- Volume 70, Issue 5, 2020

Three presumptive Modestobacter strains isolated from a high altitude Atacama Desert soil were the subject of a polyphasic study. The isolates, strains 1G4T, 1G51 and 1G52, were found to have chemotaxonomic and morphological properties that were consistent with their assignment to the genus Modestobacter . They formed a well supported clade in Modestobacter 16S rRNA gene trees and were most closely related to the type strain of ‘Modestobacter excelsi’ (99.8–99.9% similarity). They were also closely related to the type strains of Modestobacter caceresii (99.6 % similarity), Modestobacter italicus (99.7–99.9% similarity), Modestobacter lacusdianchii (98.4–99.2% similarity), Modestobacter marinus (99.4–99.5% similarity) and Modestobacter roseus (99.3–99.5% similarity), but were distinguished from their closest relatives by a combination of phenotypic features. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA:DNA hybridization similarities drawn from comparisons of draft genome sequences of isolate 1G4T and its closest phylogenetic neighbours mentioned above, were well below the threshold used to assign closely related strains to the same species. The close relationship between isolate 1G4T and the type strain of M. excelsi was showed in a phylogenomic tree containing representative strains of family Geodermatophilaceae . The draft genome sequence of isolate 1G4T (size 5.18 Kb) was shown to be rich in stress related genes providing further evidence that the abundance of Modestobacter propagules in Atacama Desert habitats reflects their adaptation to the harsh environmental conditions prevalent in this biome. In light of all of these data it is proposed that the isolates be assigned to a novel species in the genus Modestobacter . The name proposed for this taxon is Modestobacter altitudinis sp. nov., with isolate 1G4T (=DSM 107534T=PCM 3003T) as the type strain.

The genus Natronolimnobius , currently including four species, is a member of the order Natrialbales , class Halobacteria, and consists of obligately alkaliphilic and extremely halophilic members found exclusively in highly alkaline hypersaline soda lakes. The species were classified into this genus mostly based on phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. However, a more advanced phylogenomic reconstruction based on 122 conserved single-copy archaeal protein markers clearly indicates a polyphyletic origin of the species included into this genus, thus warranting its reclassification into three separate genera. We therefore propose to transfer Nlb. innermongolicus (type strain N-1311) to a new genus Natronolimnohabitans as Nlh. innermongolicus comb. nov. and to transfer Nlb. aegyptiacus (type strain JW/NM-HA 15) and Nlb. sulfurireducens (type strain AArc1) to a new genus Natrarchaeobaculum as Nbl. aegyptiacum comb. nov. and Nbl. sulfurireducens comb. nov. The phylogenomic differentiation of these four species is also supported by the ANI/AAI distances and unique phenotypes. The most important physiological differences includes a previously unreported ability for cellulose and xylan utilization in Nlb. baerhuensis, thermophily in Nbl. aegyptiacus and anaerobic sulfur respiration in Nbl. sulfurireducens. We further present an emended description of Natronolimnobius baerhuensis .

Three bacterial strains, C9, H5 and TLL-A3, were isolated from fecal pellets of conventionally raised C57BL/6J mice. Analysis of 16S rRNA genes indicated that the strains belonged to the Muribaculaceae , and shared 91.6–99.9 % sequence identity with the recently described Duncaniella muris DSM 103720T. Genome-sequencing of the isolates was performed to compare average nucleotide identities (ANI) between strains. The ANI analysis revealed that all isolates shared highest ANI with D. muris DSM 103720T, with strain C9 being most similar (ANI: 98.0 %) followed by strains H5 (ANI: 76.4 %) and TLL-A3 (ANI: 74.4 %). Likewise, digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) indicated high similarity of strain C9 (dDDH: 86.6 %) to D. muris DSM 103720T, but strains H5 and TLL-A3 showed lower similarity (dDDH <35 %) to either of the three type species of the Muribaculaceae ( Muribaculum intestinale DSM 28989T , Paramuribaculum intestinale DSM 100749T, D. muris DSM 103720T). MK-10 and MK-11 were abundant in all three isolates, but concentrations varied between species. Based on genotypic, phylogenetic and phenotypic differences, the strains TLL-A3 and H5 are considered to represent novel species of the genus Duncaniella , for which the names Duncaniella freteri sp. nov., and Duncaniella dubosii sp. nov., are proposed. The respective type strains are TLL-A3T (=DSM 108168T=KCTC 15769T), and H5T (=DSM 107170T=KCTC 15734T). Strain C9 reveals limited sequence dissimilarity and minor differences in morphological properties with Duncaniella muris DSM 103720T and is therefore proposed to belong to the same species. The respective strain is C9 (=DSM 107165=KCTC 15733).

