- Volume 66, Issue 11, 2016

A novel Gram-staining-negative, short rod, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated strain YIM M12096T, was isolated from deep-sea sediment collected from the Indian Ocean. Optimal growth conditions of the strain were observed at 25–30 °C, pH 6.0 and in the presence of 3–5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM M12096T was closely related to Nitratireductor indicus C115T (97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Mesorhizobium thiogangeticum SJTT (97.3 %). The strain, however, formed a robust clade with members of the genus Mesorhizobium in phylogenetic dendrograms generated with neighbour-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony trees. Analysis based on the sequence of housekeeping gene recA also gave a similar phylogenetic relationship, indicating that strain YIM M12096T is a member of the genus Mesorhizobium . DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain YIM M12096T and related type strains N. indicus CCTCC AB209298T and M. thiogangeticum DSM 17097T were 40.5 % and 36.7 %, respectively. Chemotaxonomic features of the isolate included phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified phospholipid as its characteristic polar lipids and Q-10 as respiratory ubiquinone. Major fatty acids (>10 %) detected were C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c, 11-methyl-C18 : 1 ω7c and cyclo-C19 : 0 ω8c. Based on the chemotaxonomic properties and phylogenetic analyses, strain YIM M12096T is determined to be a member of the genus Mesorhizobium . The strain could be differentiated from the closely related species by the differences in physiological and biochemical properties supported by low DNA–DNA relatedness values. It is therefore concluded that strain YIM M12096T represents a novel species of the genus Mesorhizobium , for which the name Mesorhizobium sediminum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM M12096T (=CCTCC AB 2014219T=KCTC 42205T).

Five bacterial strains (SYSU YG23T, SYSU 10HL1970T, 10HP82-10, 10HL1938, 10HP457) isolated from water reservoirs of cooling systems were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The isolates were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and non-motile. Growth was enhanced in the presence of l-cysteine. The major fatty acids (>5 %) for the five strains were C10 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH, C18 : 0 3-OH and C18 : 1 ω9c. Ubiquinone-8 was detected as the respiratory quinone while the polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, three unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids and three unidentified glycolipids. The strains shared 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 99.0–99.2 % with Francisella guangzhouensis 08HL01032T but less than 95.2 % with other members of the family Francisellaceae . The phylogenetic dendrogram based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these strains form a separate cluster along with Francisella guangzhouensis . This cluster was also confirmed from multilocus-sequence typing based on sequences of the mdhA, rpoB and sdhA genes. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS analyses of the strains along with closely and distantly related Francisella strains also showed a distinct cluster for these strains. Based on the findings from the polyphasic taxonomy studies, the strains were considered to represent two novel species of a new genus for which the names Allofrancisella inopinata gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain SYSU YG23T=KCTC 42968T=DSM 101834T) and Allofrancisella frigidaquae sp. nov. (type strain SYSU 10HL1970T=KCTC 42969T=DSM 101835T) are proposed. In addition, Francisella guangzhouensis Qu et al. 2013 is proposed to be transferred to this new genus as Allofrancisella guangzhouensis comb. nov.

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated SH-1T, was isolated from activated sludge in Korea. Cells were motile rods with a single polar flagellum, showing oxidase-positive and catalase-negative activities. Growth was observed at 25–40 °C (optimum, 37 °C), pH 6.0–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0–0.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Strain SH-1T contained summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 0, C12 : 0, summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and C10 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids and ubiquinone-8 as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the major polar lipid, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one aminophospholipid, one phospholipid, five unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids were also detected as the minor polar lipids. The predominant polyamines were 2-hydroxyputrescine, cadaverine and putrescine. The DNA G+C content was 69.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SH-1T formed a tight phyletic lineage with Piscinibacter aquaticus IMCC1728T with a 98.3 % sequence similarity. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness value between strain SH-1T and the type strain of P. aquaticus was 38.0±1.8 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, it is clear that strain SH-1T represents a novel species of the genus Piscinibacter , for which the name Piscinibacter defluvii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SH-1T (=KACC 18594T=JCM 31230T). An emended description of the genus Piscinibacter is also proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile and rod-shaped strain, designed H2T, was isolated from the Western Pacific Ocean, and subjected to a taxonomic investigation using a polyphasic approach. Strain H2T grew at 15–40 °C and pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum 37 °C and pH 6.5), and with 1–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and the major fatty acids identified were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C18 : 1 ω7c, C18 : 0 and 11-methyl-C18 : 1 ω7c. The polar lipids of strain H2T consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, one unknown phospholipid, one unknown glycolipid and three unidentified aminolipids. The DNA G+C content was 75.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain H2T formed a distinct clade belong to the family Rhodospirillaceae within the Alphaproteobacteria . On the basis of morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, together with the results of phylogenetic analysis, strain H2T represents a novel species in a new genus in the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Marinibaculum pumilum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is H2T(=MCCC 1K02279T=KCTC 42964T).

