Clostridium glycyrrhizinilyticum sp. nov., a glycyrrhizin-hydrolysing bacterium isolated from human faeces

Screening of faecal bacteria for glycyrrhetic acid (GA) production by hydrolysing of glycyrrhizin (GL) resulted in the isolation of two strains, designated ZM35T and ZM38. Strains ZM35T and ZM38 were Gram-positive, obligate anaerobic, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacteria. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains ZM35T and ZM38 belonged to cluster XIVa of the genus Clostridium. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains ZM35T and ZM38 were identical. Strain ZM35T exhibited approximately 94% to 95% identity with the validly described species, Clostridium oroticum(94.5%), Eubacterium contortum(93.8%), Ruminococcus gnavus(94.5%) and R. torques(95.1%). In an experiment of DNA-DNA hybridization, it was confirmed that strains ZM35T and ZM38 were the same species. The guanine-plus-cytosine (G+C) content of strain ZM35T is 45.7 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic findings, we propose that strains ZM35T and ZM38 be assigned to a novel species named Clostridium glycyrrhizinilyticum. The type strain is ZM35T (=JCM 13368T=DSM 17593T).     

Rhodococcus cercidiphylli sp. nov., a new endophytic actinobacterium isolated from a Cercidiphyllum japonicum leaf

An endophytic actinobacterium, designated YIM 65003(T), was isolated from a surface sterilized leaf sample of Cercidiphyllum japonicum collected from Yunnan province, south-west China. The morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of the isolate were typical of members of the genus Rhodococcus. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate was most closely related to Rhodococcus fascians DSM 20669(T) (99.6%) and Rhodococcus yunnanensis YIM 70056(T) (99.0%). DNA-DNA hybridization with the above microorganisms (46.3% and 48.8%, respectively), in combination with differences in the biochemical and physiological properties, suggested that strain YIM 65003(T) should be classified within a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus cercidiphylli sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM 65003(T) (=CCTCC AB 207160(T)=DSM 45141(T)) as the type strain. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIM 65003(T) has been deposited in GenBank under the accession number EU325542.     

Nocardia lijiangensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete strain isolated from soil in China

A novel actinomycete strain YIM 33378T was isolated from a soil sample collected from Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China. Based on the results of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YIM 33378T should be assigned to a new species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia lijiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 33378T (= CCTCC AA 204005T = KCTC 19028T). The GenBank accession number for the sequence reported in this paper is AY779043.     

Description of Dietzia lutea sp. nov., isolated from a desert soil in Egypt

An actinobacterial strain YIM 80766^T was isolated from a soil sample collected from the eastern desert of Egypt, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The organism was found to have a range of chemical and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Dietzia. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain YIM 80766^T and the other type strains of recognized members of the genus Dietzia were 97.0–98.9%. However, DNA–DNA hybridization values and phenotypic characteristics revealed that the strain differed from the currently recognized species of the genus Dietzia. Therefore, strain YIM 80766^T represents a novel species of the genus Dietzia, for which the name Dietzia lutea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 80766^T (=KCTC 19232^T=DSM 45074^T=CCTCC AA 207008^T). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIM 80766^T has been deposited in GenBank under the accession number EU821598.     

Nocardia alba sp.nov., a novel actinomycete strain isolated from soil in China

A novel actinomycete strain, designated YIM 30243T, was isolated from a soil sample in Yunnan Province, China. Based on the results of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YIM 30243T should be assigned to a new species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia alba sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 30243T (= CCTCC AA001030T = DSM 44684T).     

Duganella phyllosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from the leaf surface of Trifolium repens and proposal to reclassify Duganella violaceinigra into a novel genus as Pseudoduganella violceinigra gen. nov., comb. nov

A bright yellow pigmented bacterium was isolated from the leaf surface of Trifolium repens in Germany. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this bacterium is most closely related to Duganella zoogloeoides IAM 12670(T), with a similarity of 99.3%, but revealed only a moderate similarity (96.8%) to the second Duganella species, Duganella violaceinigra YIM 31327(T). Strain T54(T) is clearly different from D. zoogloeoides IAM 12670(T) in that DNA-DNA hybridization revealed a similarity value of 46% (reciprocal 42%). Ubiquinone (Q-8) was the respiratory quinone and the predominant polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown phospholipids and one aminolipid. Strain T54(T) can be distinguished from D. zoogloeoides by the carbon substrate utilization tests of d-trehalose, cis-aconitate, trans-aconitate, glutarate and dl-3-hydroxybutyrate, and 4-hydroxybenzoate in addition to a different polar lipid profile. The name Duganella phyllosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species, with the type strain T54(T) (=LMG 25994 = CCM 7824(T)) [corrected]. In addition, it is proposed to reclassify D. violaceinigra into a novel genus Pseudoduganella gen. nov. as the novel species Pseudoduganella violaceinigra comb. nov. because of the low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the other Duganella species (<97%) and striking differences in chemotaxonomic (lipid profiles and fatty acid patterns) and other phenotypic features, including the colony pigmentation.     

