- Volume 64, Issue Pt_4, 2014

This listing of names of prokaryotes published in a previous issue of the IJSEM is provided as a service to bacteriology to assist in the recognition of new names and new combinations. This procedure was proposed by the Judicial Commission [Minute 11(ii), Int J Syst Bacteriol 41 (1991), p. 185]. The names given herein are listed according to the Rules of priority (i.e. page number and order of valid publication of names in the original articles).

An endophytic actinomycete, strain R10-82T, isolated from surface-sterilized roots of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was studied using a polyphasic approach. Strain R10-82T produced branching substrate mycelia and developed spherical spore vesicles on aerial hyphae containing non-motile spores. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and 10-methyl C17 : 0. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9, MK-9(H2), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). Rhamnose, ribose, madurose, mannose and glucose were detected in whole-cell hydrolysates. The diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, hydroxylphosphatidylethanolamine and ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipids. These morphological and chemotaxonomic data were similar to those of the genus Sphaerisporangium . Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain R10-82T was related most closely to Sphaerisporangium cinnabarinum JCM 3291T (98.3 % similarity). The DNA G+C content of strain R10-82T was 74 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness data in combination with differences in the biochemical and physiological properties suggested that strain R10-82T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Sphaerisporangium , for which the name Sphaerisporangium rufum is proposed. The type strain is R10-82T ( = BCC 51287T = NBRC 109079T). An emended description of the genus Sphaerisporangium is also provided.

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-LZS-5T, was isolated from the leaf of candelabra aloe (Aloe arborescens Mill) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain NEAU-LZS-5T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and exhibited 99.51 and 97.37 % similarity to Streptomyces sedi YIM 65188T and Streptomyces specialis GW41-1564T, respectively, whereas low similarity values (<97 %) distinguished strain NEAU-LZS-5T from all other species of the genus Streptomyces with validly published names. Two tree-making algorithms also supported the position that strain NEAU-LZS-5T formed a distinct clade with Streptomyces sedi YIM 65188T and Streptomyces specialis GW41-1564T. However, levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NEAU-LZS-5T and Streptomyces sedi YIM 65188T and Streptomyces specialis GW41-1564T were 45.59 and 31.90 %, respectively. A comparative study between strain NEAU-LZS-5T and the type strains of closest related species of the genus Streptomyces revealed that it differed from them in morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. Therefore, strain NEAU-LZS-5T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces zhaozhouensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-LZS-5T ( = CGMCC 4.7095T = DSM 42101T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-dht8T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The organism was found to have morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the genus Nonomuraea . The G+C content of the DNA was 68.47 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain NEAU-dht8T was most closely related to Nonomuraea maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14T (99.31 %), Nonomuraea kuesteri GW 14-1925T (98.77 %), Nonomuraea coxensis JCM 13931T (98.71 %), Nonomuraea wenchangensis 210417T (98.44 %), Nonomuraea bangladeshensis 5-10-10T (98.36 %) and Nonomuraea salmonea DSM 43678T (98.0 %); similarities to other species of the genus Nonomuraea were lower than 98 %. Two tree-making algorithms based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a phyletic line with its closest neighbour N. maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14T. However, the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness allowed the novel isolate to be differentiated from N. maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14T. Strain NEAU-dht8T could also be differentiated from other species of the genus Nonomuraea showing high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98–98.77 %) by morphological and physiological characteristics. Thus, strain NEAU-dht8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea , for which the name Nonomuraea fuscirosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-dht8T ( = CGMCC 4.7104T = DSM 45880T).

A Gram-staining-positive actinobacterial strain, Chem10T, was isolated from soil around Inche-Broun hypersaline wetland in the north of Iran. Strain Chem10T was strictly aerobic, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The isolate grew with 0–3 % NaCl, at 20–40 °C and at pH 6.0–8.0. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 30 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. The cell wall of strain Chem10T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as diamino acid and galactose, ribose and arabinose as whole-cell sugars. The polar lipid pattern contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain Chem10T synthesized cellular fatty acids of the straight-chain saturated and mono-unsaturated, and iso- and anteiso-branched types C14 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 1, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, and the major respiratory quinone was MK-9(H4). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Chem10T belonged to the family Pseudonocardiaceae and showed the closest phylogenetic similarity to Alloactinosynnema album KCTC 19294T (98.3 %) and Actinokineospora cibodasensis DSM 45658T (97.9 %). DNA–DNA relatedness values between the novel strain and strains Alloactinosynnema album KCTC 19294T and Actinokineospora cibodasensis DSM 45658T were only 52 % and 23 %, respectively. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization data, a novel species of the genus Alloactinosynnema is proposed, Alloactinosynnema iranicum sp. nov. The type strain is Chem10T ( = IBRC-M 10403T = CECT 8209T). In addition, an emended description of the genus Alloactinosynnema is proposed.