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile by gliding bacterium was isolated from the estuarine sediment of the Pearl River in PR China and designated as strain q18T. Colonies were circular, smooth and yellow on marine agar after 48 h cultivation. Salinity, temperature and pH for optimal growth were 5 % (NaCl), 30 °C and 7, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain q18T showed the highest similarity of 97.3 % to the type strain of Aequorivita echinoideorum CC-CZW007T. 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain q18T grouped into the genus Aequorivita in the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes , and was distinct from all known species in the genus. Menaquinone (MK-6) was the main respiratory quinone detected in strain q18T. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipids of strain q18T mainly comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified polar lipid. The G+C content of the genome was ~42.8 mol%. The draft genome size of strain q18T was 3.3 Mbp. The average nucleotide identity values were around 79.0 % between strain q18T and reference Aequorivita strains. Based on the polyphasic analysis, strain q18T was confirmed to represent a novel species of the genus Aequorivita , for which the name Aequorivita lutea sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is q18T (=CICC 24821T=KCTC 72764 T). Further, based on the results of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses, two species previously classified into the genus Vitellibacter , Vitellibacter todarodis Kim et al. 2018 and Vitellibacter aquimaris Thevarajoo et al. 2016, are transferred to the genus Aequorivita as Aequorivita todarodis comb. nov. and Aequorivita aquimaris comb. nov. respectively.

A bacterial strain designated CAR-16T was isolated from a freshwater lake in Taiwan and characterized using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by gliding, rod-shaped and formed rose-colored colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7 and with 0 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that CAR-16T represented a member of the family Cytophagaceae and formed a phylogenetic lineage in the genus Aquirufa . CAR-16T was most closely related to Aquirufa nivalisilvae 59G-WUEMPELT with a 99.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. CAR-16T showed 71.2–79.5 % average nucleotide identity and 17.8–21.7 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other species of the genus Aquirufa . The major fatty acids of strain CAR-16T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1ω5c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine and several uncharacterized aminophospholipids, phospholipids and lipids. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The genomic DNA G+C content of CAR-16T was 38.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, CAR-16T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Aquirufa , for which the name Aquirufa rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAR-16T (=BCRC 81153T=LMG 30923T=KCTC 62869T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-gliding, yellow-pigmented and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 1KV19T, was isolated from a surface sediment sample collected near a bay in the Arctic. Growth of strain 1KV19T occurred in 1–4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2 %), at 4–35 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C) and at pH 6.5–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–7.5). The phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 1KV19T was associated with the genus Lutibacter and had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Lutibacter oceani 325-5T with 98.1 % similarity. Similarity values between strain 1KV19T and the type strains of other Lutibacter species were in the range 95.9–97.6 %. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain 1KV19T and related species of the genus Lutibacter were 76.4–79.1 and 19.9–22.3 %, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids of strain 1KV19T were iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 1 H. The respiratory quinone was MK-6. The major polar lipids of strain 1KV19T were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified polar lipids. The phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic differences between strain 1KV19T and its phylogenetic relatives indicate that strain 1KV19T should be regarded as representing a novel species in the genus Lutibacter , for which the name Lutibacter citreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1KV19T (=KCTC 62595T=MCCC 1H00307T).

The Gram-strain-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile bacterial strain, designated S1-10T, was isolated from marine sediment. Strain S1-10T grew at 4–42 °C (optimally at 30–35 °C), at pH 7.0–10 (optimally at pH 9) and in the presence of 0.5–8 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S1-10T was related to the genus Aequorivita and had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Aequorivita viscosa 8-1bT (97.7%). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S1-10T was 34.6 mol%. The polar lipid profile of strain S1-10T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminolipids, two glycolipids, one phosphoglycolipid and three unidentified polar lipids. In addition, the maximum values of in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (isDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) between strain S1-10T and A. viscosa CGMCC 1.11023T were 15.4 and 75.7 %, respectively. Combined data from phenotypic, phylogenetic, isDDH and ANI analyses demonstrated that strain S1-10T is the representative of a novel species of the genus Aequorivita , for which we propose the name Aequorivita sinensis sp. nov. (type strain S1-10T=CGMCC 1.12579T=JCM 19789T). We also propose that Vitellibacter todarodis and Vitellibacter aquimaris should be transferred into genus Aequorivita and be named Aequorivita todarodis comb. nov. and Aequorivita aquimaris comb. nov., respectively. The type strain of Aequorivita todarodis comb. nov. is MYP2-2T (= KCTC 62141T= NBRC 113025T) and the type strain of Aequorivita aquimaris comb. nov. is D-24T (=KCTC 42708T=DSM 101732T).

