Halorussus rarus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Halobacteriaceae isolated from a marine solar saltern

Two halophilic archaeal strains TBN4^T and TBN5 were isolated from Taibei marine solar saltern in Jiangsu, China. Both strains showed light red-pigmented colonies and their cells were rod, motile and Gram-stain-negative. They were able to grow at 25–50°C (optimum 37°C), at 1.4–4.3 M NaCl (optimum 2.1 M NaCl), at 0–1.0 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.005 M MgCl₂) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0). Their cells lyse in distilled water and minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell lysis is 8% (w/v). The major polar lipids of the two strains were PG (phosphatidylglycerol), PGP-Me (phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester), PGS (phosphatidylglycerol sulfate) and five glycolipids chromatographically identical to S-TGD-1 (sulfated galactosyl mannosyl glucosyl diether), S-DGD-1 (sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether), TGD-1 (galactosyl mannosyl glucosyl diether), DGD-1 (mannosyl glucosyl diether) and DGD-2 (an unknown diglycosyl diether). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TBN4^T and strain TBN5 formed a distinct clade with genus Haladaptatus (showing 90.0–90.9% 16S rRNA gene similarities). The DNA G + C content of strain TBN4^T and strain TBN5 are 66.1 and 65.4 mol%, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain TBN4^T and strain TBN5 was 94.3%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain TBN4^T and strain TBN5 represent a novel species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the name Halorussus rarus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TBN4^T (=CGMCC 1.10122^T = JCM 16429^T).     

Zhihengliuella salsuginis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic actinobacterium from a subterranean brine

A novel moderately halophilic, alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, aerobic, coccus-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium, designated strain JSM 071043^T, was isolated from a subterranean brine sample collected from a salt mine in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0.5–20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5–10%) at pH 6.5–10.5 (optimum pH 8.5) and at 10–40°C (optimum 25–30°C). Good growth also occurred in the presence of 0.5–20% (w/v) KCl (optimum 5–8%) or 0.5–25% (w/v) MgCl₂·6H₂O (optimum 5–10%). The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–l-Ala–l-Glu) and major cell-wall sugars were tyvelose and mannose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. Strain JSM 071043^T contained MK-9 and MK-8 as the predominant menaquinones and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content was 67.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSM 071043^T was a member of the suborder Micrococcineae, and was most closely related to Zhihengliuella halotolerans YIM 70185^T (sequence similarity 98.9%) and Zhihengliuella alba YIM 90734^T (98.2%), and the three strains formed a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the proposal that strain JSM 071043^T represents a novel species of the genus Zhihengliuella, for which the name Z. salsuginis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 071043^T (= DSM 21149^T = KCTC 19466^T).     

Characterization of Microaerobacter geothermalis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel microaerophilic, nitrate- and nitrite-reducing thermophilic bacterium isolated from a terrestrial hot spring in Tunisia

A novel thermophilic anaerobic and microaerophilic bacterium (optimal growth in the presence of 5–10% O₂), strain Nad S1^T was isolated from the terrestrial hot spring of Hammam Sidi Jdidi, Nabeul, Tunisia. Cells were motile rods having a Gram-positive cell wall structure. Strain Nad S1^T grew optimally at 55°C (range 37–70°C). Optimum pH for growth was 6.5–7.0. It was halotolerant growing with NaCl up to 7% (optimum concentration 1.5–3.0%). It grew chemoorganotrophically on various carbohydrates, organic-acids and amino-acids as energy sources, or chemolithotrophically on H₂ using nitrate, as terminal electron acceptor. Beside oxygen (under microaerobic conditions) and nitrate, nitrite was also used. Nitrate was completely reduced to N₂. No fermentation occurred. The genomic DNA G + C content was 41.8 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Nad S1^T belongs to the Bacillaceae family within the class ‘Bacilli’. Because of its phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, we propose this isolate to be assigned as a novel genus and a novel species within the domain Bacteria, Microaerobacter geothermalis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is Nad S1^T (=DSM 22679^T =JCM 16213^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salinarchaeum laminariae</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov.: a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacteriaceae</Emphasis> isolated from salted brown alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laminaria</Emphasis>

