Agrobacterium vaccinii sp. nov. isolated from galls on blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum)

Four non-pathogenic strains isolated from the galls on blueberry plants (Vaccinium corymbosum) were characterized by using polyphasic taxonomic methods. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, strains were clustered within the genus Agrobacterium. Furthermore, multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on the partial sequences of atpD, recA and rpoB housekeeping genes and whole-genome-based phylogeny indicated that the strains studied form a novel Agrobacterium species. Analyses showed that the strains belong to “rubi” sub-clade of Agrobacterium genus and their closest relatives are Agrobacterium rubi and “Agrobacterium bohemicum”. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) comparisons between genome sequences of representative strains B7.6^T and B19.1.4, and their closest relatives, confirmed the distinct phylogenetic position of studied strains, because obtained values were considerably below the proposed thresholds for the species delineation. The four strains studied were phenotypically distinguishable from other species of the genus Agrobacterium. Overall, polyphasic characterization showed that the strains studied represent a novel species of the genus Agrobacterium, for which the name Agrobacterium vaccinii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of A. vaccinii is B7.6^T (=CFBP 8740^T = LMG 31849^T).     

Streptacidiphilus hamsterleyensis sp. nov., isolated from a spruce forest soil

Three acidophilic actinobacteria, isolates LSCA2, FGG8 and HSCA14^T, recovered from spruce litter were examined using a polyphasic approach. Chemotaxonomic and morphological properties of the isolates were found to be consistent with their classification in the genus Streptacidiphilus. The isolates were shown to have identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and were most closely related to Streptacidiphilus neutrinimicus DSM 41755^T (99.9 % similarity). However, DNA:DNA relatedness between isolate HSCA14^T and the type strain of S. neutrinimicus was found to be low at 44.0 (±14.1) %. A combination of phenotypic features, including degradative and nutritional characteristics were shown to distinguish the isolates from their nearest phylogenetic neighbours. Data from this study show that the isolates form a novel species in the genus for which the name S. hamsterleyensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HSCA 14^T (=DSM 45900^T = KACC 17456^T = NCIMB 14865^T).     

Description of the two novel species of the genus Helicobacter: Helicobacter anatolicus sp. nov., and Helicobacter kayseriensis sp. nov., isolated from feces of urban wild birds

A total of 26 Gram-negative, motile, gently curved, and rod-shaped isolates were recovered, during a study to determine the faeco-prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in urban wild birds. Pairwise comparisons of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these isolates belonged to the genus Helicobacter and phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were separated into two divergent groups. The first group consisted of 20 urease-positive isolates sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity levels of 98.5–98.6% to H. mustelae ATCC 43772^T, while the second group contained six urease-negative isolates with the sequence identity level of 98.5% to the type strain of H. pametensis ATCC 51478^T. Five isolates were chosen and subjected to comparative whole-genome analysis. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, gyrA and atpA gene sequences showed that Helicobacter isolates formed two separate phylogenetic clades, differentiating the isolates from the other Helicobacter species. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses between strains faydin-H8^T, faydin-H23^T and their close neighbors H. anseris MIT 04-9362^T and H. pametensis ATCC 51478^T, respectively, confirmed that both strains represent novel species in the genus Helicobacter. The DNA G+C contents of the strains faydin-H8^T and faydin-H23^T are 32.0% and 37.6%, respectively. The results obtained for the characterization of the wild bird isolates indicate that they represent two novel species, for which the names Helicobacter anatolicus sp. nov., and Helicobacter kayseriensis sp. nov., are proposed, with faydin-H8^T(=LMG 32237^T = DSM 112312^T) and faydin-H23^T(=LMG 32236^T = CECT 30508^T) as respective type strains.     

Nonomuraea shaanxiensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a soil sample

A novel actinomycete, strain NEAU-st1^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Shaanxi province, Northwest China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-st1^T belongs to the genus Nonomuraea, being most closely related to Nonomuraea rosea GW12687^T (98.91 %), Nonomuraea solani NEAU-Z6^T (98.44 %), Nonomuraea rhizophila YIM67092^T(98.24 %) and Nonomuraea monospora PT708^T (98.02 %); similarities to sequences of other type strains of the genus Nonomuraea were lower than 98 %. Both tree-making algorithms used also supported the position that strain NEAU-st1^T formed a distinct clade with its most closely related species. Morphological and physiological characteristics confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Nonomuraea and distinguished it from its most closely related species. DNA–DNA hybridization further differentiated strain NEAU-st1^T from its nearest phylogenetic neighbours. These results suggested that strain NEAU-st1^T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea shaanxiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-st1^T (=CGMCC 4.7096^T = DSM 45877^T).     

