Lihuaxuella thermophila gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a geothermal soil sample in Tengchong, Yunnan, south-west China

A novel filamentous bacterium, designated YIM 77831^T, was isolated from a geothermal soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. Growth occurred from 28 to 65 °C (optimum 50 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The strain formed branched substrate mycelia, endospores were produced on the substrate mycelium and aerial mycelium was not produced on any of the growth media tested. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM 77831^T was affiliated with the family Thermoactinomycetaceae. The stain YIM 77831^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained glucose, galactose, mannose, ribose and rhamnose. The polar lipids were phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid and four unknown phospholipids. The only menaquinone was MK-7. Major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The G+C content was 55.6 mol%. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics as well as genotypic data, strain YIM 77831^T represents a novel genus and species, Lihuaxuella thermophila gen. nov., sp. nov., in the family Thermoactinomycetaceae. The type strain is YIM 77831^T (CCTCC AA 2011024^T = JCM 18059^T).     

Thermus tengchongensis sp. nov., isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample in Tengchong, Yunnan, south-west China

A Gram-stain negative aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 77924^T, was isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. Growth was found to occur from 55 to 75 °C (optimum 65 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 0–1 % NaCl (w/v). Cells were observed to be rod-shaped and the colonies convex, circular, smooth, yellow and non-transparent. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM 77924^T belongs to the genus Thermus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain YIM 77924^T and other species of the genus Thermus were all below 97 %. The polar lipids of strain YIM 77924^T were determined to be aminophospholipid, phospholipid and glycolipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-8 and the G+C content was 66.64 mol%. The major fatty acids identified were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and C_16:0. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics as well as genotypic data, strain YIM 77924^T is proposed to represent a novel species, Thermus tengchongensis sp. nov., in the genus Thermus. The type strain is YIM 77924^T (=KCTC 32025^T = CCTCC AB2012063^T).     

Lysobacter thermophilus sp. nov., isolated from a geothermal soil sample in Tengchong, south-west China

A Gram-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 77875^T, was isolated from a geothermal soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, south-west China. Bacterial growth occurred from 37 to 65 °C (optimum 50 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 0–1 % NaCl (w/v). Cells were rod-shaped and colonies were convex, circular, smooth, yellow and non-transparent. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM 77875^T belongs to the genus Lysobacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain YIM 77875^T and other species of the genus Lysobacter were all below 94.7 %. The polar lipids of strain YIM 77875^T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and five unknown phospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the G+C content was 68.8 mol%. Major fatty acids were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_11:0. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genotypic data, strain YIM 77875^T represents a novel species, Lysobacter thermophilus sp. nov., in the genus Lysobacter. The type strain is YIM 77875^T (CCTCC AB 2012064^T = KCTC 32020^T).     

Virgibacillus albus sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from Lop Nur salt lake in Xinjiang province, China

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 93624^T, was isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang province of China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain YIM 93624^T grew at 15–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), 1–17% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5–10 %, w/v) and pH 4.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-7. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and C_16:0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, a glycolipid and two unidentified phospholipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 93624^T was a member of the genus Virgibacillus and exhibited the highest similarity of 97.0 % to Virgibacillus koreensis KCTC 3823^T. However, the level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YIM 93624^T and V. koreensis KCTC 3823^T was 32.5 %. On the basis of phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analysis data, the isolate is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus albus sp. nov., is proposed, with type strain of YIM 93624^T (=DSM 23711^T = JCM 17364^T).     

