- Volume 65, Issue Pt_9, 2015

A novel purple sulfur bacterium, strain AX1YPET, was isolated from marine sediments sampled at 47 m depth in Callao Bay, Perú. Strain AX1YPE grew anaerobically, synthesizing bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoid pigments of the spirilloxanthin series. Cells were Gram-stain-negative rods and actively motile by a polar flagellum. Strain AX1YPE was able to grow photolithoautotrophically with sulfide and thiosulfate as electron donors. This new phototrophic organism utilized ammonium salt, N2, urea and glutamate as nitrogen sources. Strain AX1YPE had a DNA base composition of 63.9 mol% G+C. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain AX1YPE clusters in a separate branch within the genus Allochromatium of the family Chromatiaceae. Strain AX1YPE showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.2 % with Allochromatium vinosum DSM 180T and Allochromatium minutissimum DSM 1376T, 98.1 % with Allochromatium phaeobacterium JA144T, 97.3 % with Allochromatium renukae DSM 18713T and 96.8 % with Allochromatium warmingiiDSM 173T. DNA–DNA hybridization values to the type strains of its closest relatives, A. vinosum and A. minutissimum, were 59 and 64 %, respectively. The predominant fatty acid of strain AX1YPET was C18 : 1ω;7c and it notably possessed C20 : 1 as a minor component. PCR-based molecular typing (Box A1R and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) produced a unique banding pattern for strain AX1YPET in comparison with the type strains of A. vinosum and A. minutissimum. Based on data from this polyphasic taxonomic study, which also includes average nucleotide identity comparison of five concatenated housekeeping genes, strain AX1YPET is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Allochromatium for which the name Allochromatium humboldtianum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AX1YPET ( = DSM 21881T = KCTC 15448T).

Strains Y-12T and Y-47T were isolated from mountain forest soil and strain WR43T was isolated from rhizosphere soil, at Daejeon, Korea. The three strains grew at 10–55 °C (optimal growth at 28–30 °C), at pH 3.0–8.0 (optimal growth at pH 6.0) and in the presence of 0–4.0  % (w/v) NaCl, growing optimally in the absence of added NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the three strains were found to belong to the genus Burkholderia, showing the closest phylogenetic similarity to Burkholderia diazotrophica JPY461T (97.2–97.7  %); the similarity between the three sequences ranged from 98.3 to 98.7  %. Additionally, the three strains formed a distinct group in phylogenetic trees based on the housekeeping genes recA and gyrB. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-8, the major fatty acids were C16 : 0 and C17 : 0 cyclo and the DNA G+C content of the novel isolates was 61.6–64.4 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness among the three strains and the type strains of the closest species of the genus Burkholderia was less than 50  %. On the basis of 16S rRNA, recA and gyrB gene sequence similarities, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, the three strains represent three novel species within the genus Burkholderia, for which the names Burkholderia humisilvae sp. nov. (type strain Y-12T = KACC 17601T = NBRC 109933T = NCAIM B 02543T), Burkholderia solisilvae sp. nov. (type strain Y-47T = KACC 17602T = NBRC 109934T = NCAIM B 02539T) and Burkholderia rhizosphaerae sp. nov. (type strain WR43T = KACC 17603T = NBRC 109935T = NCAIM B 02541T) are proposed.

Strain Kp5.2T is an aerobic, Gram-negative soil bacterium that was isolated in Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. The cells were motile and rod-shaped. Optimal growth was observed at 20–30 °C. The fatty acids of strain Kp5.2T comprised mainly C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major polar lipids of strain Kp5.2T were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 63.7 %. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of strain Kp5.2T allowed its classification into the family Sphingomonadaceae, and the sequence showed the highest similarity to those of members of the genus Sphingopyxis, with Sphingopyxis italica SC13E-S71T (99.15 % similarity), Sphingopyxis panaciterrae Gsoil 124T (98.96 %), Sphingopyxis chilensis S37T (98.90 %) and Sphingopyxis bauzanensis BZ30T (98.51 %) as the nearest neighbours. DNA–DNA hybridization and further characterization revealed that strain Kp5.2T can be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingopyxis. Hence, the name Sphingopyxis fribergensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Kp5.2T ( = DSM 28731T = LMG 28478T).

