- Volume 67, Issue 1, 2017

A novel actinomycete, designated strain m16T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the tropical rain forest of Xishuangbanna, a prefecture in Yunnan Province, south-west China, and characterized by using polyphasic taxomomy. Cells were aerobic and Gram-reaction-positive, and spore chains were observed to be of the helical type, with elliptical spores and smooth spore surfaces. The novel strain grew over a temperature range of 15–35 °C, at pH 5.0–11.0 and in the presence of 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content of strain m16T was 70.0 mol%. The main fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 (29.3 %), iso-C15: 0 (15.4 %) and anteiso-C15:0 (14.6 %), and the predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain m16T was most closely related to Streptomyces jiujiangensis KCTC 29262T (98.7 %), Streptomyces panaciradicis KACC 17632T (98.7 %), Streptomyces rhizophilus NBRC 108885T (98.5 %), Streptomyces shenzhenensis DSM 42034T (98.4 %), Streptomyces graminisoli JR-19T (98.4 %) and Streptomyces gramineus JR-43T (98.3 %). Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses indicated that strain m16T represents a novel species within the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces fuscichromogenes is proposed. The type strain is m16T (=CGMCC 4.7110T=KCTC 29195T).

A Gram-stain-positive, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive isolate forming sporangium-like globular bodies, isolated from the rare earth mine of Bayan Obo in China and designated strain KC 266T, was subjected to a comprehensive taxonomic study. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain KC 266T represented a novel lineage within the genus Kibdelosporangium and showed highest 16S rRNA gene similarities to Kibdelosporangium philippinense (98.5 %), Kibdelosporangium aridum subsp. largum (98.2 %), Kibdelosporangium aridum subsp. aridum (98.2 %) and Kibdelosporangium phytohabitans (98.0 %). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain KC 266T and the four species of the genus Kibdelosporangium was less than 60 %. The DNA G+C content of strain KC 266T was 67.9 mol%. The quinone system consisted of major amounts of MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H2), minor amounts of MK-8(H2) and traces of MK-10(H4). The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two unknown phospholipids and one unidentified aminophospholipid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω6c, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. Physiological traits as well as unique traits of the polar lipid profile and the fatty acid pattern distinguished strain KC 266T from the most closely related species. All these results indicate that strain KC 266T represents a novel species of the genus Kibdelosporangium , for which the name Kibdelosporangium metalli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KC 266T (=KCTC 39719T=CCTCC AA 2016002T).

A novel endophytic actinobacterial strain, designated EGI 6500195T, was isolated from fruits of Capparis spinosa. Growth occurred at 10–45 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 6–8 (optimum pH 7) and in the presence of 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain EGI 6500195T shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (97.74 %) with Streptomyces vitaminophilus DSM 41686T and less than 97 % sequence similarity with other members of the genus Streptomyces . The diagnostic amino acid in the peptidoglycan was ll-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained glucose, ribose, fructose and mannose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The polar lipid profile of strain EGI 6500195T included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, three unknown phospholipids, an unknown aminophospholipid and an unknown aminolipid. The cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 1 ω9c, summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B) and iso-C17 : 1 ω9c. The DNA G+C content of strain EGI 6500195T was 74.1 mol%. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain EGI 6500195T and Streptomyces. vitaminophilus DSM 41686T was 14.1±3.5 %. On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain EGI 6500195T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces capparidis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EGI 6500195T (=DSM 42145T=JCM 30089T).

Three strains, FXJ8.095T, FXJ8.057 and H201, were isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal plume water collected at the Southwest Indian Ridge at a depth of 2800 m. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates formed a closely related subcluster within the genus Kocuria . The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain FXJ8.095T shared 99.90 and 99.60 % similarity with those of strains FXJ8.057 and H201, respectively, and 98.81, 98.75, 98.68 and 98.10 % with those of ‘ Kocuria sediminis ’ JCM 17929, Kocuria flava HO-9041T, Kocuria turfanensis HO-9042T and Kocuria rosea JCM 11614T, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization values among the three new isolates were higher than 70 %, while the values between each of the isolates and the closely related type strains were well below 70 %. Random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprint patterns and a combination of physiological and biochemical properties also distinguished the isolates from the related species. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolates were anteiso-C15 :  0 and iso-C15 : 0, the predominant menaquinones were MK-7(H2) and MK-8(H2), and the main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C contents of strains FXJ8.095T, FXJ8.057 and H201 were 75.6, 72.8 and 70.4 mol%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, we propose to classify the three strains in a novel species named Kocuria oceani sp. nov., with FXJ8.095T (=CGMCC 4.6946T=DSM 24949T) as the type strain.

