- Volume 65, Issue Pt_12, 2015

A bacterial strain designated TNR-2T was isolated from spring water in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain TNR-2T were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, straight rods, motile by a single polar flagellum and containing poly-β-hydroxybutyrate. The cells were covered by large capsules and formed yellow colonies. Growth occurred at 15–37 °C (optimum, 20–30 °C), with 0–1.0 % NaCl (optimum, 0–0.1 %) and at pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0). According to a phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain TNR-2T belonged to the genus Sphingomonas and clustered with Sphingomonas alpina S8-3T, with which it shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (95.6 %). The major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain TNR-2T were C18 : 1ω7c, C17 : 1ω6c and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 62.8 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The major polyamine was homospermidine. The polar lipid profile consisted of sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, two uncharacterized glycolipids and an uncharacterized phospholipid. Phenotypic characteristics of the novel strain differed from those of the closest related species of the genus Sphingomonas. On the basis of the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain TNR-2T represents a novel species in the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas fonticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TNR-2T ( = BCRC 80539T = LMG 27384T = KCTC 32258T).

A novel, Gram-negative marine bacterium, S2753T, was isolated from a mussel of the Solomon Sea, Solomon Islands. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence and whole genome sequence data placed strain S2753T in the genus Photobacterium with the closest relative being Photobacterium halotolerans DSM 18316T (97.7 % 16S rRNA gene similarity). Strain S2753T was able to grow from 15 to 40 °C and in NaCl concentrations of 0.5 to 9 % (w/v). The predominant fatty acids were 16 : 1ω7c/16 : 1ω6c (27.9 %), 16 : 0 (22.1 %) and 18 : 1ω7c/8 : 1ω6c (21.4 %). The genomic DNA G+C mol content was 49.5 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic differences, strain S2753T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Photobacterium. Furthermore, whole genome sequence analysis comparing S2753T and type-strains of closely related species of the genus Photobacterium also demonstrated that the strain is genomically distinct enough to be considered a novel species. The name Photobacterium galatheae is proposed and the type-strain is S2753T( = LMG 28894T = DSM 100496T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, motile, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated CAU 1059T, was isolated from a seawater sample from Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The bacterium grew optimally at 37 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CAU 1059T belonged to the genus Roseovarius. It exhibited only 91.5–96.9 % sequence similarity to the type strains of recognized Roseovarius species. Similar to other species of the genus Roseovarius, strain CAU 1059T had ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the predominant ubiquinone and C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c) as the major fatty acids. The polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine; three unidentified phospholipids, two aminolipids, an aminophospholipid and nine other lipids were also found. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.9 mol%. On the basis of the data provided, strain CAU 1059T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius aquimarinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1059T ( = KCTC 32014T = CCUG 64792T).

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium, strain TS-T30T, was isolated from a saline lake (Lake Tuosu) in Qaidam basin, Qinghai province, China, and its taxonomic position was determined by using a polyphasic approach. Cells were non-spore-forming rods, non-motile, 0.8–1.4 μm wide and 1.9–4.0 μm long. Strain TS-T30T was strictly heterotrophic and aerobic. Catalase- and oxidase-positive. Growth was observed in the presence of 0.5–11.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3.0 %), and at 10–35 °C (optimum 25 °C) and pH 6.5–10.0 (optimum pH 8.5). Strain TS-T30T contained C18 : 1ω7c as the only predominant fatty acid. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content was 62 mol% (T m). Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TS-T30T formed a distinct lineage that was independent of other most closely related genera: Lutimaribacter (95.2–95.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities), Poseidonocella (95.4 %), Ruegeria (92.8–94.9 %), Marivita (93.6–94.9 %), Seohaeicola (94.7 %), Sediminimonas (94.7 %), Shimia (93.9–94.7 %), Oceanicola (92.6–94.5 %) and Roseicyclus (94.5 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid and an unknown aminolipid; phosphatidylcholine was not detected. These data demonstrated that strain TS-T30T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Lacimonas salitolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is TS-T30T ( = CGMCC 1.12477T = NBRC 110969T).

