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).     

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).     

Mariniflexile ostreae sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from an oyster

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated and rod-shaped bacterial strain able to move by gliding, designated TYO-10^T, was isolated from an oyster collected at Tongyoung on the South Sea, South Korea. Strain TYO-10^T was found to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TYO-10^T joined the cluster comprising the type strains of Mariniflexile species. Strain TYO-10^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.4–95.7 % to the type strains of Mariniflexile species and of less than 95.4 % to the type strains of other recognized species. Strain TYO-10^T was found to contain MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1 G, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and iso-C_15:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain TYO-10^T were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid, which is similar to those of the type strains of Mariniflexile species, but different from those of other phylogenetically related species. The DNA G+C content of strain TYO-10^T was determined to be 35.9 mol%. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain TYO-10^T is separated from other Mariniflexile species. On the basis of the data presented, strain TYO-10^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mariniflexile, for which the name Mariniflexile ostreae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TYO-10^T (= KCTC 42113^T = CECT 8622^T).     

Motiliproteus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-to-spiral-shaped, oxidase- and catalase- positive and facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated HS6^T, was isolated from marine sediment of Yellow Sea, China. It can reduce nitrate to nitrite and grow well in marine broth 2216 (MB, Hope Biol-Technology Co., Ltd) with an optimal temperature for growth of 30–33 °C (range 12–45 °C) and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl (range 0.5–7 %, w/v). The pH range for growth was pH 6.2–9.0, with an optimum at 6.5–7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the novel isolate was 93.3 % similar to the type strain of Neptunomonas antarctica, 93.2 % to Neptunomonas japonicum and 93.1 % to Marinobacterium rhizophilum, the closest cultivated relatives. The polar lipid profile of the novel strain consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and some other unknown lipids. Major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/iso-C_15:0 2-OH), C_18:1 ω7c and C_16:0 and the main respiratory quinone was Q-8. The DNA G+C content of strain HS6^T was 61.2 mol %. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain HS6^T represents a novel genus and species and the name Motiliproteus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is HS6^T (=ATCC BAA-2613^T=CICC 10858^T).     

Siansivirga jejunensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater of Jeju Island in Korea and emendation of the genus Siansivirga

A Gram-stain negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped bacterium, strain JHH-2^T, was isolated from seawater collected in Jeju Island, Korea. The novel isolate was found to grow at 25–30 °C, at pH 6.5–7.0 and in the presence of 1–2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain JHH-2^T is closely related to Siansivirga zeaxanthinifaciens JCM 17682^T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.6 %. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-6 and the major cellular fatty acids were detected as iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 and iso-C_17:0 3-OH. Polar lipid profiling revealed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid, four unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the chromosomal DNA of the type strain is 35.6 mol%. On the basis of several distinct phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, a new species of the genus Siansivirga, Siansivirga jejunensis JHH-2^T sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JHH-2^T (= KCCM 92030^T = JCM 19228^T).     

Actinopolyspora saharensis sp. nov., a novel halophilic actinomycete isolated from a Saharan soil of Algeria

A novel halophilic actinomycete, strain H32^T, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected in El-Oued province, south Algeria. The isolate was characterized by means of polyphasic taxonomy. Optimal growth was determined to occur at 28–32 °C, pH 6.0–7.0 and in the presence of 15–25 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain was observed to produce abundant aerial mycelium, which formed long chains of rod-shaped spores at maturity, and fragmented substrate mycelium. The cell wall was determined to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the characteristic whole-cell sugars were arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were found to be MK-10(H₄) and MK-9(H₄). The predominant cellular fatty acids were determined to be anteiso C_17:0, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylcholine. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that this strain formed a distinct phyletic line within the radiation of the genus Actinopolyspora. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain H32^T was most closely related to ‘Actinopolyspora algeriensis’ DSM 45476^T (98.8 %) and Actinopolyspora halophila DSM 43834^T (98.5 %). Furthermore, the result of DNA–DNA hybridization between strain H32^T and the type strains ‘A. algeriensis’ DSM 45476^T, A. halophila DSM 43834^T and Actinopolyspora mortivallis DSM 44261^T demonstrated that this isolate represents a different genomic species in the genus Actinopolyspora. Moreover, the physiological and biochemical data allowed the differentiation of strain H32^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, it is proposed that strain H32^T represents a novel species of the genus Actinopolyspora, for which the name Actinopolyspora saharensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H32^T (=DSM 45459^T=CCUG 62966^T).     

