Eight new species of the genus Micromonospora, Micromonospora citrea sp. nov., Micromonospora echinaurantiaca sp. nov., Micromonospora echinofusca sp. nov. Micromonospora fulviviridis sp. nov., Micromonospora inyonensis sp. nov., Micromonospora peucetia sp. nov., Micromonospora sagamiensis sp. nov., and Micromonospora viridifaciens sp. nov

A previous phylogenetic study on type strains of the genus Micromonospora and Micromonospora species bearing non-validly published names has pointed towards the species status of several of latter strains. Subsequent studies on morphological, cultural, chemotaxonomic, metabolic, and genomic properties, and on whole cell mass spectrometric analyses by matrix adsorbed laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) confirmed the species status, leading to the proposal of eight new Micromonospora species: Micromonospora citrea sp. nov., type strain DSM 43903T, Micromonospora echinaurantiaca sp. nov., type strain DSM 43904T, Micromonospora echinofusca sp. nov., type strain DSM 43913T, Micromonospora fulviviridis sp. nov., type strain DSM 43906T, Micromonospora inyonensis sp. nov., type strain DSM 46123T, Micromonospora peucetia sp. nov., type strain DSM 43363T, Micromonospora sagamiensis sp. nov., type strain DSM 43912T and Micromonospora viridifaciens sp. nov., type strain DSM 43909T.     

Bifidobacterium primatium sp. nov., Bifidobacterium scaligerum sp. nov., Bifidobacterium felsineum sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium simiarum sp. nov.: Four novel taxa isolated from the faeces of the cotton top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) and the emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator)

Four novel Gram-stain-positive, non spore forming and fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive strains were isolated from the faeces of a cotton top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) and an emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA revealed that bifidobacterial strains TRE 1^T exhibit close phylogenetic relatedness to Bifidobacterium catulorum DSM 103154 (96.0%) and Bifidobacterium tissieri DSM 100201 (96.0%); TRE D^T and TRE H^T were closely related to Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum ATCC 15708^T with similarity values of 97.4% and 97.5%, respectively; TRI 7^T was closely related to Bifidobacterium tissieri DSM 100201 (96.0%). The Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) and in silico DDH (isDDH) analysis with closest neighbour supported an independent phylogenetic position of all strains with values ranged from 74 to 85% for ANI and from 24 to 28% for isDDH. DNA base composition of the four strains was in the range of 58.3–63.5 mol% G + C. Based on the phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic data, the strains TRE 1^T, TRE D^T, TRE H^T and TRI 7^T clearly represent four novel taxa within the genus Bifidobacterium for which the names Bifidobacterium primatium sp. nov. (type strain TRE 1^T = DSM 100687^T = JCM 30945^T), Bifidobacterium scaligerum sp. nov. (type strain TRE D^T = DSM 103140^T = JCM 31792^T), Bifidobacterium felsineum sp. nov. (type strain TRE H^T = DSM 103139^T = JCM 31789^T) and Bifidobacterium simiarum sp. nov. (type strain TRI 7^T = DSM 103153^T = JCM 31793) are proposed.     

Characterization of Bifidobacterium apousia sp. nov., Bifidobacterium choladohabitans sp. nov., and Bifidobacterium polysaccharolyticum sp. nov., three novel species of the genus Bifidobacterium from honey bee gut

Bifidobacterium is one of the dominating bacterial genera in the honey bee gut, and they are the key degrader of diet polysaccharides for the host. Previous genomic analysis shows that they belong to separate phylogenetic clusters and exhibited different functional potentials in hemicellulose digestion. Here, three novel strains from the genus Bifidobacterium were isolated from the guts of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Phylogenomic analysis showed that the isolates could be grouped into four phylogenetic clusters. The average nucleotide identity values between strains from different clusters are <95%, while strains in Cluster IV belong to the characterized species Bifidobacterium asteroides. Carbohydrate-active enzyme annotation confirmed that the metabolic capacity for carbohydrates varied between clusters of strains. Cells are Gram-positive rods; they grew both anaerobically and in a CO₂-enriched atmosphere. All strains grew at a temperature range of 20–42 °C, with optimum growth at 35 °C. The pH range for growth was 5–9. Strains from different phylogenetic clusters varied in multiple phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterizations. Thus, we propose three novel species Bifidobacterium apousia sp. nov. whose type strain is W8102^T (=CGMCC 1.18893 ^T = JCM 34587 ^T), Bifidobacterium choladohabitans sp. nov., whose type strain is B14384H11^T (=CGMCC 1.18892 ^T = JCM 34586 ^T), and Bifidobacterium polysaccharolyticum sp. nov. whose type strain is W8117^T (=CGMCC 1.18894 ^T = JCM 34588 ^T).     

