Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae sp. nov., a new marine polysaccharide-degrading bacterium isolated from a Pacific red alga

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 10Alg 130^T, that displayed the ability to destroy polysaccharides of red and brown algae, was isolated from the red alga Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the novel strain within the genus Flavobacterium, the type genus of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the phylum Bacteroidetes, with sequence similarities of 96.2 and 95.7 % to Flavobacterium jumunjiense KCTC 23618^T and Flavobacterium ponti CCUG 58402^T, and 95.3–92.5 % to other recognized Flavobacterium species. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 10Alg 130^T were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, C_15:0 and iso-C_17:1ω9c. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and three unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 34.3 mol%. The new isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium could strongly be distinguished by a number of phenotypic characteristics. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10Alg 130^T (=KCTC 32467^T = KMM 6686^T).     

Flavobacterium qiangtangensis sp. nov., Isolated from Qiangtang Basin in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,China

A flexirubin-type yellow-pigmented, non-gliding, non-flagellated, gram-negative bacterium strain, designated F3^T, was isolated from a drilling core sample of the Qiangtang basin, Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain F3^T belongs to the genus Flavobacterium, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the Flavobacterium noncentrifugens CGMCC 1.10076^T (94.92 %). Strain F3^T grew optimally at temperature about 20 °C, at pH about 7.0–8.0, at NaCl concentration 0 % (w/v). The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 35.5 mol%. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine, predominant cellular fatty acids of the strain was iso-C_15:0 (22.02 %), while the major menaquinone was menaquinone 6. Due to the phenotypic and genetic distinctiveness and several other characteristic studied in this article, we consider F3^T as a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, and propose to name it Flavobacterium qiangtangensis sp. nov. The type strain is F3^T (=CGMCC 1.12706^T = JCM 19739^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium ureilyticum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel urea hydrolysing bacterium isolated from stream bank soil

A novel bacterium designated S-42^T was isolated from stream bank soil. Cells were found to be aerobic, Gram staining-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and yellow-pigmented. The strain can grow at 15–35 °C, pH 6.0–10.0, and at 0.5% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Urea was hydrolysed. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain S-42^T formed a lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes that is distinct from various species of the genus Flavobacterium, including Flavobacterium maotaiense T9^T (97.6% sequence similarity), Flavobacterium hibernum ATCC 51468^T (97.4%), and Flavobacterium granuli Kw05^T (97.1%). The 16S rRNA gene sequences identity between strain S-42^T and other members of the genus Flavobacterium were < 97.0%. Strain S-42^T contains MK-6 as sole respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_{16: 1}ω6c), C_16:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, and iso-C_15:1 G. The DNA G?+?C content of the strain was 35.8 mol%. The polyphasic characterization indicated that strain S-42^T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ureilyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-42^T (=?KEMB 9005-537^T?=?KACC 19115^T?=?NBRC 112683^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium zaozhuangense</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>, isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil

Strain ZZ-8^T, a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil in China. The taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZZ-8^T is a member of the genus Flavobacterium and shows high sequence similarity to Flavobacterium humicola UCM-46^T (97.2%) and Flavobacterium pedocola UCM-R36^T (97.1%), and lower (<?97%) sequence similarity to other known Flavobacterium species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain ZZ-8^T possessed MK-6 as the major respiratory quinone; and iso-C_15:0 (28.5%), summed feature 9 (iso-C_17:1 w9c/C_16:0 10-methyl, 22.9%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (17.0%), iso-C_15:0 3-OH (8.9%), iso-C_15:1 G (8.6%) and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 w7c/C_16:1 w6c, 5.7%) as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain ZZ-8^T were determined to be lipids, a glycolipid, aminolipids and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain ZZ-8^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with F. pedocola UCM-R36^T (43.23?±?4.1%) and F. humicola UCM-46^T (29.17?±?3.8%). The DNA G+C content was 43.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic data and DNA–DNA hybridization, strain ZZ-8^T is considered a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium zaozhuangense sp. nov. (type strain ZZ-8^T?=?KCTC 62315 ^T?=?CCTCC AB 2017243^T) is proposed.     

