<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas qijiaojingensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas flava</Emphasis> sp. nov., two moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from a salt lake

Two moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, designated YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T, were isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China. The two strains YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T grew at 20–40°C, pH 6–9, 0.5–24% (w/v) NaCl and at 20–40°C, pH 6–9, 0.5–23% (w/v) NaCl, respectively. No growth occurred in absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T were phylogenetically affiliated to the genus Halomonas and exhibited sequence similarity of 97.5% and 97.4% to the type strain Halomonas anticariensis DSM 16096^T, respectively. The strains possessed chemotaxonomic markers that were consistent with their classification in the genus Halomonas (Q-9 as predominant respiratory quinine; C18:1ω7c, C16:0 and C16:1 ω7c/iso-C15:02-OH as the major fatty acids). The DNA–DNA hybridization values for strains YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T, YIM 93003^T and DSM 16096^T, YIM 94343^T and DSM 16096^T were 38.1 ± 3.0, 18.3 ± 4.7, and 20.8 ± 4.6%, respectively. The G+C contents of the strains YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T were 63.4 and 64.0 mol%, respectively. Based on comparative analysis of physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, including low DNA–DNA hybridization results, two novel species, Halomonas qijiaojingensis sp. nov., and Halomonas flava sp. nov., are proposed. The type strains are YIM 93003^T (=CCTCC AB 208133^T =KCTC 22228^T) and YIM 94343^T (=CCTCC AB 2010382^T =KCTC 23356^T), respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudonocardia serianimatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the surface-sterilized leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis> L.

An aerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive, Gram-stain positive actinomycete designated YIM 63233^T was isolated from the surface-sterilized leaves of Artemisia annua L. and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Optimal growth occurred at 20–28°C, pH 6.0–7.0 and in the presence of 0–3% (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YIM 63233^T clustered with species of the genus Pseudonocardia, displaying ≥1.2% sequence divergence with recognized species of this genus (from 98.8 to 94.0%). Relatively low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness were found between strain YIM 63233^T and Pseudonocardia petroleophila IMSNU 22072^T, which supported the classification of strain YIM 63233^T within a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia. The G + C content of genomic DNA was 72.0 mol%. Strain YIM 63233^T possessed chemotaxonomic markers that were consistent with classification in the genus Pseudonocardia, i.e. the predominant fatty acids were iso-C16:0 (32.27%), C16:0 10-methyl (8.73%) and C17:1ω8c (8.30%), whilst the predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H₄). The diagnostic diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cell wall sugars were glucose, arabinose, galactose, mannose and rhamnose. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and DNA–DNA hybridization allowed the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain YIM 63233^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, the new isolate YIM 63233^T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia serianimatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 63233^T (=DSM 45302^T = CCTCC AA 208079^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudonocardia bannaensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis> L.

During the course of our research on new actinobacterial sources, a novel actinomycete strain YIM 63101^T was isolated from the surface-sterilized roots of Artemisia annua L. collected from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, south-west China and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The strain formed well-differentiated aerial and substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 63101^T belongs to the genus Pseudonocardia, with highest similarity to “Pseudonocardia artemisiae YIM 63587^T” (99.4%). Sequence similarities between strain YIM 63101^T and the other Pseudonocardia species ranged from 97.0 (Pseudonocardia saturnea IMSNU 20052^T) to 94.0% (Pseudonocardia compacta IMSNU 20111^T). The chemotaxonomic characteristics, such as cell wall diaminopimelic acid, whole-cell sugars, fatty acid components and the major menaquinones suggested that the organism belonged to the genus Pseudonocardia. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 69.4 mol%. Based on comparative analysis of physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, including low DNA–DNA hybridization results, it is proposed that strain YIM 63101^T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, named Pseudonocardia bannaensis sp. nov. The type strain is YIM 63101^T (= CCTCC AA 208077 ^T = DSM 45300^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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubellimicrobium roseum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from the forest soil sample