Rhizobial strains isolated from effective root nodules of field-grown lentil (Lens culinaris) from different parts of Bangladesh were previously analysed using sequences of the 16S rRNA gene, three housekeeping genes (recA, atpD and glnII) and three nodulation genes (nodA, nodC and nodD), DNA fingerprinting and phenotypic characterization. Analysis of housekeeping gene sequences and DNA fingerprints indicated that the strains belonged to three novel clades in the genus Rhizobium. In present study, a representative strain from each clade was further characterized by determination of cellular fatty acid compositions, carbon substrate utilization patterns and DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses from whole-genome sequences. DNA–DNA hybridization showed 50–62 % relatedness to their closest relatives (the type strains of Rhizobium etli and Rhizobium phaseoli) and 50–60 % relatedness to each other. These results were further supported by ANI values, based on genome sequencing, which were 87–92 % with their close relatives and 88–89 % with each other. On the basis of these results, three novel species, Rhizobium lentis sp. nov. (type strain BLR27T = LMG 28441T = DSM 29286T), Rhizobium bangladeshense sp. nov. (type strain BLR175T = LMG 28442T = DSM 29287T) and Rhizobium binae sp. nov. (type strain BLR195T = LMG 28443T = DSM 29288T), are proposed. These species share common nodulation genes (nodA, nodC and nodD) that are similar to those of the symbiovar viciae.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain EMB201T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment of the South Sea in Korea. Cells were motile rods with a single polar flagellum and had catalase- and oxidase-positive activities. Growth of strain EMB201T was observed at 15–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5.0–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0–7.5) and in the presence of 1–7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–3 %). Strain EMB201T contained ubiquinone-10 as the sole isoprenoid quinone and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c), C18 : 0ω7c 11-methyl and C10 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified amino lipid were identified as the major polar lipids and an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids were detected as minor components. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was approximately 58.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EMB201T formed a phylogenetic lineage with members of the genus Celeribacter. Strain EMB201T was related most closely to Celeribacter halophilus ZXM137T with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.3 %, and the level of DNA–DNA relatedness between the two strains was 17.0 ± 2.0 %. The combined chemotaxonomic and molecular properties suggest that strain EMB201T represents a novel species of the genus Celeribacter, for which the name Celeribacter naphthalenivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EMB201T ( = KACC 18393T = JCM 30679T).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, cyhalothrin-degrading bacterial strain, XZ2T, was isolated from the surface water of Hanjiang River in Wuhan, China. Strain XZ2T grew optimally at pH 6.0, 30 °C and in the absence of NaCl. The G+C content of the total DNA was 64.1 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain XZ2T showed the highest similarity to that of Camelimonas lactis M 2040T (99.1 %), followed by Camelimonas abortus UK34/07-5T (95.9 %) and Chelatococcus daeguensis K106T (95.3 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain XZ2T were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (63.1 %), C16 : 0 (15.0 %) and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8; 8.9 %). C18 : 0 3-OH was also detected as the major hydroxylated fatty acid. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The polar lipid profile included the major compounds phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol, and moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified aminolipids. The predominant compound in the polyamine pattern was spermidine. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain XZ2T to the genus Camelimonas. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain XZ2T and Camelimonas lactis M 2040T was 43.5 ± 0.6 %. DNA–DNA hybridization data as well as biochemical and physiological characteristics strongly supported the genotypic and phenotypic differentiations between strain XZ2T and Camelimonas lactis M 2040T. Therefore, strain XZ2T represents a novel species of the genus Camelimonas, for which the name Camelimonas fluminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XZ2T ( = KCTC 42282T = ACCC 19738T).

A Gram-stain-negative, vibrio-shaped, spheroplast-forming, motile, aerobic bacterium was isolated from the soil of a salt desert in Kutch, Gujarat, India. The strain, designated JC232T, was oxidase- and catalase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain JC232T was a member of the genus Caenispirillum and was related most closely to Caenispirillum salinarum AK4T (98.9 % similarity) and Caenispirillum bisanense K92T (96.8 %). Genome relatedness based on DNA–DNA hybridization of strain JC232T with the type strains of closely related species was less than 40 %. The DNA G+C content of strain JC232T was 70 mol%. Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphotidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified amino lipids (AL1 and 2) and four unidentified lipids (UL1–4) were the polar lipids of strain JC232T. C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c were the major (>15 %) fatty acids of strain JC232T, with minor amounts of C12 : 0, C14 : 0 3-OH/iso-C16 : 0 I, C18 : 1 2-OH, C18 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH and C19 : 0cycloω8c. Although strain JC232T shared the predominant ubiquinone system (Q10) with the type strains of C. salinarum and C. bisanense, it differed from the latter in polar lipid profile, NaCl growth range and other phenotypic/physiological properties. On the basis of morphological, physiological, genotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain JC232T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Caenispirillum, for which the name Caenispirillum deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC232T ( = KCTC 42064T = NBRC 110150T).

