<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudonocardia serianimatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the surface-sterilized leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis> L.

An aerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive, Gram-stain positive actinomycete designated YIM 63233^T was isolated from the surface-sterilized leaves of Artemisia annua L. and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Optimal growth occurred at 20–28°C, pH 6.0–7.0 and in the presence of 0–3% (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YIM 63233^T clustered with species of the genus Pseudonocardia, displaying ≥1.2% sequence divergence with recognized species of this genus (from 98.8 to 94.0%). Relatively low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness were found between strain YIM 63233^T and Pseudonocardia petroleophila IMSNU 22072^T, which supported the classification of strain YIM 63233^T within a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia. The G + C content of genomic DNA was 72.0 mol%. Strain YIM 63233^T possessed chemotaxonomic markers that were consistent with classification in the genus Pseudonocardia, i.e. the predominant fatty acids were iso-C16:0 (32.27%), C16:0 10-methyl (8.73%) and C17:1ω8c (8.30%), whilst the predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H₄). The diagnostic diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cell wall sugars were glucose, arabinose, galactose, mannose and rhamnose. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and DNA–DNA hybridization allowed the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain YIM 63233^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, the new isolate YIM 63233^T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia serianimatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 63233^T (=DSM 45302^T = CCTCC AA 208079^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).     

Thermovorax subterraneus, gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic hydrogen-producing bacterium isolated from geothermally active underground mine

A thermophilic, rod-shaped, motile, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium strain 70B^T was isolated from a geothermally active underground mine in Japan. The temperature and pH range for growth was 50–81°C (optimum 71°C) and 6.2–9.8 (optimum pH 7–7.5), respectively. Growth occurred in the presence 0–2% NaCl (optimum 1% NaCl). Strain 70B^T could utilize glucose, fructose, mannose, mannitol, pyruvate, cellobiose and tryptone as substrates. Thiosulfate was used as electron acceptor. Major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 DMA (dimethyl acetal), C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The G+C mol% of the DNA was 44.2%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the closest relatives of strain 70B^T were Thermosediminibacter oceani DSM 16646^T (94% similarity) and Thermosediminibacter litoriperuensis DSM 16647 (93% similarity). The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain 70B^T represents a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Thermovorax subterraneus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thermovorax subterraneus is 70B^T (=DSM 21563 = JCM 15541).     

Desulfosporosinus acidiphilus sp. nov.: a moderately acidophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from acid mining drainage sediments

An obligately anaerobic, spore-forming, acidophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium, strain SJ4^T, was isolated from an acid mining effluent decantation pond sediment sample (pH around 3.0). Cells were Gram negative, non-motile, curved rods occurring singly. Strain SJ4^T grew at pH 3.6–5.5 with an optimum at pH 5.2. Strain SJ4^T utilized H₂, lactate, pyruvate, glycerol, glucose, and fructose as electron donors. Lactate and glucose were weakly used. Sulfate was used as electron acceptors, but not sulfite, elemental sulfur, arsenate (V), and fumarate. The G + C content of genomic DNA was 42.3 mol% (HPLC). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain SJ4^T belonged to the genus Desulfosporosinus within the family Peptococcaceae in the phylum Firmicutes. The level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with other Desulfosporosinus species was 94.7–96.2%, D. orientis DSM 765^T (similarity of 96.2%) and D. auripigmenti DSM 13351^T (similarity of 95%) being its closest relatives. DNA–DNA relatedness values with D. orientis and D. auripigmenti were 16.5 and 31.8%, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genetic characteristics, strain SJ4^T represents a novel species within the genus Desulfosporosinus, for which the name Desulfosporosinus acidiphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SJ4^T (=DSM 22704^T = JCM 16185^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.     

Anoxybacillus thermarum sp. nov., a novel thermophilic bacterium isolated from thermal mud in Euganean hot springs, Abano Terme, Italy

A novel aerobe thermophilic endospore-forming bacterium designated strain AF/04^T was isolated from thermal mud located in Euganean hot springs, Abano Terme, Padova, Italy. Strain AF/04^T was Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped, occurring in pairs, or filamentous. The isolate grew between 55 and 67°C (optimum 65°C) and at pH 6.0–7.5 (optimum pH 7.2). The strain was aerobic and grew on maltose, trehalose, and sodium acetate as sole carbon sources. The G + C content of DNA was 53.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain AF/04^T falls within the genus Anoxybacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain AF/04^T and the type strains of recognized Anoxybacillus species ranged from 95 to 99%. Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone–menaquinone-7; major fatty acid iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0) supported the affiliation of strain AF/04^T to the genus Anoxybacillus. Based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization data, it was proposed that strain AF/04^T (=DSM 17141^T = ATCC BAA 1156^T) should be placed in the genus Anoxybacillus as the type strain of a novel species, Anoxybacillus thermarum sp. nov.     

