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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacillus naozhouensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a sea anemone

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071068^T, was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from the Naozhou Island on the Leizhou Bay in the South China Sea. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071068^T was able to grow with 1–20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 6–9%), at pH values of 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and a temperature range of 10–35°C (optimum, 25°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G + C content was 42.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071068^T belonged to the genus Halobacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain JSM 071068^T and the type strains of the recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.9% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.3% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of H. alkaliphilus, Halobacillus campisalis, Halobacillus halophilus and Halobacillus seohaensis were 25.6, 22.1, 10.8 and 13.2%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 071068^T represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus naozhouensis sp. nov. is proposed, with JSM 071068^T (=DSM 21183^T =KCTC 13234^T) as the type strain. The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 071068^T is EU925615.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus litoralis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline soil

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 089168^T, was isolated from saline soil collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 2–25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The strain contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0, and the DNA G + C content was 40.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 089168^T should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus carmonensis (sequence similarity 97.6%), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus halodenitrificans (97.1%). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 089168^T and the type strains of V. carmonensis, V. necropolis and V. halodenitrificans were 20.4, 14.3 and 12.0%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 089168^T represents a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 089168^T (=DSM 21085^T =KCTC 13228^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 089168^T is FJ425909.     

<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).     

Virgibacillus zhanjiangensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from sea water

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 079157^T, was isolated from surface seawater off the coastline of Naozhou Island in South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 1–15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 4–7%), and at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, and the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (45.1%) and anteiso-C_17:0 (16.2%), and the DNA G + C content was 39.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 079157^T should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus litoralis (97.4% sequence similarity), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus carmonensis (97.1%). These four strains formed a distinct subcluster in the phylogenetic tree. The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of V. litoralis, V. necropolis and V. carmonensis were 30.4, 19.3 and 12.6%, respectively. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, combined with DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support the suggestion that strain JSM 079157^T represents a new species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus zhanjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 079157^T (=DSM 21084^T = KCTC 13227^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Marinobacter zhanjiangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from sea water of a tidal flat of the South China Sea

A novel Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-sporulating, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078120^T, was isolated from sea water collected from a tidal flat of Naozhou Island, South China Sea. Growth occurred with 1–15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 2–4%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and at 4–35°C (optimum, 25–30°C). The major cellular fatty acids were C_18:1 ω9c, C_16:0, C_12:0 3-OH and C_16:1 ω7c. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-9, and the genomic DNA G + C content was 60.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 078120^T should be assigned to the genus Marinobacter, being related most closely to the type strains of Marinobacter segnicrescens (sequence similarity 98.2%), Marinobacter bryozoorum (97.9%) and Marinobacter gudaonensis (97.6%). The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Marinobacter species ranged from 96.7 (with Marinobacter salsuginis) to 93.3% (with Marinobacter litoralis). The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 078120^T and the type strains of M. segnicrescens, M. bryozoorum and M. gudaonensis were 25.3, 20.6 and 18.8%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078120^T represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter zhanjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078120^T (= CCTCC AB 208029^T = DSM 21077^T = KCTC 22280^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 078120^T is FJ425903.     

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">Halobacillus hunanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a subterranean brine

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071077^T, was isolated from a subterranean brine sample collected from a salt mine in Hunan Province, China. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071077^T was able to grow with 2–25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–40°C (optimum, 25–30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071077^T should be assigned to the genus Halobacillus, being related most closely to the type strain of Halobacillus naozhouensis (98.8% sequence similarity), and the two strains formed a distinct subline in the neighbor-joining, minimum-evolution and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees. The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.6% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.2% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The results of the phylogenetic analyses, combined with DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support that strain JSM 071077^T represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 071077^T (=DSM 21184^T = KCTC 13235^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus berkeleyi</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus intermedius</Emphasis>

A bacterial strain, designated KMM 6244^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. The bacterium was found to be heterotrophic, aerobic, non-motile and spore-forming. Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed the marine isolate in the genus Bacillus. The nearest neighbor of strain KMM 6244^T was Bacillus decolorationis LMG 19507^T with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.0%. Sequence similarities with the other recognized Bacillus species were less than 96.0%. The results of the DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low relatedness (37%) of the novel isolate with the type strain of B. decolorationis LMG 19507^T. Strain KMM 6244^T grew at 4–45°C and with 0–12% NaCl. It produced catalase and oxidase and hydrolyzed aesculin, casein, gelatin and DNA. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and iso-C_14:0. The DNA G + C content was 39.4 mol%. A combination of phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic data clearly indicated that strain KMM 6244^T represents a novel species in the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus berkeleyi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6244^T (KCTC 12718^T = LMG 26357^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salinicoccus kekensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel alkaliphile and moderate halophile isolated from Keke Salt Lake in Qinghai,China