A novel strain (designated sjH1T), characterized as aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, motile and rod-shaped, was isolated from mine wastewater. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain sjH1T belonged to the genus Rhodanobacter. Strain sjH1T was closely related to Rhodanobacter thiooxydans LCS2T (98.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Rhodanobacter denitrificans 2APBS1T (97.7%), Rhodanobacter soli DCY45T (97.2%) and Rhodanobacter caeni MJ01T (97.0%). The DNA G+C content of strain sjH1T was 69.2 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness ( < 60%) indicated that strain sjH1T represents a distinct species that is separate from R. thiooxydans, R. denitrificans, R. soli and R. caeni. The major ubiquinone was Q-8, and major fatty acids were summed feature 9 (iso–C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl), iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. Based on data from this polyphasic study, it is proposed that sjH1T ( = KCTC 42660T = JCM 30774T) is the type strain of a novel species, Rhodanobacter aciditrophus sp. nov.

Four bacterial strains, SN-14T, SN-4, M6-46 and M6-58B, were isolated from water of ponds of two salterns located in Huelva (Spain). They were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and slightly curved rods. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the four strains belong to the genus Idiomarina, being related most closely to Idiomarina fontislapidosi F23T (98.4–98.0% sequence similarity), Idiomarina seosinensis CL-SP19T (98.3–98.0%), Idiomarina piscisalsi TPS4-2T (97.9–97.4%), Idiomarina baltica OS145T (97.5–97.4%) and Idiomarina zobellii KMM 231T (97.6–97.0%). The level of similarity with the type species of the genus, Idiomarina abyssalis KMM 227T, was 97.2–96.7%. The novel strains exhibited optimal growth at 5–10% (w/v) total salts, pH 7 and 37 °C. The major fatty acids of strain SN-14T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c/C16 : 0 10-methyl. The DNA G+C content range was 47.6–50.8 mol%. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain SN-14T and I. fontislapidosi F23T was 13%, while those between strain SN-14T and the other three new isolates were between 77 and 99%. These data demonstrated that the four isolates constitute a novel species of the genus Idiomarina. Based on the phylogenetic, genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, the four strains represent a novel species of the genus Idiomarina, for which the name Idiomarina aquatica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SN-14T ( = CCM 8471T = CECT 8360T = LMG 27613T).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod or spiral-shaped diazotrophic bacterium (designated strain CC-LY788T), was isolated from agricultural soil in Taiwan. Strain CC-LY788T was able to grow at 25–40 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and tolerated NaCl to 2.0% (w/v). Positive for nitrogen fixation with the activity recorded as 6.5 nmol ethylene h− 1. Strain CC-LY788T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Azospirillum picis DSM 19922T (97.2%) and Azospirillum rugosum DSM 19657T (97.1%) and lower sequence similarities ( < 96.6%) to all other species of the genus Azospirillum. According to the DNA–DNA hybridization, the relatedness values of strain CC-LY788T with A. picis DSM 19922T and A. rugosum DSM 19657T were 51.1 ± 5.5% and 46.8 ± 2.1%, respectively. Strain CC-LY788T was positive for the rapid identification of the genus-specific primer set. The respiratory quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10) and the DNA G+C content was 69.8 mol%. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-LY788T were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 2-OH, C14 : 0 3-OH/C16 : 1 iso I (summed feature 2), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3), C18 : 0 ante/C18 : 2ω6,9c (summed feature 5) and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-LY788T represents a novel species of the genus Azospirillum, for which the name Azospirillum soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-LY788T ( = BCRC 80569T = JCM 18820T).

Two Gram-stain negative, coccoid to oval-shaped, non-spore-forming bacteria (LR4T and LR4-1), isolated from the soil of a pesticide factory in Nanjing, China, were investigated for their taxonomic allocation by using a polyphasic approach. Both strains grew optimally at pH 7.0, 30 °C and in the absence of NaCl. Both strains were positive for catalase and oxidase activities. Q-10 was the predominant respiratory ubiquinone. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and two unknown aminolipids. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) were C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c (summed feature 8) and C17:1 iso I/C17:1 anteiso B (summed feature 4). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the two isolates formed a distinct line within a clade containing the genera Chelatococcus, Bosea, Camelimonas, Salinarimonas, Psychroglaciecola, Microvirga, Methylobacterium, Albibacter, Hansschlegelia and Methylopila in the order Rhizobiales, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Chelatococcus asaccharovorans TE2T (94.12 %), followed by Bosea thiooxidans DSM 9653T (93.25 %). Strains LR4T and LR4-1 were closely related on the basis of DNA–DNA reassociation and therefore represent a single novel species. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strains LR4T and LR4-1 represent a novel species of a new genus in the order Rhizobiales, for which the name Qingshengfania soli gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is LR4T ( = CCTCC AB 2015036T = KCTC 42463T).