Tenuibacillus halotolerans sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a soil sample from a salt lake in Xinjiang, China and emended description of the genus Tenuibacillus

A Gram-positive, moderately halotolerant, rod-shaped bacterium, designated YIM 94025^T, was isolated from a soil sample from a salt lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China. Strain YIM 94025^T was observed to grow at 25–45 °C (optimum 37 °C), 0–22 % NaCl (optimum 2–10 %) and pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 8.0). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism belongs to the genus Tenuibacillus and exhibited sequence similarity of 98.0 % to the closest type strain, Tenuibacillus multivorans AS 1.3442^T. The predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-7; the cell-wall peptidoglycan diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid; the polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unknown lipid; and the major fatty acids were found to contain iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain YIM 94025^T are consistent with those of the genus Tenuibacillus. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness value between YIM 94025^T and T. multivorans AS 1.3442^T was 36.6 ± 4.5 %. The G+C content of the strain YIM 94025^T was determined to be 38.5 %. Based on the comparative analysis of physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, as well as DNA–DNA hybridization results, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Tenuibacillus, for which the name Tenuibacillus halotolerans sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain of YIM 94025^T (=CCTCC AB 2012860^T = KCTC 33046^T).     

Saccharomonospora oceani sp. nov. isolated from marine sediments in Little Andaman, India

Two actinomycete strains, designated YIM M11168^T and YIM M11177, were isolated from marine sediment samples from Little Andaman, Indian Ocean, and their taxonomic position was determined by a polyphasic approach. The two Gram-positive, aerobic strains were observed to produce branched substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae but did not fragment, and no diffusible pigment was produced on the media tested. At maturity, spores were formed singly or in pairs on aerial hyphae and substrate mycelium, and occasionally the single ones were borne on long sporophores. The optimum growth was determined to occur at 28 °C, 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 7.0–8.0. Whole-cell hydrolysates of both strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the diagnostic sugars were determined to be galactose, glucose and arabinose. Their predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-9(H₄). The polar lipids detected in the two strains were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown phosphoglycolipids. The major fatty acids (>10 %) identified were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_16:1 H, iso-C_16:0, C_17:1 ω6c for strain YIM M11168^T, iso-C_16:0 and Summed Feature 3 for strain YIM M11177. The G + C contents of the genomic DNAs of both strains were determined to be 71.4 %. DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness values (78.4 ± 3.7 %) of these two isolates supported the conclusion that they belong to the same species. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic and genotypic data, it is concluded that the two isolates belong to a novel species of the genus Saccharomonospora of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. The name Saccharomonospora oceani sp. nov. (Type strain YIM M11168^T = DSM 45700^T = JCM 18128^T) is proposed for the novel species.     

Saccharopolyspora cavernae sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the Swallow Cave in Yunnan, south-west China

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterial strain, designated YIM C01235^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Swallow Cave, Yunnan province, south-west China. The isolate grew at 10–30 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed highest similarity to Saccharopolyspora gloriosae YIM 60513^T (96.8 %), and lower 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (95.1–96.7 %) with the other species of the genus Saccharopolyspora. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP), arabinose and galactose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, two unknown glycolipids, two unknown phospholipids and one polar lipid. MK-9(H₄) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. Mycolic acids were not detected. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.1 mol%. These chemotaxonomic data, together with its morphological properties, were consistent with the assignment of strain YIM C01235^T to the genus Saccharopolyspora. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed strain YIM C01235^T to be differentiated phenotypically from all the recognized Saccharopolyspora species. On the basis of evidence from this polyphasic study, the novel species Saccharopolyspora cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM C01235^T (=DSM 45825^T = CCTCC AA 2012022^T).     

Vulcaniibacterium tengchongense gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample, and reclassification of Lysobacter thermophilus Wei et al. 2012 as Vulcaniibacterium thermophilum comb. nov.

A thermotolerant Gram-staining negative and aerobic bacterium, designated strain YIM 77520^T, was isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, South-West China. Cells of the strain were found to be rod-shaped and colonies were light beige and circular. The strain was found to grow in the presence of 0–2 % (w/v) total salts (optimum, 0 %), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 25–55 °C (optimum, 45 °C). The only quinone detected was Q-8 and the genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 66.9 mol%. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as iso-C_16:0 and iso-C_15:0. The phospholipids were found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, five unknown phospholipids and three aminophospholipids. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain YIM 77520^T was found to form a cluster with Lysobacter thermophilus YIM 77875^T and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to L. thermophilus YIM 77875^T (96.0 %). These two strains formed a distinct lineage of the family ‘Xanthomonadaceae’. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genotypic data, a new genus, Vulcaniibacterium gen. nov. is proposed with Vulcaniibacterium tengchongense sp. nov. as the type species. The type strain of V. tengchongense sp. nov. is strain YIM 77520^T (=DSM 25623^T = CCTCC AB 2011152^T). Furthermore we propose that L. thermophilus Wei et al. 2012 is reclassified in the new genus as Vulcaniibacterium thermophilum comb. nov. (type strain YIM 77875^T = CCTCC AB 2012064^T = KCTC 32020^T) based on polyphasic data.     

