- Volume 66, Issue 12, 2016

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-QY3T, was isolated from the leaves of Sonchus oleraceus L. and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The organism formed single spores with smooth surface on substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain had a close association with the genus Verrucosispora and shared the highest sequence similarity with Verrucosispora qiuiae RtIII47T (99.17 %), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 94 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Xiangella phaseoli NEAU-J5T (98.78 %), Jishengella endophytica 202201T (98.51 %), Micromonospora eburnea LK2-10T (98.28 %), Verrucosispora lutea YIM 013T (98.23 %) and Salinispora pacifica CNR-114T (98.23 %). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequences supported the conclusion that strain NEAU-QY3T should be assigned to the genus Verrucosispora . However, the DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain NEAU-QY3T and V. qiuiae RtIII47T and V. lutea YIM 013T were below 70 %. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA–DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-QY3T was readily distinguished from its most closely related strains and classified as a new species, for which the name Verrucosispora sonchi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-QY3T (=CGMCC 4.7312T=DSM 101530T).

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, catalase-positive and cytochrome c oxidase-negative bacterium, designated strain S20-107T, was isolated from alpine forest soil. Growth occurred at 0–30 °C, at pH 6–9 and in the presence of 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S20-107T was related to the genus Nakamurella and had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Nakamurella flavida DS-52T (96.1 %). Strain S20-107T showed <96.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to all other recognized members of the genus Nakamurella . The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major whole-cell sugars were glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, ribose and rhamnose. The strain contained MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and iso-C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.5 mol%. Combined data of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses demonstrated that strain S20-107T represents a novel species of the genus Nakamurella , for which the name Nakamurella silvestris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S20-107T (=DSM 102309T=LMG 29427T).

Oceanitalea nanhaiensis JLT1488T was compared with Georgenia satyanarayanai KCTC 19802T to clarify the taxonomic relationship of both species because they are phylogenetically highly related. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons demonstrated that these species share 99.6 % sequence similarity. Investigation of fatty acid patterns and substrate utilization profiles displayed no striking differences of the type strains of both species. DNA–DNA hybridizations between both strains showed a 100 % similarity clearly demonstrating that both strains are members of a single species. Due to priority Oceanitalea nanhaiensis is reclassified as Georgenia satyanarayanai , based on the estimated phylogenetic position derived from 16S rRNA gene sequence data, fatty acid, polar lipid and biochemical data, and DNA–DNA hybridization results.

A Gram-stain-positive bacterium, strain LZ-22T, was isolated from a rhizosphere of moss Leptobryum sp. collected at the shore of Lake Zub in Antarctica. Cells were motile, straight or pleomorphic rods with sizes of 0.6–1.0×3.5–10 µm. The novel isolate was a facultatively anaerobic, catalase-positive, psychrotolerant mesophile. Growth was observed at 3–41 °C (optimum 24–28 °C), with 0–7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.25 %) and at pH 4.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.8). The quinone system of strain LZ-22T possessed predominately menaquinone MK-9(H4). The genomic G+C content was 70.2 mol%. Strain 10J was isolated from a biofilm of sediment microbial fuel cell, in Uruguay and had 99 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to strain LZ-22T. DNA–DNA-hybridization values of 84 % confirmed that both strains belonged to the same species. Both strains grew on sugars, proteinaceous compounds, and some amino- and organic acids. Strain LZ-22T uniquely grew on D-enantiomers of histidine and valine while neglecting growth on L-enantiomers. Both strains were sensitive to most of the tested antibiotics but resistant to tested nitrofurans and sulfanilamides. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strains were related to members of the family Propionibacteriaceae (~93–94 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) with formation of a separate branch within the radiation of the genera Granulicoccus and Luteococcus . Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, we propose the affiliation of both strains into a novel species of a new genus. The name Raineyella antarctica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed for the novel taxon with the type strain LZ-22T (=ATCC TSD-18T=DSM 100494T=JCM 30886T).

