- Volume 64, Issue Pt_9, 2014

Four Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative, coccoid-shaped organisms were isolated from elephant oral cavities. The isolates were tentatively identified as streptococcal species based on the results of biochemical tests. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies confirmed the organisms to be members of the genus Streptococcus . Two isolates (NUM 6304T and NUM 6312) were related most closely to Streptococcus salivarius with 96.8 % and 93.1 % similarity based on the 16S rRNA gene and the RNA polymerase β subunit encoding gene (rpoB), respectively, and to Streptococcus vestibularis with 83.7 % similarity based on the 60 kDa heat-shock protein gene (groEL). The other two isolates (NUM 6306T and NUM 6318) were related most closely to S. vestibularis with 97.0 % and 82.9 % similarity based on the 16S rRNA and groEL genes, respectively, and to S. salivarius with 93.5 % similarity based on the rpoB gene. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, these isolates are suggested to represent novel species of the genus Streptococcus , for which the names Streptococcus loxodontisalivarius sp. nov. (type strain NUM 6304T = JCM 19287T = DSM 27382T) and Streptococcus saliviloxodontae sp. nov. (type strain NUM 6306T = JCM 19288T = DSM 27513T) are proposed.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming bacterium, strain D45T, was isolated from soil in Nanjing, China. The organism grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and with 0 % NaCl (w/v). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed similarities lower than 97 % with respect to species of the genus Cohnella . The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7, with MK-6 present as a minor component; anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 were the major fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain D45T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminophospholipids, four phospholipids, two glycolipids, one aminolipid and two lipids. The DNA G+C content was 59.5 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization of the isolate with two reference strains showed relatedness values of 33.4 % with Cohnella ginsengisoli DSM 18997T and 25.8 % with Cohnella thermotolerans DSM 17683T. The phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data supported the classification of strain D45T as a representative of a novel species of the genus Cohnella , for which the name Cohnella nanjingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D45T ( = CCTCC AB 2014067T = DSM 28246T).

A polyphasic study was undertaken to determine the taxonomic position of 13 Campylobacter fetus -like strains from humans (n = 8) and reptiles (n = 5). The results of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS and genomic data from sap analysis, 16S rRNA gene and hsp60 sequence comparison, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization and whole genome sequencing demonstrated that these strains are closely related to C. fetus but clearly differentiated from recognized subspecies of C. fetus . Therefore, this unique cluster of 13 strains represents a novel subspecies within the species C. fetus , for which the name Campylobacter fetus subsp. testudinum subsp. nov. is proposed, with strain 03-427T ( = ATCC BAA-2539T = LMG 27499T) as the type strain. Although this novel taxon could not be differentiated from C. fetus subsp. fetus and C. fetus subsp. venerealis using conventional phenotypic tests, MALDI-TOF MS revealed the presence of multiple phenotypic biomarkers which distinguish Campylobacter fetus subsp. testudinum subsp. nov. from recognized subspecies of C. fetus .

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CC-LY845T, was isolated from the surface of rice straw in Taiwan. Cells were non-motile, and no flagellum was detected. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain was phylogenetically related to species of the genus Rhizobium , with closest similarity to Rhizobium pseudoryzae KCTC 23294T (97.6 %), R. rhizoryzae KCTC 23652T (97.0 %) and R. oryzae LMG 24253T (96.7 %); other species showed lower levels of similarity (<96.6 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness of strain CC-LY845T and R. pseudoryzae KCTC 23294T was 34.8±3.1 % (reciprocal value 39.2±2.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the housekeeping atpD and recA genes showed that the novel strain could be distinguished from R. pseudoryzae KCTC 23294T (92.7 and 91.5 %, respectively) and other species of the genus Rhizobium . The temperature range for growth was 25–42 °C, the pH range was 5.0–9.0 and NaCl concentrations up to 4.0 % (w/v) were tolerated. Strain CC-LY845T did not form nodules on four different legumes, and the nodD and nifH genes were not detected by PCR. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c). The polyamine pattern of strain CC-LY845T showed spermidine and putrescine as major polyamines. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The DNA G+C content was 68.3±2.4 mol%. Base on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-LY845T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Rhizobium , for which the name Rhizobium straminoryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain CC-LY845T ( = BCRC 80698T = JCM 19536T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, BS-B2T, which was isolated from a tidal flat sediment at Boseong in South Korea, was characterized taxonomically. Strain BS-B2T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The novel strain exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.4 %) to Marivita geojedonensis DPG-138T. Neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain BS-B2T is closely related to Primorskyibacter sedentarius KMM 9018T, showing 96.5 % sequence similarity. Strain BS-B2T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the predominant fatty acid. The polar lipid profile of strain BS-B2T comprised phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid as major components, and differentiated it from the type strains of P. sedentarius and M. geojedonensis . The DNA G+C content of strain BS-B2T was 62.2 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, demonstrated that strain BS-B2T can be distinguished from phylogenetically related genera as well as P. sedentarius and M. geojedonensis . On the basis of the data presented, strain BS-B2T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Aestuariivita boseongensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Aestuariivita boseongensis is BS-B2T ( = KCTC 42052T = CECT 8532T).

