Geodermatophilus chilensis sp. nov., from soil of the Yungay core-region of the Atacama Desert,Chile

A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic status of three representative Geodermatophilus strains isolated from an extreme hyper-arid Atacama Desert soil. The strains, isolates B12^T, B20 and B25, were found to have chemotaxonomic and morphological properties characteristic of the genus Geodermatophilus. The isolates shared a broad range of chemotaxonomic, cultural and physiological features, formed a well-supported branch in the Geodermatophilus 16S rRNA gene tree in which they were most closely associated with the type strain of Geodermatophilus obscurus. They were distinguished from the latter by BOX-PCR fingerprint patterns and by chemotaxonomic and other phenotypic properties. Average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between the whole genome sequences of isolate B12^T and G. obscurus DSM 43160^T were 89.28%, 87.27% and 37.4%, respectively, metrics consistent with its classification as a separate species. On the basis of these data, it is proposed that the isolates be assigned to the genus Geodermatophilus as Geodermatophilus chilensis sp. nov. with isolate B12^T (CECT 9483^T = NCIMB 15089^T) as the type strain. Analysis of the whole genome sequence of G. chilensis B12^T with 5341 open reading frames and a genome size of 5.5 Mb highlighted genes and gene clusters that encode for properties relevant to its adaptation to extreme environmental conditions prevalent in extreme hyper-arid Atacama Desert soils.     

Novel species of Frankia,Frankia gtarii sp. nov. and Frankia tisai sp. nov., isolated from a root nodule of Alnus glutinosa

The status of four Frankia strains isolated from a root nodule of Alnus glutinosa was established in a polyphasic study. Taxogenomics and phenotypic features show that the isolates belong to the genus Frankia. All four strains form extensively branched substrate mycelia, multilocular sporangia, vesicles, lack aerial hyphae, but contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid of the peptidoglycan, galactose, glucose, mannose, ribose, xylose and traces of rhamnose as cell wall sugars, iso-C_16:0 as the predominant fatty acid, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids, have comparable genome sizes to other cluster 1, Alnus-infective strains with structural and accessory genes associated with nitrogen fixation. The genome sizes of the isolates range from 7.0 to 7.7 Mbp and the digital DNA G + C contents from 71.3 to 71.5 %. The four sequenced genomes are rich in biosynthetic gene clusters predicted to express for novel specialized metabolites, notably antibiotics. 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequence analyses show that the isolates fall into two lineages that are closely related to the type strains of Frankia alni and Frankia torreyi. All of these taxa are separated by combinations of phenotypic properties and by digital DNA:DNA hybridization scores which indicate that they belong to different genomic species. Based on these results, it is proposed that isolates Agncl-4^T and Agncl-10, and Agncl-8^T and Agncl-18, be recognised as Frankia gtarii sp. nov. and Frankia tisai sp. nov. respectively, with isolates Agncl-4^T (=DSM 107976^T = CECT 9711^T) and Agncl-8^T (=DSM 107980^T = CECT 9715^T) as the respective type strains.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Amycolatopsis vastitatis</Emphasis> sp. nov., an isolate from a high altitude subsurface soil on Cerro Chajnantor,northern Chile

The taxonomic position of a novel Amycolatopsis strain isolated from a high altitude Atacama Desert subsurface soil was established using a polyphasic approach. The strain, isolate H5^T, was shown to have chemical properties typical of members of the genus Amycolatopsis such as meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan, arabinose and galactose as diagnostic sugars and MK-9(H₄) as the predominant isoprenologue. It also has cultural and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus, notably the formation of branching substrate hyphae which fragment into rod-like elements. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that the strain is closely related to the type strain of Amycolatopsis mediterranei but could be distinguished from this and other related Amycolatopsis strains using a broad range of phenotypic properties. It was separated readily from the type strain of Amycolatopsis balhymycina, its near phylogenetic neighbour, based on multi-locus sequence data, by low average nucleotide identity (92.9%) and in silico DNA/DNA relatedness values (51.3%) calculated from draft genome assemblies. Consequently, the strain is considered to represent a novel species of Amycolatopsis for which the name Amycolatopsis vastitatis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H5^T (= NCIMB 14970^T = NRRL B-65279^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.     

