sequence analysis from concatenated 16S and 23S rRNA gene and sodA genes showed that these strains belonged to the mitis group, but both of them clustered into a new phylogenetic branch. The genomes of these two isolates were sequenced, and whole-genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) demonstrated that these strains significantly differed from any streptococcal species, showing ANI values under 91 % even when compared with the phylogenetically closest species such as Streptococcus oralis and S. mitis . Biochemically, the two isolates also showed distinct metabolic features relative to closely related species, like α-galactosidase activity. From the results of the present study, the name Streptococcus dentisani sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate these novel strains, which have been deposited in open collections at the Spanish type Culture Collection (CECT) and Leibniz Institute DSMZ–German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (DSMZ), being respectively identified as Streptococcus dentisani Str. 7746 ( = CECT 8313 = DSM 27089) and Streptococcus dentisani Str. 7747T ( = CECT 8312T = DSM 27088T).

A bacterial strain designated RLAHU4BT was isolated from root nodules of Lupinus albus in León (Spain). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain showed similarities lower than 97 % with respect to species of the genus Cohnella . The strain was a Gram-variable, sporulating rod, motile by means of peritrichous flagella, and facultatively anaerobic. It was positive for oxidase, catalase and β-galactosidase production but negative for urease, amylase and gelatinase. Strain RLAHU4BT grew in the presence of 5 % NaCl. MK-7 was the predominant menaquinone and meso-diaminopimelic acid was present in the peptidoglycan. anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 were the major fatty acids. Major polar lipids of strain RLAHU4BT were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown phospholipids, two unknown aminophospholipids and one unknown lipid. The DNA G+C content was 57.8 mol%. Strain RLAHU4BT presented phenotypic differences from all recognized species of the genus Cohnella . The phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data indicated that strain RLAHU4BT belongs to a novel species of the genus Cohnella , for which the name Cohnella lupini sp. nov. is proposed, with strain RLAHU4BT ( = LMG 27416T = CECT 8236T) as the type strain.

Two strains, 8-4-E12T and 8-4-E13T, were isolated from a biowaste composting reactor. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, both strains belong to the genus Bacillus . Strain 8-4-E12T was most closely related to the type strains of Bacillus shackletonii , B. acidicola , B. sporothermodurans and B. oleronius (96.4, 96.3, 96.0 and 95.6 % 16S rRNA gene similarity, respectively), whereas strain 8-4-E13T was most closely related to the type strain of Bacillus humi (96.5 % sequence similarity). Strains 8-4-E12T and 8-4-E13T shared 94 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The fatty acid profile of strain 8-4-E12T was dominated by saturated iso- and anteiso-branched fatty acids (iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0), and also contained considerable amounts of C16 : 0. The fatty acid profile of strain 8-4-E13T showed a predominance of iso-C15 : 0 (65 %), with smaller amounts of other saturated branched-chain fatty acids along with an unsaturated alcohol. Both strains contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as major polar lipids. Additionally, strain 8-4-E12T contained an unknown lipid and strain 8-4-E13T two unknown (amino-)phospholipids. The diagnostic diamino acid found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan of 8-4-E12T and 8-4-E13T was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The results of physiological and biochemical tests also allowed phenotypic differentiation of the two strains from each other and from related Bacillus species. On the basis of their phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, strains 8-4-E12T and 8-4-E13T represent novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which the names Bacillus pervagus sp. nov. (type strain 8-4-E12T = DSM 23947T = LMG 27601T) and Bacillus andreesenii sp. nov. (type strain 8-4-E13T = DSM 23948T = LMG 27602T) are proposed.

A coccal-shaped organism, designated 516T, was isolated from yan-tsai-shin (fermented broccoli stems), a traditional fermented food in Taiwan. 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that strain 516T had 98.9 % sequence similarity to that of the type strain Lactococcus garvieae NBRC 100934T. Comparison of three housekeeping genes, rpoA, rpoB and pheS, revealed that strain 516T was well separated from Lactococcus garvieae NBRC 100934T. DNA–DNA hybridization studies indicated that strain 516T had low DNA relatedness with Lactococcus garvieae NBRC 100934T (46.1 %). The DNA G+C content of strain 516T was 38.1 mol% and the major fatty acids were C16 : 0 (22.7 %), C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (17.9 %) and summed feature 7 (29.0 %). Based on the evidence, strain 516T represents a novel species of the genus Lactococcus , for which the name Lactococcus formosensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 516T ( = NBRC 109475T = BCRC 80576T).

