Seohaeicola nanhaiensis sp. nov., A Moderately Halophilic Bacterium Isolated from the Benthic Sediment of South China Sea

An aerobic, Gram-staining negative, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacterial strain, SS011A0-7#2-2^T, was isolated from the sediment of South China Sea with the depth of 1,500 m. Optimum growth occurred at pH 8.0, 30 °C, and 6 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T did not synthesize bacteriochlorophyll a or carotenoid, neither possess photosynthesis genes. Its genome DNA G+C content was 67.9 mol%. It contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C_18:1 ω7c (52.3 %) as the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified phospholipid, and unidentified aminolipid. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that it was closely related to Seohaeicola saemankumensis SD-15^T, Phaeobacter gallaeciensis BS 107^T and Roseovarius pacificus 81-2^T in Rhodobacteraceae, with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities being 96.5, 95.7, and 95.6 %, respectively. However, the phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T was a member of the genus Seohaeicola. Strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T was moderately halophilic which was different from Seohaeicola saemankumensis SD-15^T, and it showed the enzyme activities and carbon source spectrum significantly different from Seohaeicola saemankumensis SD-15^T. As its physiological and chemotaxinomic properties were different from those of Seohaeicola saemankumensis SD-15^T, strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T represents a novel species of the genus Seohaecola. The name Seohaeicola nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T (=LMG 27733^T = CGMCC 1.12759^T) as the type strain.     

Nocardia bhagyanesis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the rhizosphere of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis), India

A novel actinomycete strain, designated VRC07^T, was isolated from a Callistemon citrinus rhizosphere sample collected from Hyderabad, India. Its taxonomic status was determined by using polyphasic approach. It is a Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, weakly acid-fast strain. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain VRC07^T is a member of the genus Nocardia. The highest levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was found between the strains Nocardia niwae W9241^T (99.6 %), Nocardia amikacinitolerans W9988^T (99.3 %) and Nocardia arthritidis IFM 10035^T (98.9 %); similarity to other type strains of the genus Nocardia was below 98.7 %. The organism had chemical and morphological features consistent with its classification in the genus Nocardia such as meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. Arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic sugars. Diagnostic polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H_{4, ω-cycl}). The major fatty acids were C_16:0, C_18:0, C_{18:1 w9c}, C_{18:0 10-methyl TBSA} and sum in feature 3 (16:1 w7c/16:1 w6c). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.5 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness data, together with phenotypic differences clearly distinguished the isolate from its closest relatives. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Nocardia bhagyanesis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is VRC07^T (=KCTC 29209^T = MTCC 11725^T = ATCC BAA-2548).     

Erythrobacter westpacificensis sp. nov., a Marine Bacterium Isolated From the Western Pacific

A novel Gram-negative, orange-pigmented bacterial strain JLT2008^T was isolated from the surface seawater of the Western Pacific and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain JLT2008^T belonged to the genus Erythrobacter, sharing the highest similarity (96.6 %) with Erythrobacter gangjinensis K7-2^T and the lowest similarity (94.9 %) with Erythrobacter litoralis DSM 8509^T. Strain JLT2008^T did not contain bacteriochlorophyll a, and the predominant respiratory lipoquinone was ubiquinone-10. The major fatty acids were C_18:1 ω7c, C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c. The prominent polar lipids were sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic G + C content was 60.1 mol %. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, a novel species within the genus Erythrobacter, and with the name Erythrobacter westpacificensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is JLT2008^T (=CGMCC 1.10993^T = JCM 18014^T).     

Petrotoga japonica sp. nov., a thermophilic,fermentative bacterium isolated from Yabase Oilfield in Japan

A gram-negative, motile, fermentative, thermophilic bacterium, designated AR80^T, was isolated from a high-temperature oil reservoir in Yabase Oilfield in Akita, Japan. Cells were rod-shaped, motile by means of polar flagella, and formed circular, convex, white colonies. The strain grew at 40–65 °C (optimum 60 °C), 0.5–9 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5–1 %), pH 6–9 (optimum pH 7.5), and elemental sulfur or thiosulfate serves as terminal electron acceptor. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain AR80^T belonged to the genus Petrotoga and shared approximately 94.5 % sequence similarity with the type species of this genus. The G + C content of genomic DNA was 32.4 mol% while the value of DNA–DNA hybridization between the closest relative species Petrotoga miotherma and AR80^T was 58.1 %. The major cellular fatty acids of strain AR80^T consisted of 18:1 w9c, 16:0, and 16:1 w9c. Based on genetic and phenotypic properties, strain AR80^T was different with other identified Petrotoga species and represents as a novel species, for which the name Petrotoga japonica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AR80^T (=NBRC 108752^T = KCTC 15103^T = HUT 8122^T).     

