Description of five novel thermophilic species of the genus Thermus: Thermus hydrothermalis sp. nov., Thermus neutrinimicus sp. nov., Thermus thalpophilus sp. nov., Thermus albus sp. nov., and Thermus altitudinis sp. nov., isolated from hot spring sediments

Biological denitrification is a significant process in nitrogen biogeochemical cycle of terrestrial geothermal environments, and Thermus species have been shown to be crucial heterotrophic denitrifier in hydrothermal system. Five Gram-stain negative, aerobic and rod-shaped thermophilic bacterial strains were isolated from hot spring sediments in Tibet, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences indicated that these isolates should be assigned to the genus Thermus and were most closely related to Thermus caldifontis YIM 73026^T, and Thermus brockianus YS38^T. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the five strains and the type strains of the genus Thermus were lower than the threshold values (95% and 70%, respectively) recommended for bacterial species, which clearly distinguished the five isolates from other species of the genus Thermus and indicated that they represent independent species. Colonies are circular, convex, non-transparent. Cell growth occurred at 37–80 °C (optimum, 60–65 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0–2.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0–0.5%). Denitrification genes (narG, nirK, nirS, and norB genes) detected in their genomes indicated their potential function in nitrogen metabolism. The obtained results combined with those of morphological, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, including the menaquinones, polar lipids, and cellular fatty acids showed that the isolates are proposed as representing five novel species of the genus Thermus, which are proposed as Thermus hydrothermalis sp. nov. SYSU G00291^T, Thermus neutrinimicus sp. nov. SYSU G00388^T, Thermus thalpophilus sp. nov. SYSU G00506^T, Thermus albus sp. nov. SYSU G00608^T, Thermus altitudinis sp. nov. SYSU G00630^T.     

Deinococcus aestuarii sp. nov. and Deinococcus aquaedulcis sp. nov., two novel resistant bacteria isolated from pearl river estuary

Two novel species of the genus Deinococcus, designated SYSU M49105^T and SYSU M42101^T, were isolated from freshwater samples of the Pearl River estuary in Guangdong, China. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strains SYSU M49105^T and SYSU M42101^T showed the highest sequence similarities to Deinococcus aetherius JCM 11751 ^T (93.6%) and Deinococcus multiflagellatus NBRC 112888 ^T (97.3%), respectively. Cells of both strains were Gram-staining positive, aerobic, coccus-shaped, oxidase-negative and non-motile. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as their diagnostic diamino acid. MK-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone for both strains. The polar lipid profile of SYSU M49105^T contained two unidentified phosphoglycolipids, nine unidentified glycolipids, and five unidentified polar lipids. SYSU M42101^T had one unidentified phosphoglycolipid, nine unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminophospholipid and four unidentified polar lipids. The major fatty acids of strains SYSU M49105^T and SYSU M42101^T were summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/ or C_16:1 ω6c) and C_16:0. The G?+?C contents of the novel isolates based on genomic DNAs were 69.6% and 67.4%, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strains SYSU M49105^T and SYSU M42101^T should be considered to represent two novel species in the genus Deinococcus, for which the names Deinococcus aestuarii sp. nov. and Deinococcus aquaedulcis sp. nov. were proposed with the type strains SYSU M49105^T (=?KCTC 43258 ^T?=?CGMCC 1.18609 ^T) and SYSU M42101^T (=?KCTC 43257 ^T?=?CGMCC 1.18614 ^T), respectively.

     

Marichromatium litoris sp. nov. and Marichromatium chrysaorae sp. nov. isolated from beach sand and from a jelly fish (Chrysaora colorata)

