Tepidimonas aquatica sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic beta-proteobacterium isolated from a hot water tank

A bacterial isolate, with an optimum growth temperature of about 50 degrees C, was recovered from a domestic hot water tank in Coimbra. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain CLN-1T is a member of the beta-Proteobacteria and represents a new species of the genus Tepidimonas. The major fatty acids of strain CLN-1T are 16:0, 17:0 cyclo and 16:1 omega7c. Ubiquinone 8 is the major respiratory quinone, the major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The new isolate is aerobic and facultatively chemolithoheterotrophic. Thiosulfate and tetrathionate are oxidized to sulfate in the presence of a metabolizable carbon source. Strain CLN-1T grows on amino acids and organic acids, but this organism does not assimilate carbohydrates. Glycerol is the only polyol assimilated. Resinic acids, namely abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid and isopimaric acid are not degraded. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strain CLN-1T represents a new species for which we offer the name Tepidimonas aquatica.     

Meiothermus rufus sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic red-pigmented species and emended description of the genus Meiothermus

Four red-pigmented isolates, with optimum growth temperatures of approximately 55–60 °C and an optimum pH for growth between 7.5 and 8.5, were recovered from hot springs in Central France. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these organisms represented a new species of the genus Meiothermus. The new isolates could be distinguished from other strains of the species of the genus Meiothermus primarily by the glycolipid profile and fatty acid composition because these organisms lacked the hydroxy fatty acids and the glycolipid variant GL-1a found in all other isolates of the species of Meiothermus examined. On the basis of the results presented here we propose the name Meiothermus rufus for the new species, which is represented by strains CAL-4^T (=DSM 22234^T=LMG 24878^T) and CAL-12 (=DSM 22235=LMG 24879). We also propose emending the genus Meiothermus to include strains that have only one glycolipid instead of two glycolipid variants.     

Balneomonas flocculans gen. nov., sp. nov., a new cellulose-producing member of the alpha-2 subclass of Proteobacteria

A new bacterial strain capable of producing cellulose was isolated from a hot spring. The isolate was Gram-negative, aerobic, and rod-shaped. The optimum temperature for growth was 40-45 degrees C. Methanol, glucose and other common carbohydrates were not utilized as sole growth substrates. Thiosulfate was not oxidized. The G+C content of the DNA was determined to be 64.0 mol%. Comparative 16S rDNA analysis indicated that Bosea thiooxidans and some strains of the genus Methylobacterium were the nearest relatives. The isolate can be distinguished from these relatives by its defectiveness in methanol utilization and thiosulfate oxidation. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogeny, it is proposed that the isolate be designated Balneomonas flocculans gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is TFBT (= JCM 11936T, = KCTC 12101T, = IAM 15034T, = ATCC BAA-817T).     

Phenylobacterium falsum sp. nov., an Alphaproteobacterium isolated from a nonsaline alkaline groundwater, and emended description of the genus Phenylobacterium

A Gram-negative bacterium designated AC-49T was isolated from an alkaline groundwater with a pH 11.4. This organism formed rod-shaped cells, was strictly aerobic, catalase and oxidase positive, with an optimum growth temperature of 35 degrees C and an optimum pH value of 8.0. Strain AC-49T assimilated primarily amino acids and some Krebs cycle metabolites, did not use sugars for growth. The organism did not grow on L-phenylalanine or antipyrin. The G+ C content of DNA was 66.9 mol%. The phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the closest relatives of strain AC-49T were Phenylobacterium lituiforme and Phenylobacterium immobile, indicating that the organism is a member of the order Caulobacterales of the Alphaproteobacteria. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and distinct phenotypic characteristics, we are of the opinion that strain AC-49T, represents a novel species of the genus Phenylobacterium for which we propose the name Phenylobacterium falsum sp. nov.     

Marinomonas aquamarina sp. nov., isolated from oysters and seawater

The characterization of three bacterial strains isolated from cultured oysters and seawater at the Spanish Mediterranean coast has been performed. Strains were phenotypically and genetically characterized and the results led us to identify them as members of the genus Marinomonas. A phylogenetic analysis based on the almost complete 16S rDNA sequences clustered all three strains together (with sequence similarities around 99.8%) in the vicinity of M. communis and M. vaga sequences and distantly related to the other four species of the genus. The most closely related species was M. communis that shared 97.4-97.6% with the Mediterranean strains. DNA-DNA hybridizations were performed to clarify the taxonomic position of our isolates and the results confirmed their specific isolation, with interspecific binding ratios below 59%. We propose the bacteria to constitute a new Marinomonas species, i.e. M. aquamarina and strain 11SM4T (CECT 5080T, CIP 108405T, CCUG 49439T) as the type strain.     