Two bacterial strains SZDIS-1-1T and GZDIS-1-1 were isolated from fermentation bed of a pigpen in Fujian Province, China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, short rods without flagellum. Their nearest phylogenetic neighbours were Microbacterium amylolyticum N5T (16S rRNA gene sequence similarity 98.2 %), Microbacterium indicum BBH6T (97.9 %) and Microbacterium gubbeenense DPC 5286T (97.8 %) with the DNA–DNA hybridization values to strain SZDIS-1-1T as 20.0±1.2, 14.3±5.8 and 19.1±1.6 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the new isolates was 67.6–71.1 mol% and anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 were their predominant cellular fatty acids. These results were consistent with classification into the genus Microbacterium . However, cell-wall sugars and characteristic amino acid were rhamnose, glucose, galactose and ornithine. Major menaquinones were MK-11 and MK-10. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipids, unknown phospholipid and unknown lipids. These characteristics constructed a distinct profile of the two isolates. Therefore, based on polyphasic taxonomic characteristics, strains SZDIS-1-1T and GZDIS-1-1 represented a novel species of genus Microbacterium , for which the name Microbacterium sorbitolivorans sp. nov. is proposed, with strain SZDIS-1-1T (=CGMCC 1.15228T=DSM 103422T) as the type strain.

Three thermo-tolerant halophilic archaeal strains, SR-441T, SR-412 and SR-188, were isolated from commercial salt samples. Cells were non-motile pleomorphic rod-shaped, and stained Gram-negative. Colonies were pink-pigmented. The three strains were able to grow with 1.7–4.6 M NaCl (optimum, 2.5 M), at pH 6.5–9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and at 35–60 °C (optimum, 45 °C). The orthologous 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities amongst the three strains were 98.8–99.3 %, and the level of DNA–DNA relatedness was 71–74 and 72–75 % (reciprocally). The closest relative was Halopiger aswanensis JCM 11628T with 98.6 %–99.1 % similarity in the orthologous 16S rRNA gene sequences, followed by two more Halopiger species, Halopiger xanaduensis JCM 14033T (98.5 %–99.1 %) and Halopiger salifodinae JCM 9578T (95.5 %–95.6 %). DNA–DNA relatednesses between the three strains and H. aswanensis JCM 11628T and H. xanaduensis JCM 14033T were 61 and 54 %, respectively. The polar lipids of the three novel strains were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, and bis-sulfated diglycosyl archaeol-1. The most distinctive feature of the three strains was the ability to grow at 60 °C, while the maximum growth temperature of H. aswanensis is 55 °C. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, the isolates are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halopiger , for which the name Halopiger thermotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SR-441T (=JCM 19583T=KCTC 4248T) isolated from solar salt produced in Australia. SR-412 (=JCM 19582) and SR-188 (=JCM 19581) isolated from commercial salt samples are additional strains of the species.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-pleomorphic, aerobic, halophilic archaeon, strain MK62-1T, was isolated from commercial salt made from seawater in the Philippines. Strain MK62-1T was able to grow at 2.1–4.7 M NaCl (with optimum at 2.1–2.6 M NaCl), pH 6.5–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0–7.5) and 20–55 °C (optimum, 45–50 °C). Based on the orthologous 16S rRNA gene sequence, the closest relative was Haloparvum sedimenti JCM 30891T with 99.2 % similarity. The RNA polymerase subunit B′ gene sequence also showed the highest similarity (97.4 %) to that of Haloparvum sedimenti DYS4T. The DNA G+C content of MK62-1T was 70.1 mol%, while that of Haloparvum sedimenti JCM 30891T was 69.5 mol% by the HPLC method. The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between MK62-1T and Haloparvum sedimenti JCM 30891T were 60.6 and 60.8 % (reciprocally). The major polar lipids of the isolate were C20C20 archaeol derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and phosphatidylglycerol sulfate. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, it is proposed that the isolate represents species within the genus Haloparvum , for which the name Haloparvum alkalitolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MK62-1T (=JCM 30442T =KCTC 4214T).

A Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and facultative anaerobic bacterial strain, YS-25T, was isolated from a sludge of a manganese mine. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YS-25T formed a single branch within the strains of the family Sphingobacteriaceae and showed low similarities to Pedobacter arcticus CCTCC AB 2010223T (91.7 %), ‘ Pedobacter zeaxanthinifaciens ’ TDMA-5 (91.5 %), Pedobacter terricola DS-45T (90.9 %), Pedobacter ureilyticus THG-T11T (90.9 %), Pseudopedobacter beijingensis MCCC 1A01299T (90.8 %) and Pedobacter heparinus CCTCC AB 209030T (88.5 %). Strain YS-25T had some unique physiological and biochemical characteristics: facultative anaerobic, able to hydrolyse Tween 40, positive for cystine arylamidase and negative for mannose assimilation and β-galactosidase. The polar lipids of strain YS-25T were phosphatidylethanolamine, aminolipid, two unknown lipids and two glycolipids. The presence of glycolipids and absence of sphingolipid were different from the Pedobacter and Pseudopedobacter strains. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c), unknown ECL 13.565, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and anteiso-C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 42.0 mol%, and the only respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic analyses, strain YS-25T is considered to represent a novel genus and species, for which the name Pelobium manganitolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YS-25T (=KCTC 52203T=CCTCC AB 2016051T).

A novel Gram-staining-negative bacterium, designated DH-5T, was isolated from a farmland soil in Chuzhou, Anhui province, China. Cells of strain DH-5T were aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. The organism grew at 20–37 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and with 0–5 % NaCl (w/v). The DNA G+C content was 42.8 mol%. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The respiratory quinone was MK-7, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphoglycolipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DH-5T was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and shared the highest similarity with Sphingobacterium gobiense H7T (96.0 %), followed by Sphingobacterium arenae H-12T (94.5 %). Strain DH-5T exhibited low DNA–DNA relatedness with S. gobiense H7T (35.1±1.4 %) and S. arenae H-12T (21.4±1.0 %). On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence, DH-5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium chuzhouense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DH-5T (=ACCC 19856T=KCTC 42746T).

A Gram-stain-negative, light pink, non-motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain XNV015T, was isolated from soil of a vanadium mine. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that it belongs to the genus Pedobacter and was closely related to Pedobacter suwonensis DSM 18130T (96.93 % sequence similarity), Pedobacter alluvionis NWER-II11T (96.66 %), Pedobacter terrae DS-57T (96.54 %), Pedobacter kyungheensis KACC 16221T (96.54 %) and Pedobacter soli KACC 14939T (96.47 %). This strain clearly differed from the closely related species in terms of acid production from rhamnose and ethanol. Menaquinone-7 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The predominant fatty acids included iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω5c, summed feature 3, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C17 : 0 2-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipids, lipids and aminolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 43.8 mol%. The genotypic analysis, biochemical properties, and phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics indicate that strain XNV015T represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter , for which the name Pedobacter vanadiisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XNV015T (=CCTCC AB 2015319T=KCTC 42866T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, orange-pigmented strain, WDS4A13T, was isolated from a marine solar saltern in Weihai, China. Strain WDS4A13T grew under optimal conditions of pH 7.0–8.0, 33 °C and with 6 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain WDS4A13T belonged to the genus Psychroflexus . The levels of similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain WDS4A13T and those of the type strains of recognized species of the genus Psychroflexus were 92.0–97.3 %. The polar lipid profile of the novel isolate consisted of two unidentified phospholipids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, a glycolipid and an unidentified lipid as the major polar lipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-6, and iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 and C15 : 0 were the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 35.2 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain WDS4A13T represents a novel species within the genus Psychroflexus , for which the name Psychroflexus saliphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WDS4A13T (=MCCC 1H00134T=KCTC 52043T).