Three strains (JA349^T, JA553^T, JA439) of phototrophic sulphur bacteria were isolated from marine habitats of India. 16S rRNA gene sequence of the three strains clustered phylogenetically with members of the genus Marichromatium of the family Chromatiaceae belonging to the class Gammaproteobacteria. All the strains shared highest sequence similarity with the type strains of Marichromatium spp. (96-99% sequence similarity) and the new strains were characterized based on polyphasic taxonomy. Strains JA349^T and JA553^T can be distinguished from closest relative species of the genus Marichromatium with respect to distinct differences in cellular polar lipids, fatty acids and carbon/nitrogen sources utilization. Both strains were distinctly related (<50% based on DNA-DNA hybridization) with the type strains of the genus Marichromatium. Multilocus Sequence Analysis (MLSA) of the concatenated five protein coding genes (fusA, pufM, dnaK, recA, soxB) along with internal transcribed spacer (ITS; 16S-23S rRNA) had sequence similarity of less than 92% with the type strains of Marichromatium spp. Distinct phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular differences allow the separation of strains JA349^T and JA553^T into new species of the genus Marichromatium for which, we propose the names Marichromatium litoris sp. nov. and Marichromatium chrysaorae sp. nov., respectively.     

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.     

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.     

Description and functional testing of four species of the novel phototrophic genus Chioneia gen. nov., isolated from different East Antarctic environments

Seven Gram-negative, aerobic, non-sporulating, motile strains were isolated from terrestrial (R-67880^T, R-67883, R-36501 and R-36677^T) and aquatic (R-39604, R-39161^T and R-39594^T) East Antarctic environments (i.e. soil and aquatic microbial mats), between 2007 and 2014. Analysis of near-complete 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains potentially form a novel genus in the family Sphingomonadaceae (Alphaproteobacteria). DNA-DNA reassociation and average nucleotide identity values indicated distinction from close neighbors in the family Sphingomonadaceae and showed that the seven isolates form four different species. The main central pathways present in the strains are the glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle and pentose phosphate pathway. The strains can use only a limited number of carbon sources and mainly depend on ammonia and sulfate as a nitrogen and sulfur source, respectively. The novel strains showed the potential of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophy, based on the presence of bacteriochlorophyll a pigments, which was corroborated by the presence of genes for all building blocks for a type 2 photosynthetic reaction center in the annotated genomes. Based on the results of phenotypic, genomic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses, the strains could be assigned four new species in the novel genus Chioneia gen. nov. in the family Sphingomonadaceae, for which the names C. frigida sp. nov. (R-67880^T, R-67883 and R-36501), C. hiemis sp. nov. (R-36677^T), C. brumae sp. nov. (R-39161^T and R-39604) and C. algoris sp. nov. (R-39594^T) are proposed.     

Halomonas alkalisoli sp. nov., a novel haloalkalophilic species from saline-alkaline soil,and reclassification of Halomonas daqingensis Wu et al. 2008 as a later heterotypic synonym of Halomonas desiderata Berendes et al. 1996

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, moderately halophilic, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacteria, designated M5N1S17^T and M5N1S15, were isolated from saline soil in Baotou, China. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the two strains clustered closely with Halomonas montanilacus PYC7W^T and shared 99.1 and 99.3% sequence similarities, respectively. The average nucleotide identity based on BLAST (ANIb) and MUMmer (ANIm) values of the two strains with each other were 95.5% and 96.7%, respectively, while the ANIb and ANIm values between the two strains and 15 closer Halomonas species were 74.8–91.3% and 84.1–92.6%, respectively. The major polar lipids of M5N1S17^T are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and an unidentified phospholipid. The major polar lipids of M5N1S15 are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified phospholipids, and an unidentified lipid. The predominant ubiquinone in the two strains is Q-9. The major fatty acids of the two strains are C_18:1 ω6c and/or C_18:1 ω7c, C_16:0, and C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, and physiological results, strains M5N1S17^T and M5N1S15 should be identified as a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which Halomonas alkalisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M5N1S17^T (= CGMCC 1.19023^T = KCTC 92130^T). The phylogenetic trees showed that Halomonas daqingensis CGMCC 1.6443^T clustered tightly with Halomonas desiderata FB2^T, and the two strains shared >98.0% of ANI values with each other. Therefore, we propose the reclassification of H. daqingensis Wu et al. 2008 as a later heterotypic synonym of H. desiderata Berendes et al. 1996.     

