- Volume 66, Issue 8, 2016

Strains of members of the genus Corynebacterium derived from ophthalmologic patients in Japan, Belgium and Switzerland and found to be closely related to-, but distinguishable from Corynebacterium mastitidis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were characterized using biochemical, chemotaxonomic, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and antimicrobial susceptibility methods and DNA–DNA hybridization as well as by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Based on this investigation, we describe Corynebacterium lowii sp. nov. and Corynebacterium oculi sp. nov., derived from human ocular specimens, as well as emend the description of Corynebacterium mastitidis . Type strains for these species are: C. lowii R-50085T (=LMG 28276T =CCUG 65815T) and C. oculi R-50187T (=LMG 28277T =CCUG 65816T). DNA G+C content was found to be 62.2 % (by HPLC) and 62.8 % (by WGS) for C. lowii R-50085T, 64.1 % (HPLC) and 64.8 % (WGS) for C. oculi R-50187T and 67.8 % (HPLC) for C. mastitidis LMG 19040T [=S-8T =CCUG 38654T =CECT 4843T =CIP 105509T =DSM 44356T =IFO (NBRC)16160T =JCM 12269T].

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain KK1-3T, which formed single spores and long chains of spores (more than 10 spores) was isolated from surface-sterilized Kaempferia larsenii leaf collected from Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand. The isolate contained l-lysine, meso-diaminopimelic acid and hydroxyl diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell sugars included glucose, mannose, rhamnose, ribose, galactose and xylose. The characteristic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphoglycolipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H8), MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H4). The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain KK1-3T should be classified as representing a member of the genus Phytohabitans . The similarity values of sequences between this strain and those of the closely related species, Phytohabitans houttuyneae K11-0057T (99.0 %), Phytohabitans suffuscus K07-0523T (98.9 %), Phytohabitans flavus K09-0627T (98.6 %) and Phytohabitans rumicisK11-0047T (98.1 %) were observed. The DNA–DNA hybridization result and some physiological and biochemical properties indicated that KK1-3T could be readily distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, this strain represents a novel species, for which the name Phytohabitans kaempferiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain KK1-3T (=BCC 66360T =NBRC 110005T).

Gram-stain-positive, partially acid-fast, non-spore-forming, anaerobic, catalase-positive, pleomorphic bacteria were isolated from human abscesses. Strains X1036T, X1698 and NML 120705, were recovered from a spinal abscess, a peritoneal abscess and a breast abscess respectively. A phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strains shared 100 % similarity, and the nearest phylogenetic neighbour was Dietzia timorensis DSM 45568T (95%). Chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strains were consistent with those described for members of the suborder Corynebacterineae. Mycolic acids were detected using HPLC and one-dimensional TLC; whole-cell hydrolysates yielded meso-diaminopimelic acid with arabinose and galactose as the predominant sugars; the muramic acid acyl type was acetylated; the major menaquinone was MK-9 (96.3%); polar lipids detected were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown glycophospholipid. Cellular fatty acids were hexadecanoic acid (C16 : 0), octadecenoic acid (C18 : 1ω9c) and decanoic acid (C10 : 0). Tuberculostearic acid was not detected. Based on the results of this polyphasic study, we conclude that these strains represent a novel genus and species within the suborder Corynebacterineae for which we propose the name Lawsonella clevelandensis gen. nov., sp. nov., with the type strain X1036T (=DSM 45743T=CCUG 66657T).

A coccus-shaped, non-spore-forming actinobacterium, designated strain 4Q3S-3T, was isolated from surface-sterilized bark of the mangrove plant Kandelia candel collected from Cotai Ecological Zones in Macao, China, and tested by a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. This actinobacterium was Gram-stain-positive and aerobic. Neither substrate nor aerial mycelia were formed, and no diffusible pigments were observed on the media tested. Strain 4Q3S-3T grew optimally without NaCl at 28–30 °C, pH 7.0–8.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain 4Q3S-3T belonged to the genus Friedmanniella and shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Friedmanniella flava W6T (96.57 %). The DNA G+C content of strain 4Q3S-3T was 69.5 mol%. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid, and MK-9(H4) was the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, unidentified glycolipid, amino lipids and two unidentified phospholipids. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain 4Q3S-3T represents a novel species of the genus Friedmanniella , for which the name Friedmanniella endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4Q3S-3T (=DSM 100723T=CGMCC 4.7307T).