Euryhalocaulis caribicus gen. nov., sp. nov., a New Members of the Family Hyphomonadaceae Isolated from the Caribbean Sea

A new aerobic, Gram-negative, chemo-organotrophic, euryhaline bacterium, designated strain JL2009^T, was isolated from surface water of the Caribbean Sea. The strain formed flaxen colonies on marine ager 2216 (MA; Difco) medium. Cells were dimorphic, with stalks or a polar flagellum, and reproduction occurred by means of binary fission. Growth occurred at 15–45 °C (optimum at 35 °C), 0–15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 1–10 %) and pH 5–9 (optimum at pH 7–8). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain formed a distinct evolutionary lineage within the family Hyphomonadaceae. Strain JL2009^T was most closely related to Maricaulis parjimensis MCS 25^T (92.2 % DNA sequence similarity), Woodsholea maritime CM2243^T (90.9 %), and Oceanicaulis alexandrii C116-18^T (90.9 %). The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The dominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c), C_18:0 and 11-methyl C_18:1 ω7c. The polar lipid pattern indicated the presence of phospholipid, phosphatidyl glycerol and glycolipids. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 70.5 mol%. On the basis of the chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics and the phylogenetic evidence, strain JL2009^T represents a novel genus and species in the family Hyphomonadaceae, for which the name Euryhalocaulis caribicus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Euryhalocaulis caribicus is JL2009^T (=CGMCC 1.12036^T = JCM 18163^T).     

Antarctobacter jejuensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater in Jeju,Korea

A novel bacterium, designated strain 13-2-B6^T, was isolated from seawater adjacent to Songak Mountain on Jeju Island, South Korea. The novel strain was observed to be Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile with a single polar flagellum. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain 13-2-B6^T was determined to be phylogenetically closely related to the type strain of Antarctobacter heliothermus, currently the sole species of the genus Antarctobacter (family Rhodobacteraceae). Sequence similarity between the 16S rRNA genes of strain 13-2-B6^T and A. heliothermus EL-219^T is 96.9 %. Strain 13-2-B6^T was found to grow optimally at 25–30 °C, pH 7.0–8.0 and 3 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant isoprenoid quinone in strain 13-2-B6^T was identified as ubiquinone Q-10 and the major fatty acids were identified as C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids, two unknown phospholipids, an unknown glycolipid and an unknown lipid were found to be components of the polar lipid profile. The G + C content of strain 13-2-B6^T was determined to be 62 mol %. On the basis of its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 13-2-B6^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Antarctobacter, for which the name Antarctobacter jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 13-2-B6^T (=KCTC 42009^T =JCM 19898^T).     

Marinobacter persicus sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from a saline lake in Iran

A Gram-negative, non-endospore-forming, rod shaped, strictly aerobic, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain M9B^T, was isolated from the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran. Cells of strain M9B^T were found to be motile and produce colonies with an orange-yellow pigment. Growth was determined to occur between 5 and 20 % (w/v) NaCl and the isolate grew optimally at 7.5–10 % (v/w) NaCl. The optimum pH and temperature for growth of the strain were determined to be pH 7.0 and 35 °C, respectively, while it was able to grow over pH and temperature ranges of 6–8 and 25–45 °C, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain M9B^T is a member of the genus Marinobacter. The closest relative to this strain was found to be Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus MBIC 1303^T with a similarity level of 97.7 %. DNA–DNA hybridization between the novel isolate and this phylogenetically related species was 13 ± 2 %. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolate were identified as C_16:0, C_19:1 ω6c, C_18:1 ω9c and C_16:1 ω9c. The polar lipid pattern of strain M9B^T was determined to consist of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and three phospholipids. Ubiquinone 9 (Q-9) was the only lipoquinone detected. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of this strain was determined to be 58.6 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA relatedness data suggest that this strain represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter persicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Marinobacter persicus is strain M9B^T (=IBRC-M 10445^T = CCM 7970^T = CECT 7991^T = KCTC 23561^T).     

