<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilibacillus kimchii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from kimchi

A novel halophilic bacterium, strain K7^T, was isolated from kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food. The strain is Gram-positive, motile, and produces terminal endospores. The isolate is facultative aerobic and grows at salinities of 0.0–25.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 10–15% NaCl), pH 5.5–8.5 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5), and 15–42°C (optimum 37°C). The predominant isoprenoid quinone in the strain is menaquinone-7 and the peptidoglycan of the strain is meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acids of the strain are anteisio-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, and, C_16:0 (other components were < 10.0%), while the major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and three unidentified lipids. A phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that the isolated strain was a cluster of the genus Gracilibacillus. High levels of gene sequence similarity were observed between strain K7^T and Gracilibacillus orientalis XH-63^T (96.5%), and between the present strain and Gracilibacillus xinjiangensis (96.5%). The DNA G+C content of this strain is 37.7 mol%. Based on these findings, strain K7^T is proposed as a novel species: Gracilibacillus kimchii sp. nov. The type strain is K7^T (KACC 18669^T; JCM 31344^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus kimchii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from kimchi

A Gram-stain-positive, halophilic, rod-shaped, non-motile, spore forming bacterium, strain NKC1-2^T, was isolated from kimchi, a Korean fermented food. Comparative analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence demonstrated that the isolated strain was a species of the genus Virgibacillus. Strain NKC1-2^T exhibited high level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of Virgibacillus xinjiangensis SL6-1^T (96.9%), V. sediminis YIM kkny3^T (96.8%), and V. salarius SA-Vb1^T (96.7%). The isolate grew at pH 6.5–10.0 (optimum, pH 8.5–9.0), 0.0–25.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 10–15% NaCl), and 15–50°C (optimum, 37°C). The major menaquinone in the strain was menaquinone-7, and the main peptidoglycan of the strain was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant fatty acids of the strain were iso-C_14:0, anteisio-C_15:0, iso- C_15:0, and iso-C_16:0 (other components were < 10.0%). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G + C content of NKC1-2^T was 42.5 mol%. On the basis of these findings, strain NKC1-2^T is proposed as a novel species in the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus kimchii sp. nov. is proposed (=KACC 19404^T =JCM 32284^T). The type strain of Virgibacillus kimchii is NKC1-2T.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salinicola socius</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from a naphthalene-utilizing microbial association

A chemoorganotrophic, moderately halophilic bacterium (strain SMB35) has been isolated from a naphthalene-utilizing microbial community obtained from salt mines (Perm region of Russia). Strain SMB35 grows in a wide salinity range, 0.5 to 30% (wt/vol) NaCl. Cells are gram-negative rods motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The predominant fatty acids are 16:1ω7, 16:0, 18:1ω7, and 19 cy. The major lipoquinone is an unsaturated ubiquinone with nine isoprene units (Q₉). The DNA G+C content is 63.0 mol %. The 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis has shown that strain SMB35 formed a separate clade in the cluster of the family Halomonadaceae. The 16S rDNA sequence similarity of the isolate to the members of the family is in the range from 90.6 to 95.1%. The phylogenetic and phenotypic differences from Halomonas elongata (the type species of the genus) and from other members of the family suggest that the isolate represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Salinicola socius gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SMB35^T(=VKM B-2397^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacillus naozhouensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a sea anemone

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071068^T, was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from the Naozhou Island on the Leizhou Bay in the South China Sea. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071068^T was able to grow with 1–20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 6–9%), at pH values of 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and a temperature range of 10–35°C (optimum, 25°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G + C content was 42.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071068^T belonged to the genus Halobacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain JSM 071068^T and the type strains of the recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.9% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.3% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of H. alkaliphilus, Halobacillus campisalis, Halobacillus halophilus and Halobacillus seohaensis were 25.6, 22.1, 10.8 and 13.2%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 071068^T represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus naozhouensis sp. nov. is proposed, with JSM 071068^T (=DSM 21183^T =KCTC 13234^T) as the type strain. The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 071068^T is EU925615.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacillus hunanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a subterranean brine