Halophilic archaeal strains R26^T and R22 were isolated from the brown alga Laminaria produced at Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. Cells from the two strains were pleomorphic rods and Gram negative, and colonies were red pigmented. Strains R26^T and R22 were able to grow at 20–50°C (optimum 37°C) in 1.4–5.1 M NaCl (optimum 3.1–4.3 M) at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum pH 8.0–8.5) and neither strain required Mg²⁺ for growth. Cells lyse in distilled water and the minimum NaCl concentration required to prevent cell lysis was 8% (w/v) for strain R26^T and 12% (w/v) for strain R22. The major polar lipids of the two strains were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and minor phosphatidylglycerol sulfate; glycolipids were not detected. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes and rpoB′ genes revealed that strains R26^T and R22 formed a distinct clade with the closest relative, Natronoarchaeum mannanilyticum. The DNA G+C content of strains R26^T and R22 was 65.8 and 66.4 mol%, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strains R26^T and R22 was 89%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that the strains R26^T and R22 represent a novel species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the name Salinarchaeum laminariae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R26^T (type strain R26^T = CGMCC 1.10590^T = JCM 17267^T, reference strain R22 = CGMCC 1.10589).     

Thermovorax subterraneus, gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic hydrogen-producing bacterium isolated from geothermally active underground mine

A thermophilic, rod-shaped, motile, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium strain 70B^T was isolated from a geothermally active underground mine in Japan. The temperature and pH range for growth was 50–81°C (optimum 71°C) and 6.2–9.8 (optimum pH 7–7.5), respectively. Growth occurred in the presence 0–2% NaCl (optimum 1% NaCl). Strain 70B^T could utilize glucose, fructose, mannose, mannitol, pyruvate, cellobiose and tryptone as substrates. Thiosulfate was used as electron acceptor. Major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 DMA (dimethyl acetal), C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The G+C mol% of the DNA was 44.2%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the closest relatives of strain 70B^T were Thermosediminibacter oceani DSM 16646^T (94% similarity) and Thermosediminibacter litoriperuensis DSM 16647 (93% similarity). The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain 70B^T represents a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Thermovorax subterraneus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thermovorax subterraneus is 70B^T (=DSM 21563 = JCM 15541).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Yaniella soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new actinobacterium isolated from non-saline forest soil in China

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 070026^T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in China. Growth occurred with 0–20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2–4%) and at pH 6.0–10.5 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 5–40°C (optimum, 30°C). Good growth also occurred in the presence of 0–28% (w/v) KCl (optimum, 2–5%) or 0–25% (w/v) MgCl₂·6H₂O (optimum, 1–4%). The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–Gly–l-Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained mannose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0. Strain JSM 070026^T contained menaquinone 8 as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content of strain JSM 070026^T was 56.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSM 070026^T was a member of the suborder Micrococcineae and most closely related to Yaniella flava YIM 70178^T (sequence similarity 99.4%) and Yaniella halotolerans YIM 70085^T (97.9%). The three strains formed a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the proposal that strain JSM 070026^T represents a novel species of the genus Yaniella, for which the name Yaniella soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 070026^T (=DSM 22211^T = KCTC 13527^T).     

Oceanibacterium hippocampi gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from cutaneous mucus of wild seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus)

A Gram-negative, aerobic, motile and slightly curved rod-shaped bacterium (BFLP-8^T) was isolated from cutaneous mucus of wild long-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus) captured in northwest Spain (Toralla, Galicia). Strain BFLP-8^T grew at 10–35 °C and pH 5–9 (optimally at 25 °C and pH 7.0) and with 1–6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 2 % NaCl). The predominant respiratory quinone (90 %) was ubiquinone with ten isoprene units (Q-10) and the major fatty acids identified were C_18:1 ω7c (54.8 % of the total), C_19:0 cyclo ω8c (11.6 %), C_16:0 (9.5 %), C_18:1 2-OH (7.1 %) and C_16:1 ω11c (6.7 %). The G+C content of the DNA was 57.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BFLP-8^T formed a distinct clade within the family Sneathiellaceae but is not specifically associated with any species in the family. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BFLP-8^T represents a novel species within a new genus, for which the name Oceanibacterium hippocampi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BFLP-8^T (=CECT 7691^T = DSM 23444^T).     

