<Emphasis Type="Italic">Marinobacter zhanjiangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from sea water of a tidal flat of the South China Sea

A novel Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-sporulating, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078120^T, was isolated from sea water collected from a tidal flat of Naozhou Island, South China Sea. Growth occurred with 1–15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 2–4%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and at 4–35°C (optimum, 25–30°C). The major cellular fatty acids were C_18:1 ω9c, C_16:0, C_12:0 3-OH and C_16:1 ω7c. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-9, and the genomic DNA G + C content was 60.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 078120^T should be assigned to the genus Marinobacter, being related most closely to the type strains of Marinobacter segnicrescens (sequence similarity 98.2%), Marinobacter bryozoorum (97.9%) and Marinobacter gudaonensis (97.6%). The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Marinobacter species ranged from 96.7 (with Marinobacter salsuginis) to 93.3% (with Marinobacter litoralis). The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 078120^T and the type strains of M. segnicrescens, M. bryozoorum and M. gudaonensis were 25.3, 20.6 and 18.8%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078120^T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter zhanjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078120^T (= CCTCC AB 208029^T = DSM 21077^T = KCTC 22280^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 078120^T is FJ425903.     

Bacillus locisalis sp. nov., a new haloalkaliphilic species from hypersaline and alkaline lakes of China, Kenya and Tanzania

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on seven Bacillus-like bacteria isolated from three hypersaline and alkaline lakes located in China, Kenya and Tanzania. All strains were moderately halophilic and alkaliphilic, Gram positive, motile rods. The DNA G+C content from the seven isolates ranged from 42.2 to 43.4 mol% and their major fatty acid was anteiso-C_15:0. Strain CG1^T, selected as representative strain of the isolates, possesses meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan, MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolates belonged to the genus Bacillus. The seven isolates shared 97.7–99.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, and formed a branch that was distinct from the type strains of the recognized species of the genus Bacillus. They were most closely related to Bacillus agaradhaerens DSM 8721^T (92.6–93.8% 16S rRNA sequence similarity). DNA–DNA hybridization values between the seven isolates were 85–100%. According to the polyphasic characterization, the strains represent a novel species, for which the name Bacillus locisalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CG1^T (CCM 7370^T = CECT 7152^T = CGMCC 1.6286^T = DSM 18085^T).     

Phylogenetic analysis and screening of antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from the Weihai Solar Saltern (China)

A total of 45 moderately halophilic bacteria was isolated from sediment and saline water collected from the Weihai Solar Saltern (China). The phylogenetic position of all the isolated strains was determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. The halophilic strains were tested for their antimicrobial activity. Cytotoxicity assay was performed to determine which of the halophilic strains could inhibit proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel 7402 cells. Our results showed that all of the isolated 45 strains displayed moderately halophilic characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that 17 of the isolated strains were related to the phylum Firmicutes and belonged to four genera, Bacillus, Halobacillus, Planococcus and Salinicoccus. The other strains identified as genus of Halomonas belonged to phylum γ-Proteobacteria. Most of the halophilic bacterial strains showed potent activities against Gram-positive bacteria, human pathogenic fungi and plant pathogenic fungi. In addition, the crude extracts from 14 halophilic bacterial strains showed cytotoxic activity against tumor cells Bel 7402, and five of them showed remarkable activities with IC₅₀ less than 40 μg ml⁻¹. Our results suggest that the moderately halophilic bacteria may be developed as promising sources for the discovery of novel bioactive substances.     

Marinobacter nanhaiticus sp. nov., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium isolated from the sediment of the South China Sea