Streptomyces calidiresistens sp. nov., isolated from a hot spring sediment

A Streptomyces-like actinomycete strain, designated as YIM 78087^T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Hehua hot spring in Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. The taxonomic position of strain YIM 78087^T was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 78087^T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces fimbriatus DSM 40942^T, Streptomyces marinus DSM 41968^T and Streptomyces qinglanensis DSM 42035^T (97.18, 97.05 and 97.1 % similarity, respectively). Combined with the low values of DNA–DNA hybridization between strain YIM 78087^T and its closest neighbours, these analyses indicated that this new isolate represents a different genomic species in the genus Streptomyces. The predominant menaquinones of strain YIM 78087^T were identified as MK-9 (H₄) and MK-9 (H₆). The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C_15:0 (28.4 %), anteiso-C_17:0 (23.0 %) and iso-C_16:0 (15.1 %). The whole-cell hydrolysates found to contain glucose, mannose and ribose. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 73.0 mol%. Based on the comparative analysis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain YIM 78087^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces calidiresistens sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is YIM 78087^T (=BCRC 16955^T=DSM 42108^T=JCM 19629^T).     

Halomonas nanhaiensis sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from a sediment sample from the South China Sea

A novel Gram-negative, aerobic, slightly halophilic, yellow-pigmented, oxidase-negative, Voges–Proskauer positive, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated YIM M 13059^T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the South China Sea at a depth of 310 m. Optimal growth was found to occur at 28–30 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 3–4 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells were observed to be rod-shaped and motile by peritrichous flagella. The polar lipids of strain YIM M 13059^T were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, a ninhydrin-positive phospholipid, one glycolipid and two unknown phospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was determined to be Q-9. The major fatty acids were identified as C_18:1 ω7c, C_16:1 ω6c/C_16:1 ω7c, C_16:0 and C_12:0 3-OH. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 54.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Halomonas in the family Halomonadaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain YIM M 13059 ^T and the type strains of members of the genus Halomonas were in the range 93.3–98.3 %. However, the levels of DNA–DNA relatedness values between YIM M 13059 and the type strains of the most closely related species, Halomonas zhangjiangensis, Halomonas variabilis, Halomonas neptunia, Halomonas boliviensis and Halomonas sulfadieris were 50.2 ± 0.68 %, 46.8 ± 1.9 %, 28.5 ± 0.74 %, 42.9 ± 0.55 % and 37.1 ± 0.68 %, respectively. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, the strain YIM M 13059^T is proposed to represent a novel member of the genus Halomonas, with the name Halomonas nanhaiensis sp. nov. The type strain is YIM M 13059^T (=JCM 18142^T =CCTCC AB 2012911^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytoactinopolyspora halotolerans</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halotolerant actinobacterium isolated from a saline soil in Xinjiang,northwest of China

A novel aerobic, Gram-positive, non-motile halotolerant actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 96448^T, was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from the south bank of Aiding Lake in Xinjiang Province, northwest China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM 96448^T is closely related to Phytoactinopolyspora endophytica EGI 60009^T (98.0%) and Phytoactinopolyspora alkaliphila EGI 80629^T (97.0%). Optimum growth of the strain was observed at 28-37 °C, pH 7–9 and in the presence of 5–8% NaCl (w/v). The respiratory quinone of strain YIM 96448^T was determined to be MK-9(H₄). The major fatty acids (>10%) were identified as anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and summed feature 4 (iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1B). The polar lipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, three unidentified phosphoglycolipids and four unidentified phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 68.7 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain YIM 96448^T should be classified as a novel species in the genus Phytoactinopolyspora, for which the name Phytoactinopolyspora halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 96448^T (=CCTCC AB 2017055^T = KCTC 39924^T).     