Nonlabens marina sp. nov., a novel member of the Flavobacteriaceae isolated from the Pacific Ocean

Two aerobic, Gram-negative, orange pigmented and irregular rod-shaped bacteria, designated S1-05 and S1-08^T, were isolated from seawater from the Pacific Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolates could be affiliated with the genus Nonlabens of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The strains S1-05 and S1-08^T shared 100 % pairwise sequences similarity with each other and showed less than 96.8 % similarity with the cultivated members of the genus Nonlabens. The novel isolates are phenotypically and physiologically different from strains described previously. The strains were found to be non-motile, oxidase positive, catalase positive and hydrolyzed gelatin and aesculin. The G+C contents of the DNA were determined to 41.4 and 41.7 mol% and MK-6 the predominant menaquinone. Anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0 were found to be the major two cellular fatty acids. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic studies, it was concluded that strains S1-05 and S1-08^T represent a novel species within the genus Nonlabens, for which the name Nonlabens marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of N. marina is S1-08^T (=KCTC 23432^T = NBRC 107738^T).     

Streptomyces poriferorum sp. nov., a novel marine sponge-derived Actinobacteria species expressing anti-MRSA activity

Marine sponges represent a rich source of uncharacterized microbial diversity, and many are host to microorganisms that produce biologically active specialized metabolites. Here, a polyphasic approach was used to characterize two Actinobacteria strains, P01-B04^T and P01-F02, that were isolated from the marine sponges Geodia barretti (Bowerbank, 1858) and Antho dichotoma (Esper, 1794), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains P01-B04^T and P01-F02 are closely related to Streptomyces beijiangensis DSM 41794^T, Streptomyces laculatispora NRRL B-24909^T, and Streptomyces brevispora NRRL B-24910^T. The two strains showed nearly identical 16S rRNA gene sequences (99.93%), and the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) relatedness values were 99.96% and 99.6%, respectively, suggesting that these strains are affiliated with the same species. Chemotaxonomic and culture characteristics of both strains were also consistent with the genus Streptomyces, while phenotypic properties, genome-based comparisons, and phylogenomic analyses distinguished strains P01-B04^T and P01-F02 from their closest phylogenetic relatives. In silico analysis predicted that the 8.9 Mb genome of P01-B04^T contains at least 41 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) encoding secondary metabolites, indicating that this strain could express diverse bioactive metabolites; in support of this prediction, this strain expressed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria including a clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) EAMC30. Based on these results, the marine sponge-associated isolates represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces poriferorum sp. nov. is proposed, with P01-B04^T (=DSM 111306^T = CCM 9048^T) as the type strain.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces xiangluensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from soil

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-LA29^T, was isolated from soil collected from Xianglu Mountain and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Based on a polyphasic taxonomic approach comprising chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, morphological and physiological characterisation, the isolate has been affiliated to the genus Streptomyces. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate is closely related to Streptomyces vastus JCM4524^T (98.8% identity) and Streptomyces cinereus DSM43033^T (97.9%). However, multilocus sequence analysis based on five other house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) and low DNA–DNA relatedness values enabled the strain to be differentiated from these closely related species of the genus Streptomyces. Thus, strain NEAU-LA29^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces xiangluensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-LA29^T (=?CGMCC 4.7466^T?=?DSM 105786^T).     

Pedobacter hainanensis sp. nov., Isolated from Seaside Soil

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated 13-Q^T, was isolated from seaside soil under the stacks of the red algae in Hainan province in China. Identification was carried out on the basis of polyphasic taxonomy. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 13-Q^T belonged to the genus Pedobacter, and the highest similarity was 94.4 % with Pedobacter terricola KCTC 12876^T. Strain 13-Q^T was able to grow at 10–40 °C, in pH 5.0–10.0, in the presence of 0–2.0 % NaCl. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (40.4 %), summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c) (18.9 %) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (18.4 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42.7 mol%. Strain 13-Q^T could be distinguished from the nearest phylogenetic neighbors by various chemotaxonomic and phenotypic properties. The results of the polyphasic analyses suggested that strain 13-Q^T should be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter hainanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13-Q^T (=CCTCC AB 2012076^T = NRRL B-59850^T).     