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, slightly halophilic and facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain D15-8W^T, was isolated from the sediment of the South China Sea. Growth was found to occur optimally at 25 °C, between pH 7.0 and 8.0 and with 1–5 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain was observed to utilize a variety of organic substrates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as sole carbon sources. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 58.7 %. The predominant respiratory quinone was found to be Q-9. The significant fatty acids were determined to be C_16:0, C_16:1 ω9c, C_18:1 ω9c, C_12:0 and C_14:0 3OH. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain D15-8W^T fits within the phylogenetic cluster of the genus Marinobacter and is most closely related to Marinobacter segnicrescens CGMCC 1.6489^T, Marinobacter bryozoorum DSM 15401^T, Marinobacter lacisalsi CECT 7297^T and Marinobacter daqiaonensis CGMCC1.9167^T. The DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain D15-8W^T and the type strains of the most closely related species were 42.3 % (CGMCC 1.6489^T), 39.8 % (DSM 15401^T), 37.3 % (CECT 7297^T) and 35.2 % (CGMCC1.9167^T). The results of this polyphasic study indicate that strain D15-8W^T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter nanhaiticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D15-8W^T (=CGMCC 1.11019^T=KCTC 23749^T).     

Defluviimonas denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov., and Pararhodobacter aggregans gen. nov., sp. nov., non-phototrophic Rhodobacteraceae from the biofilter of a marine aquaculture

Three Gram-negative bacterial strains were isolated from the biofilter of a recirculating marine aquaculture. They were non-pigmented rods, mesophiles, moderately halophilic, and showed chemo-organoheterotrophic growth on various sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids, with oxygen as electron acceptor; strains D9-3^T and D11-58 were in addition able to denitrify. Phototrophic or fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed D9-3^T and D11-58, and D1-19^T on two distinct branches within the alpha-3 proteobacterial Rhodobacteraceae, affiliated with, but clearly separate from, the genera Rhodobacter, Rhodovulum, and Rhodobaca. Based on morphological, physiological, and 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic characteristics, the isolated strains are proposed as new species of two novel genera, Defluviimonas denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain D9-3^T = DSM 18921^T = ATCC BAA-1447^T; additional strain D11-58 = DSM19039 = ATCC BAA-1448) and Pararhodobacter aggregans gen. nov., sp. nov (type strain D1-19^T = DSM 18938^T = ATCC BAA-1446^T).     

Vibrio plantisponsor sp. nov., a diazotrophic bacterium isolated from a mangrove associated wild rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka)

Two Gram negative, facultatively anaerobic, halophilic, motile, slightly curved rod-shaped bacterial strains MSSRF60^T and MSSRF64 were isolated from the roots of a mangrove-associated wild rice collected in the Pichavaram mangroves, India. These strains possess the key functional nitrogenase gene nifH. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA, recA, gapA, mreB, gyrB and pyrH, gene sequences revealed that strains MSSRF60^T and MSSRF64 belong to the genus Vibrio, and had the highest sequence similarity with the type strains of Vibrio diazotrophicus LMG 7893^T (99.7, 94.8, 98.5, 97.9, 94.0 and 90.7%, respectively), Vibrio areninigrae J74^T (98.2, 87.5, 91.5, 88.9, 86.5 and 84.6% respectively) and Vibrio hispanicus LMG 13240^T (97.8, 87.1, 91.7, 89.8, 84.1 and 81.9%, respectively). The fatty acid composition too confirmed the affiliation of strains MSSRF60^T and MSSRF64 to the genus Vibrio. These strains can be differentiated from the most closely related Vibrio species by several phenotypic traits. The DNA G + C content of strain MSSRF60^T was 41.8 mol%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic (multilocus sequence analysis using five genes and genomic fingerprinting using BOX-PCR) and DNA–DNA hybridization analyses, strains MSSRF60^T and MSSRF64 represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio plantipsonsor sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MSSRF60^T (=DSM 21026^T = LMG 24470^T = CAIM 1392^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oceanobacillus manasiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from the salt lakes of Xinjiang,China

