- Volume 64, Issue Pt_9, 2014

A methyl parathion (MP) degrading bacterial strain, designated MP-1T, was isolated from a waste land where pesticides were formerly manufactured in Jiangsu province, China. Polyphasic taxonomic studies showed that MP-1T is a Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and motile bacterium. The bacterium could grow at salinities of 0–1 % (w/v) and temperatures of 15–40 °C. Strain MP-1T could reduce nitrate to nitrite, utilize d-glucose and l-arabinose, but not produce indole, or hydrolyse gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that MP-1T belongs to the genus Burkholderia , showing highest sequence similarity to Burkholderia grimmiae DSM 25160T (98.5 %), and similar strains including Burkholderia zhejiangensis OP-1T (98.2 %), Burkholderia choica LMG 22940T (97.5 %), Burkholderia glathei DSM 50014T (97.4 %), Burkholderia terrestris LMG 22937T (97.2 %) and Burkholderia telluris LMG 22936T (97.0 %). In addition, the gyrB and recA gene segments of strain MP-1T exhibited less than 89.0 % and 95.1 % similarities with the most highly-related type strains indicated above. The G+C content of strain MP-1T was 62.6 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. The predominant polar lipids comprised phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, aminolipid and phospholipid. The principal fatty acids in strain MP-1T were C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (23.3 %), C16 : 0 (16.8 %), cyclo-C17 : 0 (15.0 %), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6 (8.5 %), cyclo-C19 : 0ω8c (8.1 %), C16 : 1 iso I/C14 : 0 3-OH (5.7 %), C16 : 0 3-OH (5.6 %) and C16 : 02-OH (5.1 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain MP-1T and the three type strains ( B. grimmiae DSM 25160T, B. zhejiangensis OP-1T and B. glathei DSM 50014T) ranged from 24.6 % to 37.4 %. In accordance with phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain MP-1T represents a novel species of the genus Burkholderia , for which the name Burkholderia jiangsuensis sp. nov. is proposed, the type strain is MP-1T (LMG 27927T = MCCC 1K00250T).

