- Volume 67, Issue 5, 2017

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated 16F3PT, was isolated from the Han River, South Korea, and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed 16F3PT to be within the genus Hymenobacter , and most closely related to Hymenobacter chitinivorans Txc1T (98.62 %) and Hymenobacter elongatus VUG-A112T (98.46 %). The phylogenetic distance from other species of the genus Hymenobacter with validly published names was greater than 4 % (i.e. sequence similarity was less than 96.0 %). Chemotaxonomic data also supported the classification of strain 16F3PT within the genus Hymenobacter . C16 : 0 (19.8 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c; 15.4 %) and iso-C15 : 0 (13.0 %) were the major fatty acids, MK-7 was the predominant respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylethanolamine was the major polar lipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 16F3PT was 61.9 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed that the values for DNA–DNA relatedness between strain 16F3PT and the phylogenetically closest neighbours were below 19 %. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 16F3PT represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter , for which the name Hymenobacter aquaticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 16F3PT (=KCTC 52194T=JCM 31653T).

Strain NH1T, a pink-pigmented, facultatively anaerobic, heterotrophic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, Gram-stain-negative marine bacterium, was isolated from marine sediment on the coast of Weihai, China. Cells of strain NH1T were rod-shaped, 0.8–2.0 µm in length and 0.5–1.0 µm in width. The strain was able to grow at 13–37 °C, pH 5.5–8.5, in the presence of 0.0–8.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Optimal growth was observed at 28 °C, with 3.0 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 6.5–7.0. Nitrate was reduced. The G+C content of the DNA was 41.9 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the main cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (33.6 %) comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c, and iso-C15:0 (19.2%). The major polar lipids in strain NH1T were phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified lipids, phospholipid and aminolipids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain NH1T was highly related to the type strains of Algoriphagus antarcticus (97.87 % 16SrRNA gene sequence similarity) and Algoriphagus ratkowskyi (97.56 %). On basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain NH1T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Algoriphagus , for which the name Algoriphagus resistens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NH1T (=MCCC 1H00140T=KCTC 52228T).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive bacterium, designated JZ3C29T, was isolated from a saltern located in Feicheng, PR China. JZ3C29T was tolerant of moderately saline conditions. Optimal growth occurred at 40 °C (range 20–50 °C) and pH 7.5–8.5 (range pH 7.0–9.0) with 8–10 % (w/v) NaCl (range 2–16 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that JZ3C29T shared highest similarity with Gracilimonas tropica CL-CB462T (90.5 %), Gracilimonas mengyeensis YIM J14T (90.5 %) and Gracilimonas rosea CL-KR2T (90.4 %) and less than 90.0 % similarity with other species of the phylum Bacteroidetes . The isolate formed a novel genus-level clade in the recently described family Balneolaceae . The polar lipid profile of the novel isolate consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified glycolipids, four unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids. The dominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and iso-C15 : 0 and the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The DNA G+C content of JZ3C29T was 44.4 mol%. On the basis of these phenotypic and phylogenetic data, JZ3C29T should be classified as representing a novel genus and species within the family Balneolaceae , for which the name Rhodohalobacter halophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JZ3C29T (=MCCC 1H00131T=KCTC 52046T=JCM 31413T).