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, moderately halophilic, rod-shaped bacteria (strains Ar-45T and DY470T) were isolated from seawater collected from the Southern Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, respectively. Growth of strain Ar-45T was observed with between 0.5 and 10.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 0.5–3.0 %) and between pH 5.5 and 9.5. Strain DY470T grew in the presence of 0.5–7.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 2.0 %) and at pH 5.5–8.5. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed Q-10 as the respiratory quinone for both strains. The major fatty acids (>5 %) of strain Ar-45T were C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C18 : 1ω7c, while those of strain DY470T were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c. The DNA G+C contents of the two strains were 62.0 and 61.8 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains Ar-45T and DY470T were related most closely to the genus Oceanicola , with sequence similarities of 97.4–94.0 and 97.7–94.7 %, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain Ar-45T and Oceanicola marinus LMG 23705T was 22.0 %. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain DY470T and Oceanicola nitratireducens LMG 24663T and Oceanicola batsensis DSM 15984T were 32.5 and 26.1 %, respectively. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strains Ar-45T and DY470T are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Oceanicola , for which the names Oceanicola antarcticus (type strain Ar-45T = CGMCC 1.12662T = LMG 27868T) and Oceanicola flagellatus (type strain DY470T = CGMCC 1.12664T = LMG 27871T) are proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, elongated rod-shaped, motile by gliding, green-pigmented, aerobic bacterial strain, designated LY03T, was isolated from lake water in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Chitinimonas , which belongs to the family Burkholderiaceae . Strain LY03T was most closely related to Chitinimonas taiwanensis LMG 22011T (96.02 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), followed by Chitinimonas koreensis KACC 11467T (94.85 %), and the three strains formed a distinct lineage from other strains in the phylogenetic analyses. Optimum conditions for growth were 37 °C, pH 7–9 and without NaCl. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C16 : 0 and C10 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G+C content of strain LY03T was 63.6 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The polar lipids were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown polar lipids and unidentified phospholipids. Differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness distinguished strain LY03T from all other members of the genus Chitinimonas . On the basis of its morphology, physiology, fatty acid composition and 16S rRNA gene sequence data, strain LY03T represents a novel species of the genus Chitinimonas , for which the name Chitinimonas prasina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LY03T ( = MCCC 1F01209T = KCTC 32574T).

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, mesophilic, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, strain 5-11T, was isolated from surface seawater at Muroto city, Kochi prefecture, Japan. The strain exhibited a narrow growth temperature range of 20–30 °C. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain fell within the order Kordiimonadales in the class Alphaproteobacteria and was related most closely to the genus Kordiimonas (up to 91.2 % similarity to the type strains of species of the genus) but branched deeply from species of Kordiimonas . The major fatty acids were iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C15 : 0, and C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH. Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was detected as the sole isoprenoid quinone. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified aminolipid. Although strains of Kordiimonas have been shown to contain unidentified glycolipids, they were not detected from strain 5-11T. The DNA G+C content of strain 5-11T was 44.3 mol%, a value that was lower than those of strains of Kordiimonas (50–58 mol%) and was relatively low for the members of the class Alphaproteobacteria . On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data, it is proposed that strain 5-11T represents a novel species of a new genus, Temperatibacter marinus gen. nov., sp. nov., within a new family Temperatibacteraceae fam. nov. The type strain of Temperatibacter marinus is 5-11T ( = NBRC 110045T = LMG 28278T).