Four strains, KC07070T, KC07105, 11 025B-8C and 11 026B-8-C, were isolated from the oral cavity of cats in 2007 or 2011 in Japan. These strains were Gram-stain-negative rods, exhibited gliding motility, grew in air with 5 % CO2 and showed catalase and oxidase activity. The sequences of 16S rRNA genes of the four strains were 100 % identical. Additionally, the sequences of 16S rRNA genes of KC07070T had identity to those of the type strains of Capnocytophaga canimorsus (97.7 %), Capnocytophaga cynodegmi (97.8 %) and Capnocytophaga canis (97.4 %) and 91.2–93.8% identity to those of other species of the genus Capnocytophaga . The major cellular fatty acids of KC07070T were iso-C15 : 0 (56.2 %) and summed feature 11 (14.9 %). The G+C content of the DNA from KC07070T was 35.6 mol%, and the genome size was 2.88 Mbp. KC07070T had digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values of 26.2–27.6% and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of 75.4–83.3 % to the type strains of the closest relatives, C. canimorsus , C. cynodegmi and C. canis . These results of phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, cellular fatty acids compositions and dDDH and ANI values indicate that strain KC07070T represents a novel species, for which we propose the name Capnocytophaga felis sp. nov., with type strain KC07070T (=JCM 32681T=DSM 107251T).

A novel rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain RZ05T, was isolated from a sand sample collected from the intertidal zone of the Yellow Sea, PR China. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain RZ05T clusters within the genus Maribacter , a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae , and has the highest sequence similarity to Maribacter polysiphoniae KCTC 22021T (97.8 %), followed by Maribacter arenosus KCTC 52191T (97.2 %). Cells of this strain were observed to be aerobic, oxidase- and catalase-positive, motile by gliding and formed yellow colonies. Growth occurred at 7–40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.5–9.5 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0.5–6 % (optimum, 2 %) NaCl. Its polar lipid profile included phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminolipid and four unidentified lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 9 (10-methyl C16 : 0/iso-C17 : 1  ω9c) and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH/C16 : 1  ω7c/C16 : 1  ω6c). The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The genome of strain RZ05T was 4.65 Mbp with a G+C content of 38.9 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain RZ05T and its most closely related type strain M. polysiphoniae KCTC 22021T were 80.3 and 26.3  %, respectively. The results of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses indicated that strain RZ05T represents a novel species of the genus Maribacter , for which the name Maribacter luteus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RZ05T (=KCTC 62834T=MCCC 1K03617T).

Four Gram-stain-positive strains, R7T, R11, R19T and R27, were isolated from suan-tsai, a traditional fermented mustard green product of Taiwan. Cells were rod-shaped, non-motile, non-haemolytic, asporogenous, facultatively anaerobic, heterofermentative, and did not exhibit catalase and oxidase activities. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA, pheS and rpoA gene sequences demonstrated that these novel strains were members of the genus Lactobacillus . 16S rRNA and the concatenated pheS and rpoA gene sequence similarities between strains R7T and R11, and strains R19T and R27 were very high (>99.8 % similarity), respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, the type strains of Lactobacillus paralimentarius (98.5 %), Lactobacillus kimchii (98.5 %), Lactobacillus alimentarius (98.1 %) and Lactobacillus bobalius (98.1 %) were the closest neighbours to strains R7T and R11, and the type strains of Lactobacillus brevis (98.9 %), Lactobacillus cerevisiae (98.4 %), Lactobacillus hammesii (98.4 %), Lactobacillus koreensis (98.4 %) and Lactobacillus yonginensis (98.0 %) were the closest neighbours to strains R19T and R27, respectively. The average nucleotide identity values of R7T and R19T with the closely related type strains were 78.9–80.1% and 75.7–80.5 %, respectively. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization values were 22.8–23.6% and 21.0–23.1 %, respectively. Phenotypic and genotypic test results demonstrated that these strains represent two novel species of the genus Lactobacillus , for which the name Lactobacillus suantsaicola sp. nov. (R7T=BCRC 81127T=NBRC 113530T) and Lactobacillus suantsaiihabitans sp. nov. (R19T=BCRC 81129T=NBRC 113532T) are proposed.