A novel pink-coloured, non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-negative bacterium, designated YIM 48858^T, is described by using a polyphasic approach. The strain can grow at pH 6.5–9 (optimum at pH 7) and 25–30°C (optimum at 28°C). NaCl is not required for its growth. Positive for oxidase and catalase. Urease activity, nitrate reduction, starch and Tween 80 tests are negative reaction. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain YIM 48858^T is a member of the genus Rubellimicrobium, with similarities of 96.3, 95.7 and 95.5% to Rubellimicrobium mesophilum MSL-20^T, Rubellimicrobium aerolatum 5715S-9^T and Rubellimicrobium thermophilum DSM 16684^T, respectively. Q-10 was the predominant respiratory ubiquinone as in the other members of the genus Rubellimicrobium. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphoglycolipid, glycolipid and the major fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c, C16:0 and C10:0 3-OH, which are very different from the valid published species. The DNA G + C content was 67.7 mol%. Both phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic evidence supports that YIM 48858^T is a novel species of the genus Rubellimicrobium, for which the name Rubellimicrobium roseum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 48858^T (=CCTCC AA 208029^T =KCTC 23202^T).     

Kineococcus glutineturens sp. nov., isolated from soil in Yunnan, south-west China

An orange-coloured, non-spore-forming, motile and coccus-shaped actinobacterium, designated YIM 75677^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a dry-hot river valley in Dongchuan county, Yunnan Province, south-west China and its taxonomic position was investigated. Growth of strain YIM 75677^T occurred at 12–55 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and NaCl tolerance up to 2 % (w/v). Cells adhered to agar media and were agglutinated tightly together. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid. The whole-cell hydrolysates mainly contained glucose, galactose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9 (H₂) and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0. Mycolic acids were not present. The DNA G+C content of strain YIM 75677^T was 74.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons clearly revealed that strain YIM 75677^T represents a novel member of the genus Kineococcus and is closely related to Kineococcus xinjiangensis S2-20^T (level of similarity, 98.6 %). Meanwhile, the result of DNA–DNA hybridization between strain YIM 75677^T and K. xinjiangensis S2-20^T demonstrated that this isolate represented a different genomic species in the genus Kineococcus. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain YIM 75677^T represents a novel species of the genus Kineococcus, for which the name Kineococcus glutineturens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 75677^T (=CCTCC AA 209075^T = JCM 18126^T).     

Zhihengliuella salsuginis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic actinobacterium from a subterranean brine

A novel moderately halophilic, alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, aerobic, coccus-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium, designated strain JSM 071043^T, was isolated from a subterranean brine sample collected from a salt mine in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0.5–20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5–10%) at pH 6.5–10.5 (optimum pH 8.5) and at 10–40°C (optimum 25–30°C). Good growth also occurred in the presence of 0.5–20% (w/v) KCl (optimum 5–8%) or 0.5–25% (w/v) MgCl₂·6H₂O (optimum 5–10%). The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–l-Ala–l-Glu) and major cell-wall sugars were tyvelose and mannose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. Strain JSM 071043^T contained MK-9 and MK-8 as the predominant menaquinones and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content was 67.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSM 071043^T was a member of the suborder Micrococcineae, and was most closely related to Zhihengliuella halotolerans YIM 70185^T (sequence similarity 98.9%) and Zhihengliuella alba YIM 90734^T (98.2%), and the three strains formed a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the proposal that strain JSM 071043^T represents a novel species of the genus Zhihengliuella, for which the name Z. salsuginis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 071043^T (= DSM 21149^T = KCTC 19466^T).     

Salinicoccus salitudinis sp. nov., a new moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a saline soil sample

A novel pale-yellow-pigmented, moderately halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic Gram-positive coccus, strain YIM-C678^T was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from a hypersaline habitat in the Qaidam basin, northwest China. The organism grew at 4–37°C and pH 6.0–11.0, with optimum growth at 25°C and pH 8.0. Strain YIM-C678^T grew optimally in the presence of 10–12% (w/v) NaCl and growth was observed in 1–25% (w/v) NaCl. The cell wall murein type was l-Lys-Gly₅. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and C_16:0. Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the major respiratory quinone. The DNA G + C content was 46.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain YIM-C678^T belonged to the family Staphylococcaceae and was most closely related to the eight described species of the genus Salinicoccus with sequence similarities from 92.2 (S. luteus YIM 70202^T) to 97.5% (S. kunmingensis YIM Y15^T). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YIM-C678^T and S. kunmingensis YIM Y15^T was 35.4%. Chemotaxonomic data and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis supported the affiliation of strain YIM-C678^T with the genus Salinicoccus. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic differences and DNA–DNA hybridization data supported the view that the bacterium represents a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which the name Salinicoccus salitudinis sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM-C678^T (=DSM 17846 = CGMCC 1.6299) as the type strain.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Yaniella soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new actinobacterium isolated from non-saline forest soil in China