We isolated a Gram-stain-negative, pink-pigmented, motile, pleomorphic, extremely halophilic archaeon from the brine–seawater interface of Discovery Deep in the Saudi Arabian Red Sea. This strain, designated SB9T, was capable of growth within a wide range of temperatures and salinity, but required MgCl2. Cells lysed in distilled water, but at 7.0 % (w/v) NaCl cell lysis was prevented. The major polar lipids from strain SB9T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerolphosphate methyl ester, sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether, mannosyl glucosyl diether, an unidentified glycolipid and two unidentified phospholipids. The major respiratory quinones of strain SB9T were menaquinones MK8 (66 %) and MK8 (VIII-H2) (34 %). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain SB9T was closely related to species in the genera Halogranum and Haloplanus ; in particular, it shared highest sequence similarity with the type strain of Halogranum rubrum (93.4 %), making it its closest known relative. The unfinished draft genome of strain SB9Twas 3 931 127 bp in size with a total G+C content of 62.53 mol% and contained 3917 ORFs, 50 tRNAs and eight rRNAs. Based on comparisons with currently available genomes, the highest average nucleotide identity value was 83 % to Halogranum salarium B-1T (GenBank accession no. GCA_000283335.1). These data indicate that this new isolate cannot be classified into any recognized genera of the family Haloferacaceae, and therefore strain SB9T is considered to be a representative of a novel species of a new genus within this family, for which the name Haloprofundus marisrubri gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Haloprofundus marisrubri is SB9T (=JCM 19565T=CGMCC 1.14959T).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, motile by gliding, and aerobic bacterial strain, designated SA31T, was isolated from reclaimed saline land soil near a lake in Taean-gun, South Korea. Cells of the isolate formed ivory-coloured colonies. Growth occurred at 10–35 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5), and 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0 %). Based on similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain SA31T was mostly affiliated with the genus Flavobacterium , exhibiting the highest sequence similarities with Flavobacterium palustre S44T (96.0 %), Flavobacterium glycines Gm-149T (95.9 %), Flavobacterium defluvii EMB117T (95.7 %) and Flavobacterium daejeonense GH1-10T (95.6 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences also indicated that strain SA31T was clustered with Flavobacterium daejeonense GH1-10T and Flavobacterium glycines Gm-149T. The predominant fatty acids (>7 % of total) of strain SA31T were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7с and/or C16 : 1 ω6с), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids of the isolate comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid, one unknown glycolipid, one unknown aminophospholipid and three unknown lipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SA31T was 33.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain SA31T represents a novel species the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium eburneum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SA31T (=KACC 18743T=JCM 31221T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain IMCC27201T, was isolated from an artificial freshwater pond (Inkyong) in Korea. Growth of strain IMCC27201T occurred at 10–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 7.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0–0.25 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain IMCC27201T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and was related most closely to Flavobacterium columnare IFO 15943T (97.8 % sequence similarity), Flavobacterium terrae R2A1-13T (97.2 %) and Flavobacterium vireti THG-SM1T (96.4 %). Strain IMCC27201T exhibited low DNA–DNA relatedness with F. columnare KCTC 42885T (34.9–40.6 %). The DNA G+C content of strain IMCC27201T was 32.1 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. Strain IMCC27201T contained menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the sole isoprenoid quinone. The polar lipids of strain IMCC27201T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, phenotypic characterization and DNA–DNA relatedness, strain IMCC27201Trepresents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium inkyongense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMCC27201T (=KCTC 52244T=JCM 31385T).