A novel Gram-stain–positive, filamentous bacterial strain (A-T 7458T) was isolated from soil collected from hill evergreen forest in Thailand. The strain developed cylindrical sporangia containing a longitudinal pair of motile spores, on short ramifications of aerial mycelia. From a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain A-T 7458T had typical characteristics of members of the genus Planobispora . 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate was closely related to Planobispora siamensis A-T 4600T (98.5 %), Planobispora rosea JCM 3166T (97.6 %) and Planobispora longispora NBRC 13918T (97.6 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness values, which differentiated the novel strain from the closest species, were significantly below 70 %. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars contained ribose, madurose, mannose and glucose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H2). The diagnostic phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-mannoside and aminophosphoglycolipid. The predominant cellular fatty acids were unsaturated C17 : 1 and C18 : 1, and saturated C16 : 0 and C17 : 0. Following an evaluation of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, the novel isolate is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Planobispora , to be named Planobispora takensis sp. nov. The type strain is A-T 7458T ( = BCC 48396T = NBRC 109077T).

The taxonomic position of a novel actinomycete, strain RC 1831T, isolated from the sediment of a fish dumping yard at Barkul village near Chilika Lake, Odisha, India, was determined by a polyphasic approach. Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics the isolate was determined to belong to the genus Streptomyces . The phylogenetic tree based on its nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1428 nt) with representative strains showed that the strain consistently falls into a distinct phyletic line together with Streptomyces glaucosporus DSM 41689T (98.22 % similarity) and a subclade consisting of Streptomyces atacamensis DSM 42065T (98.40 %), Streptomyces radiopugnans R97 DSM 41901T (98.27 %), Streptomyces fenghuangensis GIMN4.003T (98.33 %), Streptomyces nanhaiensis DSM 41926T (98.13 %), Streptomyces megasporus NBRC 14749T (97.37 %) and Streptomyces macrosporus NBRC 14748T (98.22 %). However, the levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain RC 1831T and phylogenetically related strains Streptomyces atacamensis DSM 42065T (28.75±3.25 %) and Streptomyces glaucosporus DSM 41689T (15±2.40 %) were significantly lower than the 70 % threshold value for delineation of genomic species. Furthermore, the isolate could be distinguished phenotypically on the basis of physiological, morphological and biochemical differences from its closest phylogenetic neighbours and other related reference strains. Strain RC 1831T is therefore considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces barkulensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RC 1831T ( = JCM 18754T = DSM 42082T).

A novel strain, designated W-15T, was isolated from the gut of a long-horned beetle, Massicus raddei, collected in South Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains belonged to the suborder Micrococcineae . Strain W-15T was most closely related to Luteimicrobium album RI148-Li105T (97.9 % similarity). Strain W-15T was Gram-stain-positive, rod- and coccus-shaped and non-motile. Growth was observed at 15–37 °C, at pH 4.5–8.5 and in the presence of 0–5.0 % NaCl. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of the strain was A4α (l-Lys–d-Ser–d-Asp). The major menaquinone present in this strain was MK-8 (H2) and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown lipid, an unknown phospholipid and an unknown phosphoglycolipid. The G+C content of genomic DNA of the strain was 73.8 mol%. On the basis of evidence from our polyphasic taxonomic study, strain W-15T is classified as representing a novel species in the suborder Micrococcineae , for which the name Luteimicrobium xylanilyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this species is strain W-15T ( = KCTC 19882T = JCM 18090T).

A novel thermotolerant, anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming bacterium was isolated from a hydrothermal chimney in Prony Bay, New Caledonia. This strain, designated FatNI3T, grew at 15–55 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 5.8–8.9 (optimum 7.7). It was slightly halophilic, requiring at least 0.5 % NaCl for growth (optimum 2.5–3.0 %), and was able to grow at up to 6 % NaCl. Sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfite, nitrate and nitrite were not used as terminal electron acceptors. Growth of strain FatNI3T was inhibited in the presence of sulfite (2 mM) or nitrite (2 mM). Strain FatNI3T fermented cellobiose, glucose, mannose, maltose, sucrose, galactose, lactose, ribose, fructose, rhamnose, raffinose, xylose, yeast extract, peptone and biotrypticase. The main fermentation products from glucose metabolism were acetate, ethanol, H2 and CO2. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The main polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and unknown glycolipids and phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.6 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic and physiological properties, strain FatNI3T ( = DSM 25904 = JCM 18391) belonging to the phylum Firmicutes , class Clostridia , order Clostridiales , is proposed as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Vallitalea , for which the name Vallitalea pronyensis sp. nov. is proposed.