Three Gram reaction positive, rod-shaped, moderately motile halophilic bacterial strains, designated YD3-56^T, YD16, and YH29, were isolated from the sediments of Manasi and Aiding salt lakes in the Xinjiang region of China, respectively. The strains grew optimally at 30–37°C, pH 8–11, in the presence of 5–10% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains were closely related to members of the genus Oceanobacillus, exhibiting 99.1–99.2% similarity to O. kapialis KCTC 13177^T, 99.2–99.3% to O. picturae KCTC 3821^T, and 94.2–96% sequence similarity to other described Oceanobacillus species. SDS-PAGE of whole cell proteins preparations demonstrated that the strains exhibited high similarity to each other, but distinguished from O. kapialis KCTC 13177^T and O. picturae KCTC 3821^T (75%). DNA-DNA hybridization revealed that the similarity between the representative strain YD3-56^T and O. kapialis KCTC 13177^T was 35.3%, and the similarity between YD3-56^T and O. picturae KCTC 3821^T was 22.3%. Chemotaxonomic analysis of the strains showed menaquinone-7 was the predominant respiratory quinine. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The polar lipid pattern for strain YD3-56^T predominantly contained phosphatidylcholine, and trace to moderate amounts of phosphatidyl ethanolamine and hydroxy-phosphatidyl ethanolamine. The diamino acid in murein was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content of the strains was 39.7–40.1 mol%. On the basis of these results, the three strains should be classified as a novel species of the genus Oceanobacillus, for which the name Oceanobacillus manasiensis sp. nov. has been proposed, with the type strain as YD3-56^T (=CGMCC 1.9105^T =NBRC 105903^T).     

Root-promoting rhizobacteria in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> cuttings

Cloned Eucalyptus spp. plantations are based in greenhouse production of plants generated by vegetative propagation. Diverse studies have demonstrated that rhizospheric bacteria can stimulate plant growth, and more recently that they can increase rooting in vegetative material. Considering this potential, the objective of this study was to verify the effect of bacterial strains on rooting Eucalyptus globulus. A total of 132 bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere of E. globulus and Eucalyptus nitens were studied. The bacterial inoculums in a concentration of 4 × 10⁸ cfu/ml were applied to the rooting substrate at the cutting installation and 45 days after by irrigation. Rooting was evaluated on days 60 and 75 after cutting installation, considering the number of roots as well as their fibrosity and roots biomass. Of the 132 strains evaluated, 26 significantly increased cutting rooting in a range of 191.4–69.4% with respect to the control. Additionally, some strains stimulated the development of fine roots and incremented the roots biomass. The strains identificated that produced a rooting effect were: Bacillus firmus, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, B. subtilis/amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus circulans, Brevibacillus brevis, Paenibacillus lautus and Stenotrophomona maltophilia. These first trials suggest the potential of these bacteria to be used in clonal production programs for E. globulus.     

Subsurface Associations of Acaryochloris-Related Picocyanobacteria with Oil-Utilizing Bacteria in the Arabian Gulf Water Body: Promising Consortia in Oil Sediment Bioremediation

Two picocyanobacterial strains related to Acaryochloris were isolated from the Arabian Gulf, 3 m below the water surface, one from the north shore and the other from the south shore of Kuwait. Both strains were morphologically, ultrastructurally, and albeit to a less extend, phylogenetically similar to Acaryochloris. However, both isolates lacked chlorophyll d and produced instead chlorophyll a, as the major photosynthetic pigment. Both picocyanobacterial isolates were associated with oil-utilizing bacteria in the magnitude of 10⁵ cells g^?1. According to their 16S rRNA gene sequences, bacteria associated with the isolate from the north were affiliated to Paenibacillus sp., Bacillus pumilus, and Marinobacter aquaeolei, but those associated with the isolate from the south were affiliated to Bacillus asahii and Alcanivorax jadensis. These bacterial differences were probably due to environmental variations. In batch cultures, the bacterial consortia in the nonaxenic biomass as well as the pure bacterial isolates effectively consumed crude oil and pure aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, including very high-molecular-weight compounds. Water and diethylether extracts from the phototrophic biomass enhanced growth of individual bacterial isolates and their hydrocarbon-consumption potential in batch cultures. It was concluded that these consortia could be promising in bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollutants, especially heavy sediments in the marine ecosystem.     