Paracoccus siganidrum sp. nov., isolated from fish gastrointestinal tract

A bacterial strain, designated M26^T, was isolated from a fish gastrointestinal tract, collected from Zhanjiang Port, South China. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain M26^T belongs to the subclass α-Proteobacteria, being related to the genus Paracoccus, and sharing highest sequence similarity with Paracoccus alcaliphilus JCM 7364^T (98.1 %), Paracoccus huijuniae FLN-7^T (97.3 %), Paracoccus stylophorae KTW-16^T (97.1 %) and Paracoccus seriniphilus DSM 14827^T (96.9 %). The major quinone was determined to be ubiquinone Q-10, with Q-9 and Q-8 as minor components. The major fatty acid was identified as C_18:1ω7c, with smaller amounts of C_18:0 and C_16:0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 64.3 mol%. The DNA hybridization value between strain M26^T and the most closely related type strain, P. alcaliphilus, was 29.0 ± 1.0 %. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and low DNA–DNA relatedness showed that the strain could be readily distinguished from closely related species. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strain M26^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus siganidrum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M26^T (=CCTCC AB 2012865^T = DSM 26381^T).     

Azospirillum himalayense sp. nov., a nifH bacterium isolated from Himalayan valley soil,India

Gram-negative, free-living bacterial strain ptl-3^T was isolated from Himalayan valley soil, India. Polyphasic taxonomy was performed including morphological characterization, fatty acid analysis, biochemical tests, 16S rRNA and nifH gene sequence analyses. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain ptl-3^T belonged to the genus Azospirillum and was closely related to A. brasilense (98.7 % similarity) and A. rugosum (97 % similarity). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96–95 %) was shown with other members of the genus Azospirillum. Major fatty acid 18:1ω7c was also similar to the genus Azospirillum. DNA–DNA relatedness value between strain ptl-3^T and A. brasilense was found to be 47 %. Various biochemical tests showed that the strain ptl-3^T differed from its closely related species A. brasilense. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular genetics evidence, a bacterium with the type strain ptl-3^T is proposed as a novel species of the genus Azospirillum. The name of bacterial strain ptl-3^T has been proposed as Azospirillum himalayense sp. nov. The type strain of ptl-3^T (CCUG 58760^T, KCTC 23189^T) has been submitted to two culture collection centres. The accession numbers for 16S rRNA and nifH gene are GQ 284588 and GQ 249665. respectively.     

Rothia marina sp. nov., isolated from an intertidal sediment of the South China Sea

A novel non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, Gram-positive coccus, designated strain JSM 078151^T, was isolated from an intertidal sediment sample collected from Naozhou Island in the South China Sea, China. Growth was found to occur in the presence of 0–15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5–3 % (w/v) NaCl), at pH 6.5–10.5 (optimum pH 7.0–8.0) and at 5–35 °C (optimum 25–30 °C). The peptidoglycan type was determined to be A3a, containing lysine, glutamic acid and alanine. The major cellular fatty acid identified was anteiso-C_15:0 and the predominant menaquinones are MK-7 and MK-8. The polar lipids were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 078151^T was determined to be 55.2 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 078151^T should be assigned to the genus Rothia, and was most closely related to Rothia nasimurium CCUG 35957^T (98.3 % sequence similarity), followed by Rothia amarae J18^T (97.5 %) and Rothia terrae L-143^T (97.3 %). A combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the suggestion that strain JSM 078151^T represents a novel species of the genus Rothia, for which the name Rothia marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078151^T (= DSM 21080^T = KCTC 19432^T).     