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071077^T, was isolated from a subterranean brine sample collected from a salt mine in Hunan Province, China. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071077^T was able to grow with 2–25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–40°C (optimum, 25–30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071077^T should be assigned to the genus Halobacillus, being related most closely to the type strain of Halobacillus naozhouensis (98.8% sequence similarity), and the two strains formed a distinct subline in the neighbor-joining, minimum-evolution and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees. The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.6% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.2% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The results of the phylogenetic analyses, combined with DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support that strain JSM 071077^T represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 071077^T (=DSM 21184^T = KCTC 13235^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus litoralis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline soil

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 089168^T, was isolated from saline soil collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 2–25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The strain contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0, and the DNA G + C content was 40.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 089168^T should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus carmonensis (sequence similarity 97.6%), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus halodenitrificans (97.1%). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 089168^T and the type strains of V. carmonensis, V. necropolis and V. halodenitrificans were 20.4, 14.3 and 12.0%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 089168^T represents a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 089168^T (=DSM 21085^T =KCTC 13228^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 089168^T is FJ425909.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alteromonas halophila</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a sea anemone

A pale yellow-colored, moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-sporulating, rod-shaped, motile, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 073008^T, was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 1–20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–40°C (optimum, 25–30°C). The major cellular fatty acids were C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c/iso-C_15:0 2-OH and C_18:1 ω7c. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the genomic DNA G + C content was 47.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 073008^T should be assigned to the genus Alteromonas, being most closely related to Alteromonas hispanica F-32^T (sequence similarity 96.9%), followed by Alteromonas genovensis LMG 24078^T (96.6%) and Alteromonas litorea TF-22^T (96.4%). The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Alteromonas species ranged from 95.9% (with Alteromonas stellipolaris ANT 69a^T) to 94.5% (with Alteromonas simiduii BCRC 17572^T). The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 073008^T represents a new species of the genus Alteromonas, for which the name Alteromonas halophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 073008^T (=CCTCC AA 207035^T = KCTC 22164^T). The authors Yi-Guang Chen and Huai-Dong Xiao have contributed equally to this work.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Viridibacterium curvum</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from freshwater

A Gram stain-negative, yellowish green-pigmented, facultatively anaerobic, motile, curved rod-shaped bacterium designated as strain JJ016^T was isolated from an artificial lake in South Korea, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JJ016^T indicated that the isolate belonged to the family Rhodocyclaceae and exhibited 95.0% identity to Uliginosibacterium gangwonense 5YN10-9^T. The major cellular fatty acids of the novel strain were summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c), C_16:0, C_14:0, and summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain JJ016^T was 61.9 mol%. The major respiratory quinone and major polar lipid of strain JJ016^T were ubiquinone-8 and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. Based on the morphological and physiological properties and the biochemical evidence presented, we concluded that strain JJ016^T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodocyclaceae, for which the name Viridibacterium curvum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JJ016^T (=KACC 16899^T =JCM 18715^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scopulibacillus darangshiensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from rock

A novel, Gram-positive bacterium, designated DLS-06^T, was isolated from scoria (volcanic ash) under rock on the peak of small mountain (300 m above the sea level; known as Darangshi Oreum) in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The cells of the isolate were aerobic, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, endospore-forming, non-motile rods. The organism grew at 25∼30°C and initial pH 6.1∼9.1. A neighbour-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism was related to members of the family “Sporolactobacillaceae” and related taxa. The phylogenetic neighbours were Pullulanibacillus naganoensis (95.2% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Tuberibacillus calidus (95.0%) and Sporolactobacillus (91.8∼94.2%). Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of the isolate to representatives of other genera were in the range of 87.2∼93.7%. The organism contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown ninhydrin-positive phospholipid, three unknown phospholipids and an unknown lipid. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The G+C content of the DNA was 50.8 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data presented in this study, this organism represents a novel genus and species in the order Bacillales, for which the name Scopulibacillus darangshiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DLS-06^T (=DSM 19377^T =KCTC 13161^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Algoriella xinjiangensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a new psychrotolerant bacterium of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, non-spore-forming and psychrotolerant bacterium, designated strain XJ109^T, was isolated from a sewage water sample collected from Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain XJ109^T represents a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The strain showed 95.5 % similarity with the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Empedobacter brevis LMG 4011^T, 95.4 % with Chishuiella changwenlii BY4^T, 95.3 % with Empedobacter falsenii NF 993^T and 92.3 % with Weeksella virosa DSM 16922^T. Strain XJ109^T showed the common phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the family Flavobacteriaceae, containing menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the predominant respiratory quinone and iso-C_17:0 3OH and iso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.0 mol%. Strain XJ109^T was positive for catalase and oxidase activities, and it was observed to grow at 4–30 °C (optimal 16–20 °C), pH 6.5–10.0 (optimal 7.0–7.5) and in media containing 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 0.5 %). On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented, strain XJ109^T is considered to represent a novel genus and species of the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Algoriella xinjiangensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XJ109^T (=CGMCC 1.10229^T=JCM 16590^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas qijiaojingensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas flava</Emphasis> sp. nov., two moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from a salt lake

