<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubricella aquisinus</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodobacteraceae</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, ovoid or short rod-shaped, aerobic and non-motile bacterial strain, designated J82^T, was isolated from a seawater sample collected from the coast of Yellow Sea in Qingdao, China. The strain grew at salinities of 1.0–6.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.5%). Growth occurred at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 10–42 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C). The genomic DNA G + C content was determined to be 57.5 mol%. Q-10 was detected as the respiratory quinone. The major fatty acid (>10%) was Summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain J82^T forms a distinct evolutionary lineage within the family Rhodobacteraceae. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, the strain merits recognition as representative of a novel genus and species within the family Rhodobacteraceae for which the name Rubricella aquisinus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rubricella aquisinus is J82^T (= DSM 103377^T = CCTCC AB 2016170^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Novosphingobium profundi</Emphasis> sp. nov. isolated from a deep-sea seamount

A marine bacterial strain, F72^T, was isolated from a solitary scleractinian coral, collected in Yap seamounts in the Pacific Ocean. Strain F72^T is a Gram-negative, light-yellow-pigmented, motile, rod-shaped bacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain F72^T is related to the genus Novosphingobium and has high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with the type strains of Novosphingobium pentaromativorans US6-1^T (97.7 %), Novosphingobium panipatense SM16^T (97.6 %), Novosphingobium mathurense SM117^T (97.2 %) and Novosphingobium barchaimii LL02^T (97.1 %). Ubiquinone Q-10 was detected as the dominant quinone. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C_18:1ω7c and C_17:1ω6c. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain F72^T was 63.4 mol %. The polar lipids profile contained phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid and one uncharacterized lipid. Strain F72^T shared DNA relatedness of 25 % with N. pentaromativorans JCM 12182^T, 31 % with N. panipatense DSM 22890^T, 21 % with N. mathurense DSM 23374^T and 26 % with N. barchaimii DSM 25411^T. Combined data from phenotypic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA relatedness studies demonstrated that the strain F72^T is a representative of a novel species of the genus Novosphingobium, for which we propose the name Novosphingobium profundi sp. nov. (type strain F72^T = KACC 18566^T = CGMCC 1.15390^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodoferax koreense</Emphasis> sp. nov,an obligately aerobic bacterium within the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Comamonadaceae</Emphasis>, and emended description of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodoferax</Emphasis>

Gram-staining-negative, uniflagellated, rod-shaped, designated as DCY110^T, was isolated from sludge located in Gangwon province, Republic of Korea. The phylogenetic tree of 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain DCY110^T belonged to the genus Rhodoferax with a close similarity to Rhodoferax saidenbachensis DSM 22694^T (97.7%), Rhodoferax antarcticus DSM 24876^T (97.5%), Rhodoferax ferrireducens DSM 15236^T (97.3%), and Rhodoferax fermentans JCM 7819^T (96.7%). The predominant isoprenoid quinine was ubiquinone (Q-8). DNA G + C content was 62.8 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids (> 10%) were C_12:0, C_16:0, summed feature 3 (which comprised C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c). The DNA-DNA relatedness values between the strain DCY110^T and the closely related relatives used in this study were lower than 70%. Based on the following polyphasic analysis, the strain DCY110^T is considered as a novel species of the genus Rhodoferax, for which the name Rhodoferax koreense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DCY-110^T (= KCTC 52288^T = JCM 31441^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nibribacter flagellatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hibiscus syriacus</Emphasis> and emended description of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nibribacter</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile by flagella, rod-shaped strain (THG-T16^T) was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus. Growth occurred at 10–40 °C (optimum 28–30 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–1.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T16^T were identified as Nibribacter koreensis KACC 16450^T (98.6%), Rufibacter roseus KCTC 42217^T (94.7%), Rufibacter immobilis CCTCC AB 2013351^T (94.5%) and Rufibacter tibetensis CCTCC AB 208084^T (94.4%). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T16^T was determined to be 46.7 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T16^T and N. koreensis KACC 16450^T, R. roseus KCTC 42217^T, R. immobilis CCTCC AB 2013351^T, R.tibetensis CCTCC AB 208084^T were 33.5?±?0.5% (31.7?±?0.7% reciprocal analysis), 28.1?±?0.2% (25.2?±?0.2%), 17.1?±?0.9% (10.2?±?0.6%) and 8.1?±?0.3% (5.2?±?0.1%). The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7 and the polyamine as sym-homospermidine. The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:1 ω5c, C_17:1 ω6c, iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c) and summed feature 4 (iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T16^T represents a novel species of the genus Nibribacter, for which the name Nibribacter flagellatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T16^T(=?KACC 19188^T?=?CCTCC AB 2016246^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter panacis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis> soil