A novel alkaliphilic and moderate halophilic bacterium, designated strain K164^T, was isolated from Keke Salt Lake in Qinghai, China. The strain grew with 2.0–20.0% (w/v) NaCl, at 4–50°C and pH 6.5–11.5, with an optimum of 8% (w/v) NaCl, 37°C and pH 10, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6) and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 50.16 mol. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain K164^T was a member of the genus Salinicoccus. Strain K164^T showed the highest similarity (98.4%) with Salinicoccus alkaliphilus AS 1.2691^T and below 97% similarity with other recognized members of the genus in 16S rRNA gene sequence. Level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain K164^T and Salinicoccus alkaliphilus AS 1.2691^T was 20.1%. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and the level of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain K164^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which the name Salinicoccus kekensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K164^T (=CGMCC 1.10337^T = DSM 23173^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Joostella atrarenae</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel member of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis> originating from the black sea sand of Jeju Island

Strain M1-2^T was isolated from the black sand from the seashore of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea and was classified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain M1-2^T appeared as Gram-negative, motile rods that could grow in the presence of 1–10% (w/v) NaCl and at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37°C. This isolate has catalase and oxidase activity and hydrolyses aesculin, DNA and l-tyrosine. Based on phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M1-2^T belongs to the genus Joostella and is clearly distinct from the other described species of this genus, Joostella marina (type strain En5^T). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity level between M1-2^T and J. marina En5^T is 97.2%, and the DNA–DNA relatedness value between the two strains is 23.9%. Strain M1-2^T contains MK-6 as the major menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2OH) and iso-C_17:0 3OH as major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G + C content is 32.3 mol%. These data suggest that strain M1-2^T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Joostella atrarenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain for the novel species is M1-2^T (= KCTC 23194^T = NCAIM B.002413^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus rhizosphaerae</Emphasis> sp. nov., an novel diazotrophic bacterium isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere soil

A Gram-positive, non-pigmented, rod-shaped, diazotrophic bacterial strain, designated SC-N012^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of sugarcane and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain exhibited phenotypic properties that included chemotaxonomic characteristics consistent with its classification in the genus Bacillus. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of SC-N012^T revealed the closest match (98.9% pair wise similarity) with Bacillus clausii DSM 8716^T. However, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated low levels of genomic relatedness (32%) with this strain. The major components of the fatty acid profile are iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA is 43.0 mol%. The lipids present in strain SC-N012^T are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown phospholipids. Their predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. Studies of DNA-DNA relatedness, morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses and phylogenetic data based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing allowed strain SC-N012^T to be described as members of novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SC-N012^T (=DSM 21911^T = NCCB 100267^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas hunanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

A novel Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, non spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 083058^T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0–8% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5–3%) at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 5–35°C (optimum, 25–30°C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 083058^T fell within the cluster comprising species of the genus Sphingomonas, clustering with Sphingomonas aestuarii K4^T, with which it shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.2%). The chemotaxonomic properties of strain JSM 083058^T were consistent with those of the genus Sphingomonas. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10, and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c), C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c) and C17:1ω6c. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 083058^T was 65.5 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 083058^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 083058^T (=CCTCC AA 209011^T = DSM 22213^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alteromonas halophila</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a sea anemone

A pale yellow-colored, moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-sporulating, rod-shaped, motile, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 073008^T, was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 1–20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–40°C (optimum, 25–30°C). The major cellular fatty acids were C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c/iso-C_15:0 2-OH and C_18:1 ω7c. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the genomic DNA G + C content was 47.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 073008^T should be assigned to the genus Alteromonas, being most closely related to Alteromonas hispanica F-32^T (sequence similarity 96.9%), followed by Alteromonas genovensis LMG 24078^T (96.6%) and Alteromonas litorea TF-22^T (96.4%). The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Alteromonas species ranged from 95.9% (with Alteromonas stellipolaris ANT 69a^T) to 94.5% (with Alteromonas simiduii BCRC 17572^T). The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 073008^T represents a new species of the genus Alteromonas, for which the name Alteromonas halophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 073008^T (=CCTCC AA 207035^T = KCTC 22164^T). The authors Yi-Guang Chen and Huai-Dong Xiao have contributed equally to this work.     

