- Volume 66, Issue 12, 2016

Yeast systematics has wholeheartedly embraced the phylogenetic approach. Central to this has been the unspoken convention that taxa at all ranks be strictly monophyletic. This can result in a proliferation of small genera and instances of nomenclatural instability, counter to the expected benefit of phylogenetic systematics. But the literature abounds with examples, at all taxonomic levels, where paraphyly is a reality that can no longer be ignored. The very concepts of Bacteria or Archaea, under the constraint of monophyly, are in peril. It is therefore desirable to effect a shift in practices that will recognize the existence of paraphyletic taxa.

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated Z1027T, was isolated from a soil sample collected near the Tuotuo River, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (China). The strain exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . The taxonomic position of strain Z1027T was determined using a polyphasic approach. The organism had chemotaxonomic and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Streptomyces and formed a distinct phyletic line in the 16S rRNA gene tree, together with Streptomyces turgidiscabies ATCC 700248T (99.19 % similarity), Streptomyces graminilatus JL-6T (98.84 %) and Streptomyces reticuliscabiei CFBP 4531T (98.36 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain Z1027T was 74±1 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain Z1027T and Streptomyces turgidiscabies ATCC 700248T and Streptomyces reticuliscabiei CFBP 4531T were 38.5±0.4 and 26.2±1.2 %, respectively, both of them significantly lower than 70 %. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain Z1027T possessed MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8) as the major menaquinones, ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and galactose as a whole-cell sugar. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatydilinositol and seven other unknown polar lipids were detected; iso-C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and C16 : 0 were the major fatty acids. On the basis of these genotypic and phenotypic data, it is proposed that isolate Z1027T (=CGMCC 4.7272T=JCM 31054T) should be classified as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , Streptomyces lacrimifluminis sp. nov.

A polyphasic approach was used to verify the novel actinomycete, strain 1SM4-01T, isolated from mangrove sediment collected from Ranong Province, Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the organism was a member of the genus Nonomuraea and was most closely related to Nonomuraea syzygii GKU 164T (98.7 % sequence similarity), Nonomuraea rhizophila YIM 67092T (98.4 %), Nonomuraea solani NEAU-Z6T (98.4 %), Nonomuraea monospora PT708T (98.3 %) and Nonomuraea thailandensis KC-061T (98.2 %). The strain produced branching aerial mycelium which differentiated into straight chains of rough-surfaced spores borne at the end of a short sporophore. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, with madurose, mannose and ribose as the main sugars. MK-9(H4) was a major menaquinone of this strain. The acyl type of peptidoglycan was N-acetyl. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C17 : 1 ω8c and iso-C16 : 0. Phospholipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, aminophospholipids and unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, DNA–DNA relatedness and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 1SM4-01T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea , for which the name Nonomuraea purpurea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1SM4-01T (=BCC 60397T=NBRC 109647T).

The taxonomic position of a novel actinomycete, strain TRM 46250T, isolated from the sediment of a salt water beach at Baicheng, Xinjiang, China, was determined by a polyphasic approach. Strain TRM 46250T grew optimally in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl and an optimum temperature range for growth of 28–37 °C. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRM 46250T were ribose, xylose, mannose and galactose. The diagnostic diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethyl ethanolamine and six unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10, MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8). The major fatty acids were 10-methyl C18 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-G C16 : 1 and C18 : 1 ω9c. Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics the isolate was determined to belong to the genus Nocardiopsis . The phylogenetic tree based on its nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1493 nt) with those of representative strains showed that the strain consistently falls into a distinct phyletic line together with Nocardiopsis gilva YIM 90087T (97.68 % similarity) and a subclade consisting of Nocardiopsis composta KS9T (97.52 %), Nocardiopsis rosea YIM 90094T (97.44 %) and Nocardiopsis rhodophaea YIM 90096T (97.16 %). However, DNA–DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 46250T and N. gilva YIM 90087T showed only 36.94 % relatedness. On the basis of these data, strain TRM 46250T should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis , for which the name Nocardiopsis akesuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46250T (=CCTCC AA 2015027T=KCTC 39725T).