Haladaptatus pallidirubidus sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from saline soil samples in Yunnan and Xinjiang,China

Two extremely halophilic archaea, designated YIM 90917 and YIM 93656^T, were isolated from saline soils in Yunnan province and Lup nur region in Xinjiang province, western China, respectively. Colonies of the two strains were observed to be pink-pigmented. The cells were found to be Gram-stain negative, coccoid and non-motile. The organisms were found to be aerobic and could grow in an NaCl range of 6–35 % (optimum 18 %), temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 °C (optimum 37–42 °C), pH range from 6.0–8.5 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5) and Mg²⁺ range from 0 to 1.5 M (optimum 0.5–1.0 M); Mg²⁺ was not necessary for growth. Cells were not observed to lyse in distilled water. Strains YIM 90917 and YIM 93656^T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Haladaptatus cibarius JCM 15962^T (97.6 and 97.9 %, respectively). In addition, the DNA–DNA hybridizations of strains YIM 90917 and YIM 93656^T with type strains H. cibarius JCM 15962^T, Haladaptatus litoreus JCM 15771^T and Haladaptatus paucihalophilus JCM 13897^T were 37.2 and 38.2 %, 36.6 and 39.0 % and 27.9 and 27.7 %, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strains YIM 90917 and YIM 93656^T were determined to be 56.0 and 57.4 mol%. The major polar lipids of the two strains were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate, sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether and other four unidentified glycolipids. On the basis of physiological, chemotaxonomic data and phylogenetic analysis, the strains YIM 90917 and YIM 93656^T can be classified as a novel species of the genus Haladaptatus, for which the name Haladaptatus pallidirubidus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 93656^T (=JCM 17504^T = CCTCC AB2010454^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nocardiopsis terrae</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halophilic actinomycete isolated from saline soil

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic, filamentous actinomycete strain, designated YIM 90022^T, was isolated from saline soil collected from the Qaidam Basin, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the new isolate was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis and the sequence similarities between the isolate and the type strains of members of the genus Nocardiopsis were in the range of 95.1–98.7%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties of this organism also indicated that strain YIM 90022^T was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis. The strain grew well on most of the media tested, producing yellow-white to deep brown substrate mycelium and white aerial mycelium. Light gray to deep brown diffusible pigments were produced. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age; the aerial mycelium produced long, straight to flexuous spore chains with non-motile, smooth-surfaced, rod-shaped spores on them. The strain grew in the presence of 1–15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 3–5%) and at pH 6.0–10.5 (optimum, pH 8.5) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain YIM 90022^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and no diagnostic sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H₄), MK-9(H₈), MK-10(H₆) and MK-10(H₈). Polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0, 10-methyl-C_18:0 and 10-methyl-C_17:0. The DNA G + C content of strain YIM 90022^T was 71.5 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the suggestion that strain YIM 90022^T represents a new species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 90022^T (=CCTCC AA 208011^T =KCTC 19431^T).     

Microlunatus cavernae sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from Alu ancient cave, Yunnan, south-west China