Phylogenetic analyses of the genus Glaciecola were performed using the sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and the GyrB protein to establish its taxonomic status. The results indicated a consistent clustering of the genus Glaciecola into two clades, with significant bootstrap values, with all the phylogenetic methods employed. Clade 1 was represented by seven species, Glaciecola agarilytica , G. aquimarina , G. arctica , G. chathamensis , G. mesophila , G. polaris and G. psychrophila , while clade 2 consisted of only three species, Glaciecola nitratireducens , G. pallidula and G. punicea . Evolutionary distances between species of clades 1 and 2, based on 16S rRNA gene and GyrB protein sequences, ranged from 93.0 to 95.0 % and 69.0 to 73.0 %, respectively. In addition, clades 1 and 2 possessed 18 unique signature nucleotides, at positions 132, 184 : 193, 185 : 192, 230, 616 : 624, 631, 632, 633, 738, 829, 1257, 1265, 1281, 1356 and 1366, in the 16S rRNA gene sequence and can be differentiated by the occurrence of a 15 nt signature motif 5′-CAAATCAGAATGTTG at positions 1354–1368 in members of clade 2. Robust clustering of the genus Glaciecola into two clades based on analysis of 16S rRNA gene and GyrB protein sequences, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of ≤95.0 % and the occurrence of signature nucleotides and signature motifs in the 16S rRNA gene suggested that the genus should be split into two genera. The genus Paraglaciecola gen. nov. is therefore created to accommodate the seven species of clade 1, while the name Glaciecola sensu stricto is retained to represent species of clade 2. The species of clade 1 are transferred to the genus Paraglaciecola as Paraglaciecola mesophila comb. nov. (type strain DSM 15026T = KMM 241T), P. agarilytica comb. nov. (type strain NO2T = KCTC 12755T = LMG 23762T), P. aquimarina comb. nov. (type strain GGW-M5T = KCTC 32108T = CCUG 62918T), P. arctica comb. nov. (type strain BSs20135T = CCTCC AB 209161T = KACC 14537T), P. chathamensis comb. nov. (type strain E3T = CGMCC 1.7001T = JCM 15139T), P. polaris comb. nov. (type strain ARK 150T = CIP 108324T = LMG 21857T) and P. psychrophila comb. nov. (type strain 170T = CGMCC1.6130T = JCM 13954T). The type species of the genus Paraglaciecola is Paraglaciecola mesophila. An emended description of the genus Glaciecola is provided. In addition, a novel strain, 162Z-12T, was isolated from seawater collected as part of an iron fertilization experiment (LOHAFEX) conducted in the Southern Ocean in 2009 and was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. Cells of 162Z-12T were Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, ovoid to short rod-shaped, obligatorily halophilic and possessed all the characteristics of the genus Paraglaciecola. Strain 162Z-12T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of P. agarilytica (99.7 %), P. chathamensis (99.7 %), P. mesophila (98.5 %) and P. polaris (98.3 %). However, it exhibited DNA–DNA relatedness of less than 70.0 % with its nearest phylogenetic relatives, well below the threshold value for species delineation. Further, strain 162Z-12T differed from the nearest species in several phenotypic characteristics, in addition to the occurrence of unique nucleotides G, T, T and T at positions 1194, 1269, 1270 and 1271 of the 16S rRNA gene. Based on the cumulative differences it exhibited from its nearest phylogenetic neighbours, strain 162Z-12T was identified as a novel member of the genus Paraglaciecola and assigned to the novel species Paraglaciecola oceanifecundans sp. nov. The type strain of Paraglaciecola oceanifecundans is 162Z-12T ( = KCTC 32337T = LMG 27453T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, GJMS-35T, was isolated from seashore sand at Geoje Island, South Korea. Strain GJMS-35T grew optimally at 28–30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain GJMS-35T clustered with type strains of species of the genus Pseudoruegeria , with which it exhibited 96.97–98.42 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Sequence similarities to the type strains of other recognized species were less than 96.39 %. Strain GJMS-35T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids of strain GJMS-35T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain GJMS-35T was 64.1 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness values with type strains of three species of the genus Pseudoruegeria were 11–21 %. Its differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain GJMS-35T is set apart from other species of the genus Pseudoruegeria . On the basis of the data presented, strain GJMS-35T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pseudoruegeria , for which the name Pseudoruegeria sabulilitoris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GJMS-35T ( = KCTC 42111T = NBRC 110380T).

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, yellow and rod-shaped bacterium, designated E-II-3T, was isolated from ground water at Daejeon in Korea. Strain E-II-3T grew between 4 and 45 °C (optimal growth at 28 °C), between pH 6.0 and 9.0 (optimal growth at pH 7.5) and at salinities of 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl, growing optimally with 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain E-II-3T was shown to belong to the genus Novosphingobium and showed closest phylogenetic similarity to ‘Novosphingobium ginsenosidimutans’ FW-6 (97.7 %), Novosphingobium aromaticivorans F199T (96.9 %) and Novosphingobium subterraneum B0478T (96.5 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid. The predominant ubiquinone and polyamine components were Q-10 and spermidine, respectively. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c (34.0 %), C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (23.8 %) and C17 : 1ω6c (19.3 %). The DNA G+C content of this novel isolate was 62.7 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain E-II-3T and ‘N. ginsenosidimutans’ KACC 16615, N. aromaticivorans KCTC 2888T and N. capsulatum KCTC 22844T was 38, 33 and 29 %, respectively. On the basis of polyphasic analysis from this study, strain E-II-3T represents a novel species of the genus Novosphingobium for which the name Novosphingobium aquiterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E-II-3T ( = KACC 17599T = NBRC 109812T = NCAIM B 02537T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, ovoid, aerobic bacterial strain, designated BUT-3T, was isolated from activated sludge from the wastewater treatment facility of a herbicide-manufacturing plant in Kunshan city, Jiangsu province, PR China. Strain BUT-3T grew between 15 and 40 °C, with optimum growth at 30 °C. The pH range for growth was between 5.0 and 10.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The range of NaCl concentrations for growth of strain BUT-3T was 0–7.0 % (w/v), with an optimum of 1.5–3.0 % (w/v). A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain BUT-3T clustered closely with Rhodoligotrophos appendicifer 120-1T (98.32 % similarity), with a bootstrap confidence level of 100 %. The major fatty acids (>5 % of total fatty acids) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Strain BUT-3T contained ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipid profile comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, three unidentified aminolipids (AL1–3), two unknown phospholipids (PL1, 5), four unidentified glycolipids (GL1–4) and two unknown lipids (L1, 2). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 67.7 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness between BUT-3T and R. appendicifer 120-1T was 44.1±0.6 %. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, strain BUT-3T should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Rhodoligotrophos , for which the name Rhodoligotrophos jinshengii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BUT-3T ( = CCTCC AB2013083T = KACC 17220T).