A novel pink-pigmented bacterial strain, UAH-SP71T, was isolated from a saltern located in Santa Pola, Alicante (Spain) and the complete genome sequence was analysed and compared with that of Spiribacter salinus M19-40T, suggesting that the two strains constituted two separate species, with a 77.3 % ANI value. In this paper, strain UAH-SP71T was investigated in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain UAH-SP71T was a Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile curved rod that grew in media containing 5–20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 10 % NaCl), at 5–40 °C (optimum 37 °C) and at pH 5–10 (optimum pH 8). Phylogenetic analysis based on the comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain UAH-SP71T is a member of the genus Spiribacter, showing a sequence similarity of 96.5 % with Spiribacter salinus M19-40T. Other related species are also members of the family Ectothiorhodospiraceae, including Arhodomonas recens RS91T (95.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Arhodomonas aquaeolei ATCC 49307T (95.4 %) and Alkalilimnicola ehrlichii MLHE-1T (94.9 %). DNA–DNA hybridization between strain UAH-SP71T and Spiribacter salinus M19-40T was 39 %. The major cellular fatty acids of strain UAH-SP71T were C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c, C10 : 0 3-OH and C12 : 0, a pattern similar to that of Spiribacter salinus M19-40T. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and genotypic differences between strain UAH-SP71T and Spiribacter salinus M19-40T indicate that strain UAH-SP71T represents a novel species of the genus Spiribacter, for which the name Spiribacter curvatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UAH-SP71T ( = CECT 8396T = DSM 28542T).

A polyphasic taxonomic study was undertaken to establish the status of a novel bacterium, designated strain WHSC-8T, which was isolated from soil of Hengshui Lake Wetland Reserve in Hebei province, northern China. Colonies of this strain were yellow and cells were rod-shaped, polar-flagellated and obligately aerobic, exhibiting negative Gram reaction. The strain was able to grow at 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl, pH 5–10 and 20–35 °C, with optimal growth occurring at pH 7.0 and 28 °C without NaCl. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain WHSC-8T possesses ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone, C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) as the major fatty acids, and sym-homospermidine as the major polyamine. Sphingomonadaceae-specific sphingoglycolipid was detected in the polar lipid patterns. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.7 mol%. All of the above characters corroborated the assignment of the novel strain to the genus Sphingomonas. Strain WHSC-8T shared less than 97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of other species of the genus Sphingomonas, except for Sphingomonas asaccharolytica DSM 10564T (97.5 %). The low DNA–DNA relatedness value and distinct phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics distinguished strain WHSC-8T from closely related species of the genus Sphingomonas. Therefore, strain WHSC-8T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas hengshuiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WHSC-8T ( = KCTC 42455T = CCTCC AB 2015265T).

Seven slow-growing rhizobia isolated from effective nodules of Arachis hypogaea were assigned to the genus Bradyrhizobium based on sharing 96.3–99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of recognized Bradyrhizobium species. Multilocus sequence analysis of glnII, recA, gyrB and dnaK genes indicated that the seven strains belonged to two novel species represented by CCBAU 51649T and CCBAU 53363T. Strain CCBAU 51649T shared 94, 93.4, 92.3 and 94.9 % and CCBAU 53363T shared 91.4, 94.5, 94.6 and 97.7 % sequence similarity for the glnII, recA, gyrB and dnaK genes, respectively, with respect to the closest related species Bradyrhizobium manausense BR 3351T and Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense CCBAU 10071T. Summed feature 8 and C16 : 0 were the predominant fatty acid components for strains CCBAU 51649T and CCBAU 53363T. DNA–DNA hybridization and analysis of phenotypic characteristics also distinguished these strains from the closest related Bradyrhizobium species. The strains formed effective nodules on Arachis hypogaea, Lablab purpureus and Aeschynomene indica, and they had identical nodA genes to Bradyrhizobium sp. PI237 but were phylogenetically divergent from other available nodA genes at less than 66 % similarity. Based in these results, strains CCBAU 51649T ( = CGMCC 1.15034T = LMG 28620T) and CCBAU 53363T ( = CGMCC 1.15035T = LMG 28621T) are designated the type strains of two novel species, for which the names Bradyrhizobium guangdongense sp. nov. and Bradyrhizobium guangxiense sp. nov. are proposed, respectively.