Diaminobutyricibacter tongyongensis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Homoserinibacter gongjuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. Belong to the Family Microbacteriaceae

Two bacterial strains, KIS66-7^T and 5GH26-15^T, were isolated from soil samples collected in the South Korean cities of Tongyong and Gongju, respectively. Both strains were aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, mesophilic, flagellated, and rodshaped. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that both strains belonged to the family Microbacteriaceae of the phylum Actinobacteria. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KIS66-7^T had the highest similarities with those of Labedella gwakjiensis KSW2-17^T (97.3%), Cryobacterium psychrophilum DSM 4854T (97.2%), Leifsonia lichenia 2Sb^T (97.2%), Leifsonia naganoensis JCM 10592^T (97.0%), and Cryobacterium mesophilum MSL-15^T (97.0%). Strain 5GH26-15^T showed the highest sequence similarities with Leifsonia psychrotolerans LI1T (97.4%) and Schumannella luteola KHIAT (97.1%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence from KIS66-7^T exhibited 96.4% similarity with that from 5GH26-15^T. Strain KIS66-7^T contained a B2γ type peptidoglycan structure with D-DAB as the diamino acid; MK-13, MK-12, and MK-14 as the respiratory quinones; ai-C_15:0, ai-C_17:0, and i-C_16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids; and diphosphatidylglycerol, phatidylglycerol, and glycolipids as the predominant polar lipids. Strain 5GH26-15T had a B2β type peptidoglycan structure with D-DAB as the diamino acid; MK-14 and MK-13 as the respiratory quinones; ai-C_15:0, i-C_16:0, and ai-C{vn17:0} as the major cellular fatty acids; and diphosphatidylglycerol, phatidylglycerol, and glycolipids as the predominant polar lipids. Both strains had low DNA-DNA hybridization values (<40%) with closely related taxa. Based on our polyphasic taxonomic characterization, we propose that strains KIS66-7^T and 5GH26-15^T represent novel genera and species, for which we propose the names Diaminobutyricibacter tongyongensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain KIS66-7^T=KACC 15515^T=NBRC 108724^T) and Homoserinibacter gongjuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain 5GH26-15^T=KACC 15524^T=NBRC 108755^T) within the family Microbacteriaceae.     

Description of two cultivated and two uncultivated new Salinibacter species,one named following the rules of the bacteriological code: Salinibacter grassmerensis sp. nov.; and three named following the rules of the SeqCode: Salinibacter pepae sp. nov., Salinibacter abyssi sp. nov., and Salinibacter pampae sp. nov.

Current -omics methods allow the collection of a large amount of information that helps in describing the microbial diversity in nature. Here, and as a result of a culturomic approach that rendered the collection of thousands of isolates from 5 different hypersaline sites (in Spain, USA and New Zealand), we obtained 21 strains that represent two new Salinibacter species. For these species we propose the names Salinibacter pepae sp. nov. and Salinibacter grassmerensis sp. nov. (showing average nucleotide identity (ANI) values < 95.09% and 87.08% with Sal. ruber M31^T, respectively). Metabolomics revealed species-specific discriminative profiles. Sal. ruber strains were distinguished by a higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids and specific N-functionalized fatty acids; and Sal. altiplanensis was distinguished by an increased number of glycosylated molecules. Based on sequence characteristics and inferred phenotype of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), we describe two new members of the genus Salinibacter. These species dominated in different sites and always coexisted with Sal. ruber and Sal. pepae. Based on the MAGs from three Argentinian lakes in the Pampa region of Argentina and the MAG of the Romanian lake Fără Fund, we describe the species Salinibacter pampae sp. nov. and Salinibacter abyssi sp. nov. respectively (showing ANI values 90.94% and 91.48% with Sal. ruber M31^T, respectively). Sal. grassmerensis sp. nov. name was formed according to the rules of the International Code for Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP), and Sal. pepae, Sal. pampae sp. nov. and Sal. abyssi sp. nov. are proposed following the rules of the newly published Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes Described from Sequence Data (SeqCode). This work constitutes an example on how classification under ICNP and SeqCode can coexist, and how the official naming a cultivated organism for which the deposit in public repositories is difficult finds an intermediate solution.     

