- Volume 65, Issue Pt_4, 2015

A hyperthermophilic methanogen, strain JH146T, was isolated from 26 °C hydrothermal vent fluid emanating from a crack in basaltic rock at Marker 113 vent, Axial Seamount in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. It was identified as an obligate anaerobe that uses only H2 and CO2 for growth. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain is more than 97 % similar to other species of the genus Methanocaldococcus . Therefore, overall genome relatedness index analyses were performed to establish that strain JH146T represents a novel species. For each analysis, strain JH146T was most similar to Methanocaldococcus sp. FS406-22, which can fix N2 and also comes from Marker 113 vent. However, strain JH146T differs from strain FS406-22 in that it cannot fix N2. The average nucleotide identity score for strain JH146T was 87 %, the genome-to-genome direct comparison score was 33–55 % and the species identification score was 93 %. For each analysis, strain JH146T was below the species delineation cut-off. Full-genome gene synteny analysis showed that strain JH146T and strain FS406-22 have 97 % genome synteny, but strain JH146T was missing the operons necessary for N2 fixation and assimilatory nitrate reduction that are present in strain FS406-22. Based on its whole genome sequence, strain JH146T is suggested to represent a novel species of the genus Methanocaldococcus for which the name Methanocaldococcus bathoardescens is proposed. The type strain is JH146T ( = DSM 27223T = KACC 18232T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain A31T, was isolated from the surface of weathered biotite in Susong, Anhui Province, China. The organism grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 8.0 and with 1 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain A31T had A3α as the cell-wall peptidoglycan type and galactose, mannose and rhamnose as whole-cell sugars. Anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major cellular fatty acids and MK-9(H2) was the predominant respiratory quinone. In addition, the total polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and four glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain A31T was 70.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain A31T was related most closely to Sinomonas albida LC13T (98.3 % similarity), Sinomonas atrocyanea DSM 20127T (98.2 %), Sinomonas soli CW 59T (98.1 %), Sinomonas flava CW 108T (97.8 %), ‘Sinomonas mesophila’ MPKL 26 (97.3 %), Sinomonas echigonensis LC10T (97.1 %) and ‘ Sinomonas notoginsengisoli ’ SYP-B575 (96.7 %). DNA–DNA hybridization studies with the new isolate showed relatedness values of 16.0–56.6 % with its six closest neighbours. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain A31T represents a novel species of the genus Sinomonas , for which the name Sinomonas susongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A31T ( = DSM 28245T = CCTCC AB 2014068T).

A novel Gram-stain-positive actinobacterium, designated PS-14-7T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of a mangrove on Pramuka Island, Indonesia, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The peptidoglycan type of strain PS-14-7T was A4α and lysine was the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4) and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 72.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain PS-14-7T was closely related to Serinibacter salmoneus Kis4-28T (99.6 %). However, DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic characteristics revealed that strain PS-14-7T differed from Serinibacter salmoneus . Therefore, strain PS-14-7T represents a novel species of the genus Serinibacter , for which the name Serinibacter tropicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PS-14-7T ( = NBRC 110108T = InaCC A 515T). An emended description of the genus Serinibacter is also proposed.

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated EGI 6500707T, was isolated from the surface-sterilized root of a halophyte Anabasis elatior (C. A. Mey.) Schischk collected from Urumqi, Xinjiang province, north-west China, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, short rods and produced white colonies. Growth occurred at 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), at pH 5–10 (optimum pH 8) and in presence of 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0–3 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-9. The diagnostic phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strain EGI 6500707T was 69.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EGI 6500707T should be placed in the genus Frigoribacterium (family Microbacteriaceae , phylum Actinobacteria ), and that the novel strain exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Frigoribacterium faeni JCM 11265T (99.1 %) and Frigoribacterium mesophilum MSL-08T (96.5 %). DNA–DNA relatedness between strain EGI 6500707T and F. faeni JCM 11265T was 47.2 %. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA relatedness data, strain EGI 6500707T represents a novel species of the genus Frigoribacterium , for which the name Frigoribacterium endophyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EGI 6500707T ( = JCM 30093T = KCTC 29493T).

