<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">Shewanella upenei</Emphasis> sp. nov., a lipolytic bacterium isolated from bensasi goatfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Upeneus bensasi</Emphasis>

A Gram-staining-negative, motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, 20-23R^T, was isolated from intestine of bensasi goatfish, Upeneus bensasi, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 20-23R^T belonged to the genus Shewanella. Strain 20-23R^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 99.5, 99.2, and 97.5% to Shewanella algae ATCC 51192^T, Shewanella haliotis DW01^T, and Shewanella chilikensis JC5^T, respectively. Strain 20-23R^T exhibited 93.1–96.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the other Shewanella species. It also exhibited 98.3–98.4% gyrB sequence similarity to the type strains of S. algae and S. haliotis. Strain 20-23R^T contained simultaneously both menaquinones and ubiquinones; the predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-8 and Q-7. The fatty acid profiles of strain 20–23R^T, S. algae KCTC 22552^T and S. haliotis KCTC 12896^T were similar; major components were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH and C_17:1 ω8c. The DNA G+C content of strain 20-23R^T was 53.9 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and genetic distinctiveness of strain 20–23R^T, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, revealed that this strain is distinguishable from recognized Shewanella species. On the basis of the data presented, strain 20-23R^T represents a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella upenei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 20–23R^T (=KCTC 22806^T =CCUG 58400^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Luteimonas aestuarii</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment

A novel bacterium B9^T was isolated from tidal flat sediment. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features, and 16S rRNA gene sequence were characterized. Colonies of this strain are yellow and the cells are Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and do not require NaCl for growth. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain B9^T is associated with the genus Lysobacter (≤ 97.2%), Xanthomonas (≤ 96.8%), Pseudomonas (≤ 96.7%), and Luteimonas (≤ 96.0%). However, within the phylogenetic tree, this novel strain shares a branching point with the species Luteimonas composti CC-YY255^T (96.0%). The DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed a DNA-DNA homology of 23.0% between strain B9^T and Luteimonas mephitis B1953/27.1^T. The G+C content of genomic DNA of the type strain is 64.7 mol% (SD, 1.1). The predominant fatty acids are iso-C_11:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0, iso-C_17:0 ω9c, and iso-C_11:0 3-OH. Combined analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, fatty acid profile, and results from physiological and biochemical tests indicated that there is genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from other Luteimonas species. For these reasons, strain B9^T was proposed as a novel species, named Luteimonas aestuarii. The type strain of the new species is B9^T (= KCTC 22048^T, DSM 19680^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquimarina litoralis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a coastal seawater

A strictly aerobic, red-pigmented, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, Gram-staining-negative bacterium, designated strain CNURIC011^T, was isolated from seawater off the coast of Jeju Island in Korea. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CNURIC011^T belongs to the genus Aquimarina in the family Flavobacteriaceae. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the close relatives of the novel strain are Aquimarina latercula ATCC 23177^T, Aquimarina marcrocephali JAMB N27^T, Aquimarina intermedia KMM 6258^T, Aquimarina muelleri KMM 6020^T, and Aquimarina brevivitae SMK-19^T, with sequence similarities of 97.6, 96.6, 96.0, 95.6, and 94.2%, respectively. DNA-DNA hybridization revealed that the level of relatedness between strain CNURIC011^T and Aquimarina latercula ATCC 23177^T (=KCTC 2912^T) was 4.9%. The DNA G+C content was 35.8 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (14.9%), C_15:0 (13.9%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (12.6%), iso-C_15:1 G (7.3%), and iso-C_17:1 ω9c (7.2%). On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genotypic data, strain CNURIC011^T represents a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CNURIC011^T (=KCTC 22614^T =JCM 15974^T).     

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

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

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pontibacter salisaro</Emphasis> sp. nov., Isolated from a clay tablet solar saltern in Korea

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, and red-pigmented bacterial strain, HMC5104^T, was isolated from a solar saltern, found in Jeungdo, Republic of Korea (34°59′47″N 126°10′02″E). The major fatty acids were summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B; 37.2%), iso-C_15:0 (20.4%), and iso-C_17.0 30H (15.3%). The DNA G+C content was 46.0 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMC5104^T formed a lineage within the genus Pontibacter, and was closely related to Pontibacter korlensis (95.9%), P. roseus (94.9%), and P. actiniarum (94.3%). Similarities to all other Pontibacter species were between 95.9–93.9%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMC5104^T represents a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter salisaro sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMC5104^T (=KCTC 22712^T = NBRC 105731^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gaetbulibacter jejuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from seawater

A novel marine bacterium, designated strain CNURIC014^T was isolated from coastal seawater of Jeju Island in Korea. Strain CNURIC014^T formed yellow colonies on marine agar 2216 and the cells were Gram-negative, non-motile, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped. The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were 15–37°C, pH 6.0–9.0 and 1.0–7.0% NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CNURIC014^T was most closely related to Gaetbulibacter marinus and Gaetbulibacter saemankumensis, with a sequence similarity of 95.1% and 94.6%, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 33.1 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:1 (22.8%), iso-C_15:0 (18.8%), summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH/C_16:1 ω7c, 12.9%) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (11.5%). On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genotypic data, strain CNURIC014^T represents a novel species within the genus Geatbulibacter, for which the name Gaetbulibacter jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CNURIC014^T(=KCTC 22615^T =JCM 15976^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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter halodurans</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new halotolerant bacterium isolated from sea water

