<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alkaliphilus peptidofermentans</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new alkaliphilic bacterial soda lake isolate capable of peptide fermentation and Fe(III) reduction

A novel strain, Z-7036, of anaerobic spore-forming bacteria was isolated from a cellulolytic consortium obtained from the bottom sediments of the low-mineralization soda lake Verkhnee Beloe (Buryatia). The cells of the new strain are short motile gram-positive rods, 1.1–3.0 × 0.25–0.4 μm. The organism is an aerotolerant anaerobe and obligate alkaliphile growing within the pH range of 7.5–9.7 with an optimum at pH 9.1. The strain is mesophilic and halotolerant and grows at NaCl concentrations from 0 to 50 g/l with an optimum at 20 g/l. Carbonates are required. The microorganism ferments peptone, yeast extract, trypticase, tryptone, Bacto Soytone, meat extract, Casamino acids, ornithine, arginine, threonine, and tryptophan. The strain hydrolyzes the bacterial preparations “Gaprin” and “Spirulina”. Acetate and formate are the major fermentation products. The strain reduces amorphous ferric hydroxide (AFH), EDTA-Fe(III), anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (quinone), S₂O ₃ ^2? , fumarate, and crotonate. Major fatty acids are C_16:0, C1_6:1ω7c, iso-C₁₇, iso-C₁₅, and iso-C_17:1. The DNA G+C content is 33.8 ± 0.5 mol %. According to the results of the 16S rRNA gene analysis, strain Z-7036 belongs to the genus Alkaliphilus within the cluster XI of low G+C gram-positive bacteria of the family Clostridiaceae. The novel strain is closely related to A. transvaalensis SAGM1^T and A. crotonatoxidans B11-2^T (93.3 and 93.9% 16S rRNA sequence identities, respectively). On the basis of the existing genotypic and phenotypic differences, we propose that strain Z-7036 should be classified as a novel species Alkaliphilus peptidofermentans sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodobaca barguzinensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new alkaliphilic purple nonsulfur bacterium isolated from a soda lake of the Barguzin Valley (Buryat Republic,Eastern Siberia)

A novel strain, alga-05, of alkaliphilic purple nonsulfur bacteria was isolated from sediments of a small saline (60 g/l) soda lake near Lake Algin (Barguzin Valley, Buryat Republic, Russia). These bacteria contain bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the alternative spirilloxanthin group with predominating demethylspheroidenone. They are facultative anaerobes; their photosynthetic structures are of the vesicular type and arranged along the cell periphery. Growth of this strain is possible in a salinity range of 5–80 g/l NaCl, with an optimum at 20 g/l NaCl. Best growth occurred at 20–35°C. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the studied isolate is closely related to the alkaliphilic purple nonsulfur bacterium Rhodobaca bogoriensis (99% similarity) isolated from soda lakes of the African Rift Zone. According to the results of DNA-DNA hybridization, strain alga-05 has a 52% similarity with the type species of the genus Rhodobaca. On the basis of the obtained genotypic data and some phenotypic properties (dwelling in a hypersaline soda lake of Siberia, moderate halophily, ability to grow at relatively low temperatures, etc.), the isolated strain of purple bacteria was described as a new species of the genus Rhodobaca, Rca. barguzinensis sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas mongoliensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas kenyensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., new haloalkaliphilic denitrifiers capable of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O reduction,isolated from soda lakes

In the course of the search for N₂O-utilizing microorganisms, two novel strains of haloalkaliphilic denitrifying bacteria, Z-7009 and AIR-2, were isolated from soda lakes of Mongolia and Kenya. These microorganisms are true alkaliphiles and grow in the pH ranges of 8.0–10.5 and 7.5–10.6, respectively. They are facultative anaerobes with an oxidative type of metabolism, able to utilize a wide range of organic substrates and reduce nitrate, nitrous oxide, and, to a lesser extent, nitrite to gaseous nitrogen. They can oxidize sulfide in the presence of acetate as the carbon source and nitrous oxide (strain Z-7009) or nitrate (strain AIR-2) as the electron acceptor. The strains require Na⁺ ions. They grow at 0.16–2.2 M Na⁺ (Z-7009) and 0.04–2.2 M Na⁺ (AIR-2) in the medium. The G+C contents of the DNA of strains Z-7009 and AIR-2 are 67.9 and 65.5 mol %, respectively. According to the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA-DNA hybridization, as well as on the basis of physiological properties, the strains were classified as new species of the genus Halomonas: Halomonas mongoliensis, with the type strain Z-7009^T (=DSM 17332, =VKM B2353), and Halomonas kenyensis, with the type strain AIR-2^T (=DSM 17331, =VKM B2354).     