A novel strain, DCY108^T was isolated from soil of a Panax ginseng field, Yeoncheon province (38°04′N 126°57′E), Republic of Korea. Strain DCY108^T is Gram-negative, non-motile, non-flagellate, rod-shaped, and aerobic. The bacterium grows optimally at 25–30 °C, pH 6.5–7.0 and 1 % NaCl. Phylogenetically, strain DCY108^T is closely related to Pedobacter jejuensis JCM 18824^T, Pedobacter aquatilis JCM 13454^T, Pedobacter kyungheensis LMG 26577^T and the type strain of the genus Pedobacter heparinus DSM 2366^T. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain DCY108^T and its close phylogenetic neighbors were below 30.0 %. The DNA G+C content of strain DCY108^T was determined to be 45.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified aminolipids AL1, AL13 and AL17. Iso-C_15:00, iso-C_17:03OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c) were identified as the major fatty acids present in strain DCY108^T. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed strain DCY108^T to be differentiated phenotypically from other recognized species belonging to the genus Pedobacter. Therefore, it is suggested that the newly isolated organism represents a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter panacis sp. nov is proposed with the type strain designated as DCY108^T (=CCTCCAB 2015196^T = KCTC 42748^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium zaozhuangense</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>, isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil

Strain ZZ-8^T, a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil in China. The taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZZ-8^T is a member of the genus Flavobacterium and shows high sequence similarity to Flavobacterium humicola UCM-46^T (97.2%) and Flavobacterium pedocola UCM-R36^T (97.1%), and lower (<?97%) sequence similarity to other known Flavobacterium species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain ZZ-8^T possessed MK-6 as the major respiratory quinone; and iso-C_15:0 (28.5%), summed feature 9 (iso-C_17:1 w9c/C_16:0 10-methyl, 22.9%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (17.0%), iso-C_15:0 3-OH (8.9%), iso-C_15:1 G (8.6%) and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 w7c/C_16:1 w6c, 5.7%) as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain ZZ-8^T were determined to be lipids, a glycolipid, aminolipids and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain ZZ-8^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with F. pedocola UCM-R36^T (43.23?±?4.1%) and F. humicola UCM-46^T (29.17?±?3.8%). The DNA G+C content was 43.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic data and DNA–DNA hybridization, strain ZZ-8^T is considered a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium zaozhuangense sp. nov. (type strain ZZ-8^T?=?KCTC 62315 ^T?=?CCTCC AB 2017243^T) is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zunongwangia flava</Emphasis> sp. nov., belonging to the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>, isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salicornia europaea</Emphasis>

A yellow pigmented bacterium designated strain MBLN094^T within the family Flavobacteriaceae was isolated from a halophyte Salicornia europaea on the coast of the Yellow Sea. This strain was a Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacterium. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MBLN094^T was found to be related to the genus Zunongwangia, exhibiting 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.0, 96.8, 96.4, and 96.3% to Zunongwangia mangrovi P2E16^T, Z. profunda SM-A87^T, Z. atlantica 22II14-10F7^T, and Z. endophytica CPA58^T, respectively. Strain MBLN094^T grew at 20?37°C (optimum, 25?30°C), at pH 6.0?10.0 (optimum, 7.0?8.0), and with 0.5?15.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0?5.0%). Menaquinone MK-6 was the sole respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, and four unidentified lipids. Major fatty acids were iso-C_17:0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G + C content was 37.4 mol%. Based on these polyphasic taxonomic data, strain MBLN094^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Zunongwangia, for which the name Zunongwangia flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MBLN094^T (= KCTC 62279^T = JCM 32262^T).     