Two Gram-stain-negative, obligately aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated SP3T and SP38, were isolated from a cold-water lake in the west of China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed for the strains. Alignment of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains SP3T and SP38 were associated with the genus Flavobacterium and were most closely related to Flavobacterium lacus NP180T (96.4 % sequence similarity), Flavobacterium ponti GSW-R14T (95.6 %) and Flavobacterium yanchengense hgT (95.3 %). The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains SP3T and SP38 were 34.9 and 34.6 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and/or 10-methyl C16 : 0), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The unique respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and several unidentified polar lipids. Based on physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic data for these isolates, it was confirmed that strains SP3T and SP38 were affiliated to the genus Flavobacterium and represented a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium orientale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SP3T (=CGMCC 1.12506T=NBRC 109717T).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, slightly halophilic, motile, curved rod with a horseshoe shape, designated strain Bsw-2bT, was isolated from Badab-Soort travertine spring in Iran. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain Bsw-2bT belongs to the order Balneolales , showing 84.6 % sequence similarity to Gracilimonas tropica DSM 19535T and 84.4 % and 83.9 % sequence similarity to Gracilimonas rosea CL-KR2T and Balneola vulgaris DSM 17893T, respectively. In addition, phenotypic and physiological features could clearly differentiate strain Bsw-2bT from species of the most closely related genera, Gracilimonas , Balneola , Aliifodinibius and Fodinibius . The strain was able to grow with 1–3 % (w/v) (optimum at 2 %) NaCl, at temperatures of 28–34 °C (optimum at 30 °C) and between pH 6.0 and 8.0 (optimum at pH 7.0). The major cellular fatty acids of strain Bsw-2bT were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C13 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The polar lipid profile of strain Bsw-2bT was composed predominantly of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown glycolipid and four unknown phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was 40.5 mol%. Based on the evidence from the polyphasic study, strain Bsw-2bT represents a novel species in a novel genus within a new family, for which the name Soortia roseihalophila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, within the new family Soortiaceae fam. nov. The type strain is strain Bsw-2bT (=IBRC-M 10915T=LMG 28547T).

A Gram-stain-negative, orange-pigmented, non-spore-forming, non-motile, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated CAU 1131T, was isolated from reclaimed land. Strain CAU 1131T grew optimally at 30 °C and at pH 6.5 in the presence of 4 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CAU 1131T was grouped into the genus Nonlabens , and was most closely related to Nonlabens. marinus S1-08T (95.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The strain possessed+ MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15:0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) as the major cellular fatty acids. The polar lipid profile was determined to comprise phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified glycolipid and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 38.7 mol%. On the basis of data from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic inference, strain CAU 1131T represents a novel species of the genus Nonlabens , for which the name Nonlabens halophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1131T (=KCTC 52177T=NBRC 111996T).

A Gram-reaction-negative, non-motile, yellow-pigmented, NaCl-requiring bacterial strain, designated LPB0003T, was isolated from a marine gastropod, the granulated dogwhelk (Thais luteostoma). The complete genome sequence of strain LPB0003T (GenBank accession number CP017477), sized 3.81 Mb, had 3296 protein-coding genes. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain LPB0003T belongs to the genus Polaribacter within the family Flavobacteriaceae with sequence similarities of 95.3–97.8 % to other species of the genus Polaribacter . The average nucleotide identities with closely related species were not higher than 80 %. The isoprenoid quinone (MK-6) and DNA G+C content (29.6 mol%) of strain LPB0003T fell within the expected ranges for the genus Polaribacter . The major polar lipids of the isolate were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified glycolipid, and two unidentified lipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15  : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c (summed feature 3), and C15 : 1 ω6c. Based on phylogenetic, genomic and phenotypic data presented in this study, strain LPB0003T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Polaribacter , for which the name Polaribacter vadi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LPB0003T (=KACC 18704T=JCM 31217T).