Salinicola peritrichatus sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment

A Gram stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, strain DY22^T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment collected from the east Pacific Ocean. The isolate was found to grow in the presence of 0–20.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 4.5–8.5; optimum growth was observed with 0.5–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 5.0–7.0. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed the presence of ubiquinone-9 as predominant respiratory quinone and C_16:0, C_19:0 ω8c cyclo and C_12:0 3-OH as major cellular fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 59.6 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the novel isolate belongs to the genus Salinicola. Strain DY22^T exhibited the closest phylogenetic affinity to the type strain of Salinicola salarius with 97.2 % sequence similarity and less than 97 % sequence similarity with respect to other Salinicola species with validly published names. The DNA–DNA reassociation values between strain DY22^T and S. salarius DSM 18044^T was 52 ± 4 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data, strain DY22^T represents a novel species of the genus Salinicola, for which the name Salinicola peritrichatus sp. nov. (type strain DY22^T = CGMCC 1.12381^T = JCM 18795^T) is proposed.     

Roseivivax atlanticus sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater of the Atlantic Ocean

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain 22II-S10s^T, which was isolated from the surface seawater of the Atlantic Ocean. The bacterium was found to be Gram-negative, oxidase and catalase positive, rod shaped and motile by subpolar flagella. The isolate was capable of gelatine hydrolysis but unable to reduce nitrate to nitrite or degrade Tween 80 or aesculin. Growth was observed at salinities of 0.5–18 % (optimum, 2–12 %), at pH of 3–10 (optimum, 7) and at temperatures of 10–41 °C (optimum 28 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 22II-S10s^T belongs to the genus Roseivivax, with highest sequence similarity to Roseivivax halodurans JCM 10272^T (97.2 %), followed by Roseivivax isoporae LMG 25204^T (97.0 %); other species of genus Roseivivax shared 95.2–96.7 % sequence similarity. The DNA–DNA hybridization estimate values between strain 22II-S10s^T and the two type strains (R. halodurans JCM 10272^T and R. isoporae LMG 25204^T) were 22.00 and 21.40 %. The principal fatty acids were identified as Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c/ω6c) (67.4 %), C_18:0 (7.2 %), C_19:0 cyclo ω8c (7.1 %), C_18:1 ω7c 11-methyl (6.8 %) and C_16:0 (5.9 %). The respiratory quinone was determined to be Q-10 (100 %). Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an aminolipid, a glycolipid and three phospholipids were present. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 67.5 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain 22II-S10s^T represents a novel species within the genus Roseivivax, for which the name Roseivivax atlanticus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 22II-S10s^T (= MCCC 1A09150^T = LMG 27156^T).     

Lysobacter thermophilus sp. nov., isolated from a geothermal soil sample in Tengchong, south-west China

A Gram-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 77875^T, was isolated from a geothermal soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, south-west China. Bacterial growth occurred from 37 to 65 °C (optimum 50 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 0–1 % NaCl (w/v). Cells were rod-shaped and colonies were convex, circular, smooth, yellow and non-transparent. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM 77875^T belongs to the genus Lysobacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain YIM 77875^T and other species of the genus Lysobacter were all below 94.7 %. The polar lipids of strain YIM 77875^T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and five unknown phospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the G+C content was 68.8 mol%. Major fatty acids were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_11:0. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genotypic data, strain YIM 77875^T represents a novel species, Lysobacter thermophilus sp. nov., in the genus Lysobacter. The type strain is YIM 77875^T (CCTCC AB 2012064^T = KCTC 32020^T).     

Sphingobacterium pakistanensis sp. nov., a novel plant growth promoting rhizobacteria isolated from rhizosphere of Vigna mungo

