- Volume 64, Issue Pt_8, 2014

A Gram-staining-negative, non-pigmented, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, non-motile bacterium, devoid of bacteriochlorophyll, designated strain CC-AMW-ET, was isolated from surface seawater off the coast at Kending, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMW-ET shared 95.7 and 93.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively, with the type strains of the type species of the genera Donghicola ( Donghicola eburneus SW-277T) and Roseovarius ( Roseovarius tolerans EL-172T). The predominant (>75 % of the total) fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The polar lipid profile included major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. In addition, moderate amounts of an unidentified lipid and trace amounts of an unidentified phospholipid were detected. The DNA G+C content was 67.9 mol%. Ubiquinone Q-10 was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on its phylogenetic distinctiveness and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics (in particular its polar lipid pattern), we conclude that strain CC-AMW-ET represents a novel genus and species of the family Rhodobacteraceae , for which the name Youngimonas vesicularis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Youngimonas vesicularis is CC-AMW-ET ( = JCM 18819T = BCRC 80549T). In addition, an emended description of the genus Donghicola Yoon et al. 2007 and the reclassification of Donghicola xiamenensis Tan et al. 2009 as Pseudodonghicola xiamenensis gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain Y-2T = MCCC 1A00107T = LMG 24574T = CGMCC 1.7081T) are proposed.

A novel strain, designated 5GHs31-2T, was isolated from a greenhouse soil sample collected from Yongin city, South Korea. Cells of strain 5GHs31-2T were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, polar flagellated and yellow-pigmented. The isolate was aerobic, catalase-negative and oxidase-positive and grew optimally at 28–30 °C and pH 7.0. Strain 5GHs31-2T revealed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Fulvimonas soli LMG 19981T (97.6 %), Dyella thiooxydans ATSB10T (97.5 %) and Frateuria terrea VA24T (97.4 %). Furthermore, the neighbour-joining tree showed that strain 5GHs31-2T was a representative of a member of the genus Fulvimonas . Strain 5GHs31-2T contained iso-C16 : 0, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 as the major fatty acids, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an aminolipid as the main polar lipids and Q-8 as the predominant quinone. The genomic DNA G+C content of 5GHs31-2T was 73.0 mol%. According to DNA–DNA hybridization experiments, DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain 5GHs31-2T and its closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 70 %. Based on the taxonomic data, strain 5GHs31-2T represents a novel species of the genus Fulvimonas , for which the name Fulvimonas yonginensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5GHs31-2T ( = KACC 16952T = DSM 28344T).

A Gram-negative, coccoid or oval-shaped and gliding bacterial strain, designated HDM-25T, belonging to the Alphaproteobacteria , was isolated from a tidal flat sediment of the Yellow Sea, Korea, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain HDM-25T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HDM-25T fell within the clade comprising the species of the genus Paracoccus , clustering with the type strain of Paracoccus aminophilus , with which it exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.7 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain HDM-25T and the type strains of the other species of Paracoccus was 93.6–97.0 %. The DNA G+C content was 65.9 mol% and the mean DNA–DNA relatedness between strain HDM-25T and the type strain of P. aminophilus was 10.7±2.7 % (9.9±4.0 %, reciprocal analysis). Strain HDM-25T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified lipid. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain HDM-25T is distinguishable from other species of the genus Paracoccus . On the basis of the data presented, strain HDM-25T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paracoccus , for which the name Paracoccus lutimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HDM-25T ( = KCTC 42007T = CECT 8525T).

A thermotolerant, Gram-strain-negative, non-spore-forming and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated GU51T, was isolated from Guhai hot spring in Jimsar county, Xinjiang province, north-west China. Each cell of strain GU51T consisted of an oval body and two symmetrical long (3–6 µm) prosthecae. The strain moved by polar flagellum. Oxidase and catalase were produced. Strain GU51T grew within the ranges of 37–65 °C (optimum 48–50 °C), 0.5–7.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2–3 %) and pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.5). The major respiratory quinone detected was ubiquinone 10 (U-10) and the genomic DNA G+C content was 66.7±0.4 mol%. Major fatty acids (>5 %) were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, five glycolipids, phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown phospholipid. Phylogenetic analysis showed the closest relatives of strain GU51T were members of the genus Parvularcula with 92.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. On the basis of this polyphasic taxonomic characterization, it is suggested that strain GU51T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family ‘ Parvularculaceae ’, for which the name Amphiplicatus metriothermophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is GU51T ( = CGMCC 1.12710T = JCM 19779T).