A strictly anaerobic, mesophilic, sulfate-reducing bacterial strain (DST), isolated from river sediment contaminated with volatile organic compounds, was characterized phenotypically and phylogenetically. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, non-motile short rods. For growth, optimum NaCl concentration was 0.9 g l−1, optimum temperature was 30 °C and optimum pH was 7.2. Strain DST utilized phenol, benzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, 4-methylphenol, 4-chlorophenol, acetate, butyrate and pyruvate as electron donors for sulfate reduction. Electron donors were completely oxidized. Strain DST did not utilize sulfite, thiosulfate or nitrate as electron acceptors. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain DST was 58.9 mol%. Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C14 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene indicated its closest relatives were strains of Desulfobacterium anilini (about 98–99 % sequence similarity) but the DNA–DNA hybridization value with Desulfobacterium anilini Ani1T was around 40 %. Although strain DST and its relatives shared most phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the utilization of 4-chlorophenol, the range of electron acceptors and the optimum growth conditions differed. Strain DST is closely related to strains of Desulfobacterium anilini , but constitutes a different species within the genus. Based on phylogeny, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain DST and Desulfobacterium anilini were clearly different from strains of other species of the genus Desulfobacterium . We thus propose the reclassification of Desulfobacterium anilini within a new genus, Desulfatiglans gen. nov., as Desulfatiglans anilini comb. nov. We also propose Desulfatiglans parachlorophenolica sp. nov. to accommodate strain DST. The type strain is DST ( = JCM 19179T = DSM 27197T).

The Ralstonia solanacearum species complex has long been recognized as a group of phenotypically diverse strains that can be subdivided into four phylotypes. Using a polyphasic taxonomic approach on an extensive set of strains, this study provides evidence for a taxonomic and nomenclatural revision of members of this complex. Data obtained from phylogenetic analysis of 16S-23S rRNA ITS gene sequences, 16S–23S rRNA intergenic spacer (ITS) region sequences and partial endoglucanase (egl) gene sequences and DNA–DNA hybridizations demonstrate that the R. solanacearum species complex comprises three genospecies. One of these includes the type strain of Ralstonia solanacearum and consists of strains of R. solanacearum phylotype II only. The second genospecies includes the type strain of Ralstonia syzygii and contains only phylotype IV strains. This genospecies is subdivided into three distinct groups, namely R. syzygii , the causal agent of Sumatra disease on clove trees in Indonesia, R. solanacearum phylotype IV strains isolated from different host plants mostly from Indonesia, and strains of the blood disease bacterium (BDB), the causal agent of the banana blood disease, a bacterial wilt disease in Indonesia that affects bananas and plantains. The last genospecies is composed of R. solanacearum strains that belong to phylotypes I and III. As these genospecies are also supported by phenotypic data that allow the differentiation of the three genospecies, the following taxonomic proposals are made: emendation of the descriptions of Ralstonia solanacearum and Ralstonia syzygii and descriptions of Ralstonia syzygii subsp. nov. (type strain R 001T = LMG 10661T = DSM 7385T) for the current R. syzygii strains, Ralstonia syzygii subsp. indonesiensis subsp. nov. (type strain UQRS 464T = LMG 27703T = DSM 27478T) for the current R. solanacearum phylotype IV strains, Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis subsp. nov. (type strain UQRS 627T = LMG 27706T = DSM 27477T) for the BDB strains and Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum sp. nov. (type strain UQRS 461T = LMG 9673T = NCPPB 1029T) for the strains of R. solanacearum phylotypes I and III.

Two Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated BM5-7T and BM9-1T were isolated from soil of the root system of a mangrove forest. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the two isolates belong to the genus Martelella . The chemotaxonomic characteristics of these isolates included the presence of C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C18 : 1ω7c as the major cellular fatty acids and Q-10 as the dominant ubiquinone. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains BM5-7T and BM9-1T were 61.0 and 59.7 mol% (HPLC method), respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two strains was 98.1 %, but DNA–DNA hybridization indicated 44 % relatedness. Strains BM5-7T and BM9-1T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.0–99.2 % and 97.7–98.1 %, respectively, with type strains of Martelella endophytica and Martelella mediterranea . Combined data from phenotypic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA relatedness studies demonstrated that strains BM5-7T and BM9-1T are representatives of two novel species of the genus Martelella , for which the names Martelella radicis sp. nov. (type strain BM5-7T = DSM 28101T = LMG 27958T) and Martelella mangrovi sp. nov. (type strain BM9-1T = DSM 28102T = LMG 27959T) are proposed.