The actinomycete strains K12-0408T and K12-0792 were isolated on CM-cellulose agar from rhizosphere soil of a pteridophytic plant collected in Tokyo prefecture, Japan. Their taxonomic positions were determined using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains K12-0408T and K12-0792 were positioned within the family Micromonosporaceae . The strains formed extensively branched aerial and substrate mycelia. Long chains of cylindrical spores with smooth surfaces were formed on aerial hyphae. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and galactose, glucose, mannose and ribose were detected in whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H6). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 2-OH. The DNA G+C contents of strains K12-0408T and K12-0792 were 69.6 and 69.7 mol%, respectively. Based on data from the present polyphasic taxonomic study, strains K12-0408T and K12-0792 represent a novel genus, for which the name Actinorhabdospora gen. nov. is proposed, with strain K12-0408T (=NBRC 111897T=TBRC 5327T) as the type strain of the type species, Actinorhabdospora filicis sp. nov.

A Gram-stain-positive, coccoid, oxidase-negative, non-motile isolate from exhaust air of a pig barn, collected on 17 September 2014 and designated strain 140917-MRSA-09T, was subjected to a comprehensive taxonomic investigation. A comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed highest similarities to Rothia amarae , Rothia terrae and Rothia endophytica (all <97.8 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 58.9 mol %. The quinone system consisted of the major menaquinones MK-8 and MK-7. The polar lipid profile of strain 140917-MRSA-09T contained the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol and moderate amounts of dimannosylglyceride and trimannosyldiacylglycerol. The polyamine pattern was composed of the major amines putrescine and spermidine. In the fatty acid profile, iso- and anteiso-branched acids predominated (anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0). The strain showed a chemoheterotrophic metabolism and was able to grow aerobically well on nutrient-rich media at temperatures from 15–36 °C (weak at 42 °C), pH 5.5–9.5 and NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 7 % (w/v). Growth under anaerobic conditions was weak. Physiological traits as well as unique traits in the quinone pattern and the fatty acid pattern distinguished strain 140917-MRSA-09T from the most closely related species. All these data showed that strain 140917-MRSA-09T is a representative of a novel species of the genus Rothia , for which we propose the name Rothia aerolata sp. nov. The type strain is 140917-MRSA-09T (=LMG 29446T=CCM 8669T).

Three mycobacterial strains, isolated from independent Korean patients with pulmonary infections, belonging to the Mycobacterium intracellulare genotype 1 (INT-1) were characterized using a polyphasic approach. The sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of the INT-1 strains were identical to those of Mycobacterium intracellulare ATCC 13950T. However, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis targeting five housekeeping genes (hsp65, rpoB, argG, gnd and pgm) revealed the phylogenetic separation of these strains from M. intracellulare ATCC 13950T. DNA–DNA hybridization values of >70 % confirmed that the three isolates belong to the same species, while the values of <70 % between one of them and the type strains of M. intracellulare and Mycobacterium chimaera confirmed their belonging to a distinct species. In addition, phenotypic characteristics such as positive growth on MacConkey agar and in acidic broth culture, unique matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS profiles of lipids, and unique mycolic acids profiles further supported the taxonomic status of these strains as representatives of a novel species of the Mycobacterium avium complex named Mycobacterium paraintracellulare . The type strain is MOTT64T (=KCTC 29084T=JCM 30622T).