A red-pigmented bacterium producing a metallic green sheen, designated strain JC333T, was isolated from a sand sample collected from Shivrajpur–Kachigad beach, Gujarat, India. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JC333T showed highest sequence similarity to Zooshikella ganghwensis JC2044T (99.24 %) and less than 91.94 % similarity with other members of the class Gammaproteobacteria. DNA–DNA hybridizations between JC333T and Z. ganghwensis JC2044T showed low relatedness values of 19 ± 1.3 % (reciprocal 21 ± 2.2 %). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-9 (Q9) and the polar lipid profile was composed of the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified lipid. The presence of C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and C12 : 0 as major fatty acids supported the affiliation of strain JC333T to the genus Zooshikella. Prodigiosin, cycloprodigiosin and eight other prodigiosin analogues were the pigments of JC333T. Characterization based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, physiological parameters, pigment analysis, ubiquinone, and polar lipid and fatty acid compositions revealed that JC333T represents a novel species of the genus Zooshikella, for which the name Zooshikella marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC333T ( = KCTC 42659T = LMG 28823T).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain RSG39T, was isolated from the gut of a Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegelii. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain RSG39T belonged to the genus Simplicispira in the class Betaproteobacteria and its highest sequence similarity was shared with S. psychrophila (98.4 %). The isolate grew optimally at 20 °C, at pH 7 and with 0 % (w/v) NaCl. The main respiratory quinone of the isolate was ubiquinone Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids of the isolate were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and six unidentified lipids. The DNA–DNA hybridization values showed < 7.4 % genomic relatedness with closely related strains. The genomic DNA G+C content was 65.2 mol %. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses, strain RSG39T represents a novel species of the genus Simplicispira, for which the name Simplocospira piscis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RSG39T ( = KACC 17539T = JCM 19291T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterium, designated MA4-5T, was isolated from ark shell (Scapharca broughtonii) collected from the South Sea, South Korea. The novel strain grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MA4-5T forms a coherent cluster with the type strains of Roseovarius albus, Roseovarius aestuarii and Roseovarius nubinhibens, sharing 97.0–99.2 % sequence similarity. It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 93.1–96.1 % to the type strains of other Roseovarius species. Strain MA4-5T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids of strain MA4-5T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain MA4-5T was 53.8 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness values with the type strains of R. albus, R. aestuarii and R. nubinhibens were 11–26 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, indicated that strain MA4-5T is separate from recognized species of the genus Roseovarius. On the basis of the data presented, strain MA4-5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius scapharcae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MA4-5T ( = KCTC 42703T = NBRC 111226T).

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, strain QBLM2T, was isolated from rearing water of a marine recirculating aquaculture system in Tianjin, China. Its taxonomic position was investigated through a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain QBLM2T were non-spore-forming rods, motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Positive for oxidase and catalase. Growth occurred at 15–40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 6.5–10.5 (optimum pH 7.5–8.5) and in the presence of 0–5.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain QBLM2T formed a distinct lineage within the genus Thalassotalea and exhibited sequence similarities of 94.5–96.3 % to members of the genus Thalassotalea. The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) were C17 : 1ω8c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) was the major ubiquinone. The DNA G+C content was 37.1 mol%. Based on the data above, strain QBLM2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Thalassotalea, for which the name Thalassotalea marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is QBLM2T ( = CGMCC 1.12814T = KCTC 42731T). Phylogenetic analyses indicated that Thalassomonas eurytherma Za6a-12T fell within the genus Thalassotalea, so it is reclassified as Thalassotalea eurytherma comb. nov. and the description of the genus Thalassotalea is emended.