Mobilicoccus pelagius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Piscicoccus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., two new members of the family Dermatophilaceae, and reclassification of Dermatophilus chelonae (Masters et al. 1995) as Austwickia chelonae gen. nov., comb. nov

Two Gram-positive bacteria, designated strains Aji5-31(T) and Ngc37-23(T), were isolated from the intestinal tracts of fishes. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that both strains were related to the members of the family Dermatophilaceae, with 95.6-96.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. The family Dermatophilaceae contains 2 genera and 3 species: Dermatophilus congolensis, Dermatophilus chelonae and Kineosphaera limosa. However, it has been suggested that the taxonomic position of D. chelonae should be reinvestigated using a polyphasic approach, because the chemotaxonomic characteristics are not known (Stackebrandt, 2006; Stackebrandt and Schumann, 2000). Our present study revealed that strains Aji5-31(T), Ngc37-23(T) and D. chelonae NBRC 105200(T) should be separated from the other members of the family Dermatophilaceae on the basis of the following characteristics: the predominant menaquinone of strain Aji5-31(T) is MK-8(H(2)), strain Ngc37-23(T) possesses iso- branched fatty acids as major components, and the menaquinone composition of D. chelonae is MK-8(H(4)), MK-8 and MK-8(H(2)) (5 : 3 : 2, respectively). On the basis of these distinctive phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis results, it is proposed that strains Aji5-31(T) and Ngc37-23(T) be classified as two novel genera and species of the family Dermatophilaceae. The names are Mobilicoccus pelagius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Piscicoccus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., and the type strains are Aji5-31(T) (=NBRC 104925(T) =DSM 22762(T)) and Ngc37-23(T) (=NBRC 104926(T) =DSM 22761(T)), respectively. In addition, D. chelonae should be reassigned to a new genus of the family Dermatophilaceae with the name Austwickia chelonae gen. nov., comb. nov.     

Haliangium ochraceum gen. nov., sp. nov. and Haliangium tepidum sp. nov.: novel moderately halophilic myxobacteria isolated from coastal saline environments

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on two myxobacterial strains, SMP-2 and SMP-10, isolated from coastal regions. The two strains are morphologically similar, in that both produce yellow fruiting bodies, comprising several sessile sporangioles in dense packs. They are differentiated from known terrestrial myxobacteria on the basis of salt requirements (2-3% NaCl) and the presence of anteiso-branched fatty acids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies revealed that SMP-2 and SMP-10 are genetically related, and constitute a new cluster within the myxobacteria group, together with the Polyangium vitellinum Pl vt1 strain as the closest neighbor. The sequence similarity between the two strains is 95.6%. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that these two strains be assigned to a new genus, Haliangium gen. nov., with SMP-2 designated as Haliangium ochraceum sp. nov. (= JCM 11303(T) = DSM 14365(T)), and SMP-10 as Haliangium tepidum sp. nov. (= JCM 11304(T)= DSM 14436(T)).     

Legionella impletisoli sp. nov. and Legionella yabuuchiae sp. nov., isolated from soils contaminated with industrial wastes in Japan