Flavobacterium arsenitoxidans sp. nov., an arsenite-oxidizing bacterium from Thai soil

An arsenite-oxidizing bacterium, strain S2-3H^T, was isolated from arsenic-contaminated soil sample collected from Dantchaeng district, Suphanburi province, Thailand and was characterized based on polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain was observed to be a Gram-stain negative, aerobic, yellow pigmented, non-spore forming and rod-shaped bacterium. Major menaquinone was MK-6. Iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3OH, C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c, C_16:0, iso-C_17:0 3OH, and C_16:0 3OH were the predominant cellular fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified phospholipids and unidentified aminophospholipids. The DNA G+C content was 37.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA sequence showed that strain S2-3H^T is affiliated to the genus Flavobacterium, and is closely related to F. defluvii KCTC 12612^T (97.0 %) and F. johnsoniae NBRC 14942^T (97.0 %). The strain S2-3H^T could be clearly distinguished from the related Flavobacterium species by its physiological and biochemical characteristics as well as its phylogenetic position and DNA–DNA relatedness. Therefore, the strain represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium arsenitoxidans sp. nov. (type strain S2-3H^T = KCTC 22507^T = NBRC 109607^T = PCU 331^T = TISTR 2238^T) is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium knui</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 2-56^T, was isolated from water and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 2-56^T belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes and is closely related to Flavobacterium paronense KNUS1^T (98.4%) and Flavobacterium collinsense 4-T-2^T (96.7%). The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA of strain 2-56^T was 33.4 mol%. The isolate contained MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and iso-C_15:1 G (15.9%), iso-C_15:0 (15.8%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (10.7%), and iso-C_15:0 3-OH (9.6%) were the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid. The phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data support the affiliation of strain 2-56^T with the genus Flavobacterium. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and F. paronense and F. collinsense were 35.7 and 21.5%, respectively, clearly showing that strain 2-56^T is not related to them at the species level. Strain 2-56^T could be clearly differentiated from its close neighbours on the basis of its phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain 2-56^T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium knui sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2-56^T (=?KCTC 62061^T?=?JCM 32247^T).     

Flavobacterium aquaticum sp. nov., a member of the Bacteroidetes isolated from a freshwater reservoir

A novel bacterial strain, designated ARSA-111^T, was isolated from a freshwater reservoir in Cheonan, Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that the isolate belonged to the genus Flavobacterium of phylum Bacteroidetes. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain ARSA-111^T showed a high degree of sequence similarity to those of Flavobacteium cheonanense KACC 14972^T (97.3%), F. aquatile JCM 20475^T (97.1%), and other type strains of the genus Flavobacterium (< 97.0%). The phylogenetic tree and network analysis (i.e. median-joining) based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ARSA-111^T is most closely related to F. aquatile JCM 20475^T. DNA-DNA hybridization experiment revealed 70% of genomic relatedness among strain ARSA-111^T, F. aquatile JCM 20475^T and F. cheonanense KACC 14972^T. The isolate had iso-C_15:1, iso-C_15:0, and iso-C_15:0 3-OH as predominant cellular fatty acids and MK-6 as a predominant menaquinone. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 35.6 mol%. On the basis of these data, strain ARSA-111^T is considered to be a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium aquaticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain ARSA-111^T (=KACC 14973^T =KCTC 23185^T = JCM 17070^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium koreense</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium chungnamense</Emphasis> sp. nov., and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium cheonanense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater reservoir

Taxonomic studies were performed on three strains isolated from Cheonho reservoir in Cheonan, Korea. The isolates were Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, catalase-positive, and oxidase-positive. Colonies on solid media were cream-yellow, smooth, shiny, and circular. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains belong to the genus Flavobacterium. The strains shared 98.6–99.4% sequence similarity with each other and showed less than 97% similarity with members of the genus Flavobacterium with validly published names. The DNA-DNA hybridization results confirmed the separate genomic status of strains ARSA-42^T, ARSA-103^T, and ARSA-108^T. The isolates contained menaqui-none-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-Ci_15:1 G, and iso-C_16:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolates were 31.4–33.2 mol%. According to the phenotypic and genotypic data, these organisms are classified as representative of three novel species in the genus Flavobacterium, and the name Flavobacterium koreense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-42^T =KCTC 23182^T =JCM 17066^T =KACC 14969^T), Flavobacterium chungnamense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-103^T =KCTC 23183^T =JCM 17068^T =KACC 14971^T), and Flavobacterium cheonanense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-108^T =KCTC 23184^T =JCM 17069^T =KACC 14972) are proposed.     