Tepidimonas taiwanensis sp. nov., a novel alkaline-protease-producing bacterium isolated from a hot spring

The bacterial strain designated I1-1^T was isolated from a hot spring located in the Pingtung area, southern Taiwan. Cells of this organism were Gram reaction negative rods, motile by a single polar flagellum. Optimum conditions for growth were 55°C and pH 7. Strain I1-1^T grew well in lower nutrient media such as 5–10% Luria–Bertani broth, and its extracellular products expressed alkaline protease activity. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicates that strain I1-1^T is a member of -Proteobacteria. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, DNA–DNA similarity data, whole-cell protein analysis, physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as fatty acid compositions, the organism belonged to the genus Tepidimonas and represented a novel species within this genus. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain I1-1^T were 16:0 (about 41%), 18:1 7c (about 13%), and summed feature 3 [16:1 7c or 15:0 iso 2OH or both (about 26%)]. Its DNA base ratio was 68.1 mol%. We propose to classify strain I1-1^T (=BCRC 17406^T=LMG 22826^T) as Tepidimonas taiwanensis sp. nov.     

Caldimonas taiwanensis sp. nov., a amylase producing bacterium isolated from a hot spring

During screening for amylase-producing bacteria, a strain designated OnlT was isolated from a hot spring located in Pingtung area, which is near the very southern part of Taiwan. Cells of this organism were Gram-negative rods motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Optimum conditions for growth were 55 degrees C and pH 7. Strain On1(T) grew well in minimal medium containing starch as the sole carbon source, and its extracellular products expressed amylase activity. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicates that strain On1(T) is a member of beta-Proteobacteria. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, DNA-DNA similarity data, physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as fatty acid compositions, the organism belonged to the genus Caldimonas and represented a novel species within this genus. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain On1(T) were 16:0 (about 30%), 18:1 omega 7c (about 20%) and summed feature 3 (16:1 omega 7c or 15:0 iso 2OH or both [about 31%]). Its DNA base ratio was 65.9 mol% G + C. We propose to classify strain On1(T) (= BCRC 17405T = LMG 22827T) as Caldimonas taiwanensis sp. nov.     

Nevskia aquatilis sp. nov. and Nevskia persephonica sp. nov., isolated from a mineral water aquifer and the emended description of the genus Nevskia

Four isolates, with an optimum temperature of about 30°C and an optimum pH for growth of 6.0-6.5, were recovered from a borehole head of a mineral water aquifer in Portugal and from the stored bottles produced on site. Strains F2-63(T) and F2-178 were yellow-pigmented and formed non-motile rod-shaped cells. Strains G6M-30(T) and G6-54 were whitish-pigmented, translucent and form rod-shaped cells with a polar flagellum. The four strains were strictly aerobic, oxidase and catalase positive. The major fatty acids of strains F2-63(T) and F2-178 were C(18:1)ω7c and C(16:0), and the major fatty acids of strains G6M-30(T) and G6-54 were C(18:1)ω7c and C(16:1)ω7c. Ubiquinone 8 was the major respiratory quinone. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, physiological and biochemical characteristics two new species of the genus Nevskia are described; Nevskia aquatilis represented by strains F2-63(T) (=LMG 26345 =CECT 7897) and F2-178 (=LMG 26344 =CECT 7898) and Nevskia persephonica represented by strains G6M-30(T) (=DSM 24987 =CECT 7975) and G6-54 (=DSM 25048 =CECT 7976).     

Geobacillus galactosidasius sp. nov., a new thermophilic galactosidase-producing bacterium isolated from compost

Two thermophilic spore-forming strains, with optimum growth temperature at 70 °C, were isolated from compost of the “Experimental System of Composting” (Teora, Avellino, Italy). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these organisms represented a new species of the genus Geobacillus. Based on polyphasic taxonomic data the strains represented a novel species for which the name Geobacillus galactosidasius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CF1B^T (= ATCC BAA-1450^T = DSM 18751^T).     

