Halorubrum halophilum sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a salt-fermented seafood

A novel, red-pigmented, pleomorphic and short rod-shaped haloarchaeon, designated B8^T, was isolated from a salt-fermented seafood. Strain B8^T was found to be able to grow at 20–45 °C, in the presence of 15–30 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.0–9.0. The optimum requirements were found to be a temperature range of 35–40 °C, pH 8.0 and the presence of 25 % NaCl. The cells of strain B8^T were observed to be Gram-staining negative and lysed in distilled water. Anaerobic growth did not occur in the presence of nitrate, l-arginine, dimethyl sulfoxide or trimethylamine N-oxide. The catalase and oxidase activities were found to be positive and nitrate was reduced in aerobic conditions. Tween 20, 40 and 80 were found to be hydrolyzed, whereas casein, gelatin and starch were not hydrolyzed. Indole or H₂S was not formed and urease activity was not detected. A phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain B8^T is most closely related to members of the genus Halorubrum in the family Halobacteriaceae. Strain B8^T was found to have three 16S rRNA genes, rrnA, rrnB and rrnC; similarities between the 16S rRNA gene sequences are 99.0–99.8 %. Strain B8^T shared 99.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Halorubrum (Hrr.) lipolyticum JCM 13559^T and Hrr. saccharovorum DSM 1137^T, 98.8 % with Hrr. kocurii JCM 14978^T, 98.3 % with Hrr. lacusprofundi DSM 5036^T, 98.0 % with Hrr. arcis JCM 13916^T, 97.7 % with Hrr. aidingense JCM 13560^T and 97.0 % with Hrr. aquaticum JCM 14031^T, as well as 93.7–96.5 % with other type strains in the genus Halorubrum. The RNA polymerase subunit B′ gene sequence similarity of strain B8^T with Hrr. kocurii JCM 14978^T is 97.2 % and lower with other members of the genus Halorubrum. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed that strain B8^T shared equal or lower than 50 % relatedness with reference species in the genus Halorubrum. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain B8^T was determined to be 64.6 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone of strain B8^T was identified as menaquinone-8 and the major polar lipids as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate, sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether and an unidentified phospholipid. Based on this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain B8^T is considered to represent a new species in the genus Halorubrum, for which the name Hrr. halophilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B8^T (=JCM 18963^T = CECT 8278^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas jejuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from marine sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymeniacidon flavia</Emphasis>

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod shaped, and orange-pigmented chemoheterotrophic bacterium, strain MS-31^T was isolated from the marine sponge Hymeniacidon flavia, collected from near Jeju Island, Korea. The Strain MS-31^T was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate could be affiliated within the genus Sphingomonas. The strain MS-31^T showed 95.6% of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the most closely related species Sphingomonas koreensis JSS26^T. The DNA G+C content of the strain MS-31^T was 69.4 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiqunone 10 and predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 7 (comprising C_18:1 ω7c, C_18:1 Ω9t and/or C_18:1 ωl2t, 39.7%), C_16:0 (16.3%), C_14:0 2OH (15.9%) and summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_15:0 iso 2OH, 11.7%). The polar lipids were sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidyletha-nolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipid. Based on the evidence from the polyphasic taxonomic study, the strain should be classified as a new species of the genus Sphingomonas. As a result, the name Sphingomonas jejuensis sp. nov. (type strain MS-31^T =KCTC 23321^T =NBRC 107775^T) is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nocardioides islandiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil in Bigeum Island Korea

A novel actinobacterium designated as MSL-26^T was isolated from soil in Bigeum Island Korea. A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic position of isolate MSL-26^T. Strain MSL-26^T was found to have chemical and morphological characteristics similar to Nocardioides. The strain grew optimally at pH 7·5 and 28°C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MSL-26^T forms a distinct line of descent within the radiation enclosed by the genus Nocardioides. The cell wall of strain MSL-26^T contained LL-2, 6-diaminopimelic acid. The principal menaquinone was MK-8 (H₄). The phospholipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and some unidentified lipids. C_18:1 w7c (50.38%) was the major fatty acid. The DNA G + C content of strain MSL-26^T was 71.4 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MSL-26^T shares the highest sequence similarity with Nocardioides kribbensis KCTC 19038^T (95.78%) and Nocardioides aquaticus DSM 11439^T (95.52%). Based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomical data presented in this study, strain MSL-26^T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides islandiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MSL-26^T (=KCTC 19275^T =DSM 19321^T)     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cohnella ferri</Emphasis> sp. nov. A Novel Member of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cohnella</Emphasis> Isolated from Haematite Ore