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

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

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Marinimicrobium haloxylanilyticum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new moderately halophilic,polysaccharide-degrading bacterium isolated from Great Salt Lake,Utah

A new moderately halophilic, strictly aerobic, Gram-negative bacterium, strain SX15^T, was isolated from hypersaline surface sediment of the southern arm of Great Salt Lake (Utah, USA). The strain grew on a number of carbohydrates and carbohydrate polymers such as xylan, starch, carboxymethyl cellulose and galactomannan. The strain grew at salinities ranging from 2 to 22% NaCl (w/v). Optimal growth occurred in the presence of 7–11% NaCl (w/v) at a temperature of 35°C and a pH of 6.7–8.2. Major whole-cell fatty acids were C16:0 (30.5%), C18:0 (14.8%), C18:1ω7c (13.1%) and C12:0 (7.8%). The G+C content of the DNA was 60 ± 0.5 mol%. By 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain SX15^T was shown to be affiliated to members of the gammaproteobacterial genus Marinimicrobium with pair wise identity values of 92.9–94.6%. The pheno- and genotypic properties suggest that strain SX15^T represents a novel species of the genus Marinimicrobium for which the name Marinimicrobium haloxylanilyticum is proposed. The type strain is SX15^T (= DSM 23100^T = CCUG 59572^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Desulfovibrio legallis</Emphasis> sp. nov.: A Moderately Halophilic,Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Isolated from a Wastewater Digestor in Tunisia

A new moderately halophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium (strain H₁^T) was enriched and isolated from a wastewater digestor in Tunisia. Cells were curved, motile rods (2–3 x 0.5 μm). Strain H₁^T grew at temperatures between 22 and 43°C (optimum 35°C), and at pH between 5.0 and 9.2 (optimum 7.3–7.5). Strain H₁^T required salt for growth (1–45 g of NaCl/l), with an optimum at 20–30 g/l. Sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, and elemental sulfur were used as terminal electron acceptors but not nitrate and nitrite. Strain H₁^T utilized lactate, pyruvate, succinate, fumarate, ethanol, and hydrogen (in the presence of acetate and CO₂) as electron donors in the presence of sulfate as electron acceptor. The main end-products from lactate oxidation were acetate with H₂ and CO₂. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 55%. The predominant fatty acids of strain H₁^T were C_15:0 iso (38.8%), C_16:0 (19%), and C_14:0 iso 3OH (12.2%), and menaquinone MK-6 was the major respiratory quinone. Phylogenetic analysis of the small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence indicated that strain H₁^T was affiliated to the genus Desulfovibrio. On the basis of SSU rRNA gene sequence comparisons and physiological characteristics, strain H₁^T is proposed to be assigned to a novel species of sulfate reducers of the genus Desulfovibrio, Desulfovibrio legallis sp. nov. (= DSM 19129^T = CCUG 54389^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.     

Characterization of Halanaerobaculum tunisiense gen. nov., sp. nov., a new halophilic fermentative, strictly anaerobic bacterium isolated from a hypersaline lake in Tunisia

A new halophilic anaerobe was isolated from the hypersaline surface sediments of El-Djerid Chott, Tunisia. The isolate, designated as strain 6SANG, grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 14 to 30%, with an optimum at 20–22%. Strain 6SANG was a non-spore-forming, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, appearing singly, in pairs, or occasionally as long chains (0.7–1 × 4–13 μm) and showed a Gram-negative-like cell wall pattern. It grew optimally at pH values between 7.2 and 7.4, but had a very broad pH range for growth (5.9–8.4). Optimum temperature for growth was 42°C (range 30–50°C). Strain 6SANG required yeast extract for growth on sugars. Glucose, sucrose, galactose, mannose, maltose, cellobiose, pyruvate, and starch were fermented. The end products from glucose fermentation were acetate, butyrate, lactate, H₂, and CO₂. The G + C ratio of the DNA was 34.3 mol%. Strain 6SANG exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 91–92% with members of the genus Halobacteroides, H. halobius being its closest phylogenetic relative. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, we propose that this bacterium be classified as a novel species of a novel genus, Halanaerobaculum tunisiense gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is 6SANG^T (=DSM 19997^T = JCM 15060^T).     