Caldinitratiruptor microaerophilus, gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from a French hot spring (Chaudes-Aigues, Massif Central): a novel cultivated facultative microaerophilic anaerobic thermophile pertaining to the Symbiobacterium branch within the Firmicutes

A novel facultative microaerophilic nitrate-reducing bacterium designated CA62N^T was isolated from a thermal spring in France. Cells were non-motile rods (2–3 × 0.2 μm) and showed low cytoplasmic density when observed under a phase-contrast microscope. Strain CA62N^T grew at temperatures between 50 and 75°C (optimum 65°C) and at a pH between 6.3 and 7.9 (optimum 7.0). NaCl was not required for growth but was tolerated up to 10 gl⁻¹. Sulfate, thiosulfate, elemental sulfur, sulfite, and nitrite were not used as electron acceptors. Nitrate was reduced to nitrite. Strain CA62N^T used lactate, pyruvate, glucose, mannose, fructose, and casamino acids and some amino acids as electron donors only in the presence of nitrate as electron acceptor. None of these substrates was fermented. The main end-products of glucose oxidation were acetate, CO₂, and traces of H₂. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 70.3 mol% (HPLC techniques). Phylogenetic analysis of the small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence indicated that strain CA62N^T was affiliated to the Symbiobacterium branch within the Firmicutes and had Symbiobacterium thermophilum and “S. toebii” as its closest phylogenetic relatives. On the basis of phylogenetical and physiological characteristics, strain CA62N^T is proposed to be the type strain for the novel species in the novel genus, Caldinitratiruptor microaerophilus gen. nov., sp. nov. (DSM 22660, JCM 16183).     

Virgibacillus zhanjiangensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from sea water

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 079157^T, was isolated from surface seawater off the coastline of Naozhou Island in South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 1–15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 4–7%), and at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, and the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (45.1%) and anteiso-C_17:0 (16.2%), and the DNA G + C content was 39.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 079157^T should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus litoralis (97.4% sequence similarity), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus carmonensis (97.1%). These four strains formed a distinct subcluster in the phylogenetic tree. The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of V. litoralis, V. necropolis and V. carmonensis were 30.4, 19.3 and 12.6%, respectively. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, combined with DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support the suggestion that strain JSM 079157^T represents a new species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus zhanjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 079157^T (=DSM 21084^T = KCTC 13227^T).     

Characterization of Halanaerobaculum tunisiense gen. nov., sp. nov., a new halophilic fermentative, strictly anaerobic bacterium isolated from a hypersaline lake in Tunisia

A new halophilic anaerobe was isolated from the hypersaline surface sediments of El-Djerid Chott, Tunisia. The isolate, designated as strain 6SANG, grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 14 to 30%, with an optimum at 20–22%. Strain 6SANG was a non-spore-forming, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, appearing singly, in pairs, or occasionally as long chains (0.7–1 × 4–13 μm) and showed a Gram-negative-like cell wall pattern. It grew optimally at pH values between 7.2 and 7.4, but had a very broad pH range for growth (5.9–8.4). Optimum temperature for growth was 42°C (range 30–50°C). Strain 6SANG required yeast extract for growth on sugars. Glucose, sucrose, galactose, mannose, maltose, cellobiose, pyruvate, and starch were fermented. The end products from glucose fermentation were acetate, butyrate, lactate, H₂, and CO₂. The G + C ratio of the DNA was 34.3 mol%. Strain 6SANG exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 91–92% with members of the genus Halobacteroides, H. halobius being its closest phylogenetic relative. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, we propose that this bacterium be classified as a novel species of a novel genus, Halanaerobaculum tunisiense gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is 6SANG^T (=DSM 19997^T = JCM 15060^T).     