A study of three bacteria isolated from marine sediment and description of Micromonospora globispora sp. nov.

During a study looking for the isolation of new actinobacteria strains with potential for antibiotic production from deep marine sediment, three strains were collected with a morphology similar to the one described for the Micromonospora genus. A polyphasic study was designed to determine the taxonomic affiliation of the strains S2901^T, S2903, and S2904. All the strains showed chemotaxonomic properties in line with their classification in the genus Micromonospora, meso-diaminopimelic acid in the wall peptidoglycan, a tetrahydrogenated menaquinone with nine isoprene units as major respiratory quinone, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0 as major fatty acids and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol as major polar lipids. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain S2901^T, S2903, and S2904 showed the highest similarity (99.2%) with the type strain of Micromonospora halophytica DSM 43171^T, forming an independent branch in the phylogenetic gene tree. Their independent position was confirmed with gyrB gene and MLSA phylogenies. Whole genome sequences confirmed by digital DNA-DNA hybridization analysis that the isolates should be assigned to a new species within the genus Micromonospora for which the name Micromonospora globispora sp. nov. (S2901^T, S2903 and S2904) is proposed.     

Pseudomonas sivasensis sp. nov. isolated from farm fisheries in Turkey

A study of 91 isolates from fish farms in Turkey showed that isolates P7^T, P11, P24b, P29, P72, P73 and P158 belonged to the genus Pseudomonas according to 16S rRNA nucleotide sequence analysis. The analysis of the sequences of the RNA polymerase sigma factor gene (rpoD) located these strains in the Pseudomonas fluorescens lineage of species within the P. fluorescens subgroup, close to the cluster composed of the species Pseudomonas grimontii, Pseudomonas marginalis and Pseudomonas panacis. Based on similarities in the 16S rRNA and rpoD gene sequences of three previously isolated strains from other origins (CCUG 57209, CCUG 62357 and W5.2-93) linked them to the same cluster. A polyphasic taxonomic approach including phenotypic characterization, fatty acid composition, and multilocus sequence analysis, together with whole-cell MALDI-TOF data, corroborated this assumption. The genome G+C mol% contents were 59.48 and 59.71, respectively. The average nucleotide indices based on BLAST analysis and the genome-to-genome distance calculation for the P7^T and CCUG 57209 strains with their closest relative, P. grimontii, were 88.16–88.29% and 38.10–38.20%, respectively. These data confirm that isolates P7^T, P11, P24b, P29, P72, P73, P158, CCUG 57209, CCUG 62357 and W5.2-93 represent a new species for which the name Pseudomonas sivasensis is proposed, with P7^T as a type strain (=CCUG 74260^T= and CECT30107^T).     

Isoptericola salitolerans sp. nov., a halotolerant filamentous actinobacterium isolated from a salt lake, China

A novel bacterial strain, TRM F109^T, was isolated from hypersaline habitat in Sichuan Province, China. It was a Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, halotolerant, filamentous bacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed levels of similarity of 97.0–98.4 % to the type strains of recognized species of the genus Isoptericola. Chemotaxonomic data also supported the placement of strain TRM F109^T within the genus Isoptericola. The low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the novel strain and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Isoptericola, in combination with differential phenotypic data, demonstrate that strain TRM F109^T represents a novel species of the genus Isoptericola, for which the name Isoptericola salitolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM F109^T (=JCM 15901^T=KCTC 19617^T).     

Streptomyces leeuwenhoekii sp. nov., the producer of chaxalactins and chaxamycins,forms a distinct branch in Streptomyces gene trees

A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic status of an Atacama Desert isolate, Streptomyces strain C34^T, which synthesises novel antibiotics, the chaxalactins and chaxamycins. The organism was shown to have chemotaxonomic, cultural and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Streptomyces. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain C34^T formed a distinct phyletic line in the Streptomyces gene tree that was very loosely associated with the type strains of several Streptomyces species. Multilocus sequence analysis based on five house-keeping gene alleles underpinned the separation of strain C34^T from all of its nearest phylogenetic neighbours, apart from Streptomyces chiangmaiensis TA-1^T and Streptomyces hyderabadensis OU-40^T which are not currently in the MLSA database. Strain C34^T was distinguished readily from the S. chiangmaiensis and S. hyderabadensis strains by using a combination of cultural and phenotypic data. Consequently, strain C34^T is considered to represent a new species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces leeuwenhoekii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C34^T (= DSM 42122^T = NRRL B-24963^T). Analysis of the whole-genome sequence of S. leeuwenhoekii, with 6,780 predicted open reading frames and a total genome size of around 7.86 Mb, revealed a high potential for natural product biosynthesis.     