A Gram-staining-negative bacterium, strain DSG-S4-2T, was isolated from Dasugan Lake, a saline lake (salinity 3.1 %, w/v) in Qaidam basin, Qinghai, China and its taxonomic position was determined by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain DSG-S4-2T were non-spore-forming rods, 0.5–0.8 µm wide and 1.2–3.8 µm long and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strain DSG-S4-2T was strictly heterotrophic and aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. PufLM and coxL genes were present, bacteriochlorophyll a (BChl a) and a carotenoid pigment were produced. Growth was observed in the presence of 0–8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0–2.0 %), at 20–40 °C (optimum, 35 °C) and pH 6.5–10.5 (optimum, pH 7.5–8.0). Strain DSG-S4-2T contained Q-10 as the sole respiratory quinone. The polar lipids contained two aminolipids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, sulphoquinovosyldiacylglyceride, phosphatidylcholine and some unknown phospholipids, like the other members of the genus Roseibium . The predominant fatty acid (>70 %) was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content was 61.4 mol% (determined from melting temperature). Phylogenetic trees (neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony) based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DSG-S4-2T was associated with the members of the genus Roseibium , with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Roseibium denhamense OCh 254T (96.3 %) and Roseibium hamelinense OCh 368T (96.3 %). Based on the data presented above, it is concluded that strain DSG-S4-2T represents a novel species of the genus Roseibium , for which the name Roseibium aquae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DSG-S4-2T ( = CGMCC 1.12426T = JCM 19310T).

An investigation of the prevalence of Campylobacter ureolyticus in a variety of animals led to the identification of the strain CIT 045T, in the faeces of captive lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus). Originally, believed to be Campylobacter ureolyticus based on the colony morphology and positive urease test, analysis of 16S rRNA and hsp60 gene sequences of this isolate revealed that the strain differs significantly from other species of the genus Campylobacter described to date. Species-specific primers for 16S rRNA and hsp60 genes were designed and used to identify two additional strains isolated from faeces samples from other macaques. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA and hsp60 genes revealed ≤95 % and ≤82 % sequence similarity to recognized species of the genus Campylobacter respectively. All three isolates formed a distinct group within the genus Campylobacter based on their 16S rRNA and hsp60 sequences and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) profiles. The unique species status was further supported by phenotypic characteristics of the isolates. All isolates were found to be oxidase-, catalase- and urease-positive, they grew well at 37 °C and 42 °C and produced H2S on TSI (triple-sugar iron) and SIM (sulfide indole motility) media. The name Campylobacter corcagiensis sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species, with the strain CIT 045T as the type strain CIT 045T ( = LMG 27932T, CCUG 64942T).

A novel, strictly anaerobic, sulfate-reducing bacterium, designated strain SCBMT, was isolated from water extracted from a coal bed in Indiana, USA. The isolate was characterized by a polyphasic taxonomic approach that included phenotypic and genotypic characterizations. Cells of strain SCBMT were vibrio-shaped, polarly flagellated, Gram-negative, motile, oxidase-negative and weakly catalase-positive. Growth of strain SCBMT was observed at NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 300 mM. However, no growth was observed when 1 M or more NaCl was present. Growth was observed at 16–37 °C, with optimal growth at 30 °C. The optimum pH for growth was 7, although growth was observed from pH 6.5 to 8. The doubling time under optimal growth conditions (30 °C, pH 7, 2.5 mM benzoate, 14 mM sulfate) was 2.7 days. Bicarbonate, HEPES, PIPES and MES were effective buffers for growth of strain SCBMT, but citrate inhibited growth. When sulfate was provided as the electron acceptor, strain SCBMT grew autotrophically with hydrogen as the electron donor and heterotrophically on benzoate, formate, acetate, pyruvate, butyrate, fumarate, succinate and palmitate. None of the substrates tested supported fermentative growth. Thiosulfate and sulfate were used as electron acceptors coupled to benzoate oxidation, but sulfite, elemental sulfur, DMSO, anthraquinone 2,6-disulfonate, nitrate, nitrite, ferric citrate, hydrous iron oxide and oxygen were not. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 62.5 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed strain SCBMT into a distinct lineage within the class Deltaproteobacteria . The closest, cultivated phylogenetic relative of strain SCBMT was Desulfarculus baarsii DSM 2075T, with only 91.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic analyses, strain SCBMT represents a novel genus and species of sulfate-reducing bacteria, for which the name Desulfocarbo indianensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Desulfocarbo indianensis is SCBMT ( = DSM 28127T = JCM 19826T). Desulfocarbo is the second genus of the order Desulfarculales .