Two moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, designated YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T, were isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China. The two strains YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T grew at 20–40°C, pH 6–9, 0.5–24% (w/v) NaCl and at 20–40°C, pH 6–9, 0.5–23% (w/v) NaCl, respectively. No growth occurred in absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T were phylogenetically affiliated to the genus Halomonas and exhibited sequence similarity of 97.5% and 97.4% to the type strain Halomonas anticariensis DSM 16096^T, respectively. The strains possessed chemotaxonomic markers that were consistent with their classification in the genus Halomonas (Q-9 as predominant respiratory quinine; C18:1ω7c, C16:0 and C16:1 ω7c/iso-C15:02-OH as the major fatty acids). The DNA–DNA hybridization values for strains YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T, YIM 93003^T and DSM 16096^T, YIM 94343^T and DSM 16096^T were 38.1 ± 3.0, 18.3 ± 4.7, and 20.8 ± 4.6%, respectively. The G+C contents of the strains YIM 93003^T and YIM 94343^T were 63.4 and 64.0 mol%, respectively. Based on comparative analysis of physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, including low DNA–DNA hybridization results, two novel species, Halomonas qijiaojingensis sp. nov., and Halomonas flava sp. nov., are proposed. The type strains are YIM 93003^T (=CCTCC AB 208133^T =KCTC 22228^T) and YIM 94343^T (=CCTCC AB 2010382^T =KCTC 23356^T), respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascidiaceibacter salegens</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from an ascidian

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated as strain HQA918^T, was isolated from an ascidian, Botryllus schlosseri, which was collected from the coast of Weihai in the north of the Yellow Sea, in China. The strain grew optimally at 28–30 °C, at pH values 7.0–8.0, and in the presence of 1.0–3.0% (w/v) sodium chloride (NaCl). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HQA918^T can be affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes, with 92.7% similarity to its close relatives. The major fatty acids identified were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, and summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1ω7c). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, and five unidentified polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.1 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic, genotypic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic data, this organism should be classified as a representative of a novel genus, for which the name Ascidiaceibacter gen. nov. is proposed. The type species is Ascidiaceibacter salegens sp. nov. (type strain HQA918^T?=?KCTC 52719^T?=?MCCC 1K03259^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas heilongjiangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline and alkaline soil

A moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain 9-2^T, was isolated from saline and alkaline soil collected in Lindian county, Heilongjiang province, China. The strain was observed to be strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive and motile. It was found to require NaCl for growth and to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–14 % (w/v) (optimum, 7–10 %, w/v), at temperatures of 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C) and at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum pH 8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 9-2^T is a member of the genus Halomonas and is closely related to Halomonas desiderata DSM 9502^T (96.68 %), Halomonas campaniensis DSM 1293^T (96.46 %), Halomonas ventosae DSM 15911^T (96.27 %) and Halomonas kenyensis DSM 17331^T (96.27 %). The DNA–DNA hybridization value was 38.9 ± 0.66 % between the novel isolate 9-2^T and H. desiderata DSM 9502^T. The predominant ubiquinones were identified as Q9 (75.1 %) and Q8 (24.9 %). The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:0 (22.0 %), Summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c/C_18:1 ω7c, 19.6 %), Summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c/C_16:1 ω7c, 12.6 %), C_12:0 3-OH (12.0 %) and C_10:0 (11.7 %). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 69.7 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain 9-2^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas heilongjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 9-2^T (=DSM 26881^T = CGMCC 1.12467^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aliihoeflea aestuarii</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from tidal flat sediment

