- Volume 70, Issue 1, 2020

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming actinobacterium, designated strain M2KJ-4T, was isolated from a surface-sterilized bark of Melia azedaeach L. collected from Xinpu in Guizhou, PR China and characterized using a polyphasic approach to determine its taxonomic position. M2KJ-4T grew optimally with 1 % (w/v) NaCl at 25 °C and pH 8.0. Substrate mycelia and aerial mycelia were not formed, and no diffusible pigments were observed on the media tested. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that M2KJ-4Trepresented a member of the genus Aeromicrobium and shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Aeromicrobium fastidiosum DSM 10552T (Z78209) (98.95 %). The DNA G+C content of M2KJ-4T was 70.6 mol%. The average nucleotide identity value and estimated DDH value between M2KJ-4T and the type strain of A. fastidiosum were 86.1 % and 30.2 %, respectively. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and MK-9(H4) was the predominant menaquinone. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipids and unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, 10-methyl C18 : 0, C16 : 0 2-OH and C18 : 1ω9c. On the basis of the results from phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analysis, strain M2KJ-4T represents a novel species of the genus Aeromicrobium , for which the name Aeromicrobium endophyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M2KJ-4T (=KCTC 49174T=CGMCC 1.13666T).

A novel psychrophilic, light-yellow-coloured, aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated strain AR-3-4T was isolated from a sample of Arctic soil. Strain AR-3-4T grew at 0–25 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and 0–1.0 % (w/v) NaCl concentration. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain AR-3-4T belonged to the genus Flavobacterium , with nearest phylogenetic neighbour being Flavobacterium fluvii H7T (97.5 % sequence similarity). The strain comprised phosphatidylethanolamine as the main polar lipid, MK-6 as predominant respiratory quinone, and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain AR-3-4T and closest members were below the threshold values of 95 % and 70 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 33.0 mol%. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, the novel species Flavobacterium cellulosilyticum sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain AR-3-4T (=KEMB 9005–740T=KACC 21171T=NBRC 113787T).

A yellow, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-gliding, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped strain, designated YIM 102600T, was isolated from the faeces of Macaca mulatta dwelling in the Yunnan Wild Animal Park, Yunnan Province, South-West PR China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 102600T was a member of the genus Flavobacterium , and closely related to Flavobacterium qiangtangense F3T (96.9 % similarity) and Flavobacterium noncentrifugens R-HLS-17T (96.0 % similarity). Phylogenetic trees showed that strain YIM 102600T formed a clade with F. qiangtangense F3T and F. noncentrifugens R-HLS-17T. Growth occurred at 4–30 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 7.0–8.0 (pH 7.5) and NaCl concentration 0–2 % (w/v; 0–1 %, w/v). The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 and summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c). The predominant polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine and the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The DNA G+C content was 36.4 mol%. The calculated digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain YIM 102600T and other species of Flavobacterium ranged from 70.0 to 75.0 % and average nucleotide identity values were in a range between 13.7 to 23.5 %. Based above the consensus of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses as well as whole genome comparisons, strain YIM 102600T (=KCTC 52099T=CCTCC AB 201632T) is proposed to represent type strain of a novel species, Flavobacterium macacae sp. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod shaped, non-motile, aerobic bacterium (strain JC507T) was isolated from a yeast (Candida tropicalis JY101). Strain JC507T was oxidase- and catalase-positive. Complete 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison data indicated that strain JC507T was a member of the genus Chryseobacterium and was closely related to Chryseobacterium indologenes NBRC 14944T (98.7 %), followed by Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae CC-VM-7T (98.6 %), Chryseobacterium gleum ATCC 35910T (98.5 %) and less than 98.5 % to other species of the genus Chryseobacterium .The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JC507T was 36.0 mol%. Strain JC507T had phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified amino lipids and four unidentified lipids. MK-6 was the only respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were anteiso-C11 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 03OH. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain JC507T and C. indologenes NBRC 14944T, C. arthrosphaerae CC-VM-7T and C. gleum ATCC 35910T were 80.2, 83.0 and 87.0 % and 24, 26.7 and 32.7 %, respectively. The results of phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses support the inclusion of strain JC507T as a representative of a new species of the genus Chryseobacterium , for which the name Chryseobacterium candidae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC507T (=KCTC 52928T=MCC 4072T=NBRC 113872T).

An aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative marine bacterium, designated as HME9304T, was isolated from surface seawater of the Yellow Sea. Growth was observed at 10–35 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6–8 (pH 7) and with 1–5 % NaCl (2 %). The major fatty acids of strain HME9304T were iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, one unidentified glycolipid and five unidentified polar lipids. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain HME9304T was affiliated with the genus Flagellimonas . Its closest type strains were Flagellimonas aquimarina ECD12T (95.5 % sequence similarity), Flagellimonas flava A11T (95.4 %), Flagellimonas pacifica SW169T (94.9 %) and Flagellimonas eckloniae DOKDO 007T (94.6 %). The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 38.1 mol%. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics suggested that strain HME9304T represents a novel species of the genus Flagellimonas within the family Flavobacteriaceae , for which the name  Flagellimonas maritima sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HME9304T (=KCTC 32464T=KACC 17618T=CECT 8418T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive, red-pigmented bacterium, strain N3T, was isolated from Fuxian lake, a freshwater lake in Yunnan Province, PR China. Strain N3T was facultatively anaerobic, heterotrophic and negative for catalase. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C (range 4–45 °C), pH 7.0–8.0 (range 6.5–9.5) and in the presence of 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl (range 0–3 %). The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that strain N3T was close to the type strains of Algoriphagus aquaeductus , Algoriphagus shivajiensis and Algoriphagus alkaliphilus with sequence similarities of 97.4, 97.3 and 97.2 % respectively. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 43.9 mol%. The quinone system contained menaquinone MK-7 as the sole component. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 9 (10-methyl C16 : 0 and/or iso-C17 : 1 ω9c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω 7c) and iso-C16 : 0. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. On the basis of physiological, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties as well as phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain N3T should be placed into the genus Algoriphagus as a novel species, for which the name Algoriphagus lacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N3T (=KCTC 62622T=MCCC 1H00308T).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated T58T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the coastal area of Weihai, PR China. Strain T58T was most closely related to Hyunsoonleella pacifica SW033T with 97.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, followed by Hyunsoonleella jejuensis KCTC 22242T (96.9 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain T58T represented a member of the genus Hyunsoonleella within the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes . Strain T58T was found to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2.0–3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acids were iso-C15  :  0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35.0 mol%. On the basis of its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain T58T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Hyunsoonleella , for which the name Hyunsoonleella flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T58T (=KCTC 72081T=MCCC 1H00359T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and ovoid- or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated HSMS-39T, was isolated from marine sand sampled at Hongsung, Republic of Korea. Strain HSMS-39T grew optimally at 30 °C and in the presence of 1.0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HSMS-39T fell within the clade comprising the type strains of Lewinella species, clustering with the type strain of Lewinella marina showing 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.1 %. It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of less than 95.5 % to the type strains of the other Lewinella species. Strain HSMS-39T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain HSMS-39T were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content of strain HSMS-39T was 60.0 mol%. The mean DNA–DNA relatedness value between strain HSMS-39T and the type strain of L. marina was 15 %. The average nucleotide identity value between strain HSMS-39Tand the type strain of L. marina was 81.87 %. The phylogenetic and genetic data and differential phenotypic properties indicated that strain HSMS-39T is separated from other recognized species of the genus Lewinella . On the basis of the polyphasic data, strain HSMS-39T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lewinella , for which the name Lewinella litorea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HSMS-39T (=KACC 19866T=NBRC 113585T).

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and facultatively anaerobic strain, designated CG51T, was isolated from marine sediment collected from a coastal area in Weihai, PR China. Strain CG51T grew at 4–37 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C), with 1.0–6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (2.0–3.0 %) and at pH 6.0–8.5 (pH 7.0–7.5). The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. Major polar lipids included an unidentified lipid and a phospholipid. The respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the genomic DNA G+C content was 35.9 mol%. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain CG51T in the genus Labilibacter with the close relatives being Labilibacter marinus Y11T and Labilibacter aurantiacus HQYD1T, exhibiting 96.5 and 96.3 % 16S rRNA pairwise similarity, values which are clearly below the 98.7 % threshold value recommended for species demarcation. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, chemotaxonomic and genetic data, strain CG51T represents a novel species within the genus Labilibacter , for which the name Labilibacter sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CG51T (=MCCC 1K03739T=JCM 33138T).