In this study, we tried to isolate legionellae from nine Legionella DNA-positive soil samples collected from four different sites contaminated with industrial wastes in Japan. Using culture methods with or without Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, a total of 22 isolates of legionellae were obtained from five of the nine samples. Identification of species and/or serogroups (SGs), performed by DNA-DNA hybridization and agglutination tests, revealed that the 22 isolates consisted of ten isolates of Legionella pneumophila including five SGs, five Legionella feeleii, and one each of Legionella dumoffii, Legionella longbeachae, and Legionella jamestownensis. The species of the remaining four isolates (strains OA1-1, -2, -3, and -4) could not be determined, suggesting that these isolates may belong to new species. The 16S rDNA sequences (1476-1488bp) of the isolates had similarities of less than 95.0% compared to other Legionella species. A phylogenetic tree created by analysis of the 16S rRNA (1270bp) genes demonstrated that the isolates formed distinct clusters within the genus Legionella. Quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization tests on the OA1 strains indicated that OA1-1 should be categorized as a new taxon, whereas OA1-2, -3, and -4 were also genetically independent in another taxon. Based on the evaluated phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, it is proposed that one of these isolates from the soils, OA1-1, be classified as a novel species, Legionella impletisoli sp. nov.; the type strain is strain OA1-1(T) (=JCM 13919(T)=DSMZ 18493(T)). The remaining three isolates belong to another novel Legionella species, Legionella yabuuchiae sp. nov.; the type strain is strain OA1-2(T) (=JCM 14148(T)=DSMZ 18492(T)). This is the first report on the isolation of legionellae from soils contaminated with industrial wastes.     

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)).     

Marine star-shaped-aggregate-forming bacteria: Agrobacterium atlanticum sp. nov.; Agrobacterium meteori sp. nov.; Agrobacterium ferrugineum sp. nov., nom. rev.; Agrobacterium gelatinovorum sp. nov., nom. rev.; and Agrobacterium stellulatum sp. nov., nom. rev.

Two new species of aerobic, gram-negative, peritrichously flagellated or nonmotile marine bacteria usually forming star-shaped aggregates were isolated from northeastern Atlantic Ocean bottom sediments. These organisms resembled eight star-shaped-aggregate-forming bacterial species from the Baltic Sea originally ascribed to the genus Agrobacterium but not included on the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names because of their questionable relationships to true agrobacteria. These two sets of star-shaped-aggregate-forming bacteria were compared by means of phenotypic data, DNA base compositions, DNA-DNA relatedness, and one-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of low-molecular-weight RNAs (5S rRNA and tRNA). According to the results of genotyping, the northeastern Atlantic Ocean isolates and three of the Baltic Sea species formed a group of closely related bacteria that could not be excluded from the genus Agrobacterium with certainty. Until more genotypic data are available, these five marine species are regarded as a distinct subdivision of the genus Agrobacterium consisting of Agrobacterium atlanticum sp. nov. (type strain, 1480T = DSM 5823T), A. meteori sp. nov. (type strain, 1513T = DSM 5824T), A. ferrugineum sp. nov. nom. rev. emend. (type strain, ATCC 25652T), A. gelatinovorum sp. nov. nom. rev. emend. (type strain, ATCC 25655T), and A. stellulatum sp. nov. nom. rev. emend. (type strain, ATCC 15215T). "A. aggregatum" proved to be a later subjective synonym of A. stellulatum, which had priority. The remaining four Baltic Sea species, "A. agile," "A. kieliense," "A. luteum," and "A. sanguineum," could not be placed in the new subdivision of Agrobacterium.     

Neoscardovia arbecensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from porcine slurries

Three Gram-positive, anaerobic, pleomorphic strains (PG10(T), PG18 and PG22), were selected among five strains isolated from pig slurries while searching for host specific bifidobacteria to track the source of fecal pollution in water. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed a maximum identity of 94% to various species of the family Bifidobacteriaceae. However, phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and HSP60 gene sequences revealed a closer relationship of these strains to members of the recently described Aeriscardovia, Parascardovia and Scardovia genera, than to other Bifidobacterium species. The names Neoscardovia gen. nov. and Neoscardovia arbecensis sp. nov. are proposed for a new genus and for the first species belonging to this genus, respectively, and for which PG10(T) (CECT 8111(T), DSM 25737(T)) was designated as the type strain. This new species should be placed in the Bifidobacteriaceae family within the class Actinobacteria, with Aeriscardovia aeriphila being the closest relative. The prevailing cellular fatty acids were C(16:0) and C(18:1)ω9c, and the major polar lipids consisted of a variety of glycolipids, diphosphatidyl glycerol, two unidentified phospholipids, and phosphatidyl glycerol. The peptidoglycan structure was A1γmeso-Dpm-direct. The GenBank accession numbers for the 16S rRNA gene and HSP60 gene sequences of strains PG10(T), PG18 and PG22 are JF519691, JF519693, JQ767128 and JQ767130, JQ767131, JQ767133, respectively.     

