Bullera begoniae sp. nov. and Bullera setariae sp. nov., two new species of ballistoconidium-forming yeasts in the Bullera variabilis (Bulleribasidium) cluster isolated from plants in Taiwan

Two strains of xylose-containing and Q-10-having ballistoconidiogenous yeasts isolated from plant leaves collected in Taiwan were found to represent two new species of the genus Bullera. In the phylogenetic trees based on the sequence analysis of 18S rDNA and D1/D2 domain of 26S rDNA, these species are located in the Bullera variabilis (Bulleribasidum) cluster in Hymenomycetes. They are described as Bullera begoniae sp. nov. and Bullera setariae sp. nov., respectively.     

Alexandrium camurascutulum sp. nov. (Dinophyceae): a new dinoflagellate species from New Zealand

A new species, Alexandrium camurascutulum sp. nov. MacKenzie et Todd, is described from specimens collected from Tasman Bay and the Marlborough Sounds New Zealand. These small (26–28 μm long × 21–24 μm wide) cells can be discriminated from other species in the Alexandrium minutum group by three distinctive morphological features. The sixth pre-cingular plate (6′′) is up to 1.6 times wider than high and the left side of the plate is concave resulting in a markedly ‘hooked’ appearance. In all specimens observed, the first apical plate (1′) does not directly connect with the apical pore plate (Po) and the posterior sulcal plate (S.p.) is markedly different from the usual A. minutum form and may contain a posterior attachment pore (pap) connected to the right side plate margin. The cells may or may not have an anterior attachment pore (aap) in the apical pore plate (Po). The cells display a prominent list along the left sulcal margin and the thecal surface is perforated with numerous areolated pores. A. camurascutulum sp. nov. has been observed occasionally over a number of years in coastal waters of the northern South Island of New Zealand. There is circumstantial evidence that suggests it is not toxic.     

Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. and Polysiphonia koreana sp. nov.: two new species of Polysiphonia (Rhodomelaceae,Rhodophyta) from Korea

Polysiphonia sensu lato comprises approximately 200 species, which are currently assigned to several different genera. To date, one of these genera, namely, Polysiphonia, has been reported to have 17 species. Here, we describe for the first time P. freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. from Uljin and Ulleung Island, Korea, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. are characterized by having the typical Polysiphonia features. Polysiphonia freshwateri sp. nov. is further characterized by having abundant trichoblasts, conspicuous scar cells, and tetrasporangia arranged in spiral series. Polysiphonia koreana sp. nov. is further characterized by having very scarce scar cells placed between two pericentral cells, from which cicatrigenous branches arise. The results of our rbcL sequence analyses support the taxonomic placement of P. freshwateri sp. nov. and P. koreana sp. nov. within Polysiphonia.     

Candida alocasiicola sp. nov., Candida hainanensis sp. nov., Candida heveicola sp. nov. and Candida musiphila sp. nov., novel anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast species isolated from plants

In a taxonomic study on the ascomycetous yeasts isolated from plant materials collected in tropical forests in Yunnan and Hainan Provinces, southern China, four strains isolated from tree sap (YJ2E(T)) and flowers (YF9E(T), YWZH3C(T) and YYF2A(T)) were revealed to represent four undescribed yeast species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the large subunit (26S) rRNA gene D1/D2 domain sequences showed that strain YJ2E(T) was located in a clade together with Candida haemulonii and C. pseudohaemulonii. Strain YF9E(T) was most closely related to C. azyma and strain YWZH3C(T) to C. sorbophila and C. spandovensis. Strain YYF2A(T) was clustered in a clade containing small-spored Metschnikowia species and related anamorphic Candida species. The new strains differed from their closely related described species by more than 10% mismatches in the D1/D2 domain. No sexual states were observed for the four strains on various sporulation media. The new species are therefore assigned to the genus Candida and described as Candida alocasiicola sp. nov. (type strain, YF9E(T) = AS 2.3484(T) = CBS 10702(T)), Candida hainanensis sp. nov. (type strain, YYF2A(T) = AS 2.3478(T) = CBS 10696(T)), Candida heveicola sp. nov. (type strain, YJ2E(T) = AS 2.3483(T) = CBS 10701(T)) and Candida musiphila sp. nov. (type strain, YWZH3C(T) = AS 2.3479(T) = CBS 10697(T)).     

Rhopalophthalmus tartessicus sp. nov. (Crustacea: Mysidacea), a new mysid species from the Guadalquivir estuary (SW Spain)

The first representative of the genus Rhopalophthalmus in European waters, Rhopalophthalmus tartessicus sp. nov., is described from specimens sampled in the Guadalquivir estuary (southwestern Spain). At first identified as the Algerian species Rhopalophthalmus mediterraneus Nouvel, 1960, the new mysid species can be distinguished from its closest relative by its higher number of articles on the carpopropodus of the third to seventh thoracic endopods, by the well hook-shaped eighth thoracic endopod of the male, by the slender eighth thoracic endopod of the female, and by the smaller antennal scale and telson. Its geographical distribution appears restricted to estuarine habitats in southwestern Spain. Its swimming behaviour, with the ventral side facing upwards, is unusual in mysids. An updated identification key for the 19 known species in the genus, including information on the respective geographical distribution and habitat, is presented.     

