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).     

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).     

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).     

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).     

Halomonas qiaohouensis sp. nov., isolated from salt mine soil in southwest China

Two Gram-stain negative, moderately halophilic, aerobic, motile bacteria, designated strains YIM QH88^T and YIM QH103, were isolated from the Qiaohou salt mine in Yunnan, southwest China. Cells of the strains were observed to be rod-shaped and produce creamy-coloured colonies. Growth of the two strains was observed at 10–45 °C (optimum 25–37 °C), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum 7.0–8.0), and in the presence of 0.5–20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2–6 %). The two strains were found to contain summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c/ω6c), C19:0 cyclo ω8c and C16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and unknown phospholipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strains YIM QH88^T and YIM QH103 were determined to be 64.6 and 64.2 mol%, respectively, and the predominant respiratory quinone detected was ubiquinone 9. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains YIM QH88^T and YIM QH103 formed a distinct lineage within the genus Halomonas and were most closely related to Halomonas pantelleriensis DSM 9661^T with 97.3 and 97.5 % of 16S rRNA sequence similarity respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness value for strains YIM QH88^T and YIM QH103 was 95.2 ± 0.8 %. The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between each of these two strains and the type strains of phylogenetically closely related Halomonas species were clearly below 70 %. On the basis of their phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strains YIM QH88^T and YIM QH103 should be classified as a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas qiaohouensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM QH88^T (=DSM 26770^T =CCTCC AB 2012965^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.     

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).     

Chryseobacterium yeoncheonense sp. nov., with ginsenoside converting activity isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A Gram-staining negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-flagellate, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated strain DCY67^T, was isolated from ginseng field in Republic of Korea. Strain DCY67^T contained β-glucosidase activity which converts ginsenoside Rb1 to compound K. Optimum growth of DCY67^T occurred at 30 °C and pH 6.0–6.5. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DCY67^T belonged to the family Flavobacteriaceae and was most closely related to Chryseobacterium ginsenosidimutans THG 15^T (97.5 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 36.1 mol%. The predominant quinones were MK-6 (90.9 %) and MK-7 (9.15 %). The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (containing C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH. On the basis of these phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic studies, strain DCY67^T represents a novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium, for which, name Chryseobacterium yeoncheonense sp. nov. proposed the type strain is DCY67^T (=KCTC 32090^T = JCM 18516^T).     

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).     

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">Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a cellulose-degrading bacterium isolated from tea

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped strain (THG-NT9^T) was isolated from a green tea sample. Growth occurred at 20–45 °C (optimum 28–35 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–2.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-NT9^T were identified as Scopulibacillus daqui DSM 28236^T (98.6%), Scopulibacillus darangshiensis DSM 19377^T (97.4%), Pullulanibacillus pueri CGMCC 1.12777^T (96.7%) and Pullulanibacillus camelliae CGMCC 1.15371^T (96.3%). The DNA G?+?C content of strain THG-NT9^T was determined to be 47.5 mol %. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-NT9^T and S. daqui DSM 28236^T, S. darangshiensis DSM 19377^T, P. pueri CGMCC 1.12777^T, P. camelliae CGMCC 1.15371^T and Pullulanibacillus naganoensis DSM 10191^T were 41.3?±?0.1 (39.4?±?0.4% reciprocal analysis), 39.1?±?0.1 (37.3?±?0.1%), 21.4?±?0.7 (20.1?±?0.3%), 20.7?±?0.1 (20.1?±?0.4%) and 12.1?±?0.2% (8.3?±?0.2%). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7. The major fatty acids were C_18:3 ω7c, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The cell wall type was determined to be A1γ peptidoglycan with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid plus alanine and glutamic acid and glucose as the cell wall sugar. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-NT9^T represents a novel species of the genus Scopulibacillus, for which the name Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-NT9^T (=?KCTC 33918^T?=?CGMCC 1.16305^T).     

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).     