A novel Gram-reaction-positive, non-motile and facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain S01T, was isolated from a nutrient agar plate kept on a laboratory clean bench at Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, PR China, which was contaminated from an unknown source. Strain S01T was found to be catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Similarity searches revealed that the strain shared the highest 16S rRNA gene similarity with Corynebacterium humireducens MFC-5T (95.9 %). However, phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S01T was closely related to Corynebacterium doosanense JCM 17317T (94.8 %) and Corynebacterium maris JCM 17018T (94.8 %). The major fatty acids were C18:1ω9c, C16:0, 10-methyl C18:0 and C18:0. The respiratory quinones predominantly consisted of MK-8(H2), with small amounts of MK-8 and MK-9(H2). Polar lipids contained phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified glycolipids and two unidentified lipids. Mycolic acids were present. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the major cell-wall sugars were galactose, arabinose and glucose. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S01T was 70.7±0.1 mol%. The results of phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses indicated that strain S01T represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium , for which the name Corynebacterium guangdongense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S01T (=GDMCC 1.1022T=CCTCC AB 2015423T=KCTC 39608T).

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46794-61T, was isolated from an alkali-removing canal in 14th Farms of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, north-west China. The isolate contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The whole-cell sugar patterns of the isolate contained ribose, mannose and glucose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and two unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H2), MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 70.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM 46794-61T had a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.6 % with the most closely related species with a validly published name, Streptomyces aidingensis TRM 46012T, and it could be distinguished from all species in the genus Streptomyces based on data from this polyphasic taxonomic study. However, DNA–DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 46794-61T and S . aidingensis TRM 46012T showed only 45.4 % relatedness. On the basis of these data, strain TRM 46794-61T should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces canalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46794-61T (=CCTCC AA 2015006T=KCTC 39568T).

A novel actinomycete strain, A-T 11038T, was isolated from bamboo rhizospheric soil collected in Thailand. Based on a polyphasic approach, the novel strain was characterized as a member of the genus Planomonospora , which developed cylindrical to clavate sporangia containing a single motile spore on aerial mycelium. The 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain A-T 11038T was closely related to Planomonospora sphaerica JCM 9374T (98.82 %), P.lanomonospora parontospora subsp. parontospora NBRC 13880T and P. parontospora subsp. antibiotica JCM 3094T (98.54 %), Planomonospora alba JCM 9373T (98.41 %) and Planomonospora venezuelensis JCM 3167T (97.51 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness values that distinguished strain A-T 11038T from the most closely related species were below 45 %. The novel strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in cell-wall hydrolysates, and rhamnose, ribose, madurose and glucose in whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H2). The diagnostic phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylinositol and aminophosphoglycolipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were unsaturated fatty acids C17 : 1 and C16 : 1 and saturated fatty acid C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 73.5 mol%. Following the evidence obtained using a polyphasic approach, the novel strain is proposed as a representative of a novel species to be named Planomonospora corallina sp. nov. The type strain is A-T 11038T (=BCC 67829T=TBRC 4489T=NBRC 110609T).

The novel actinomycete, strain CH3-3T, was isolated from mangrove sediment collected from Chonburi Province, Thailand. On the basis of its spore morphology and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the strain belonged to the genus Micromonospora . It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, mannose, xylose, ribose and rhamnose in the whole-cell hydrolysate, MK-10(H4), MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8) as major menaquinones, and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 as major cellular fatty acids. blast analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain showed highest similarity with Micromonospora palomenae NEAU-CX1T (98.97 %) and Micromonospora coxensis 2–30-b(28)T (98.97 %). Based on phylogenetic tree analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain formed a cluster with M. palomenae NEAU-CX1T, Micromonospora halophytica DSM 43171T, M. coxensis 2-30-b(28)T and Micromonospora purpureochromogenes DSM 43821T. On the basis of phenotypic differences and DNA–DNA relatedness evidence, strain CH3-3T could be clearly distinguished from the closely related species of the genus Micromonospora and represents a novel species of the genus Micromonospora for which the name Micromonospora sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CH3-3T (=JCM 18523T=PCU 350T=TISTR 2396T).