Rufibacter tibetensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Cytophagaceae isolated from soil

A red-pigmented, Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium which was motile by gliding, designated strain 1351^T, was isolated from the soil of Lengduo, Tibet in China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. The isolate grows optimally at 30°C and pH 7. It grows with NaCl tolerated up to 1.5% (optimum, 0.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that strain 1351^T is closely related to members of the family ‘Cytophagaceae’ closest sequence similarity was observed with similarity with Adhaeribacter terreus (91.8%). The major whole-cell fatty acids are summed feature 4 (containing anteiso-C_17:1 B and/or iso-C_17:1 I, 29.2%), summed feature 3 (containing C_16:1ω6c and/or C_16:1ω7c, 13.0%) and iso-C_15:0 (12.0%). The predominant menaquinone of strain 1351^T is menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and the G+C content of the DNA is 46.8 mol%. According to the phylogenetic evidence and phenotypic data, strain 1351^T is considered to represent a new genus and species of the family ‘Cytophagaceae’ for which the name Rufibacter tibetensis gen nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type species is R. tibetensis and the type strain is 1351^T (=CCTCC AB 208084^T = NRRL B-51285^T).     

Desulfosoma profundi sp. nov., a thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from a deep terrestrial geothermal spring in France

A novel strictly anaerobic bacterium designated SPDX02-08^T was isolated from a deep terrestrial geothermal spring located in southwest France. Cells (1–2 × 2–6 μm) were non-motile, non sporulating and stained Gram negative. Strain SPDX02-08^T grew at a temperature between 40 and 60°C (optimum 55°C), pH between 6.3 and 7.3 (optimum 7.2) and a NaCl concentration between 0 and 5 g/l (optimum 2 g/l). Sulfate, thiosulfate and sulfite were used as terminal electron acceptors, but not elemental sulfur, nitrate, nitrite, Fe (III) or fumarate. In the presence of sulfate, strain SPDX02-08^T completely oxidized pyruvate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate and hexadecanoate. Stoichiometric measurements revealed a complete oxidation of part of lactate (0.125 mol of acetate produced per mole lactate oxidized). Strain SPDX02-08^T required yeast extract to oxidize formate and H₂ but did not grow autotrophically on H₂. Among the substrates tested, only pyruvate was fermented. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 57.6 mol%. Major cellular fatty acids of strain SPDX02-08^T were iso-C_15:0, C_15:0, and C_16:0. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA gene sequence indicated that strain SPDX02-08^T belongs to the genus Desulfosoma, family Syntrophobacteraceae, having Desulfosoma caldarium as its closest phylogenetic relative (97.6% similarity). The mean DNA/DNA reassociation value between strain SPDX02-08^T and Desulfosoma caldarium was 16.9 ± 2.7%. Based on the polyphasic differences, strain SPDX02-08^T is proposed to be assigned as a new species of the genus Desulfosoma, Desulfosoma profundi sp. nov. (DSM 22937^T = JCM 16410^T). GenBank accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain SPDX02-08^T is HM056226.     

Alkalilactibacillus ikkensis, gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel enzyme-producing bacterium from a cold and alkaline environment in Greenland

Three novel Gram-positive, endospore-forming bacteria were isolated from a cold and alkaline environment. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains were almost identical, and that they were related to Natronobacillus azotifigens 24KS-1^T (95.8% identity), Paraliobacillus quinghaiensis YIM-C158^T (95.1%), Paraliobacillus ryukyuensis O15-7^T (94.5%), and Halolactibacillus miurensis M23-1^T (93.9%). The isolates produced amylase, α-galactosidase, β-galactosidase, and β-glucuronidase, and showed optimal growth at pH 10, at 20°C, and at 2–8% (w/v) NaCl. Major fatty acids were C_14:0 (10.6–11.6%), anteiso-C_15:0 (25.7–32.7%), C_16:1 ω11c (12.2–16.0%), and C_16:0 (14.0–20.4%). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol, and meso-diaminopimelic acid was found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The G+C content was 38.4%. DNA–DNA hybridization between strain GCM68^T and H. miurensis M23-1^T was 32.4%, while hybridization to N. azotifigens 24KS-1^T, Amphibacillus tropicus Z-7792^T, and Paraliobacillus ryukyuensis O15-7^T was below 30%. The phylogenetic analysis and G+C content place strain GCM68^T in relation to species belonging to Bacillus rRNA group 1, but phylogenetic and physiologic data combined with chemotaxonomic analyses support our proposal for a new genus, Alkalilactibacillus, gen. nov., with the novel species Alkalilactibacillus ikkensis, sp. nov. (type strain is GCM68^T = DSM 19937 = LMG 24405).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas sediminis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new halophilic bacterium isolated from salt-lake sediment in China