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 070026^T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in China. Growth occurred with 0–20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–4%) and at pH 6.0–10.5 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 5–40°C (optimum, 30°C). Good growth also occurred in the presence of 0–28% (w/v) KCl (optimum, 2–5%) or 0–25% (w/v) MgCl₂·6H₂O (optimum, 1–4%). The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–Gly–l-Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained mannose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0. Strain JSM 070026^T contained menaquinone 8 as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content of strain JSM 070026^T was 56.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSM 070026^T was a member of the suborder Micrococcineae and most closely related to Yaniella flava YIM 70178^T (sequence similarity 99.4%) and Yaniella halotolerans YIM 70085^T (97.9%). The three strains formed a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the proposal that strain JSM 070026^T represents a novel species of the genus Yaniella, for which the name Yaniella soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 070026^T (=DSM 22211^T = KCTC 13527^T).     

Paenibacillus piscarius sp. nov., a novel nitrogen-fixing species isolated from the gut of the armored catfish Parotocinclus maculicauda

A Gram-positive, nitrogen-fixing and endospore-forming strain, designated P121^T, was isolated from the gut of the armored catfish (Parotocinclus maculicauda) and identified as a member of the genus Paenibacillus based on the sequences of the 16S rRNA encoding gene, rpoB, gyrB and nifH genes and phenotypic analyses. The most closely related species to strain P121^T were Paenibacillus rhizoplanae DSM 103993^T, Paenibacillus silagei DSM 101953^T and Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188^T, with similarity values of 98.9, 98.3 and 97.6%, respectively, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 7,513,698 bp, DNA G?+?C content of 53.9 mol% and the presence of the structural nitrogenase encoding genes (nifK, nifD and nifH) and of other nif genes necessary for nitrogen fixation. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) experiments and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses between strain P121^T and the type strains of the closest species demonstrated that the highest values were below the thresholds of 70% dDDH (42.3% with P. borealis) and 95% ANI (84.28% with P. silagei) for bacterial species delineation, indicating that strain P121^T represents a distinct species. Its major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C_15:0 (42.4%), and the major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. Based on physiological, genomic, biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics, we propose that strain P121^T represents a novel species for which the name Paenibacillus piscarius sp. nov. is proposed (type strain?=?DSM 25072?=?LFB-Fiocruz 1636).

     

Geodermatophilus nigrescens sp. nov., isolated from a dry-hot valley

A novel actinomycete, designated as strain YIM 75980^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a dry-hot river valley in Dongchuan county, Yunnan province, south-west China and was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The organism produced circular, smooth, red to black coloured colonies comprising coccoid-shaped cells. Colonies on agar medium lacked mycelia and cells adhered to the agar. Strain YIM 75980^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and contained galactose, arabinose and glucosamine as the main sugars in the whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9 (H₄) and the major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and C_16:0. The DNA G + C content of strain YIM 75980^T was 73.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences clearly showed that strain YIM 75980^T formed a distinct clade within the genus Geodermatophilus and was closely related to Geodermatophilus obscurus DSM 43160^T (level of similarity, 97.9%). Furthermore, the result of DNA–DNA hybridization between strain YIM 75980^T and G. obscurus 43160^T demonstrated that this isolate represented a different genomic species in the genus Geodermatophilus. Moreover, the physiological and biochemical data showed the differentiation of strain YIM 75980^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbour. Therefore, it is proposed that strain YIM 75980^T represents a novel species of the genus Geodermatophilus, for which the name Geodermatophilus nigrescens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 75980^T (=CCTCC AA 2011015^T =JCM 18056^T).     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deinococcus sahariens</Emphasis> sp. nov., a radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from a Saharan hot spring