A novel bacterial strain, designated THG-PC7T, was isolated from fallow farmland soil in Yongin, South Korea. Cells of strain THG-PC7T were Gram-stain-negative, dark yellow, aerobic, rod-shaped and had gliding motility. Strain THG-PC7T grew optimally at 25–35 °C, at pH 7 and in the absence of NaCl. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis identified strain THG-PC7T as belonging to the genus Lysobacter, exhibiting highest sequence similarity with Lysobacter ximonensis KCTC 22336T (98.7 %) followed by Lysobacter niastensis KACC 11588T (95.7 %). In DNA–DNA hybridization tests, DNA relatedness between strain THG-PC7T and its closest phylogenetic neighbour L. ximonensis was below 25 %. The DNA G+C content of the novel isolate was determined to be 62.5 mol%. Flexirubin-type pigments were found to be present. The major cellular fatty acids were determined to be iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c. The major respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquonone-8 (Q8). The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminophospolipid. On the basis of results from DNA–DNA hybridization and the polyphasic data, strain THG-PC7T represents a novel species of the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobacter novalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-PC7T( = KACC 18276T = CCTCC AB 2014319T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated CAU 1121T, was isolated from reclaimed land in the Republic of Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The bacterium grew optimally at 37 °C, at pH 6.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the novel isolate belonged to the family Rhodospirillaceae within the class Alphaproteobacteria and formed an independent lineage within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the phylum Proteobacteria. Strain CAU 1121T exhibited very low levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with its phylogenetic neighbours Pelagibius litoralis (similarity, 92.5 %), Fodinicurvata fenggangensis (similarity, 91.4 %), Fodinicurvata sediminis (similarity, 90.7 %) and Tistlia consotensis (similarity, 91.0 %). Strain CAU 1121T contained ubiquinone-10 as the only respiratory quinone and C18 : 1ω7c as the major cellular fatty acid. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 65 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic inference, and physiological and chemotaxonomic data, it is proposed that strain CAU 1121T represents a novel genus and novel species in the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Limibacillus halophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is CAU 1121T ( = KCTC 42420T = CECT 8803T = NBRC 110928T).

There are two major centres of genetic diversification of common bean (Phaseolus vilgaris L.), the Mesoamerican and the Andean, and the legume is capable of establishing nitrogen-fixing symbioses with several rhizobia; Rhizobium etli seems to be the dominant species in both centres. Another genetic pool of common bean, in Peru and Ecuador, is receiving increasing attention, and studies of microsymbionts from the region can help to increase our knowledge about coevolution of this symbiosis. We have previously reported several putative new lineages from this region and here present data indicating that strains belonging to one of them, PEL4, represent a novel species. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny, PEL4 strains are positioned in the Rhizobium phaseoli/R. etli/Rhizobium leguminosarum clade, but show unique properties in several morphological, physiological and biochemical analyses, as well as in BOX-PCR profiles ( < 75 % similarity with related species). PEL4 strains also differed from related species based on multilocus sequence analysis of three housekeeping genes (glnII, gyrB and recA). Nucleotide identities of the three concatenated genes between PEL4 strains and related species ranged from 91.8 to 94.2 %, being highest with Rhizobium fabae. DNA–DNA hybridization ( < 47 % DNA relatedness) and average nucleotide identity values of the whole genomes ( < 90.2 %) also supported the novel species status. The PEL4 strains were effective in nodulating and fixing N2 with common beans. The data supported the view that PEL4 strains represent a novel species, Rhizobium ecuadorense sp. nov. The type strain is CNPSo 671T ( = UMR 1450T = PIMAMPIRS I 5T = LMG 27578T).