The taxonomic status of a bacterium, strain NCCP-246^T, isolated from rhizosphere of Vigna mungo, was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain NCCP-246^T can grow at 16–37 °C (optimum 32 °C), at pH ranges of 6–8 (optimum growth occurs at pH 7) and in 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based upon on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain NCCP-246^T belonged to genus Sphingobacterium. Strain NCCP-246^T showed highest similarity to the type strain of Sphingobacterium canadense CR11^T (97.67 %) and less than 97 % with other species of the genus. The DNA–DNA relatedness value of strain NCCP-246^T with S. canadense CR11^T and Sphingobacterium thalpophilum JCM 21153^T was 55 and 44.4 %, respectively. The chemotaxonomic data revealed the major menaquinone as MK-7 and dominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 [C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c] (37.07 %), iso-C_15:0 (28.03 %), C_16:0 (11.85 %), C_17:0 cyclo (8.84 %) and C_14:0 (2.42 %). The G+C content of the strain was 39.2 mol%. On the basis of DNA–DNA hybridization, phylogenetic analyses, physiological and, biochemical data, strain NCCP-246^T can be differentiated from the validly named members of genus Sphingobacterium and thus represents as a new species, for which the name, Sphingobacterium pakistanensis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain NCCP-246^T (= JCM18974 ^T = KCTC 23914^T).     

Methylobacterium pseudosasae sp. nov., a pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic bacterium isolated from the bamboo phyllosphere

A pink-pigmented, Gram negative, aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic bacterium, strain BL44^T, was isolated from bamboo leaves and identified as a member of the genus Methylobacterium. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed similarity values of 98.7–97.0 % with closely related type strains and showed highest similarity to Methylobacterium zatmanii DSM 5688^T (98.7 %) and Methylobacterium thiocyanatum DSM 11490^T (98.7 %). Methylotrophic metabolism in this strain was confirmed by PCR amplification and sequencing of the mxaF gene coding for the α-subunit of methanol dehydrogenase. Strain BL44^T produced three known quorum sensing signal molecules with similar retention time to C₈, C₁₀ and C₁₂-HSLs when characterized by GC–MS. The fatty acid profiles contained major amounts of C_18:1 ω7c, iso-3OH C_17:0 and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH), which supported the grouping of the isolate in the genus Methylobacterium. The DNA G+C content was 66.9 mol%. DNA relatedness of the strain BL44^T to its most closely related strains ranged from 12–43.3 %. On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain BL44^T is assigned to a novel species of the genus Methylobacterium for which the name Methylobacterium pseudosasae sp. nov. is proposed (type strain BL44^T = NBRC 105205^T = ICMP 17622^T).     

Gracilibacillus marinus sp. nov., isolated from the northern South China Sea

Two gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria, designated HB09003^T and HB12160, were isolated from seawater and sediment in the northern South China Sea, respectively. Cells were found to be motile by means of peritrichous flagella. The strains were found to grow with 0–15 % (w/v) NaCl, at 10–45 °C and pH 5.0–10.7, with an optimum of 3 % NaCl, 28 °C and pH 8.5, respectively. The predominant isoprenoid quinone of strain HB09003^T, selected as the representative strain, was identified as MK-7. This strain was found to possess anteiso-C15:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and C16:0 as the major fatty acids. The G+C contents of strain HB09003^T and HB12160 were determined to be 34.1 and 34.3 mol%, respectively. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains showed an affiliation with the genus Gracilibacillus, with Gracilibacillus kekensis CGMCC 1.10681^T (similarity of 97.4, 98.0 %, respectively) and Gracilibacillus ureilyticus CGMCC 1.7727^T (similarity of 97.1, 97.8 %, respectively) as their closest relatives. The DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain HB09003^T and the two type strains were 42.2 and 54.1 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain HB09003^T and HB12160 are proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Gracilibacillus, for which the name Gracilibacillus marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB09003^T (=CGMCC 1.10343^T = DSM 23372^T).     

Halococcus sediminicola sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a marine sediment

A novel, red-pigmented and coccoid haloarchaeon, designated strain CBA1101^T, was isolated from a marine sediment. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CBA1101^T is most closely related to the genus Halococcus in the family Halobacteriaceae. Strain CBA1101^T had a highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.4 % with Halococcus dombrowskii DSM 14522^T, followed by 93.7–98.3 % with sequences of other type strains in the genus Halococcus. The RNA polymerase subunit B′ gene sequence similarity of strain CBA1101^T with that of Halococcus qingdaonensis JCM 13587^T is 89.5 % and lower with those of other members of the genus Halococcus. Strain CBA1101^T was observed to grow at 25–40 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and in the presence of 15–30 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth at 35–40 °C, pH 7.0 and with 20 % NaCl. The cells of strain CBA1101^T are Gram-negative and did not lyse in distilled water. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglyerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, sulfated diglycosyl diether, unidentified phospholipids and unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined 66.0 mol%. The DNA–DNA hybridization experiment showed that there was less than 40 % relatedness between strain CBA1101^T and the reference species in the genus Halococcus. Based on this polyphasic taxonomic analysis, strain CBA1101^T is considered to represent a new species in the genus Halococcus, for which the name Halococcus sediminicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CBA1101^T (=JCM 18965^T = CECT 8275^T).     