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, cream, long rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain ZL136T, was isolated from deep water of the South China Sea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that this strain belonged to the genus Roseivivax with highest sequence similarity to Roseivivax halodurans OCh 239T (97.0 %), followed by Roseivivax isoporae sw-2T (96.9 %). Growth occurred at 4–37 °C (optimum 32 °C), pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum 8.0) and in the presence of 0–12 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3–4 %) in marine broth 2216. Strain ZL136T did not produce bacteriochlorophyll a. The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c, C18 : 0, C16 : 0 and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c. The major polar lipids of ZL136T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified lipid. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain ZL136T was 67.0 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain ZL136T was classified as a representative of a novel species in the genus of Roseivivax , for which the name Roseivivax marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZL136T ( = JCM 19386T = KCTC 32470T).

A novel strain designated SR18T was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a ginseng in Korea. Cells were Gram-staining-negative, motile by gliding, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, non-spore-forming rods. The isolate grew aerobically at 15–45 °C (optimum 28 °C), pH 5.5–7.5 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0–3.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.5 % NaCl). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SR18T belongs to the genus Chitinophaga with sequence similarity of 97.2 % and 97.0 % to Chitinophaga japonensis 758T and Chitinophaga rupis CS5-B1T, respectively. Similarity to other species of the genus Chitinophaga was 92.8–95.5 %. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1ω5c. The polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified phospholipids, unknown aminolipids and unknown lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 45.3 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain SR18T and C. japonensis NBRC 16041T was 29–32 %. On the basis of polyphasic analysis from this study, strain SR18T represents a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga , for which the name Chitinophaga ginsengihumi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SR18T ( = KACC 17604T = NBRC 109832T).

A Gram-staining-negative, yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic, zeaxanthin-producing, rod-shaped, non-endospore-forming, appendaged bacterial strain that exhibits gliding motility, designated CC-AMSZ-TT, was isolated from marine sediment off coastal Kending, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMSZ-TT shared 94.9 % and 96.7–94.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Gramella echinicola KMM 6050T and other species of the genus Gramella , respectively, and formed a distinct phyletic lineage in phylogenetic trees. The major (≥5 % of the total) fatty acids were C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c and iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl. Phosphatidylethanolamine, six unidentified lipids and three unidentified aminolipids were the polar lipid components. The DNA G+C content was 38.6 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Based on the phylogenetic distinctiveness and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics, strain CC-AMSZ-TT represents a novel species of the genus Gramella , for which the name Gramella oceani sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-AMSZ-TT ( = JCM 18809T = BCRC 80547T).

A Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, non-pigmented, non-gliding, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain BY4T, was isolated from freshwater. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive and indole was produced. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain BY4T belonged to the family Flavobacteriaceae and showed 91.6–95.9 % sequence similarities to the most closely related strains. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6 and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major polyamine was homospermidine and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content was 30.0 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic features, strain BY4T is suggested to represent a novel species in a new genus within the family Flavobacteriaceae , for which the name Chishuiella changwenlii gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this type species is BY4T ( = CGMCC 1.12707T = JCM 19633T). On the basis of data collected from previous and present studies, it is proposed to reclassify Wautersiella falsenii to the genus Empedobacter as the new combination Empedobacter falsenii comb. nov. (type strain NF 993T = CCUG 51536T = CIP 108861T).