A Gram-reaction-negative, non-spore-forming strain, designated 5DNS001T, was isolated from soil of an ancient salt-extracting facility in China. Analysis of the almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the bacterium suggested that it belongs to the genus Sinomicrobium in the family Flavobacteriaceae . It exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Sinomicrobium oceani SCSIO 03483T (96.3 %), but less than 93 % sequence similarity with members of the genera Imtechella , Zhouia and Joostella and other recognized members of the family Flavobacteriaceae . The strain was able to hydrolyse pectin and starch by producing pectinase and α-amylase. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 42.6 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The major polar lipid detected in the strain was phosphatidylethanolamine. The dominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c). Based on phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, a novel species, Sinomicrobium pectinilyticum, is proposed. The type strain is 5DNS001T ( = CGMCC1.11000T = KCTC23776T).

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile and coccoid- to short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Dys-CH1T, was isolated from the hindgut of a fungus-growing termite Macrotermes barneyi. The optimal pH and cultivation temperature of strain Dys-CH1T were pH 7.2–7.6 and 35–37 °C, respectively. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene showed that Dys-CH1T shared 94.6 % and 90.9 % similarity with Dysgonomonas capnocytophagoides JCM 16697T and Dysgonomonas gadei CCUG 42882T, respectively. Strain Dys-CH1T was found to be different from other species of the genus Dysgonomonas with validly published names with respect to taxonomically important traits, including habitat, biochemical tests, DNA G+C content, bile resistance, fatty-acid composition and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. On the basis of these characteristics, strain Dys-CH1T represents a novel species of the genus Dysgonomonas for which the name Dysgonomonas macrotermitis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Dys-CH1T ( = JCM 19375T = DSM 27370T).

A strictly anaerobic, mesophilic, carbohydrate-fermenting, hydrogen-producing bacterium, designated strain RL-CT, was isolated from a reed swamp in China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, catalase-negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile rods measuring 0.7–1.0 µm in width and 3.0–8.0 µm in length. The optimum temperature for growth of strain RL-CT was 37 °C (range 25–40 °C) and pH 7.0–7.5 (range pH 5.7–8.0). The strain could grow fermentatively on yeast extract, tryptone, arabinose, glucose, galactose, mannose, maltose, lactose, glycogen, pectin and starch. The main end products of glucose fermentation were acetate, H2 and CO2. Organic acids, alcohols and amino acids were not utilized for growth. Yeast extract was not required for growth; however, it stimulated growth slightly. Nitrate, sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur and Fe(III) nitrilotriacetate were not reduced as terminal electron acceptors. Aesculin was hydrolysed but not gelatin. Indole and H2S were produced from yeast extract. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 51.2 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. The most abundant polar lipid of strain RL-CT was phosphatidylethanolamine. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate belongs to the uncultured Blvii28 wastewater-sludge group (http://www.arb-silva.de/) in the family Rikenellaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, and shared low sequence similarities with the related species Alistipes shahii WAL 8301T (81.8 %), Rikenella microfusus ATCC 29728T (81.7 %) and Anaerocella delicata WN081T (80.9 %). On the basis of these data, a novel species in a new genus of the family Rikenellaceae is proposed, Acetobacteroides hydrogenigenes gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of the type species is RL-CT ( = JCM 17603T = DSM 24657T = CGMCC 1.5173T).