Strains previously classified as members of Klebsiella pneumoniae phylogroups KpI, KpII-A, KpII-B and KpIII were characterized by 16S rRNA (rrs) gene sequencing, multilocus sequence analysis based on rpoB, fusA, gapA, gyrA and leuS genes, average nucleotide identity and biochemical characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that KpI and KpIII corresponded to K. pneumoniae and Klebsiella variicola , respectively, whereas KpII-A and KpII-B formed two well-demarcated sequence clusters distinct from other members of the genus Klebsiella . Average nucleotide identity between KpII-A and KpII-B was 96.4 %, whereas values lower than 94 % were obtained for both groups when compared with K. pneumoniae and K. variicola . Biochemical properties differentiated KpII-A, KpII-B, K. pneumoniae and K. variicola , with acid production from adonitol and l-sorbose and ability to use 3-phenylproprionate, 5-keto-d-gluconate and tricarballylic acid as sole carbon sources being particularly useful. Based on their genetic and phenotypic characteristics, we propose the names Klebsiella quasipneumoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae subsp. nov. and K. quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae subsp. nov. for strains of KpII-A and KpII-B, respectively. The type strain of K. quasipneumoniae sp. nov. and of K. quasipneumoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae subsp. nov. is 01A030T ( = SB11T = CIP 110771T = DSM 28211T). The type strain of K. quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae subsp. nov. is 07A044T ( = SB30T = CIP 110770T = DSM 28212T). Both strains were isolated from human blood cultures. This work also showed that Klebsiella singaporensis is a junior heterotypic synonym of K. variicola .

A phosphate-mobilizing, Gram-negative bacterium was isolated from rhizospheric soil of Plantago winteri from a natural salt meadow as part of an investigation of rhizospheric bacteria from salt-resistant plant species and evaluation of their plant-growth-promoting abilities. Cells were rods, motile, strictly aerobic, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain E19T was distinct from other taxa within the class Alphaproteobacteria . Strain E19T showed less than 93.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with members of the genera Rhizobium (≤93.5 %), Labrenzia (≤93.1 %), Stappia (≤93.1 %), Aureimonas (≤93.1 %) and Mesorhizobium (≤93.0 %) and was most closely related to Rhizobium rhizoryzae (93.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain). The sole respiratory quinone was Q-10, and the polar lipids comprised phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an aminolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. Major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c (71.4 %), summed feature 2 (C14 : 0 3-OH and/or iso-C16 : 1; 8.3 %), C20 : 0 (7.9 %) and C16 : 0 (6.1 %). The DNA G+C content of strain E19T was 59.9±0.7 mol%. The capacity for nitrogen fixation was confirmed by the presence of the nifH gene and the acetylene reduction assay. On the basis of the results of our polyphasic taxonomic study, the new isolate represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Hartmannibacter diazotrophicus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Hartmannibacter diazotrophicus is E19T ( = LMG 27460T = KACC 17263T).

A novel Gram-staining-negative, purple non-sulfur bacterium, strain AK41T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Coringa mangrove forest, Andhra Pradesh, India. A red–brownish-coloured culture was obtained on modified Pfennig medium after enrichment with 2 % NaCl and 0.3 % pyruvate under 2000 lx illumination. Individual cells were ovoid–rod-shaped and non-motile. Bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene series were present as photosynthetic pigments. Strain AK41T was halophilic and grew photoheterotrophically with a number of organic compounds as carbon sources and electron donors. It was unable to grow photoautotrophically. It did not utilize sulfide or thiosulfate as electron donors. The fatty acids were found to be dominated by C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. Strain AK41T contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown aminolipid and four unknown lipids as polar lipids. Q-10 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The DNA G+C content of strain AK41T was 68.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain AK41T was a member of the genus Rhodovulum and was closely related to Rhodovulum sulfidophilum , with 96.0 % similarity to the type strain; the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of other species of the genus Rhodovulum was 93.9–95.8 %. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain AK41T clustered with the type strains of Rhodovulum marinum , Rdv. kholense , Rdv. sulfidophilum and Rdv. visakhapatnamense with sequence similarity of 95.9–96.2 %. Based on data from the current study, strain AK41T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Rhodovulum , for which the name Rhodovulum mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rhodovulum mangrovi is AK41T ( = MTCC 11825T = JCM 19220T).