Pelagibacterium nitratireducens sp.nov., A Marine Alphaproteobacterium Isolated from the East China Sea

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming aerobic bacterium, motile with a single polar flagellum, strain JLT2005^T, was isolated from surface seawater collected from the East China Sea and formed ivory white colonies on a rich organic medium. The strain was positive for catalase, oxidase, and urease. It grew in the presence of 0–12 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5 %), at 20–35 °C (optimum 25 °C), or at pH 6–10 (optimum pH 9). The major fatty acids (>10 %) were C_18:1ω7c, C_19:0ω8c cyclo, C_16:0, and C_18:0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and five unidentified glycolipids. Ubiquinone-10 and Ubiquinone-11 were present as the major quinones. The DNA G+C content was 74.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JLT2005^T belongs to the genus Pelagibacterium in the family Hyphomicrobiaceae, class Alphaproteobacteria. The closest neighbors were Pelagibacterium halotolerans B2^T (98.7 % similarity) and Pelagibacterium luteolum 1_C16_27^T (97.1 % similarity). DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain JLT2005^T with P. halotolerans B2^T and with P. luteolum 1_C16_27^T were 31.6 and 25 %. Evidence from genotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phenotypic data shows that strain JLT2005^T represents a novel species of the genus Pelagibacterium, for which the name Pelagibacterium nitratireducens sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is JLT2005^T (=CGMCC 1.10829^T =JCM 17767^T).     

Salegentibacter echinorum sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus

A novel Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, non-motile and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated HD4^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus collected from the Yellow Sea in China. Optimal growth of the strain was observed at 28–30 °C, pH 6.8–7.3, and in the presence of 3–5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain HD4^T exhibited high similarity with the members of Salegentibacter (92.3–95.4 %). The DNA G+C content was 37.0 mol%, MK-6 was the main respiratory quinone and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C_15:0 2-OH/C_16:1ω7c), iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and anteiso-C_15:0 were the major cellular fatty acids. The predominant polar lipids in strain HD4^T were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown lipids (L2, L4). Based on the phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain HD4^T should be classified as a novel species within the genus Salegentibacter, for which the name Salegentibacter echinorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HD4^T (=CICC 10466^T = NRRL B-59666^T).     

Ruegeria arenilitoris sp. nov., isolated from the seashore sand around a seaweed farm

A Gram-negative, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, G-M8^T, which was isolated from seashore sand around a seaweed farm at Geoje island in South Korea, was characterized taxonomically. It grew optimally at 30–37 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain G-M8^T joined the cluster comprising the type strains of Ruegeria atlantica and Ruegeria lacuscaerulensis, showing 97.5 % sequence similarity, by a bootstrap resampling value of 85.8 %. It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.4–96.7 % to the type strains of the other Ruegeria species. Strain G-M8^T exhibited the highest gyrB sequence similarity value (88.5 %) to the type strain of R. lacuscaerulensis. Strain G-M8^T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C_18:1 ω7c as the predominant fatty acid. The polar lipid profile of strain G-M8^T was similar to that of R. atlantica KCTC 12424^T. The DNA G+C content of strain G-M8^T was 64.6 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness values with R. atlantica KCTC 12424^T and R. lacuscaerulensis KCTC 2953^T were 18 ± 5.3 and 10 ± 3.6 %, respectively. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain G-M8^T is distinguished from other Ruegeria species. On the basis of the data presented, strain G-M8^T (=KCTC 23960^T = CCUG 62412^T) represents a novel species of the genus Ruegeria, for which the name Ruegeria arenilitoris sp. nov. is proposed.