Membrane Vesicles: A Common Feature in the Extracellular Matter of Cold-Adapted Antarctic Bacteria

Many Gram-negative, cold-adapted bacteria from the Antarctic environment produce large amounts of extracellular matter, which has potential biotechnology applications. We examined the ultrastructure of extracellular matter from five Antarctic bacteria (Shewanella livingstonensis NF22^T, Shewanella vesiculosa M7^T, Pseudoalteromonas sp. M4.2, Psychrobacter fozii NF23^T, and Marinobacter guineae M3B^T) by transmission electron microscopy after high-pressure freezing and freeze substitution. All analyzed extracellular matter appeared as a netlike mesh composed of a capsular polymer around cells and large numbers of membrane vesicles (MVs), which have not yet been described for members of the genera Psychrobacter and Marinobacter. MVs showed the typical characteristics described for these structures, and seemed to be surrounded by the same capsular polymer as that found around the cells. The analysis of MV proteins from Antarctic strains by SDS-PAGE showed different banding profiles in MVs compared to the outer membrane, suggesting some kind of protein sorting during membrane vesicle formation. For the psychrotolerant bacterium, S. livingstonensis NF22^T, the growth temperature seemed to influence the amount and morphology of MVs. In an initial attempt to elucidate the functions of MVs for this psychrotolerant bacterium, we conducted a proteomic analysis on membrane vesicles from S. livingstonensis NF22^T obtained at 4 and 18°C. At both temperatures, MVs were highly enriched in outer membrane proteins and periplasmic proteins related to nutrient processing and transport in Gram-negative bacteria suggesting that MVs could be related with nutrient sensing and bacterial survival. Differences were observed in the expression of some proteins depending on incubation temperature but further studies will be necessary to define their roles and implications in the survival of bacteria in the extreme Antarctic environment.     

Diversity and activity of cultivable aerobic planktonic bacteria of a saline Lake located in Sovata,Romania

Aerobic bacterial strains from the salt water of Lake Red (Sovata, Romania) were cultivated. More than half of the 80 strains were G⁻ and formed motile straight rods. Only a few strains produced acid from d-glucose and reduced nitrate to nitrite. Optimum NaCl concentration for growth varied between 5 and 15 % in the majority of the strains, so the isolates were regarded moderately halophilic. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity almost half of the strains were identified as members of genus Halomonas. Other strains belonged to genera Marinobacter, Psychrobacter, Serratia, Morganella (γ-Proteobacteria), Bacillus, Exiguobacterium, Planococcus (Firmicutes), and Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, Microbacterium, and Nesterenkonia (Actinobacteria).     

Manganese Carbonate Precipitation Induced by Calcite-Forming Bacteria

Abstract

Several dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria and a halophilic bacterium are able to induce manganese carbonate (rhodochrosite) precipitation. In this study, it was revealed that Ensifer adhaerens JCM 21105^T, Microbacterium testaceum JCM 1353^T, Pseudomonas protegens DSM 19095^T, and Rheinheimera texasensis DSM 17496^T, which are calcite-forming bacteria, were able to aerobically induce the precipitation of manganese carbonate crystals on an agar medium. In the case of all four strains, the principal morphology of the precipitated manganese carbonate crystals was that of micro-sized spheres, when they were aerobically cultivated over the entire surface of the agar medium at 28?°C for 7?days.     

Bacillus daqingensis sp. nov., a halophilic,alkaliphilic bacterium isolated fromSaline-sodic soil in Daqing,China

An alkaliphilic, moderately halophilic, bacterium, designated strain X10-1^T, was isolated from saline-alkaline soil inDaqing, Heilongjiang Province, China. Strain X10-1^T was determined to be a Gram-positive aerobe with rod-shaped cells. The isolate was catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, non-motile, and capable of growth at salinities of 0–16% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3%). The pHrange for growth was 7.5–11.0 (optimum, pH 10.0). The genomic DNA G+C content was 47.7 mol%. Itsmajor isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and its cellular fatty acid profile mainly consisted of anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, iso-C_15:0, C_16:0, and iso-C_16:0. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that X10-1^T is a member of the genus Bacillus, being most closely related to B. saliphilus DSM15402^T (97.8% similarity) and B. agaradhaerens DSM 8721^T (96.2%). DNA-DNA relatedness to the type strains of these species was less than 40%. On the basis of the phylogenetic, physiological, and biochemical data, strain X10-1^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus daqingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is X10-1^T (=NBRC 109404^T = CGMCC 1.12295^T).     