A novel bacterial strain, CMG1240T, was isolated in 1988 from mixed soil samples collected from the United States and South America in a selective enrichment medium with guar gum as the sole carbon source. This microbial isolate showed β-mannanolytic activity to hydrolyse the galactomannans present in guar gum. Strain CMG1240T was aerobic, Gram-stain-variable, non-motile, rod-shaped and endospore-forming. It was further examined based on a combination of phenotypic, physiological and genetic characterization. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, cellular lipid profile and fatty acid composition, strain CMG1240T was shown to belong unequivocally to the genus Paenibacillus . Quinone analysis showed that MK-7 was the only menaquinone detected. The main cell-wall sugar was xylose with trace amounts of mannose and glucose. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unknown glycolipids, phospholipids, phosphoglycolipids and other lipids. The peptidoglycan structure was A1γ (meso-diaminopimelic acid-direct). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 46 mol% as determined experimentally and by analysis of the genomic sequence. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CMG1240T shared highest similarity with that of Paenibacillus fonticola ZLT (97.6 %) while all other tested Paenibacillus strains showed lower sequence similarities (≤95.3 %). The results of DNA–DNA hybridization and chemotaxonomic tests enabled the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain CMG1240T from P. fonticola . Based on these results, strain CMG1240T ( = ATCC BAA-2594T = DSM 25539T) should be designated the type strain of a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus , for which the name Paenibacillus lentus sp. nov. is proposed.

A gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming, catalase-negative, coccoid-shaped bacterial strain, designated BV2T, was isolated from the vaginal mucosa of a beef cow in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (92.9 %) with Aerococcus suis 1821/02T and low similarity (<92.7 %) with any other recognized species of the genus Aerococcus . The DNA G+C content was 44.7 mol%, which is within the range observed among species of the genus Aerococcus (37.5–48.4 mol%). The major cellular fatty acid was C18 : 1ω9c, similar to other type strains of species of the genus Aerococcus . The results of genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses as well as the low degree of DNA–DNA relatedness with all recognized members of the genus Aerococcus indicate that strain BV2T represents a novel species of the genus Aerococcus , for which the name Aerococcus vaginalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BV2T ( = JCM 19163T = DSM 27293T). Emended descriptions of Aerococcus suis , Aerococcus viridans , Aerococcus urinaeequi , Aerococcus urinaehominis , Aerococcus urinae , Aerococcus christensenii and Aerococcus sanguinicola are also presented.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated CAU 1055T, was isolated from soil and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that the strain formed a distinct lineage within the genus Paenibacillus and was most closely related to Paenibacillus contaminans CKOBP-6T (similarity, 95.2 %) and Paenibacillus terrigena A35T (similarity, 95.2 %). The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with other species of the genus Paenibacillus , including the type species of the genus, Paenibacillus polymyxa IAM 13419T (similarity, 91.7 %), were all <94.6 %. Strain CAU 1055T contained MK-7 as the only isoprenoid quinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain CAU 1055T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, lysyl-phospatidylglycerol and three unidentified aminophospholipids. The DNA G+C content was 48.3 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain CAU 1055T from closely related recognized species. On the basis of phenotypic data and phylogenetic inference, strain CAU 1055T should be classified in the genus Paenibacillus , as a member of a novel species, for which the name Paenibacillus doosanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1055T ( = KCTC 33036T = CCUG 63270T).

A moderately halophilic bacterial strain, designated XH204T, was isolated from deep-sea sediment core (45° 58′ S 163° 11′ W) of the South Pacific Gyre during the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 329. The strain was Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, motile by peritrichous flagella and produced ellipsoidal endospores subterminally positioned within swollen sporangia. Growth of strain XH204T occurred at 15–42 °C (optimum 37 °C), in the presence of 0–14 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 4 %) and at pH 7.0–10.0 (optimum pH 8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain XH204T belonged to the genus Oceanobacillus and showed the highest sequence similarity to Oceanobacillus profundus CL-MP28T (95.6 %); strain XH204T exhibited 93.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of the type species of the genus Oceanobacillus , Oceanobacillus iheyensis HTE831T. The dominant fatty acids of strain XH204T were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The cell wall of strain XH204T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, and ribose, glucose and galactose as the major whole-cell sugars. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the only isoprenoid quinone and the DNA G+C content was 38.8 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain XH204T represents a novel species of the genus Oceanobacillus , for which the name Oceanobacillus pacificus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XH204T ( = DSM 25873T = JCM 18381T).

A Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain H9BT, was isolated from a mud sample of the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran. Cells of strain H9BT were motile and produced colonies with a yellowish-grey pigment. Growth occurred between 2.5 and 10 % (w/v) NaCl and the isolate grew optimally at 7.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum pH and temperature for growth of the strain were pH 7.0 and 35 °C, respectively, while it was able to grow over pH and temperature ranges of pH 6–10 and 25–45 °C, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain H9BT is a member of the genus Oceanobacillus . The closest relative to this strain was Oceanobacillus profundus CL-MP28T with 97.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequences similarity. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between the novel isolate and this phylogenetically related species was 17 %. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolate were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipid pattern of strain H9BT consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, four phospholipids and an aminolipid. It contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of this strain was 37.1 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA relatedness data suggest that this strain represents a novel species of the genus Oceanobacillus , for which the name Oceanobacillus limi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Oceanobacillus limi is strain H9BT ( = IBRC-M 10780T = KCTC 13823T = CECT 7997T).

In the present study we investigated the taxonomic status of 20 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) originating from packaged meat. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, these strains were shown to belong to the genus Leuconostoc with Leuconostoc gelidum , Leuconostoc inhae and Leuconostoc gasicomitatum as the closest phylogenetic relatives. The novel strains shared more than 70 % DNA–DNA relatedness with type and reference strains of both L. gelidum and L. gasicomitatum . The DNA–DNA relatedness values between L. gelidum type and reference strains and L. gasicomitatum type and reference strains were also above 70 %, showing that all these strains belonged to the same species. Sequence analyses of concatenated atpA, pheS, and rpoA genes demonstrated that the novel strains as well as type and reference strains of L. gelidum and L. gasicomitatum are phylogenetically closely related, but form three clearly separated subgroups. Numerical analysis of HindIII ribopatterns and phenotypic tests supported this subdivision. Based on the data presented in this study, we propose to reclassify Leuconostoc gasicomitatum as Leuconostoc gelidum subsp. gasicomitatum comb. nov. (type strain, LMG 18811T = DSM 15947T). The novel strains isolated in the present study represent a novel subspecies, for which the name Leuconostoc gelidum subsp. aenigmaticum subsp. nov. is proposed, with POUF4dT ( = LMG 27840T = DSM 19375T) as the type strain. The proposal of these two novel subspecies automatically creates the subspecies Leuconostoc gelidum subsp. gelidum subsp. nov. (type strain, NCFB 2775T = DSM 5578T). An emended description of Leuconostoc gelidum is also provided.

An obligately anaerobic bacterial strain designated T-1-35T was isolated as a dominant cultivable cellulose-degrading bacterium from soil of a Japanese rice field as an anaerobic filter-paper degrader. Cells of strain T-1-35T stained Gram-positive and were non-spore-forming rods with rounded ends, 0.8–1.0×3.5–15.0 µm, and motile by means of two to four polar flagella. Cells of strain T-1-35T exhibited pleomorphism: in aged cultures (over 90 days of incubation), almost all cells were irregularly shaped. Although no spore formation was observed, cells tolerated high temperatures, up to 90 °C for 10 min. The temperature range for growth was 15–40 °C, with an optimum at 35 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.5–9.0, with an optimum at pH 8.0–8.5 (slightly alkaliphilic). Strain T-1-35T fermented some carbohydrates to produce ethanol and lactate as the major products. Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C13 : 0 3-OH. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain T-1-35T belonged to Clostridium rRNA cluster III. The closest relative of strain T-1-35T was Bacteroides cellulosolvens WM2T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 93.4 %. Phenotypic, physiological and molecular genetic methods demonstrated that strain T-1-35T was distinct from its phylogenetic relatives (members of Clostridium rRNA cluster III) because it predominantly produced ethanol, iso-C13 : 0 3-OH was a major cellular fatty acid and it always exhibited pleomorphism. On the basis of the results of a polyphasic taxonomic study, strain T-1-35T is considered to represent a novel genus and species, Anaerobacterium chartisolvens gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Anaerobacterium chartisolvens is T-1-35T ( = DSM 27016T = NBRC 109520T). In addition, from the results of our phylogenetic analysis and its phenotypic features, the species Bacteroides cellulosolvens Murray et al. 1984 is proposed to be reclassified in the new genus Pseudobacteroides as Pseudobacteroides cellulosolvens gen. nov., comb. nov., with the type strain WM2T ( = ATCC 35603T = DSM 2933T = NRCC 2944T).