A novel actinomycete strain, designated Js-1T, was isolated from Tremella fuciformis collected from Gutian, Fujian Province, in southeastern China. The taxonomic status of this strain was determined by a polyphasic approach, which demonstrated that the novel strain was a member of the genus Streptomyces . The cell walls of this strain were found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid, muramic acid and glycine. An analysis of whole-cell hydrolysates revealed that no characteristic sugar was present. The key identified menaquinones were MK-9 (H6) and MK-9 (H8), while the diagnostic polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The main cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. An analysis of an almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain shared the highest levels of sequence similarity with Streptomyces sannanensis KC-7038T (97.87 %), Streptomyces hebeiensis YIM 001T (97.84 %), Streptomyces pathocidini NBRC 13812T (97.80 %), Streptomyces cocklensis BK168T (97.25 %), Streptomyces coerulescens NBRC 12758T (97.12 %), Streptomyces aurantiogriseus NBRC 12842T (97.06 %) and Streptomyces rimosus subsp. rimosus ATCC 10970T (97.04 %). The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain Js-1T was 70.1 mol%. Furthermore, DNA–DNA hybridization tests revealed that the relatedness values between strain Js-1T and the most closely related species ranged from 15.10 to 47.20 %. Based on its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain Js-1T (=CCTCC M 2011365T=JCM 30846T) is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Streptomyces , which we classified as Streptomyces tremellae sp. nov.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46515T, was isolated from a salt water beach at Awat, Xinjiang, Northwest China, and characterized using polyphasic taxonomy. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TRM 46515T is a member of the genus Streptomyces , exhibiting highest similarity with Streptomyces qinglanensis 172205T (98.32 %). However, DNA–DNA relatedness and phenotypic data readily distinguished strain TRM 46515T from phylogenetically related type strains. The G+C content of the DNA was 70.40 mol%. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain TRM 46515T were found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and ribose was the major whole-cell sugar. The major fatty acids identified were anteiso-C17 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The main menaquinone was MK-9(H8) and the polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and one unknown glycolipid. On the basis of these phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain TRM 46515T should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46515T (=CCTCC AA 2015040T=KCTC 39729T).

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated SDT, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Chinese cabbage in Shandong province, China. The cells were aerobic, Gram-staining-positive, oxidase- and catalase-positive, short rods and formed white colonies on trypticase soy agar. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and alanine, glutamic acid and leucine. Diphosphatidylglycerol was the predominant polar lipid. The predominant cellular fatty acid was C18 : 1 ω9c; minor components were anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The only isoprenoid quinone was demethylmenaquinone 7 (DMK-7), and the DNA G+C content was 72.7 mol%. Based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the closest phylogenetic neighbours of strain SDT were Patulibacter medicamentivorans DSM 25962T (96.9 %), Patulibacter minatonensis DSM 18081T (96.7 %), Patulibacter americanus DSM 16676T (96.2 %) and Patulibacter ginsengiterrae DSM 25990T (95.9 %). Considering combined phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain SDT represents a novel species of the genus Patulibacter , for which the name Patulibacter brassicae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SDT (=CICC 24108T=KCTC 39817T).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, coccoid bacterial strain, 36AT, was isolated from Munnar, in India. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, this strain was identified as representing a member of the genus Tersicoccus and was most closely related to the type strain of Tersicoccus phoenicis (98.9 %, sequence similarity), the only other member of the genus, and to members of the related genus Arthrobacter (<96.1 %, sequence similarity). However, the DNA–DNA relatedness of strain 36AT with T. phoenicis DSM 30849T was only 31.9±0.8. The DNA G+C content of strain 36AT was 70.9 mol%. Strain 36AT was an aerobic microbe with optimal growth at 37 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and NaCl 0.5-3 % (w/v). Cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain 36AT was of type A11.20 (Lys–Ser–Ala2). Polar lipids present were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two phospholipids, a glycolipid and four unknown lipids. The major isoprenoid quinones were MK-9 (H2) and MK-8 (H2). Major fatty acids of strain 36AT were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The results of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and biochemical tests allowed a clear differentiation of strain 36AT, which represents a novel member of the genus Tersicoccus , for which the name Tersicoccus solisilvae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is 36AT (=KCTC 33776T=CGMCC 1.15480T).

An alkalitolerant actinomycete strain, designated EGI 80674T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil of Halocnermumstrobilaceum (Pall.) Bieb in Xinjiang, north-west China and subjected to a taxonomic characterization using a polyphasic approach. Strain EGI 80674T formed white aerial hyphae with long spore chains. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid with no diagnostic sugars. The major fatty acids identified were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and 10-methyl-C18 : 0TBSA. The predominant menaquinones detected were MK-10(H8) and MK-10(H6). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain EGI 80674T was 70.9 mol%. Strain EGI 80674T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.24 %) to Nocardiopsis nikkonensis NBRC 102170T. The DNA–DNA relatedness value of strain EGI 80674T and N. nikkonensis NBRC 102170T was 18.4±1.3 %. Phenotypical, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization data suggest that strain EGI 80674T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis , for which the name Nocardiopsis rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EGI 80674T (=CGMCC 4.7228T=KCTC 39673T).