<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">Photobacterium atrarenae</Emphasis> sp. nov. a Novel Bacterium Isolated from Sea Sand

The gram-reaction-negative, motile, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive bacterial strain M3-4^T was isolated from black sea sand and subjected to a taxonomic study. Cells of strain M3-4^T have monotrichous flagella, grow optimally at 37°C and at pH 7–8 in the presence of 1–4% (w/v) NaCl and hydrolyze casein, starch and l-tyrosine. According to phylogenetic analyses using 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M3-4^T belongs to the genus Photobacterium and is most closely related to Photobacterium rosenbergii LMG 22223^T (97.4%) and P. gaetbulicola KCTC 22804^T (96.6%). The DNA–DNA relatedness value between M3-4^T and P. rosenbergii LMG 22223^T was 21.5%. The DNA G+C mol% of strain M3-4^T was 53.6. The major cellular fatty acid of strain M3-4^T was a summed feature 3 consisting of C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH (35.0%), followed by C_16:0 (25.4%) and C_18:1ω7c (16.8%). These data suggest that strain M3-4^T represents a novel species in genus Photobacterium, for which the name P. atrarenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M3-4^T (= KCTC 23265^T = NCAIM B 02414^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mayteni</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a Chinese medicinal plant

An actinomycete strain, designated YIM 60475^T, was isolated from the roots of Maytenus austroyunnanensis and was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The strain was determined to belong to the genus Streptomyces, based on its phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics. The strain produced spiral spore chains on aerial mycelium. The cell wall contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained galactose, glucose, and xylose. The phospholipid was type II. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 73.3 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization and comparison of physiological and chemical characteristics suggested that strain YIM 60475^T is a new Streptomyces species, for which the name Streptomyces mayteni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 60475^T (=CCTCC AA 207005^T = KCTC 19383^T). Hua-Hong Chen and Sheng Qin contributed equally to this work.     

Nocardioides panzhihuaensis sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinomycete isolated from medicinal plant Jatropha curcas L.

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped and mycelia-producing bacterial strain, designated KLBMP 1050^T, was isolated from the stem of the oil-seed plant Jatropha curcas L. collected from Sichuan Province, south-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate KLBMP 1050^T belonged to the genus Nocardioides, with the highest sequence similarity to Nocardioides albus KCTC 9186^T (99.38 %) and Nocardioides luteus KCTC 9575^T (99.03 %). However, the DNA–DNA relatedness of isolate KLBMP 1050^T to these two type strains were 37.5 ± 3.5 and 33 ± 2.3 %, respectively. Strain KLBMP 1050^T grew at the pH range 6–11, temperature range 10–32 °C and with 0–12 % NaCl. The physiological properties of strain KLBMP 1050^T differ from those of N. albus KCTC 9186^T and N. luteus KCTC 9575^T. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and MK-8(H₄) was the major respiratory quinone. The predominant cellular fatty acid of strain KLBMP 1050^T was iso-C_16:0 (23.3 %). The total DNA G+C content was 70.1 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain KLBMP 1050^T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides panzhihuaensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KLBMP 1050^T (= KCTC 19888^T = NBRC 108680^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Luteibacter jiangsuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov.: A Methamidophos-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from a Methamidophos-Manufacturing Factory

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, JW-64-1^T, capable of degrading methamidophos was isolated from a methamidophos-manufacturing factory in China, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Strain JW-64-1^T produced circular, smooth, transparent, yellow-colored colonies (1.0–2.0 mm) on LB agar after 2 days incubation. It grew optimally at 25–30°C and pH 7.0 without the presence of NaCl. The G+C content of the total DNA was 63.6 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JW-64-1^T fell within the cluster comprising Luteibacter species. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JW-64-1^T was most closely related to Luteibacter rhizovicinus DSM 16549^T (98.6%), followed by Luteibacter yeojuensis DSM 17673^T (98.4%) and L. anthropi CCUG 25036^T (98.2%). The major cellular fatty acids of strain JW-64-1^T were iso-C_15:0 (24.1%), iso-C_17:0 (20.2%) and summed feature 9 comprising iso-C_17:1 ω9c and/or C_16:0 10-methyl (20.3%). The major isoprenoid quinine was Q-8 (98%), and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoaminolipid, aminolipids-1, aminolipids-2, and phospholipids. The values for DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JW-64-1^T and the closest phylogenetic relatives of L. rhizovicinus and Luteibacter yeojuensis were 34.8 ± 2.6 and 25.6 ± 3.1%, respectively. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, DNA–DNA relatedness and phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain JW-64-1^T represents a novel species of the genus Luteibacter, for which the name Luteibacter jiangsuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JW-64-1^T (=CGMCC 1.10133^T = DSM 22396^T).