A novel Gram-positive, halotolerant, non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078085^T, was isolated from sea water collected from the South China Sea. Strain JSM 078085^T exhibited a rod-coccus growth cycle and produced a yellow pigment. The strain was able to grow in the presence of 0–12% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0–9.5 and 4–35°C; optimum growth was observed at pH 7.0 and 25–30°C in the absence of NaCl. The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–l-Ala–l-Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained galactose and glucose. Strain JSM 078085^T contained menaquinone MK-9(H₂) as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol 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 63.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 078085^T should be assigned to the genus Arthrobacter, being most closely related to the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi (sequence similarity 97.1%), and the two strains formed a distinct lineage in the phylogenetic tree. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 078085^T and the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi was 10.6%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078085^T represents a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter halodurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078085^T (=DSM 21081^T=KCTC 19430^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 078085^T is EU583729.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus kyonggiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil of a lettuce field

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming bacterial strain, designated NB22^T, was isolated from soil of a lettuce field in Kyonggi province, South Korea, and was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. This novel isolate grew optimally at 30–37°C and pH 8–9. It grew in the presence of 0–4% NaCl (optimum, 1–2%). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NB22^T was closely related to members of the genus Bacillus and fell within a coherent cluster comprising B. siralis 171544^T (98.1%) and B. korlensis ZLC-26^T (97.3%). The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to other Bacillus species with validly published names were less than 96.4%. Strain NB22^T had a genomic DNA G+C content of 36.3 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, C_14:0, and C_16:0. These chemotaxonomic results supported the affiliation of strain NB22^T to the genus Bacillus, and the low DNA-DNA relatedness values and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain NB22^T from recognized Bacillus species. On the basis of the evidence presented, strain NB22^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus kyonggiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NB22^T (=KEMB 5401-267^T =JCM 17569^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces carminius</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sophora alopecuroides</Emphasis> in Xinjiang,China

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated TRM SA0054^T, was isolated from the roots of Sophora alopecuroides grown in Alar, Xinjiang, north-west China, and characterised by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM SA0054^T has 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.22% with Streptomyces barkulensis RC 1831^T. Whole cell hydrolysates of strain TRM SA0054^T were found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and ribose, glucose and xylose as the major whole cell sugars. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C_16:0, iso-C_16:1 G, anteiso-C_17:0, anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:1 ω9c. The main menaquinones were determined to be MK-8 (H₄), MK-9 (H₆) and MK-9 (H₈). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unidentified lipid. The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 73.04%. Strain TRM SA0054^T has a relatively low DNA–DNA relatedness value with Streptomyces barkulensis RC 1831^T as determined by calculating the average nucleotide identity value (ANI?=?84.1%). Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, it is concluded that strain TRM SA0054^T should be designated as a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces carminius sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain TRM SA0054^T (=?CCTCC AA 2016041^T?=?KCTC39903^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquimarina salinaria</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel algicidal bacterium isolated from a saltpan

A bacterial strain designated antisso-27^T, previously isolated from saltpan in Taiwan while screening for bacteria for algicidal activity, was characterized using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain antisso-27^T was Gram-negative, aerobic, brownish yellow colored, rod-shaped, non-flagellated and non-gliding. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain antisso-27^T belonged to the genus Aquimarina within the family Flavobacteriaceae with relatively low sequence similarities of 94.0–96.6% to other valid Aquimarina spp. It contained iso-C_17:0 3-OH, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:1 and iso-C_15:0 3-OH as the main fatty acids and contained a menaquinone with six isoprene units (MK-6) as the major isoprenoid quinone. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an uncharacterized aminolipid and five uncharacterized phospholipids. Strain antisso-27^T employed direct mode of algicidal lysis to Chlorella vulgaris strain 211-31; nevertheless, it released an algicidal substance against M. aeruginosa strain MTY01. This is the first study that the Aquimarina species possesses both direct and indirect algicidal activities. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain antisso-27^T should be classified as representing a novel species, for which the name A. salinaria sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A. salinaria antisso-27^T (= BCRC 80080^T = LMG 25375^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">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">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">Streptomyces serianimatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a rhizophere soil

A novel actinomycete strain, designated YIM 45720^T, was isolated from a Cephalotaxus fortunei rhizophere soil sample collected from Yunnan Province, southwest China. The strain formed well-differentiated aerial and substrate mycelia. Chemotaxonomically, it contained LL-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. The cell-wall sugars contained ribose, mannose, and galactose with traces of glucose and xylose. Phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. MK-9 (H₈) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids (>10%) were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:1 and anteiso-C_15:0. The G + C content of the DNA was 70 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis data based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain YIM 45720^T formed a distinct branch with the type strain of Streptomyces scabrisporus JCM 11712^T within the genus Streptomyces. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YIM 45720^T (=DSM 41883^T = CCTCC AA 206006^T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Streptomyces serianimatus sp. nov.     

<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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingobacterium bambusae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil of bamboo plantation

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain designated IBFC2009^T was isolated from soil of a bamboo plantation. The strain could grow at 11°C∼39°C, pH 6.0–9.0, and in the presence of 0∼5% NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, Strain IBFC2009^T belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and showed the highest sequence similarity of 94.6% (S. composti T5-12^T) with the type strains within the genus. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c, 34.4%), iso-C_15:0 (22.4%), C_16:0 3-OH (15.2%), and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (12.8%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.0 mol%. According to the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, Strain IBFC2009^T should represent a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium bambusae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IBFC2009^T (=CCTCC AB 209162^T =KCTC 22814^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).