Nocardioides halotolerans sp. nov., isolated from soil on Bigeum Island, Korea

A strictly aerobic, Gram-positive, motile, coccoid-shaped, halotolerant actinobacterium (10% NaCl, w/v), designated MSL-23^T, was isolated from a soil sample on Bigeum Island, Korea. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate belonged to the genus Nocardioides, with the highest sequence similarity (95.63%) being to Nocardioides kribbensis KCTC 19038^T. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H₄), and the predominant cellular fatty acids were i-C_16:0, ai-C_17:0, C_18:1 ω9c and 10-methyl-C_16:0. The DNA G+C content was 69.7 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MSL 23^T and its chemotaxonomic properties showed it to be unique in the genus Nocardioides. Phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain MSL-23^T from other Nocardioides species. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data strain MSL-23^T represents a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed, with MSL-23^T (=KCTC 19274^T=DSM 19273^T) as the type strain.     

Gracilibacillus quinghaiensis sp. nov., isolated from salt-lake sediment in the Qaidam Basin, north-west China

A motile, Gram-positive, slightly halophilic, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic, slender rod-shaped bacterium, strain YIM-C229T was isolated from the sediment of a salt lake in the Qaidam Basin, north-west China. Filamentous forms were present throughout the growth cycle. Strain YIM-C229T grew in the presence of 0.5-8% NaCl and at pH 6.0-8.5, with optimum growth at 1-3% NaCl and pH 7.0-7.5. It grew at 4-45 degrees C, with optimum growth at 37 degrees C. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, iso-C15:0, C16:1 omega11c and anteiso-C(17:0). The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol were the polar lipids, with meso-diaminopimelic acid occurring in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM-C229T was closely related to the type strains of the four recognized species of the genus Gracilibacillus: G. halotolerans NN T (sequence similarity 95.5%), G. dipsosauri DD1T (96.1%), G. orientalis XH-63T (96.8%) and G. boraciitolerans T-16X(T) (99.1%). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YIM-C229(T) and G. boraciitolerans DSM 17256(T) was 30.8%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic differences and DNA-DNA hybridization data supported the view that this strain represented a novel species of the genus Gracilibacillus, for which the name Gracilibacillus quinghaiensis sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM-C229T (=DSM 17858T=CGMCC 1.6304T) as the type strain.     

Halorubellus salinus gen. nov., sp. nov. and Halorubellus litoreus sp. nov., novel halophilic archaea isolated from a marine solar saltern

Two extremely halophilic archaeal strains GX3(T) and GX26(T) were isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern near the Weihai city of Shandong Province, China. Cells from the two strains were pleomorphic and stained Gram-negative, colonies were red-pigmented. Strains GX3(T) and GX26(T) were able to grow at 25-50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 1.4-5.1M NaCl (optimum 3.1M), at pH 5.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.0) and neither strain required Mg(2+) for growth. Cells lyse in distilled water and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell-lysis was 8% (w/v). The major polar lipids of the two strains were PA (phosphatidic acid), PG (phosphatidylglycerol), PGP-Me (phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester) and three major glycolipids (GL1, GL2 & GL3) chromatographically identical to S-TGD-1 (sulfated galactosyl mannosy glucosyl diether), S-DGD-1 (sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether), and DGD-1 (mannosyl glucosyl diether) respectively, an unidentified lipid (GL4) was also detected in strain GX26(T). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) formed a distinct clade with the closest relative, Haladaptatus paucihalophilus (89.9-92.4% and 90.4-92.7, respectively). The rpoB' gene similarities between strains GX3(T) and GX26(T), and between the two strains and the closest relative, Halorussus rarus TBN4(T) are 96.5%, 84.3% and 83.9%, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) are 67.3 mol% and 67.2 mol%, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) was 44%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain GX3(T) and strain GX26(T) represent two novel species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, Halorubellus salinus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain GX3(T)=CGMCC 1.10384(T)=JCM 17115(T)) and Halorubellus litoreus sp. nov. (type strain GX26(T)=CGMCC 1.10386(T)=JCM 17117(T)).     

Kribbella antibiotica sp. nov., a novel nocardioform actinomycete strain isolated from soil in Yunnan, China

A novel nocardioform actinomycete strain YIM 31530T was isolated from a soil in Yunnan, China. Based on the results of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic studies and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain YIM 31530T should be assigned to a new species of the genus Kribbella, for which the name Kribbella antibiotica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 31530T(= CCTCC AA001021T = DSM 15501T). The GenBank accession number for the sequence reported in this paper is AY082063.     