Saccharopolyspora karakumensis sp. nov., Saccharopolyspora elongata sp. nov., Saccharopolyspora aridisoli sp. nov., Saccharopolyspora terrae sp. nov. and their biotechnological potential revealed by genome analysis

Exploration of unexplored habitats for novel actinobacteria with high bioactivity potential holds great promise in the search for novel entities. During the course of isolation of actinobacteria from desert soils, four actinobacteria, designated as 5K548^T, 7K502^T, 16K309^T and 16K404^T, were isolated from the Karakum Desert and their bioactivity potential as well as taxonomic provenances were revealed by comprehensive genome analyses. Pairwise sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA genes indicated that the four strains are representatives of putatively novel taxa within the prolific actinobacterial genus Saccharopolyspora. The strains have typical chemotaxonomic characteristics of the genus Saccharopolyspora by having meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diaminoacid, arabinose, galactose and ribose as whole-cell sugars. Consistent with this assignment, all of the isolates contained phosphatidylcholine in their polar lipid profiles and MK-9(H₄) as the predominant menaquinone. The sizes of the genomes of the isolates ranged from 6.0 to 10.2 Mb and the associated G + C contents from 69.6 to 69.7 %. Polyphasic characterizations including determination of overall genome relatedness indices revealed that the strains are representatives of four novel species in the genus Saccharopolyspora. Consequently, isolates 5K548^T, 7K502^T, 16K404^T and 16K309^T are proposed as novel Saccharopolyspora species for which the names of Saccharopolyspora karakumensis sp. nov., Saccharopolyspora elongata sp. nov., Saccharopolyspora aridisoli sp. nov. and Saccharopolyspora terrae sp. nov. are proposed, respectively. Comprehensive genome analysis for biosynthetic gene clusters showed that the strains have high potential for novel secondary metabolites. Moreover, the strains harbour many antimicrobial resistance genes providing more evidence for their potentiality for bioactive metabolites.     

Characterization of Ferroplasma Isolates and Ferroplasma acidarmanus sp. nov., Extreme Acidophiles from Acid Mine Drainage and Industrial Bioleaching Environments

Three recently isolated extremely acidophilic archaeal strains have been shown to be phylogenetically similar to Ferroplasma acidiphilum Y^T by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. All four Ferroplasma isolates were capable of growing chemoorganotrophically on yeast extract or a range of sugars and chemomixotrophically on ferrous iron and yeast extract or sugars, and isolate “Ferroplasma acidarmanus” Fer1^T required much higher levels of organic carbon. All four isolates were facultative anaerobes, coupling chemoorganotrophic growth on yeast extract to the reduction of ferric iron. The temperature optima for the four isolates were between 35 and 42°C and the pH optima were 1.0 to 1.7, and “F. acidarmanus” Fer1^T was capable of growing at pH 0. The optimum yeast extract concentration for “F. acidarmanus” Fer1^T was higher than that for the other three isolates. Phenotypic results suggested that isolate “F. acidarmanus” Fer1^T is of a different species than the other three strains, and 16S rRNA sequence data, DNA-DNA similarity values, and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein profiles clearly showed that strains DR1, MT17, and Y^T group as a single species. “F. acidarmanus” Fer1^T groups separately, and we propose the new species “F. acidarmanus” Fer1^T sp. nov.     

Gilliamella intestini sp. nov., Gilliamella bombicola sp. nov., Gilliamella bombi sp. nov. and Gilliamella mensalis sp. nov.: Four novel Gilliamella species isolated from the bumblebee gut

Spectra of five isolates (LMG 28358^T, LMG 29879^T, LMG 29880^T, LMG 28359^T and R-53705) obtained from gut samples of wild bumblebees of Bombus pascuorum, Bombus lapidarius and Bombus terrestris were grouped into four MALDI-TOF MS clusters. RAPD analysis revealed an identical DNA fingerprint for LMG 28359^T and R-53705 which also grouped in the same MALDI-TOF MS cluster, while different DNA fingerprints were obtained for the other isolates.Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the four different strains identified Gilliamella apicola NCIMB 14804^T as nearest neighbour species. Average nucleotide identity values of draft genome sequences of the four isolates and of G. apicola NCIMB 14804^T were below the 96% threshold value for species delineation and all four strains and G. apicola NCIMB 14804^T were phenotypically distinct. Together, the draft genome sequences and phylogenetic and phenotypic data indicate that the four strains represent four novel Gilliamella species for which we propose the names Gilliamella intestini sp. nov., with LMG 28358^T as the type strain, Gilliamella bombicola sp. nov., with LMG 28359^T as the type strain, Gilliamella bombi sp. nov., with LMG 29879^T as the type strain and Gilliamella mensalis sp. nov., with LMG 29880^T as the type strain.     