Leucobacter chromiireducens sp. nov, and Leucobacter aridicollis sp. nov., two new species isolated from a chromium contaminated environment

Two strains designated strains L-1^T and L-9^T were isolated from activated sludge of a treatment plant that receives wastewater from the tannery industry contaminated with chromium. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the organisms represented two new species of the genus Leucobacter. Strains L-1^T and L-9^T could be distinguished from the type strain of L. komagatae and from the type strain of “L. albus” by the B-type peptidoglycan composition, fatty acid composition, several phenotypic and physiological characteristics. The major fatty acids of the organisms were iso- and anteiso-branched C15:0 and C17:0, straight-chain C16:0 was also found in relatively high proportions. The organisms were halotolerant, grew in medium containing 9% NaCl, and all strains, including the type strain of L. komagatae grew in medium containing 5 mM Cr(VI). On the basis of the distinct peptidoglycan composition, 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis, percentage of DNA-DNA reassociation values, and phenotypic characteristics we are of the opinion that strain L-1^T represents a new species of the genus Leucobacter for which we propose the name Leucobacter chromiireducens and that strain L-9^T represents an additional new species of the same genus for which we propose the name Leucobacter aridicollis.     

Rhodeus pseudosericeus sp. nov., a new bitterling from South Korea (Cyprinidae, Acheilognathinae)

A new bitterling, Rhodeus pseudosericeus sp. nov., is described on the basis of 31 specimens from five localities included in the Namhan River system, South Korea. The new species is distinguished from other Rhodeus species by the following combination of characters: branched dorsal fin rays 9–10 (mode 9); branched anal fin rays 9–11 (mode 10); longest simple ray of dorsal fin strong and stiff, distally segmented; pelvic fin rays i, 6–7; iris of males blackish; dorsal and anal fins of males grayish in breeding season; karyotype with 2n = 48 (8m + 20sm + 20st). Rhodeus pseudosericeus sp. nov. is similar to Rhodeus sericeus sericeus in the number of pelvic fin and branched dorsal fin rays and the melanophores present on the dorsal fin membrane, but differs from the latter in having a greater body depth, more branched anal fin rays, fewer vertebrae, a lower number of scales in the lateral series, and differing male nuptial coloration. Received: June 30, 2000 / Revised: February 21, 2001 / Accepted: March 6, 2001     

Pseudocitrobacter gen. nov., a novel genus of the Enterobacteriaceae with two new species Pseudocitrobacter faecalis sp. nov., and Pseudocitrobacter anthropi sp. nov,isolated from fecal samples from hospitalized patients in Pakistan

Four isolates of Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic bacteria, three of them producing NDM-1 carbapenemase, were isolated from hospitalized patients and outpatients attending two military hospitals in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and studied for their taxonomic position. Initially the strains were phenotypically identified as Citrobacter species. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences then showed that the four strains shared >97%, but in no case >98.3%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to members of the genera Citrobacter, Kluyvera, Pantoea, Enterobacter and Raoultella, but always formed a separate cluster in respective phylogenetic trees. Based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) including partial recN, rpoA, thdF and rpoB gene sequence and respective amino acid sequence analysis it turned out that the strains also here always formed separate clusters. Based on further comparative analyses including DNA–DNA hybridizations, genomic fingerprint analysis using rep- and RAPD-PCRs and physiological tests, it is proposed to classify these four strains into the novel genus Pseudocitrobacter gen. nov. with a new species Pseudocitrobacter faecalis sp. nov. with strain 25 CIT^T (= CCM 8479^T = LMG 27751^T) and Pseudocitrobacter anthropi sp. nov. with strain C138^T (= CCM 8478^T = LMG 27750^T), as the type strains, respectively.     

Halorubellus salinus gen. nov., sp. nov. and Halorubellus litoreus sp. nov., novel halophilic archaea isolated from a marine solar saltern

Two extremely halophilic archaeal strains GX3(T) and GX26(T) were isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern near the Weihai city of Shandong Province, China. Cells from the two strains were pleomorphic and stained Gram-negative, colonies were red-pigmented. Strains GX3(T) and GX26(T) were able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 1.4-5.1M NaCl (optimum 3.1M), at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.0) and neither strain required Mg(2+) for growth. Cells lyse in distilled water and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell-lysis was 8% (w/v). The major polar lipids of the two strains were PA (phosphatidic acid), PG (phosphatidylglycerol), PGP-Me (phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester) and three major glycolipids (GL1, GL2 & GL3) chromatographically identical to S-TGD-1 (sulfated galactosyl mannosy glucosyl diether), S-DGD-1 (sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether), and DGD-1 (mannosyl glucosyl diether) respectively, an unidentified lipid (GL4) was also detected in strain GX26(T). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) formed a distinct clade with the closest relative, Haladaptatus paucihalophilus (89.9-92.4% and 90.4-92.7, respectively). The rpoB' gene similarities between strains GX3(T) and GX26(T), and between the two strains and the closest relative, Halorussus rarus TBN4(T) are 96.5%, 84.3% and 83.9%, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) are 67.3 mol% and 67.2 mol%, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) was 44%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) represent two novel species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, Halorubellus salinus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain GX3(T)=CGMCC 1.10384(T)=JCM 17115(T)) and Halorubellus litoreus sp. nov. (type strain GX26(T)=CGMCC 1.10386(T)=JCM 17117(T)).