A novel, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, obligately anaerobic bacterium, designated strain ZHW00191T, was isolated from human faeces and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Growth occurred at 25–45 °C (optimum, 37–42 °C), at pH 5.5–10.0 (optimum, pH 6.5–7.0) and with 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The end products of glucose fermentation were acetic acid, isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid and a small amount of propionic acid. The dominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) of strain ZHW00191T were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9с and C18 : 2ω6,9с. Its polar lipid profile comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids and ten unidentified glycolipids. Respiratory quinones were not detected. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid, and the whole-cell sugars were ribose and glucose. The genomic DNA G+C content was 32.8 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that ZHW00191T was most closely related to Clostridium hiranonis TO-931T (95.3 % similarity). Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) analyses with closely related reference strains indicated that reassociation values were both well below the thresholds of 95–96% and 70 % for species delineation, respectively. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genetic studies, a novel genus, Peptacetobacter gen. nov., is proposed. The novel isolate ZHW00191T (=JCM 33482T=GDMCC 1.1530T) is proposed as the type strain of the type species Peptacetobacter hominis gen. nov., sp. nov. of the proposed new genus. Furthermore, it is proposed that Clostridium hiranonis be transferred to this novel genus, as Peptacetobacter hiranonis comb. nov.

A novel Gram-positive, catalase negative, rod-shaped strain, FI11369T, was isolated from gari, a traditional West African fermented food derived from cassava. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the closest type strains were Lactobacillus xiangfangensis LMG 26013T (99.4 % similarity), Lactobacillus plajomi NBRC 107333T (99.1 %), Lactobacillus paraplantarum DSM 10667T (99.1 %), Lactobacillus pentosus DSM 20314T (99.0 %), Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum ATCC 14917T (99.0 %), Lactobacillus modestisalitolerans NBRC 107235T (98.9 %), Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. argentoratensis DSM 16365T (98.9 %) and Lactobacillus daowaiensis NCIMB 15183T (98.8 %). The genome of strain FI11369T was sequenced and the average nucleotide identity (ANI) was compared with its closest relatives. ANI analysis showed that the closest relative, L. xiangfangensis DSM 27103T, had only a 82.4 % similarity. The main fatty acids of FI11369T were saturated C16 : 0 (18.2 %), unsaturated C18 : 1  ω9c (43.8 %) and cyclopropane C19 : 0 cyclo (ω10c and/or ω6; 22.5 %). Based on the genotypic and phenotypic data obtained in this study, a novel Lactobacillus species, Lactobacillus garii sp. nov., with the type strain FI11369T (=NCIMB 15148=DSM 108249), is proposed.

Two Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, catalase-negative bacteria, designated strains SG162T and NK01, were isolated from Japanese rice grain silage and total mixed ration silage, respectively. They were initially identified as Lactobacillus buchneri based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. However, the two strains were separated into a distinct clade from L. buchneri DSM 20057T (=JCM 1115T) through whole-genome sequence-based characterization, forming an infraspecific subgroup together with strains CD034 and S42, whose genomic sequences were available in the public sequence database. Strains within the subgroup shared 99.4–99.7 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) and 97.5–99.0 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) with each other, albeit 96.9–97.0 % ANI and 76.0–76.6 % dDDH against DSM 20057T. Strains SG162T and NK01 could utilize more substrates as sole carbon sources than DSM 20057T, potentially owing to the abundance of genes involved in carbon metabolism, especially the Entner–Doudoroff pathway. The inability of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production was evidenced by the lack of glutamate decarboxylase and glutamate/GABA antiporter genes in the new subgroup strains. Strain SG162T grew at 10–45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 3.5–8.0, and 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl. Its genomic DNA G+C content was 44.1 mol%. The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, and summed feature 8. On the basis of the polyphasic characterization findings, strains SG162T and NK01 represent a novel subspecies of L. buchneri , for which the name Lactobacillus buchneri subsp. silagei subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SG162T (=JCM 32599T=DSM 107969T), and strains CD034 and S42 are also transferred to L. buchneri subsp. silagei.