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).     

Streptomyces erringtonii sp. nov. and Streptomyces kaempferi sp. nov., isolated from a hay meadow soil

Two filamentous actinomycetes isolated from a hay meadow soil were provisionally assigned to the genus Streptomyces based on morphological features. The isolates were found to have chemical and morphological properties typical of the genus Streptomyces and formed distinct phyletic lines in the 16S rRNA gene tree. Isolate I36^T was most closely related to Streptomyces glauciniger NBRC 100913^T and isolate I37^T to Streptomyces mirabilis NBRC 13450^T. Low DNA:DNA relatedness values were recorded between each of the isolates and their closest phylogenetic neighbour. The isolates were also distinguished from their nearest phylogenetic neighbour, and from one another, using a combination of phenotypic properties. These data indicate that the isolates should be recognised as new species in the genus Streptomyces. The names proposed for these new taxa are Streptomyces erringtonii sp. nov. and Streptomyces kaempferi sp. nov. with isolate I36^T (=CGMCC 4.7016^T = KACC 15424^T) and isolate I37^T (=CGMCC 4.7020^T = KACC 15428^T) as the respective type strains.     

Campylobacter anatolicus sp. nov., a novel member of the genus Campylobacter isolated from feces of Anatolian Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) in Turkey

Seventy-four Gram-negative, motile, slightly curved rod-shaped, microaerophilic, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative isolates, recovered from fecal samples of the Anatolian ground squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) in Kayseri, Turkey, were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Results of a genus-specific PCR indicated that all isolates belonged to the genus Campylobacter. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses revealed the closest match as Campylobacter curvus DSM 6644^T with identity levels of 96.41–96.70%. Based on the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny of the 74 isolates, six isolates (faydin-G24, faydin-G52, faydin-G105, faydin-G114, faydin-G129 and faydin-G140^T) were chosen as representatives for further characterization. The overall genome relatedness indices for the strain faydin-G140^T, compared to the most closely related type strain C. curvus ATCC 35224^T, were calculated as 15.2%, 72.5%, and 83.7% for digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), and average nucleotide identity (ANIb and ANIm), respectively. The G+C content and genome size of the strains ranged between 35.2–35.4 mol% and 1.7–1.8 Mb, respectively. Based on data obtained from the polyphasic taxonomy approach, including phenotypic characterization as well as genomic and chemotaxonomic analyses, these strains are concluded to represent a novel species, for which the name Campylobacter anatolicus sp. nov. is proposed with faydin-G140^T as the type strain (=DSM 112311^T = LMG 32238^T).     

Isolation of Two Radiation Resistant and Desiccation Tolerant Bacteria, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Modestobacter</Emphasis> sp. A2 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Maritalea</Emphasis> sp. B9, from Gandom Beryan Hill in the Lut Desert of Iran

Although dryland ecosystems are the most abundant terrestrial biomes on the Earth, relatively little is known about their microbial diversity and potential metabolic activities. Therefore, the bacterial diversity of the Lut Desert in Iran has been remained largely obscure. In this study, ionizing radiation resistant bacteria from arid Gandom Beryan region was investigated by a culture-dependent method. After exposing the soil and surface sand samples to different periods of dehydration in a desiccator containing silica gel, two nonendospore- forming bacterial isolates were recovered by plating on R2A and TSA agar media and then subjected to a desiccation and ionizing radiation resistance assay. The isolates A2 and B9 were still recovered after 8 weeks in a desiccator containing silica gel and were moderately resistant to gamma radiation with a D10 value between 2 and 4 kGy. Strains A2 and B9 were affiliated with Modestobacter muralis MDVD1^T (99.7% similarity) and Maritalea mobilis E6^T (97.3% similarity) respectively, using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. This is the first report of radiation resistant bacteria which belongs to the genus Maritalea.     

Polaribacter reichenbachii sp. nov.: A New Marine Bacterium Associated with the Green Alga Ulva fenestrata

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 6Alg 8^T, was isolated from the common Pacific green alga Ulva fenestrata. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the novel strain within the genus Polaribacter, a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the phylum Bacteroidetes, with sequence similarities of 97.6 % to Polaribacter dokdonensis DSW-5^T and 92.8–96.1 % to other recognized Polaribacter species. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 6Alg 8^T were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1, iso-C_15:0 2-OH, C_15:0 and C_15:1ω6. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and one unknown lipid. The DNA G+C content of the type strain is 31.6 mol%. The new isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Polaribacter were readily distinguished based on a number of phenotypic characteristics. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel species of the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribacter reichenbachii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 6Alg 8^T (= KCTC 23969^T = KMM 6386^T = LMG 26443^T).     