One bacterial strain, designated 5GH38-5T, which was characterized as aerobic, Gram-staining-negative, non-flagellated rods, was isolated from a soil sample from a greenhouse in Sangju region, Republic of Korea. It grew at temperatures of 15–45 °C, pH 5.0–9.0 and NaCl concentrations (w/v) of 0–3.0 %. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the strain was closely related to Pseudoxanthomonas kaohsiungensis J36T (97.3 %), Pseudoxanthomonas suwonensis 4M1T (96.8 %), Pseudoxanthomonas daejeonensis TR6-08T (96.7 %) and Pseudoxanthomonas kalamensis JA40T (96.7 %). Its major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-8. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 71.1 mol%. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain 5GH38-5T and P. kaohsiungensis J36T was less than 70 %. The combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data showed that strain 5GH38-5T could be clearly distinguished from closely related members of the genus Pseudoxanthomonas. Therefore, the results of this study indicated the existence of a novel species of the genus Pseudoxanthomonas, for which we propose the name Pseudoxanthomonas sangjuensis sp. nov., with strain 5GH38-5T ( = KACC 16961T = DSM 28345T = JCM 19948T) as the type strain.

A novel bacterial strain, designated EC29T, was isolated from the brown alga Ecklonia cava collected on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain EC29T were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile by gliding. Growth was observed at 10–30 °C (optimum, 20–25 °C), at pH 6.0–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in the presence of 1–5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Winogradskyella. Strain EC29T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, of 96.5–97.8 %, to the type strains of Winogradskyella pulchriflava EM106T, Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211T and Winogradskyella ulvae KMM 6390T. Strain EC29T exhibited < 27 % DNA–DNA relatedness with Winogradskyella pulchriflava EM106T and Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211T. The predominant fatty acids of strain EC29T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 31.1 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Based on a polyphasic study, strain EC29T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella eckloniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EC29T ( = KCTC 32172T = JCM 18703T).

A yellow, nitrogen-fixing bacterial strain, NXU-44T, isolated from the rhizosphere of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in Auburn, Alabama, USA, was studied to determine its taxonomic position. Cells of the isolate were rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative. A comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence with the sequences of the type strains of the most closely related species showed that the strain belongs to the genus Flavobacterium with highest sequence similarities to the type strains of Flavobacterium ginsenosidimutans (97.9 %), Flavobacterium phragmitis (97.6 %) and Flavobacterium anhuiense (97.5 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to all other species of the genus Flavobacterium were below 97.5 %. The fatty acid profile of strain NXU-44T consisted of the major fatty acids iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 2-OH/C16 : 1ω7c and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major compounds in the polar lipid profile were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, one aminolipid and two polar lipids. The quinone system was composed exclusively of menaquinone MK-6. The polyamine pattern contained the major compound sym-homospermidine and only minor amounts of other polyamines. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. These data and the differential biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties show that strain NXU-44T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium for which the name Flavobacterium nitrogenifigens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NXU-44T ( = LMG 28694T = CIP 110894T).

The facultatively aerobic, non-hydrogenotrophic, iron (Fe0)-corroding, nitrate-reducing Prolixibacter sp. strain MIC1-1T was characterized for representation of a novel species of the genus Prolixibacter. Strain MIC1-1T grew optimally at 35–37 °C, at pH 6.5 and with 2  % (w/v) NaCl. Strain MIC1-1T also grew fermentatively on some pentoses, hexoses, disaccharides and soluble starch. Succinic acid was the major end-product from d-glucose fermentation. Strain MIC1-1T was differentiated from the type strain of Prolixibacter bellariivorans by cell size, optimum growth temperature, range of temperature and NaCl for growth, and nitrate reduction. On the basis of phenotypic features and the phylogenetic position, a novel species of the genus Prolixibacter is proposed for strain MIC1-1T, to be named Prolixibacter denitrificans sp. nov. The type strain is MIC1-1T ( = JCM 18694T = NBRC 102688T = DSM 27267T). Emended descriptions of the genus Prolixibacter and Prolixibacter bellariivorans are also provided.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated TYO-19T, was isolated from an oyster collected from the South Sea in South Korea, and was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain TYO-19T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 1.0–2.0  % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TYO-19T belonged to the genus Winogradskyella, clustering coherently with the type strain of Winogradskyella epiphytica. Strain TYO-19T exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 99.7  % to W. epiphytica KMM 3906T and 94.2–96.9  % to the type strains of other species of the genus Winogradskyella. Strain TYO-19T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15[hairsp] :[hairsp] 1 G, iso-C17[hairsp] :[hairsp] 0 3-OH, iso-C15[hairsp] :[hairsp] 0 and anteiso-C15[hairsp] :[hairsp] 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain TYO-19T were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content was 39.0 mol% and the mean DNA–DNA relatedness value with the type strain of W. epiphytica was 59 ± 4.3  %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain TYO-19T is separated from recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella. On the basis of the data presented, strain TYO-19T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella crassostreae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TYO-19T  ( = KCTC 42462T = NBRC 110924T).