Strain NL19T is a Gram-stain-negative, aerobic bacterium that was isolated from sludge of a deactivated uranium mine in Portugal. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain NL19T is a member of the genus Pedobacter and closely related to the strains Pedobacter himalayensis MTCC 6384T, Pedobacter cryoconitis DSM 14825T, Pedobacter westerhofensis DSM 19036T and Pedobacter hartonius DSM 19033T. It had a DNA G+C content of 40.8 mol%, which agreed with the genus description. The main fatty acids included C16 : 1ω7c, C14 : 1ω5c, C4 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The main lipids present were phospholipids (60 %) and sphingolipids (35 %). The most abundant phospholipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the only isoprenoid quinone detected. DNA–DNA hybridization similarities between strain NL19T and Pedobacter himalayensis MTCC 6384T, Pedobacter cryoconitis DSM 14825T, Pedobacter westerhofensis DSM 19036T and Pedobacter hartonius DSM 19033T were 15.3 , 16.2 , 11.5 and 16.0 %, respectively. Strain NL19T can also be distinguished from these four species based on gyrB and intergenic transcribed spacers (ITS) sequences and by some phenotypic traits such as NaCl tolerance, pH, growth temperature and carbon source utilization. Strain NL19Trepresents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter lusitanus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NL19T (=LMG 29220T=CECT 9028T). An amended description of Pedobacter himalayensis is also included.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated 15J8-12T, was isolated from a water sample after exposure to 3 kGy of gamma radiation. The strain showed resistance to gamma radiation with a dose required to reduce the bacterial population 10 fold (D10) value of 4.7 kGy. The results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 15J8-12T represented a member of the family Cytophagaceae , phylum Bacteroidetes , and was most closely related to ‘Spirosoma fluminis’ 15J17 (97.92 %) and Spirosoma arcticum R2-35T (92.22 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of 15J8-12T was 51.3 mol%. The detection of menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, a fatty acid profile with summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16  : 1ω6c; 40.5 %), C16 : 1ω5c (35.3 %), C15 : 0 iso (6.9 %) and C16 : 0 (6.8 %) as the major components and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipid also supported the affiliation of 15J8-12T with the genus Spirosoma . The DNA–DNA relatedness between 15J8-12T and ‘Spirosoma fluminis’ 15J17 was 27.8 %. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic distinctiveness, 15J8-12T should be considered to be a representative of a novel species of the genus Spirosoma , for which the name Spirosoma knui sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15J8-12T (=KCTC 52510T=JCM 31407T).

A pale-pink-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, PP-F2F-G47T, was isolated from the phyllosphere of the herbaceous plant Galium album. Phylogenetic analysis based on the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed highest sequence similarity to the type strains of Mucilaginibacter daejeonensis (96.2 %), Mucilaginibacter dorajii (95.7 %) and Mucilaginibacter phyllosphaerae (95.5 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to all other type strains were below 95.5 %. The predominant cellular fatty acids of the strain were C16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (measured as summed feature 3) and iso-C15 : 0. The major compound in the polyamine pattern was sym-homospermidine and major quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The polar lipid profile was composed of phosphatidylethanolamine and several unidentified aminolipipids, phospholipids, aminophospholipids and lipids without a functional group. A sphingophospholipid could not be detected but a ninhydrin-positive alkaline-stable lipid was visible. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses a novel species is proposed, Mucilaginibacter galii sp. nov., with PP-F2F-G47T (=CCM 8711T=CIP 111182T=LMG 29767T) as the type strain.

Strain NP1T, a Gram-stain-negative, orange, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from hexacholorocyclohexane (HCH)-contaminated soil sediment samples collected from Ummari village, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that NP1T clustered with members of the genus Pontibacter of the order Cytophagales , family Cytophagaceae and phylum Bacteriodetes. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with type strains of members of the genus Pontibacter ranged from 98.57 to 93.95 % with Pontibacter odishensis JC-130T (98.57 %), Pontibacter korlensis X14-1T (97.82 %), Pontibacter litorisediminis YKTF-7T (97.42 %) and Pontibacter virosus W-14T (97.01 %) as the closest neighbours. Cells of NP1T were aerobic, motile and oxidase- and catalase-positive. NP1T was capable of hydrolysis of gelatin, aesculin and starch and reduced nitrates to nitrogen. The major fatty acids of NP1T were summed feature 4 and iso-C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile of NP1T showed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), unknown glycolipids and unknown aminolipids. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the predominant respiratory quinone and sym-homospermidine was found to be the predominant polyamine in NP1T. The DNA G+C content of NP1T was 52.1±0.7 mol%. The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness of NP1T to P. odishensis JC-130T, P. korlensis X14-1T, P. lit o r i sediminis YKTF-7T and P. virosus W14T were 44.9±0.6 %, 40.5±0.4 %, 34.4±0.7 % and 33.4±0.5 % respectively. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, physiological and biochemical evidence and DNA–DNA hybridization results, it is proposed that NP1T represents a novel species of the genus Pontibacter , for which the name Pontibacter aurantiacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NP1T (KCTC 42943T=CCM 8697T=MCC 2931T).