Geoalkalibacter ferrihydriticus gen. nov. sp. nov., the first alkaliphilic representative of the family Geobacteraceae, isolated from a soda lake

Investigation of iron reduction in bottom sediments of alkaline soda lakes resulted in the isolation of a new obligately anaerobic iron-reducing bacterium, strain Z-0531, from Lake Khadyn (Tuva, Russia) sediment samples. The cells of strain Z-0531 are short (1.0–1.5 by 0.3–0.5 μm), motile, non-spore-forming, gram-negative rods. The isolate is an obligate alkaliphile, developing in the pH range of 7.8–10.0, with an optimum at pH 8.6. It does not require NaCl but grows at NaCl concentrations of 0–50 g/l. It can oxidize acetate with such electron acceptors as amorphous Fe(III) hydroxide (AFH), EDTA-Fe(III), anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (quinone), Mn(IV), and S⁰. On medium with EDTA-Fe(III), the isolate can oxidize, apart from acetate, ethanol, pyruvate, oxalate, arginine, tartrate, lactate, propionate, and serine. H₂ is not utilized. The reduced products formed during growth with AFH are siderite or magnetite, depending on the growth conditions. The isolate is incapable of fermenting sugars, peptides, and amino acids. Yeast extract or vitamins are required as growth factors. The organism is capable of dinitrogen fixation and harbors the nifH gene. The DNA G+C content is 55.3 mol %. 16S rRNA analysis places strain Z-0531 into the family Geobacteraceae. Its closest relative (93% similarity) is Desulfuromonas palmitatis. Based on phenotypic distinctions and phylogenetic position, it is proposed that this strain be assigned to the new genus and species Geoalkalibacter ferrihydriticus gen. nov., sp. nov. (Z-0531^T-DSMZ-17813-VKMB-2401). Original Russian Text ? D.G. Zavarzina, T.V. Kolganova, E.S. Boulygina, N.A. Kostrikina, T.P. Tourova, G.A. Zavarzin, 2006, published in Mikrobiologiya, 2006, Vol. 75, No. 6, pp. 775–785.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Roseococcus suduntuyensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new aerobic bacteriochlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>-containing bacterium isolated from a low-mineralized soda lake of Eastern Siberia

A novel strain, SHET, of aerobic bacteriochlorophyll a-containing bacteria was isolated from the surface layer of bottom sediments from the soda lake Shuluutai-Ekhe-Torom (Chita oblast, Eastern Siberia, Russia). The lake water has a total mineralization of 30 g/l and a pH of 9.2. The cells of strain SHET are cocci or short rods, which reproduce by uniform division. The cells are motile by means of flagella. The cell wall structure is of the gram-negative type. Sparse intracytoplasmic membrane vesicles are located close to the cell wall. The new isolate is an obligate aerobe and facultative alkaliphile which grows in a pH range of 7.5–9.5 (with an optimum at pH 8.5–9.0). The best growth of strain SHET occurred at 2.0 g/l NaCl and 23–28°C. Photosynthetic pigments are represented by bacteriochlorophyll a, with the maximum absorption at 865 nm in the in vivo spectrum, and carotenoids (spirilloxanthin derivatives). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain SHET is closely related to Roseococcus thiosulfatophilus of the α-1 subclass of Proteobacteria (98.6 % similarity). The DNA G+C base content is 69.1 mol %. Unlike Rsc. thiosulfatophilus, strain SHET grows well on sugars and glycerol and is not capable of utilizing thiosulfate as an energy source. The new isolate is a facultative alkaliphile and reduces nitrates to nitrites. On the basis of its phenotypic and genetic characteristics, strain SHET was described as a new species of the genus Roseococcus, Rsc. suduntuyensis sp. nov.     