Lactobacillus kosoi Chiou et al. 2018 and Lactobacillus micheneri McFrederick et al. 2018 are closely related, and they share 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 99.6 % pheS gene sequence similarity, 100 % rpoA gene sequence similarity, 97.3 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) value and 76.6 % in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (isDDH) value, indicating that they represent the same species. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) analysis and phenotypic characterization also indicated that L. kosoi and L. micheneri are very similar. We propose L. kosoi Chiou et al. 2018 as a later heterotypic synonym of L. micheneri McFrederick et al. 2018. The taxonomic position of Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. argentoratensis in the L. plantarum group was re-examined using a polyphasic approach, including sequence analyses of 16S rRNA, pheS, rpoA and recA genes, average nucleotide identity analysis, in silico DNA–DNA hybridization, fatty acid methyl ester analysis and phenotypic characterization. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis was closely related to L. plantarum subsp. plantarum , L. pentosus and L. paraplantarum in the L. plantarum group, sharing 99.6–99.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Results of pheS, rpoA and recA gene sequence analyses indicated that L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis was most closely related to L. plantarum subsp. plantarum , having 91.8 % pheS gene sequence similarity, 98.9 % rpoA gene sequence similarity and 93.1 % recA gene sequence similarity. L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis DSM 16365T shared 95.6 % ANI value and 62.9 % isDDH value with L. plantarum subsp. plantarum ATCC 14917T. The low isDDH value confirmed that L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis and L. plantarum subsp. plantarum represent two different species, rather than two different subspecies in the L. plantarum group. On the basis of the data from polyphasic characterization obtained in the present study and in previous studies, L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis is elevated to the species level and represents a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus , for which the name Lactobacillus argentoratensis sp. nov. is proposed and the type strain is DKO 22T (=CIP 108320T=DSM 16365T=JCM 16169T). Two novel Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains, designated 1206-1T and F027-1-2, were isolated from traditional pickle in Heilongjiang Province, PR China, and from the intestinal tract of a honey bee (Apis mellifera) in Hubei Province, PR China, respectively. The two bacteria were characterized by a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, pheS gene sequence analysis, rpoA gene sequence analysis, fatty acid methyl ester analysis, average nucleotide identity analysis, in silico DNA–DNA hybridization analysis and an analysis of phenotypic features. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains 1206-1T and F027-1-2 were distantly related to Lactobacillus sharpeae , Lactobacillus hulanensis , Lactobacillus songhuajiangensis , Lactobacillus pantheris , Lactobacillus thailandensis , Lactobacillus camelliae , Lactobacillus jixianensis , Lactobacillus nasuensis , Lactobacillus baoqingensis , Lactobacillus manihotivorans and Lactobacillus porcinae . Strain 1206-1T exhibited 94.2–96.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, 69.5–83.3 % pheS gene sequence similarities and 73.1–90.3 % rpoA gene sequence similarities to type strains of phylogenetically related species. ANI and isDDH values between strain 1206-1T and the type strains of phylogenetically related species were 52.7–73.7 % and 21.1–30.1 %, respectively. On the basis of the data obtained in the present study, a novel species, Lactobacillus zhaodongensis sp. nov. is proposed and the type strain is 1206-1T (=CCM 8981T=CCTCC AB 2019200T=LMG 31620T).

Paenibacillus is one of the genera that has high species diversity and Paenibacillus polymyxa , the type species of the genus, is mainly isolated from plant-associated environments. Among the plant-associated species, Paenibacillus jamilae B.3T (=CECT 5266T=DSM 13815T=KACC 10925T=KCTC 13919T) was proposed to be a novel species according to 16S rRNA gene similarity and DNA–DNA relatedness with related species, including Paenibacillus polymyxa . Nevertheless, in the description of Paenibacillus jamilae the used strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa was not the type strain of this species. In this work we found that the type strains of both species showed 16S rRNA gene similarity of 99.6 %. Therefore, in this study, we sequenced the genome of Paenibacillus jamilae KACC 10925T and compared it with those of the type strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa ATCC 842T and other phylogenetically related species. Genome relatedness value calculated by DNA–DNA hybridization between type strains of Paenibacillus polymyxa and Paenibacillus jamilae was 73.5 %, which is higher than the threshold value (70 %). For more objective and repeatable results of genome relatedness, we analysed an average nucleotide identity (ANI) between two strains. Our results showed that ANI value between the type strains of Paenibacillus jamilae and Paenibacillus polymyxa is 98.5 %, a phylogenetic distance also higher than the threshold values (95~96 %). These values were proposed by Yoon et al. (2017). In addition, their phylogenetic distance based on 92 bacterial core genes is highly close compared to other species. These mean that Paenibacillus jamilae and Paenibacillus polymyxa should be reclassified as a single species. Based on the results from genomic level comparison as well as reexamination results of physiological and chemotaxonomic features, we propose reclassification of Paenibacillus jamilae as a later heterotypic synonym of Paenibacillus polymyxa .

