Bacillus bingmayongensis sp. nov., isolated from the pit soil of Emperor Qin’s Terra-cotta warriors in China

A Bacillus-like isolate, strain FJAT-13831^T, isolated from the No. 1 pit soil of Emperor Qin’s Terra-cotta Warriors in Xi’an City, China, was studied to determine its taxonomic status. Dominant fatty acids of this organism included iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0, C_16:0, iso-C_13:0, anteiso-C_15:0, and iso-C_17:1ω5c. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed the affiliation of this isolate to the genus Bacillus and indicated that it was closely related to Bacillus pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T (99.72 % similarity). A phylogenetic analysis of the gyrB gene sequence similarities exhibited independent clustering of the isolate FJAT-13831^T and showed 93.8 % (<95 %) sequence similarity with its closest phylogenetic neighbour B. pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T. Separate standing of the strain FJAT-13831^T was supported by a whole genome-based phylogenetic analysis with an average nucleotide identity value of 91.47 (<95 %) between isolate FJAT-13831^T and B. pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T and was consistent with the results of DNA–DNA hybridization (69.1 % relatedness). These findings support the conclusion that the isolate FJAT-13831^T represents a novel species, for which the name Bacillus bingmayongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-13831^T (= CGMCC 1.12043^T = DSM 25427^T).     

Bacillus xiamenensis sp. nov., isolated from intestinal tract contents of a flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus)

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain HYC-10^T, which was isolated from the intestinal tract contents of a flathead mullet, Mugil cephalus, captured from the sea off Xiamen Island, China. The bacterium was observed to be Gram positive, oxidase and catalase positive, rod shaped, and motile by subpolar flagella. The bacterium was found to grow at salinities of 0–12 % and at temperatures of 8–45 °C. The isolate was found to hydrolyze aesculin and gelatin, but was unable to reduce nitrate to nitrite. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HYC-10^T belongs to the genus Bacillus, with highest sequence similarity (99.3 %) to Bacillus aerophilus 28K^T, Bacillus stratosphericus 41KF2a^T and Bacillus altitudinis DSM 21631^T, followed by Bacillus safensis DSM 19292^T (99.5 %) and Bacillus pumilus DSM 27^T (99.5 %), while the sequence similarities to others were all below 97.6 %. The genomic ANIm values between strain HYC-10^T and three type strains (B. altitudinis DSM 21631^T, B. safensis DSM 19292^T and B. pumilus DSM 27^T) were determined to range from 89.11 to 91.53 %. The DNA–DNA hybridization estimate values between strain HYC-10^T and the three type strains were from 36.60 to 44.00 %. The principal fatty acids identified were iso-C_15:0 (39.1 %), anteiso-C_15:0 (22.7 %), iso-C_17:0 (13.1 %), C_16:0 (6.1 %), anteiso-C_17:0 (5.8 %) and iso-C_16:0 (5.1 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined from the draft genome sequence to be 41.3 mol%. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-7 (100 %). Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminoglycolipid, two glycolipids and two unknown phospholipids were found to be present. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain HYC-10^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus xiamenensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain HYC-10^T (=CGMCC NO.1.12326^T = LMG 27143^T = MCCC 1A00008^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus rhizosphaerae</Emphasis> sp. nov., an novel diazotrophic bacterium isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere soil

A Gram-positive, non-pigmented, rod-shaped, diazotrophic bacterial strain, designated SC-N012^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of sugarcane and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain exhibited phenotypic properties that included chemotaxonomic characteristics consistent with its classification in the genus Bacillus. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of SC-N012^T revealed the closest match (98.9% pair wise similarity) with Bacillus clausii DSM 8716^T. However, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated low levels of genomic relatedness (32%) with this strain. The major components of the fatty acid profile are iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA is 43.0 mol%. The lipids present in strain SC-N012^T are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown phospholipids. Their predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. Studies of DNA-DNA relatedness, morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses and phylogenetic data based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing allowed strain SC-N012^T to be described as members of novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SC-N012^T (=DSM 21911^T = NCCB 100267^T).     