Two bacterial strains, designated 180-3T and 214-4T, isolated from human faeces were characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach that included analysis of their phenotypic and biochemical features, cellular fatty acid profiles, menaquinone profiles and phylogenetic positions based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that these strains represented members of the genus Butyricimonas . These strains shared 97.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other and were related to Butyricimonas virosa JCM 15149T (97 % sequence similarity) and Butyricimonas synergistica JCM 15148T (94–95 %). Although strain 180-3T was related to (but distinct from) B. virosa JCM 15149T and B. synergistica JCM 15148T, with hsp60 gene sequence similarities of 89.4 and 84.6 %, respectively, strain 214-4T exhibited high hsp60 gene sequence similarity (100 %) with B. virosa JCM 15149T and was different from B. synergistica JCM 15148T (83.5 %). DNA–DNA hybridization experiments demonstrated a genomic distinction of strains 180-3T and 214-4T from B. virosa JCM 15149T and B. synergistica JCM 15148T. The strains were obligately anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-stain-negative rods. Growth of the strains was inhibited on medium containing 20 % bile. The two strains produced butyric and isobutyric acids as the end products from glucose, as has been observed in the other two species of the genus Butyricimonas . The major cellular fatty acid of strains 180-3T and 214-4T was iso-C15 : 0. The major menaquinone of the isolates was MK-10 (>50 %). Strains 180-3T and 214-4T have DNA G+C contents of 45 mol%. On the basis of these data, strains 180-3T and 214-4T represent two novel species of the genus Butyricimonas , for which the names Butyricimonas faecihominis sp. nov. and Butyricimonas paravirosa sp. nov., respectively, are proposed. The type strains of B. faecihominis and B. paravirosa are 180-3T ( = JCM 18676T = CCUG 65562T) and 214-4T ( = JCM 18677T = CCUG 65563T), respectively.

A Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, non-flagellated, yellow bacterium, designated strain 5GHs7-2T, was isolated from a greenhouse soil sample in South Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain 5GHs7-2T indicated that the isolate belonged to the family Chitinophagaceae , and exhibited the highest sequence similarities with members of the genera Terrimonas (89.2–92.6 %), Sediminibacterium (90.8–91.4 %) and Chitinophaga (89.2–91.7 %), Filimonas lacunae YT21T (91.7 %), members of the genus Segetibacter (90.2–91.6 %), Parasegetibacter luojiensis RHYL-37T (90.9 %) and Flavihumibacter petaseus T41T (91.2 %). Flexirubin-type pigments were present. The major cellular fatty acids of the novel strain were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 1 G. The polar lipid profile consisted of a large amount of phosphatidylethanolamine, and moderate and small amounts of several unknown aminolipids and lipids. The only respiratory quinone of strain 5GHs7-2T was MK-7, and the DNA G+C content was 47.6 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented, it is concluded that strain 5GHs7-2T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Chitinophagaceae , for which the name Parafilimonas terrae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is 5GHs7-2T ( = KACC 17343T = DSM 28286T).

A bacterial strain, designated UTM-3T, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Artocarpus integer (cempedak) in Malaysia was studied to determine its taxonomic position. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming rods, devoid of flagella and gliding motility, that formed yellow-pigmented colonies on nutrient agar and contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain UTM-3T with those of the most closely related species showed that the strain constituted a distinct phyletic line within the genus Chryseobacterium with the highest sequence similarities to Chryseobacterium lactis NCTC 11390T, Chryseobacterium viscerum 687B-08T, Chryseobacterium tructae 1084-08T, Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae CC-VM-7T, Chryseobacterium oncorhynchi 701B-08T, Chryseobacterium vietnamense GIMN1.005T, Chryseobacterium bernardetii NCTC 13530T, Chryseobacterium nakagawai NCTC 13529T, Chryseobacterium gallinarum LMG 27808T, Chryseobacterium culicis R4-1AT, Chryseobacterium flavum CW-E2T, Chryseobacterium aquifrigidense CW9T, Chryseobacterium ureilyticum CCUG 52546T, Chryseobacterium indologenes NBRC 14944T, Chryseobacterium gleum CCUG 14555T, Chryseobacterium jejuense JS17-8T, Chryseobacterium oranimense H8T and Chryseobacterium joostei LMG 18212T. The major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c, followed by summed feature 4 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7t) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and the polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine and several unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content strain UTM-3T was 34.8 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is concluded that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium , for which the name Chryseobacterium artocarpi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UTM-3T ( = CECT 8497T = KCTC 32509T).