A novel strictly anaerobic, thermotolerant, moderately halophilic, organotrophic bacterium, strain MRo-4T, was isolated from a sample of a microbial mat, developed under the flow of subsurface water in TauTona gold mine, South Africa. Cells of the novel isolate stained Gram-positive and were motile, spore-forming rods, 0.2–0.3 µm in width and 5–20 µm in length. Strain MRo-4T grew at 25–50 °C, at pH 7.0–8.8 and at an NaCl concentration of 5–100 g l−1. The isolate was able to ferment yeast extract, peptone and mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides, including cellulose and chitin. Elemental sulfur, thiosulfate, sulfate, sulfite, nitrate, nitrite, fumarate and arsenate were not reduced. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 dimethyl acetyl and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 32.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain MRo-4T and its nearest relatives showed its affiliation to the genus Sporosalibacterium . Sporosalibacterium faouarense SOL3f37T, the only valid published representative of the genus, appeared to be its closest relative (96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). However, strains MRo-4T and S. faouarense SOL3f37T differed in temperature, pH and salinity ranges for growth, requirement for yeast extract and substrate profiles. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and physiological properties of the novel isolate, we propose a novel species, Sporosalibacterium tautonense sp. nov. The type strain is MRo-4T (=DSM 28179T=VKM B-2948T).

A novel anaerobic, mesophilic, heterotrophic bacterium, designated strain DY2726DT, was isolated from West Pacific Ocean sediments. Cells were long rods (0.5–0.8 µm wide, 4–15 µm long), Gram-positive and motile by means of flagella. The temperature and pH ranges for growth were 25–40 °C and pH 6.5–9.0, while optimal growth occurred at 37 °C and pH 7.5, with a generation time of 76 min. The strain required sea salts for growth at concentrations from 10 to 30 g l−1 (optimum at 20 g l−1). Substrates used as carbon sources were yeast extract, tryptone, glucose, cellobiose, starch, gelatin, dextrin, fructose, fucose, galactose, galacturonic acid, gentiobiose, glucosaminic acid, mannose, melibiose, palatinose and rhamnose. Products of fermentation were carbon dioxide, acetic acid and butyric acid. Strain DY2726DT was able to reduce amorphous iron hydroxide, goethite, amorphous iron oxides, anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate and crotonate, but did not reduce sulfur, sulfate, thiosulfate, sulfite or nitrate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain DY2726DT was affiliated to the family Clostridiaceae and was most closely related to the type strains of Alkaliphilus transvaalensis (90.0 % similarity) and Alkaliphilus oremlandii (89.6 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 33.4 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain DY2726DT were C16 : 1, C14 : 0 and C16 : 0. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, strain DY2726DT is suggested to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Clostridiaceae , for which the name Anaeromicrobium sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Anaeromicrobium sediminis is DY2726DT (=JCM 30224T=MCCC 1A00776T).

Biochemical and molecular genetic studies were performed on two novel Gram-stain-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped organisms isolated from liquid joint samples of two pigs. The micro-organisms were not identified as members of a recognized species based on results of cellular, morphological and biochemical tests. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison studies allowed their identification as members of the genus Jeotgalibaca , but the organisms were different to Jeotgalibaca dankookensis , the single species of the genus. The two micro-organisms shared 96.3 and 96.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values with their nearest phylogenetic relative, J. dankookensis . The novel bacterial isolates were distinguished from J. dankookensis using biochemical tests. Based on both phenotypic and phylogenetic findings, it is proposed that the unknown bacteria be classified as representatives of two novel species of the genus Jeotgalibaca , Jeotgalibaca porci sp. nov. and Jeotgalibaca arthritidis sp. nov. The type strain of Jeotgalibaca porci sp. nov. is 1804-02T (=CECT 9156T=CCUG 69148T) and that of Jeotgalibaca arthritidis sp. nov. is 1805-02T (=CECT 9157T=CCUG 69147T).

A bacterial strain designated RA9T was isolated from a root of Cistus ladanifer in Spain. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the isolate into the genus Bacillus with its closest relatives being Bacillus fortis R-6514T and Bacillus fordii R-7190T with 98.2 % similarity in both cases. DNA–DNA hybridization studies showed mean relatedness values of 29 and 30 %, respectively, between strain RA9T and the type strains of B. fortis and B. fordii . Cells of the isolate were Gram-stain-positive, motile, sporulating rods. Catalase and oxidase were positive. Gelatin, starch and casein were not hydrolysed. Menaquinone MK-7 was the only menaquinone detected and iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 were the major fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentifed glycolipid and one unidentified lipid. meso-Diaminopimelic acid was detected in the peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C content was 43.1 mol%. Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses showed that strain RA9T should be considered as representing a novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which the name Bacillus terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RA9T (=LMG 29736T=CECT 9170T).