Taxonomic studies were performed on an agarase-producing strain, designated WV33T, isolated from faeces of Antarctic penguins. Cells of strain WV33T were Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, orange and rod-shaped. Strain WV33T displayed agarase activity and was able to utilize galactose as a sole carbon source. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain WV33T was closely related to Flavobacterium algicola TC2T (98.0 % similarity), F. frigidarium ATCC 700810T (96.9 %) and F. frigoris LMG 21922T (96.1 %). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the sole quinone identified, and the major pigment was zeaxanthin. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. DNA–DNA relatedness of strain WV33T with respect to its closest phylogenetic neighbours was 25 % for F. algicola NBRC 102673T, 23 % for F. frigidarium DSM 17623T and 21 % for F. frigoris DSM 15719T. The DNA G+C content of strain WV33T was 37±0.6 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain WV33T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium faecale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WV33T ( = KCTC 32457T = CECT 8384T).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, saffron-pigmented, non-motile bacterial strain KMM 9545T, was isolated from a marine sand sediment sample obtained from the Sea of Japan seashore and characterized in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KMM 9545T showed a high level of similarity to species of the genus Gaetbulibacter (95.1–96.2 %), the type strains of species of the genus Tamlana (94.9–96.1 %) and members of the genus Algibacter (94.8–96.1 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences positioned strain KMM 9545T as a distinct lineage in the cluster comprising species of the genus Tamlana . Strain KMM 9545T grew at temperatures between 5–36 °C and in the presence of 2–4 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1, iso-C17 : 1 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 2-OH as the major fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 31.3 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic distance, it can be concluded that strain KMM 9545T represents a novel species of the genus Tamlana , for which the name Tamlana sedimentorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 9545T ( = NRIC 0921T = JCM 19808T).

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, yellow colony-forming bacterium, designated strain 3-3T, was isolated from forest soil of Bac Kan Province in Vietnam. Cells were non-motile rods without gliding motility, showing oxidase- and catalase-positive reactions. Growth was observed at 20–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c). Strain 3-3T contained phosphatidylethanoamine, three unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 49.5 mol% and the only isoprenoid quinone detected was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 3-3T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with Flavihumibacter petaseus T41T with a bootstrap value of 100 %. Strain 3-3T was related most closely to F. petaseus T41T with 97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and the level of DNA–DNA relatedness between the two was 9.4±1.2 %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain 3-3T represents a novel species of the genus Flavihumibacter , for which the name Flavihumibacter solisilvae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3-3T ( = KACC 17917T = JCM 19891T).

Two thermophilic, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacteria (strains KI3T and KI4T) were isolated from geothermally heated biofilms growing on a tumulus in the Kilauea Iki pit crater on the flank of Kilauea Volcano (Hawai‘i, USA). Strain KI3T grew over an examined temperature range of 50–70 °C (no growth at 80 °C) and a pH range of 6.0–9.0, with optimum growth at 70 °C and pH 7.0. Strain KI4T grew at temperatures of 55–70 °C and a pH range of 5.8–8.0, with optimum growth at 65 °C and pH 6.7–7.1. The DNA G+C contents of strains KI3T and KI4T were 66.0 and 60.7 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acid for both strains was 12-methyl C18 : 0. Polar lipids in strain KI3T were dominated by glycolipids and phosphatidylinositol, while phosphatidylinositol and phosphoglycolipids dominated in strain KI4T. Strain KI3T oxidized carbon monoxide [6.7±0.8 nmol CO h−1 (mg protein)−1], but strain KI4T did not. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses determined that the strains belong to the class Thermomicrobia , and that strains KI3T and KI4T are related most closely to Thermomicrobium roseum DSM 5159T (96.5 and 91.1 % similarity, respectively). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain KI3T and strain KI4T was 91.4 %. Phenotypic features and phylogenetic analyses supported the affiliation of strain KI3T to the genus Thermomicrobium , while results of chemotaxonomic, physiological and biochemical assays differentiated strains KI3T and KI4T from Thermomicrobium roseum . Strain KI3T ( = DSM 27067T = ATCC BAA-2535T) is thus considered to be the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Thermomicrobium carboxidum sp. nov. is proposed. Additionally, the characterization and phylogenetic position of strain KI4T showed that it represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Thermorudis peleae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thermorudis peleae is KI4T ( = DSM 27169T = ATCC BAA-2536T).

A novel acidobacterial strain, Sakura1T, was isolated from pieces of cherry bark. Cells of strain Sakura1T were non-motile, rod-shaped and stained Gram-negative. This strictly aerobic isolate was mesophilic but was able to grow at temperatures as low as 10 °C. Colonies were pink due to production of carotenoids, and its pigmentation was more pronounced in cells grown at lower temperature. This strain had endoglucanase activity. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-8, and major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain was closely related to species of the genus Granulicella in subdivision 1 of the phylum Acidobacteria . The closest relative was Granulicella paludicola OB1010T (97.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). While common characteristics were found among the isolate and species of the genus Granulicella, there were obvious differences between them such as their cell morphology, cellulolytic activity, and tolerance to low temperature and NaCl concentration. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic findings, a novel species is proposed in the genus Granulicella with the name Granulicella cerasi sp. nov. The type strain is Sakura1T ( = NBRC 107139T = DSM 23641T).