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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myroides injenensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new member isolated from human urine

A Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacteria, designated M09-0166^Tand M09-1053 were isolated from human urine samples. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolates belong to the Myroides cluster and were closely related to Myroides phaeus DSM 23313^T (96.3 %), Myroides odoratimimus KCTC 23053^T (96.1 %), Myroides profundi KCTC 23066^T (96.0 %), Myroides odoratus KCTC 23054^T (95.4 %) and Myroides pelagicus KCTC 12661^T (95.2 %). The major mena quinone was identified as MK-6. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, amino lipids, and several unknown lipids, and the major fatty acids as iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_17:0 3-OH. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of the isolates with the genus Myroides and clearly indicated that two isolates represent novel species, for which the name Myroides injenensis sp. nov. (type strain, M09-0166^T = KCTC 23367^T = JCM 17451^T) is proposed.     

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.     

Natronogracilivirga saccharolytica gen. nov., sp. nov. and Cyclonatronum proteinivorum gen. nov., sp. nov., haloalkaliphilic organotrophic bacteroidetes from hypersaline soda lakes forming a new family Cyclonatronaceae fam. nov. in the order Balneolales

Two heterotrophic bacteroidetes strains were isolated as satellites from autotrophic enrichments inoculated with samples from hypersaline soda lakes in southwestern Siberia. Strain Z-1702^T is an obligate anaerobic fermentative saccharolytic bacterium from an iron-reducing enrichment culture, while Ca. Cyclonatronum proteinivorum Omega^T is an obligate aerobic proteolytic microorganism from a cyanobacterial enrichment. Cells of isolated bacteria are characterized by highly variable morphology. Both strains are chloride-independent moderate salt-tolerant obligate alkaliphiles and mesophiles. Strain Z-1702^T ferments glucose, maltose, fructose, mannose, sorbose, galactose, cellobiose, N-acetyl-glucosamine and alpha-glucans, including starch, glycogen, dextrin, and pullulan. Strain Omega^T is strictly proteolytic utilizing a range of proteins and peptones. The main polar lipid fatty acid in both strains is iso-C_15:0, while other major components are various C₁₆ and C₁₇ isomers. According to pairwise sequence alignments using BLAST Gracilimonas was the nearest cultured relative to both strains (<90% of 16S rRNA gene sequence identity). Phylogenetic analysis placed strain Z-1702^T and strain Omega^T as two different genera in a deep-branching clade of the new family level within the order Balneolales with genus. Based on physiological characteristics and phylogenetic position of strain Z-1702^T it was proposed to represent a novel genus and species Natronogracilivirga saccharolityca gen. nov., sp. nov. (= DSMZ 109061^T =JCM 32930^T =VKM B 3262^T). Furthermore, phylogenetic and phenotypic parameters of N. saccharolityca and C. proteinivorum gen. nov., sp. nov., strain Omega^T (=JCM 31662^T, =UNIQEM U979^T), make it possible to include them into a new family with a proposed designation Cyclonatronaceae fam. nov..     

Weizmannia acidilactici sp. nov., a lactic acid producing bacterium isolated from soils

The strains designed PP-18^T, JC-4 and JC-7 isolated from soils, were Gram-stain-positive rods, facultative anaerobe, endospore-forming bacteria. The strains produced l-lactic acid from glucose. They showed positive for catalase but negative for oxidase, nitrate reduction and arginine hydrolysis. Strains P-18^T, JC-4 and JC-7 were closely related to Weizmannia coagulans LMG 6326^T (97.27–97.64%) and W. acidiproducens KCTC 13078^T (96.46–96.74%) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. They contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in cell wall peptidoglycan and had seven isoprene units (MK-7) as the predominant menaquinone. The major cellular fatty acids of strain PP-18^T were iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, iso-C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The ANIb and ANIm values among the genomes of strains PP-18^T, JC-4 and JC-7 are above 99.4% while their ANIb and ANIm values among them and W. coagulans LMG 6326^T and W. acidiproducens KCTC 13078^T were ranged from 76.61 to 79.59%. These 3 strains showed the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values of 20.7–23.6% when compared with W. coagulans LMG 6326^T and W. acidiproducens DSM 23148^T. The DNA G + C contents of strains PP-18^T, JC-4 and JC-7 were 45.82%, 45.86% and 45.86%, respectively. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphoglycolipids. The results of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and whole-genome analysis indicated that the strains PP-18^T, JC-4 and JC-7 should be represented as a novel species within the genus Weizmannia for which the name Weizmannia acidilactici sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PP-18^T (=KCTC 33974^T = NBRC 113028^T = TISTR 2515^T).     