An obligately anaerobic, sulfate-reducing micro-organism, strain 3127-1T, was isolated from geothermally heated soil (Oil Site, Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka, Russia). The new isolate was a moderately thermoacidophilic anaerobe able to grow with H2 or formate by respiration of sulfate or thiosulfate. The pH range for growth was 3.7–6.5, with an optimum at 4.8–5.0. The temperature range for growth was 37–65 °C, with an optimum at 55 °C. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 33.7 mol%. The genome of strain 3127-1T contained two almost identical 16S rRNA genes, differing by a single nucleotide substitution. The closest 16S rRNA gene sequence of a validly published species belonged to Thermodesulfobium narugense Na82T (99.5 % similarity). However, the average nucleotide identity of the genomes of strain 3127-1T and T. narugense Na82T and the predicted DNA–DNA hybridization value (GGDC 2.1 blast+, formula 2) were as low as 86 and 32.5±2.5 %, respectively. This, together with phenotypic data, showed the new isolate to belong to a novel species, for which the name Thermodesulfobium acidiphilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3127-1T (=DSM 102892T=VKM B-3043T).

A novel cellobiose-degrading and lactate-producing bacterium, strain Cavy grass 6T, was isolated from faecal samples of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Cells of the strain were ovalshaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, Gram-stain-positive and facultatively anaerobic. The strain gr at 25–40 °C (optimum 37 °C) and pH 4.5–9.5 (optimum 8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Cavy grass 6T belongs to the genus Streptococcus with its closest relative being Streptococcus devriesei CCUG 47155T with only 96.5 % similarity. Comparing strain Cavy grass 6T and Streptococcus devriesei CCUG 47155T, average nucleotide identity and level of digital DNA–DNA hybridization dDDH were only 86.9 and 33.3 %, respectively. Housekeeping genes groEL and gyrA were different between strain Cavy grass 6T and other streptococci. The G+C content of strain Cavy grass 6T was 42.6±0.3 mol%. The major (>10 %) cellular fatty acids of strain Cavy grass 6T were C16:0, C20 : 1ω9c and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). Strain Cavy grass 6T ferment a range of plant mono- and disaccharides as well as polymeric carbohydrates, including cellobiose, dulcitol, d-glucose, maltose, raffinose, sucrose, l-sorbose, trehalose, inulin and dried grass extract, to lactate, formate, acetate and ethanol. Based on phylogenetic and physiological characteristics, Cavy grass 6T can be distinguished from other members of the genus Streptococcus . Therefore, a novel species of the genus Streptococcus , family Streptococcaceae , order Lactobacillales is proposed, Streptococcus caviae sp. nov. (type strain Cavy grass 6T=TISTR 2371T=DSM 102819T).

A Gram-stain-positive, cocci-shaped, non-spore-forming and moderately halophilic bacterium, designed BZ-SZ-XJ29T, was isolated from a salt lake of China. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the closest phylogenetic relatives were Bacillus saliphilus 6AGT (97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and five other species of the genus Bacillus (95.4–96.3 %). However, strain BZ-SZ-XJ29T shared only 89.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis DSM 10T, indicating that this isolate might not be a member of the genus Bacillus . The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.0 mol% (Tm). The DNA–DNA relatedness value with B. saliphilus 6AGT was 45±2 %. Strain BZ-SZ-XJ29T formed yellow pigment and grew in the presence of 0.74–4.15 M Na+ [optimum 1.42–2.10 M Na+], at pH 6.0–10.5 (optimum pH 7.5), and at 5–41 °C (optimum 33 °C). The predominant (>10 %) fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The dominant polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol and the respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The peptidoglycan type of the cell wall was A1γ, based on meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of the combined phylogenetic data, phenotypic features and chemotaxonomic properties, it is proposed that B. saliphilus and strain BZ-SZ-XJ29T should be assigned to a single novel genus as two separate species. Bacillus . saliphilus is reclassified in a new genus, Alkalicoccus gen. nov., as Alkalicoccus saliphilus comb. nov., and is the type species of the new genus; the type strain of the type species is 6AGT (=DSM 15402T=ATCC BAA-957T). Strain BZ-SZ-XJ29T (=DSM 29191T=JCM 30193T=CGMCC 1.12936T) is placed in the genus Alkalicoccus as a novel species, Alkalicoccus halolimnae sp. nov.