A taxonomic study was performed on Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative and regular rod-shaped bacterial strains R4BT and R4C, isolated from the stomachs of honeybees. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the phylogenetic position of the novel strains was within the genus Lactobacillus ; the highest sequence similarity to R4BT was shown by Lactobacillus acidophilus BCRC 10695T (93.6 %). Lower sequence similarities were found to other obligately homofermentative lactobacilli. A PCR–DGGE method could detect the sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of strain R4BT at different developmental stages of honeybees occurring in two different locations in the Czech Republic. The distinctiveness of the strains from other lactobacilli was also confirmed by analysis of sequences of other phylogenetic markers applicable to the taxonomy of the genus Lactobacillus , ribotyping and rep-PCR analysis. The DNA G+C content of strain R4BT was 41.3 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain R4BT were C18 : 1ω9c, summed C19 : 1ω6c/C19 : 0 cyclo ω10c, C16 : 0, summed C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c and summed C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c. The major polar lipids of strain R4BT were glycolipids, lipids and phospholipids. Phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics also confirmed the independent status of the strains at the species level. Interestingly, strain R4BT was able to inhibit growth in vitro of Paenibacillus larvae subsp. larvae (causal agent of American foulbrood in honeybees) and Melissococcus plutonius (causal agent of European foulbrood). The name Lactobacillus apis sp. nov. is proposed for this novel taxon; the type strain is R4BT ( = CCM 8403T = LMG 26964T).

Two novel endospore-forming, aerobic bacilli, strains E173aT and E265T, were isolated from soil and sediment samples from Kozakli and Altinsu hot springs, Nevsehir (Turkey). Their young cells in the exponential phase of growth were motile, Gram-stain-positive, straight rods, 0.6–1.1×3.0–8.0 µm in size, but they became strikingly long, approximately 0.6–1.2 by 9.0–35.0 µm, after the stationary phase of growth. Cells varied in tests for oxidase, and had a weakly positive reaction for catalase. Both strains could grow between 40 and 70 °C, with optimal growth at 60 °C (E173aT) and 55 °C (E265T). Growth occurred within the range pH 5.0–11.0 with optimal growth at pH 9.0 (E173aT) and pH 8.5 (E265T). Strain E173aT grew within a salinity range from 0 to1.5 % (w/v) NaCl with optimal growth at 0.5 %, while strain E265T grew within the range 0–5.0 % (w/v), with an optimum at 3.0 %. The new isolates differed from each other in some phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characters as well as repetitive extragenic palindromic element PCR (rep-PCR) fingerprints. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities suggested distant relationships with other members of the family Bacillaceae (<95.8 %), although the two strains showed 97.5 % sequence similarity between them, and had 55 % relatedness by DNA–DNA hybridization. The DNA G+C contents were 44.8 (E173aT) and 43.5 mol% (E265T). Moreover, the chemotaxonomic data of E173aT and E265T [presence of low amounts of meso-diaminopimelic acid, A1γ to A1γ′ cross-linkage types in peptidoglycan, fatty acids including iso-C15 : 0 (>60 %), iso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0] supported the consideration of these isolates as members of a novel genus. Based upon phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is proposed that new isolates represent a novel genus, Thermolongibacillus gen. nov., with two novel species: Thermolongibacillus altinsuensis sp. nov. (type strain E265T = DSM 24979T = NCIMB 14850T) and Thermolongibacillus kozakliensis sp. nov. (type strain E173aT = DSM 24978T = NCIMB 14849T).

A taxonomic study employing a polyphasic approach was performed on a novel anaerobic bacterium isolated from natural gas production-water. The bacterium stained Gram-negative and consisted of non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped cells. Products of glucose or starch fermentation were ethanol, CO2, formate, acetate and H2. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0 ALDE and summed feature 3 comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c. The DNA G+C content was 45.5 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of the novel strain were Acetivibrio multivorans DSM 6139T (98.5 %) and Proteiniclasticum ruminis JCM 14817T (95.4 %). The DNA–DNA hybridization value between the novel organism and Acetivibrio multivorans PeC1 DSM 6139T was determined to be only 30.2 %, demonstrating the separateness of the two species. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic evidence that clearly distinguished strain 232.1T from Proteiniclasticum ruminis and other close relatives, it is proposed that the novel isolate be classified as representing a novel species of a new genus within the family Clostridiaceae , Youngiibacter fragilis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of the type species is 232.1T ( = ATCC BAA-2257T = DSM 24749T). In addition, Acetivibrio multivorans is proposed to be reclassified as Youngiibacter multivorans comb. nov.