Kribbella yunnanensis sp. nov., Kribbella alba sp. nov., two novel species of genus Kribbella isolated from soils in Yunnan, China

Two actinomycete strains, designated YIM 30006(T) and YIM 31075(T), were isolated from soil samples in Yunnan, China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Morphological and chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that the two isolates should be consistent with the nocardioform actinomycetes. Comparative 16S rDNA sequences confirmed that the two unknown isolates to be members of the genus Kribbella. Based on the results of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic studies and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strains YIM 30006(T) and YIM 31075(T) should be classified as two novel species of the genus Kribbella, for which the names Kribbella yunnanensis sp. nov. and Kribbella alba sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains for them are YIM 30006(T) (=CCTCC AA001019(T)=DSM 15499(T)) and YIM 31075(T) (=CCTCC AA 001020(T)=DSM 15500(T)), respectively. The 16S rDNA sequences of strains YIM 30006(T), YIM 31075(T) have been deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers AY 082061 and AY 082062, respectively.     

Chitinophaga soli sp. nov. and Chitinophaga terrae sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon Province, Korea

Two novel strains of the Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides (CFB) group, designated Gsoil 219" and Gsoil 2381, were isolated from soil of a ginseng field of Pocheon Province in Korea. Both strains were Gram-negative, aerobic, nonmotile, nonspore-forming, and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that both isolates belong to the genus Chitinophaga but were clearly separated from established species of this genus. The sequence similarities between strain Gsoil 219T and type strains of the established species and between strain Gsoil 238T and type strains of the established species ranged from 91.4 to 94.7% and 91.6 to 94.2%, respectively. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data (major menaquinone, MK-7; major fatty acids, iso-C15:0 and C(16:1) omega5c; major hydroxy fatty acid, iso-C(17:0) 3-OH; major polyamine, homospermidine) supported the affiliation of both strains Gsoil 219T and Gsoil 238T to the genus Chitinophaga. Furthermore, the results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of both strains from the other validated Chitinophaga species. Therefore, the two isolates represent two novel species, for which the name Chitinophaga soli sp. nov. (type strain, Gsoil 219T=KCTC 12650T=DSM 18093T) and Chitinophaga terrae sp. nov. (type strain, Gsoil 238T=KCTC 12651T=DSM 18078T) are proposed.     

Bifidobacterium xylocopae sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium aemilianum sp. nov., from the carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea) digestive tract

Social bees harbor a community of gut mutualistic bacteria, among which bifidobacteria occupy an important niche. Recently, four novel species have been isolated from guts of different bumblebees, thus allowing to suppose that a core bifidobacterial population may be present in wild solitary bees. To date there is sparse information about bifidobacteria in solitary bees such as Xylocopa and Osmia spp., this study is therefore focused on the isolation and characterization of bifidobacterial strains from solitary bees, in particular carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea), builder bee (Osmia cornuta), and red mason bee (Osmia rufa). Among the isolates from Osmia spp. no new species have been detected whereas among Xylocopa isolates four strains (XV2, XV4, XV10, XV16) belonging to putative new species were found. Isolated strains are Gram-positive, lactate- and acetate-producing and possess the fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase enzyme. Full genome sequencing and genome annotation were performed for XV2 and XV10. Phylogenetic relationships were determined using partial and complete 16S rRNA sequences and hsp60 restriction analysis that confirmed the belonging of the new strains to Bifidobacterium genus and the relatedness of the strains XV2 and XV10 with XV16 and XV4, respectively. Phenotypic tests were performed for the proposed type strains, reference strains and their closest neighbor in the phylogenetic tree. The results support the proposal of two novel species Bifidobacterium xylocopae sp. nov. whose type strain is XV2 (=DSM 104955^T = LMG 30142^T), reference strain XV16 and Bifidobacterium aemilianum sp. nov. whose type strain is XV10 (=DSM 104956^T = LMG 30143^T), reference strain XV4.     