Nocardia testaceus sp. nov. and Nocardia senatus sp. nov., isolated from patients in Japan

Two actinomycete strains isolated from sputum between 1999 and 2001 in Japan were provisionally assigned to the genus Nocardia based on morphological criteria. These isolates were further studied in order to determine their specific taxonomic status. Detailed chemotaxonomic characterization and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis of these isolates also confirmed that they belong to the genus Nocardia. The 16S rDNA sequence data of the two strains showed that they are most similar to that of Nocardia carnea and Nocardia flavorosea. However, DNA-DNA relatedness data showed that the two strains could be distinguished from N. carnea and N. flavorosea and therefore represented two new species within the genus Nocardia. The designation of the two isolated strains are Nocardia testaceus for IFM 0937(T) (=JCM 12235(T), DSM 44765(T)) and Nocardia senatus for IFM 10088(T) (=JCM 12236(T), DSM 44766(T)).     

Pseudocitrobacter gen. nov., a novel genus of the Enterobacteriaceae with two new species Pseudocitrobacter faecalis sp. nov., and Pseudocitrobacter anthropi sp. nov,isolated from fecal samples from hospitalized patients in Pakistan

Four isolates of Gram-negative facultatively anaerobic bacteria, three of them producing NDM-1 carbapenemase, were isolated from hospitalized patients and outpatients attending two military hospitals in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and studied for their taxonomic position. Initially the strains were phenotypically identified as Citrobacter species. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences then showed that the four strains shared >97%, but in no case >98.3%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to members of the genera Citrobacter, Kluyvera, Pantoea, Enterobacter and Raoultella, but always formed a separate cluster in respective phylogenetic trees. Based on multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) including partial recN, rpoA, thdF and rpoB gene sequence and respective amino acid sequence analysis it turned out that the strains also here always formed separate clusters. Based on further comparative analyses including DNA–DNA hybridizations, genomic fingerprint analysis using rep- and RAPD-PCRs and physiological tests, it is proposed to classify these four strains into the novel genus Pseudocitrobacter gen. nov. with a new species Pseudocitrobacter faecalis sp. nov. with strain 25 CIT^T (= CCM 8479^T = LMG 27751^T) and Pseudocitrobacter anthropi sp. nov. with strain C138^T (= CCM 8478^T = LMG 27750^T), as the type strains, respectively.     

Aeromonas tecta sp. nov., isolated from clinical and environmental sources

Five Aeromonas strains, isolated from both clinical and environmental sources and characterized by a polyphasic approach, including phylogenetic analysis derived from gyrB, rpoD, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, as well as DNA-DNA hybridization, extensive biochemical and antibiotic susceptibility tests, were recognized as members of an unknown, or undescribed, Aeromonas species. These "Aeromonas eucrenophila-like" strains were closely related to the species A. eucrenophila and Aeromonas encheleia, but they were negative for indole and acid from glycerol tests. Therefore, based on the results of the phylogenetic analyses and DNA-DNA pairing data of these strains, a novel species of the genus Aeromonas is described, for which the name Aeromonas tecta is proposed with isolate F518(T) (CECT7082(T), DSM17300(T), MDC91(T)) as the type strain.     

Ruminococcus luti sp. nov., isolated from a human faecal sample

A strain of an unidentified strictly anoxic, gram-postive, non-motile Ruminococcus-like bacterium was isolated from a human faecal sample. The organism used carbohydrates as fermentable substrates, produced acetate, succinate, and hydrogen as the major products of glucose metabolism, and possessed a G + C content of 43.3 mol%. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of the organism were consistent with its assignment to the genus Ruminococcus but it did not correspond to any recognized species of this genus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed the unidentified bacterium represents a previously unrecognised sub-line within the Clostridium coccoides rRNA group of organisms. The nearest relative of the unknown bacterium corresponded to Ruminococcus obeum but a 16S rRNA sequence divergence value of >3% demonstrated it represents a different species. Based on the presented findings a new species, Ruminococcus luti, is described. The type strain of Ruminococcus luti is BInIX(T) (DSM 14534T, CCUG 45635T).     

Streptococcus devriesei sp. nov., from equine teeth

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on four unidentified Gram-positive staining, catalase-negative, alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus-like organisms recovered from the teeth of horses. SDS PAGE analysis of whole-cell proteins and comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated the four strains were highly related to each other but that they did not correspond to any recognised species of the genus Streptococcus. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the unidentified organisms form a hitherto unknown sub-line within the Streptococcus genus, displaying a close affinity with Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus ferus and related organisms. Sequence divergence values of > 5% with these and other reference streptococcal species however demonstrated the organisms from equine sources represent a novel species. Based on the phenotypic distinctiveness of the new bacterium and molecular chemical and molecular genetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown species be classified as Streptococcus devriesei sp. nov. The type strain of Streptococcus devriesei is CCUG 47155T (= CIP 107809T).     