Salinicoccus halitifaciens sp. nov., a novel bacterium participating in halite formation

Strain JC90^T was isolated from a soda lake in Lonar, India. Strain JC90^T maintains its external pH to 8.5 and participates in halite formation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain JC90^T was found to belong to the genus Salinicoccus and is most closely related to “Salinicoccus kekensis” K164^T (99.3 %), Salinicoccus alkaliphilus T8^T (98.4 %) and other members of the genus Salinicoccus (<96.5 %). However Strain JC90^T is <36 % related (based on DNA–DNA hybridization) with the type strains of “S. kekensis” K164^T and S. alkaliphilus T8^T. The DNA G+C content of strain JC90^T was determined to be 46 mol %. The cell-wall amino acids were identified as lysine and glycine. Polar lipids were found to include diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid and unidentified lipids (L1,2). Major hopanoids of strain JC90^T were determined to be bacterial hopane derivatives (BHD1,2), diplopterol, diploptene and two unidentified hopanoids (UH1,2). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was identified as menaquinone (MK-6). Anteiso-C_15:0 was determined to be the predominant fatty acid and significant proportions of iso-C_14:0, C_14:0, iso-C_15:0, C_16:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and C_18:02OH were also detected. The results of physiological and biochemical tests support the molecular evidence and allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain JC90^T from all other members of the genus Salinicoccus. Strain JC90^T is therefore considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Salinicoccus halitifaciens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC90^T (=KCTC 13894^T =DSM 25286^T).     

Geodermatophilus siccatus sp. nov., isolated from arid sand of the Saharan desert in Chad

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, actinobacterial strain, CF6/1^T, was isolated in 2007 during environmental screening of arid desert soil in the Sahara near to Ourba, Chad. The isolate was found to grow best in a temperature range of 20–37 °C and at pH 6.0–8.5 and showed no NaCl tolerance, forming black-coloured and nearly circular colonies on GYM agar. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics determined for the isolate match those previously described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. The DNA G + C content of the novel strain was determined to be 74.9 mol %. The peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The main phospholipids were determined to be phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol and traces of phosphatidylglycerol; MK-9(H₄) was identified as the dominant menaquinone and galactose as the diagnostic sugar. The major cellular fatty acids were found to be the branched-chain saturated acids iso-C_16:0 and iso-C_15:0, as well as C_17:1ω8c. The 16S rRNA gene sequence shows 97.5–97.9 % sequence identity with the four validly named or at least effectively published members of the genus: Geodermatophilus obscurus (97.5 %), Geodermatophilus arenarius (97.7 %), Geodermatophilus ruber (97.9 %) and Geodermatophilus nigrescens (97.9 %). Based on the results from this polyphasic taxonomic analysis and DNA–DNA hybridizations with all type strains of the genus, we propose that strain CF6/1^T represents a novel species, Geodermatophilus siccatus, with the type strain CF6/1^T = DSM 45419^T = CCUG 62765^T = MTCC 11414^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).     

Geodermatophilus arenarius sp. nov., a xerophilic actinomycete isolated from Saharan desert sand in Chad

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, actinobacterial strain, CF5/4^T, was isolated in 2007 during an environmental screening of arid desert soil in Ouré Cassoni, Chad. The isolate grew best in a temperature range of 28–40?°C and at pH 6.0–8.5, with 0–1?% (w/v) NaCl, forming brown-coloured and nearly circular colonies on GYM agar. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. The DNA G?+?C content of the novel strain was 75.9?mol?%. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diaminoacid. The main phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol and a small amount of phosphatidylglycerol; MK-9(H₄) was identified as the dominant menaquinone and galactose as diagnostic sugar. The major cellular fatty acids were branched-chain saturated acids: iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. The 16S rRNA gene showed 96.2–98.3?% sequence identity with the three members of the genus Geodermatophilus: G. obscurus (96.2?%), G. ruber (96.5?%), and G. nigrescens (98.3?%). Based on the chemotaxonomic results, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization with the type strain of G. nigrescens, the isolate is proposed to represent a novel species, Geodermatophilus arenarius (type strain CF5/4^T?=?DSM 45418^T?=?MTCC 11413^T?=?CCUG 62763^T).