A novel actinomycete, strain TRM 41495T, was isolated from lake sediment of Xiaoerkule lake in Xinjiang province, China, and was examined using a polyphasic approach. Strain TRM 41495T was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, growing best on ISP medium 7 with abundant white aerial mycelium formed and brown soluble pigments produced. The optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 3.0 % (w/v), and the optimum temperature for growth was 37 °C. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain TRM 41495T was shown to belong to the genus Saccharomonospora with a sequence similarity of 97.50 % with the most closely related species, Saccharomonospora xinjiangensis . The organism had chemical and morphological features typical of the genus Saccharomonospora . The cell wall of strain TRM 41495T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and galactose, arabinose, ribose and mannose were the major whole-cell sugars. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown phosphoglycolipid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H2). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω6c, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 1H. The G+C content of the DNA was 72.9 mol%. However, DNA–DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 41495T and Saccharomonospora xinjiangensis showed only 43.9 % relatedness. Whole-cell sugars, menaquinones and fatty acids differentiate strain TRM 41495T from Saccharomonospora xinjiangensis . On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, strain TRM 41495T represents a novel species of the genus Saccharomonospora , for which the name Saccharomonospora xiaoerkulensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 41495T (=CCTCC AA 2015038T=KCTC 39727T).

Before the establishment of pure cultures, the species Frankia alni , ‘ Frankia casuarinae ’ and ‘ Frankia elaeagni ’ were proposed to encompass all causal agents of the nitrogen-fixing root nodules of dicotyledonous plants from the genera Alnus, Casuarina or Elaeagnus. The sole Frankia species with a validly published name, the type species F. alni , was described by Woronin (1866) as present in the root of alder. Until now no type strain has been designated for F. alni , even though the absence of a type strain has seriously inhibited the application of modern taxonomic methods to the genus Frankia . Thus, we propose that strain ACN14aT, isolated in pure culture from Alnus viridis ssp. crispa with morphological properties matching the original description of F. alni , be recognized as the type strain of this species according to Rule 18f of the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria. We compared ACN14aT to two strains, CcI3T and BMG5.12T, isolated from Casuarina cunninghamiana and Elaeagnus angustifolia, respectively, based on chemotaxonomy, phenotype microarray data and molecular data retrieved from genome sequences. All three tested strains grew as branched hyphae, produced vesicles and multilocular sporangia containing non-motile spores and metabolized short fatty acids, TCA-cycle intermediates and carbohydrates. Chemotaxonomically, the three strains were indistinguishable with respect to phospholipids (phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol, glycophospholipids and phosphatidylglycerol) and cell-sugar composition (glucose, mannose, ribose, rhamnose, galactose and xylose, with the latter two being diagnostic for the genus). The major fatty acids identified in all three strains were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω8c, C15 : 0, C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. ACN14aT and BMG5.12T also shared C15 : 1 ω6c, while C18 : 1 ω9c was found to be unique to BMG5.12T. The major menaquinones identified in all three novel type strains were MK-9(H8), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H4). MK-9(H2) was shared by ACN14aT and BMG5.12T, while MK-10(H4) and MK-8(H4) were only found in BMG5.12T. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed 98.1–98.9 % identity between strains ACN14aT, CcI3T and BMG5.12T. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between the three type strains were well below 70 %. These results confirm the separation of the strains into three distinct species, Frankia alni , Frankia casuarinae sp. nov. and Frankia elaeagni sp. nov. Thus, we propose ACN14aT (=DSM 45986T=CECT 9034T), CcI3T (=DSM 45818T=CECT 9043T) and BMG5.12T (=DSM 46783T=CECT 9031T) as the respective type strains.

A Gram-stain-positive, short-rod, aerobic bacterium, designated as strain LAM9155T, was isolated from saline soil sample collected from Lingxian County, Shandong Province, PR China. The strain grew optimally at 25–30 °C, pH 7.0 and 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain LAM9155T belonged to the genus Frigoribacterium and was closely related to Frigoribacterium endophyticum EGI 6500707T (99.4 %), Frigoribacterium faeni 801T (98.6 %) and Frigoribacterium mesophilum MSL-08T (96.2 %). The DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain LAM9155T and F. endophyticum JCM 30093T and between strain LAM9155T and F. faeni DSM 10309T were 40.2±2.1 and 32.8±1.6 %, respectively. The major fatty acids of LAM9155T were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The cell-wall analysis showed the B-type peptidoglycan containing alanine, glutamate, glycine, serine and lysine and that the cell wall contained the sugars galactose and ribose. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain LAM9155T was 68.2 mol%. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unknown glycolipid and four unknown lipids. Based on the DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain LAM9155T could be distinguished from the recognized species of the genus Frigoribacterium and was suggested to represent a novel species, for which the name Frigoribacterium salinisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LAM9155T (=ACCC 19902T=JCM 30848T). Moreover, the transfer of F . mesophilum Dastager et al. 2008 to Parafrigoribacterium gen. nov. as Parafrigoribacterium mesophilum comb. nov. (type strain MSL-08T=DSM 19442T=KCTC 19311T) is also proposed.