Strain SK9K4T, which is a strictly anaerobic, non-motile, non-sporulating, Gram-stain-positive, saccharolytic coccobacillus, was isolated from pig faeces. SK9K4T metabolized indol-3-acetic acid to 3-methylindole (skatole), which is the main contributor to boar taint; it also produced 4-methylphenol (p-cresol) from p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. Phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that the isolate represented a new lineage within the genus Olsenella of the family Atopobiaceae . Strain SK9K4T was most closely related to the type strains of the three species of the genus Olsenella with validly published names; Olsenella profusa DSM 13989T (93.6 %), Olsenella uli DSM 7084T (93.5 %) and Olsenella umbonata DSM 22620T (92.7 %). DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain SK9K4T with O. profusa , O. uli and O. umbonata were 28.3 %, 69.1 % and 27.2 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 62.1 mol% and the major cellular fatty acids (constituting >10 % of the total) were C14 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. The major end product of glucose fermentation was lactic acid, with minor amounts of acetic acid and formic acid; no H2 was produced. Discrepancies in the fatty acid profiles, the MALDI-TOF mass spectra of cell extracts and the physiological and biochemical characteristics differentiated strain SK9K4T from other species of the genus Olsenella and indicate that the isolate represents a novel species within this genus. The name Olsenella scatoligenes sp. nov., is proposed and the type strain is SK9K4T ( = JCM 19907T = DSM 28304T).

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain GKU 164T, was isolated from the roots of a jambolan plum tree (Syzygium cumini L. Skeels), collected at Khao Khitchakut National Park, Chantaburi province, Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a distinct clade within the genus Nonomuraea , and was most closely related to Nonomuraea monospora PT708T (98.77 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Nonomuraea thailandensis KC-061T (98.73 %). Strain GKU 164T formed a branched substrate and aerial hyphae that generated single spores with rough surfaces. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were madurose, galactose, mannose, ribose, rhamnose and glucose. The N-acyl type of muramic acid was acetyl. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4) with minor amounts of MK-9(H6), MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H0). The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositolmannosides, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophosphoglycolipid and four unknown phospholipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and 10-methyl C17 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.4 mol%. Significant differences in the morphological, chemotaxonomical, and biochemical data together with DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain GKU 164T and type strains of closely related species, clearly demonstrated that strain GKU 164T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea , for which the name Nonomuraea syzygii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GKU 164T ( = BCC 70457T = NBRC 110400T).

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-TX2-2T, was isolated from moss and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolate was found to have morphological characteristics typical of the genus Microbispora . The isolate formed longitudinally paired spores on the tips of short sporophores that branched from aerial hyphae. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence supported the assignment of the novel strain to the genus Microbispora , and strain NEAU-TX2-2T exhibited 99.08 and 98.62 % gene sequence similarities to Microbispora amethystogenes JCM 3021T and Microbispora rosea subsp. rosea JCM 3006T, respectively. However two tree-making algorithms supported the position that strain NEAU-TX2-2T formed a distinct clade with M. rosea subsp. rosea JCM 3006T. A low level of DNA–DNA relatedness allowed the isolate to be differentiated from M. amethystogenes JCM 3021T and M. rosea subsp. rosea JCM 3006T. Moreover, strain NEAU-TX2-2T could also be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives by morphological and physiological characteristics. Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-TX2-2T represents a novel species of the genus Microbispora for which the name Microbispora bryophytorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-TX2-2T ( = CGMCC 4.7138T = DSM 46710T).