An obligately anaerobic, psychrophilic spirochaete, strain MO-SPC1T, was isolated from a methanogenic microbial community grown in a continuous-flow bioreactor. Originally, this community was obtained from subseafloor sediments off the Shimokita Peninsula of Japan in the north-western Pacific Ocean. The cells were motile, Gram-stain-negative, helical, 0.25–0.55×3.6–15 µm, with a wavelength of approximately 0.5–0.6 µm. Strain MO-SPC1T grew at 0–18 °C (optimally at 15 °C), at pH 6.0–7.5 (optimally at pH 6.8–7.0) and in 20–70 g NaCl l−1 (optimally at 30–40 NaCl l−1). The strain grew chemo-organotrophically with mono-, di- and polysaccharides. The major end products of glucose fermentation were acetate, ethanol, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The abundant polar lipids of strain MO-SPC1T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unknown phospholipids and an unknown lipid. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 % of the total) were C14 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C13 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C13 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the fatty acids iso-C13 : 0 and anteiso-C13 : 0 from a species of the genus Spirochaeta . Isoprenoid quinones were not found. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 39.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis showed that strain MO-SPC1T was affiliated with the genus Spirochaeta , and its closest relatives were Spirochaeta isovalerica MA-2T (95.6 % sequence identity) and Spirochaeta litoralis R1T (89.4 %). Based on its phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic traits, strain MO-SPC1T is placed in a separate taxon at the level of a novel species within the genus Spirochaeta, for which the name Spirochaeta psychrophila sp. nov. is proposed, reflecting its true psychrophilic physiology. The type strain is MO-SPC1T ( = JCM 17280T = DSM 23951T). To our knowledge, this is the first report of an isolate of the phylum Spirochaetes from a deep-sea sedimentary environment, and of an obligately psychrophilic nature.

A facultatively anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-spore-forming bacterium was isolated from a littoral wetland of a boreal lake located on Valaam Island, northern Russia, and designated strain P105T. Cells of this isolate were Gram-negative, non-motile rods coated by S-layers with p2 lattice symmetry. Sugars were the preferred growth substrates. Under anoxic conditions, strain P105T was capable of fermentation and dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction. End products of fermentation were acetate, propionate and H2. Strain P105T was a mildly acidophilic, mesophilic organism, capable of growth at pH 4.0–7.2 (optimum pH 5.5–6.0) and at 4–35 °C (optimum at 20–28 °C). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c; the cells also contained significant amounts of 13,16-dimethyl octacosanedioic acid (isodiabolic acid). The major polar lipids were phosphocholine and phosphoethanolamine; the quinone was MK-8. The G+C content of the DNA was 60.5 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain P105T belongs to subdivision 3 of the Acidobacteria and is only distantly related (90 % sequence similarity) to the only currently characterized member of this subdivision, Bryobacter aggregatus . The novel isolate differs from Bryobacter aggregatus in its cell morphology and ability to grow under anoxic conditions and in the presence of iron- and nitrate-reducing capabilities as well as quinone and polar lipid compositions. These differences suggest that strain P105T represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Paludibaculum fermentans gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Paludibaculum fermentans is P105T ( = DSM 26340T = VKM B-2878T).

We isolated two strains of a novel Lipomyces species from soil collected in Chichibu forest, Saitama prefecture, Japan. Based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics, along with multilocus sequence typing using the D1/D2 domain of the large-subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the translation elongation factor 1 alpha gene (EF-1α), the two strains were shown to represent a novel species of the genus Lipomyces, described as Lipomyces chichibuensis sp. nov. (type strain CB08-2T = NBRC 109582T = CBS 12929T; Mycobank no. MB808164). In addition, we reidentified the type strains of Lipomyces kononenkoae and Lipomyces spencermartinsiae maintained in culture collections based on phenotypic characters and/or DNA–DNA hybridization to ensure correct future identification of species of the genus Lipomyces. The correct type strains of L. kononenkoae and L. spencermartinsiae are NBRC 107661T ( = CBS 2514T) and NBRC 10376T ( = CBS 5608T), respectively.