The new alkaliphilic bacteriochlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>-containing bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Roseinatronobacter monicus</Emphasis> sp. nov. from the hypersaline Soda Mono Lake (California,United States)

Two strains of pink-colored aerobic bacteriochlorophyll a-containing bacteria were isolated from aerobic (strain ROS 10) and anaerobic (strain ROS 35) zones of the water column of Mono Lake (California, United States). Cells of the bacteria were nonmotile oval gram-negative rods multiplying by binary fission by means of a constriction. No intracellular membranes were detected. Polyphosphates and poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid were the storage compounds. Pigments were represented by bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spheroidene series. The strains were obligately aerobic, mesophilic (temperature optimum of 25–30°C), alkaliphilic (pH optimum of 8.5–9.5), and moderately halophilic (optimal NaCl concentration of 40 g/l). They were obligately heterotrophic and grew aerobically in the dark and in the light. Respiration was inhibited by light at wavelengths corresponding to the absorption of the cellular pigments. The substrate utilization spectra were strain-specific. In the course of organotrophic growth, the bacteria could oxidize thiosulfate to sulfate; sulfide and polysulfide could also be oxidized. The DNA G+C content was 59.4 mol % in strain ROS 10 and 59 mol % in strain ROS 35. In their phenotypic properties, the new strains were close but not identical to the alkaliphilic bacterium Roseinatronobacter thiooxidans. The distinctions in the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA genes (2%) and low DNA-DNA hybridization level with Rna. thiooxidans (22–25%) allow the new strains to be assigned to a new species of the genus Roseinatronobacter, Roseinatronobacter monicus sp. nov. with the type strain ROS 35^T (=UNIQEM U-251^T = VKM B-2404^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alkalimonas amylolytica</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Alkalimonas delamerensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., novel alkaliphilic bacteria from soda lakes in China and East Africa

Two related novel alkaliphilic and slightly halophilic bacteria are described. They are strain N10 from Lake Chahannor in China and strain 1E1 from Lake Elmenteita in East Africa. Both strains are strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, alkaliphilic, mesophilic, and require NaCl for growth. The optimal conditions for growth were at pH 10–10.5 and 2–3% (w/v) NaCl. Cells of both strains were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, and motile with a single polar flagellum. Cellular fatty acids in both strains were predominantly saturated and mono-unsaturated straight-chain fatty acids (16:0, 16:17c and 18:17c). The major isoprenoid quinone of both strains was Q8. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate and phosphatidylethanolamine. The guanine plus cytosine (G+C) content of the DNA was 52.5 mol% and 55.4 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two strains formed a distinct lineage within the gamma-3 subclass of the Proteobacteria. The strains shared a 16S rDNA sequence similarity of 96.1% and showed less than 93.7% of sequence similarity to any other known species. Based on polyphasic data, the two strains were differentiated from currently recognized genera and represent a new genus, Alkalimonas gen. nov., with two species, Alkalimonas amylolytica sp. nov. (type strain is N10^T = AS 1.3430) and Alkalimonas delamerensis sp. nov. ( type strain is 1E1^{P, T} = CBS 391.94). The GenBank accession numbers for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strains N10 and 1E1 are AF250323 and X92130, respectively.Communicated by K. Horikoshi     

Novel chemolithotrophic,thermophilic, anaerobic bacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermolithobacter ferrireducens</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermolithobacter carboxydivorans</Emphasis> sp. nov.