A Gram-stain-negative and facultatively anaerobic bacterium, SY21T, was isolated from marine sediments of the coastal area in Weihai, China (122° 0′ 37″ E 37° 31′ 33″ N). Cells of strain SY21T were 0.3–0.5 μm wide and 1.5–2.5 μm long, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Colonies on 2216E agar were transparent, beige- to pale-brown-pigmented, and approximately 0.5 mm in diameter. Growth occurred optimally at 33–37 °C, pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain SY21T was a member of the genus Mariniphaga within the family Prolixibacteraceae. The closest described neighbour in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequences identity was Mariniphaga anaerophila Fu11-5T (94.7 %). The major respiratory quinone of strain SY21T was MK-7, and the dominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and anteiso-C15 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, aminolipid and an unidentified lipid, and the DNA G+C content was 37.9 mol%. The distinct phylogenetic position and phenotypic traits distinguished the novel isolate from M. anaerophila Fu11-5T. Phenotypic and genotypic analysis indicated that strain SY21T could be assigned to the genus Mariniphaga. The name Mariniphaga sediminis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain SY21T ( = KCTC 42260T = MCCC 1H00107T).

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding bacterial strain, designated SM1203T, was isolated from surface seawater of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SM1203T was affiliated with the genus Bizionia in the family Flavobacteriaceae. The strain shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>96  %) with the type strains of Formosa spongicola (96.8  %), Bizionia paragorgiae (96.3  %), B. saleffrena (96.3  %) and B. echini (96.1  %) and 95.4–95.7  % sequence similarity with the type strains of other known species of the genus Bizionia. The strain grew at 4–30 °C and in the presence of 1.0–5.0  % (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acids of strain SM1203T were iso-C15  :  0, iso-C15  :  1, anteiso-C15  :  0 and C15  :  0 and the main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid. The major respiratory quinone of strain SM1203T was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SM1203T was 34.8 mol%. Based on the polyphasic characterization of strain SM1203T in this study, the strain represents a novel species in the genus Bizionia, for which the name Bizionia arctica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SM1203T ( = CGMCC 1.12751T = JCM 30333T). An emended description of the genus Bizionia is also given.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain THG-SQA8T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of rose in PR China. Strain THG-SQA8T was closely related to members of the genus Sphingobacterium, showed the highest sequence similarities with Sphingobacterium multivorum KACC 14105T (98.0 %) and Sphingobacterium ginsenosidimutans KACC 14526T (97.4 %). DNA–DNA hybridization showed values of 35.2 ± 0.9 % and 8.8 ± 0.3 % DNA reassociation with S. multivorum KACC 14105T and S. ginsenosidimutans KACC 14526T, respectively. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain THG-SQA8T possesses menaquinone-7 as the only respiratory quinone, and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was 40.7 mol%. These data corroborated the affiliation of strain THG-SQA8T to the genus Sphingobacterium. Thus, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium mucilaginosum sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-SQA8T as the type strain ( = CCTCC AB 2014317T = KCTC 42503T).

A novel Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated, non-motile, aerobic, saffron-coloured, rod-shaped bacterium that did not produce flexirubin-type pigments was designated strain EM7T and was distinct from other members of the genus Bizionia by produce carotenoid-type pigments and being able to grow independently of NaCl. Strain EM7T was isolated from the intestinal tract of an egg cockle, Fulvia mutica, which had been collected from the West Sea in Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain EM7T belonged to the genus Bizionia, and showed sequence similarity to Bizionia paragorgiae KMM 6029T (97.9 %) and Bizionia saleffrena HFDT (97.73 %). Growth occurred on marine agar 2216 at 0–25 °C (optimum, 20 °C) and at pH 6–9 (optimum, pH 7). Growth occurred in the presence of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2 %, w/v, NaCl). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-6. The polar lipids of strain EM7T comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and two unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 34.8 mol%. Bizionia paragorgiae KMM 6029T and Bizionia saleffrena HFDT to Bizionia paragorgiae KCTC 12304T and Bizionia saleffrena CIP 108534T, respectively. Thus, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species, Bizionia fulviae sp. nov., with strain EM7T ( = KACC 18255T = JCM 30417T) as the type strain.