Isolation and Characterization of Salt-Tolerant Bacterial Strains in Salt-Affected Soils of Erzurum,Turkey

In the current study, 18 salt-tolerant bacteria were isolated from salt-affected soil of Erzurum, Turkey. Forty-five bacterial isolates were identified and characterized by conventional and molecular techniques. These 45 sequenced isolates were identified as 16 different genus including Bacillus (19 isolates), Staphylococcus (3 isolates), Halobacillus (4 isolates), Zhihengliuella (2 isolates), Oceanobacillus (2 isolates), Halomonas (1 isolate), Nesterenkonia (2 isolates), Promicromonospora (2 isolates), Jeotgalibacillus (2 isolates), Planococcus (2 isolates), Virgibacillus (1 isolate), Terribacillus (1 isolate), Thalassobacillus (1 isolate), Marinibacillus (1 isolate), Gracilibacillus (1 isolate) and Microbacterium (1 isolate). According to the results obtained, investigated bacterial strains have high salt tolerance and significant enzyme activities that can improve soil nutrient cycling and soil fertility. The current article provides the evaluation and diversity of the potential halotolerant and halophilic bacterial strains in salt-affected soils of Erzurum, Turkey.     

Evaluation of the antibiotic biosynthetic potential of the genus Amycolatopsis and description of Amycolatopsis circi sp. nov., Amycolatopsis equina sp. nov. and Amycolatopsis hippodromi sp. nov

Aims: To describe three new Amycolatopsis strains and assess the antibiotic biosynthetic potential of the genus. Methods and Results: Three strains, designated S1·3^T, S3·6^T and SE(8)3^T, belonging to the genus Amycolatopsis were isolated and found to cluster together by 16S rRNA and gyrB gene‐based phylogenetic analysis. Genetic distance values, based on the gyrB gene, were calculated between the strains and their closest relatives and were all above the threshold value of 0·02 that has been proposed to distinguish Amycolatopsis type strains. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments against related type strains confirmed that strain S3·6^T represents a unique genomic species. Strain S3·6^T was also found to be distinct from strains S1·3^T and SE(8)3^T, the latter two of which were also shown to be distinct from each other. Antibiotic biosynthetic genes were identified from multiple Amycolatopsis strains, and their presence was found to be phylogenetically associated. Conclusions: The data presented in this study indicate that strains S1·3^T, SE(8)3^T and S3·6^T belong to three novel species, for which the names Amycolatopsis circi sp. nov. (= DSM 45561^T = NRRL B‐24841^T), Amycolatopsis equina sp. nov. (= DSM 45563^T = NRRL B‐24842^T) and Amycolatopsis hippodromi sp. nov. (= DSM 45562^T = NRRL B‐24843^T) are proposed. Significance and Impact of the Study: Three new species of Amycolatopsis are described, and the knowledge of the antibiotic biosynthetic potential of the genus has been extended.     

Production,characterization and antimicrobial activities of bio-pigments by Aquisalibacillus elongatus MB592, Salinicoccus sesuvii MB597, and Halomonas aquamarina MB598 isolated from Khewra Salt Range,Pakistan

Hypersaline ecosystems offer unique habitats to microbial populations capable of withstanding extreme stress conditions and producing novel metabolites of commercial importance. Herein, we have characterized for the first time the production of bioactive pigments from newly isolated halophilic bacterial species. Halophilic bacteria were isolated from Khewra Salt Range of Pakistan. Three distinctly colored isolates were selected for pigment production. Selected colonies were identified as Aquisalibacillus elongatus MB592, Salinicoccus sesuvii MB597, and Halomonas aquamarina MB598 based on morphological, biochemical, and physiological evidences as well as 16S rRNA analysis. The optimum pigment production observed at mesophilic condition, nearly neutral pH, and moderate salinity was validated using response surface methodology. Different analytical techniques (UV spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and HPLC) characterized these purified pigments as derivatives of bacterioruberin carotenoids. Antioxidant activity of pigments revealed up to 85% free-radical scavenging activity at the concentration of 30 µg ml⁻¹. Pigments also showed significant antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Alcaligenes faecalis, Pseudomonas geniculata, Enterococcus faecium, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium solani, and Mucor spp., suggesting potential biomedical applications.