The taxonomic position of a Gram-positive, endo-spore forming bacterium isolated from a haematite ore sample was analyzed by a polyphasic approach. The strain designated as HIO-4^T matched most of the phenotypic and chemical characteristics of the genus Cohnella and represents a novel species. The sequence of the almost complete 16S rRNA (1489 bases) was compared with those of previously studied Cohnella type strains and confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Cohnella. Strain HIO-4^T differs from all other species of Cohnella by at least 3.9% at the 16S rRNA level and the moderately related species are Cohnella phaseoli (96.1%) and Cohnella yongneupensis (96.1%), respectively. Predominant polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE); few unknown phospholipids, mannose containing lipid, aminophospholipid and aminophosphoglycolipids. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed the genotypic and phenotypic distinctiveness of strain HIO-4^T with its phylogenetic relatives and suggest that the strain HIO-4^T should be recognized as a novel species, for which the name Cohnella ferri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HIO-4^T (=MTCC 8365^T = JCM 16139^T)     

Halorubrum salinum sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern

The halophilic archaeal strain GX71^T was isolated from the Gangxi marine solar saltern near the Weihai city of Shandong Province, China. Cells of the strain were pleomorphic and lysed in distilled water, stained Gram-negative and formed red-pigmented colonies. Strain GX71^T was able to grow at 25–45 °C (optimum 30 °C), in the presence of 1.7–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 2.6 M NaCl), with 0.005–0.7 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.05 M MgCl₂) and at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5). Cells lysed in distilled water and the minimal NaCl concentration to prevent cell lysis was 10 % (w/v). The major polar lipids of the strain were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate, one major glycolipid chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-DGD-3) and an unidentified lipid was also detected. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain GX71^T showed 94.0–97.0 % similarity to members of the genus Halorubrum of the family Halobacteriaceae. The rpoB′ gene sequence of strain GX71^T was 87.3–93.4 % similarity to current members of the genus Halorubrum. The DNA G+C content of GX71^T was 67.1 mol%. Strain GX71^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with Halorubrum lipolyticum CGMCC 1.5332^T, Halorubrum saccharovorum CGMCC 1.2147^T, Halorubrum kocurii CGMCC 1.7018^T and Halorubrum arcis CGMCC 1.5343^T, the most closely related members of the genus Halorubrum. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain GX71^T represents a novel species of the genus Halorubrum, for which the name Halorubrum salinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GX71^T (= CGMCC 1.10458^T = JCM 17093^T).     

Bacillus locisalis sp. nov., a new haloalkaliphilic species from hypersaline and alkaline lakes of China, Kenya and Tanzania

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on seven Bacillus-like bacteria isolated from three hypersaline and alkaline lakes located in China, Kenya and Tanzania. All strains were moderately halophilic and alkaliphilic, Gram positive, motile rods. The DNA G+C content from the seven isolates ranged from 42.2 to 43.4 mol% and their major fatty acid was anteiso-C_15:0. Strain CG1^T, selected as representative strain of the isolates, possesses meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan, MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolates belonged to the genus Bacillus. The seven isolates shared 97.7–99.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, and formed a branch that was distinct from the type strains of the recognized species of the genus Bacillus. They were most closely related to Bacillus agaradhaerens DSM 8721^T (92.6–93.8% 16S rRNA sequence similarity). DNA–DNA hybridization values between the seven isolates were 85–100%. According to the polyphasic characterization, the strains represent a novel species, for which the name Bacillus locisalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CG1^T (CCM 7370^T = CECT 7152^T = CGMCC 1.6286^T = DSM 18085^T).     

<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).     