Bacillus pakistanensis sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium isolated from salt mines of the Karak Area in Pakistan

A rod shaped, non-motile, endospore forming, Gram-stain positive and moderately halotolerant strain, designated as NCCP-168^T, was isolated from salt mines sampled in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan. To delineate its taxonomic position, the strain was subjected to polyphasic characterization. Cells of strain NCCP-168^T can grow at 10–40 ^○C (optimum at 30–35 ^○C), in a pH range of 5.0–9.0 (optimum at pH 8.0) and in 0–17 % (w/v) NaCl on agar medium. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain NCCP-168^T belongs to the genus Bacillus with the highest similarity to Bacillus seohaeanensis BH724^T (97.1 %), and less than 97 % similarity with other closely related taxa (95.6 % with B. subtilis subsp. subtilis NCIB3610^T). DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NCCP-168^T and the type strains of closely related species was lower than 30 %. Chemotaxonomic data (major menaquinone, MK-7; cell wall peptidoglycan type, A1γ [meso-diaminopimelic acid]; major fatty acids, iso-C_15:0 29.9 %, anteiso-C_15:0 29.3 %, iso-C_16:0 11.4 %, iso-C_14:0 8.9 % and anteiso-C_17:0 7.0 %; major polar lipids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine) support the affiliation of strain NCCP-168^T with genus Bacillus. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain NCCP-168^T can be distinguished from the closely related taxa and thus represents a novel species in the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus pakistanensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain NCCP-168^T (= KCTC 13786^T = DSM 24834^T = JCM 18975^T).     

Bacillus abyssalis sp. nov., isolated from a sediment of the South China Sea

A Gram-positive bacterium, designated SCSIO 15042^T, was isolated from a sediment of the South China Sea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The isolate grew at 20–60 °C, pH 6.0–10.0 and it could grow with up to 10 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall diamino acid was found to be meso-diaminopimelic acid. Polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown polar lipid. The only menaquinone was determined to be MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c, C_16:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, and iso-C_16:0. The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 15042^T was determined to be 43.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated strain SCSIO 15042^T to the genus Bacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain SCSIO 15042^T and Bacillus herbersteinensis D-1-5a^T, Bacillus infantis SMC 4352-1^T, Bacillus novalis LMG 21837^T and Bacillus drentensis LMG 21831^T were 96.2, 96.2, 96.1 and 96.1 %, respectively. Based on the evidence of the present polyphasic study, strain SCSIO 15042^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus abyssalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCSIO 15042^T (=DSM 25875^T = CCTCC AB 2012074^T = NBRC 109102^T).     

Bacillus alkalicola sp. nov., An Alkaliphilic,Gram-Positive Bacterium Isolated from Zhabuye Lake in Tibet,China

A Gram-positive, alkaliphilic bacterium, designated strain Zby6^T, was isolated from Zhabuye Lake in Tibet, China. The strain was able to grow at pH 8.0–11.0 (optimum at pH 10.0), in 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 3 %, w/v) and at 10–45 °C (optimum at 37 °C). Cells of the isolate were facultatively anaerobic and spore-forming rods with polar flagellum. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, and its cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 38.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Zby6^T was a member of the genus Bacillus and most closely related to Bacillus cellulosilyticus DSM 2522^T (97.7 % similarity). The DNA–DNA relatedness value between strain Zby6^T and B. cellulosilyticus DSM 2522^T was 59.2 ± 1.8 %. Comparative analysis of genotypic and phenotypic features indicated that strain Zby6^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus alkalicola sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is Zby6^T (=CGMCC 1.10368^T = JCM 17098^T = NBRC 107743^T).     

