Echinicola shivajiensis sp. nov., a novel bacterium of the family “Cyclobacteriaceae” isolated from brackish water pond

Strain AK12^T, an orange pigmented Gram-negative, rod shaped, non-motile bacterium, was isolated from a mud sample collected from a brackish water pond at Rampur of West Bengal, India. The strain was positive for oxidase, catalase and phosphatase. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (42.7%), iso-C_17:0 3OH (13.2%), C_16:1ω7c/C_16:1ω6c (summed feature 3) (8.0%), iso-C_17:1 I/anteiso-C_17:1 B (summed feature 4) (6.1%) and iso-C_17:1ω9c/C_16:0 10-methyl (summed feature 9) (9.4%). Strain AK12^T contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid and six unidentified lipids as the polar lipids. The G + C content of DNA of the strain AK12^T was 46.2 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain AK12^T was member of the genus Echinicola and closely related to Echinicola vietnamensis, Echinicola pacifica and Echinicola jeungdonensis with pair-wise sequence similarity of 96.8, 96.3 and 96.0% respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the strain AK12^T clustered with E. vietnamensis and together with E. pacifica and E. jeungdonensis with a phylogenetic distance of 5.1, 6.3 and 6.6% (94.9, 93.7 and 93.4% similarity) respectively. Based on data from the current polyphasic study, strain AK12^T is proposed as a novel species of the genus Echinicola, for which the name Echinicola shivajiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of E. shivajiensis is AK12^T (= MTCC 11083^T = JCM 17847^T).     

Hymenobacter qilianensis sp. nov., isolated from a subsurface sandstone sediment in the permafrost region of Qilian Mountains,China and emended description of the genus Hymenobacter

A red–pink, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain DK6-37 was isolated from the permafrost region of Qilian Mountains in northwest of China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that this isolate represents a novel member of the genus Hymenobacter, with low sequence similarities (<97 %) to recognized Hymenobacter species. Optimum growth was observed at 28 °C, pH 7.0 and 0 % NaCl. The strain was found to contain MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolanmine, two unknown aminophospholipids, one unknown aminolipid and three unknown polar lipids. The major fatty acids were identified as summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c as defined by MIDI), summed feature 4 (anteiso-C_17:1 B/iso-C_17:1 I), C_16:1 ω5c, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, iso-C_15:0 and C_18:0. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 67.4 mol %. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented, it is proposed that strain DK6-37 represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter qilianensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DK6-37^T (= CGMCC 1.12720^T = JCM 19763^T).     

Luteolibacter cuticulihirudinis sp. nov., isolated from Hirudo medicinalis

A Gram-negative, coccoid shaped bacterium isolated from the outer surface of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis was characterized. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that the bacterium was closely related to species of the genus Luteolibacter. Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis was the most closely related species (94.6 % sequence similarity), followed by Luteolibacter luojiensis (93.4 %) and Luteolibacter algae (93.3 %). Chemotaxonomic data (major ubiquinone: MK-9; major polar lipids: phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol; and major fatty acids: iso-C_14:0, C_16:0, iso-C_16:1, and anteiso-C_15:0) supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Luteolibacter. DNA–DNA hybridizations with the type strain of L. pohnpeiensis was 31 % (reciprocal value 30 %). A phenotypic differentiation of strain E100^T from L. pohnpeiensis and the other Luteolibacter species was possible by several physiological tests. We conclude Strain E100^T represents a novel species, for which we propose the name Luteolibacter cuticulihirudinis sp. nov. with the type strain E100^T (=CCM 8400^T = LMG 26924^T).     

Gramella jeungdoensis sp. nov., isolated from a solar saltern in Korea

A non-motile, Gram-stain-negative, yellow pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, strain HMD3159^T, was isolated from a solar saltern in Korea. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (26.3%), iso-C_17:0 3OH (12.1%), iso-C_16:0 (12.0%), summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c; 11.0%) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17:1 ω9c and/or 10-methyl C_16:0; 10.0%). The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content was 40.9 mol%. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMD3159^T formed a lineage within the genus Gramella and closely related to Gramella gaetbulicola (95.5% sequence similarity), Gramella portivictoriae (94.9%), Gramella echinicola (94.6%), and Gramella marina (93.6%). On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMD3159^T represents a novel species of the genus Gramella, for which the name Gramella jeungdoensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is HMD3159^T (=KCTC 32123^T =CECT 7683^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingobacterium bambusae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil of bamboo plantation

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain designated IBFC2009^T was isolated from soil of a bamboo plantation. The strain could grow at 11°C∼39°C, pH 6.0–9.0, and in the presence of 0∼5% NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, Strain IBFC2009^T belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and showed the highest sequence similarity of 94.6% (S. composti T5-12^T) with the type strains within the genus. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c, 34.4%), iso-C_15:0 (22.4%), C_16:0 3-OH (15.2%), and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (12.8%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.0 mol%. According to the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, Strain IBFC2009^T should represent a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium bambusae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IBFC2009^T (=CCTCC AB 209162^T =KCTC 22814^T).     