Lacinutrix jangbogonensis sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from Antarctic marine sediment and emended description of the genus Lacinutrix

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and psychrophilic bacterial strain, PAMC 27137^T, was isolated from the marine sediment of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Strain PAMC 27137^T was observed to grow at 4–10 °C, at pH 6.5–7.5 and in the presence of 2.5–4.0 % (w/v) sea salts. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain PAMC 27137^T belongs to the genus Lacinutrix showing the high similarities with Lacinutrix mariniflava JCM 13824^T (97.6 %) and Lacinutrix algicola JCM 13825^T (97.1 %). Genomic relatedness analyses based on the average nucleotide identity and the genome-to-genome distance showed that strain PAMC 27137^T is clearly distinguished from the most closely related Lacinutrix species. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were identified as iso-C_15:1 G (19.9 %), iso-C_15:0 (19.3 %), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (11.3 %), summed feature 9 (C_16:0 10-methyl and/or iso-C_17:1 ω9c as defined by MIDI, 9.1 %), iso-C_15:0 3-OH (7.5 %), and anteiso-C_15:1 A (5.8 %). The polar lipids were found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, and five unidentified phospholipids. The major respiratory quinone was identified as MK-6. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 32.1 mol%. Based on the data from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain PAMC 27137^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lacinutrix, for which the name Lacinutrix jangbogonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PAMC 27137^T (=KCTC 32573^T=JCM 19883^T).     

Aquimarina atlantica sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater of the Atlantic Ocean

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain 22II-S11-z7^T, which was isolated from the surface seawater of the Atlantic Ocean. The bacterium was found to be Gram-negative, oxidase negative and catalase positive, long-rod shaped, and gliding. Growth was observed at salinities of 1–5 % and at temperatures of 10–41 °C. The isolate was capable of hydrolysing gelatin and Tween 80 and able to reduce nitrate to nitrite, but unable to degrade aesculin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 22II-S11-z7^T belongs to the genus Aquimarina, with highest sequence similarity to Aquimarina megaterium XH134^T (98.31 %), followed by Aquimarina macrocephali JAMB N27^T (96.59 %); other species of the genus Aquimarina shared 93.63–96.08 % sequence similarity. The ANI value between strain 22II-S11-z7^T and A. megaterium XH134^T was found to be 91.86–91.81 %. The DNA–DNA hybridization estimated value between strain 22II-S11-z7^T and A. megaterium XH134^T was 47.7 ± 2.6 %. The principal fatty acids were identified as Summed Feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/ω6c, as defined by the MIDI system; 8.1 %), SummedFeature 9 (iso-C_17:1 ω7c/C_16:110-methyl; 6.8 %), iso-C_15:0 G (11.3 %), iso-C_15:0 (24.9 %), iso-C_16:0 (5.7 %), C_16:0 (5.2 %), iso-C_15:0 3OH (6.4 %) and iso-C_17:0 3OH (21.5 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 32.99 mol %. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-6 (100 %). Phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, five unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids were found to be present. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain 22II-S11-z7^T represents a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina atlantica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 22II-S11-z7^T (=MCCC 1A09239^T = KCTC 42003^T).     

Bacillus pakistanensis sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium isolated from salt mines of the Karak Area in Pakistan

A rod shaped, non-motile, endospore forming, Gram-stain positive and moderately halotolerant strain, designated as NCCP-168^T, was isolated from salt mines sampled in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan. To delineate its taxonomic position, the strain was subjected to polyphasic characterization. Cells of strain NCCP-168^T can grow at 10–40 ^○C (optimum at 30–35 ^○C), in a pH range of 5.0–9.0 (optimum at pH 8.0) and in 0–17 % (w/v) NaCl on agar medium. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain NCCP-168^T belongs to the genus Bacillus with the highest similarity to Bacillus seohaeanensis BH724^T (97.1 %), and less than 97 % similarity with other closely related taxa (95.6 % with B. subtilis subsp. subtilis NCIB3610^T). DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NCCP-168^T and the type strains of closely related species was lower than 30 %. Chemotaxonomic data (major menaquinone, MK-7; cell wall peptidoglycan type, A1γ [meso-diaminopimelic acid]; major fatty acids, iso-C_15:0 29.9 %, anteiso-C_15:0 29.3 %, iso-C_16:0 11.4 %, iso-C_14:0 8.9 % and anteiso-C_17:0 7.0 %; major polar lipids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine) support the affiliation of strain NCCP-168^T with genus Bacillus. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain NCCP-168^T can be distinguished from the closely related taxa and thus represents a novel species in the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus pakistanensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain NCCP-168^T (= KCTC 13786^T = DSM 24834^T = JCM 18975^T).     