     

Salimicrobium salexigens sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from salted hides

Two Gram-positive, moderately halophilic bacteria, designated strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI, were isolated from salted hides. Both strains were non-motile, strictly aerobic cocci, growing in the presence of 3–25% (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth at 7.5–12.5% [w/v] NaCl), between pH 5.0 and 10.0 (optimal growth at pH 7.5) and at temperatures between 15 and 40 °C (optimal growth at 37 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison showed that both strains showed a similarity of 98.7% and were closely related to species of the genus Salimicrobium, within the phylum Firmicutes. Strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.9–97.6% with Salimicrobium album DSM 20748^T, Salimicrobium halophilum DSM 4771^T, Salimicrobium flavidum ISL-25^T and Salimicrobium luteum BY-5^T. The DNA G+C content was 50.7 mol% and 51.5 mol% for strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization between both strains was 98%, whereas the values between strain 29CMI^T and the species S. album CCM 3517^T, S. luteum BY-5^T, S. flavidum ISL-25^T and S. halophilum CCM 4074^T were 45%, 28%, 15% and 10%, respectively, showing unequivocally that strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI constitute a new genospecies. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_14:0. The main respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, although small amounts of MK-6 were also found. The polar lipids of the type strain consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid and one glycolipid. The peptidoglycan type is A1γ, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, and phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, we propose strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI as a novel species of the genus Salimicrobium, with the name Salimicrobium salexigens sp. nov. The type strain is 29CMI^T (=CECT 7568^T = JCM 16414^T = LMG 25386^T).     

Salinicoccus salsiraiae sp. nov.: a new moderately halophilic gram-positive bacterium isolated from salted skate

Two moderately halophilic low G + C Gram-positive bacteria were isolated from a sample of salted skate (Class Chondrychthyes, Genus Raja). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strains RH1^T and RH4 showed that these organisms represented a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus. The new isolates formed pink–red colonies and flocculated in liquid media, with optimum growth in media containing 4% NaCl and pH of about 8.0. These organisms are aerobic but reduce nitrate to nitrite under anaerobic conditions. Acid is produced from several carbohydrates. Oxidase and catalase were detected. Menaquinone 6 was the major respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids of strains RH1^T and RH4 were 15:0 anteiso and 15:0 iso. The G + C contents of DNA were 46.2 and 46.0 mol%, respectively. The peptidoglycan was of A3alpha L-Lys-Gly_5–6 type. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we suggest that strain RH1^T (=LMG 22840 = CIP 108576) represents a new species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which we propose the name Salinicoccus salsiraiae.     

Proposal of three novel species of soil bacteria, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Variovorax ureilyticus,Variovorax rhizosphaerae</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Variovorax robiniae</Emphasis>, in the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Comamonadaceae</Emphasis>

Three novel bacterial strains (UCM-2^T, UCM-G28^T, and UCM-G35^T) were obtained while isolating soil bacteria for the development of antibiotics. Cells of these strains were Gram-negative, non-spore forming, motile by means of a single flagellum, and rod shaped. In all strains, the predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). Cells contained C_16:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c), summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c), and C_17:0 cyclo as the major fatty acids, and C_10:0 3-OH as the major hydroxy fatty acid. The polar lipid profiles of the three novel strains were dominated by diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G + C contents of strains UCM-2^T, UCM-G28^T, and UCMG35^T were 67.5, 65.9, and 66.4 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA sequences showed that strain UCM-2^T was most closely related to Variovorax soli NBRC 106424^T, whereas strains UCM-G28^T and UCM-G35^T were most similar to Variovorax ginsengisoli Gsoil 3165^T. Values indicating DNA-DNA hybridization between the novel isolates and closely related species in the genus Variovorax were lower than the 70% cut-off point. These phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic data indicate that the three isolates should be classified as new members of the genus Variovorax, for which the names Variovorax ureilyticus sp. nov., Variovorax rhizosphaerae sp. nov., and Variovorax robiniae sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are UCM-2^T (= KACC 18899^T = NBRC 112306^T), UCMG28^T (= KACC 18900^T = NBRC 112307^T), and UCM-G35^T (= KACC 18901^T = NBRC 112308^T), respectively.