A novel actinobacterial strain RC1832T was isolated from the sediment of a fish dumping yard at Balugaon near Chilika Lake. The strain is halotolerant (15 % NaCl, w/v), alkali-tolerant (pH 7–10) and hydrolyzes chitin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, Tween 80, tributyrin, lecithin and casein. Apart from showing typical genus-specific morphological and chemotaxonomic features, the comparision and analysis of the near complete 16S rRNA gene sequence clearly revealed that the strain RC1832T represented a member of the genus Streptomyces . It exhibited the highest sequence similarities with the strains Streptomyces fenghuangensis GIMN4.003T (99.78 %), Streptomyces nanhaiensis DSM 41926T (99.07 %), Streptomyces radiopugnans R97T(98.71 %), Streptomyces atacamensis DSM 42065T (98.65 %) and Streptomyces barkulensis DSM 42082T (98.25 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness of strain RC 1832T with the closest phylogenetic neighbours S. fenghuangensis GIMN4.003T and S. nanhaiensis DSM 41926T were 20±2 % and 21±2 %, respectively. Thus, based on a range of phenotypic and genotypic properties, strain RC1832T was suggested to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces chitinivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RC1832T (=JCM 30611=KCTC 29696).

An extremely halophilic archaeon, strain PJ61T, was isolated from a subterranean rock salt of Yuanyongjing Salt Mine, Yunnan, China. Colonies were pale, smooth, convex, and round (1.0–2.0 mm in diameter) on nutrient agar plates. Cells of strain PJ61T were spherical or oval , stained Gram-negative, and were non-motile. Optimal growth was observed with 3.4 M NaCl and at 38 °C in aerobic conditions. Mg2+ was required for growth. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities showed that strain PJ61T belonged to the genus Halorubrum and was closely related to Halorubrum laminariae R60T (98.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Halorubrum salinum GX71T (98.2 %) and other species of the genus Halorubrum (<98 %). Sequence similarities of rpoB′ gene and ef-2 gene between strain PJ61T and the species of the genus Halorubrum also showed that strain PJ61T was closely related to strain Halorubrum salinum GX71T (93.4 % for rpoB′and 94.8 % for ef-2). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strains PJ61T and Halorubrum laminariae R60T was 33±0.5 %, while it was 37±0.4 % for Halorubrum salinum GX71T. The DNA G+C content of strain PJ61T was 65.1 mol%. The major polar lipids of strain PJ61T consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain PJ61T represents a novel species of the genus Halorubrum, for which the name Halorubrum pallidum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PJ61T (=CGMCC 1.15212T =JCM 30955T).

An extremely halophilic archaeal strain YJ-50-S2T was isolated from Yangjiang marine solar saltern, China. Cells were pleomorphic, stained Gram-negative and formed red-pigmented colonies on agar plates. Strain YJ-50-S2T was able to grow at 25–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), with 0.9–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 2.6 M NaCl) and 0–1.0 M MgCl2 (optimum 0.03 M MgCl2), and at pH 5.0–9.5 (optimum pH 7.5). The cells lysed in distilled water and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell lysis was 5 % (w/v). The 16S rRNA gene and rpoB′ gene of strain YJ-50-S2T were phylogenetically related to the corresponding genes of Salinigranum rubrum GX10T (97.0 % and 90.5 % similarities, respectively). The major polar lipids of strainYJ-50-S2T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, and two major glycolipids chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether and mannosyl glucosyl diether, respectively. Several unidentified glycolipids were also detected. The DNA G+C content of strain YJ-50-S2T was 65.2 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggested that strain YJ-50-S2Trepresents a novel species of the genus Salinigranum , for which the name Salinigranum salinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YJ-50-S2T (=CGMCC 1.12572T=JCM 30033T).

A novel hyperthermophilic, piezophilic, anaerobic archaeon, designated NCB100T, was isolated from a hydrothermal vent flange fragment collected in the Guaymas basin at the hydrothermal vent site named ‘Rebecca’s Roost’ at a depth of 1997 m. Enrichment and isolation were performed at 100 °C under atmospheric pressure. Cells of strain NCB100T were highly motile, irregular cocci with a diameter of ~1 µm. Growth was recorded at temperatures between 70 and 112 °C (optimum 105 °C) and hydrostatic pressures of 0.1–80 MPa (optimum 40–50 MPa). Growth was observed at pH 3.5–8.5 (optimum pH 7) and with 1.5–7 % NaCl (optimum at 2.5–3 %). Strain NCB100T was a strictly anaerobic chemo-organoheterotroph and grew on complex proteinaceous substrates such as yeast extract, peptone and tryptone, as well as on glycogen and starch. Elemental sulfur was required for growth and was reduced to hydrogen sulfide. The fermentation products from complex proteinaceous substrates were CO2 and H2. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.3 %. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain NCB100T belongs to the genus Pyrococcus , showing 99 % similarity with the other described species of the genus Pyrococcus . On the basis of physiological characteristics, DNA G+C content, similarity level between ribosomal proteins and an average nucleotide identity value of 79 %, strain NCB100T represents a novel species for which the name Pyrococcus kukulkanii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NCB100T (=DSM 101590T=Souchothèque de Bretagne BG1337T).

A Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, yellow and rod-shaped bacterium (designated RP-2T) isolated from lake water, was characterized by a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. Strain RP-2T was observed to grow optimally at 30 °C and at pH 7.0 on R2A medium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that RP-2T represented a member of the genus Niabella of the family Chitinophagaceae and was most closely related to Niabella yanshanensis KACC 14980T (96.6 %), Niabella ginsengisoli KACC 13021T (96.5 %), Niabella drilacis DSM 25811T (95.7 %) and Niabella aurantiaca KACC 11698T (95.6 %). The DNA G+C content was 44.5 mol%. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The predominant quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1G, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) supported the affiliation of RP-2T to the genus Niabella . However, RP-2T could be distinguished genotypically and phenotypically from the species of the genus Niabella with validly published names. The novel isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Niabella aquatica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain RP-2T (=KACC 18623T =JCM 30952T).

A bacterial strain, designated TMd3a3T, was isolated from a freshwater sample collected from the Tamagawa River in Japan. The cells of strain TMd3a3T were facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming rods that showed gliding motility. This strain was capable of denitrification and anaerobic growth with nitrate. Cloned 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain TMd3a3T yielded three different sequences (similarity between the three sequences: 98.9–99.7 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain TMd3a3T showed high similarity to those of Flavobacterium tructae 435-08T (97.2–97.4 % similarity), F. resistens BD-b365T (96.7–97.4 %), F. maotaiense T9T (97.0–97.3 %), F. limicola ST-82T (96.5–97.3 %), F. aquidurense WB 1.1-56T (96.9–97.2 %), F. spartansii T16T (96.9–97.2 %) and F. psychrolimnae LMG 22018T (96.4–97.0 %). Strain TMd3a3T contained menaquinone 6 as the sole respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C1 6 :  1ω7c and/or C1 6 :  1ω6c). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified aminolipids and five unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 36.5 mol %. The DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain TMd3a3Twith F. tructae CCUG 60100T, F. resistens DSM 19382T, F. maotaiense JCM 19927T, F. limicola DSM 15094T, F. aquidurense DSM 18293T, F. spartansii ATCC BAA-2541T and F. psychrolimnae DSM 16141T were below 13 %. From the chemotaxonomic and physiological data and the levels of DNA–DNA relatedness, strain TMd3a3T should be classified as the representative of a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium aquicola sp. nov. (type strain TMd3a3T=JCM 30987T=DSM 100880T) is proposed.

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, heterotrophic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated Gsoil 032T, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon Province, South Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain Gsoil 032T grew at 10–42 °C and at pH 5.0–10.0 on R2A agar medium. Strain Gsoil 032T possessed β-glucosidase activity, which was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenoside Rb1 (one of the dominant active components of ginseng) to compound K. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain Gsoil 032T was shown to belong to the family Sphingobacteriaceae and to be related to Mucilaginibacter sabulilitoris SMS-12T (97.6 % sequence similarity) and Mucilaginibacter lappiensis ANJLI2T (97.1 %) The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.4 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipid detected was phosphatidylethanolamine, while the minor polar lipids were various unidentified aminophospholipids, unidentified phospholipids and unidentified polar lipids. DNA and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain Gsoil 032T to the genus Mucilaginibacter . Strain Gsoil 032T could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Mucilaginibacter . The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Mucilaginibacter pocheonensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 032T (=KCTC 12641T=LMG 23495T).