Actinopolyspora righensis sp. nov., a novel halophilic actinomycete isolated from Saharan soil in Algeria

A novel halophilic actinomycete strain, H23^T, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected in Djamâa (Oued Righ region), El-Oued province, South Algeria. Strain H23^T was identified as a member of the genus Actinopolyspora by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain H23^T had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 97.8 % (Actinopolyspora xinjiangensis TRM 40136^T) to 94.8 % (Actinopolyspora mortivallis DSM 44261^T). The strain grew optimally at pH 6.0–7.0, 28–32 °C and in the presence of 15–25 % (w/v) NaCl. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age. The aerial mycelium produced long, straight or flexuous spore chains with non-motile, smooth-surfaced and rod-shaped spores. Strain H23^T had MK-10 (H₄) and MK-9 (H₄) as the predominant menaquinones. The whole micro-organism hydrolysates mainly consisted of meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose and arabinose. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylcholine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_17:0 (37.4 %), iso-C_17:0 (14.8 %), iso-C_15:0 (14.2 %), and iso-C_16:0 (13.9 %). The genotypic and phenotypic data show that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Actinopolyspora, for which the name Actinopolyspora righensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain H23^T (=DSM 45501^T = CCUG 63368^T = MTCC 11562^T).     

Pedobacter hainanensis sp. nov., Isolated from Seaside Soil

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated 13-Q^T, was isolated from seaside soil under the stacks of the red algae in Hainan province in China. Identification was carried out on the basis of polyphasic taxonomy. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 13-Q^T belonged to the genus Pedobacter, and the highest similarity was 94.4 % with Pedobacter terricola KCTC 12876^T. Strain 13-Q^T was able to grow at 10–40 °C, in pH 5.0–10.0, in the presence of 0–2.0 % NaCl. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (40.4 %), summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c) (18.9 %) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (18.4 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42.7 mol%. Strain 13-Q^T could be distinguished from the nearest phylogenetic neighbors by various chemotaxonomic and phenotypic properties. The results of the polyphasic analyses suggested that strain 13-Q^T should be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter hainanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13-Q^T (=CCTCC AB 2012076^T = NRRL B-59850^T).     

Bacillus borbori sp. Nov., Isolated From an Electrochemically Active Biofilm

A Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, motile, endospore-forming rod strain, designated DX-4^T, was isolated from an electrochemically active biofilm. Growth occurred at 30–65 °C (optimum 55 °C), at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5) and with <6 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive. The main respiratory quinone was MK-7, the predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, and unidentified aminophospholipid, the DNA G+C content was 38.6 mol% and the major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C_15:0 (38.9 %), iso-C_17:0 (30.5 %), iso-C_16:0 (5.6 %), and anteiso-C_17:0 (5.2 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain DX-4^T is a member of the genus Bacillus. The results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic analyses clearly indicated that strain DX-4^T represents a novel species, for which the name Bacillus borbori sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DX-4^T (= CCTCC AB2012196^T = KCTC 33103^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).     

Flavobacterium plurextorum sp. nov. Isolated from Farmed Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Five strains (1126-1H-08^T, 51B-09, 986-08, 1084B-08 and 424-08) were isolated from diseased rainbow trout. Cells were Gram-negative rods, 0.7 µm wide and 3 µm long, non-endospore-forming, catalase and oxidase positive. Colonies were circular, yellow-pigmented, smooth and entire on TGE agar after 72 hours incubation at 25°C. They grew in a temperature range between 15°C to 30°C, but they did not grow at 37°Cor 42°C. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolates belonged to the genus Flavobacterium. Strain 1126-1H-08^T exhibited the highest levels of similarity with Flavobacterium oncorhynchi CECT 7678^T and Flavobacterium pectinovorum DSM 6368^T (98.5% and 97.9% sequence similarity, respectively). DNA–DNA hybridization values were 87 to 99% among the five isolates and ranged from 21 to 48% between strain 1126-1H-08^T, selected as a representative isolate, and the type strains of Flavobacterium oncorhynchi CECT 7678^T and other phylogenetic related Flavobacterium species. The DNA G+C content of strain 1126-1H-08^T was 33.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-6 and the major fatty acids were iso-C_15∶0 and C_15∶0. These data were similar to those reported for Flavobacterium species. Several physiological and biochemical tests differentiated the novel bacterial strains from related Flavobacterium species. Phylogenetic, genetic and phenotypic data indicate that these strains represent a new species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium plurextorum sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is 1126-1H-08^T ( = CECT 7844^T = CCUG 60112^T).     