A Gram-strain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, motile, endospore-forming, slightly halophilic bacterium, designated strain 126C4T, was isolated from sediment from the East China Sea. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Optimal growth occurred at 28–30 °C, pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 3–5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, showed that strain 126C4T was a member of the genus Paraliobacillus , with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Paraliobacillus quinghaiensis YIM-C158T and Paraliobacillus ryukyuensis O15-7T of 96.2 % and 95.3 %, repectively. The DNA G+C content was 39.6 mol%. The strain contained MK-7 as the sole respiratory quinone, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids, and its polar lipid pattern comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three glycolipids and four unknown phospholipids. On the basis of its phylogenetic position, phenotypic traits and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is suggested that strain 126C4T represents a novel species of the genus Paraliobacillus, for which the name Paraliobacillus sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 126C4T (=KCTC 33762T=MCCC 1H00136T).

A bacterial strain, designated Agd-32T, was isolated from a water sample taken from the Agongdian Reservoir in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells of strain Agd-32T were Gram-stain-variable, aerobic, motile by means of peritrichous flagella, endospore-forming, rod-shaped and surrounded by a thick capsule. Strain Agd-32T contained anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0 as the predominant fatty acids. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, and the polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophosphoglycolipid, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 56.0 mol%. Strain Agd-32T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Agd-32T belonged to the genus Paenibacillus and was most closely related to Paenibacillus tarimensis with sequence similarity of 96.1 % and less than 95.9 % sequence similarity with other members of the genus. On the basis of the phylogenetic inference and phenotypic data, strain Agd-32T should be classified as a representative of a novel species, for which the name Paenibacillus lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Agd-32T (=BCRC 80902T=LMG 28836T=KCTC 33691T).

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, small spherical bacterium, strain S31T, was isolated from skin surface (external ear lobe) of a healthy human subject and characterized using a polyphasic approach. On the basis of 1507 bp 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, S31T showed highest (92.8 %, AY119686) sequence similarity with Macrococcus brunensis CCUG 47200T followed by Macrococcus caseolyticus DSM 20597T (92.7 % AP009484) and formed a separate clade with 65 % bootstrap support. The DNA G+C content was found to be 34 mol%. Anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 are the predominant fatty acids in fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profile of strain S31T. It contained A3α type peptidoglycan with l-Lys–Gly3 –l-Ala peptide. Comparative study of morphological and physiological traits indicated that S31T has phenetically diverged from its closest relatives. On the basis of morphological, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data, S31T showed marked distinctions from its closest relatives of the family Staphylococcaceae and is proposed to represent a novel genus Auricoccus with Auricoccus indicus as type species of the genus. S31T (CCUG 69858T=KCTC 33611T=MCC 3027T) is the type strain of the species.

Two bacterial strains, designated EGH7T and TSAH33, were isolated from human faeces and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach that included analysis of morphology, phenotypic and biochemical features, cellular fatty acid profiles and phylogenetic position based on 16S rRNA and hsp60 gene sequence analyses. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that these strains represented members of the family Lachnospiraceae and formed a monophyletic cluster near Eubacterium contortum JCM 6483T (95 % sequence similarity), Ruminococcus gnavus JCM 6515T (95 %), Clostridium oroticum JCM 1429T (95 %), Eubacterium fissicatena JCM 31501T (95 %) and Clostridium nexile JCM 31500T (94 %). The results of a hsp60 gene sequence analysis supported the phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, with a sequence similarity value of between 77.9 and 84.8 % to the five strains listed above. The novel strains were obligately anaerobic, non-pigmented, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive cocco-bacilli. The strains formed characteristic umbilicated colonies on EG agar plates. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c dimethyl acetal (DMA). EGH7T and TSAH33 have DNA G+C contents of 46.9 and 45.5 mol%, respectively. On the basis of these data, strains EGH7T and TSAH33 represent a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Faecalimonas umbilicata gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of F. umbilicata is EGH7T (=JCM 30896T=DSM 103426T).

A Gram-positive-staining, aerobic organism, isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays, was investigated in detail. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain JJ-247T was grouped into the genus Bacillus , most closely related to Bacillus foraminis (98.4 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the sequences of the type strains of other species of the genus Bacillus was <97.4 %. The fatty acid profile with the major fatty acids, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 supported the grouping of the strain to the genus Bacillus . The polar lipid profile contained the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The major quinone was menaquinone MK-7, and the major polyamine was spermidine. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JJ-247T was 44.5 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridizations with the type strain B. foraminis LMG 23147T resulted in values below 70 %. In addition, physiological and biochemical test results allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain JJ-247T from B. foraminis . As a consequence, JJ-247T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which we propose the name Bacillus zeae sp. nov., with JJ-247T (=CCM 8726T=LMG 29876T) as the type strain.