Actinomycete strain SA198T, isolated from a Saharan soil sample of Algeria, was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. Chemotaxonomic and morphological characteristics observed suggested that it was a member of the genus Saccharothrix . The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed that strain SA198T was a member of the genus Saccharothrix and showed a similarity level ranging between 97.5 and 98.9 % within species of the genus Saccharothrix , Saccharothrix australiensis being the most closely related. However, DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain SA198T and its closest phylogenetic neighbours, the type strains of S. australiensis , Saccharothrix xinjiangensis , Saccharothrix algeriensis and Saccharothrix espanaensis , were clearly below the 70 % threshold. Based upon genotypic and phenotypic differences from other members of the genus, a novel species, Saccharothrix tamanrassetensis sp. nov., is proposed, with SA198T ( = DSM 45947T = CECT 8640T) as the type strain.

An actinobacterium strain (M-201T) was isolated from a deep-sea scleractinian coral (Fam. Caryophillidae) collected at 1500 m depth in the Avilés Canyon in the Cantabrian Sea, Asturias, Spain. Strain M-201T grew at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0), between 4 and 37 °C (optimum 28 °C) and at salinities of 0.5–10.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5–3.0 %). The peptidoglycan contained the amino acids Lys, Ala, Thr, Glu and one unknown amino acid component, and belonged to type A4α, and the cell-wall sugars are glucose, mannose and galactose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown phosphoglycolipid and seven unknown glycolipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 72.4 mol%. The chemotaxonomic properties supported the affiliation of strain M-201T to the genus Myceligenerans . Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism was most closely related to Myceligenerans crystallogenes CD12E2-27T (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). However, it had a relatively low DNA–DNA relatedness value with the above strain (48 %). The isolate showed antibiotic activity against Escherichia coli , Micrococcus luteus ATCC 14452 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. carlsbergensis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antibiotic production in the genus Myceligenerans . The differences in phenotypic, metabolic, ecological and phylogenetic characteristics justify the proposal of a novel species of the genus Myceligenerans , Myceligenerans cantabricum sp. nov., with M-201T ( = CECT 8512T = DSM 28392T) as the type strain.

A novel filamentous, endospore-forming, thermophilic and moderately halophilic bacterium designated strain Nari2AT was isolated from soil collected from an Algerian salt lake, Chott Melghir. The novel isolate was Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, catalase-negative and oxidase-positive. Optimum growth occurred at 50–55 °C, 7–10 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 7–8. The strain exhibited 95.4, 95.4 and 95.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Thalassobacillus devorans G19.1T, Sediminibacillus halophilus EN8dT and Virgibacillus kekensis YIM-kkny16T, respectively. The major menaquinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, three unknown phosphoglycolipids and two unknown phospholipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 41.9 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain Nari2AT is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Bacillaceae , order Bacillales , for which the name Melghiribacillus thermohalophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Melghiribacillus thermohalophilus is Nari2AT ( = DSM 25894T = CCUG 62543T).

A Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, obligately anaerobic bacterium, designated LAM201T, was isolated from sediment samples from an alkaline-saline lake located in Daqing oilfield, Daqing City, PR China. Cells of strain LAM201T were non-motile and straight or spiral rod-shapes. Strain LAM201T was able to utilize glucose, fructose, maltose, trehalose and sorbitol as the sole carbon source. Acetic acid, ethanol, iso-butanoic acid and iso-valeric acid were the main products of glucose fermentation. The major fatty acids of LAM201T were C16 : 0 (26.7 %) and C18 : 0 (11.2 %). The main polar lipids were four unknown glycolipids and five unknown phospholipids. The predominant cell-wall sugars were ribose and galactose. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain LAM201T contained alanine, glycine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid. Sodium sulfite was used as the electron acceptor. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 32±0.8 mol%, as determined by the T m method. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the isolate belonged to the genus Romboutsia and was most closely related to Romboutsia lituseburensis DSM 797T and Romboutsia ilealis CRIBT with 97.3 % and 97.2 % similarities, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain LAM201T and the two reference strains were 37 % and 31 %, respectively. On the basis of its phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain LAM201T is suggested to represent a novel species within the genus Romboutsia , for which the name Romboutsia sedimentorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LAM201T ( = ACCC 00717T = JCM 19607T).