Two novel bacterial strains, SLG210-30A1T and SLG210-19A2, which shared 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other, were isolated from petroleum-contaminated saline soil in Shengli Oilfield, eastern China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, motile, aerobic, mesophilic and moderately halophilic. They could grow chemoheterotrophically with oxygen as an electron acceptor. Morphologically, cells were typical Caulobacteria-type dimorphic prosthecate bacteria. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains SLG210-30A1T and SLG210-19A2 were 61.8 mol% and 61.6 mol% respectively. Strain SLG210-30A1T had Q10 as the predominant respiratory ubiquinone, and C16 : 0 (28.4 %), C17 : 0 (11.6 %), C18 : 0 (22.1 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (14.0 %) as the major cellular fatty acids. The polar lipids of the two isolates were some glycolipids, a lipid, a phospholipid, an aminoglycolipid and an aminophospholipid (all unidentified). The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains SLG210-30A1T and SLG210-19A2 showed the highest similarities with Glycocaulis abyssi MCS 33T (99.8–99.9 %), but low sequence similarities (<94.7 %) with type strains of other members of the family Hyphomonadaceae . However, the DNA–DNA relatedness of G. abyssi MCS 33T to strains SLG210-30A1T and SLG210-19A2 was 37.4±4.4 % and 36.1±1.1 %, respectively. Based on different physiological, biochemical, and phylogenetic characteristics, strains SLG210-30A1T and SLG210-19A2 represent a novel species of the genus Glycocaulis . The name Glycocaulis albus is therefore proposed with strain SLG210-30A1T ( = LMG 27741T = CGMCC 1.12766T) as the type strain. An emended description of the genus Glycocaulis is also provided.

A novel mesophilic, strictly hydrogen-oxidizing, sulfur-, nitrate- and thiosulfate-reducing bacterium, designated strain Monchim33T, was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney at the Central Indian Ridge. The non-motile, rod-shaped cells were Gram-stain-negative and non-sporulating. Growth was observed between 15 and 37 °C (optimum 33 °C; 3.2 h doubling time) and between pH 5.4 and 8.6 (optimum pH 6.0). The isolate was a strictly anaerobic chemolithoautotroph capable of using molecular hydrogen as the sole energy source and carbon dioxide as the sole carbon source. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel isolate belonged to the genus Sulfurovum and was closely related to Sulfurovum sp. NBC37-1 and Sulfurovum lithotrophicum 42BKT (95.6 and 95.4 % similarity, respectively). DNA–DNA hybridization demonstrated that the novel isolate could be differentiated genotypically from Sulfurovum sp. NBC37-1 and Sulfurovum lithotrophicum . On the basis of the molecular and physiological traits of the new isolate, the name Sulfurovum aggregans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Monchim33T ( = JCM 19824T = DSM 27205T).

Sixteen strains of symbiotic bacteria from root nodules of Glycine max grown in Ottawa, Canada, were previously characterized and placed in a novel group within the genus Bradyrhizobium . To verify their taxonomic status, these strains were further characterized using a polyphasic approach. All strains possessed identical 16S rRNA gene sequences that were 99.79 % similar to the closest relative, Bradyrhizobium liaoningense LMG 18230T. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated atpD, glnII, recA, gyrB, rpoB and dnaK genes divided the 16 strains into three multilocus sequence types that were placed in a highly supported lineage distinct from named species of the genus Bradyrhizobium consistent with results of DNA–DNA hybridization. Based on analysis of symbiosis gene sequences (nodC and nifH), all novel strains were placed in a phylogenetic group with five species of the genus Bradyrhizobium that nodulate soybeans. The combination of phenotypic characteristics from several tests including carbon and nitrogen source utilization and antibiotic resistance could be used to differentiate representative strains from recognized species of the genus Bradyrhizobium . Novel strain OO99T elicits effective nodules on Glycine max, Glycine soja and Macroptilium atropurpureum, partially effective nodules on Desmodium canadense and Vigna unguiculata, and ineffective nodules on Amphicarpaea bracteata and Phaseolus vulgaris. Based on the data presented, we conclude that our strains represent a novel species for which the name Bradyrhizobium ottawaense sp. nov. is proposed, with OO99T ( = LMG 26739T = HAMBI 3284T) as the type strain. The DNA G+C content is 62.6 mol%.