Bhargavaea indica sp. nov., a member of the phylum Firmicutes, isolated from Arabian Sea sediment

A Gram-positive, aerobic, coccoid-rod shaped, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive bacterium, designated strain KJW98^T, was isolated from the marine sediment of Karwar jetty, west coast of India. The strain was β-haemolytic, non-endospore-forming and grew with 0–8.5% (w/v) NaCl, at 15–48°C and at pH 6.5–9.0, with optimum growth with 0.5% (w/v) NaCl, at 42°C and at pH 7.0–8.0. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences showed that strain KJW98^T forms a lineage within the genus Bhargavaea. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 55 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values of strain KJW98^T with B. beijingensis DSM 19037^T, B. cecembensis LMG 24411^T and B. ginsengi DSM 19038^T were 43.2, 39 and 26.5%, respectively. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (37.7%), iso-C_15:0 (19.7%), anteiso-C_17:0 (17.0%) and iso-C_16:0 (11.1%). The predominant menaquinone was MK-8 and the cell-wall peptidoglycan was of A4α type with L-lysine as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The phenotypic, genotypic and DNA-DNA relatedness data indicate that strain KJW98^T should be distinguished from the members of the genus Bhargavaea, for which the name Bhargavaea indica sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain KJW98^T (=KCTC 13583^T =LMG 25219^T).     

Saccharopolyspora cavernae sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the Swallow Cave in Yunnan, south-west China

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterial strain, designated YIM C01235^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Swallow Cave, Yunnan province, south-west China. The isolate grew at 10–30 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed highest similarity to Saccharopolyspora gloriosae YIM 60513^T (96.8 %), and lower 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (95.1–96.7 %) with the other species of the genus Saccharopolyspora. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP), arabinose and galactose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, two unknown glycolipids, two unknown phospholipids and one polar lipid. MK-9(H₄) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. Mycolic acids were not detected. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.1 mol%. These chemotaxonomic data, together with its morphological properties, were consistent with the assignment of strain YIM C01235^T to the genus Saccharopolyspora. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed strain YIM C01235^T to be differentiated phenotypically from all the recognized Saccharopolyspora species. On the basis of evidence from this polyphasic study, the novel species Saccharopolyspora cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM C01235^T (=DSM 45825^T = CCTCC AA 2012022^T).     

Streptomyces calidiresistens sp. nov., isolated from a hot spring sediment

A Streptomyces-like actinomycete strain, designated as YIM 78087^T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Hehua hot spring in Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. The taxonomic position of strain YIM 78087^T was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 78087^T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces fimbriatus DSM 40942^T, Streptomyces marinus DSM 41968^T and Streptomyces qinglanensis DSM 42035^T (97.18, 97.05 and 97.1 % similarity, respectively). Combined with the low values of DNA–DNA hybridization between strain YIM 78087^T and its closest neighbours, these analyses indicated that this new isolate represents a different genomic species in the genus Streptomyces. The predominant menaquinones of strain YIM 78087^T were identified as MK-9 (H₄) and MK-9 (H₆). The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C_15:0 (28.4 %), anteiso-C_17:0 (23.0 %) and iso-C_16:0 (15.1 %). The whole-cell hydrolysates found to contain glucose, mannose and ribose. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 73.0 mol%. Based on the comparative analysis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain YIM 78087^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces calidiresistens sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is YIM 78087^T (=BCRC 16955^T=DSM 42108^T=JCM 19629^T).     

Algoriphagus shivajiensis sp. nov., isolated from Cochin back water,India

Novel orange-pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacteria, designated strains NIO-S3^T and NIO-S4, were isolated from a water sample collected from Cochin back waters, Thanneermukkom and Arookutty, Kerala, India. Both strains were positive for oxidase and catalase activities, and hydrolyzed gelatin and Tween 40. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3OH, C_16:1ω7c/C_16:1ω6c (summed feature 3) and iso-C_17:1ω9c/C_16:0 10-methyl (summed feature 9), whereas MK-7 was the major respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified lipid were the only polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of the two strains was 43.7 and 43.6 mol%, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that they were members of the genus Algoriphagus and closely related to Algoriphagus olei CC-Hsuan-617^T, Algoriphagus aquatilis A8-7^T, Algoriphagus aquaeductus LMG 24398^T and Algoriphagus mannitolivorans DSM 15301^T, with pairwise sequence similarities of 96.8, 96.6, 96.2 and 96.2%, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization between strains NIO-S3^T and NIO-S4 showed a relatedness of 89%. Based on data from the current polyphasic study, the strains are proposed as a novel species of the genus Algoriphagus, for which the name Algoriphagus shivajiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of A. shivajiensis is NIO-S3^T (=JCM 17885^T = MTCC 11066^T).     