A novel Gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterium, designated N8^T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that N8^T strain is associated with the family Phyllobacteriaceae: two uncultured clones (98.4 and 99.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and the genus Mesorhizobium (≤97.0%). The novel strain formed a separate clade with uncultured clones in the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Cellular fatty acid profiles predominately comprised C_18:1 ω7c and C_19:0 cyclo ω8c. The major isoprenoid quinone is ubiquinone-10 and genomic DNA G+C content is 53.4 mol%. The polyphasic taxonomic study indicates that the novel strain N8^T represents a novel species of the new genus in the family Phyllobacteriaceae, named Aliihoeflea aestuarii. The type strain is N8^T (= KCTC 22052^T= JCM 15118^T= DSM 19536^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubricella aquisinus</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodobacteraceae</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, ovoid or short rod-shaped, aerobic and non-motile bacterial strain, designated J82^T, was isolated from a seawater sample collected from the coast of Yellow Sea in Qingdao, China. The strain grew at salinities of 1.0–6.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.5%). Growth occurred at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 10–42 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C). The genomic DNA G + C content was determined to be 57.5 mol%. Q-10 was detected as the respiratory quinone. The major fatty acid (>10%) was Summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain J82^T forms a distinct evolutionary lineage within the family Rhodobacteraceae. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, the strain merits recognition as representative of a novel genus and species within the family Rhodobacteraceae for which the name Rubricella aquisinus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rubricella aquisinus is J82^T (= DSM 103377^T = CCTCC AB 2016170^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oceanobacillus manasiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from the salt lakes of Xinjiang,China

Three Gram reaction positive, rod-shaped, moderately motile halophilic bacterial strains, designated YD3-56^T, YD16, and YH29, were isolated from the sediments of Manasi and Aiding salt lakes in the Xinjiang region of China, respectively. The strains grew optimally at 30–37°C, pH 8–11, in the presence of 5–10% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains were closely related to members of the genus Oceanobacillus, exhibiting 99.1–99.2% similarity to O. kapialis KCTC 13177^T, 99.2–99.3% to O. picturae KCTC 3821^T, and 94.2–96% sequence similarity to other described Oceanobacillus species. SDS-PAGE of whole cell proteins preparations demonstrated that the strains exhibited high similarity to each other, but distinguished from O. kapialis KCTC 13177^T and O. picturae KCTC 3821^T (75%). DNA-DNA hybridization revealed that the similarity between the representative strain YD3-56^T and O. kapialis KCTC 13177^T was 35.3%, and the similarity between YD3-56^T and O. picturae KCTC 3821^T was 22.3%. Chemotaxonomic analysis of the strains showed menaquinone-7 was the predominant respiratory quinine. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The polar lipid pattern for strain YD3-56^T predominantly contained phosphatidylcholine, and trace to moderate amounts of phosphatidyl ethanolamine and hydroxy-phosphatidyl ethanolamine. The diamino acid in murein was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content of the strains was 39.7–40.1 mol%. On the basis of these results, the three strains should be classified as a novel species of the genus Oceanobacillus, for which the name Oceanobacillus manasiensis sp. nov. has been proposed, with the type strain as YD3-56^T (=CGMCC 1.9105^T =NBRC 105903^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium koreense</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium chungnamense</Emphasis> sp. nov., and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium cheonanense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater reservoir