Daqu is a fermentation starter used in the production of Chinese liquors. A thermophilic bacterium, designated strain H-18T, was isolated from a high-temperature Daqu sample collected from the manufacturing process of a sesame-flavoured liquor in Shandong province, China. It was investigated in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain H-18T formed white aerial mycelium and greyish-yellow substrate mycelium, bearing single endospores on aerial and substrate hyphae or on unbranched short sporophores. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. These chemotaxonomic properties are similar to those of members of the genus Thermoactinomyces . The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 49.1 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that strain H-18T was most closely related to Thermoactinomyces vulgaris KCTC 9076T (96.42 % similarity), Thermoactinomyces intermedius KCTC 9646T (96.06 %), Laceyella putida KCTC 3666T (96.32 %) and Laceyella sacchari KCTC 9790T (95.55 %). Strain H-18T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness (40.8, 33.4, 20.0 and 14.4 %) with the above strains. Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, DNA–DNA hybridization data and physiological properties, strain H-18T represents a novel species of the genus Thermoactinomyces , for which the name Thermoactinomyces daqus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H-18T ( = DSM 45914T = CICC 10681T).

A novel thermophilic, Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, strain C161abT, was isolated from a soil sample collected near Kizildere, Saraykoy-Buharkent power plant in Denizli. The isolate could grow at temperatures between 35 and 70 °C (optimum 55 °C), at pH 6.5–9.0 (optimum pH 8.0–8.5) and with 0–2.5 % NaCl (optimum 0.5 %, w/v). The strain formed cream-coloured, circular colonies and tolerated up to 70 mM boron. Its DNA G+C content was 37.8 mol%. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. Strain C161abT contained menaquinones MK-7 (96 %) and MK-6 (4 %). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-branched fatty acids: iso-C15 : 0 (52.2 %) and iso-C17 : 0 (28.0 %,) with small amounts of C16 : 0 (7.4 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed 94.6–96.8 % sequence similarity with all recognized species of the genus Anoxybacillus . Strain C161abT showed the greatest sequence similarity to Anoxybacillus rupiensis DSM 17127T and Anoxybacillus voinovskiensis DSM 17075T, both had 96.8 % similarity to strain C161abT, as well as to Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus DSM 15730T (96.6 %). DNA–DNA hybridization revealed low levels of relatedness with the closest relatives of strain C161abT, A. rupiensis (21.2 %) and A. voinovskiensis (16.5 %). On the basis of the results obtained from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genomic fingerprinting, phylogenetic and hybridization analyses, the isolate is proposed to represent a novel species, Anoxybacillus calidus sp. nov. (type strain C161abT = DSM 25520T = NCIMB 14851T).

A bacterial consortium that accumulated more than 90 % (w/w) polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from lactate was selected in a laboratory-scale bioreactor with a ‘feast–famine’ regime. Bacterial strain YDT, representing a dominant species in this enrichment, was isolated and characterized. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate is a member of the class Gammaproteobacteria , forming an independent phylogenetic lineage. The closest relative of the isolate was Plasticicumulans acidivorans TUD-YJ37T, with 94 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain YDT was an obligate aerobe with large, ovoid, Gram-negative cells, motile by means of a polar flagellum. It utilized a relatively broad spectrum of substrates (e.g. carbohydrates, fatty acids) as carbon and energy sources. The temperature range for growth was 20–45 °C, with an optimum at 40 °C; the pH range was pH 6.0–8.0, with an optimum at pH 7.0. The major respiratory lipoquinones were Q-8 (91 %) and Q-7 (9 %). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. The predominant fatty acids in the membrane polar lipids were C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.5 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, the isolate is proposed to represent a novel species in the genus Plasticicumulans , for which the name Plasticicumulans lactativorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YDT ( = DSM 25287T = NCCB 100398T).