A novel Gram-negative, slightly halophilic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic bacterium, strain YIM-C248^T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a salt-lake in the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai, north-west China. Cells were non-sporulating short rods, occurring singly or as doublets, motile with peritrichous flagella. Growth occurred with 1–15% (w/v) NaCl [optimum 2–4% (w/v) NaCl], at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum pH 7.5) and at 4–35°C (optimum 25–30°C). The major cellular fatty acids were C_18:1 ω7c, C_12:0 3-OH, cyclo C_19:0 ω8c, C_16:0 and C_16:1. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-9 and the genomic DNA G + C content was 58.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM-C248^T should be assigned to the genus Halomonas. The sequence similarities between the isolate and the type strains of members of the genus Halomonas were in the range of 92.5–97.5%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic differences supported the view that strain YIM-C248^T represents a new species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas sediminis sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM-C248^T (=CCTCC AA 207031 = KCTC 22167) as the type strain. The GenBank/EMBL/DBBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIM-C248^T is EU135707.     

Ornithinibacillus scapharcae sp. nov., isolated from a dead ark clam

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, motile, hemolytic, endospore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium TW25^T was isolated from a dead ark clam during a mass mortality event on the South coast of Korea. The strain grew optimally at 30°C, at pH 8–9, and with 1% (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TW25^T was associated with the genus Ornithinibacillus and that it was most closely related to the type strain of Ornithinibacillus californiensis (98.5% similarity). The dominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and C16:0. The peptidoglycan amino acid type was A4β, containing l-ornithine and d-aspartic acid. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, four unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The G + C content of genomic DNA was 36.7 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments with related strains revealed lower than 11 ± 3% relatedness. Based on this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain TW25^T represents a novel species in the genus Ornithinibacillus, for which the name Ornithinibacillus scapharcae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TW25^T (=KACC 15116^T = JCM 17314^T).     

Anoxybacillus thermarum sp. nov., a novel thermophilic bacterium isolated from thermal mud in Euganean hot springs, Abano Terme, Italy

A novel aerobe thermophilic endospore-forming bacterium designated strain AF/04^T was isolated from thermal mud located in Euganean hot springs, Abano Terme, Padova, Italy. Strain AF/04^T was Gram-positive, motile, rod-shaped, occurring in pairs, or filamentous. The isolate grew between 55 and 67°C (optimum 65°C) and at pH 6.0–7.5 (optimum pH 7.2). The strain was aerobic and grew on maltose, trehalose, and sodium acetate as sole carbon sources. The G + C content of DNA was 53.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain AF/04^T falls within the genus Anoxybacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain AF/04^T and the type strains of recognized Anoxybacillus species ranged from 95 to 99%. Chemotaxonomic data (major isoprenoid quinone–menaquinone-7; major fatty acid iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0) supported the affiliation of strain AF/04^T to the genus Anoxybacillus. Based on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA–DNA hybridization data, it was proposed that strain AF/04^T (=DSM 17141^T = ATCC BAA 1156^T) should be placed in the genus Anoxybacillus as the type strain of a novel species, Anoxybacillus thermarum sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salinicoccus kekensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel alkaliphile and moderate halophile isolated from Keke Salt Lake in Qinghai,China

A novel alkaliphilic and moderate halophilic bacterium, designated strain K164^T, was isolated from Keke Salt Lake in Qinghai, China. The strain grew with 2.0–20.0% (w/v) NaCl, at 4–50°C and pH 6.5–11.5, with an optimum of 8% (w/v) NaCl, 37°C and pH 10, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6) and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 50.16 mol. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain K164^T was a member of the genus Salinicoccus. Strain K164^T showed the highest similarity (98.4%) with Salinicoccus alkaliphilus AS 1.2691^T and below 97% similarity with other recognized members of the genus in 16S rRNA gene sequence. Level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain K164^T and Salinicoccus alkaliphilus AS 1.2691^T was 20.1%. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and the level of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain K164^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which the name Salinicoccus kekensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K164^T (=CGMCC 1.10337^T = DSM 23173^T).     