Identification of lactic acid bacteria from fermented tea leaves (miang) in Thailand and proposals of Lactobacillus thailandensis sp. nov., Lactobacillus camelliae sp. nov., and Pediococcus siamensis sp. nov

Eighteen rod-shaped homofermentatives, six heterofermentatives, and a coccal homofermentative lactic acid bacteria were isolated from fermented tea leaves (miang) produced in the northern part of Thailand. The isolates were placed in a monophyletic cluster consisting of Lactobacillus and Pediococcus species. They were divided into seven groups by phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, DNA-DNA similarity, and 16S rRNA gene sequences. Groups I to VI belonged to Lactobacillus and Group VII to Pediococcus. All of the strains tested produced DL-lactic acid but those in Group IV produced L-lactic acid. The strains tested in Groups I, II and V had meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. Six strains in Group I were identified as Lactobacillus pantheris; five strains in Group II as Lactobacillus pentosus; and four strains in Group V as Lactobacillus suebicus. Two strains in Group VI showed high DNA-DNA similarity for each other and MCH4-2 was closest to Lactobacillus fermentum CECT 562(T) with 99.5% of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Five strains in Group III are proposed as Lactobacillus thailandensis sp. nov., and MCH5-2(T) (BCC 21235(T)=JCM 13996(T)=NRIC 0671(T)=PCU 272(T)) is the type strain which has 49 mol% G+C of DNA. Two strains in Group IV are proposed as Lactobacillus camelliae sp. nov., and the type strain is MCH3-1(T) (BCC 21233(T)=JCM 13995(T)=NRIC 0672(T)=PCU 273(T)) which has 51.9 mol% G+C of DNA. One strain in Group VII is proposed as Pediococcus siamensis sp. nov., and MCH3-2(T) (BCC 21234(T)=JCM 13997(T)=NRIC 0675(T)=PCU 274(T)) is the type strain which has 42 mol% G+C of DNA.     

Acinetobacter marinus sp. nov. and Acinetobacter seohaensis sp. nov., isolated from sea water of the Yellow Sea in Korea

Two Gram-negative, nonmotile, coccobacilli, SW-3T and SW-100T, were isolated from sea water of the Yellow Sea in Korea. Strains SW-3T and SW-100T contained ubiquinone-9 (Q-9) as the predominant respiratory lipoquinone and C18:1 omega9c and C16:0 as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents of strains SW-3T and SW-100T were 44.1 mol% and 41.9 mol%, respectively. A neighbor-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the two isolates fell within the evolutionary radiation enclosed by the genus Acinetobacter. Strains SW-3T and SW-100T exhibited a 16S rRNA gene similarity value of 95.7% and a mean DNA-DNA relatedness level of 9.2%. Strain SW-3T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity levels of 93.5-96.9% to the validly described Acinetobacter species and fifteen Acinetobacter genomic species. Strain SW-100T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity levels of less than 97.0% to the other Acinetobacter species except Acinetobacter towneri DSM 14962T (98.0% similarity). Strains SW-3T and SW-100T exhibited mean levels of DNA-DNA relatedness of 7.3-16.7% to the type strains of some phylogenetically related Acinetobacter species. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genetic data, strains SW-3T and SW-100T were classified in the genus Acinetobacter as two distinct novel species, for which the names Acinetobacter marinus sp. nov. (type strain SW-3T=KCTC 12259T=DSM 16312T) and Acinetobacter seohaensis sp. nov. (type strain SW-100T=KCTC 12260T=DSM 16313T) are proposed, respectively.     

Diversity of basidiomycetous phylloplane yeasts belonging to the genus Dioszegia (Tremellales) and description of Dioszegia athyri sp. nov., Dioszegia butyracea sp. nov. and Dioszegia xingshanensis sp. nov

From approximately 200 basidiomycetous yeast isolates forming orange or orange-red colonies isolated from senescent leaves collected in different regions of China, 29 representative strains varying in their geographic distribution and ballistoconidium forming ability were selected for further phenotypic and molecular taxonomic studies. Sequence analysis of the large subunit (26S) rDNA D1/D2 domain and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region including 5.8S rRNA from the strains resulted in the recognition of seven Dioszegia species, including four described species, namely D. aurantiaca, D. fristingensis, D. hungarica and D. zsoltii var. zsoltii and D. zsoltii var. yunnanensis, and three undescribed species. The three new species are described as Dioszegia athyri sp. nov. (type strain: CB 159(T) = AS 2.2559(T) = CBS 10119(T)), Dioszegia butyracea sp. nov. (type strain: CB 261(T) = AS 2.2600(T) = CBS 10122(T)) and Dioszegia xingshanensis sp. nov. (type strain: HB 1.4(T) = AS 2.2481(T) = CBS 10120(T)) in the present study.     