A moderately halophilic, Gram-stain-negative, non-sporulating bacterium designed as strain TYRC17T was isolated from olive-processing effluents. The organism was a straight rod, motile by means of peritrichous flagella and able to respire both oxygen and nitrate. Growth occurred with 0–25 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 7 %), at pH 5–11 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 4–50 °C (optimally at 35 °C). It accumulated poly-β-hydroxyalkanoate granules and produced exopolysaccharides. The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. Ubiquinone 9 (Q-9) was the only respiratory quinone. The DNA G+C content of TYRC17T was 53.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain represents a member of the genus Halomonas and more precisely of the subgroup containing Halomonas sulfidaeris , H. titanicae , H. variabilis , H. zhanjiangensis , H. alkaliantarctica , H. boliviensis and H. neptunia . TYRC17T showed high 16S-rRNA sequence identities in particular with the three last species listed (99.4–99.5 %). A multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using the 23S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and secA genes allowed clarifying the phylogenetic position of TYRC17T. This, combined with the level of DNA–DNA hybridization between TYRC17T and its closest relatives ranging from 21.6 % to 48.4 %, indicated that TYRC17T did not represent any of these species. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, and also genomic and phylogenetic evidence, it was concluded that strain TYRC17T represented a novel species of the genus Halomonas . The name Halomonas olivaria sp. nov. is proposed with TYRC17T ( = DSM 19074T = CCUG 53850BT) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and aerobic bacterium, designated CF17T, was isolated from coastal planktonic seaweeds, East China Sea. The isolate grew at 18–37 °C (optimum 25–28 °C), pH 6.5–9.0 (optimum 7.0–8.0) and with 0–5 % NaCl (optimum 1–2 %, w/v) and 0.5–10 % sea salts (optimum 2–3 %, w/v). Growth of strain CF17T could be stimulated prominently by supplementing the growth medium with the autoclaved supernatant of a culture of strain CF5, which was isolated from the same sample along with strain CF17T. The cell morphology of strain CF17T was a bean-shaped rod consisting of a swollen end and a long prostheca. The phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CF17T clustered with Gemmobacter nectariphilus DSM 15620T within the genus Gemmobacter . The DNA G+C content of strain CF17T was 61.4 mol%. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The major fatty acids included C18 : 1ω7c and C18 : 0. The polar lipids of strain CF17T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two uncharacterized phospholipids, one uncharacterized aminolipid, three uncharacterized glycolipids and one uncharacterized lipid. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, strain CF17T ( = CGMCC 1.11024T = JCM 18498T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Gemmobacter , for which the name Gemmobacter megaterium sp. nov. is proposed.

Strain MBRT was isolated from landfill leachate in a solid-waste disposal site in Chengdu, Sichuan, China. An analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was closely related to members of the genus Pseudomonas , sharing the highest sequence similarities with Pseudomonas toyotomiensis HT-3T (99.8 %), Pseudomonas alcaliphila AL15-21T (99.7 %) and Pseudomonas oleovorans ATCC 8062T (99.4 %). Multi-locus sequence analysis based on three housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoB and rpoD) provided higher resolution at the species level than that based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, which was further confirmed by less than 70 % DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and P. toyotomiensis HT-3T (61.3 %), P. alcaliphila AL15-21T (51.5 %) and P. oleovorans ATCC 8062T (57.8 %). The DNA G+C content of strain MBRT was 61.9 mol% and the major ubiquinone was Q-9. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0, and C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c. Polyphasic analysis indicates that strain MBRT represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas , for which the name Pseudomonas chengduensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MBRT ( = CGMCC 2318T = DSM 26382T).

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).

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, JN53T, was isolated from the surfaces of weathered rock (potassic trachyte) from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, PR China. Strain JN53T grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JN53T belonged to the genus Chitinophaga in the family Chitinophagaceae . It was most closely related to Chitinophaga terrae KP01T (97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Chitinophaga eiseniae YC6729T (96.3 %). Strain JN53T contained MK-7 as the major menaquinone and homospermidine as the major polyamine. The main fatty acids of strain JN53T were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c, C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminolipids and unknown lipids. The total DNA G+C content of strain JN53T was 49.7 mol%. The low level of DNA–DNA relatedness to other species of the genus Chitinophaga and the many phenotypic properties that distinguished strain JN53T from recognized species of this genus demonstrated that isolate JN53T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga , for which the name Chitinophaga jiangningensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JN53T ( = CCTCC AB 2013166T = JCM 19354T).