Seven strains, ICMP 19430T, ICMP 19429, ICMP 19431, WSM4637, WSM4638, WSM4639 and WSM4640, were isolated from nitrogen-fixing nodules on roots of the invasive South African legume Dipogon lignosus (subfamily Papilionoideae, tribe Phaseoleae) in New Zealand and Western Australia, and their taxonomic positions were investigated by using a polyphasic approach. All seven strains grew at 10–37 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C), at pH 4.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 6.0–7.0) and with 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum growth in the absence of NaCl). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strains showed 99.0–99.5 % sequence similarity to the closest type strain, Burkholderia phytofirmans PsJNT, and 98.4–99.7 % sequence similarity to Burkholderia caledonica LMG 19076T. The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c (21.0 % of the total fatty acids in strain ICMP 19430T), C16 : 0 (19.1 %), C17 : 0 cyclo (18.9 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c; 10.7 %) and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (7.5 %). The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and several uncharacterized aminophospholipids and phospholipids. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 and the DNA G+C content of strain ICMP 19430T was 63.2 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness of the novel strains with respect to the closest neighbouring members of the genus Burkholderia was 55 % or less. On the basis of 16S rRNA and recA gene sequence similarities and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, these strains represent a novel symbiotic species in the genus Burkholderia, for which the name Burkholderia dipogonis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain ICMP 19430T ( = LMG 28415T = HAMBI 3637T).

Strain RIPI 110T was isolated from a soil sample collected from an oil-contaminated site on Siri Island, Persian Gulf, Iran. Cells of the novel isolate were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Cells divided asymmetrically by budding and formed rosette-like clusters. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were pH 7 and 30 °C, while the strain was able to grow at pH 5.5–8 and 15–35 °C. Strain RIPI 110T utilized only complex carbon sources and pyruvate as the sole carbon source and could not grow under photoautotrophic conditions. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, 93.9, 93.9 and 93.5 %, were obtained with Variibacter gotjawalensis GJW-30T, Rhodoplanes roseus 941T and Rhodoplanes elegans AS130T, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c), C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. Polar lipid analyses revealed that strain RIPI 110T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown aminophospholipid and four unknown phospholipids. Ubiquinone-10 was the predominant quinone component. The DNA G+C content was 59.4 mol%. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data, the novel isolate could not be classified in any recognized genera. Strain RIPI 110T is thus considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the order Rhizobiales, for which the name Pseudorhodoplanes sinuspersici gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is RIPI 110T ( = IBRC-M 10770T = CECT 8374T).

Synonymy of Gibbsiella dentisursi DSM 23818T ( = NUM 1720T) and Gibbsiella papilionis JCM 18389T ( = LEN33T) was suspected following multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of both type strains in a previous classification study, where they were found to share >99.6 % gene sequence similarity. The taxonomic relationship between these two strains was re-examined here using a polyphasic approach. A DNA–DNA hybridization value of 98 % confirmed that the two type strains belong to a single taxon, while the phenotypic profiles were found to be nearly identical. Therefore we propose Gibbsiella papilionis as a later heterotypic synonym of Gibbsiella dentisursi, with the type strain as NUM 1720T ( = DSM 23818T = JCM 17201T).

A Gram-stain-negative, halotolerant and alkalitolerant bacterium, designated strain BH103T, was isolated from saltern soil in Gomso, Korea. Cells of strain BH103T were strictly aerobic, motile, straight rods and grew at pH 7.0–10.8 (optimum, pH 8.5), at 10–55 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and at salinities of 0–23 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 14 % NaCl). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain BH103T belongs to the genus Halomonas, showing highest sequence similarity to Halomonas boliviensis LC1T (97.7 %), Halomonas neptunia Eplume1T (97.7 %), Halomonas variabilis IIIT (97.7 %), Halomonas alkaliantarctica CRSST (97.7 %), Halomonas olivaria TYRC17T (97.5 %), Halomonas titanicae BH1T (97.2 %) and Halomonas sulfidaeris Esulfide1T (96.2 %). The predominant ubiquinone was Q-9. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 and C12 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, aminophospholipid and an unknown phospholipid. The DNA G+C content of this novel isolate was 54.7 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain BH103T and H. boliviensis KACC 16615T, H. neptunia KCTC 2888T, H. variabilis KCTC 2889T, H. alkaliantarctica KCTC 22844T, H. olivaria DSM 19074T, H. titanicae JCM 16411T and H. sulfidaeris DSM 15722T was 45, 41, 39, 32, 38, 45 and 35 %, respectively. On the basis of polyphasic analysis from this study, strain BH103T represents a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas salicampi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BH103T ( = KACC 17609T = NBRC 109914T = NCAIM B 02528T).