Four new species of Chryseobacterium from the rhizosphere of coastal sand dune plants, Chryseobacterium elymi sp. nov., Chryseobacterium hagamense sp. nov., Chryseobacterium lathyri sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium rhizosphaerae sp. nov.

The taxonomic positions of five Gram-negative, non-spore-forming and non-motile bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere of sand dune plants were examined using a polyphasic approach. The analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that all of the isolates fell into four distinct phylogenetic clusters belonging to the genus Chryseobacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of isolates to mostly related type strains of Chryseobacterium ranged from 97.5% to 98.5%. All strains contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone, and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and a summed feature of iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c as the dominant fatty acids. Combined phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data supported that they represented four novel species in the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the names Chryseobacterium hagamense sp. nov. (type strain RHA2-9^T=KCTC 22545^T=NBRC 105253^T), Chryseobacterium elymi sp. nov. (type strain RHA3-1^T=KCTC 22547^T=NBRC 105251^T), Chryseobacterium lathyri sp. nov. (type strain RBA2-6^T=KCTC 22544^T=NBRC 105250^T), and Chryseobacterium rhizosphaerae sp. nov. (type strain RSB3-1^T=KCTC 22548^T=NBRC 105248^T) are proposed.     

Nonlabens arenilitoris sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from seashore sand

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated M-M3^T, was isolated from marine sand on the southern coast of South Korea and subjected to a polyphasic study. Strain M-M3^T was observed to grow optimally at 25–30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain M-M3^T fell within the clade comprising Nonlabens species, joining the type strain of Nonlabens ulvanivorans, with which it exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 99.4 %. Sequence similarity to the type strains of the other Nonlabens species was 93.0–95.2 % and <92.2 % to those of other species used in the phylogenetic analysis. Strain M-M3^T was found to contain MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_17:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were determined to be phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified lipids and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain M-M3^T was determined to be 38.2 mol% and its DNA–DNA relatedness values with N. ulvanivorans DSM 22727^T was 42 ± 6.2 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain M-M3^T is separate from other Nonlabens species. On the basis of the data presented, strain M-M3^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonlabens, for which the name Nonlabens arenilitoris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M-M3^T (=KCTC 32109^T = CCUG 62919^T).     

Marinifilum flexuosum sp. nov., a new Bacteroidetes isolated from coastal Mediterranean Sea water and emended description of the genus Marinifilum Na et al., 2009

A facultatively anaerobe, moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, filamentous, non motile and unpigmented bacterium, designated M30^T, was isolated from coastal Mediterranean Sea water in Valencia, Spain. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences placed this strain in the phylum “Bacteroidetes” with Marinifilum fragile JC2469^T as its closest relative with 97% sequence similarity. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between both strains were far below the 95% threshold value for species delineation (about 89% using BLAST and about 90% using MUMmer). A comprehensive polyphasic study, including morphological, biochemical, physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, confirmed the independent species status of strain M30^T within the genus Marinifilum, for which the name Marinifilum flexuosum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Marinifilum flexuosum is M30^T (=CECT 7448^T = DSM 21950^T).     

Flavobacterium aquaticum sp. nov., a member of the Bacteroidetes isolated from a freshwater reservoir

A novel bacterial strain, designated ARSA-111^T, was isolated from a freshwater reservoir in Cheonan, Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that the isolate belonged to the genus Flavobacterium of phylum Bacteroidetes. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain ARSA-111^T showed a high degree of sequence similarity to those of Flavobacteium cheonanense KACC 14972^T (97.3%), F. aquatile JCM 20475^T (97.1%), and other type strains of the genus Flavobacterium (< 97.0%). The phylogenetic tree and network analysis (i.e. median-joining) based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ARSA-111^T is most closely related to F. aquatile JCM 20475^T. DNA-DNA hybridization experiment revealed 70% of genomic relatedness among strain ARSA-111^T, F. aquatile JCM 20475^T and F. cheonanense KACC 14972^T. The isolate had iso-C_15:1, iso-C_15:0, and iso-C_15:0 3-OH as predominant cellular fatty acids and MK-6 as a predominant menaquinone. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 35.6 mol%. On the basis of these data, strain ARSA-111^T is considered to be a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium aquaticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain ARSA-111^T (=KACC 14973^T =KCTC 23185^T = JCM 17070^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nonomuraea rhizosphaerae</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a rubber tree (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hevea brasiliensis</Emphasis> Muell. Arg)