Lyme borreliosis group spirochaetes are parasitic bacteria transmitted by vector ticks of the genus Ixodes and distributed mainly between 40° and 60° northern latitudes. Since Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (hereinafter, B. burgdorferi ) was described in the north-eastern USA during the early 1980s, an increasing diversity has been noted within the species complex. Here, we describe a novel genomic species, Borrelia kurtenbachii sp. nov. (type strain 25015T = ATCC BAA-2495T =  DSM 26572T), that is prevalent in transmission cycles among vector ticks and reservoir hosts in North America. Confirmation of the presence of this species in Europe awaits further investigation.

An aerobic, thermophilic, moderately acidophilic non-spore-forming bacterium, strain K22T, was isolated from geothermally heated soil at Mount Ngauruhoe, New Zealand. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, K22T was shown to belong to subdivision 4 of the phylum Acidobacteria and to be most closely related to ‘Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum’ (86 %) and Blastocatella fastidiosa (86 %). Cells stained Gram-negative and were catalase and oxidase-positive. The major fatty acids detected were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, iso-C19 : 0 and iso-C21 : 0 when standard lipid extraction protocols were employed. Analysis of the total cell lipid acid hydrolysate also detected membrane-spanning and ether lipids, which made up approximately 40 % of the total membrane composition. These lipids included dicarboxylic (iso-diabolic) acid and the glyceryl ether of alkyl analogues of iso-C15 : 0 and iso-diabolic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 59.6 mol% and the primary respiratory quinone was MK-8. Strain K22T grew at 50–69 °C with an optimum temperature of 65 °C and at pH 4.1–7.8 with an optimum growth pH of 6.5. NaCl tolerance was up to 1 % (w/v). Cells displayed a chemoheterotrophic and obligately aerobic metabolism. Cells grew on nutrient broth, alginate, arabinose, Casamino acids, glucose, lactate, formate, mannose, sodium alginate, peptone, sucrose, tryptone, xanthan, xylan, xylose and yeast extract. Nitrogen sources included nitrate, ammonium, urea, yeast extract and Casamino acids, but not dinitrogen gas. The distinct phylogenetic position and the phenotypic characteristics separate strain K22T from all other members of the class Acidobacteria and indicate that it represents a novel species and genus, for which the name Pyrinomonas methylaliphatogenes gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is K22T ( = DSM 25857T = ICMP 18710T).

Strain DMKU-RK467T, representing a novel yeast species, was isolated from the external surface of sugar cane leaves collected in Thailand. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, strain DMKU-RK467T was assigned to a novel species of the genus Nakazawaea. The novel species was related most closely to the type strain of Candida wickerhamii but they differed by 1.9 % nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and by 5.2 % nucleotide substitutions in the ITS region. The name Nakazawaea siamensis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed (type strain DMKU-RK467T = BCC 50734T = NBRC 108903T = CBS 12569T).

The results of 16S rRNA, gyrB and catA gene sequence comparisons and reasserted DNA–DNA hybridization unambiguously proved that Rhodococcus jialingiae Wang et al. 2010 and Rhodococcus qingshengii Xu et al. 2007 represent a single species. On the basis of priority R. jialingiae must be considered a later synonym of R. qingshengii .

Based on a nomenclatural point of view, the name Rhodococcus equi is associated, as required by the Bacteriological Code, with a defined position, rank and circumscription. A search of the literature indicates that the name Rhodococcus equi (Magnusson 1923) Goodfellow and Alderson 1977 has also been shown to be a synonym of Corynebacterium equi Magnusson 1923, Corynebacterium hoagii (Morse 1912) Eberson 1918 and Nocardia restricta (Turfitt 1944) McClung 1974. Application of the rules of the Bacteriological Code together with the currently inferred taxonomic concept associated with the species bearing the name Rhodococcus equi indicates that this is not the correct name of this taxon and the use of that name in the context of a circumscription that includes the type strain of the species Corynebacterium hoagii is contrary to the Rules of the Code.

A proposal is submitted to the ICSP to change the wording of General Consideration 5 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP), deleting the words Schizophycetes, Cyanophyceae and Cyanobacteria from the groups of organisms whose nomenclature is covered by the Code. It is further proposed to change the terms Zoological Code and International Code of Botanical Nomenclature in General Consideration 5 and in Principle 2 to International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants, respectively.