Three actinobacterial strains, FXJ8.128, FXJ8.269T and FXJ8.309, were isolated from deep-sea sediments collected from the Carlsberg Ridge and Southwest Indian Ridge at depths of 3690, 1800 and 2461 m, respectively. The three strains had highly similar 16S rRNA gene sequences (99.8–99.9 % identities) and formed a monophyletic clade within the Brevibacterium 16S rRNA gene tree, showing 98.2–98.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identities with type strains Brevibacterium epidermidis NCIMB 702286T, Brevibacterium iodinum DSM 20626T, Brevibacterium linens DSM 20425T, Brevibacterium oceani BBH7T and Brevibacterium permense VKM Ac-2280T. All three isolates showed activity towards the breakdown of pectin and fluoranthene. They contained MK-8(H2) as the most predominant menaquinone, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and a glycolipd as the main polar lipids, and anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. Moreover, the three isolates were distinguished readily from the phylogenetically related type strains by DNA–DNA hybridization values, by random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprint profiles and by a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics. On the basis of the above polyphasic taxonomic data, strains FXJ8.128, FXJ8.269T and FXJ8.309 represent a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium , for which the name Brevibacterium sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FXJ8.269T (=CGMCC 1.15472T=DSM 102229T).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and short rod-shaped actinomycete strain, Y4T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the Western Pacific. This isolate grew in the presence of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0–9.0 and 4–40 °C; optimum growth was observed with 1 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.0 and 35–37 °C. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain Y4T belonged to the genus Nocardioides and was most closely related to the type strains Nocardioides ganghwensis JC2055T (98.0 %) and Nocardioides exalbidus RC825T (98.0 %), followed by Nocardioides alpinus Cr7-14T (97.9 %), Nocardioides oleivorans DSM 16090T (97.9 %), Nocardioides furvisabuli SBS-26T (97.4 %) and Nocardioides hwasunensis HFW-21T (97.4 %). Sequence similarities between strain Y4T and the other related species of the genus Nocardioides were less than 96.3 %. Strain Y4T had MK-8(H4) and MK-7(H4) as the predominant respiratory quinones and C17 : 1ω8c, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 0 as major fatty acids. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, one unknown phospholipid, two unknown glycolipids and one unknown lipid. The DNA G+C content was 70.4 mol%. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was ll-diaminopimelic acid. Strain Y4T could be differentiated from recognized Nocardioides species based on phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic differences, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization data. Thus, strain Y4T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nocardioides , for which the name Nocardioides flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y4T (=MCCC 1A09944T=LMG 28100T=JCM 19770T=CGMCC 1.12791T).

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped bacterium (strain JZ16T) was isolated from raw cow's milk from the bulk tank of a dairy farm in Germany. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed a similarity of 98.3 % to the nearest related type strain Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032T, a similarity of 97.6 % to Corynebacterium deserti GIMN1.010T and a similarity of 97.4 % to Corynebacterium callunae DSM 20147T. Determination of chemotaxonomic characteristics revealed oleic acid (18 : 1 cis 9) as the predominant fatty acid, major amounts of hexadecanoic acid (16 : 0) and minor amounts of heptadecanoic acid (17 : 0). The isolate showed an acetyl type of peptidoglycan and corynemycolic acids. The menaquinones MK-8(H2) and MK-9(H2) and the phospholipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside were detected, which was in agreement with the description of the genus Corynebacterium . Strain JZ16T was positive for reduction of nitrate to nitrite, pyrazinamidase, β-glucuronidase, β-glucosidase and urease activities. Acid was produced from d-glucose, d-ribose and d-mannitol, but not from d-xylose, maltose, lactose, sucrose and glycogen. The results of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses enabled the differentiation of the isolated strain from other closely related species of the genus Corynebacterium . Therefore, strain JZ16T represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium , for which the name Corynebacterium crudilactis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JZ16T (=DSM 100882T=CCUG 69192T=LMG 29813T).