Thermoanaerobacterium thermostercus sp. nov., a new anaerobic thermophilic hydrogen-producing bacterium from buffalo-dung

A novel thermophilic, anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium strain, designated Buff, was isolated from buffalo-dung samples collected from a buffalo-farm located in Caserta (Campania, south of Italy). Strain Buff was Gram-positive, motile and no spore-forming. The growth temperature range was 40–65°C with an optimum at 60°C, while pH growth range at 60°C was 5.5–8.0 with an optimum at about pH 6.5. NaCl growth concentration ranged from 0 to 2.0% with an optimum at 0.5% (w/v); no growth was observed with the presence of NaCl 3.0% (w/v). The strain produced ethanol, acetate, lactate, H₂, H₂S and CO₂ by glucose fermentation. The DNA G + C content was 34.4 mol%. As determined by 16S rRNA sequence analysis, this organism belonged to the genus Thermoanaerobacterium. On the basis of the physiological and molecular properties, we propose for strain Buff the new species designation Thermoanaerobacterium thermostercus sp. nov. This novel organism represents the first species of the genus Thermoanaerobacterium isolated from buffalo-dung. The type strain is Buff (=DSM 22141 = ATCC BAA-1776).     

Halobellus ruber sp. nov., a deep red-pigmented extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a Korean solar saltern

A novel halophilic archaeon, strain MBLA0160^T, was isolated from a solar saltern in Sorae, Republic of Korea. The cells are deep-red pigmented, Gram-negative, rod shaped, motile, and lysed in distilled water. The strain MBLA0160^T grew at 25–45 °C (optimum 37 °C), in 15–30% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 20%) and 0.1–1.0 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.3–0.5 M) at pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum 7.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA sequence showed that this strain was related to two species within the genus Halobellus (Hbs.), with 98.4% and 95.8% similarity to Hbs. salinus CSW2.24.4 ^T and Hbs. clavatus TNN18^T, respectively. The major polar lipids of the strain MBLA160^T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate, and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester. The genome size, G?+?C content, and N50 value of MBLA0160^T were 3.49 Mb, 66.5 mol%, and 620,127 bp, respectively. According to predicted functional proteins of strain MBLA0160^T, the highest category was amino acid transport and metabolism. Genome rapid annotation showed that amino acid and derivatives was the most subsystem feature counts. Pan-genomic analysis showed that strain MBLA0160^T had 97 annotated unique KEGG, which were mainly included metabolism and environmental information processing. Ortholog average nucleotide identities (OrthoANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH) values between the strain MBLA0160^T and other strains of the genus Halobellus were under 84,4% and 28.1%, respectively. The genome of strain MBLA0160^T also contain the biosynthetic gene cluster for C₅₀ carotenoid as secondary metabolite. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic properties, and comparative genomic analyses, strain MBLA0160^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halobellus, for which the name Halobellus ruber sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MBLA0160^T (=?KCTC 4291 ^T?=?JCM 34172 ^T).

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas hunanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

A novel Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, non spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 083058^T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0–8% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5–3%) at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 5–35°C (optimum, 25–30°C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 083058^T fell within the cluster comprising species of the genus Sphingomonas, clustering with Sphingomonas aestuarii K4^T, with which it shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.2%). The chemotaxonomic properties of strain JSM 083058^T were consistent with those of the genus Sphingomonas. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10, and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c), C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c) and C17:1ω6c. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 083058^T was 65.5 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 083058^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 083058^T (=CCTCC AA 209011^T = DSM 22213^T).