Cohnella boryungensis sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-staining positive, endospore-forming, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, BR-29^T, was isolated from soil from west coast of the Korean peninsula, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic study. Strain BR-29^T grew optimally at around pH 7.5, at 30°C and in the presence of 0.5% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BR-29^T fell into a clade comprising the type strains of Cohnella species, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 92.8–96.4%. Strain BR-29^T contained a cell wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:0 and iso-C_16:0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysylphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified phospholipids; a minor amount of phosphatidylglycerol was present. The DNA G+C content was 54.9 mol%. Strain BR-29^T could be differentiated from phylogenetically related Cohnella species by differences in phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BR-29^T represents a novel species of the genus Cohnella, for which the name Cohnella boryungensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is BR-29^T (= KCTC 13735^T = CCUG 59598^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter halodurans</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new halotolerant bacterium isolated from sea water

A novel Gram-positive, halotolerant, non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078085^T, was isolated from sea water collected from the South China Sea. Strain JSM 078085^T exhibited a rod-coccus growth cycle and produced a yellow pigment. The strain was able to grow in the presence of 0–12% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0–9.5 and 4–35°C; optimum growth was observed at pH 7.0 and 25–30°C in the absence of NaCl. The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–l-Ala–l-Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained galactose and glucose. Strain JSM 078085^T contained menaquinone MK-9(H₂) as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0 and the DNA G + C content was 63.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 078085^T should be assigned to the genus Arthrobacter, being most closely related to the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi (sequence similarity 97.1%), and the two strains formed a distinct lineage in the phylogenetic tree. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 078085^T and the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi was 10.6%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078085^T represents a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter halodurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078085^T (=DSM 21081^T=KCTC 19430^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 078085^T is EU583729.     

Natronorubrum texcoconense sp. nov., a haloalkaliphilic archaeon isolated from soil of the former lake Texcoco (Mexico)

A new haloalkaliphilic archaeon, strain B4^T, was isolated from the former lake Texcoco in Mexico. The cells were Gram-negative, pleomorphic-shaped, pink to red pigmented and aerobic. Strain B4^T required at least 2.5 M NaCl for growth, with optimum growth at 3.4 M NaCl. It was able to grow over a pH range of 7.5–10.0 and temperature of 25–50 °C, with optimal growth at pH 9 and 37 °C. Cells are lysed in hypotonic treatment with less than 1.3 M NaCl. The major polar lipids of strain B4^T were phosphatidylglycerol and methyl-phosphatidylglycerophosphate. Phospholipids were detected, but not glycolipids. The nucleotide sequence of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the strain B4^T was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Natronorubrum. Sequence similarity with Natronorubrum tibetense was 96.28 %, with Natronorubrum sulfidifaciens 95.06 % and Natronorubrum sediminis 94.98 %. The G+C content of the DNA was 63.3 mol%. The name of Natronorubrum texcoconense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B4^T (=CECT 8067^T = JCM 17497^T).     

Halobellus litoreus sp. nov., a Halophilic Archaeon Isolated from a Chinese Marine Solar Saltern

Halophilic archaeal strain GX31^T was isolated from a marine solar saltern of China. The cells of the strain were rod-shaped and lysed in distilled water, stain Gram-negative and formed red-pigmented colonies. It was neutrophilic, and required at least 0.9 M NaCl and 0–1.0 M MgCl₂ for growth under the optimum growth temperature of 37 °C. The major polar lipids of the strain were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), PG phosphate methyl ester, PG sulphate, and two major glycolipids chromatographically identical to sulphated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-DGD-1) and mannosyl glucosyl diether (DGD-1), respectively. Trace amounts of two unidentified lipids were also detected. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain GX31^T was closely related to the members of Halobellus of the family Halobacteriaceae with similarities of 94.1–98.7 %. Strain GX31^T showed 89.8–95.4 % of the rpoB′ gene similarity to the members of Halobellus. The DNA G+C content of strain GX31^T was 66.8 mol%. Strain GX31^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with two most related members of the genus Halobellus. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain GX31^T represent a novel species of the genus Halobellus, for which the name Halobellus litoreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GX31^T (=CGMCC 1.10387^T = JCM 17118^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Panacagrimonas perspica</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gammaproteobacteria</Emphasis> isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A taxonomic study was carried out on Gsoil 142^T, a bacterial strain isolated from the soil collected in a ginseng field in Pocheon province, South Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of this bacterium to the Gammaproteobacteria, and it was most closely related to Hydrocarboniphaga effusa ATCC BAA 332^T (94.4%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Nevskia ramosa DSM 11499^T (94.1%) and Alkanibacter difficilis MN154.3^T (92.0%). Strain Gsoil 142^T was a Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped bacterium. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.9% and predominant ubiquinone was Q-8. Major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or ω6c, 36.3%), summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c, 20.6%) and C_16:0 (17.4%). The major polar lipids detected in strain Gsoil 142^T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and an unknown glycolipid. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, it is proposed that strain Gsoil 142^T should be placed in a novel genus and species, for which the name Panacagrimonas perspica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gsoil 142^T (= KCTC 12982^T = LMG 23239^T).     