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a presumably novel bacterium, designated strain CC-KYC063T, isolated from a compost sample collected at a greenhouse facility within Taiwan. Strain CC-KYC063T was Gram-stain-negative and aerobic, able to grow at 15–37 °C (optimal 30 °C), at pH 7.0–9.0 (optimal pH 7.0) and with 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CC-KYC063T showed highest similarity to Olivibacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 060T (96.2 %) and Olivibacter terrae Jip13T (95.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 43.0 mol% and the predominant quinone system was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The polyamine pattern showed a predominance of sym-homospermidine. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-KYC063T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1 ω6c/C16  : 1 ω7c. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-KYC063T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Olivibacter , for which the name Olivibacter composti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-KYC063T (=BCRC 80939T=JCM 31198T).

A cream-coloured, non-gliding, aerobic Flavobacterium strain, designated EM1308T, was isolated from stream water. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that this isolate is closely related to Flavobacterium glycines NBRC 105008T (97.3 % similarity) and Flavobacterium piscis CCUG 60099T (97.2 %). To evaluate the genomic relatedness of the isolate with its neighbours, the whole genome sequences of strain EM1308T and the type strains of F. glycines and F. piscis were determined. Average nucleotide identities revealed that strain EM1308T is independent from other Flavobacterium species. The properties of major cellular fatty acids, polar lipids, menaquinone and DNA G+C content of the isolate were within the general range for the genus Flavobacterium , but many biochemical and physiological characteristics distinguished the isolate from previously known species. Thus, strain EM1308T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium gilvum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EM1308T (=KACC 18113T=JCM 30144T).

The taxonomic position of a Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming bacterium, strain KS16-9T, isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from Kovalam, Kanyakumari coastal region of the Indian Ocean, India, was analysed by a polyphasic approach. Strain KS16-9T had typical phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic features (menaquinones, fatty acids and lipids) that were consistent with the genus Bacillus . omparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain with previously published Bacillus type strains confirmed that it belongs to the genus Bacillus and is moderately related to Bacillus persicus B48T (98.42 % similarity), followed by Bacillus foraminis CV53T (97.67 %) and Bacillus rigiliprofundi (97.61 %). Other species in the genus Bacillus shared <97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain KS16-9T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as major fatty acids, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major phospholipids. The DNA G+C content of strain KS16-9T was 45.4 mol%. Based on data from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain KS16-9T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which the name Bacillus maritimus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KS16-9T (=MTCC 12305T=DSM 100413T=KCTC 33834T).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic bacterial strain, designated Y2A20T, with peritrichous flagella was isolated from the top layer saline–alkaline soil, Hangjin Banner, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Y2A20T formed a stable clade with ‘ Lysinibacillus jejuensis ’ N2-5T. Strain Y2A20T shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with ‘ L. jejuensis ' N2-5T (97.4 %), but lower 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with all other type strains (<97.0 %). The major polar lipids of strain Y2A20T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyethanolamine, two unknown aminophospholipids and three unknown phospholipids. Menaquinone-7 was the predominant menaquinone, while iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 were the major cellular fatty acids. Its genomic DNA G+C content was 39.0 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization revealed that strain Y2A20T showed 26±5 % genomic DNA relatedness with its closest relative, ‘ L. jejuensis ’ N2-5T. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed the discrimination of strain Y2A20T from its phylogenetic relatives. Lysinibacillus alkalisoli sp. nov. is therefore proposed with Y2A20T (=CGMCC 1.15760T=KCTC 33825T) as the type strain.

A Gram-staining-positive, motile, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated NS3012T, was isolated from Myeolchi-jeotgal, a traditional Korean high-salt-fermented anchovy and was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NS3012T belongs to the genus Virgibacillus in the family Bacillaceae of the phylum Firmicutes . The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NS3012T was closely related to Virgibacillus halotolerans WS-4627T (98.1 %), Virgibacillus oceani MY11T (96.6 %) and Virgibacillus byunsanensis ISL-24T (96.5 %). The chemotaxonomic properties of strain NS3012T were consistent with those of the genus Virgibacillus : the quinone system with MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso C17 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids; the cell-wall peptidoglycan type was based on meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipid was diphosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.8 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic inference, and chemotaxonomic and other phenotypic properties, strain NS3012T is clearly differentiated from closely related species of the genus Virgibacillus and represents a novel species in this genus, for which the name Virgibacillus jeotgali sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NS3012T (=KEMB 9001-125T=JCM 16522T).