Phylogenetic classification of ten novel species belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium comprising B. phasiani sp. nov., B. pongonis sp. nov., B. saguinibicoloris sp. nov., B. colobi sp. nov., B. simiiventris sp. nov., B. santillanense sp. nov., B. miconis sp. nov., B. amazonense sp. nov., B. pluvialisilvae sp. nov., and B. miconisargentati sp. nov

Ten Bifidobacterium strains, i.e., 6T3, 64T4, 79T10, 80T4, 81T8, 82T1, 82T10, 82T18, 82T24, and 82T25, were isolated from mantled guereza (Colobus guereza), Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abeli), silvery marmoset (Mico argentatus), golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor), and common pheasant (Phaisanus colchinus). Cells are Gram-positive, non-motile, non-sporulating, facultative anaerobic, and fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive. Phylogenetic analyses based on the core genome sequences revealed that isolated strains exhibit close phylogenetic relatedness with Bifidobacterium genus members belonging to the Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium pullorum, and Bifidobacterium tissieri phylogenetic groups. Phenotypic characterization and genotyping based on the genome sequences clearly show that these strains are distinct from each of the type strains of the so far recognized Bifidobacterium species. Thus, B. phasiani sp. nov. (6T3 = LMG 32224^T = DSM 112544^T), B. pongonis sp. nov. (64T4 = LMG 32281^T = DSM 112547^T), B. saguinibicoloris sp. nov. (79T10 = LMG 32232^T = DSM 112543^T), B. colobi sp. nov. (80T4 = LMG 32225^T = DSM 112552^T), B. simiiventris sp. nov. (81T8 = LMG 32226^T = DSM 112549^T), B. santillanense sp. nov. (82T1 = LMG 32284^T = DSM 112550^T), B. miconis sp. nov. (82T10 = LMG 32282^T = DSM 112551^T), B. amazonense sp. nov. (82T18 = LMG 32297^T = DSM 112548^T), pluvialisilvae sp. nov. (82T24 = LMG 32229^T = DSM 112545^T), and B. miconisargentati sp. nov. (82T25 = LMG 32283^T = DSM 112546^T) are proposed as novel Bifidobacterium species.     

Novosphingobium naphthalenivorans sp. nov., a naphthalene-degrading bacterium isolated from polychlorinated-dioxin-contaminated environments

Three strains of strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, naphthalene-degrading bacteria isolated from polychlorinated-dioxin-contaminated soil and sediment were characterized. These isolates grew well with naphthalene as the sole carbon and energy source, degrading it completely within 24 h of incubation. The isolates also degraded dibenzofuran co-metabolically in the presence of naphthalene with the concomitant production of yellow intermediate metabolite(s). A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolates affiliated to the genus Novosphingobium with Novosphingobium pentaromativorans and Novosphingobium subarcticum as their nearest phylogenetic neighbors (97.4-97.5% similarity). The isolates had a genomic DNA G+C ratio of 64.5-64.6 mol% and formed a genetically coherent group distinguishable from any established species of the genus Novosphingobium at a DNA-DNA hybridization level of less than 46%. The cellular fatty acids were characterized by the predominance of 18 : 1omega7c with significant proportions of 16 : 0, 16 : 1omega7c, 17 : 1omega6c and 2-OH 14 : 0. Sphingoglycolipids were present. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. Spermidine was detected as the major polyamine. The distinct taxonomic position of the isolates within the Novosphingobium was also demonstrated by physiological and biochemical testing. Based on these phylogenetic and phenotypic data, we propose Novosphingobium naphthalenivorans sp. nov. to accommodate the novel isolates. The type strain is strain TUT562(T) (DSM 18518(T), JCM 13951(T), NBRC 102051(T)).     

Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov., a slightly halophilic myxobacterium isolated from the coastal areas of Japan

Six isolates of novel marine myxobacteria, designated strains SHK-1T, SMK-1-1, SMK-1-3, SMK-10, SKK-2, and SMP-6, were obtained from various coastal samples (mud, sands and algae) collected around Japan. All of the isolates had Gram-negative rod-shaped cells, motile by gliding and grew aerobically. They showed bacteriolytic action, fruiting body formation, and NaCl requirement for growth with an optimum concentration of 1.0-2.0% (w/v). In addition, divalent cationic components of seawater, such as Mg2+ or Ca2+, were also needed for growth. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA ranged from 65.6 to 67.4 mol% (by HPLC). The isolates shared almost identical 16S rDNA sequences, and clustered with a recently described marine myxobacterium, Plesiocystis pacifica, as their closest relative on a phylogenetic tree (95.9-96.0% similarity). Physiological and chemotaxonomic differences between the new strains and strains of the genus Plesiocystis justify the proposal of a new genus. Therefore, we propose to classify the six isolates into a new taxon of marine myxobacteria with the name, Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is SHK-1(T) (JCM 11769(T) = DSM 15217(T) = AJ 110011(T)).     

Bombiscardovia coagulans gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Bifidobacteriaceae isolated from the digestive tract of bumblebees

One hundred and eighty-seven fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase positive strains were isolated from the digestive tract of three different bumblebee species. Analyses of the partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of the representative strains showed only 92.8% and 92.5% similarity to Bifidobacterium coryneforme YIT 4092(T) and Bifidobacterium indicum JCM 1302(T), 92.2% similarity to Alloscardovia omnicolens CCUG 18650 and slightly reduced similarity of 91% to other members of the family Bifidobacteriaceae. On the other hand, analyses of the partial heat-shock protein 60 (hsp60) gene sequence revealed that the proposed type strain BLAPIII-AGV(T) was affiliated only to the 60 kDa chaperonin sequence of uncultured bacteria from human vagina (79-80%) and the hsp60 gene sequence of A. omnicolens CCUG 31649(T) (75.5%). The peptidoglycan type was A4α with an l-Lys-d-Asp interpeptide bridge. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, an unknown phospholipid, six glycolipids and two phosphoglycolipids. The major fatty acids were C(18:1), C(20:0) and C(18:0). These and other analyses indicated that the isolates represented a new genus within the family Bifidobacteriaceae. This observation was further substantiated by determination of the DNA G+C contents (46.1-47.1 mol%). Affinity of the strains to some scardovial genera (Aeriscardovia, Alloscardovia and Metascardovia) was also confirmed by their ability to grow under aerobic conditions. Besides the above mentioned differences, Bombiscardovia coagulans was found to differ from all scardovial genera in the ability to grow at temperatures as low as 5°C, which was another major phenotypically different characteristic of this new member of the family Bifidobacteriaceae. Hence, on the basis of phylogenetic analyses using partial 16S rRNA and hsp60 gene sequence data, and the temperature related phenotypic difference, we propose a novel taxa, B. coagulans gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain=BLAPIII-AGV(T)=DSM 22924(T)=ATCC BAA-1568(T)).     

Metascardovia criceti Gen. Nov., Sp. Nov., from hamster dental plaque

A novel microorganism, Metascardovia criceti gen. nov., sp. nov., was isolated from dental plaque of golden hamsters fed with a high-carbohydrate diet. The three isolated strains, OMB104, OMB105, and OMB107, were Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic rods that lacked catalase activity. Analyses of the partial 16S rRNA and heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60) gene sequences of these isolates indicated that they belonged to the family Bifidobacteriaceae. However, in contrast to Bifidobacterium, one of the genera under this family, these isolates grew under aerobic conditions, and the DNA G + C contents were lower (53 mol%) than those of Bifidobacterium. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses using phenotypic characterization, and partial 16S rRNA and HSP60 gene sequences data, we propose a novel taxa, Metascardovia criceti for OMB105(T) (type strain=JCM 13493(T)=DSM 17774(T)) for this newly described isolate.