Description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter daejeonensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from grass soil,based on multilocus sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">gyr</Emphasis>B and <Emphasis Type="Italic">tuf</Emphasis> genes

A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out on strains PB105^T and PB108 isolated from a grass soil in Korea. The cells of the strains were Gram-stain negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, and rod-shaped. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of these strains with Bacteroidetes, which showed high pairwise sequence similarities with Hymenobacter algoricola VUG-A23a^T (99.2%), Hymenobacter fastidiosus VUG-A124a^T (97.4%), and Hymenobacter daecheongensis Dae14^T (96.9%). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strains formed a clear phylogenetic lineage with the genus Hymenobacter. The major fatty acids were identified as C_15:0 iso, C_15:0 anteiso, C_16:1 ω5c, C_15:0 iso 3-OH, C_17:0 iso 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c/t), and summed feature 4 (C_17:1 anteiso B and/or C_17:1 iso I). The major cellular polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, and two unidentified lipids. The respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7 and the genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 64.5 mol% for strain PB105^T and 64.1 mol% for strain PB108. DNA–DNA hybridization value of type strain PB105^T with H. algoricola VUG-A23a^T was 32.3% (reciprocal 39.2). Based on the combined genotypic and phenotypic data, we propose that strains PB105^T and PB108 represent a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter daejeonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PB105^T (=?KCTC 52579^T?=?JCM 31885^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas heilongjiangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline and alkaline soil

A moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain 9-2^T, was isolated from saline and alkaline soil collected in Lindian county, Heilongjiang province, China. The strain was observed to be strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive and motile. It was found to require NaCl for growth and to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–14 % (w/v) (optimum, 7–10 %, w/v), at temperatures of 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C) and at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum pH 8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 9-2^T is a member of the genus Halomonas and is closely related to Halomonas desiderata DSM 9502^T (96.68 %), Halomonas campaniensis DSM 1293^T (96.46 %), Halomonas ventosae DSM 15911^T (96.27 %) and Halomonas kenyensis DSM 17331^T (96.27 %). The DNA–DNA hybridization value was 38.9 ± 0.66 % between the novel isolate 9-2^T and H. desiderata DSM 9502^T. The predominant ubiquinones were identified as Q9 (75.1 %) and Q8 (24.9 %). The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:0 (22.0 %), Summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c/C_18:1 ω7c, 19.6 %), Summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c/C_16:1 ω7c, 12.6 %), C_12:0 3-OH (12.0 %) and C_10:0 (11.7 %). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 69.7 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain 9-2^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas heilongjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 9-2^T (=DSM 26881^T = CGMCC 1.12467^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizobium hedysari</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel species isolated from a root nodule of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hedysarum multijugum</Emphasis> in China

A strain 5-1-2^T was isolated from a root nodule of Hedysarum multijugum collected from Zhangye city, Gansu province, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and other housekeeping genes (recA and atpD) indicated that the strain represents a novel species in the genus Rhizobium close to the strain Rhizobium subbaraonis JC85^T with similarities of 98.27, 88.92 and 89.62%, respectively. Strain 5-1-2^T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. Our results showed that the major fatty acids were feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c; 38.90%). In addition, the DNA–DNA hybridizations with the type strains R. subbaraonis JC85^T and Rhizobium halophytocola YC6881^T were 39.2 ± 2.1 and 44.3 ± 1.9, respectively. Therefore, a novel species Rhizobium hedysari sp. nov. is proposed, and 5-1-2^T (=CGMCC1.15677^T = NBRC112532^T) is designated as the type strain.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Siphonobacter intestinalis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from the feces of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudorhynchus japonicus</Emphasis>