Three thermophilic strains of chemolithoautotrophic Fe(III)-reducers were isolated from mixed sediment and water samples (JW/KA-1 and JW/KA-2(T): Calcite Spring, Yellowstone N.P., WY, USA; JW/JH-Fiji-2: Savusavu, Vanu Levu, Fiji). All were Gram stain positive rods (approximately 0.5 x 1.8 microm). Cells occurred singly or in V-shaped pairs, and they formed long chains in complex media. All utilized H(2) to reduce amorphous iron (III) oxide/hydroxide to magnetite at temperatures from 50 to 75 degrees C (opt. approximately 73 degrees C). Growth occurred within the pH(60C) range of 6.5-8.5 (opt. pH(60C) 7.1-7.3). Magnetite production by resting cells occurred at pH(60C) 5.5-10.3 (opt. 7.3). The iron (III) reduction rate was 1.3 mumol Fe(II) produced x h(-1) x ml(-1) in a culture with 3 x 10(7) cells, one of the highest rates reported. In the presence or absence of H(2), JW/KA-2(T) did not utilize CO. The G + C content of the genomic DNA of the type strain is 52.7 +/- 0.3 mol%. Strains JW/KA-1 and JW/KA-2(T) each contain two different 16S rRNA gene sequences. The 16S rRNA gene sequences from JW/KA-1, JW/KA-2(T), or JW/JH-Fiji-2 possessed >99% similarity to each other but also 99% similarity to the 16S rRNA gene sequence from the anaerobic, thermophilic, hydrogenogenic CO-oxidizing bacterium 'Carboxydothermus restrictus' R1. DNA-DNA hybridization between strain JW/KA-2(T) and strain R1(T) yielded 35% similarity. Physiological characteristics and the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strains represent two novel species and are placed into the novel genus Thermolithobacter within the phylum 'Firmicutes'. In addition, the levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the lineage containing the Thermolithobacter and well-established members of the three existing classes of the 'Firmicutes' is less than 85%. Therefore, Thermolithobacter is proposed to constitute the first genus within a novel class of the 'Firmicutes', Thermolithobacteria. The Fe(III)-reducing Thermolithobacter ferrireducens gen. nov., sp. nov. is designated as the type species with strain JW/KA-2(T) (ATCC 700985(T), DSM 13639(T)) as its type strain. Strain R1(T) is the type strain for the hydrogenogenic, CO-oxidizing Thermolithobacter carboxydivorans sp. nov. (DSM 7242(T), VKM 2359(T)).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida kashinagacola</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. pseudovanderkliftii</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. vanderkliftii</Emphasis> sp. nov., three new yeasts from ambrosia beetle-associated sources

Three new yeast species, Candida kashinagacola (JCM 15019(T) = CBS 10903(T)), C. pseudovanderkliftii (JCM 15025(T) = CBS 10904(T)), and C. vanderkliftii (JCM 15029(T) = CBS 10905(T)) are described on the basis of comparison of nucleotide sequences of large subunit ribosomal DNA D1/D2 region (LSU rDNA D1/D2). The nearest assigned species of the three new species was Candida llanquihuensis. Candida kashinagacola and C. pseudovanderkliftii differed from C. llanquihuensis by 3.8% nucleotide substitution of the region, while C. vanderkliftii did by 4.4%. Three new species differed in a number of physiological and growth characteristics from any previously assigned species and from one another. A phylogenetic tree based on the sequences of LSU rDNA D1/D2 showed that these new species together with Candida sp. ST-246, Candida sp. JW01-7-11-1-4-y2, Candida sp. BG02-7-20-001A-2-1 and C. llanquihuensis form a clade near Ambrosiozyma species. The new species did not assimilate methanol as a sole source of carbon, which supported the monophyly of these non methanol-assimilating species which are closely related to the methylotrophic yeasts. Candida kashinagacola was frequently isolated from the beetle galleries of Platypus quercivorus in three different host trees (Quercus serrata, Q. laurifolia and Castanopsis cuspidata) located in the sourthern part of Kyoto, Japan, thus indicating that this species may be a primary ambrosia fungus of P. quercivorus. On the other hand, C. pseudovanderkliftii and C. vanderkliftii were isolated only from beetle galleries in Q. laurifolia. Candida vanderkliftii was isolated from beetle gallery of Platypus lewisi as well as those of P. quercivorus. Candida pseudovanderkliftii and C. vanderkliftii are assumed to be auxiliary ambrosia fungi of P. quercivorus.     

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

A non-motile and rod shaped bacterium, designated strain B1(T), was isolated from forest soil at Mt. Baekwoon, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-negative, catalase-positive, and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acids were 9-octadecenoic acid (C(18:1) omega9c; 42%) and hexadecanoic acid (C(16:0); 25.9%) and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and/or C(16:1) omega7c; 10.0%). The DNA G+C content was 44.1 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain B1(T) formed a lineage within the genus Acinetobacter and was closely related to A. baylyi DSM 14961(T) (98.6% sequence similarity), followed by A. baumannii DSM 30007(T) (97.4%), A. calcoaceticus DSM 30006(T) (97.0%) and 3 genomic species (96.8 approximately 7.6%). Phenotypic characteristics, gyrB gene sequence analysis and DNA-DNA relatedness data distinguished strain B1(T) from type strains of A. baylyi, A. baumannii, and A. calcoaceticus. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain B1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B1(T) (= KCTC 22184(T)= JCM 15062(T)).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichomonascus petasosporus</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sympodiomyces indianaensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., two new members of the Saccharomycetales