Taxonomic studies were performed on three strains isolated from Cheonho reservoir in Cheonan, Korea. The isolates were Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, catalase-positive, and oxidase-positive. Colonies on solid media were cream-yellow, smooth, shiny, and circular. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains belong to the genus Flavobacterium. The strains shared 98.6–99.4% sequence similarity with each other and showed less than 97% similarity with members of the genus Flavobacterium with validly published names. The DNA-DNA hybridization results confirmed the separate genomic status of strains ARSA-42^T, ARSA-103^T, and ARSA-108^T. The isolates contained menaqui-none-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-Ci_15:1 G, and iso-C_16:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolates were 31.4–33.2 mol%. According to the phenotypic and genotypic data, these organisms are classified as representative of three novel species in the genus Flavobacterium, and the name Flavobacterium koreense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-42^T =KCTC 23182^T =JCM 17066^T =KACC 14969^T), Flavobacterium chungnamense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-103^T =KCTC 23183^T =JCM 17068^T =KACC 14971^T), and Flavobacterium cheonanense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-108^T =KCTC 23184^T =JCM 17069^T =KACC 14972) are proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Edaphorhabdus rosea</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cytophagaceae</Emphasis> isolated from soil in South Korea

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, oxidase and catalase positive, non-flagellated, pink coloured bacterium with gliding motility, designated as strain UDD1^T was isolated from soil. The bacterium lacked flexirubin-type pigments. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain UDD1^T formed a lineage within the family Cytophagaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, and forms a distinct clade with type strains of the closely related genus Pontibacter with similarities of 91.36–93.62%. Strain UDD1^T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and summed feature 4 (iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B) and iso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain UDD1^T was 49 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, the strain UDD1^T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Cytophagaceae, for which the name Edaphorhabdus rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Edaphorhabdus rosea is UDD1^T (=?KCTC 62117^T =?JCM 32366^T). The Digital Protologue Database Taxon number for strain UDD1^T is GA00058.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thalassorhabdus aurantiaca</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis> isolated from seawater in South Korea

A novel Gram-negative, orange pigmented, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain IP9^T, was isolated from seawater at the sea shore of Incheon Eulwang-ri beach, South Korea. Cells of strain IP9^T were observed to be straight or slightly curved rods and colonies to be round and convex. Strain IP9^T was found to be catalase and oxidase positive, and non-motile. Growth was observed in the temperature range of 10–37 °C (optimum at 30 °C), pH range of 6–10 (optimum at pH 7–8) and salt concentration range of 0–7% (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 0–1%). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis, strain IP9^T was found to be related to the members of the family Flavobacteriaceae, being closely related to Hwangdonia seohaensis KCTC 32177^T (95.3% sequence similarity). The DNA G?+?C content of the novel strain was determined to be 39.1 mol%. The major polar lipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminoglycolipids and two unidentified glycolipids. The major fatty acids (>?10%) were identified as iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_17:0 3-OH. The predominant quinone was found to be menaquinone 6 (MK-6). Based on the biochemical, phylogenetic and physiological data, we conclude that strain IP9^T (=?KCTC 52523^T?=?JCM 31732^T) represents the type species of a novel genus of the family Flavobacteriaceae for which the name Thalassorhabdus aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Henriciella marina</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyphomonadaceae</Emphasis> isolated from the East Sea

A bacterial strain, designated Iso4^T, was isolated from the East Sea of Korea and was subjected to a poly-phasic taxonomy study including phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Cells of the strain were Gram-negative, motile, non-budding, non-stalked, and strictly aerobic. Strain Iso4^T grew optimally at 20°C in the presence of 1∼2% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.9∼7.6. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major cellular fatty acids were C_18:1 ω7c (53.5%), C_17:1 ω5c (11.7%), C_17:1 ω6c (8.1%), C_16:0 (7.8%), C_17:0 (4.8%), C_15:0 (2.9%), and C_16:1 ω5c (2.2%). The DNA G+C content of strain Iso4^T was 56.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Iso4^T formed a monophyletic clade in the family Hyphomonadaceae, supported by high bootstrap value and was most closely related to the genus Hyphomonas (92∼94%), a member of marine bacteria in the family. The phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic evidences also suggest strain Iso4^T represents a novel genus and species in the family Hyphomonadaceae, for which the name Henriciella gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Iso4^T (=KCTC 12513^T =DSM 19595^T =JCM 15116^T).