Strain 63MJ-2^T was isolated from the feces of broad-winged katydid (Pseudorhynchus japonicus) collected in Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain showed the highest sequence similarity with that of Siphonobacter aquaeclarae P2^T (96.1%) and had low similarities (below 86.3%) with those of other members of family ‘Flexibacteraceae’. The strain 63MJ-2^T is a strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium. The strain grew at 4–35°C (optimum, 25–30°C), pH of 5.0–9.0 (optimum, 6.0–7.0), and 0–2.0% (optimum, 1.0–2.0) (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content of strain 63MJ-2^T was 43.5 mol%. The major fatty acids were C_16:1ω5c (42.5%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (18.7%), and summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1ω7c, 18.0%). The major menaquinone was MK-7 and polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, six unknown aminolipids, and five unknown lipids. Based on the evidence from our polyphasic taxonomic study, we conclude that strain 63MJ-2^T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Siphonobacter, and propose the name Siphonobacter intestinalis sp. nov. The type strain is 63MJ-2^T (=KACC 18663^T =NBRC 111883^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces ginkgonis</Emphasis> sp. nov., an endophyte from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo biloba</Emphasis>

A novel endophytic actinomycete strain, designated KM-1-2^T, was isolated from seeds of Ginkgo biloba at Yangling, China. A polyphasic approach was used to study the taxonomy of strain KM-1-2^T and it was found to show a range of phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with those of members of the genus Streptomyces. The diamino acid of the cell wall peptidoglycan was identified as LL-diaminopimelic acid. No diagnostic sugars were detected in whole cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₆) and MK-9(H₈). The diagnostic phospholipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The DNA G + C content of the novel strain was determined to be 72.9 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids (> 10.0?%) were identified as iso-C_14?:?0, iso-C_16?:?0, C_16?:?0 and C_17?:?0 cyclo. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain is closely related to Streptomyces carpaticus JCM 6915^T (99.3%), Streptomyces harbinensis DSM 42076^T (98.9%) and Streptomyces cheonanensis JCM 14549^T (98.5%). DNA-DNA hybridizations with these three close relatives gave similarity values of 39.1 ± 1.9, 35.8 ± 2.3, and 47.4 ± 2.7%, respectively, which indicated that strain KM-1-2^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces. This is consistent with the morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic data. Cumulatively, these data suggest that strain KM-1-2^T represents a novel Streptomyces species, for which the name Streptomyces ginkgonis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain KM-1-2^T (= CCTCC AA2016004^T = KCTC 39801^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thauera sinica</Emphasis> sp. nov., a phenol derivative-degrading bacterium isolated from activated sludge