Natronocalculus amylovorans gen. nov., sp. nov., and Natranaeroarchaeum aerophilus sp. nov., dominant culturable amylolytic natronoarchaea from hypersaline soda lakes in southwestern Siberia

Several pure cultures of alkaliphilic haloaloarchaea were enriched and isolated from hypersaline soda lakes in southwestern Siberia using amylopectin and fructans as substrates. Phylogenomic analysis placed the isolates into two distinct groups within the class Halobacteria. Four isolates forming group 1 were closely related to a recently described Natranaeroarchaeum sulfidigenes and the other three strains forming group 2 represent a novel genus-level phylogenetic lineage. All isolates are saccharolytic archaea growing with various starch-like alpha-glucans including soluble starch, amylopectin, dextrin, glycogen, pullulane and cyclodextrin. In addition, group 1 can use levan while group 2 – inulin (plant storage beta-fructans). Group 1 strains can also grow anaerobically with either glucose or maltose using elemental sulfur as the electron acceptor. Both groups are moderately alkaliphilic with a pH range for growth from 7.2 to 9.3 (optimum between 8.0–8.8) and low Mg-demanding extreme halophiles growing optimally at 4 M total Na⁺. The major respiratory menaquinone is MK-8:8 and the core biphytanyl lipids are dominated by archaeol (C₂₀-C₂₀) and a less abundant extended archaeol (C₂₀-C₂₅) with PG and PGP-Me as polar groups. The four isolates of group 1 are suggested to be classified into a new species as Natranaeroarchaeum aerophilus sp. nov. (type strain AArc-St1-1^T = JCM 32519^T). The three isolates of group 2 are proposed to form a new genus and species for which the name Natronocalculus amylovorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is suggested (type strain AArc-St2^T = JCM 32475^T).     

Coralslurrinella hongkonensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium in the family Psychromonadaceae, isolated from the coral Platygyra carnosus

A novel bacterial strain, JLT2006^T, was isolated from the scleractinian coral Platygyra carnosus, located in Hong Kong, China. Cells of this strain were Gram-negative, rod-shaped or oval-shaped and motile by the means of polar flagella. They formed faint-yellow, round colonies on marine agar medium. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain JLT2006^T belonged to the class Gammaproteobacteria and was most closely related to Alteromonas-like bacteria of the genera Psychromonas, Pseudoalteromonas, Moritella, Shewanella and Ferrimonas, with less than 93 % sequence similarity. The predominant fatty acids were identified as C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c (23.0 %), C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c (18.2 %) and C16:0 (16.4 %). The quinone was menaquinone-7 (100 %). The polar lipids were determined to be phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipid, glycolipid and lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.3 mol%. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence as well as the physiological and biochemical features that separate the strain JLT2006^T from other recognized bacteria, a novel species of a new genus with the name Coralslurrinella hongkonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JLT2006^T (=JCM 18796^T = CGMCC 1.10992^T).     

Chryseobacterium zeae sp. nov., Chryseobacterium arachidis sp. nov., and Chryseobacterium geocarposphaerae sp. nov. isolated from the rhizosphere environment