Two Gram-stain-negative, moderately halophilic bacteria, designated strains ECH52T and KHM46, were isolated from the sediment of a grey saltern located in Sinui island at Shinan, Korea. The isolates were aerobic, non-motile, short rods and grew at 15–45 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and with 3–25 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 10 % NaCl). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains ECH52T and KHM46 belonged to the genus Aliifodinibius in the family Balneolaceae with sequence similarities of 94.3–98.6 % and showed the highest sequence similarity to Aliifodinibius halophilus 2W32T (98.6 %), A. sediminis YIM J21T (94.7%), A. salicampi KHM44T (94.6 %) and A. roseus YIM D15T (94.3 %). The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain ECH52T was 40.8 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C15 : 0, and C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH. The major polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified glycolipids and four unidentified lipids. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strains ECH52T and KHM46 are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aliifodinibius , for which the name Aliifodinibius saliphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ECH52T (=KACC 19126T=NBRC 112664T).

Three groups of Gram-stain-negative, obligately anaerobic, rod or coccoid-shaped bacteria, which were phylogenetically assigned in the genus Alistipes belonging to the family Rikenellaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes , were isolated from the faecal samples of healthy Japanese humans. Group I (strains 5CBH24T and 6CPBBH3) showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to ‘ Alistipes obesi ’ ph8T (99.73 %). Group II (strain 5CPEGH6T) was related to Alistipes shahii WAL 8301T (96.82 %). Ten strains of group III (3BBH6T, 5CPYCFAH4, 5NYCFAH2 and others) were related to Alistipes onderdonkii DSM 19147T (98.96 %). Group I could be differentiated from other strains by the ability to hydrolyse aesculin and the lack of catalase activity. Strain 5CPEGH6T could be differentiated from A. shahii JCM 16773T by the inability to hydrolyse aesculin and the lack of catalase activity, and so on. Phenotypic characteristics of group III were similar to those of A. onderdonkii JCM 16771T. Strains 5CBH24T, 6CPBBH3 and ‘ A. obesi ’ ph8T shared 98.8–98.9 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) with each other. In addition, the in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) values among three strains were 86.7–89.4 %. Strain 5CPEGH6T showed relatively low values (≤ 84.4 % for ANI ; ≤26.2 % for DDH) with other strains. Three strains in the group III (3BBH6T, 5CPYCFAH4 and 5NYCFAH2) shared 97.9–99.9% ANI with each other. These three strains showed 96.9–97.3 % ANI with A. onderdonkii DSM 19147T. The DDH values of strains 3BBH6T, 5CPYCFAH4 and 5NYCFAH2 among themselves were 80.5–99.8 %, while those compared to A. onderdonkii DSM 19147T were 71.0–73.4 %. On the basis of the collected data, three novel species, Alistipes communis sp. nov. (5CBH24T=JCM 32850T=DSM 108979T), Alistipes dispar sp. nov. (5CPEGH6T=JCM 32848T=DSM 108978T) and Alistipes onderdonkii subsp. vulgaris subsp. nov. (3BBH6T=JCM 32839T=DSM 108977T), are proposed.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, reddish-orange-coloured, gliding bacterial strain, designated L12M1T, was isolated from the gut of the Korean scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain L12M1T formed a monophyletic clade with the strains in the genus Flammeovirga and showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Flammeovirga kamogawensis YS10T (98.66 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain L12M1T were iso-C15 : 0 and C20 : 4ω6,9,12,15c. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major polyamines were spermidine, cadaverine and the minor polyamine was putrescine. The DNA G+C content was 32.1 mol%. The phylogenetic, phenotypic, biochemical, chemotaxonomic and genotypic results indicated that strain L12M1T represents a novel species of the genus Flammeovirga , for which the name Flammeovirga pectinis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is L12M1T (=KCTC 62750T=JCM 33169T).