Rhodoflexus caldus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the phylum Bacteroidota isolated from a hot spring sediment

A thermophilic bacterium, designated strain SYSU G04325^T, was isolated from a hot spring sediment in Yunnan, China. Polyphasic taxonomic analyses and whole-genome sequencing were used to determine the taxonomic position of the strain. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU G04325^T shows high sequence similarity to Thermoflexibacter ruber NBRC 16677^T (86.2%). The strain can be differentiated from other species of the family Thermoflexibacteraceae by its distinct phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Cells of the strain SYSU G04325^T were observed to be aerobic, Gram-stain negative and filamentous. Growth was found to occur optimally at 45 ºC and pH 7.0. In addition, the respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7, while the major fatty acids (>?10%) were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and Summed Feature 9 (iso-C_17:1ω9c). The polar lipids detected included phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified phospholipids, one unidentified glycolipid, five unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified polar lipids. The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 47.6% based on the draft genome sequence. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU G04325^T is concluded to represent a novel species of a novel genus in the family Thermoflexibacteraceae, for which the name Rhodoflexus caldus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Rhodoflexus caldus is SYSU G04325^T (=?MCCC 1K06127^T?=?KCTC 82848^T).

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter yonginense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a mesotrophic artificial Lake in Korea

A non-motile red-pigmented bacterium, designated strain HMD1002^T, was isolated from an artificial lake located on the campus of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, South Korea. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (29.6%), Summed Feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH; 17.5%) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (12.5%). The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The DNA G+C content was 41.0 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMD1002^T formed a lineage in the genus Pedobacer and was closely related to Pedobacer terrae (96.3%) and Pedobacer suwonensis (95.8%) in sequence similarity. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMD1002^T represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter yonginense sp.nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMD1002^T (=KCTC 22721^T = CEC^T 7544^T).     

Hymenobacter taeanensis sp. nov., radiation resistant bacterium isolated from coastal sand dune

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and light pink-colored bacterial strain, designated TS19^T, was isolated from a sand sample obtained from a coastal sand dune after exposure to 3 kGy of gamma radiation. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate was a member of the genus Hymenobacter and was most closely related to H. wooponensis WM78^T (98.3% similarity). Strain TS19^T and H. wooponensis showed resistance to gamma radiation with D₁₀ values (i.e., the dose required to reduce the bacterial population by tenfold) of 7.3 kGy and 3.5 kGy, respectively. The genome of strain TS19^T consists of one contig with 4,879,662 bp and has a G?+?C content of 56.2%. The genome contains 3,955 protein coding sequences, 44 tRNAs, and 12 rRNAs. The predominant fatty acids of strain TS19^T were iso-C_15:0, summed feature 4 (iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B), summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c), and C_16:1 ω5c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, and one unidentified aminophospholipid. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TS19^T represents a novel species, for which the name Hymenobacter taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TS19^T (=?KCTC 72897^T?=?JCM 34023^T).

     

Salegentibacter echinorum sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus

A novel Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, non-motile and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated HD4^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus collected from the Yellow Sea in China. Optimal growth of the strain was observed at 28–30 °C, pH 6.8–7.3, and in the presence of 3–5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain HD4^T exhibited high similarity with the members of Salegentibacter (92.3–95.4 %). The DNA G+C content was 37.0 mol%, MK-6 was the main respiratory quinone and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C_15:0 2-OH/C_16:1ω7c), iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and anteiso-C_15:0 were the major cellular fatty acids. The predominant polar lipids in strain HD4^T were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown lipids (L2, L4). Based on the phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain HD4^T should be classified as a novel species within the genus Salegentibacter, for which the name Salegentibacter echinorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HD4^T (=CICC 10466^T = NRRL B-59666^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gaetbulibacter jejuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from seawater

A novel marine bacterium, designated strain CNURIC014^T was isolated from coastal seawater of Jeju Island in Korea. Strain CNURIC014^T formed yellow colonies on marine agar 2216 and the cells were Gram-negative, non-motile, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped. The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were 15–37°C, pH 6.0–9.0 and 1.0–7.0% NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CNURIC014^T was most closely related to Gaetbulibacter marinus and Gaetbulibacter saemankumensis, with a sequence similarity of 95.1% and 94.6%, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 33.1 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:1 (22.8%), iso-C_15:0 (18.8%), summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH/C_16:1 ω7c, 12.9%) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (11.5%). On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genotypic data, strain CNURIC014^T represents a novel species within the genus Geatbulibacter, for which the name Gaetbulibacter jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CNURIC014^T(=KCTC 22615^T =JCM 15976^T).     