Oenococcus sicerae sp. nov., isolated from French cider

Two Gram-stain-positive, small ellipsoidal cocci, non-motile, oxidase- and catalase-negative, and facultative anaerobic strains (UCMA15228^T and UCMA17102) were isolated in France, from fermented apple juices (ciders). The 16S rRNA gene sequence was identical between the two isolates and showed 97 % similarity with respect to the closest related species Oenococcus oeni and O. kitaharae. Therefore, the two isolates were classified within the genus Oenococcus. The phylogeny based on the pheS gene sequences also confirmed the position of the new taxon. DNA–DNA hybridizations based on in silico genome-to-genome comparisons (GGDC) and Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) values, as well as species-specific PCR, validated the novelty of the taxon. Various phenotypic characteristics such as the optimum temperature and pH for growth, the ability to metabolise sugars, the aptitude to perform the malolactic fermentation, and the resistance to ethanol and NaCl, revealed that the two strains are distinguishable from the other members of the Oenococcus genus. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data support the classification of strains UCMA15228^T and UCMA17102 into a novel species of Oenococcus, for which the name O. sicerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UCMA15228^T (=DSM107163^T = CIRM-BIA2288^T).     

Thiobacillus sajanensis sp. nov., a new obligately autotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium isolated from Khito-Gol hydrogen-sulfide springs, Buryatia

Four strains of rod-shaped gram-negative sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were isolated from Khoito-Gol hydrogen-sulfide springs in the eastern Sayan Mountains (Buryatia). The cells of the new isolates were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The strains were obligately chemolithoautotrophic aerobes that oxidized thiosulfate (with the production of sulfur and sulfates) and hydrogen sulfide. They grew in a pH range of 6.8–9.5, with an optimum at pH 9.3 and in a temperature range of 5–39°C, with an optimum at 28–32°C. The cells contained ubiquinone Q-8. The DNA G+C content of the new strains was 62.3–64.2 mol %. According to the results of analysis of their 16S rRNA genes, the isolates belong to the genus Thiobacillus within the subclass Betaproteobacteria. However, the similarity level of nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA genes was insufficient to assign the isolates to known species of this genus. The affiliation to the genus Thiobacillus was confirmed by DNA-DNA hybridization of the isolates with the type strain of the type species of the genus Thiobacillus, T. thioparus DSM 505^T (= ATCC 8158^T). Despite the phenotypic similarity, the hybridization level was as low as 21–29%. In addition, considerable differences were revealed in the structure of the genes encoding RuBPC, the key enzyme of autotrophic CO₂ assimilation, between the known Thiobacillus species and the new isolates. Based on molecular-biological features and certain phenotypic distinctions, the new isolates were assigned to a new Thiobacillus species, T. sajanensis sp. nov., with the type strain 4HG^T (= VKM B-2365^T).     

Hyphomonas beringensis sp. nov. and Hyphomonas chukchiensis sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater of the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea

Two Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, oval to pear shaped motile strains, designated 25B14_1^T and BH-BN04-4^T, isolated from surface seawater from the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, respectively, were subjected to polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strains 25B14_1^T and BH-BN04-4^T clustered together with Hyphomonas atlanticus 22II1-22F38^T and Hyphomonas oceanitis DSM 5155^T, respectively, within genus Hyphomonas. Based on whole genome sequence analysis, the calculated DDH and ANIm values between strain 25B14_1^T and BH-BN04-4^T are 18.8 and 83.19 % respectively. The calculated DDH values of strain 25B14_1^T and BH-BN04-4^T with seven type strains ranged from 18.2 to 19.9 % and from 18.4 to 40.4 %, respectively. The ANIm values of strain 25B14_1^T and BH-BN04-4^T with seven type strains ranged from 83.00 to 84.67 % and from 83.14 to 90.58 %, respectively. Both isolates were found to contain Q-11 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids of strain 25B14_1^T were identified as C_16:0, C_17:0, C_18:1 ω7c-methyl and Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c/ω7c as defined by MIDI), while in the case of strain BH-BN04-4^T they were identified as C_16:0, C_18:1 ω7c-methyl and Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c/ω7c). The G+C contents of 25B14_1^T and BH-BN04-4^T were determined to be 58.4 and 61.0 mol%, respectively. The combined phenotypic and genotypic data show that the two isolates each represent novel species of the genus Hyphomonas, for which the names Hyphomonas beringensis sp. nov. and Hyphomonas chukchiensis sp. nov. are proposed, with the type strain 25B14_1^T (=MCCC 1A07321^T = LMG 27914^T) and BH-BN04-4^T (=MCCC 1A07481^T = LMG 27915^T), respectively.     