A bacterial strain, K11^T, capable of degrading phenol derivatives was isolated from activated sludge of a sewage treatment plant in China. This strain, which can degrade more than ten phenol derivatives, was identified as a Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, asporogenous, facultative anaerobic bacterium with a polar flagellum. The strain was found to grow in tryptic soy broth in the presence of 0–2.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0–1%), at 4–43 °C (optimum 30–35 °C) and pH 4.5–10.5 (optimum 7.5–8). Comparative analysis of nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this strain belongs to the genus Thauera. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was found to show high similarity (97.5%) to that of Thauera chlorobenzoica 3CB-1^T, with lesser similarity to other recognised Thauera strains. The G+C content of the DNA of the strain was determined to be 67.8 mol%. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between K11^T and Thauera aromatica DSM6984^T was 10.4 ± 4.5%. The genomic OrthoANI values of K11^T with the other nine type strains of genus Thauera were less than 81.1%. Chemotaxonomic analysis of strain K11^T revealed that Q-8 is the predominant quinone; the polar lipids contain phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and five uncharacterised lipids; the major cellular fatty acid was identified as summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH; 45.9%), followed by C_16:0 (20.5%) and C_18:1 ω7c (15.8%). Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, DNA–DNA hybridisation, OrthoANI, chemotaxonomic analysis and results of the physiological and biochemical tests, a new species named Thauera sinica sp. nov. is proposed with strain K11^T (= CGMCC 1.15731^T = KACC 19216^T) designated as the type strain.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Algoriella xinjiangensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a new psychrotolerant bacterium of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, non-spore-forming and psychrotolerant bacterium, designated strain XJ109^T, was isolated from a sewage water sample collected from Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain XJ109^T represents a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The strain showed 95.5 % similarity with the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Empedobacter brevis LMG 4011^T, 95.4 % with Chishuiella changwenlii BY4^T, 95.3 % with Empedobacter falsenii NF 993^T and 92.3 % with Weeksella virosa DSM 16922^T. Strain XJ109^T showed the common phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the family Flavobacteriaceae, containing menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the predominant respiratory quinone and iso-C_17:0 3OH and iso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.0 mol%. Strain XJ109^T was positive for catalase and oxidase activities, and it was observed to grow at 4–30 °C (optimal 16–20 °C), pH 6.5–10.0 (optimal 7.0–7.5) and in media containing 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 0.5 %). On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented, strain XJ109^T is considered to represent a novel genus and species of the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Algoriella xinjiangensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XJ109^T (=CGMCC 1.10229^T=JCM 16590^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium knui</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 2-56^T, was isolated from water and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 2-56^T belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes and is closely related to Flavobacterium paronense KNUS1^T (98.4%) and Flavobacterium collinsense 4-T-2^T (96.7%). The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA of strain 2-56^T was 33.4 mol%. The isolate contained MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and iso-C_15:1 G (15.9%), iso-C_15:0 (15.8%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (10.7%), and iso-C_15:0 3-OH (9.6%) were the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid. The phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data support the affiliation of strain 2-56^T with the genus Flavobacterium. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and F. paronense and F. collinsense were 35.7 and 21.5%, respectively, clearly showing that strain 2-56^T is not related to them at the species level. Strain 2-56^T could be clearly differentiated from its close neighbours on the basis of its phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain 2-56^T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium knui sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2-56^T (=?KCTC 62061^T?=?JCM 32247^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces tunisialbus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> species with antimicrobial activity

A novel actinomycete strain designated S2^T was isolated from Tunisian rhizosphere soil of Lavandula officinalis. This isolate exhibited broad spectrum antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and also antifungal activity against yeast and filamentous fungi. The isolate S2^T presents morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the members of the genus Streptomyces. Whole cell hydrolysates of S2^T were found to contain LL-diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0 whereas the predominant menaquinones were found to be MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and three unidentified compounds. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 71.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S2^T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces netropsis DSM 40259^T with 99.86% sequence similarity. Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on four house-keeping gene alleles (gyrB, recA, trpB, rpoB) showed that isolate S2^T is closely related to S. netropsis, with an MLSA distance greater than 0.007. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain S2^T and its near phylogenetic neighbour was 63.6 ± 2.3%, which is lower than the 70% threshold value for delineation of genomic prokaryotic species. This isolate was also distinguished from the type strain S. netropsis DSM 40259^T, using a combination of morphological and physiological features. Based on its phenotypic and molecular properties, strain S2^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces tunisialbus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2^T (= JCM 32165^T = DSM 105760^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinokineospora</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mzabensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from Saharan soil