Two Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming lactic acid bacteria, designated BK92T and BK117-1T, were isolated from tree barks in Thailand. Cells were catalase-negative and facultatively anaerobic rods. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that these strains belonged to the genus Sporolactobacillus . Strains BK92T and BK117-1T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sporolactobacillus putidus QC81-06T with 97.7 % and 97.1 % similarity, respectively. Analysis of phylogenetic relationships based on 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequencing revealed that the positions of strains BK92T and BK117-1T were clearly separated from all related species of the genus Sporolactobacillus . Strains BK92T and BK117-1T had low DNA–DNA relatedness between each other and also with S. putidus QC81-06T and Sporolactobacillus vineae SL153T. The DNA G+C content of strains BK92T and BK117-1T was 46.6 mol% and 47.4 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acids of strains BK92T and BK117-1T were anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. They contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan and had menaquinone with seven isoprene units (MK-7) as the predominant menaquinone. Based on evidence including phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic studies, strains BK92T and BK117-1T should be classified as representatives of novel species of the genus Sporolactobacillus , for which the names Sporolactobacillus shoreae sp. nov. and Sporolactobacillus spathodeae sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strains are BK92T ( = JCM 19541T = LMG 28365T = PCU 336T = TISTR 2234T) and BK117-1T ( = JCM 19542T = LMG 28366T = PCU 337T = TISTR 2235T).

Two Gram-stain-positive, diesel oil-degrading, solvent-tolerant, aerobic, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from a contaminated laboratory plate. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strains JC228T and JC279 were identified as belonging to the genus Bacillus within the family Bacillaceae of the phylum Firmicutes and were found to be most closely related to Bacillus carboniphilus JCM 9731T (98.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and shared <96.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with other members of the genus Bacillus . The DNA–DNA hybridization value between the two strains was 88±2 %. Strain JC228T showed 23.4±1 % reassociation (based on DNA–DNA hybridization) with B. carboniphilus LMG 18001T. The DNA G+C content of strains JC228T and JC279 was 39 and 38.4 mol%, respectively. Both strains were positive for catalase and oxidase activities, and negative for hydrolysis of starch and Tween 80. Strains JC228T and JC279 grew chemoorganoheterotrophically with optimum growth at pH 7 (range pH 7–9.5) and 35 °C (range 25–40 °C). Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid (PL2) were the major polar lipids. Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained l-alanine, d-alanine, d-glutamic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. Both strains utilized diesel oil as sole carbon and energy source. The results of physiological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses allowed clear differentiation of strains JC228T and JC279 from their closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore strains JC228T and JC279 represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which the name Bacillus oleivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC228T ( = LMG 28084T = CCTCC AB 2013353T).