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile and orange-pigmented bacterium, designated strain HME6675T, was isolated from freshwater of a reservoir in Korea. The major fatty acids of strain HME6675T were iso-C15 : 0 (33.4 %) and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c; 31.3 %). The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid and three unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain HME6675T was 37.7 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HME6675T formed a lineage within the family Cytophagaceae and was related to Leadbetterella byssophila 4M15T (93.0 % sequence similarity), Fluviimonas pallidilutea TQQ6T (90.6 %) and Emticicia oligotrophica GPTSA100-15T (89.1 %). On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HME6675T represents a novel genus and species of the family Cytophagaceae , for which the name Lacihabitans soyangensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Lacihabitans soyangensis is HME6675T ( = KCTC 23259T = CECT 7826T).

A bacterial strain, designated RHs22T, was isolated from a soil sample cultivated with rice in the Suwon region of South Korea. The cells were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated rods or occasionally filaments. The strain grew at 10–37 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C), at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum, 7.0) and in the presence of 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Phylogenetically, the strain was closely related to members of the genus Spirosoma , as its 16S rRNA gene sequence had similarity of 90.3–92.1 % with respect to those of members of the genus Spirosoma , showing the highest sequence similarity with Spirosoma panaciterrae DSM 21099T. Strain RHs22T revealed relatively low sequence similarities of less than 90 % with all the other species with validly published names. It contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C16 : 1ω5c, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the main fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain RHs22T were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid, two unknown aminophospholipids, one unknown phospholipid and five unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content was 57.0 mol%. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data obtained in this study indicate that strain RHs22T represents a novel species of the genus Spirosoma , for which the name Spirosoma oryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RHs22T ( = KACC 17324T = DSM 28354T). An emended description of the genus Spirosoma is also proposed.

A Gram-reaction-positive, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic and non-motile bacterial strain, designated WS16T, was isolated from the sediment of a shallow stream located in Cheonan, Korea. The strain grew optimally at 28 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that the isolate belonged to the genus Flavihumibacter of the phylum Bacteroidetes . Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain WS16T was related most closely to Flavihumibacter petaseus T41T (96.8 % similarity). The isolate contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 45.9 mol%. The results of a polyphasic taxonomic approach indicated that strain WS16T represents a novel species of the genus Flavihumibacter , for which the name Flavihumibacter cheonanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WS16T ( = KACC 17467T = JCM 19322T).

Two bacterial strains, HKU33T and HKU34, were isolated in Hong Kong from the pus aspirated from the right peritonsillar abscess of a patient with quinsy and the left elbow joint fluid of another patient with tophaceous gout and left elbow septic arthritis, respectively. The bacteria were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, non-haemolytic pleomorphic bacilli. They grew best on Columbia agar with 5 % defibrinated sheep blood in an anaerobic environment or aerobic environment with 5 % CO2. They also grew on chocolate agar but not on MacConkey agar. They were catalase- and cytochrome oxidase-negative. They showed a unique profile of enzyme activities distinguishable from their closely related species. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete 16S rRNA gene, and partial groEL, gyrB and recA gene sequences showed the two isolates formed a distinct branch within the family Leptotrichiaceae , being related most closely to Streptobacillus moniliformis . Hierarchical cluster analysis of mass spectra of whole-cell protein contents showed that strains HKU33T and HKU34 were closely related to each other, but were distinct from Streptobacillus moniliformis , Sneathia sanguinegens and ‘Leptotrichia amnionii’. The DNA G+C content of strain HKU33T was 26.0±2.1 mol% (mean±sd; n = 3). DNA–DNA hybridization demonstrated ≤45.02 % DNA relatedness between the two isolates and Streptobacillus moniliformis CCUG 13453T. A novel species, Streptobacillus hongkongensis sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate strains HKU33T and HKU34, with HKU33T ( = JCM 18691T = NCTC 13659T = DSM 26322T) designated the type strain. Emended descriptions of the genus Streptobacillus and Streptobacillus moniliformis are also given.