Halorubrum rubrum sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from a Chinese salt lake

Two halophilic archaeal strains, YC87^T and YCA11, were isolated from Yuncheng salt lake in Shanxi, China. Cells of the two strains were observed to be pleomorphic rod-shaped, stained Gram-negative and produced red-pigmented colonies. Strain YC87^T was able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 1.4–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 2.1 M NaCl), at 0.05–1.0 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.3 M MgCl₂) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) while strain YCA11 was able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 2.1–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 3.1 M NaCl), at 0.01–0.7 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.1 M MgCl₂) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.5). The cells of both isolates were observed to lyse in distilled water. The minimum NaCl concentrations that prevented cell lysis were determined to be 8 % (w/v) for strain YC87^T and 12 % (w/v) for strain YCA11. The major polar lipids of the two strains were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and one major glycolipid chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether; another major glycolipid and trace amounts of several unidentified lipids were also detected. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains were 99.8 % identical, showing 93.2–98.2 % similarity to members of the genus Halorubrum of the family Halobacteriaceae. The rpoB′ gene similarity between strains YC87^T and YCA11 was 99.3 % and showed 87.5–95.2 % similarity to the closest relative members of the genus Halorubrum. The DNA G+C content of strains YC87^T and YCA11 were determined to be 64.9 and 64.5 mol%, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain YC20^T and strain YC77 was 87 % and the two strains showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with Halorubrum cibi JCM 15757^T and Halorubrum aquaticum CGMCC 1.6377^T, the most related members of the genus Halorubrum. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strains YC87^T and YCA11 represent a novel species of the genus Halorubrum, for which the name Halorubrum rubrum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC87^T (=CGMCC 1.12124^T = JCM 18365^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus camelliae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from fermented leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Camellia sinensis</Emphasis>

A novel bacterium, strain blls-2^T was isolated from Pu’er tea. The isolate was Gram-positive, endospore-forming motile rod that grew at 15∼42°C and pH 6.0∼10.2. The DNA G+C content was 48.3 mol%, the predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, and the predominant cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15:0 (54.2%) followed by C16:0 (15.5%) and iso-C16:0 (8.2%). The polar lipid pattern of blls-2^T was characterized by the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. Phy-logenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain was affiliated within the Paenibacillaceae. The strain was most closely related to Paenibacillus granivorans A30^T, with a similarity of 97.1%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics of strain blls-2^T, the isolate is thought to represent a novel taxon in the genus Paenibacillus. The name Paenibacillus camelliae sp. nov. is proposed for the fermented tea isolate; the type strain is blls-2^T (= KCTC 13220^T= CECT 7361^T).     

Roseovarius litoreus sp. nov., isolated from seawater of southern coast of Korean peninsula

A gram-negative, non-flagellated and ovoid- to rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated GSW-M15^T, was isolated from seawater on the southern coast of South Korea. Strain GSW-M15^T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. The phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain GSW-M15^T belonged to the genus Roseovarius. Strain GSW-M15^T exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values (98.3 and 97.5 %) to Roseovarius halotolerans HJ50^T and Roseovarius pacificus 81-2^T and 92.8-96.2 % sequence similarity values to the type strains of the other Roseovarius species. Strain GSW-M15^T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C_18:1 ω7c and 11-methyl-C_18:1 ω7c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain GSW-M15^T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain GSW-M15^T was 62.9 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness values with R. halotolerans KCTC 22224^T and R. pacificus LMG 24575^T were 33 and 18 %, respectively. Differential phenotypic properties of strain GSW-M15^T, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that this strain is distinguishable from other Roseovarius species. On the basis of the data presented here, strain GSW-M15^T (=KCTC 23897^T = CCUG 62218^T) represents a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius litoreus sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salicibibacter kimchii</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic and alkalitolerant bacterium in the family Bacillaceae,isolated from kimchi

A moderately halophilic and alkalitolerant bacterial strain NKC1-1^T was isolated from commercial kimchi in Korea. Strain NKC1-1^T was Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and contained diaminopimelic acid-type murein. Cell growth was observed in a medium containing 0–25% (w/v) NaCl (optimal at 10% [w/v]), at 20–40°C (optimal at 37°C) and pH 6.5–10.0 (optimal at pH 9.0). The major isoprenoid quinone of the isolate was menaquinone-7, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified phospholipids. Cell membrane of the strain contained iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids. Its DNA G + C content was 45.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the strain to be most closely related to Geomicrobium halophilum with 92.7–92.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Based on polyphasic taxonomic evaluation with phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic analyses, the strain represents a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Salicibibacter kimchii gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed (= CECT 9537^T; KCCM 43276^T).     