A novel actinomycete strain, designated PAL84, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected from Béni-Isguen, Ghardaïa (South of Algeria). This strain was studied for its taxonomic position using a polyphasic approach and was identified as a member of the genus Actinokineospora. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain PAL84 had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with members of the genus Actinokineospora ranging from 96.2 % (Actinokineospora inagensis DSM 44258^T) to 97.8 % (Actinokineospora baliensis NBRC 104211^T). The strain was observed to produce pinkish-purple aerial mycelium and purplish red substrate mycelium, which fragmented readily into chains of non-motile elements. The optimum growth temperature and pH were found to be 25–30 °C and 5.0–7.0, respectively. The cell-wall hydrolysate of strain PAL84 was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the diagnostic whole-cell sugars were identified as arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-9 (H₄). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:1 H and iso-C_16:0 2OH. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylethanolamine. The genotypic and phenotypic data show that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Actinokineospora, for which the name Actinokineospora mzabensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain PAL84^T (=DSM 45961^T = CECT 8578^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Deinococcus petrolearius</Emphasis> sp. nov. isolated from crude oil recovery water in China

A Gram-stain positive, non-motile, spherical, red-pigmented and facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain 6.1^T, was isolated from a crude oil recovery water sample from the Huabei oil field in China. The novel strain exhibited tolerance of UV irradiation (> 1000 J m^?2). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain 6.1^T shows high similarity to Deinococcus citri DSM 24791^T (98.1%) and Deinococcus gobiensis I-0^T (97.8%), with less than 93.5% similarity to other closely related taxa. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH), followed by iso-C_17:1 ω9c and C_16:0. The polar lipid profile was found to contain phospholipids, glycolipids, phosphoglycolipids and aminophospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as MK-8. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 68.3 mol %. DNA–DNA hybridization between strain 6.1^T and D. citri DSM 24791^T was 45.6 ± 7.1% and with D. gobiensis I-O^T was 36.6 ± 4.7%. On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, we conclude strain 6.1^T represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which we propose the name Deinococcus petrolearius sp. nov. The type strain is 6.1^T (= CGMCC 1.15053^T = KCTC 33744^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gallaecimonas mangrovi</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from mangrove sediment

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, strictly aerobic bacterium HK-28^T was isolated from a mangrove sediment sample in Haikou city, Hainan Province, China. Strain HK-28^T was able to grow at 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), pH 5.0–8.5 (optimum 6.0–7.0) and 0.5–12.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.0–3.0%, w/v). The major cellular fatty acids were C_16:0, Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c), Summed Feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c), C_17:0, C_12:0 3-OH and C_17:1ω8c. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, four unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified glycolipid, an unidentified glycophospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content was 50.2 mol%. Accoroding to 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain HK-28^T shared 97.1 and 96.7% sequence similarities to the validly named species Gallaecimonas xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T and Gallaecimonas pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T, respectively, and shared lower sequence similarities (<?92.0%) to all other genera. Phylogenetic analysis showed strain HK-28^T was clustered with G. pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T and G. xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T. Strain HK-28^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with G. xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T (28.3?±?1.5%) and G. pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T (25.2?±?2.4%). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, strain HK-28^T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Gallaecimonas, for which the name Gallaecimonas mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HK-28^T (=?KCTC 62177^T?=?MCCC 1K03441).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingorhabdus buctiana</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from fresh water,and reclassification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingopyxis contaminans</Emphasis> as <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingorhabdus contaminans</Emphasis> comb. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated T5^T, was isolated from the Chishui River in Maotai town, Guizhou Province, Southwest of China. Strain T5^T was found to grow optimally at pH 9.0 and 25 °C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain T5^T belongs to the family Sphingomonadaceae within the phylum Proteobacteria; the strain T5^T clustered with the type strains of Sphingopyxis contaminans, Sphingorhabdus wooponensis and Sphingorhabdus rigui, with which it exhibits 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.2–96.9%. The DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major polyamine was homospermidine and the major fatty acids were C_18:1 ω7c (37.5%) and C_16:1 ω7c (30.1%). On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and genetic data, strain T5^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingorhabdus, for which the name Sphingorhabdus buctiana sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T5^T (= CGMCC 1.12929^T = JCM 30114^T). It is also proposed that Sphingopyxis contaminans should be reclassified as a member of the genus Sphingorhabdus.