Four yellow pigmented strains (91A-561^T, 91A-576, 91A-593^T, and JM-1085^T) isolated from plant materials, showed 97.2–98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities among each other and were studied in a polyphasic approach for their taxonomic allocation. Cells of all four isolates were rod-shaped and stained Gram-negative. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the four bacteria had highest sequence similarities to Chryseobacterium formosense (97.2–98.7 %), Chryseobacterium gwangjuense (97.1–97.8 %), and Chryseobacterium defluvii (94.6–98.0 %). Sequence similarities to all other Chryseobacterium species were below 97.5 %. Fatty acid analysis of the four strains showed Chryseobacterium typical profiles consisting of major fatty acids C_15:0 iso, C_15:0 iso 2-OH/C_16:1 ω7c, C_17:1 iso ω9c, and C_17:0 iso 3-OH, but showed also slight differences. DNA–DNA hybridizations with type strains of C. gwangjuense, C. formosense, and C. defluvii resulted in values below 70 %. Isolates 91A-561^T and 91A-576 showed DNA–DNA hybridization values >80 % indicating that they belonged to the same species; but nucleic acid fingerprinting showed that the two isolates represent two different strains. DNA–DNA hybridization results and the differentiating biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties showed, that both strains 91A-561^T and 91A-576 represent a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium geocarposphaerae sp. nov. (type strain 91A-561^T=LMG 27811^T=CCM 8488^T) is proposed. Strains 91A-593^T and JM-1085^T represent two additional new species for which we propose the names Chyrseobacterium zeae sp. nov. (type strain JM-1085^T=LMG 27809^T, =CCM 8491^T) and Chryseobacterium arachidis sp. nov. (type strain 91A-593^T=LMG 27813^T, =CCM 8489^T), respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Poseidonocella pacifica</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Poseidonocella sedimentorum</Emphasis> sp. nov., novel alphaproteobacteria from the shallow sandy sediments of the Sea of Japan

The taxonomic study of two Gram-negative, aerobic, non-pigmented bacteria KMM 9010^T and KMM 9023^T isolated from a sandy sediment sample collected from the Sea of Japan seashore was performed. On the basis of the nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences, strains KMM 9010^T and KMM 9023^T clustered with the Roseobacter lineage (class Alphaproteobacteria) forming a distinct phylogenetic line adjacent to the genus Donghicola. Novel strains shared the highest sequence similarity of 96.4% to each other and lower than 96.1% similarities to other validly named genera of the class Alphaproteobacteria. In both strains, ubiquinone Q-10 was found to be the major respiratory quinone; phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, and an unknown aminolipid were the major polar lipids and C_18:1ω7c and 11-methyl C_18:1ω7c were predominant fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 60.5 mol% (KMM 9010^T) and 65.4 mol% (KMM 9023^T). Based on phenotypic properties and phylogenetic evidence, strains KMM 9010^T and KMM 9023^T should be classified as two novel species in a new genus, Poseidonocella gen. nov., with Poseidonocella pacifica sp. nov., the type species with the type strain KMM 9010^T (= NRIC 0794^T = JCM 17310^T), and Poseidonocella sedimentorum sp. nov. as the second species with the type strain KMM 9023^T (= NRIC 0796^T = JCM 17311^T).     

Proposal of three novel species of soil bacteria, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Variovorax ureilyticus,Variovorax rhizosphaerae</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Variovorax robiniae</Emphasis>, in the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Comamonadaceae</Emphasis>

Three novel bacterial strains (UCM-2^T, UCM-G28^T, and UCM-G35^T) were obtained while isolating soil bacteria for the development of antibiotics. Cells of these strains were Gram-negative, non-spore forming, motile by means of a single flagellum, and rod shaped. In all strains, the predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). Cells contained C_16:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c), summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c), and C_17:0 cyclo as the major fatty acids, and C_10:0 3-OH as the major hydroxy fatty acid. The polar lipid profiles of the three novel strains were dominated by diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G + C contents of strains UCM-2^T, UCM-G28^T, and UCMG35^T were 67.5, 65.9, and 66.4 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA sequences showed that strain UCM-2^T was most closely related to Variovorax soli NBRC 106424^T, whereas strains UCM-G28^T and UCM-G35^T were most similar to Variovorax ginsengisoli Gsoil 3165^T. Values indicating DNA-DNA hybridization between the novel isolates and closely related species in the genus Variovorax were lower than the 70% cut-off point. These phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic data indicate that the three isolates should be classified as new members of the genus Variovorax, for which the names Variovorax ureilyticus sp. nov., Variovorax rhizosphaerae sp. nov., and Variovorax robiniae sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are UCM-2^T (= KACC 18899^T = NBRC 112306^T), UCMG28^T (= KACC 18900^T = NBRC 112307^T), and UCM-G35^T (= KACC 18901^T = NBRC 112308^T), respectively.