An endophytic strain (designated as SYPF 7195T) was isolated from a branch of a ginkgo tree in Liaoning province of China. Strain SYPF 7195T was characterized by its grey to greyish-green aerial mycelium, velvety to floccose surface and swelling near the septa. Phylogenetic analyses, which were inferred from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and partial sequences of the LSU and SSU of the rDNA and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), showed that strain SYPF 7195T belonged to the genus Pseudochaetosphaeronema, and was distinct from all other species with high bootstrap-supported values (92 %). Strain SYPF 7195T constitutes a separate evolutionary clade with Pseudochaetosphaeronema larense and Pseudochaetosphaeronema martinelli, with P. martinelli as its closest phylogenetic neighbour. The nucleotide differences between strain SYPF 7195T and P. martinelli were 71 substitutions in the ITS region. Strain SYPF 7195Tcould also be distinguished from P. martinelli by a number of physiological characteristics. Combined with morphology and molecular analyses, strain SYPF 7195T merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Pseudochaetosphaeronema, for which the name Pseudochaetosphaeronema ginkgonis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CBS 140953T (=CGMCC 3.17865T=SYPF 7195T). The Mycobank number is MB 816567.

Novel Penicillium-like strains were isolated during the characterization of the mycobiota community dynamics associated with shrimp waste composting. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial β-tubulin (BenA) gene and the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1–5.8S–ITS2) sequences revealed that the novel strains were members of section Lanata-Divaricata and were closely related to Penicillium infrabuccalum DAOMC 250537T. On the basis of morphological and physiological characterization, and phylogenetic analysis, a novel Penicillium species, Penicillium pedernalense sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is F01-11T (=CBS 140770T=CECT 20949T), which was isolated from whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) heads waste compost in the Pedernales region (Manabí province, Ecuador).

Two novel yeast species were isolated from the guts of two different termite species. A new member of the genus Sugiyamaella was isolated from the hindgut and nest material of the lower Australian termite Mastotermes darwiniensis. The second novel yeast species, isolated from the higher termite Odontotermes obesus, was identified as a member of the genus Papiliotrema. Both yeast species were able to hydrolyse xylan, methylumbelliferyl β-xylobiose and methylumbelliferyl β-xylotriose. The ability to debranch different hemicellulose side chains and growth without the addition of external vitamins was observed. A symbiotic role of the novel yeast species is indicated, especially in respect to xylan degradation and the production of vitamins. Here, we describe these species as Sugiyamaella mastotermitis sp. nov., MycoBank 816574 (type strain MD39VT=DSM 100793T=CBS 14182T), and Papiliotrema odontotermitis f.a., sp. nov., MycoBank 816575 (type strain OO5T=DSM 100791T=CBS 14181T). Additionally, we transfer Candida qingdaonensis to the genus Sugiyamaella and propose the following combination: Sugiyamaella qingdaonensis f.a., comb. nov., MycoBank 816576.