An ultraviolet-radiation-resistant, Gram-positive, orange-pigmented, thermophilic and strictly aerobic cocci was isolated from Saharan water hot spring in Tunisia. The newly isolated bacterium, designated HAN-23^T, was identified based on polyphasic taxonomy including genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterization. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed this strain within Deinococcus genus. However, strain HAN-23^T is different from recognized species of the genus Deinococcus, showing less than 94.0% similarity values to its closest relatives. The predominant cellular fatty acids determined by gas chromatography were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and iso C_17:1 ω9c. The major respiratory quinone was MK-8. The DNA G + C content was 66.9 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization measurements revealed low DNA relatedness (6%) between the novel isolate and its closest neighbor, the type strain Deinococcus geothermalis DSM 11300. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain HAN-23^T represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus sahariens sp. nov. is proposed, the type strain being HAN-23^T (=DSM 18496^T; LMG 23756^T).     

Thermoactinospora rubra gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic actinomycete isolated from Tengchong, Yunnan province, south–west China

Two novel Gram-positive, spore-forming, thermophilic actinomycetes, designated as strain YIM 77501^T and YIM 77570, were isolated from a sandy soil sample collected at Tengchong National Volcanic Geological Park, Yunnan province, south–west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that the two isolates fell within the family Streptosporangiaceae. The strains formed extensively branched substrate and aerial mycelia which carried masses of long, straight or irregular spore chains composed of warty ornamented spores. Cell walls of the two strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and glucose, galactose, mannose and ribose were detected as whole-cell sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H₄) and MK-9(H₆). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, N-acetylglucosamine-containing phospholipids and phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositolmannosides. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_16:0 and 10-methyl C_17:0. The DNA G+C content was 74–76 mol%. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics as well as the phylogenetic analysis, these strains represents a novel species of a new genus within the family Streptosporangiaceae, for which the name Thermoactinospora rubra gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of T. rubra is YIM 77501^T (=DSM 45614^T = CCTCC AA 2011014^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus telluris</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel phosphate-solubilizing bacterium isolated from soil

A phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strain designated PS38^T was isolated from farm soil. The isolate was a Gram-positive, motile, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium. It grew optimally at 37°C and pH 7.5. The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, and iso-C_16:0. The DNA G+C content was 49.5 mol% and the predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Phylogenese analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain PS38^T belonged to the genus Paenibacillus and was most closely related to Paenibacillus chibensis JCM 9905^T, P. barengoltzii SAFN-016^T, P. timonensis 2301032^T, and P. motobuensis MC10^T with 96.3%, 96.0%, 95.9%, and 95.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. On the basis of morphological, chemotaxonomic, physiological, and phylogenetic properties, strain PS38^T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus telluris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PS38^T (=KCTC 13946^T =CGMCC 1.10695^T).     

Cohnella plantaginis sp. nov., a novel nitrogen-fixing species isolated from plantain rhizosphere soil

A novel bacterium capable of fixing nitrogen was isolated from plantain rhizosphere soil in China. The isolate, designated YN-83^T, is Gram-positive, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped (0.4–0.6 μm × 1.9–2.6 μm). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain YN-83^T was a member of the genus Cohnella. High similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence was found between YN-83^T and Cohnella ginsengisoli DSM18997^T (97.99%), whereas the similarity was below 96.0% between YN-83^T and the other Cohnella species. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YN-83^T and C. ginsengisoli DSM18997^T was 27.4 ± 6.2%. The DNA G+C content of strain YN-83^T was 59.3 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (44.3%), iso-C_15:0 (11.3%), iso-C_16:0 (18.6%) and C_16:0 (7.7%). The polar lipids of strain YN-83^T consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, lyso- phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, 16S rRNA gene sequence, G+C content and DNA–DNA hybridization, strain YN-83^T represents a novel species of the genus Cohnella, for which the name Cohnella plantaginis sp. nov. (type strain YN-83^T = DSM 25424^T = CGMCC 1.12047^T) is proposed.     