Gordonibacter faecihominis sp. nov., isolated from human faeces

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated CAT-2^T, was isolated from human faeces as a bacterium capable of dehydroxylating (+)-catechin derivatives. Strain CAT-2^T was found to be strictly anaerobic, Gram-positive, non-motile and non-spore-forming coccobacilli. The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:0 DMA (dimethy acetal), C_16:0, C_14:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_14:0. The three predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-6 (menaquinene-6), MMK-6 (monomethylmenaquinone-6) and DMMK-6 (dimethylmenaquinone-6). The polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and four unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain CAT-2^T was 68.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities showed that strain CAT-2^T belongs to the genus Gordonibacter, sharing the highest level of sequence homology with Gordonibacter pamelaeae DSM 19378^T (97.3 %). Combined phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics support the conclusion that the strain CAT-2^T represents a novel species, for which the name Gordonibacter faecihominis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAT-2^T (= KCTC 15204^T = JCM 16058^T).     

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).     

Bacillus thermophilum sp. nov., isolated from a microbial fuel cell

A novel thermophilic, Gram-staining positive bacterium, designated DX-2^T, was isolated from the anode biofilm of a microbial fuel cell. Cells of the strain were oxidase positive, catalase positive, facultative anaerobic, motile rods. The isolate grew at 30–60 °C (optimum 50 °C) and pH 5–9 (optimum pH 8–8.5). The pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities showed that strain DX-2^T was most closely related to Bacillus fumarioli LMG 17489^T (96.2 %), B. firmus JCM 2512^T (96.0 %) and B. foraminis DSM 19613^T (95.7 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DX-2^T formed a cluster with B. smithii (95.5 %) and B. infernus (94.9 %). The genomic G+C content of DX-2^T was 43.7 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and unknown phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acid was iso-C_16:0. Based on its phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic features, and results of phylogenetic analysis, the strain was identified to represent a distinct novel species in the genus Bacillus, and the name proposed is B. thermophilum sp. nov. The type strain is DX-2^T (=CCTCC AB2012194^T = KCTC 33128^T).     

Streptomonospora algeriensis sp. nov., a halophilic actinomycete isolated from soil in Algeria

A halophilic actinomycete strain, designated H27^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a hypersaline habitat in Djelfa Province (North-Central Algeria), and then investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain was observed to produce poor aerial mycelium, which formed short chains of oval to cylindrical-shaped spores at maturity, and non fragmented substrate mycelium. The optimum NaCl concentration for growth was found to be 10–15 % (w/v) and the optimum growth temperature and pH were found to be 28–37 °C and 6–7, respectively. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was identified as meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinones of strain H27^T were identified as MK-11 (H₄) and MK-10 (H₆). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0, 10 methyl C_17:0 and 10 methyl C_16:0. The diagnostic phospholipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. The chemotaxonomic properties of strain H27^T are consistent with those shared by members of the genus Streptomonospora. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain H27^T is most closely related to Streptomonospora alba DSM 44588^T (98.8 %) and Streptomonospora flavalba DSM 45155^T (98.7 %) whereas the DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain H27^T and the two type strains were 17.1 and 57.9 %, respectively. Based on the combined genotypic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that strain H27^T should be classified as representative of a novel species, for which the name Streptomonospora algeriensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H27^T (=DSM 45604^T =CCUG 63369^T =MTCC 11563^T).     