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

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

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Calculibacillus koreensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic Fe(III)-reducing bacterium isolated from sediment of mine tailings

A strictly anaerobic bacterium, strain B5^T, was isolated from sediment of an abandoned coal mine in Taebaek, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain B5^T were non-spore-forming, straight, Gram-positive rods. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were pH 7.0 and 30°C, respectively, while the strain was able to grow within pH and temperature ranges of 5.5–7.5 and 25–45°C, respectively. Growth of strain B5^T was observed at NaCl concentrations of 0 to 6.0% (w/v) with an optimum at 3.0–4.0% (w/v). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown phospholipid and three unknown polar lipids. Strain B5^T grew anaerobically by reducing nitrate, nitrite, ferric-citrate, ferric-nitrilotriacetate, elemental sulfur, thiosulfate, and anthraquinone-2-sulfonate in the presence of proteinaceous compounds, organic acids, and carbohydrates as electron donors. The isolate was not able to grow by fermentation. Strain B5^T did not grow under aerobic or microaerobic conditions. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain B5^T is most closely related to the genus Tepidibacillus (T. fermentans STGH^T; 96.3%) and Vulcanibacillus (V. modesticaldus BR^T; 94.6%). The genomic DNA G+C content (36.9 mol%) of strain B5^T was higher than those of T. fermentans STGH^T (34.8 mol%) and V. modesticaldus BR^T (34.5 mol%). Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic properties, we describe a new species of a novel genus Calculibacillus, represented by strain B5^T (=KCTC 15397^T =JCM 19989^T), for which we propose the name Calculibacillus koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Ponticoccus gilvus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Propionibacteriaceae from seawater

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain MSW-19^T, was isolated from a seawater sample in Republic of Korea. Cells were aerobic, Gram-positive, non-endospore-forming, and non-motile cocci. Colonies were circular, convex, opaque, and vivid yellow in colour. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences exhibited that the organism formed a distinct clade within the radius encompassing representatives of the family Propionibacteriaceae. The phylogenetic neighbors were the type strains of the genera Friedmanniella, Microlunatus, Micropruina, Propionicicella, and Propionicimonas. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the isolate and members of the family were less than 95.3%. The cell wall peptidoglycan of the organism contained LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The isolate contained MK-9(H₄) as the predominant menaquinone, ai-C_15:0 as the major fatty acid and polar lipids including phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and an unknown phospholipid. The G+C content of the DNA was 69.6 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data presented here, the isolate is considered to represent a novel genus and species in the family Propionibacteriaceae, for which the name Ponticoccus gilvus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain MSW-19^T (= KCTC 19476^T= DSM 21351^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salinivibrio sharmensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel haloalkaliphilic bacterium from a saline lake in Ras Mohammed Park (Egypt)

A novel haloalkaliphilic, facultative anaerobic and Gram-negative Salinivibrio-like microorganism (designated strain BAG^T) was recovered from a saline lake in Ras Mohammed Park (Egypt). Cells were motile, curved rods, not spore-forming and occurred singly. Strain BAG^T grew optimally at 35°C (temperature growth range 25–40°C) with 10.0% (w/v) NaCl [NaCl growth range 6.0–16.0% (w/v)] and at pH 9.0 (pH growth range 6.0–10.0). Strain BAG^T had phosphatidylethanolamine (PEA) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) as the main polar lipids, C16:0 (54.0%) and C16:1 (26.0%) as the predominant cellular fatty acids and Q-8 as the major respiratory quinone. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain BAG^T was a member of Salinivibrio genus, with the highest sequence similarities of 99.1, 98.4 and 98.1% to Salinivibrio siamensis JCM 14472^T, Salinivibrio proteolyticus DSM 19052^T and Salinivibrio costicola subsp. alcaliphilus DSM 16359^T, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization values of strain BAG^T with members of Salinivibrio genus were lower than 55.0%. DNA G + C content was 51.0 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomic results revealed in this study, strain BAG^T should be classified as a novel species of Salinivibrio genus, for which the name Salinivibrio sharmensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain BAG^T (=ATCC BAA-1319^T = DSM 18182^T).