A Gram-positive, coccoid, non-endospore-forming actinobacterium, designated YIM C01117^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Alu ancient cave, Yunnan province, south-west China. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain YIM C01117^T was shown to belong to the genus Microlunatus, with highest sequence similarity of 97.4 % to Microlunatus soli DSM 21800^T. The whole genomic DNA relatedness as shown by the DNA–DNA hybridization study between YIM C01117^T and M. soli DSM 21800^T had a low value (47 ± 2 %). Strain YIM C01117^T was determined to contain LL-diaminopimelic acid with Gly, Glu and Ala amino acids (A3γ′ type) in the cell wall. Whole-cell hydrolysates were found to contain glucose, galactose, mannose and ribose. The major polar lipids were determined to be phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone system present is MK-9(H₄), while the major fatty acids were identified to be anteiso-C_15:0 (24.1 %), iso-C_16:0 (22.3 %) and iso-C_15:0 (11.4 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 65.9 mol%. The chemotaxonomic and genotypic data support the affiliation of the strain YIM C01117^T to the genus Microlunatus. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allow strain YIM C01117^T to be differentiated phenotypically from recognized Microlunatus species. Strain YIM C01117^T is therefore considered to represent a novel species of the genus Microlunatus, for which the name Microlunatus cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM C01117^T (= DSM 26248^T = JCM 18536^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nocardia zhihengii</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from rhizosphere soil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psammosilene tunicoides</Emphasis>

A Nocardia-like actinobacterial strain, designated YIM TG2190^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Psammosilene tunicoides collected from Gejiu, Yunnan province, China. The cells of strain YIM TG2190^T were observed to be Gram-stain positive and non-motile. The strain forms extensively branched substrate mycelia that fragments into rod-shaped elements. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM TG2190^T is closely related to Nocardia nova (97.5%), Nocardia jiangxiensis (97.1%) and Nocardia miyunensis (96.8%). Growth occurs at 4–30?°C (optimum 28?°C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and the strain can tolerate NaCl (w/v) up to 3% (optimum 0–1%). The cell walls were found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were identified as glucose, mannose, ribose, galactose, arabinose and fucose. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The menaquinones detected were MK-9 (H₂) and MK-8 (H₄). The major fatty acids (>?5%) were found to be C_16:0 (33.9%), summed feature 3 (21.7%), C_18:0 10-methyl TBSA (13.7%) and C_18:1ω9c (7.0%). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 61.1 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness between the strain YIM TG2190^T and N. nova CGMCC 4.1705^T, N. jiangxiensis CGMCC 4.1905^T and N. miyunensis CGMCC 4.1904^T were 46.9?±?2.6, 36.8?±?1.3, and 35.7?±?2.6%, respectively, values which are less than the threshold value (70%) for the delineation of prokaryotic genomic species. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data indicates that strain YIM TG2190^T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia zhihengii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM TG2190^T (=KCTC 39596^T?=?DSM 100515^T).     

Halorubrum rubrum sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from a Chinese salt lake

Two halophilic archaeal strains, YC87^T and YCA11, were isolated from Yuncheng salt lake in Shanxi, China. Cells of the two strains were observed to be pleomorphic rod-shaped, stained Gram-negative and produced red-pigmented colonies. Strain YC87^T was able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 1.4–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 2.1 M NaCl), at 0.05–1.0 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.3 M MgCl₂) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) while strain YCA11 was able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 2.1–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 3.1 M NaCl), at 0.01–0.7 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.1 M MgCl₂) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.5). The cells of both isolates were observed to lyse in distilled water. The minimum NaCl concentrations that prevented cell lysis were determined to be 8 % (w/v) for strain YC87^T and 12 % (w/v) for strain YCA11. The major polar lipids of the two strains were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and one major glycolipid chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether; another major glycolipid and trace amounts of several unidentified lipids were also detected. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains were 99.8 % identical, showing 93.2–98.2 % similarity to members of the genus Halorubrum of the family Halobacteriaceae. The rpoB′ gene similarity between strains YC87^T and YCA11 was 99.3 % and showed 87.5–95.2 % similarity to the closest relative members of the genus Halorubrum. The DNA G+C content of strains YC87^T and YCA11 were determined to be 64.9 and 64.5 mol%, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain YC20^T and strain YC77 was 87 % and the two strains showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with Halorubrum cibi JCM 15757^T and Halorubrum aquaticum CGMCC 1.6377^T, the most related members of the genus Halorubrum. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strains YC87^T and YCA11 represent a novel species of the genus Halorubrum, for which the name Halorubrum rubrum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC87^T (=CGMCC 1.12124^T = JCM 18365^T).     