Thermosediminibacter oceani gen. nov., sp. nov. and Thermosediminibacter litoriperuensis sp. nov., new anaerobic thermophilic bacteria isolated from Peru Margin

A new group of anaerobic thermophilic bacteria was isolated from enrichment cultures obtained from deep sea sediments of Peru Margin collected during Leg 201 of the Ocean Drilling Program. A total of ten isolates were obtained from cores of 1–2 m below seafloor (mbsf) incubated at 60°C: three isolates came from the sediment 426 m below sea level with a surface temperature of 9°C (Site 1227), one from 252 m below sea level with a temperature of 12°C (Site 1228), and six isolates under sulfate-reducing condition from the lower slope of the Peru Trench (Site 1230). Strain JW/IW-1228P from the Site 1228 and strain JW/YJL-1230-7/2 from the Site 1230 were chosen as representatives of the two identified clades. Based on the 16S rDNA sequence analysis, these isolates represent a novel group with Thermovenabulum and Caldanaerobacter as their closest relatives. The temperature range for growth was 52–76°C with an optimum at around 68°C for JW/IW-1228P and 43–76°C with an optimum at around 64°C for JW/YJL-1230-7/2. The pH^25C range for growth was from 6.3 to 9.3 with an optimum at 7.5 for JW/IW-1228P and from 5 to 9.5 with an optimum at 7.9–8.4 for JW/YJL-1230-7/2. The salinity range for growth was from 0% to 6% (w/v) for JW/IW-1228P and from 0% to 4.5% (w/v) for JW/YJL-1230-7/2. The G+C content of the DNA was 50 mol% for both JW/IW-1228P and JW/YJL-1230-7/2. DNA–DNA hybridization yielded 52% similarity between the two strains. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolates are located within the family, Thermoanaerobacteriaceae. Based on their morphological and physiological properties and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain JW/IW-1228P^T is placed into a novel taxa, Thermosediminibacter oceani, gen. nov., sp. nov. (DSM 16646^T=ATCC BAA-1034^T), and JW/YJL-1230-7/2^T into Thermosediminibacter litoriperuensis sp. nov. (DSM 16647^T =ATCC BAA-1035^T).An erratum to this article can be found at     

Arsukibacterium ikkense gen. nov., sp. nov, a novel alkaliphilic, enzyme-producing gamma-Proteobacterium isolated from a cold and alkaline environment in Greenland

A novel aerobic, Gram-negative, non-pigmented bacterium, GCM72(T), was isolated from the alkaline, low-saline ikaite columns in the Ikka Fjord, SW Greenland. Strain GCM72(T) is a motile, non-pigmented, amylase- and protease-producing, oxidase-positive, and catalase-negative bacterium, showing optimal growth at pH 9.2-10.0, at 15 degrees C, and at 3% (w/v) NaCl. Major fatty acids were C(12:0) 3-OH (12.2+/-0.1%), C(16:00) (18.0+/-0.1%), C(18:1)omega7c (10.7+/-0.5%), and summed feature 3 comprising C(16:1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH (36.3+/-0.7%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that isolate GCM72(T) was most closely related to Rheinheimera baltica and Alishewanella fetalis of the gamma-Proteobacteria with a 93% sequence similarity to both. The G+C content of DNA isolated from GCM72(T) was 49.9mol% and DNA-DNA hybridization between GCM72T and R. baltica was 9.5%. Fatty acid analysis and G+C content supports a relationship primarily to R. baltica, but several different features, such as a negative catalase-response and optimal growth at low temperature and high pH, together with the large phylogenetic distance and low DNA similarity to its closest relatives, lead us to propose a new genus, Arsukibacterium, gen. nov., with the new species Arsukibacterium ikkense sp. nov. (type strain is GCM72(T)).     

Leucobacter luti sp. nov., and Leucobacter alluvii sp. nov., two new species of the genus Leucobacter isolated under chromium stress

Two strains designated RF6(T) and RB10(T) were isolated, from activated sludge and from river sediments, respectively, both systems receiving chromium contaminated water. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain RF6(T)and strain RB10(T) represented two new species of the genus Leucobacter. Strain RB10(T) can be distinguished from RF6(T) by its ability to grow at 37 degrees C, by showing a different optimum pH, by cell wall amino acids different relative amount and by having the fatty acid strait C16:0 as the third most abundant fatty acid. On the basis of the distinct peptidoglycan composition, 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis, DNA-DNA reassociation values, and phenotypic characteristics we are of the opinion that strain RF6(T) represents a new species of the genus Leucobacter for which we propose the name Leucobacter luti (CIP 108818(T)=LMG 23118) and that strain RB10(T) represents an additional new species of the same genus for which we propose the name Leucobacter alluvii (CIP 108819(T)=LMG 23117).     

Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov., a slightly halophilic myxobacterium isolated from the coastal areas of Japan

Six isolates of novel marine myxobacteria, designated strains SHK-1T, SMK-1-1, SMK-1-3, SMK-10, SKK-2, and SMP-6, were obtained from various coastal samples (mud, sands and algae) collected around Japan. All of the isolates had Gram-negative rod-shaped cells, motile by gliding and grew aerobically. They showed bacteriolytic action, fruiting body formation, and NaCl requirement for growth with an optimum concentration of 1.0-2.0% (w/v). In addition, divalent cationic components of seawater, such as Mg2+ or Ca2+, were also needed for growth. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA ranged from 65.6 to 67.4 mol% (by HPLC). The isolates shared almost identical 16S rDNA sequences, and clustered with a recently described marine myxobacterium, Plesiocystis pacifica, as their closest relative on a phylogenetic tree (95.9-96.0% similarity). Physiological and chemotaxonomic differences between the new strains and strains of the genus Plesiocystis justify the proposal of a new genus. Therefore, we propose to classify the six isolates into a new taxon of marine myxobacteria with the name, Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is SHK-1(T) (JCM 11769(T) = DSM 15217(T) = AJ 110011(T)).     

Stappia alba sp. nov., isolated from Mediterranean oysters

Three bacterial strains isolated from oysters recovered at the Spanish Mediterranean coast have been phenotypically and genetically characterized. The results of the phylogenetic analysis based on almost complete 16S rDNA sequences clustered all three strains together with 99.9% average sequence similarity and situated them in the neighbourhood of the genera Stappia, Roseibium and Pannonibacter, Stappia aggregata being their closest neighbour with sequence similarities between 98.8% and 98.9%. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments using DNA of strains 5OM6T and S. aggregata CECT 4269T as reference DNAs confirmed the independent status at species level of the oyster isolates. Phenotypically, they can be distinguished from the closest relatives by the ionic requirements, growth temperatures and use of carbon compounds. We propose these oyster strains constitute a new species of Stappia, for which the name Stappia alba sp. nov. has been chosen, and strain 5OM6T (= CECT 5095T = CIP 108402T) as its type strain.     

Arcobacter ellisii sp. nov., isolated from mussels

As part of a study carried out for detecting Arcobacter spp. in shellfish, three mussel isolates that were Gram-negative slightly curved rods, non-spore forming, showed a new 16S rDNA-RFLP pattern with a specific identification method for the species of this genus. Sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and those of the housekeeping genes rpoB, gyrB and hsp60 provided evidence that these mussel strains belonged to an unknown genetic lineage within the genus Arcobacter. The similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the representative strain (F79-6^T) and type strains of the other Arcobacter species ranged between 94.1% with A. halophilus and 99.1% with the recently proposed species A. defluvii (CECT 7697^T). DDH results between strain F79-6^T and the type strain of the latter species were below 70% (53 ± 3.0%). Phenotypic characteristics together with MALDITOF mass spectra differentiated the new mussel strains from all other Arcobacter species. All the results indicate that these strains represent a new species, for which the name Arcobacter ellisii sp. nov. with the type strain F79-6^T (=CECT 7837^T = LMG 26155^T) is proposed.     

Thermoproteus uzoniensis sp. nov., a new extremely thermophilic archaebacterium from Kamchatka continental hot springs

A new extremely thermophilic rod-shaped archaebacterium was found in the samples from hot springs and soil of the Uzon caldera (SW of Kamchatka pen.). Cells are rods from 1 to 20 m in length and 0.3 to 0.4 m in width, sometimes branching or with spherical protrusions on the ends. The cell wall consists of two layers: an internal one with distinct hexagonal structure and the outer one with less clear structure and variable thickness. Cells are non-motile and have no flagella. The new organism grows anaerobically by fermenting peptides, concurrently reducing elemental sulfur to H₂S. Fermentation products are acetate, isobutyrate, isovalerate. The G+C content of the DNA is 56.5 mol. %. A new species Thermoproteus uzoniensis is described. Type strain is isolate Z-605, DSM 5262.     