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-mq18^T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) collected from Xianglu Mountain in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate belongs to the genus Nonomuraea with high sequence similarity to Nonomuraea guangzhouensis NEAU-ZJ3^T (98.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain clusters phylogenetically with N. guangzhouensis NEAU-ZJ3^T and Nonomuraea glycinis NEAU-BB2C19^T. Moreover, key chemotaxonomic properties including the major menaquinones, fatty acid composition and phospholipid profile also confirmed the affiliation of the strain to the genus Nonomuraea. However, some physiological, morphological and biochemical properties, and low DNA–DNA relatedness values, enabled the strain to be differentiated from closely related species of the genus Nonomuraea. Thus, strain NEAU-mq18^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-mq18^T (=CGMCC 4.7431^T=DSM 105761^T).     

Streptomyces bullii sp. nov., isolated from a hyper-arid Atacama Desert soil

A Streptomyces strain isolated from a hyper-arid Atacama Desert soil was characterised using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain, designated C2^T, had chemical and morphological properties typical of the genus Streptomyces. The isolate formed a branch in the Streptomyces 16S rRNA gene tree together with the type strain of Streptomyces chromofuscus and was also loosely related to Streptomyces fragilis NRRL 2424^T. DNA:DNA relatedness values between the isolate and its two phylogenetic neighbours showed that it formed a distinct genomic species. The strain was readily distinguished from these organisms using a combination of morphological and phenotypic data. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic results, isolate C2^T represents a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces bullii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C2^T (=CGMCC 4.7019^T = KACC 15426^T).     

Photobacterium piscicola sp. nov., isolated from marine fish and spoiled packed cod

Five isolates from marine fish (W3^T, WM, W1S, S2 and S3) and three isolates misclassified as Photobacterium phosphoreum, originating from spoiled modified atmosphere packed stored cod (NCIMB 13482 and NCIMB 13483) and the intestine of skate (NCIMB 192), were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were members of the genus Photobacterium. Sequence analysis using the gapA, gyrB, pyrH, recA and rpoA loci showed that these isolates formed a distinct branch in the genus Photobacterium, and were most closely related to Photobacterium aquimaris, Photobacterium kishitanii, Photobacterium phosphoreum and Photobacterium iliopiscarium. The luxA gene was present in isolates W3^T, WM, W1S, S2 and S3 but not in NCIMB 13482, NCIMB 13483 and NCIMB 192. AFLP and (GTG)₅-PCR fingerprinting indicated that the eight isolates represented at least five distinct genotypes. DNA–DNA hybridizations revealed 89% relatedness between isolate W3^T and NCIMB 192, and values below 70% with the type strains of the phylogenetically closest species, P. iliopiscarium LMG 19543^T, P. kishitanii LMG 23890^T, P. aquimaris LMG 26951^T and P. phosphoreum LMG4233^T. The strains of this new taxon could also be distinguished from the latter species by phenotypic characteristics. Therefore, we propose to classify this new taxon as Photobacterium piscicola sp. nov., with W3^T (=NCCB 100098^T = LMG 27681^T) as the type strain.     

Glaciecola aquimarina sp. nov., a gammaproteobacterium isolated from coastal seawater

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, GGW-M5^T, was isolated from seawater on the southern coast in Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain GGW-M5^T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 30 °C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain GGW-M5^T belonged to the genus Glaciecola, joining the cluster comprising the type strains of G. agarilytica, G. arctica, G. chathamensis, G. mesophila, G. polaris and G. psychrophila, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.9–96.7 %. Strain GGW-M5^T exhibited sequence similarity values of 93.2–94.8 % to the type strains of the other Glaciecola species. Strain GGW-M5^T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH, C_16:0 and C_14:0 2-OH as the major fatty acids. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 42.4 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain GGW-M5^T could be distinguished from other Glaciecola species. On the basis of the data presented, strain GGW-M5^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Glaciecola, for which the name Glaciecola aquimarina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GGW-M5^T (=KCTC 32108^T = CCUG 62918^T).