Two new yeasts are described that were recognized as novel from nucleotide divergence in domains D1/D2 of 26S rDNA. The new species and their type strains are the following: Trichomonascus petasosporus NRRL YB-2092T (CBS 9602T), mating type a, NRRL YB-2093 (CBS 9603), mating type alpha, and Sympodiomyces indianaensis NRRL YB-1950T (CBS 9600T). Phylogenetic analysis placed the two new taxa, which are sister species, in the Sympodiomyces clade near Blastobotrys/Stephanoascus farinosus. Placement of Trichomonascus in the Saccharomycetales resolves the earlier uncertainties surrounding the classification of this morphologically unusual genus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces serianimatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a rhizophere soil

A novel actinomycete strain, designated YIM 45720^T, was isolated from a Cephalotaxus fortunei rhizophere soil sample collected from Yunnan Province, southwest China. The strain formed well-differentiated aerial and substrate mycelia. Chemotaxonomically, it contained LL-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. The cell-wall sugars contained ribose, mannose, and galactose with traces of glucose and xylose. Phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. MK-9 (H₈) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids (>10%) were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:1 and anteiso-C_15:0. The G + C content of the DNA was 70 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis data based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain YIM 45720^T formed a distinct branch with the type strain of Streptomyces scabrisporus JCM 11712^T within the genus Streptomyces. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YIM 45720^T (=DSM 41883^T = CCTCC AA 206006^T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Streptomyces serianimatus sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium matuoi</Emphasis> sp. nov. and its teleomorph <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cosmospora matuoi</Emphasis> sp. nov.

A group of Fusarium isolates from slime flux similar to F. aquaeductuum produced unique, strongly curved, aseptate, C-shaped conidia. They were found to be identical to F. splendens nom. nud. Dried specimens from which F. splendens was originally isolated were reexamined and characterized as a new species of Cosmospora. Cosmospora matuoi sp. nov. is proposed for the teleomorph, and Fusarium matuoi sp. nov. is proposed for its anamorph.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thiocapsa imhoffii</Emphasis>, sp. nov., an alkaliphilic purple sulfur bacterium of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chromatiaceae</Emphasis> from Soap Lake,Washington (USA)

An alkaliphilic purple sulfur bacterium, strain SC5, was isolated from Soap Lake, a soda lake located in east central Washington state (USA). Cells of strain SC5 were gram-negative, non-motile, and non-gas vesiculate cocci, often observed in pairs or tetrads. In the presence of sulfide, elemental sulfur was deposited internally. Liquid cultures were pink to rose red in color. Cells contained bacteriochlorophyll a and spirilloxanthin as major photosynthetic pigments. Internal photosynthetic membranes were of the vesicular type. Optimal growth of strain SC5 occurred in the absence of NaCl (range 0–4%), pH 8.5 (range pH 7.5–9.5), and 32°C. Photoheterotrophic growth occurred in the presence of sulfide or thiosulfate with only a limited number of organic carbon sources. Growth factors were not required, and cells could fix N₂. Dark, microaerobic growth occurred in the presence of both an organic carbon source and thiosulfate. Sulfide and thiosulfate served as electron donors for photoautotrophy, which required elevated levels of CO₂. Phylogenetic analysis placed strain SC5 basal to the clade of the genus Thiocapsa in the family Chromatiaceae with a 96.7% sequence similarity to its closest relative, Thiocapsa roseopersicina strain 1711^T (DSM217^T). The unique assemblage of physiological and phylogenetic properties of strain SC5 defines it as a new species of the genus Thiocapsa, and we describe strain SC5 herein as Tca. imhoffii, sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Luteimonas aestuarii</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment

A novel bacterium B9^T was isolated from tidal flat sediment. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features, and 16S rRNA gene sequence were characterized. Colonies of this strain are yellow and the cells are Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and do not require NaCl for growth. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain B9^T is associated with the genus Lysobacter (≤ 97.2%), Xanthomonas (≤ 96.8%), Pseudomonas (≤ 96.7%), and Luteimonas (≤ 96.0%). However, within the phylogenetic tree, this novel strain shares a branching point with the species Luteimonas composti CC-YY255^T (96.0%). The DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed a DNA-DNA homology of 23.0% between strain B9^T and Luteimonas mephitis B1953/27.1^T. The G+C content of genomic DNA of the type strain is 64.7 mol% (SD, 1.1). The predominant fatty acids are iso-C_11:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0, iso-C_17:0 ω9c, and iso-C_11:0 3-OH. Combined analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, fatty acid profile, and results from physiological and biochemical tests indicated that there is genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from other Luteimonas species. For these reasons, strain B9^T was proposed as a novel species, named Luteimonas aestuarii. The type strain of the new species is B9^T (= KCTC 22048^T, DSM 19680^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas chromatireducens</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new denitrifying facultatively haloalkaliphilic bacterium from solonchak soil capable of aerobic chromate reduction