Paenibacillus taohuashanense sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from rhizosphere soil of the root of Caragana kansuensis Pojark

A nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain gs65^T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of Caragana kansuensis Pojark. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the nifH gene and the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain gs65^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene similarity were found between strain gs65^T and Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188^T (97.5 %), Paenibacillus odorifer ATCC BAA-93^T (97.3 %), Paenibacillus durus DSM 1735^T (97.0 %) and Paenibacillus sophorae DSM23020^T (96.9 %). Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain gs65^T and the type strains of other recognized members of the genus Paenibacillus were below 97.0 %. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain gs65^T and P. borealis DSM 13188^T, P. odorifer ATCC BAA-93^T (97.3 %), P. durus DSM 1735^T and P. sophorae DSM23020^T were 35.9, 38.0, 34.2 and 35.5 % respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain gs65^T was determined to be 51.6 mol%. The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_14:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and levels of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain gs65^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus taohuashanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is gs65^T (=CGMCC 1.12175^T = DSM 25809^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytoactinopolyspora halotolerans</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halotolerant actinobacterium isolated from a saline soil in Xinjiang,northwest of China

A novel aerobic, Gram-positive, non-motile halotolerant actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 96448^T, was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from the south bank of Aiding Lake in Xinjiang Province, northwest China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM 96448^T is closely related to Phytoactinopolyspora endophytica EGI 60009^T (98.0%) and Phytoactinopolyspora alkaliphila EGI 80629^T (97.0%). Optimum growth of the strain was observed at 28-37 °C, pH 7–9 and in the presence of 5–8% NaCl (w/v). The respiratory quinone of strain YIM 96448^T was determined to be MK-9(H₄). The major fatty acids (>10%) were identified as anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and summed feature 4 (iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1B). The polar lipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, three unidentified phosphoglycolipids and four unidentified phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 68.7 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain YIM 96448^T should be classified as a novel species in the genus Phytoactinopolyspora, for which the name Phytoactinopolyspora halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 96448^T (=CCTCC AB 2017055^T = KCTC 39924^T).     

Actinopolyspora righensis sp. nov., a novel halophilic actinomycete isolated from Saharan soil in Algeria

A novel halophilic actinomycete strain, H23^T, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected in Djamâa (Oued Righ region), El-Oued province, South Algeria. Strain H23^T was identified as a member of the genus Actinopolyspora by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain H23^T had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 97.8 % (Actinopolyspora xinjiangensis TRM 40136^T) to 94.8 % (Actinopolyspora mortivallis DSM 44261^T). The strain grew optimally at pH 6.0–7.0, 28–32 °C and in the presence of 15–25 % (w/v) NaCl. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age. The aerial mycelium produced long, straight or flexuous spore chains with non-motile, smooth-surfaced and rod-shaped spores. Strain H23^T had MK-10 (H₄) and MK-9 (H₄) as the predominant menaquinones. The whole micro-organism hydrolysates mainly consisted of meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose and arabinose. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylcholine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_17:0 (37.4 %), iso-C_17:0 (14.8 %), iso-C_15:0 (14.2 %), and iso-C_16:0 (13.9 %). The genotypic and phenotypic data show that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Actinopolyspora, for which the name Actinopolyspora righensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain H23^T (=DSM 45501^T = CCUG 63368^T = MTCC 11562^T).     