During a survey of yeasts associated with insects in Central China's natural ecosystems, 116 yeast strains were isolated from the gut of adult insects in two families and from one beetle larva. Among the yeasts isolated in this study, 102 strains were identified as 20 known species in the class Saccharomycetes. The remaining 14 strains were identified as representing five novel species in the Lodderomyces clade based on the combined sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, as well as other taxonomic characteristics. Lodderomyces beijingensis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 14171T=CICC 33087T=NYNU 15764T) formed a clade with Lodderomyces elongisporus and Candida oxycetoniae. The other four novel species, namely Candida margitis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 14175T=CICC 33091T=NYNU 15857T), Candida xiaguanensis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 13923T=CICC 33056T=NYNU 1488T), Candida parachauliodis sp. nov. (type strain CBS 13928T=CICC 33058T=NYNU 14959T) and Candida coleopterorum sp. nov. (type strain CBS 14180T=CICC 33084T=NYNU 1582T), showed close relationships to the species near Candida parapsilosis, Candida sakaeoensis, Candida chauliodes and Candida corydalis. Descriptions of these novel yeast species are provided as well as discussions of their ecology in relation to their insect hosts.

Changes have been made to Rule 8 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes that caters for the names and nomenclatural types of classes and subclasses. The changes are retroactive because they are not specifically restricted in time. Consequently, that influences names of classes and subclasses and their nomenclatural types that have previously appeared in print.

Proposals to make changes to the wording of Rule 27 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes have been made that include the requirement to make reference to the basonym of a new combination. While this is a step in the right direction, it does not solve problems where new combinations are associated with multiple heterotypic synonyms and the new combination is based on the selection of the genus name or species epithet that is contrary to the Rules.

A recent Request for an Opinion has raised the issue of the inter-relationship between Methanocorpusculum parvum Zellner et al. 1988, the type species of the genus Methanocorpusculum Zellner et al. 1988 as defined at the time of valid publication of the genus name and the subsequent recognition of Methanocorpusculum aggregans (Ollivier et al., 1985) Xun et al.1989 as an earlier heterotypic synonym. Examination of the relevant literature indicates that there are a number of misunderstandings that have arisen. In particular misinterpretation of Rule 15 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes continues to be a source of confusion. Additional problems centre on whether the nomenclatural type of a taxon continues to be the nomenclatural type even if that name is not treated as the correct name and would not appear in a list of names in a given classification. It would be appropriate to clarify these issues.

The International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes defines validly published names, legitimate names and illegitimate names, but does not clearly define the inter-relationship between them. Clarification is required.

The wording of Rule 20d and 20e of the 1975, 1990 and 2008 revisions of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria/Prokaryotes deals with problems that may arise when the nomenclatural type of a genus was not designated or when there are problems determining what the nomenclatural type should be. However, Rule 16 states that a nomenclatural type must be designated, while Rule 27 clearly states that a requirement of valid publication is the designation of a type for a new taxon and this is reinforced under Rule 29 that deals with the valid publication of a genus or subgenus name. Furthermore, the wording of Rule 18a and Rule 30 strongly suggests that the type of problem envisaged with regards the species included in the genus should no longer occur. The wording of Rule 20d and 20e appears to have originated in earlier revision of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria and may no longer be relevant in the 1975, 1990 and 2008 revisions due to significant changes made in those revisions.

Edwardsiella tarda Ewing and McWhorter 1965 (Approved Lists 1980) and Edwardsiella anguillimortifera (Hoshina 1962) Sakazaki and Tamura 1975 (Approved Lists 1980) are known to be synonyms that share the same nomenclatural type. Edwardsiella tarda Ewing and McWhorter 1965 (Approved Lists 1980) is the nomenclatural type of the genus Edwardsiella Ewing and McWhorter 1965 (Approved Lists 1980). The question of the priority of the epithet anguillimortifera Hoshina 1962 over the epithet tarda Ewing and McWhorter 1965 has been raised in the past, and a Request for an Opinion to conserve the epithet tarda Ewing and McWhorter 1965 in Edwardsiella tarda Ewing and McWhorter 1965 (Approved Lists 1980) was published but later withdrawn. Close examination of the wording of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokayotes indicates that there may be problems associated with the nomenclatural type of Edwardsiella anguillimortifera (Hoshina 1962) Sakazaki and Tamura 1975 (Approved Lists 1980). Additional issues also arise with the recognition of homonyms under other codes of nomenclature.

Rule 47a of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes contains wording that is misleading. The examples given also give the wrong impression with regards the role of genus names in determining the priority of names at a higher taxonomic rank.