Paenibacillus beijingensis sp. nov., a novel nitrogen-fixing species isolated from jujube garden soil

A novel Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, spore-forming, nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain 7188^T, was isolated from jujube rhizosphere soil in Beijing, China. The strain grew at 4–40 °C and pH 6–12, with an optimum of 30 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain 7188^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain 7188^T and the type strains of all recognized members of the genus Paenibacillus were below 96 %. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and C_16:0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The DNA G+C content of strain 7188^T was 60.3 mol%. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and unknown aminophospholipids. The diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan is meso-diaminopimelic acid. On the basis of these results, strain 7188^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus beijingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 7188^T (=ACCC 03082^T = DSM 24997^T).     

Zhizhongheella caldifontis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Comamonadaceae

An alkalitolerant, thermotolerant, strictly aerobic and Gram-staining negative bacterial strain, designated YIM 78140^T, was isolated from a water sample in Hehua hot spring, Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. The colonies were light brown, convex and circular. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIM 78140^T indicated that it was clustered with members of β-Proteobacteria (with the similarity from 96.9 to 93.6 %). Good growth occurred at 40–50 °C, pH 8.0–9.0 and in the presence of 0–3 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant ubiquinones were Q-8 and Q-9. The major fatty acids were C_16:0, C_17:0 cyclo, C_18:1 ω7c and summed feature 3. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 70.8 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical characteristics, phylogenetic analysis allowed the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain YIM 78140^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, the strain YIM 78140^T represents a novel genus of the family Comamonadaceae, for which the name Zhizhongheella caldifontis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 78140^T (= BCRC 80649^T = KCTC 32557^T).     

Roseomonas alkaliterrae sp. nov., isolated from an alkali geothermal soil sample in Tengchong,Yunnan, south-west China

An alkalitolerant, thermotolerant and Gram-stain negative bacterium, designated strain YIM 78007^T, was isolated from an alkaline geothermal soil sample from Hehua hot spring, Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. Cells of strain YIM 78007^T were observed to be aerobic and short rod-shaped. The colonies were observed to be orange-red, convex and circular. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YIM 78007^T clustered with members of the genus Roseomonas (with similarities from 97.2 to 92.2 %). Optimal growth of strain YIM 78007 occurs at 40–50 °C and pH 8.0–10.0. The predominant ubiquinone was identified as Q-10 and the major fatty acids were identified as C_18:1 ω7c and C_16:0. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified aminolipids and one unknown phospholipid. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 63 mol %. The levels of DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness between strain YIM 78007^T and its closet neighbours (Roseomonas lacus JCM 13283^T and Roseomonas terrae JCM 14592^T) were well below the threshold required for the proposal of a novel species. The results of physiological and biochemical characteristics, the phylogenetic analysis, as well as low DNA–DNA hybridization values, allowed the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain YIM 78007^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, strain YIM 78007^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas alkaliterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 78007^T (=BCRC 80644^T = JCM 19656^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anoxybacillus sediminis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring

A Gram-stain positive, moderately thermophilic, aerobic, spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium, designated YIM 73012^T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a hot spring located in Tibet, China, and was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. The strain is oxidase positive and catalase negative. Growth occurred at 37–65 °C (optimum, 45–50 °C), at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum, pH 7.0–7.5) and with 0.5–3.5% NaCl (optimum, 0.5–1.0%, w/v). The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and C_16:0. The major polar lipids comprised of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The respiratory quinone was MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 43.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain YIM 73012^T forms a distinct lineage with respect to the genus Anoxybacillus in the family Bacillaceae. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence identities the closely related phylogenetic neighbours are Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus DSM 15730^T (96.7%) and Saccharococcus thermophilus DSM 4749^T (96.6%). Strain YIM 73012^T was distinguishable from the closely related reference strains by the differences in phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, and represents a novel species of the genus Anoxybacillus, for which the name Anoxybacillus sp. nov. is proposed. The type species is Anoxybacillus sediminis sp. nov., with the type strain YIM 73012^T (=?KCTC 33884^T?=?DSM 103835^T).