The novel, pale yellow bacterial strain, designated S14-88T, was isolated from a tundra soil near Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a genotypic and phenotypic analysis. Cells were facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped. Growth occurred at 4–28 °C (optimum at 15 °C), at pH 7.0–8.0 (optimum at 7.0) and with 0–0.6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, no NaCl). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S14-88T formed a lineage within the genus Mucilaginibacter . The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain S14-88T and the type strains of related species ranged from 92.2 to 96.5 %, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence of S14-88T showed highest similarity of 96.5 % to Mucilaginibacter soyangensis HME6664T. The major cellular fatty acids of strain S14-88T were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7, and the main polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content of strain S14-88T was 42.3 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain S14-88T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter , for which the name Mucilaginibacter antarcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S14-88T (=CCTCC AB 2015321T=KCTC 52232T).

A novel bacterium, CAI-18bT, was isolated from a bioreactor that treated landfill leachate using an oligotrophic growth medium. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain CAI-18bT is a member of the genus Rufibacter , showing 97.1 % pairwise similarity to Rufibacter roseus H359T, 96.4 % to Rufibacter tibetensis 1351T, 96.4 % to Rufibacter glacialis MDT1-10-3T and 96.0 % to Rufibacter immobilis MCC P1T. Strain CAI-18bT was rod-shaped, motile, oxidase- and catalase-positive. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (24.1 %) and iso-C17 : 1 I (22.3 %), the major respiratory quinone was MK-7, and the predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown aminophospholipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain CAI-18bT was 50.7 mol%. The novel bacterium can be distinguished from related type strains based on its ability to assimilate N-acetylglucosamine and gentiobiose. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, strain CAI-18bT represents a novel species of the genus Rufibacter, for which the name Rufibacter quisquiliarum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAI-18bT (=DSM 29854T=NCAIM B.02614T).

A bacterial strain, designated IMCC1731T, was isolated from an eutrophic freshwater pond and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cellular growth occurred at pH 6–9 (optimum, pH 8.0), at 10–30 °C (optimum, 25 °C) and with 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain IMCC1731T belonged to the genus Emticicia in the family Cytophagaceae and was most closely related to Emticicia ginsengisoli Gsoil 085T (98.1 %) followed by Emticicia paludis HMF3850T (95.0 %), Emticicia oligotrophica DSM 17448T (94.7 %), Emticicia aquatica HMF2925T (94.4 %) and Emticicia sediminis JBR12T (94.0 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain IMCC1731T and E. ginsengisoli Gsoil 085T was 47±4 %. The DNA G+C content of strain IMCC1731T was 37.7 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c) and iso-C15 : 0. Based on the physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, DNA–DNA relatedness and 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, stain IMCC1731T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Emticicia , for which the name Emticicia fontis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMCC1731T (=KCTC 52248T=JCM 31373T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, long rods with no flagellum strain, designated THG-YS3.2.1T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of mugunghwa, collected from Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea. Growth occurred at 10−40 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 6.0−8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0−1.0 % NaCl (optimum 1.0 %). The predominant menaquinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C12 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, anteiso-C15 : 1 A, C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 1 G, C17 : 0 2-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C17 : 1ω6c, C18 : 3ω6c (6, 9, 12), C18 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylmethylethanolamine), phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-YS3.2.1T was 45.3 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-YS3.2.1T were Niastella populi KCTC 22560T (98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Niastella gongjuensis KACC 17399T (96.9 %), Niastella vici KCTC 42474T (96.2 %), Niastella yeongjuensis KACC 11466T (95.5 %) and Niastella koreensis KACC 11465T (95.1 %). DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-YS3.2.1T and N. populi KCTC 22560T, N. gongjuensis KACC 17399T, N . vici KCTC 42474T, N. yeongjuensis KACC 11466T and N. koreensis KACC 11465Twere 55.8±1.0, 39.5±0.5, 35.2±0.1, 17.6±0.3 and 12.5±1.2 %, respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA−DNA hybridization data, strain THG-YS3.2.1T represents a novel species of the genus Niastella , for which the name Niastella hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-YS3.2.1T (=KCTC 52084T=CCTCC AB 2015356T).