Four strains of bacteria designated as AR-3-6T, AT-3–1, AR-3-8T and AR-3–15 were isolated from Arctic soil. Cells were aerobic, Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and yellow-pigmented. Flexirubin-type pigments were present in all strains. All strains tolerated 2 % of NaCl and were psychrotolerant. A phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that these strains formed a lineage within the family Cytophagaceae that were distinct from various members of the genus Dyadobacter . The closest member of strain AR-3-6T was D. koreensis DSM 19938T (97.2 % sequence similarity) and AR-3-8T was D. hamtensis HHS 11T (97.9 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was menaqinone-7. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G+C content of strains ranges from 40.1 to 42.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, both strains AR-3-6T and AR-3-8T represent a novel member in the genus Dyadobacter , for which the name Dyadobacter psychrotolerans sp. nov. and Dyadobacter frigoris sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. The type strain of Dyadobacter psychrotolerans is AR-3-6T (=KEMB 9005–743T=KACC 21172T=NBRC 113790T) and type strain of Dyadobacter frigoris is AR-3-8T (=KEMB 9005–744T= KACC 21173T=NBRC 113791T).

Strains HY041T and HY039 were oxidase- and Gram-stain-negative, catalase-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, and facultatively anaerobic bacteria. They were isolated from the feces of bats of the Hipposideros and Taphozous spp. collected from Chongqing City and Guangxi province (PR China), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and 463 core genes indicated that HY041T and HY039 represent members of the genus Apibacter , forming a clade with Apibacter adventoris wkB301T (95.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Apibacter mensalis R-53146T (94.0 %). In silico DNA–DNA hybridization (isDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of our isolates with the most closely related species were lower than the 70 % and 95–96 % threshold, respectively, in contrast to values above these two thresholds (isDDH value: 89.1 %; ANI value: 98.5 %) between strains HY041T and HY039. The novel isolates could grow on nutrient and MacConkey agar. HY041T and HY039 could produce β-galactosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and utilize d-adonitol, d-mannose, gentiobiose, glucose and salicin. The major fatty acids (>10.0 %) of HY041T were iso-C17 : 0 3OH, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, summed feature 9 (C16 : 0 10-methyl and/or iso-C17 : 1ω9c) and C16 : 0 3OH. Polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipid, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone. On the basis of all analyses so far, strains HY041T and HY039 represent a novel species of the genus Apibacter , for which the name Apibacter raozihei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HY041T (=CGMCC 1.16567T=JCM 33423T) with a genomic DNA G+C content of 32.2 mol%.

A golden-pigmented, Gram-strain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated and non-gliding bacterium, designated strain lm2T, was isolated from activated sludge obtained from a wastewater treatment plant in Binzhou (Shandong province, PR China). Growth occurred at 15–45°C (optimum, 30 °C), in the presence of 0–5.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0–2.0 %) and at pH 6.5–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–7.5). The chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genomic traits were investigated. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain lm2T belonged to the genus Chryseobacterium , with highest sequence similarity to Chryseobacterium echinoideorum CC-CZW010T (97.1 %). Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 3 611 894 bp and a G+C content of 34.9 mol%. The average nucleotide identity value and the digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) value between strain lm2T and C. echinoideorum JCM 30470T were 87.8 and 34.7 %, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was Menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and its polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), unidentified lipids (L1–5) and unidentified aminolipids (AL1–4). On the basis of these data, strain lm2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium , for which the name Chryseobacterium binzhouense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is lm2T (=KCTC 72529T=CCTCC AB2019126T).

A Gram-stain-negative, pink-pigmented, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, aerobic bacterium, designated strain SM1701T, was isolated from a rotten seaweed collected off Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, West Antarctica. The strain grew at 4–30 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and with 0.5–5 % (w/v) NaCl. It hydrolysed gelatin and Tweens (40, 60 and 80), but did not reduce nitrates to nitrites. The major cellular fatty acids of strain SM1701T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1G, iso-C16 : 1G, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. Polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified glycolipids and one unidentified aminoglycolipid. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain SM1701T was 34.1 mol%. It showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Crocinitomix algicola (93.8 %) and Crocinitomix catalasitica (92.5 %) and less than 91 % sequence similarities to other known members in the family Crocinitomicaceae . Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SM1701T constituted a distinct lineage within the family Crocinitomicaceae . The phylogenetic trees based on concatenated 261 protein sequences from genome sequences showed that strain SM1701T occupied a branch separated from those of known genera in the family of Crocinitomicaceae , indicating it may belong to a new genus. On the basis of the polyphasic characterization of strain SM1701T in this study, it is considered to represent a novel species in a new genus in the family Crocinitomicaceae , for which the name Putridiphycobacter roseus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SM1701T (=KCTC 62302T=NBRC 113201T=CGMCC 1.16510T).