Bizionia psychrotolerans sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from the intestine of a sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus)

A novel Gram-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated PB-M7^T, was isolated from the intestine of a sea cucumber collected from Pohang, South Korea. Growth was observed at 4–30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–8.0), and with 2.0–6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0 %). In a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain PB-M7^T was found to belong to the genus Bizionia and to be most closely related to Bizionia echini KMM 6177^T (99.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Bizionia hallyeonensis T-y7^T (97.9 %), Bizionia algoritergicola APA-1^T (97.5 %), Bizionia argentinensis JUB59^T (97.5 %) and Bizionia myxarmorum ADA-4^T (97.1 %). The predominant fatty acids of strain PB-M7^T were identified as iso-C_15:0 (22.2 %), iso-C_15:1 G (10.8 %), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (16.7 %) and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c; 11.2 %). The major respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The polar lipid profile of strain PB-M7^T was found to contain phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G + C content of strain PB-M7^T was determined to be 33.4 mol% and the mean DNA–DNA relatedness values with the type strains of B. echini, B. hallyeonensis, B. algoritergicola, B. argentinensis, and B. myxarmorum were 52.9, 48.5, 46.5, 37.1 and 26.6 %, respectively. Based on the data presented, strain PB-M7^T represents a novel species of the genus Bizionia, for which the name Bizionia psychrotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of B. psychrotolerans is PB-M7^T (= KCCM 43042 ^T = JCM 19924 ^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).     

Litoribrevibacter albus gen. nov. sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater,Fujian province,China

A Gram-stain negative, short rod-shaped aerobic bacterium with flagella, designated strain Y32^T, was isolated from coastal seawater in Xiamen, Fujian Province of China. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that strain Y32^T is a member of the family Oceanospirillaceae, forming a distinct lineage with species of the genus Litoribacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain Y32^T and other strains were all less than 94.0 %. Strain Y32^T was found to grow optimally at 28 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 4–5 % (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acids were identified as Summed Feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c, 49.4 %), C_16:0 (17.7 %), C_14:0 (6.9 %) and C_18:1 ω9c (5.4 %). The major respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The major polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain Y32^T was determined to be 55.6 mol%. According to its morphology, physiology, fatty acid composition, polar lipids composition and 16S rRNA gene sequence data, strain Y32^T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Oceanospirillaceae, for which the name Litoribrevibacter albus gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Litoribrevibacter albus is Y32^T (=MCCC 1F01211^T=NBRC 110071^T).     

Polaribacter marinivivus sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from seawater

A Gram-stain negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated GYSW-15^T, was isolated from a seawater of Geoje island on the South Sea, South Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain GYSW-15^T was found to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of approximately 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GYSW-15^T belongs to the genus Polaribacter, clustering coherently with the type strain of Polaribacter porphyrae showing sequence similarity value of 97.0 %. Strain GYSW-15^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 94.3–96.4 % to the type strains of the other Polaribacter species. Strain GYSW-15^T was found to contain MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1 G, iso-C_16:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c) as the major fatty acids. The polar lipid profile of strain GYSW-15^T containing phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid as major components was similar to that of the type strain of P. porphyrae. The DNA G + C content of strain GYSW-15^T was determined to be 31.2 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness with P. porphyrae LMG 26671^T was 17 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain GYSW-15^T is separated from recognized Polaribacter species. On the basis of the data presented, strain GYSW-15^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribacter marinivivus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GYSW-15^T ( = KCTC 42156^T = CECT 8655^T)     

Luteimonas dalianensis sp. nov., an obligate marine bacterium isolated from seawater

A marine bacterial strain, designated OB44-3^T, was isolated from a crude oil-contaminated seawater sample collected near Dalian Bay, China. Cells of strain OB44-3^T were Gramnegative, aerobic, rod-shaped, and oxidase- and catalasepositive. The major fatty acids were branched-chain saturated iso-C_15:0 (27.9%) and unsaturated iso-C_17:1 ω9c (14.8%). The DNA G+C content was 64.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain OB44-3^T was a member of the genus Luteimonas (95–96% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity); its closest neighbors were the type strains of Luteimonas terricola (96% sequence similarity), Luteimonas mephitis (96%), and Luteimonas lutimaris (96%). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain OB44-3^T was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Luteimonas. The name Luteimonas dalianensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain OB44-3^T (=CGMCC 1.12191^T =JCM 18136^T) as the type strain.     