Pseudoxanthomonas gei sp. nov., a novel endophytic bacterium isolated from the stem of Geum aleppicum

A Gram stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile and deep-yellow-coloured bacterial strain, designated ZFJR-3^T, was isolated from the stem of Geum aleppicum Jacq. collected from Taibai Mountain in Shaanxi Province, north-west China, and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The novel isolate grew optimally at 25–28 °C and in the absence of NaCl. Flexirubin-type pigments were produced. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (29.2 %), iso-C_16:0 (18.5 %), summed feature 9 (comprising iso-C_17:1 ω9c and/or C_16:0 10-methyl; 8.8 %), C_16:1 ω7c alcohol (8.8 %), iso-C_11:0 3-OH (6.9 %) and iso-C_11:0 (6.8 %). The DNA G+C content was 66.1 mol %. The only polyamine was spermidine and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ZFJR-3^T belongs to the genus Pseudoxanthomonas and was most closely related to Pseudoxanthomonas yeongjuensis KCTC 22757^T (16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 99.0 %) and Pseudoxanthomonas sacheonensis KCTC 22080^T (98.0 %). The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to other Pseudoxanthomonas species with validly published names were less than 96.5 %. DNA–DNA relatedness values for strain ZFJR-3^T with respect to its closely related neighbours P. yeongjuensis KCTC 22757^T and P. sacheonensis KCTC 22080^T were 48.7 and 36.3 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, strain ZFJR-3^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pseudoxanthomonas, for which the name Pseudoxanthomonas gei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZFJR-3^T (=CCTCC AB 2013020^T =KCTC 32298^T).     

Ochrovirga pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov., A Novel Agar-Lytic Marine Bacterium of the Family Flavobacteriaceae Isolated From A Seaweed

A strain designated as S85^T was isolated from a seaweed collected from coastal area of Chuuk State in Micronesia. The strain was gram-negative, rod-shaped, and non-motile and formed yellow colonies on the SWY agar (0.2 % yeast extract and 1.5 % agar in seawater) and Marine agar 2216. The strain grew at pH 5–9 (optimum, pH 8), at 15–40 °C (optimum, 25–28 °C), and with 1–9 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain S85^T was related to Lutibacter litoralis CL-TF09^T and Maritimimonas rapanae A31^T with 91.4 % and with 90.5 % similarity, respectively. The dominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH and iso-C_17:0 3-OH, C_16:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 34.6 mol %. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown glycolipid and two unknown polar lipids. Based on this polyphasic taxonomic data, strain S85^T stands for a novel species of a new genus, and we propose the name Ochrovirga pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of O. pacifica is S85^T (=KCCM 90106 =JCM 18327^T).     

Aquimarina penaei sp. nov., isolated from intestinal tract contents of Pacific white shrimp,Penaeus vannamei

A novel bacterial strain designated P3-1^T was isolated from the intestinal tract contents of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) in Zhangpu, Fujian province, China. The isolate was found to be Gram-negative, long rod shaped, oxidase- and catalase- positive. Growth was observed at 1–7 % sea salt (w/v, optimum, 3 %), at pH 7.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 10–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C). The isolate was capable of hydrolysing gelatin, casein, starch and DNA but unable to degrade Tween 20, 40, 80 and cellulose. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain P3-1^T belongs to the genus Aquimarina, with highest sequence similarity to Aquimarina gracilis PSC32^T (96.2 %), followed by Aquimarina intermedia KMM 6258^T (96.1 %), Aquimarina spongiae A6^T (95.9 %) and Aquimarina muelleri KMM 6020^T (95.8 %). The principal cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3OH, C_16:1 ω7c/ω6c, iso-C_15:1 G, iso-C_15:0 3OH, iso-C_17:1 ω9c/C_16:0 10-methyl and C_16:0. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 33.3 mol%. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-6 (100 %). The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain P3-1^T represents a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina penaei sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain P3-1^T (=MCCC 1A09871^T = LMG 27943^T).