Pontibacter humi sp. nov., Isolated from Mountain Soil

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated as SWU8^T, was isolated from a mountain soil collected in Seoul Women’s University campus at South Korea. Phylogenic analysis, using 16S rRNA gene sequence of the new isolate, showed that strain SWU8^T belongs to the genus Pontibacter. The highest sequence similarities were 96.2 % with Pontibacter saemangeumensis GCM0142^T, 95.5 % with Pontibacter toksunensis ZLD-7^T, 95.3 % with Pontibacter roseus DSM 17521^T, and 95.1 % with Pontibacter odishensis JC130^T. Chemotaxonomic data showed that the most abundant fatty acids were summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C_17:1 I/anteiso-C_17:1 B; 26.9 %), iso-C_15:0 (25.6 %), and iso-C_17:0 3OH (10.6 %), and major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content of strain SWU8^T was 48.5 mol%. Together, the phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic data supported that strain SWU8^T presents a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter humi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SWU8^T (=KEMC 9004-131^T = JCM 19178^T).     

Bacillus borbori sp. Nov., Isolated From an Electrochemically Active Biofilm

A Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, motile, endospore-forming rod strain, designated DX-4^T, was isolated from an electrochemically active biofilm. Growth occurred at 30–65 °C (optimum 55 °C), at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5) and with <6 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive. The main respiratory quinone was MK-7, the predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, and unidentified aminophospholipid, the DNA G+C content was 38.6 mol% and the major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C_15:0 (38.9 %), iso-C_17:0 (30.5 %), iso-C_16:0 (5.6 %), and anteiso-C_17:0 (5.2 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain DX-4^T is a member of the genus Bacillus. The results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic analyses clearly indicated that strain DX-4^T represents a novel species, for which the name Bacillus borbori sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DX-4^T (= CCTCC AB2012196^T = KCTC 33103^T).     

Taxonomic description and genome sequence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacillus marinus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel strain isolated from Chilika Lake,India

moderately halophilic spore forming, motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterial strain designated as KGW1^T was isolated from water sample of Chilika Lake and characterized taxonomically using polyphasic approach. The strain grew in the presence of 0–25% (w/v) NaCl in marine salt agar media, hydrolyzes casein, and gelatin and shows presence of alkaline proteases. The major cell wall menaquinone was MK7 and major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (44.89%), anteiso-C_17:0 (6.18%), isoC_15:0 (19.38%), and iso-C_16:0 (7.39%). Several chemotaxonomic features conform the isolate be a member of genus Halobacillus. The isolate KGW1^T contained A1γ meso-Dpm-direct type of peptidoglycan which is different from its phylogenetically closest neighbours. The 16S rRNA gene sequence based phylogenetic analysis also revealed the strain KGW1^T was affiliated to the genus Halobacillus and sequence similarity between the isolated strain and the type strains of Halobacillus species were found closest to, H. dabanensis D-8 DSM 18199^T (99.08%) and H. faecis IGA7-4 DSM 21559^T (99.01%), H. trueperi SL-5 DSM 10404^T (98.94%). The in silico DDH showed that the values in a range of 14.2–17.5% with the most closest strain H. dabanensis D-8 DSM 18199^T and other type strains of the genus Halobacillus for which whole genome sequence is reported. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain KGW1^T and the closest type strain Halobacillus trueperi DSM 10404^T was 11.75% (± 1.15). The draft genome sequence includes 3,683,819 bases and comprises of 3898 predicted coding sequences with a G + C content of 46.98%. Thus, the significant distinctiveness supported by phenotypic and genotypic data with its closest neighbors and other closely related species confirm the strain KGW1^T to be classified as a novel species within the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KGW1^T (= DSM 29522 = JCM 30443).     