Oceanicella actignis gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic slightly thermophilic member of the Alphaproteobacteria

Two isolates, designated PRQ-67^T and PRQ-68, with an optimum growth temperature of about 50 °C, growth range in medium containing between 1 and 9% NaCl and an optimum pH for growth between 7.5 and 8.0, were recovered from a shallow marine hot spring on a beach, Praia do Fogo, at Ribeira Quente, on the Island of São Miguel in the Azores. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequences show these strains to be most closely related (93.1–94.7% similarity) to species of the genus Amaricoccus, within the family Rhodobacteraceae. Strains are non-pigmented and form non-motile pleomorphic cells that stain Gram-negative, are aerobic, oxidase and catalase positive. The major fatty acids are C_18:1ω7c and C_18:1ω7c 11-methyl. Ubiquinone 10 is the major respiratory quinone. Major polar lipids are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and one aminolipid. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, physiological and biochemical characteristics we describe a new species of a novel genus represented by strain PRQ-67^T (=DSM 22673^T = LMG 25334^T) for which we propose the name Oceanicella actignis.     

Meiothermus granaticius sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic red-pigmented species from the Azores

Two red-pigmented isolates, with optimum growth temperatures between 45 and 50 °C, were recovered from a hot spring in the Furnas, Área da Fonte 1825 on the Island of São Miguel in the Azores. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these organisms represented a new species of the genus Meiothermus. These new isolates could be distinguished from other strains of the species of the genus Meiothermus primarily by the fatty acid composition and polar lipid pattern, since they did not possess 2-OH fatty acids or glycolipid variant GL-1a. Moreover, the two new isolates had the lowest growth temperature range of any of the known species of the genus Meiothermus. On the basis of the results presented here we propose the name Meiothermus granaticius for the new species represented by strains AF-68^T (=DSM 23260^T = LMG 25524^T) and AF-49 (=DSM 23259 = LMG 25525).     

Thermus kawarayensis sp. nov., a new member of the genus Thermus, isolated from Japanese hot springs

A long-rod-shaped thermophilic microorganism, strain KW11, was isolated from a hot springs located in the Kawarayu, Gunma, Japan. Cloning and preliminary sequence analysis of 16S rDNA showed that this isolate belongs to the genus Thermus. The cells were 10–20 m long, about 0.8 m in diameter, and produced no pigment in contrast with most of the Thermus species previously reported. KW11 was an aerobic heterotroph and grew at temperatures ranging from 40–73°C, with optimal growth occurring at 68°C. The pH range for growth was from 5.8–8.9, with optimal growth around pH 7. KW11 was sensitive to ampicillin, penicillin G, kanamycin, and streptomycin. The G+C content of DNA was 69 mol%. The main fatty acids were 16:0 (52.9%), iso-15:0 (22.1%), and iso-17:0 (15.6%). The 16S rDNA sequence of KW11 showed 96.0, 95.8, and 95.4% similarity with the sequences of T. aquaticus, T. igniterrae, and T. thermophilus, respectively, and less than 95% with other Thermus species. The physiological differences and phylogenetic evidence indicated that strain KW11 represents T. kawarayensis, a novel species of the genus Thermus. The type strain is isolate KW11^T (JCM12314, DSM16200).     

Cetobacterium somerae sp. nov. from human feces and emended description of the genus Cetobacterium

Phenorypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on four isolates of an unidentified gram-negative, microaerotolerant, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from the feces of children. The unknown organism was bile resistant and produced acetic acid as the major end product of metabolism of peptides and carbohydrates. It possessed a low DNA G + C content of 31 mol %. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the four isolates were phylogenetically identical (100% 16S rRNA sequence similarity) and represent a hitherto unknown sub-line within the genus Cetobacterium. The novel bacterium displayed approximately 5% sequence divergence with Cetobacterium ceti, and can be readily distinguished from the latter by physiological and biochemical criteria. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown fecal bacterium be classified in the genus Cetobacterium, as Cetobacterium somerae sp. nov. The proposed type strain of Cetobacterium somerae is WAL 14325(T) (ATCC BAA-474(T) = CCUG 46254T).