A novel obligately anaerobic, extremely thermophilic, organotrophic bacterium, strain Rift-s3T, was isolated from a deep-sea sample containing Riftia pachyptila sheath from Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California. Cells of the novel isolate were rods, 0.3–0.8 µm in width and 1.5–10 µm in length, surrounded by a sheath-like structure (toga). Strain Rift-s3T grew at temperatures ranging from 44 to 75 °C, at pH 5.5 to 8.0, and with NaCl concentrations of 3 to 60 g l−1. Under optimum conditions (65 °C, pH 6.0, NaCl 25 g l−1), the doubling time was 30 min. The isolate was able to ferment mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides including cellulose, chitin, xylan and pectin, and proteins including β-keratins, casein and gelatin. Acetate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide were the main products of glucose fermentation. The G+C content of the DNA was 30 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the affiliation of strain Rift-s3T with the genus Thermosipho , with Thermosipho atlanticus Ob7T as the closest relative (96.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Based on the phylogenetic analysis and physiological properties of the novel isolate we propose a novel species of the genus Thermosipho , Thermosipho activus sp. nov., with Rift-s3T ( = DSM 26467T = VKM B-2803T) as the type strain.

The morphology and infraciliature of two hypotrichous ciliates, Oxytricha paragranulifera n. sp. and Oxytricha granulifera Foissner and Adam, 1983, collected respectively from the surface of a sandy soil in the Huguang mangrove forest, Zhanjiang, China, and the surface of soil in a forest beside Ziwu Road, Xian, north-west China, were examined. O. paragranulifera n. sp. is characterized by an elongate body with slightly tapered anterior end, two macronuclear nodules and two micronuclei, paroral and endoral in Stylonychia-pattern, colourless cortical granules distributed in clusters or irregular short rows, adoral zone occupying 37 % of the body length, marginal rows almost confluent posteriorly, six dorsal kineties and three caudal cirri, caudal cirri and dorsal bristles almost indistinguishable when viewed in vivo. The well-known O. granulifera Foissner and Adam, 1983 was also redescribed and can be separated from the novel species by having cortical granules arranged along dorsal kineties and marginal rows on both sides (vs grouped in clusters as well as in short irregular rows), paroral and endoral in Oxytricha-pattern (vs in Stylonychia-pattern), macronuclear nodules obviously detached (vs adjacent) and a non-saline terrestrial habitat (vs saline terrestrial). The separation of these two taxa is also firmly supported by the molecular data, which show a significant difference between the two in their SSU rRNA gene sequences (similarity 97.1 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data suggest a close relationship within the Oxytrichidae assemblage between O. paragranulifera n. sp. and O. granulifera.

A novel species of basidiomycetes was isolated from kitchen garden soil in Shahryar city, Tehran province, Iran. Molecular and conventional methods were employed to identify and classify this single isolate. Morphologically, the isolate was considered yeast-like with hyaline and oval cells reproducing by monopolar budding, forming ballistoconidia, hyphae, arthroconidia and didymospores. Basidia and basidiospores resembling those produced by Basidioascus species were observed. Sequencing and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of rRNA genes and the internal transcribed spacer region revealed its sister relationship to described species of the genus Basidioascus. Assimilation and fermentation tests, cell-wall carbohydrate analysis and enzyme activity tests were performed to provide insight into the metabolism of the isolate. Based on morphology, physiology and phylogeny of rRNA gene sequences, the isolate was shown to represent a novel species of the genus Basidioascus, described as Basidioascus persicus sp. nov. (holotype IBRC P1010180T = ex-type IBRC M30078T = isotype CBS 12808T). The MycoBank number of the novel species is MB 804703. An emended description of the genus Basidioascus is also provided.

Two strains, DMKU-UbN24(1)T and DMKU-CPN24(1), of a novel yeast species were obtained from soil and palm oil fruit, respectively, collected in Thailand by an enrichment isolation technique using a nitrogen-limited medium containing glycerol as the sole source of carbon. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 region of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the two strains were found to represent a novel species of the genus Barnettozyma although the formation of ascospores was not observed. The novel species was related most closely to the type strain of Candida montana but differed by 5.4 % nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 region of the LSU rRNA gene and by 10.3–10.5 % nucleotide substitutions in the ITS region. The name Barnettozyma siamensis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DMKU-UbN24(1)T ( = BCC 61189T = NBRC 109701T = CBS 13392T).