Winogradskyella multivorans sp. nov., a polysaccharide-degrading bacterium isolated from seawater of an oyster farm

A novel bacterial strain, designated T-Y1^T, capable of degrading a variety of polysaccharides was isolated from seawater of an oyster farm in the South Sea, Korea. It was found to be aerobic, Gram-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped. Strain T-Y1^T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain T-Y1^T belonged to the genus Winogradskyella. Strain T-Y1^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.0–96.8 % to the type strains of recognized Winogradskyella species and less than 94.5 % to other validly named species. The chemotaxonomic data concurred with the phylogenetic inference. Strain T-Y1^T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1 G and iso-C_16:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain T-Y1^T were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 36.2 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic distinctiveness, enabled strain T-Y1^T to be differentiated from the recognized Winogradskyella species. On the basis of the data presented here, strain T-Y1^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella multivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T-Y1^T (=KCTC 23891^T = CCUG 62216^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium zaozhuangense</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>, isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil

Strain ZZ-8^T, a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil in China. The taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZZ-8^T is a member of the genus Flavobacterium and shows high sequence similarity to Flavobacterium humicola UCM-46^T (97.2%) and Flavobacterium pedocola UCM-R36^T (97.1%), and lower (<?97%) sequence similarity to other known Flavobacterium species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain ZZ-8^T possessed MK-6 as the major respiratory quinone; and iso-C_15:0 (28.5%), summed feature 9 (iso-C_17:1 w9c/C_16:0 10-methyl, 22.9%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (17.0%), iso-C_15:0 3-OH (8.9%), iso-C_15:1 G (8.6%) and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 w7c/C_16:1 w6c, 5.7%) as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain ZZ-8^T were determined to be lipids, a glycolipid, aminolipids and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain ZZ-8^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with F. pedocola UCM-R36^T (43.23?±?4.1%) and F. humicola UCM-46^T (29.17?±?3.8%). The DNA G+C content was 43.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic data and DNA–DNA hybridization, strain ZZ-8^T is considered a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium zaozhuangense sp. nov. (type strain ZZ-8^T?=?KCTC 62315 ^T?=?CCTCC AB 2017243^T) is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascidiaceibacter salegens</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from an ascidian

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated as strain HQA918^T, was isolated from an ascidian, Botryllus schlosseri, which was collected from the coast of Weihai in the north of the Yellow Sea, in China. The strain grew optimally at 28–30 °C, at pH values 7.0–8.0, and in the presence of 1.0–3.0% (w/v) sodium chloride (NaCl). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HQA918^T can be affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes, with 92.7% similarity to its close relatives. The major fatty acids identified were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, and summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1ω7c). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, and five unidentified polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.1 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic, genotypic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic data, this organism should be classified as a representative of a novel genus, for which the name Ascidiaceibacter gen. nov. is proposed. The type species is Ascidiaceibacter salegens sp. nov. (type strain HQA918^T?=?KCTC 52719^T?=?MCCC 1K03259^T).     

Biomass production and nitrogen content of C3- and C4- grasses in pure and mixed culture with different nitrogen supply

Summary Two C₃ grasses (Hordeum vulgare L., Avena sativa L.) and two C₄ grasses (Panicum miliaceum L., Panicum crus-galli L.) were cultivated in standard soil in the open air in pure cultures and in various mixed cultures at low and high nitrogen fertilization levels. After three months the dry weight, length and nitrogen content of the aboveground and below-ground parts of the plants and the shoot/root ratios were determined. Hordeum vulgare was the most successful species irrespective of the nitrogen fertilization level, and also exhibited in most cases the highest nitrogen concentrations. Panicum miliaceum, on the other hand, was the species least able to compete. The production of biomass was reduced in cultures growing under nitrogen starvation conditions, this phenomenon being more pronounced with respect to the C₄ than to the C₃ species. The decrease in the production of biomass at low N conditions was most drastic with Panicum crus-galli, the species with the lowest nitrogen content and thus assumed to be best adapted to nitrogen starvation conditions. In cultures growing at low nitrogen fertilization levels the shoot/root ratios of all species.shifted in favour of an increasing root proportion. The extent of this shift, however, differed from species to species.     