Thermovorax subterraneus, gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic hydrogen-producing bacterium isolated from geothermally active underground mine

A thermophilic, rod-shaped, motile, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium strain 70B^T was isolated from a geothermally active underground mine in Japan. The temperature and pH range for growth was 50–81°C (optimum 71°C) and 6.2–9.8 (optimum pH 7–7.5), respectively. Growth occurred in the presence 0–2% NaCl (optimum 1% NaCl). Strain 70B^T could utilize glucose, fructose, mannose, mannitol, pyruvate, cellobiose and tryptone as substrates. Thiosulfate was used as electron acceptor. Major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 DMA (dimethyl acetal), C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The G+C mol% of the DNA was 44.2%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the closest relatives of strain 70B^T were Thermosediminibacter oceani DSM 16646^T (94% similarity) and Thermosediminibacter litoriperuensis DSM 16647 (93% similarity). The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain 70B^T represents a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Thermovorax subterraneus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thermovorax subterraneus is 70B^T (=DSM 21563 = JCM 15541).     

Paenibacillus taohuashanense sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from rhizosphere soil of the root of Caragana kansuensis Pojark

A nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain gs65^T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of Caragana kansuensis Pojark. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the nifH gene and the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain gs65^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene similarity were found between strain gs65^T and Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188^T (97.5 %), Paenibacillus odorifer ATCC BAA-93^T (97.3 %), Paenibacillus durus DSM 1735^T (97.0 %) and Paenibacillus sophorae DSM23020^T (96.9 %). Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain gs65^T and the type strains of other recognized members of the genus Paenibacillus were below 97.0 %. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain gs65^T and P. borealis DSM 13188^T, P. odorifer ATCC BAA-93^T (97.3 %), P. durus DSM 1735^T and P. sophorae DSM23020^T were 35.9, 38.0, 34.2 and 35.5 % respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain gs65^T was determined to be 51.6 mol%. The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_14:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and levels of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain gs65^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus taohuashanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is gs65^T (=CGMCC 1.12175^T = DSM 25809^T).     

Pseudonocardia yuanmoensis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from soil in Yunnan, south-west China

A novel Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, spore-forming actinobacterium, designated YIM 75926^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected at soil forest in Yuanmo county of Yunnan province, south-west China. Its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain YIM 75926^T belongs to the genus Pseudonocardia and was closely related to Pseudonocardia halophobica DSM 43089^T (98.1% similarity). Strain YIM 75926^T had MK-8 (H₄) as the predominant menaquinone. The whole organism hydrolysates mainly consisted of meso-diaminopimelic acid, mannose, glucose, galactose and arabinose. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_16:0 (37.16%) and C_16:0 (12.43%). The DNA G+C content of strain YIM 75926^T was 70.6 mol%. The resultant phylogenetic trees further showed that strain YIM 75926^T belong to Pseudonocardia and had a distinct subclade within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Pseudonocardia. On the basis of its comparative analysis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain YIM 75926^T represent a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, named Pseudonocardia yuanmoensis sp. nov. The type strain is YIM 75926^T (=CCTCC AA 2011017^T = JCM 18055^T).     

Paenibacillus sinensis sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from plant rhizospheres

Two strains HN-1^T and 39 were isolated from rhizospheres of different plants grown in different regions of PR China. The two strains exhibited high nitrogenase activities and possessed almost identical 16S rRNA gene sequences. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains were 99.9 and 99.8%, respectively, suggesting that they belong to one species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strains HN-1^T and 39 are the members of the genus Paenibacillus and both strains exhibited 99.5% similarity to Paenibacillus stellifer DSM 14472^T and the both strains represented a separate lineage from all other Paenibacillus species. However, the ANI of type strain HN-1^T with P. stellifer DSM 14472^T was 90.69, which was below the recommended threshold value (<?95–96% ANI). The dDDH showed 42.1% relatedness between strain HN-1^T and P. stellifer DSM 14472^T, which was lower than the recommended threshold value (dDDH?<?70%). The strain HN-1^T contain anteiso-C_15:0 as major fatty acids and MK-7 as predominant isoprenoid quinone. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, four aminophospholipids and an unidentified glycolipid. Unlike the most closely related P. stellifer DSM 14472^T, strain HN-1^T or 39 was positive for catalase reaction. Distinct phenotypic and genomic characterisations from previously described taxa support the classification of strains HN-1^T or 39 as representatives of a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus sinensis is proposed, with type strains HN-1^T (=CGMCC 1.18902, JCM 34,620), and reference strain 39 (=CGMCC 1.18879, JCM 34,616), respectively.