A Gram-stain-negative, crescent-shaped, non-motile, aerobic bacterium was isolated from a saltern at Nari along the Bhavnagar coast, Gujarat, India. The strain designated JC344T was oxidase- and catalase-positive. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and sequence comparison data indicated that JC344T represented a member of the genus Lunatimonas and was closely related to the only species of the genus, Lunatimonas lonarensis AK24T (95.5 %). The DNA G+C content of JC344T was 43 mol%. JC344T has phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and four unidentified polar lipids. MK-7 is the only respiratory quinone. The major (>10 %) fatty acids of strain JC344T are iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl). On the basis of physiological, genotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses, we conclude that JC344T represents a novel species of the genus Lunatimonas , for which the name Lunatimonas salinarum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC344T (=KCTC 42988T=LMG 29259T).

A novel, pale yellow-coloured, Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated as strain CC-YY411T, was isolated from the food-waste compost and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-YY411T exhibited the highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium thermophilum JCM 17858T (94.6 %) while sharing 94.1 to 89.7 % similarities with other Sphingobacterium species. Novel strain established a discrete phylogenetic lineage within the clade that accommodated validly established members of the genus Sphingobacterium . The polar lipid profile of strain CC-YY411T contained major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and two unidentified aminolipids besides accommodating trace amounts of a sphingolipid, two phospholipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain CC-YY411T was 34.5 mol%. The major and minor respiratory quinones were MK-7 (89.1 %) and MK-6 (10.9 %), respectively. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (24.0 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (11.9 %), iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (6.9 %), C15 : 1ω5c (5.5 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) (32.0 %). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-YY411T represents a novel species of Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium cibi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YY411T (=BCRC 80430T=JCM 18407T). Amended species descriptions of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum (Holmes et al. 1982) Yabuuchi et al. 1983 and Sphingobacterium thermophilum Yabe et al. 2013 are also proposed based on new data obtained in this study.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, white bacterium, designated strain T16R-88T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample collected in Buyeo-gun of Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain T16R-88T formed a lineage within the genus Pedobacter . It showed highest sequence similarities to Pedobacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 104T (97.4 %), Pedobacter nutrimenti J22T (97.2 %), Pedobacter nyackensis NWG-II14T (97.1 %), Pedobacter seoulensis THG-G12T (97.1 %) and Pedobacter panaciterrae Gsoil 042T (97.0 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) were summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingolipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid, three unidentified aminolipids, three unidentified lipids and one unidentified phospholipid. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain T16R-88T and its most closely related species were below 70 %. The DNA G+C content was 35.6 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain T16R-88T represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter , for which the name Pedobacter lycopersici sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T16R-88T (=KACC 18652T=NBRC 111984T).

A novel bacterial strain, designated Q15T, was isolated from sediments obtained from the Bohai Sea in China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells of strain Q15T were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic rods that produced circular, flat, orange colonies. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that Q15T was affiliated with the genus Carboxylicivirga in the family Marinilabiliaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes . Strain Q15T differed genotypically from the type strains of the three recognized species of this genus ( Carboxylicivirga taeanensis MEBiC 08903T, C arboxylicivirga mesophila MEBiC 07026T and C arboxylicivirga linearis FB218T) and shared 94.0–95.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with them. The DNA G+C content of strain Q15T was 44.7 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and menaquinone MK-7 was the main respiratory quinone. Polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and other unknown lipids. Based on the data from the current polyphasic analysis, a novel species, Carboxylicivirga flava sp. nov., is hereby proposed with Q15T (=CICC 23923T=KCTC 42707T) as the type strain.