Two novel strains (HT111-2T and HT170-2) of the genus Lactobacillus were isolated from Marmota himalayana faecal samples collected on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, PR China. The isolates were Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacteria with irregular circular colonies. Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the two strains form a subcluster and are closest to Lactobacillus hamsteri JCM 6256T (97.3 %) and Lactobacillus amylolyticus DSM 11664T (97.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis of two housekeeping genes (rpoA and pheS) found that strains HT111-2T and HT170-2 had the same closest relatives as the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis did. The G+C content of strains HT111-2T and HT170-2 were 38.8 mol%. The values of in silico DNA–DNA hybridization with known Lactobacillus species were lower than the threshold (70%). Average nucleotide identity values of strain HT111-2T with L. hamsteri JCM 6256T and L. amylolyticus DSM 11664T were 77.84 % and 76.85 %, respectively. The major fatty acids of strains HT111-2T and HT170-2 were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and C18 : 0. Results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses suggest strains HT111-2T and HT170-2 represent a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus , for which the name Lactobacillus xujianguonis sp. nov. is proposed with HT111-2T (=CGMCC 1.13855T=KCTC 15803T) as the type strain.

Two Gram-stain-positive, motile, endospore-forming, aerobic strains, designated V44-8T and V47-23aT, were isolated from environmental air sampling at the vehicle assembly building at Cape Canaveral, Florida, where the Viking spacecraft were assembled. Growth was observed at pH 7–9 (optimum, pH 9) for strain V44-8T, and pH 5–10 (pH 9) for strain V47-23aT. Both strains displayed growth in 0–5 % NaCl with an optimum at 1 % for strain V44-8T; 0 % for strain V47-23aT. Strains V44-8T and V47-23aT grew optimally at 32 °C, (15–32 °C) and 25 °C (20–45 °C), respectively. The cell wall of both strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. Both strains contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Strain V47.23aT shared its highest 16S rRNA sequence similarity with Bacillus cavernae DSM-105484T at 96.9%, and V44.8T with Bacillus zeae DSM-103964T at 96.6 %. Based on their phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic position inferred from 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, the isolates were identified as being a members of the genus Bacillus that forms a separate clade when compared to close relatives. Average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values between strains V44-8T and DSM-103964T were 72.1% and 67.5 %; V47-23aT and DSM-105484T were 62.4% and 69.1%, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, genomic and biochemical data, strains V44-8T and V47-23aT represent two novel species in the genus Bacillus for which the names Bacillus glennii sp. nov. [type strain, V44-8T (=ATCC BAA-2860T =DSM 105192T)], and Bacillus saganii sp. nov. [V47-23aT (=ATCC BAA-2861T=DSM 105190T)] are proposed.

Novel ureaplasma strains have been isolated from the genital tract of both sexes of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris; six strains) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus; five strains) stranded along the Central California coast, USA. These strains were phenotypically and genetically characterized and compared to other seven known Ureaplasma species. All novel ureaplasma strains hydrolysed urea, but did not metabolize arginine, and all were isolated and propagated using PPLO medium supplemented with urea under aerobic, microaerophilic, and anaerobic atmospheric conditions at +35–37 °C. Transmission electron microscopy revealed typical mollicute cellular morphology. Molecular characterization included assessment of the following genetic loci: 16S rRNA, the 16S–23S ITS, 23S rRNA, rpoB, ftsH, tufB, rpoC, fusA and ureC. Complete 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of these novel Ureaplasma species indicated that they were most closely related to each other with nucleotide identity 99.87 % and ≤93.08 % related to other known Ureaplasma species. The results of nucleotide analysis of the sequenced housekeeping genes revealed 71.68–93.02 % similarity to corresponding genes of other known Ureaplasma species. The multi-locus genetic characterization and the phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA and rpoB genes of these Ureaplasma species clearly demonstrated their novelty and, reflecting their host specificites, the name Ureaplasma miroungigenitalium sp. nov. is proposed for the Ureaplasma species isolated from northern elephant seals, the type strain is ES2783-GENT (=DSM 24842T=ATCC BAA-2460T), and the name Ureaplasma zalophigenitalium sp. nov. is proposed for the Ureaplasma species isolated from California sea lions, the type strain is CSL7644-GENT (=DSM 24843T=ATCC BAA-2262T).