A heterotrophic bacterial strain AGD 8-3 capable of denitrification under extreme haloalkaline conditions was isolated from soda solonchak soils of the Kulunda steppe (Russia). The strain was classified within the genus Halomonas. According to the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Halomonas axialensis, H. meridiana, and H. aquamarina are most closely related to strain AGD 8-3 (96.6% similarity). Similar to other members of the genus, the strain can grow within a wide range of salinity and pH. The strain was found to be capable of aerobic reduction of chromate and selenite on mineral media at 160 g/l salinity and pH 9.5–10. The relatively low level of phylogenetic similarity and the phenotypic characteristics supported classification of strain AGD 8-3 as a new species Halomonas chromatireducens.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Natronoflexus pectinivorans</Emphasis> gen. nov. sp. nov., an obligately anaerobic and alkaliphilic fermentative member of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacteroidetes</Emphasis> from soda lakes

Anaerobic enrichment with pectin at pH 10 and moderate salinity inoculated with sediments from soda lakes of the Kulunda Steppe (Altai, Russia) resulted in the isolation of a novel member of the Bacteroidetes, strain AP1^T. The cells are long, flexible, Gram-negative rods forming pink carotenoids. The isolate is an obligate anaerobe, fermenting various carbohydrates to acetate and succinate. It can hydrolyze and utilize pectin, xylan, starch, laminarin and pullulan as growth substrates. Growth is possible in a pH range from 8 to 10.5, with an optimum at pH 9.5, and at a salinity range from 0.1 to 2 M Na⁺. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA sequences placed the isolate into the phylum Bacteroidetes as a separate lineage within the family Marinilabilaceae. On the basis of distinct phenotype and phylogeny, the soda lake isolate AP1^T is proposed to be assigned in a new genus and species Natronoflexus pectinivorans (=DSM24179^T = UNIQEM U807^T).     

<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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Strobilomyces verruculosus</Emphasis> sp. nov. from Japan

A new species, Strobilomyces verruculosus, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically distinct from other species of Strobilomyces by having a verruculose pileus with small subpyramidal scales, a long and thick stipe with small warty to appressed scales, subdecurrent tubes, and incompletely reticulate basidiospores. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 3 (cox3) gene support that it belongs to the genus Strobilomyces and is highly differentiated from the other members of this genus found in Japan.     

Influence of salts and pH on growth and activity of a novel facultatively alkaliphilic,extremely salt-tolerant,obligately chemolithoautotrophic sufur-oxidizing Gammaproteobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thioalkalibacter halophilus</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov. from South-Western Siberian soda lakes

A chemolithoautotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium (SOB) strain ALCO 1 capable of growing at both near-neutral and extremely alkaline pH was isolated from hypersaline soda lakes in S-W Siberia (Altai, Russia). Strain ALCO 1 represents a novel separate branch within the halothiobacilli in the Gammaproteobacteria, which, so far, contained only neutro-halophilic SOB. On the basis of its unique phenotypic properties and distant phylogeny, strain ALCO 1 is proposed as a new genus and species Thioalkalibacter halophilus gen. nov. sp. nov. ALCO 1 was able to grow within a broad range of salinity (0.5–3.5 M of total sodium) with an optimum at around 1 M Na⁺, and pH (7.2–10.2, pH_opt at around 8.5). Na⁺ was required for sulfur-dependent respiration in ALCO 1. The neutral (NaCl)-grown chemostat culture had a much lower maximum growth rate (μ_max), respiratory activity and total cytochrome c content than its alkaline-grown counterpart. The specific concentration of osmolytes (ectoine and glycine-betaine) produced at neutral pH and 3 M NaCl was roughly two times higher than at pH 10 in soda. Altogether, strain ALCO 1 represents an interesting chemolithoautotrophic model organism for comparative investigations of bacterial adaptations to high salinity and pH. Nucleotide sequence accession number: The GenBank/EMBL accession number of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain ALCO1^T is EU124668.