A novel bacterium, strain BrT, was isolated from gamma-irradiated soils of the Britannia drift, Lake Wellman Region, Antarctica. This isolate was rod-shaped, endospore forming, Gram-stain-variable, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and strictly aerobic. Cells possessed a monotrichous flagellum. Optimal growth was observed at 18 °C, pH 7.0 in PYGV or R2A broth. The major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0 (63.4 %). Primary identified lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Total phospholipid was 60 % (w/w) of the total lipid extract. MK-7 was the dominant isoprenoid quinone. The genomic DNA G+C content was 55.6 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain BrT clusters within the genus Paenibacillus with similarity values ranging from 93.9 to 95.1 %. Phylogenetic analyses by maximum-likelihood, maximum-parsimony and neighbour-joining methods revealed that strain BrT clusters with Paenibacillus daejeonensis (AF290916), Paenibacillus tarimensis (EF125184) and Paenibacillus pinihumi (GQ423057), albeit with weak bootstrap support. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, we propose that strain BrT represents a novel species, Paenibacillus darwinianus sp. nov. The type strain is BrT ( = DSM 27245T = ICMP 19912T).

An acetic acid bacterium, strain LMG 27439T, was isolated from fermenting lambic beer. The cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile rods, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed the strain was closely related to Acetobacter okinawensis (99.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strain of this species), A. ghanensis (99.6 %), A. syzygii (99.6 %), A. fabarum (99.4 %) and A. lovaniensis (99.2 %). DNA–DNA hybridization with the type strains of these species revealed moderate DNA–DNA hybridization values (31–45 %). Strain LMG 27439T was unable to grow on glycerol or methanol as the sole carbon source, on yeast extract with 10 % ethanol or on glucose-yeast extract medium at 37 °C. It did not produce acid from l-arabinose, d-galactose or d-mannose, nor did it produce 2-keto-d-gluconic acid, 5-keto-d-gluconic acid or 2,5-diketo-d-gluconic acid from d-glucose. It did not grow on ammonium as the sole nitrogen source and ethanol as the sole carbon source. These genotypic and phenotypic data distinguished strain LMG 27439T from established species of the genus Acetobacter , and therefore we propose this strain represents a novel species of the genus Acetobacter . The name Acetobacter lambici sp. nov. is proposed, with LMG 27439T ( = DSM 27328T) as the type strain.

Three strains of Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from Lebeckia ambigua root nodules and authenticated on this host. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny, they were shown to belong to the genus Burkholderia , with the representative strain WSM3556T being most closely related to Burkholderia caledonica LMG 23644T (98.70 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Burkholderia rhynchosiae WSM3937T (98.50 %). Additionally, these strains formed a distinct group in phylogenetic trees of the housekeeping genes gyrB and recA. Chemotaxonomic data, including fatty acid profiles and analysis of respiratory quinones, supported the assignment of our strains to the genus Burkholderia . Results of DNA–DNA hybridizations, MALDI-TOF MS analysis and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of our strains from their nearest neighbour species. Therefore, these strains represent a novel species, for which the name Burkholderia dilworthii sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain WSM3556T ( = LMG 27173T = HAMBI 3353T).

A novel aerobic bacterium, designated strain RR11T, was isolated from peat soil and was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach and identified in order to determine its taxonomic position. Strain RR11T is a Gram-negative, non-sporulating, motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis identified this strain as a member of the genus Burkholderia of the class Betaproteobacteria . The highest degrees of gene sequence similarity were found with Burkholderia tropica Ppe8T (98.0 %), B. bannensis E25T (97.3 %), B. ferrariae FeGI01T (97.1 %), B. unamae MTI-641T (97.1 %) and B. heleia SA41T (97.1 %). Strain RR11T had the following chemotaxonomic characteristics: the major ubiquinone was Q-8, the DNA G+C content was 60.8 mol%, the major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C17 : 0 cyclo and the polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown aminophospholipid. Based on its morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, together with 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison results, strain RR11T represents a novel species, for which the name Burkholderia eburnea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain RR11T ( = KEMC 7302-065T = JCM 18070T).