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

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

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas jeotgali</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new moderate halophilic bacterium isolated from a traditional fermented seafood

A moderate halophilic, Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shape, and aerobe designated as strain Hwa^T was isolated from traditional fermented Korean seafood, which presented as a single cell or paired cells. Optimal growth occurred at 25°C in 10% (w/v) salts at pH 7.0–8.0; however, growth occurred in a temperature range of 10–32°C, a salts concentration of 5–25% (w/v) and pH 5.0–10.0. Tests for oxidase and catalase were positive. The cells produced poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid, but not exopolysaccharide. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, not only was there low similarity between strain Hwa^T and all other species (94.1% similarity with H. subglaciescola DSM 4683^T, 94.0% similarity with H. sulfidaeris Esulfide1^T, 93.6% similarity with H. cerina SP4^T and 93.0% similarity with H. halodurans DSM 5160^T), but the phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate may be classified as a novel species belonging to the genus Halomonas in the class Gammaproteobacteria. The predominant fatty acids of strain Hwa^T were C_18:1 ω7c, C_16:0, C_12:0 3-OH and C_16:1 ω7c/C_15:0 iso 2-OH. The DNA G+C content was calculated as 61.7 mol%. Based on phenotypic, genotypic, and phylogenetic characteristics, it is proposed that the strain designated as Hwa^T be assigned to the genus Halomonas as Halomonas jeotgali sp. nov. (=KCTC 22487^T =JCM 15645^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Yaniella soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new actinobacterium isolated from non-saline forest soil in China

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 070026^T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in China. Growth occurred with 0–20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–4%) and at pH 6.0–10.5 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 5–40°C (optimum, 30°C). Good growth also occurred in the presence of 0–28% (w/v) KCl (optimum, 2–5%) or 0–25% (w/v) MgCl₂·6H₂O (optimum, 1–4%). The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–Gly–l-Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained mannose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0. Strain JSM 070026^T contained menaquinone 8 as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content of strain JSM 070026^T was 56.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSM 070026^T was a member of the suborder Micrococcineae and most closely related to Yaniella flava YIM 70178^T (sequence similarity 99.4%) and Yaniella halotolerans YIM 70085^T (97.9%). The three strains formed a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the proposal that strain JSM 070026^T represents a novel species of the genus Yaniella, for which the name Yaniella soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 070026^T (=DSM 22211^T = KCTC 13527^T).     

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

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

Salinivibrio costicola subsp. alcaliphilus subsp. nov., a haloalkaliphilic aerobe from Campania Region (Italy)

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on unidentified Gram-negative staining, haloalkaliphilic aerobe and protease producer Salinivibrio-like organism recovered from a saltish spring with algal mat in the “Pozzo del Sale” site (Salt's Well) in the Campania Region (South Italy). Phylogenetic analysis based on comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the isolate was related to species of Salinivibrio genus. The DNA–DNA hybridization of the type strain 18AG^T with the most related Salinivibrio costicola subsp. costicola showed a re-association value of 72%. Based on the phenotypic distinctiveness of 18AG^T strain and molecular, chemical and genetic evidence, it is proposed that strain 18AG^T can be classified as S. costicola subsp. alcaliphilus, subsp. nov. The type strain of S. costicola subsp. alcaliphilus, is ATCC BAA-952^T; DSM 16359^T.     

Desulfosoma profundi sp. nov., a thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from a deep terrestrial geothermal spring in France

A novel strictly anaerobic bacterium designated SPDX02-08^T was isolated from a deep terrestrial geothermal spring located in southwest France. Cells (1–2 × 2–6 μm) were non-motile, non sporulating and stained Gram negative. Strain SPDX02-08^T grew at a temperature between 40 and 60°C (optimum 55°C), pH between 6.3 and 7.3 (optimum 7.2) and a NaCl concentration between 0 and 5 g/l (optimum 2 g/l). Sulfate, thiosulfate and sulfite were used as terminal electron acceptors, but not elemental sulfur, nitrate, nitrite, Fe (III) or fumarate. In the presence of sulfate, strain SPDX02-08^T completely oxidized pyruvate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate and hexadecanoate. Stoichiometric measurements revealed a complete oxidation of part of lactate (0.125 mol of acetate produced per mole lactate oxidized). Strain SPDX02-08^T required yeast extract to oxidize formate and H₂ but did not grow autotrophically on H₂. Among the substrates tested, only pyruvate was fermented. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 57.6 mol%. Major cellular fatty acids of strain SPDX02-08^T were iso-C_15:0, C_15:0, and C_16:0. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA gene sequence indicated that strain SPDX02-08^T belongs to the genus Desulfosoma, family Syntrophobacteraceae, having Desulfosoma caldarium as its closest phylogenetic relative (97.6% similarity). The mean DNA/DNA reassociation value between strain SPDX02-08^T and Desulfosoma caldarium was 16.9 ± 2.7%. Based on the polyphasic differences, strain SPDX02-08^T is proposed to be assigned as a new species of the genus Desulfosoma, Desulfosoma profundi sp. nov. (DSM 22937^T = JCM 16410^T). GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain SPDX02-08^T is HM056226.     

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

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