Whole-Genome Optical Mapping and Finished Genome Sequence of Sphingobacterium deserti sp. nov., a New Species Isolated from the Western Desert of China

A novel Gram-negative bacterium, designated ZW^T, was isolated from a soil sample of the Western Desert of China, and its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic position were investigated using a polyphasic approach. Growth occurred on TGY medium at 5–42°C with an optimum of 30°C, and at pH 7.0–11.0 with an optimum of pH 9.0. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c or C_16:1 ω6c/C_16:1 ω7c) (39.22%), iso-C15:0 (27.91%), iso-C_17:0 3OH (15.21%), C_16:0 (4.98%), iso-C_15:0 3OH (3.03%), C16:0 3OH (5.39%) and C_14:0 (1.74%). The major polar lipid of strain ZW^T is phosphatidylethanolamine. The only menaquinone observed was MK-7. The GC content of the DNA of strain ZWT is 44.9 mol%. rDNA phylogeny, genome relatedness and chemotaxonomic characteristics all indicate that strain ZW^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium. We propose the name S. deserti sp. nov., with ZW^T (= KCTC 32092T = ACCC 05744T) as the type strain. Whole genome optical mapping and next-generation sequencing was used to derive a finished genome sequence for strain ZW^T, consisting of a circular chromosome of 4,615,818 bp in size. The genome of strain ZW^T features 3,391 protein-encoding and 48 tRNA-encoding genes. Comparison of the predicted proteome of ZW^T with those of other sphingobacteria identified 925 species-unique proteins that may contribute to the adaptation of ZW^T to its native, extremely arid and inhospitable environment. As the first finished genome sequence for any Sphingobacterium, our work will serve as a useful reference for subsequent sequencing and mapping efforts for additional strains and species within this genus.     

Genome sequences and description of novel exopolysaccharides producing species Komagataeibacter pomaceti sp. nov. and reclassification of Komagataeibacter kombuchae (Dutta and Gachhui 2007) Yamada et al., 2013 as a later heterotypic synonym of Komagataeibacter hansenii (Gosselé et al. 1983) Yamada et al., 2013

Strains T5K1 and AV446 isolated from apple cider vinegars during a submerged vinegar production in two separate vinegar facilities showed 94% 16S rRNA gene similarity to its closest neighbors Komagataeibacter maltaceti LMG 1529^T and Gluconacetobacter entanii LTH 4560^T. Further phylogenetic and phenotypic characterizations indicated that the isolates belonged to a novel species of the Komagataeibacter genus. Comparison based on 16S–23S rRNA gene ITS sequences and concatenated partial sequences of the housekeeping genes dnaK, groEL and rpoB, grouped both strains to a single phylogenetic cluster well separated from the other species of the Komagataeibacter genus. Average nucleotide identity of T5K1 and AV446 draft genome sequences compared to other Komagataeibacter type strains was below 94% and at the same time, in-silico DNA–DNA hybridization was below 70%. Both strains on the other hand showed approximately 98% (average nucleotide identity) and 87% (in silico DNA–DNA hybridization) similarity to each other. Strains T5K1 and AV446 can be differentiated from other Komagataeibacter type strains based on their ability to produce 2-keto-d-gluconic acid and at the same time inability to produce 5-keto-d-gluconic acid. Furthermore, strains of the new species do not grow on Asai medium supplemented with d-glucose or d-mannitol. The growth is also absent (T5K1) or weak (AV446) on Hoyer–Frateur medium supplemented with afore mentioned sugars. Both strains produce cellulose. In addition, draft genome analysis revealed that strains T5K1 and AV446 possess genes involved in the synthesis of acetan-like extracellular heteropolysaccharide. We propose the name Komagataeibacter pomaceti sp. nov. for the new species with LMG 30150^T [= CCM 8723^T = ZIM B1029^T] as the type strain. Data collected in this study and in a previous study also revealed that Komagataeibacter kombuchae is a later heterotypic synonym of Komagataeibacter hansenii.     

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).