Pontibacter soli sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a Populus rhizosphere in Xinjiang, China

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and pink-pigmented bacterial strain, designated strain HYL7-26^T, was isolated from a soil in the Desert Park of Huyang forest located in Xinjiang, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HYL7-26^T belongs to the genus Pontibacter in the family Cytophagaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain HYL7-26^T and type strains of Pontibacter species ranged from 93.2 to 96.0 %. Strain HYL7-26^T was found to contain iso-C_15:0 (15.9 %), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (9.5 %) and summed feature 4 (comprising anteiso-C_17:1 B and/or iso-C_17:1 I, 21.0 %, as defined by the MIDI system) as the major cellular fatty acids. The major respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7 and the DNA G+C content was determined to be 43.8 mol%. sym-Homospermidine was the major polyamine observed in the cells. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain HYL7-26^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HYL7-26^T (=CCTCC AB 206240^T = NRRL B-59490^T).     

Bacillus cihuensis sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of a plant in the Cihu area of Taiwan

A Gram-positive, moderately halotolerant, rod-shaped, spore forming bacterium, designated strain FJAT-14515^T was isolated from a soil sample in Cihu area, Taoyuan County, Taiwan. The strain grew at 10–35 °C (optimum at 30 °C), pH 5.7–9.0 (optimum at pH 7.0) and at salinities of 0–5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 1 % w/v). The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan of the isolated strain was meso-diaminopimelic acid and major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (40.6 %), iso-C_15:0 (20.7 %) and the DNA G+C content of strain FJAT-14515^T was 37.1 mol %. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain FJAT-14515^T belongs to the genus Bacillus, and was most closely related to the reference strains of Bacillus muralis DSM 16288^T (97.6 %) and Bacillus simplex DSM 1321^T (97.5 %). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain FJAT-14515^T and the reference strains of B. muralis DSM 16288^T and B. simplex DSM 1321^T were 27.9 % ± 3.32 and 44.1 % ± 0.57, respectively. Therefore, on the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic properties, strain FJAT-14515^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus cihuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-14515^T (=DSM 25969^T = CGMCC 1.12697^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus berkeleyi</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus intermedius</Emphasis>

A bacterial strain, designated KMM 6244^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. The bacterium was found to be heterotrophic, aerobic, non-motile and spore-forming. Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed the marine isolate in the genus Bacillus. The nearest neighbor of strain KMM 6244^T was Bacillus decolorationis LMG 19507^T with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.0%. Sequence similarities with the other recognized Bacillus species were less than 96.0%. The results of the DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low relatedness (37%) of the novel isolate with the type strain of B. decolorationis LMG 19507^T. Strain KMM 6244^T grew at 4–45°C and with 0–12% NaCl. It produced catalase and oxidase and hydrolyzed aesculin, casein, gelatin and DNA. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and iso-C_14:0. The DNA G + C content was 39.4 mol%. A combination of phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic data clearly indicated that strain KMM 6244^T represents a novel species in the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus berkeleyi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6244^T (KCTC 12718^T = LMG 26357^T).     

Paenibacillus thermophilus sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a sediment of hot spring in Fujian province, China

A Gram-positive, thermophilic, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated WP-1^T, was isolated from a sediment sample from a hot spring in Fujian province of China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells of strain WP-1^T were rods (~0.6–0.8 × 2.5–3.5 μm) and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Endospores were ellipsoidal in terminal or subterminal positions. Strain WP-1^T grew at 37–60 °C (optimum 42–45 °C), 0–3 % NaCl (optimum 1 %, w/v) and pH 3.0–9.0 (optimum pH 6.5–7.0). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, C_16:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two glycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and two unknown polar lipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP). The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 52.5 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain WP-1^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus and exhibited sequence similarity of 99.3 % to Paenibacillus macerans DSM 24^T and both strains represented a separate lineage from all other Paenibacillus species. However, the level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain WP-1^T and P. macerans DSM 24^T was 34.0 ± 4.7 %. On the basis of phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analysis data, strain WP-1^T is considered to represent as a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus thermophilus sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain WP-1^T (=DSM 24746^T = JCM 17693^T = CCTCC AB 2011115^T).