A Gram-staining-negative, curved-rod-shaped bacterium with close resemblance to Vibrio cholerae , the aetiological agent of cholera, was isolated over the course of several years from coastal brackish water (17 strains) and from clinical cases (two strains) in the United States. 16S rRNA gene identity with V. cholerae exceeded 98 % yet an average nucleotide identity based on genome data of around 86 % and multi locus sequence analysis of six housekeeping genes (mdh, adk, gyrB, recA, pgi and rpoB) clearly delineated these isolates as a distinct genotypic cluster within the V. cholerae – V. mimicus clade. Most standard identification techniques do not differentiate this cluster of isolates from V. cholerae . Only amplification of the ompW gene using V. cholerae -specific primers and a negative Voges–Proskauer test showed a difference between the two clusters. Additionally, all isolated strains differed phenotypically from V. cholerae in their ability to utilize N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and d-glucuronic acid as sole carbon sources. Furthermore, they were generally unable to infect the slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum, a widespread ability in V. cholerae . Based on these clear phenotypic differences that are not necessarily apparent in standard tests as well as average nucleotide identity and phylogeny of protein-coding genes, we propose the existence of a novel species, Vibrio metoecus sp. nov. with the type strain OP3HT ( = LMG 27764T = CIP 110643T). Due to its close resemblance to V. cholerae and the increasing number of strains isolated over the past several years, we suggest that V. metoecus sp. nov. is a relatively common species of the genus Vibrio , isolates of which have been identified as atypical isolates of V. cholerae in the past. Its isolation from clinical samples also indicates that strains of this species, like V. cholerae , are opportunistic pathogens.

An endophytic bacterium, designated K-38T, was isolated from the storage liquid in the stems of Populus euphratica trees at the ancient Ugan River in Xinjiang, PR China. Strain K-38T was found to be rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and non-spore-forming. Strain K-38T grew at temperatures of 25–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in the presence of 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl with 1 % as the optimum concentration for growth. According to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain K-38T was assigned to the genus Rhizobium with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.2 % to Rhizobium rosettiformans W3T, followed by Rhizobium nepotum 39/7T (96.5 %) and Rhizobium borbori DN316T (96.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis of strain K-38T based on the protein coding genes recA, atpD and nifH confirmed (similarities were less than 90 %) it to be a representative of a distinctly delineated species of the genus Rhizobium . The DNA G+C content was determined to be 63.5 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between K-38T and R. rosettiformans W3T was 48.4 %, indicating genetic separation of strain K-38T from the latter strain. The major components of the cellular fatty acids in strain K-38T were revealed to be summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c; 57.2 %), C16 : 0 (13.6 %) and summed feature 2 (comprising C12 : 0 aldehyde, C14 : 0 3-OH/iso-C16 : 1 I and/or unknown ECL 10.928; 11.0 %). Polar lipids of strain K-38T include phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminophospholipids and two unidentified phospholipids. Q-10 was the major quinone in strain K-38T. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain K-38T represents a novel species of the genus Rhizobium , for which the name Rhizobium populi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K-38T ( = CCTCC AB 2013068T = NRRL B-59990T = JCM 19159T).

Nitrogen (N), the nutrient most required for plant growth, is key for good yield of agriculturally important crops. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) can benefit from bacteria collectively called rhizobia, which are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen (N2) in root nodules and supplying it to the plant. Common bean is amongst the most promiscuous legume hosts; several described species, in addition to putative novel ones have been reported as able to nodulate this legume, although not always effectively in terms of fixing N2. In this study, we present data indicating that Brazilian strains PRF 35T, PRF 54, CPAO 1135 and H 52, currently classified as Rhizobium tropici , represent a novel species symbiont of common bean. Morphological, physiological and biochemical properties differentiate these strains from other species of the genus Rhizobium , as do BOX-PCR profiles (less than 60 % similarity), multilocus sequence analysis with recA, gyrB and rpoA (less than 96.4 % sequence similarity), DNA–DNA hybridization (less than 50 % DNA–DNA relatedness), and average nucleotide identity of whole genomes (less than 92.8.%). The novel species is effective in nodulating and fixing N2 with P. vulgaris, Leucaena leucocephala and Leucaena esculenta. We propose the name Rhizobium paranaense sp. nov. for this novel taxon, with strain PRF 35T ( = CNPSo 120T = LMG 27577T = IPR-Pv 1249T) as the type strain.