Ochrovirga pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov., A Novel Agar-Lytic Marine Bacterium of the Family Flavobacteriaceae Isolated From A Seaweed

A strain designated as S85^T was isolated from a seaweed collected from coastal area of Chuuk State in Micronesia. The strain was gram-negative, rod-shaped, and non-motile and formed yellow colonies on the SWY agar (0.2 % yeast extract and 1.5 % agar in seawater) and Marine agar 2216. The strain grew at pH 5–9 (optimum, pH 8), at 15–40 °C (optimum, 25–28 °C), and with 1–9 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain S85^T was related to Lutibacter litoralis CL-TF09^T and Maritimimonas rapanae A31^T with 91.4 % and with 90.5 % similarity, respectively. The dominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH and iso-C_17:0 3-OH, C_16:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 34.6 mol %. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown glycolipid and two unknown polar lipids. Based on this polyphasic taxonomic data, strain S85^T stands for a novel species of a new genus, and we propose the name Ochrovirga pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of O. pacifica is S85^T (=KCCM 90106 =JCM 18327^T).     

Kangiella shandongensis sp. nov., a novel species isolated from saltern in Yantai,China

A Gram-stain-negative, wheat, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore forming, and facultatively anaerobic bacterium strain, designated as PI^T, was isolated from saline silt samples collected in saltern in Yantai, Shandong, China. Growth was observed within the ranges 4–45 °C (optimally at 33 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimally at pH 7.0) and 1.0–11.0% NaCl (optimally at 3.0%, w/v). Strain PI^T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Kangiella sediminilitoris BB-Mw22^T (98.3%) and Kangiella taiwanensis KT1^T (98.3%). The major cellular fatty acids (>?10% of the total fatty acids) were iso-C_15:0 (52.7%) and summed featured 9 (iso-C_17:1ω9c/C_16:0 10-methyl, 11.8%). The major polar lipids identified were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA was 45.8%. Average Nucleotide Identity values between whole genome sequences of strain PI^T and next related type strains supported the novel species status. Based on physiological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic characteristics and genomic analysis, strain PI^T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Kangiella, for which the name Kangiella shandongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PI^T (=?KCTC 82509 ^T?=?MCCC 1K04352^T).

     

Polaribacter reichenbachii sp. nov.: A New Marine Bacterium Associated with the Green Alga Ulva fenestrata

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 6Alg 8^T, was isolated from the common Pacific green alga Ulva fenestrata. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the novel strain within the genus Polaribacter, a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the phylum Bacteroidetes, with sequence similarities of 97.6 % to Polaribacter dokdonensis DSW-5^T and 92.8–96.1 % to other recognized Polaribacter species. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 6Alg 8^T were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1, iso-C_15:0 2-OH, C_15:0 and C_15:1ω6. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and one unknown lipid. The DNA G+C content of the type strain is 31.6 mol%. The new isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Polaribacter were readily distinguished based on a number of phenotypic characteristics. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel species of the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribacter reichenbachii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 6Alg 8^T (= KCTC 23969^T = KMM 6386^T = LMG 26443^T).     

Effects of growth conditions on the lipid composition of Bifidobacterium bifidum subsp. pennsylvanicum

Lipid-phosphorus and lipid-galactose content and phospholipid and fatty acid composition of Bifidobacterium bifidum subsp. pennsylvanicum were examined under a wide variety of growth conditions. Cells from 29-C cultures contained less lipid-phosphorus than did cells from 37-C cultures, but their lipid-galactose content and phospholipid composition did not differ. At both temperatures, the growth phase influenced the lipid composition similarly.Phosphate, Mg²⁺ and K⁺ concentrations in the medium did neither significantly change the cellular lipid-phosphorus content nor the phospholipid composition. Only Mg²⁺-deficiency markedly reduced growth and lowered the content of cellular lipid-galactose.Omission of Tween 80 from the medium did not affect growth, but lowered the content of lipid-galactose and augmented those of lipid-phosphorus and diphosphatidylglycerol in the cell. Increased osmolarity and substitution of other Tweens for Tween 80 caused the same changes in lipid composition, and besides inhibited growth. Omitting Tween 80 and replacing it by other Tweens dramatically reduced the percentage of unsaturated fatty acids. C₁₂- and C₁₄-fatty acids made up about 50% of total fatty acids in cells from Tween 20 cultures and 12–14% in cells from Tween 40 and Tween 60 cultures. The differences in the decline of unsaturated fatty acids and in the degree of replacement of these acids by C₁₂- and C₁₄-fatty acids may be related to the variations in growth in cultures with various Tweens by way of changes in the physical state of the membrane lipids.The present investigations have been carried out with financial support from the Netherlands Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research (ZWO) through the Netherlands Foundation for Chemical Research (SON).     

<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).