Ginseng-cultivated soil is an excellent habitat for soil-borne bacteria to proliferate. A novel strain, DCY87T, was isolated from ginseng-cultivated soil in Gochang County, Republic of Korea, and subsequently characterized by polyphasic approach. Cells were rod shaped, non-motile, aerobic, Gram-reaction-positive, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain DCY87T shared the highest similarity to ‘ Phycicoccus ochangensis ’ L1b-b9 (98.7 %). Closely phylogenetic relatives of strain DCY87T were identified: Phycicoccus ginsenosidimutans BXN5-13T (97.9 %), Phycicoccus soli THG-a14T (97.8 %), Phycicoccus bigeumensis MSL-03T (97.3 %), Phycicoccus cremeus V2M29T (97.3 %), Phycicoccus aerophilus 5516T-20T (97.3 %), Phycicoccus dokdonensis DS-8T (97.3 %) and Phycicoccus jejuensis KSW2-15T (97.1 %). The major polar lipids were classified as phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were composed of iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15:0, C17 : 0 and C17 : 1 ω8c. The menaquinone was resolved as MK-8(H4). Strain DCY87T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and glucose, xylose and rhamnose in the whole-cell sugar. The genomic DNA G+C content was calculated to be 72.7 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain DCY87T and ‘ P. ochangensis ’ L1b-b9 was estimated to be 50 %. However, DNA–DNA hybridization value obtained between strain DCY87T and P. ginsenosidimutans BXN5-13T, P. soli THG-a14T and P. bigeumensis MSL-03T was well below 17 %. In general, polyphasic taxonomy demonstrated that DCY87T strain represented a novel species within the genus Phycicoccus . Accordingly, we propose the name Phycicoccus ginsengisoli sp. nov. The type strain is DCY87T (=KCTC 39635T=JCM 31016T).

A phoslactomycin-producing actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-ML8T, was isolated from a millipede (Kronopolites svenhedind Verhoeff) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-ML8T belongs to the genus Streptomyces with the highest sequence similarities to Streptomyces lydicus NBRC 13058T (99.39 %) and Streptomyces chattanoogensis DSM 40002T (99.25 %). The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a distinct phyletic line with NBRC 13058T and S. chattanoogensis DSM 40002T. This branching pattern was also supported by the tree rconstructed with the neighbour-joining method. A combination of DNA–DNA hybridization experiments and phenotypic tests were carried out between strain NEAU-ML8T and its phylogenetically closely related strains, which further clarified their relatedness and demonstrated that NEAU-ML8T could be distinguished from NBRC 13058T and S. chattanoogensis DSM 40002T. Therefore, it is concluded that strain NEAU-ML8T can be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces kronopolitis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-ML8T (=DSM 101986T=CGMCC 4.7323T).

Recently, it has been proposed that strains of Propionibacterium acnes from the type III genetic division should be classified as P. acnes subsp. elongatum subsp. nov., with strains from the type I and II divisions collectively classified as P. acnes subsp. acnes subsp. nov. Under such a taxonomic re-appraisal, we believe that types I and II should also have their own separate rank of subspecies. In support of this, we describe a polyphasic taxonomic study based on the analysis of publicly available multilocus and whole-genome sequence datasets, alongside a systematic review of previously published phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and clinical data. Strains of types I and II form highly distinct clades on the basis of multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) and whole-genome phylogenetic reconstructions. In silico or digital DNA–DNA similarity values also fall within the 70–80 % boundary recommended for bacterial subspecies. Furthermore, we see important differences in genome content, including the presence of an active CRISPR/Cas system in type II strains, but not type I, and evidence for increasing linkage equilibrium within the separate divisions. Key biochemical differences include positive test results for β-haemolytic, neuraminidase and sorbitol fermentation activities with type I strains, but not type II. We now propose that type I strains should be classified as P. acnes subsp. acnes subsp. nov., and type II as P. acnes subsp. defendens subsp. nov. The type strain of P. acnes subsp. acnes subsp. nov. is NCTC 737T (=ATCC 6919T=JCM 6425T=DSM 1897T=CCUG 1794T), while the type strain of P. acnes subsp. defendens subsp. nov. is ATCC 11828 (=JCM 6473=CCUG 6369).

A novel actinomycete strain, designated XHU 5089T, was isolated from a hypersaline habitat in China. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and the optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 1–3 % (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on the almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain XHU 5089T showed that the organism was related most closely to Glycomyces albus TRM 49136T (97.7 % similarity). However, it had a relatively low mean DNA–DNA relatedness value with G. albus TRM 49136T (18.9±5.8 %). The whole-cell sugar pattern consisted of glucose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H4) and MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 1 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified glycolipids and two unknown phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.6 mol%. A novel species, Glycomyces lacisalsi sp. nov., is proposed, with XHU 5089T (=CCTCC AA 2015034T=KCTC 39688T) as the type strain.