Pseudomonas arsenicoxydans sp nov., an arsenite-oxidizing strain isolated from the Atacama desert

A Gram-negative, arsenite-oxidizing bacterial strain, designated VC-1, was isolated from sediment samples from the Camarones Valley in the Atacama Desert, Chile. Strain VC-1 was strictly aerobic, oxidase and catalase positive, rod shaped, of about 5.5 μm in length and 0.5–1.0 μm in diameter. It was motile by means of multiple polar flagella. The phylogenetic reconstruction of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, an MLSA study by concatenating six genes, and DDH studies indicated that the strain differed genotypically from its closest relatives and was therefore recognized as a new species within the genus Pseudomonas. Phenotypic analysis combining metabolic tests, fatty acid profiles and MALDI-TOF profiles of total cell extracts supported the classification of the new species for which we propose the designation Pseudomonas arsenicoxydans sp. nov. The type strain is accessible under the culture collection numbers CCUG 58201^T and CECT 7543^T.     

Candida alocasiicola sp. nov., Candida hainanensis sp. nov., Candida heveicola sp. nov. and Candida musiphila sp. nov., novel anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast species isolated from plants

In a taxonomic study on the ascomycetous yeasts isolated from plant materials collected in tropical forests in Yunnan and Hainan Provinces, southern China, four strains isolated from tree sap (YJ2E(T)) and flowers (YF9E(T), YWZH3C(T) and YYF2A(T)) were revealed to represent four undescribed yeast species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the large subunit (26S) rRNA gene D1/D2 domain sequences showed that strain YJ2E(T) was located in a clade together with Candida haemulonii and C. pseudohaemulonii. Strain YF9E(T) was most closely related to C. azyma and strain YWZH3C(T) to C. sorbophila and C. spandovensis. Strain YYF2A(T) was clustered in a clade containing small-spored Metschnikowia species and related anamorphic Candida species. The new strains differed from their closely related described species by more than 10% mismatches in the D1/D2 domain. No sexual states were observed for the four strains on various sporulation media. The new species are therefore assigned to the genus Candida and described as Candida alocasiicola sp. nov. (type strain, YF9E(T) = AS 2.3484(T) = CBS 10702(T)), Candida hainanensis sp. nov. (type strain, YYF2A(T) = AS 2.3478(T) = CBS 10696(T)), Candida heveicola sp. nov. (type strain, YJ2E(T) = AS 2.3483(T) = CBS 10701(T)) and Candida musiphila sp. nov. (type strain, YWZH3C(T) = AS 2.3479(T) = CBS 10697(T)).     

Clostridium asparagiforme sp. nov., isolated from a human faecal sample

An obligatory anaerobic, Gram-positive, rod-shaped organism was isolated from faeces of a healthy human donor. It was characterized using biochemical, phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. The organism produced acetate, lactate, and ethanol as the major products of glucose fermentation. The G + C content was 53 mol%. Based on comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the unidentified bacterium is a member of the Clostridium subphylum of the Gram-positive bacteria, and most closely related to species of the Clostridium coccoides cluster (rRNA cluster XIVa) [M.D. Collins et al., The phylogeny of the genus Clostridium: proposal of five new genera and eleven new species combinations, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 44 (1994) 812-826]. Clostridium bolteae and Clostridium clostridioforme were identified as the most closely related described species. A 16S rRNA sequence divergence value of > 3% suggested that the isolate represents a new species. This was also supported by the gyrase-encoding gyrB gene sequences. Based on these findings, we propose the novel bacterium from human faeces to be classified as a new species, Clostridium asparagiforme. The type strain of C. asparagiforme is N6 (DSM 15981 and CCUG 48471).     

Streptomyces daliensis sp. nov. from soil

A novel actinomycete strain YIM 31724^T was isolated from a soil sample collected from Dali, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China. The strain is characterized by white to yellow white aerial mycelia, spiral spore chains and smooth spore surface. The cell wall of strain YIM 31724^T contained LL-diaminopimelic acid (A₂pm) and traces of meso-A₂pm. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained mainly glucose and small amounts of galactose and xylose. The menaquinones were MK-9(H₆) (31%) and MK-9(H₈) (69%). Phosphatidylethanolamine was the diagnostic phospholipid. The DNA G+C content of strain YIM 31724^T was 67.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Streptomyces, with highest similarity to Streptomyces rimosus subsp. rimosus JCM 4667^T (rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 98.9%) and Streptomyces erumpens DSM 40941^T (rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 98.7%). Based on its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, including low DNA–DNA hybridization results, strain is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Streptomyces daliensis sp. nov.