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, chemoheterotrophic, moderately halophilic, exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing, cream, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain ZH114T, was isolated from deep water of the South China Sea, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, indicated that this strain belongs to the genus Salipiger with the highest sequence similarity to Salipiger mucescens LMG 22090T (96.83 %), followed by Pseudodonghicola xiamenensis LMG 24574T (96.12 %). Growth occurred at 4–37 °C (optimum 32 °C), pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum pH 9.0–10.0) and in the presence of 0–19 % NaCl (w/v) (optimum 6 %, w/v). It did not produce poly-β-hydroxyalkanoate granules or bacteriochlorophyll a. Acid was produced from glycerol, erythrose, ribose, d-xylose, galactose, glucose, fructose, mannitol, cellobiose, maltose, lactose, melibiose, turanose, d-lyxose, d-tagatose, d-fucose, d-arabitol and l-arabitol after inoculating for 24 h and weakly positive results were also detected after 48 h in API 50CH strips with d-arabinose, l-arabinose, l-xylose, adonitol, mannose, aesculin, salicin, sucrose, mycose and l-fucose. The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0, C18 : 0 and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c. The major polar lipids of ZH114T were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain ZH114T was 63.8 mol%. Based on this phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain ZH114T should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Salipiger , for which the name Salipiger nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZH114T ( = JCM 19383T = KCTC 32468T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and rod-shaped motile bacterium with peritrichous flagella, designated strain LZB041T, was isolated from offshore surface seawater of the East China Sea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain LZB041T formed a lineage within the family ‘ Aurantimonadaceae ’ that was distinct from the most closely related genera Aurantimonas (96.0–96.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Aureimonas (94.5–96.0 %). Optimal growth occurred in the presence of 1–7 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7.0–8.0 and at 28–37 °C. Ubiquinone-10 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids (>10 % of total fatty acids) were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8) and cyclo-C19 : 0ω8c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid, one unknown phospholipid and one unknown polar lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain LZB041T was 71.3 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic analysis, strain LZB041T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the class Alphaproteobacteria , for which the name Jiella aquimaris gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is LZB041T ( = JCM 30119T = MCCC 1K00255T).

A thermophilic, anaerobic, chemolithoautotrophic bacterium, strain TB-6T, was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent located on the East Pacific Rise at 9° N. The cells were Gram-staining-negative and rod-shaped with one or more polar flagella. Cell size was approximately 1–1.5 µm in length and 0.5 µm in width. Strain TB-6T grew between 45 and 70 °C (optimum 55–60 °C), 0 and 35 g NaCl l−1 (optimum 20–30 g l−1) and pH 4.5 and 7.5 (optimum pH 5.5–6.0). Generation time under optimal conditions was 2 h. Growth of strain TB-6T occurred with H2 as the energy source, CO2 as the carbon source and nitrate or sulfur as electron acceptors, with formation of ammonium or hydrogen sulfide, respectively. Acetate, (+)-d-glucose, Casamino acids, sucrose and yeast extract were not used as carbon and energy sources. Inhibition of growth occurred in the presence of lactate, peptone and tryptone under a H2/CO2 (80 : 20; 200 kPa) gas phase. Thiosulfate, sulfite, arsenate, selenate and oxygen were not used as electron acceptors. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of strain TB-6T showed that this organism branched separately from the three most closely related genera, Caminibacter , Nautilia and Lebetimonas , within the family Nautiliaceae . Strain TB-6T contained several unique fatty acids in comparison with other members of the family Nautiliaceae . Based on experimental evidence, it is proposed that the organism represents a novel species and genus within the family Nautiliaceae , Cetia pacifica, gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is TB-6T ( = DSM 27783T = JCM 19563T).

A yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain ZFGT-11T, was isolated from roots of Geum aleppicum Jacq. collected from Taibai Mountain in Shaanxi Province, north-west China, and was subjected to a taxonomic study by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain ZFGT-11T were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic rods that were surrounded by a thick capsule and were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ZFGT-11T was a member of the genus Sphingomonas and was closely related to Sphingomonas naasensis KACC 16534T (97.6 % similarity), Sphingomonas kyeonggiense JCM 18825T (96.8 %), Sphingomonas asaccharolytica IFO 15499T (96.7 %) and Sphingomonas leidyi DSM 4733T (96.6 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C17 : 1ω6c, C14 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0 and C15 : 0 2-OH. The major polyamine of strain ZFGT-11T was sym-homospermidine. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, two unidentified aminoglycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids were detected in the polar lipid profile. The DNA G+C content was 66.8 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness for strain ZFGT-11T with respect to its closest phylogenetic relative S. naasensis KACC 16534T was 26.2±4.8 % (mean±sd). On the basis of data from the present polyphasic taxonomic study, strain ZFGT-11T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas , for which the name Sphingomonas gei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZFGT-11T ( = CCTCC AB 2013306T = KCTC 32449T = LMG 27608T).