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.     

Bacillus haikouensis sp. nov., a facultatively anaerobic halotolerant bacterium isolated from a paddy soil

A Gram-stain positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming and facultatively anaerobic halotolerant bacterium, designated as C-89^T, was isolated from a paddy field soil in Haikou, Hainan Province, People’s Republic of China. Optimal growth was observed at 37 °C and pH 7.0 in the presence of 4 % NaCl (w/v). The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-7, the major cellular fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0, and the major cellular polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown phospholipids. The peptidoglycan type was determined to be based on meso-DAP. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the closest phylogenetic relatives were identified as Bacillus vietnamensis JCM 11124^T (98.8 % sequence similarity), Bacillus aquimaris JCM 11545^T (98.6 %) and Bacillus marisflavi JCM 11544^T (98.5 %). The DNA G+C content of strain C-89^T was determined to be 45.4 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain C-89^T with its closest relatives were below 18 %. Therefore, on the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, and phenotypic results, strain C-89^T can be considered to represent a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus haikouensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is C-89^T (=KCTC 33545^T = CCTCC AB 2014076^T).     

Clostridium swellfunianum sp. nov., a novel anaerobic bacterium isolated from the pit mud of Chinese Luzhou-flavor liquor production

A novel Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain S11-3-10^T, was isolated from the pit mud used for Chinese Luzhou-flavor liquor production. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the strain formed a monophyletic clade with the closely related type strains of Clostridium cluster I and was most closely related to Clostridium amylolyticum JCM 14823^T (94.38 %). The temperature, pH, and NaCl range for growth was determined to be 20–45 °C (optimum 37 °C), 4.0–10.0 (optimum pH 7.3), and 0–3.0 % (w/v), respectively. The strain was able to tolerate up to 7.5 % (v/v) ethanol. Yeast extract or peptone was found to be required for growth. Acids were found to be produced from glucose, mannose and trehalose. The major end products from glucose fermentation were identified as ethanol, acetate and hydrogen. The polar lipids were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified phospholipids and polar lipids. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were identified as iso-C_15:0, C_16:0, C_16:0 dma, C_14:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_13:0. No respiratory quinone was detected. The diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan was identified as meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell sugars were found to include galactose and glucose as major components. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 36.4 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic evidence, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Clostridium for which the name Clostridium swellfunianum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S11-3-10^T (=DSM 27788^T = JCM 19606^T = CICC 10730^T).     

Arthrobacter enclensis sp. nov., isolated from sediment sample

A novel bacterial strain designated as NIO-1008^T was isolated from marine sediments sample in Chorao Island India. Cells of the strains were gram positive and non-motile, displayed a rod–coccus life cycle and formed cream to light grey colonies on nutrient agar. Strain NIO-1008^T had the chemotaxonomic markers that were consistent for classification in the genus Arthrobacter, i.e. MK-9(H₂) (50.3 %), as the major menaquinone, and the minor amount of MK-7 (H₂-27.5 %), MK-8 (H₄-11.6 %) and MK-8 (H₂-10.4 %). anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and C_15:0 were the predominant fatty acids. Galactose, glucose and rhamnose are the cell-wall sugars, and DNA G+C content was 61.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, showed that the strains were most similar to Arthrobacter equi IMMIB L-1606^T, Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus DSM 12829^T, Arthrobacter defluvii KCTC 19209^T and Arthrobacter niigatensis CCTCC AB 206012^T with 98.5, 98.4, 98.0 and 97.8 %, respectively, and formed a separate lineage. Combined phenotypic data and DNA–DNA hybridization data supported the conclusion that strains NIO-1008^T represent a novel species within the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter enclensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is NIO-1008^T = (NCIM 5488^T = DSM 25279^T).