A novel, Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain H21T32T, was isolated from the faeces of an Oriental stork, Ciconia boyciana. Cells formed cocci grouped in pairs, tetrads or conglomerates, and colonies on solid medium were pale yellow. Strain H21T32T belonged to the genus Jeotgalibaca , family Carnobacteriaceae , order Lactobacillales and class Bacilli . The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strain showed 97.06–97.34, 96.17–96.31 and 95.93–96.07 % similarity to the type strains of Jeotgalibaca arthritidis , J. porci and J. dankookensis , respectively. The strain grew at 10–37 °C (optimum temperature: 30 °C), with 0–7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum salinity: 0.5 %) and at pH 7–9 (optimum pH: 8). The main cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1 ω9c, C18 : 1 ω9c and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Respiratory quinones were not detected. Sugar components of the peptidoglycan were rhamnose, ribose and glucose. Amino acid components of the cell wall were l-alanine, d-glucose, l-lysine, glycine and aspartic acid. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 37.1 mol%. Average nucleotide identity between strain H21T32T and J. arthritidis CECT 9157T was 77.02 %, confirming that strain H21T32T represents a novel species of the genus Jeotgalibaca , for which the name Jeotgalibaca ciconiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H21T32T (=KCTC 33991T=JCM 33222T).

A Gram-stain-positive, motile, rod-shaped and endospore-forming strain, SYSU K30002T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-west China. SYSU K30002T grew at 28–40 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum in the absence of NaCl). The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (Lys–Asp). The cell-wall sugars of SYSU K30002T were ribose, galactose and mannose, and MK-7 was the menaquinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c alcohol and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.1 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSU K30002T and its closest relatives were below the cut-off level (95–96 %) for species delineation. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genome comparisons, strain SYSU K30002T represents a novel species of the genus Lysinibacillus , for which the name Lysinibacillusantri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K30002T (=KCTC 33955T=CGMCC 1.13504T).

A novel obligately anaerobic, thermophilic and formate-utilizing bacterium K32T was isolated from Shengli oilfield of China. Cells were straight rods (0.4–0.8 µm × 2.5–8.0 µm), Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming and slightly motile. Optimum growth occurred with pH of 7 and 0.5 g l–1 NaCl under temperature of 55–60 °C. Nitrate could be reduced into nitrite, syntrophic formate oxidation to methane and carbon dioxide occurred when co-culturing strain K32T and Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus ΔH. The main cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (24.0 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (21.7 %), C16 : 0 (12.7 %) and C14 : 0 (10.8 %), and the main polar lipid was phosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 46.3 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of K32T shared ≤90.4 % of sequence similarity to closest type strains of Desulfitibacter alkalitolerans , Calderihabitans maritimus and members of the genus Moorella . Based on the phenotypic, biochemical and genotypic characterization, Zhaonella formicivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed with K32T (=CCAM 584T =DSM 107278T=CGMCC1.5297T) as the type strain, which is the first representative of Zhaonellaceae fam. nov. In addition, the order Thermoanaerobacterales and family Peptococcaceae were reclassified, and three novel families in the novel order of Moorellales ord. nov. were also proposed.

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as 3 H-10T, was isolated from a yellow water sample collected from the manufacturing process of strong flavor Chinese baijiu in Yibin region of Sichuan province (PR China). Oval endospores were formed at the subtermini of cells with swollen sporangia. The isolate was able to grow at temperatures of 20–45 °C (optimum growth at 37 °C), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum growth at pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum growth with 0 % NaCl). Ribose was the major cell-wall sugar, and meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP) was the diagnostic amino acid. The main polar lipids of 3 H-10T included diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). MK-7 was predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0 (60.7 %) was the major fatty acid. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that 3 H-10T was most closely related to Bacillus mesophilus SA4T (96.30 %), Bacillus ginsengihumi Gsoil 114T (96.27 %) and Bacillus shackletonii LMG 18435T (96.27 %). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain 3 H-10T and the three type strains mentioned above were 69.56, 70.19 and 70.67 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 35.4 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain 3 H-10T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which the name Bacillus aquiflavi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Bacillus aquiflavi 3 H-10T (=CICC 24755T=JCM 33703T).