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

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, small, orange, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from soil in South Korea and characterized to determine its taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence examination revealed that strain PB323^T belongs to the family Sphingomonadaceae. The highest degree of sequence similarity was found with Sphingomonas kaistensis PB56^T (98.9%), followed by Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens TDMA-17^T (98.3%). Chemotaxonomic characteristics (the G+C content of the genomic DNA 69.0 mol%, Q-10 quinone system, C_18:1 ω7c/ω9t/ω12t, C_16:1 ω7c/C_15:0 iso 2OH, C_17:1 ω6c, and C16:0 as the major fatty acids) corroborated assignment of strain PB323^T to the genus Sphingomonas. Results of physiological and biochemical tests clearly demonstrate that strain PB323^T represents a distinct species and support its affiliation with the genus Sphingomonas. Based on these data, PB323^T (=KCTC 12341^T =JCM 16603T =KEMB 9004-003^T) should be classified as a type strain of a novel species, for which the name Sphingomonas humi sp. nov. is proposed.     

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

Strain H2R21^T, a novel actinobacterium, isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Heybeliada, Istanbul, Turkey, and a polyphasic approach was used for characterisation of the strain. Chemotaxonomic and morphological characterisation of strain H2R21^T indicated that it belongs to the genus Nonomuraea. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that the strain is closely related to Nonomuraea purpurea 1SM4-01^T (99.1%) and Nonomuraea solani CGMCC 4.7037^T (98.4%). DNA–DNA relatedness values were found to be lower than 70% between the isolate and its phylogenetic neighbours N. purpurea 1SM4-01^T, N. solani CGMCC 4.7037^T and Nonomuraea rhizophila YIM 67092^T. The whole cell hydrolysates of strain H2R21^T were found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and glucose, madurose, mannose and ribose as the cell sugars. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, dihydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, glycophosphatidylinositol, two glycophospholipids and two unidentified lipids. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₄) and MK-9(H₆). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_16:0, iso-C_16:0 2OH and C_17:0 10-methyl. On the basis of DNA–DNA relatedness data and some phenotypic characteristics, it is evident that strain H2R21^T can be distinguished from the closely related species in the genus Nonomuraea. Thus, it is concluded that strain H2R21^T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea insulae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H2R21^T (= DSM 102915^T = CGMCC 4.7338^T = KCTC 39769^T).     

<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">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">Spirosoma migulaei</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated 15J9-8^T, was isolated from soil on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The isolate was able to grow between 10 and 30°C, pH 6.5–8.5, and in presence of 0–1% (w/v) NaCl. The results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 15J9-8^T represented a member of the family Cytophagaceae, phylum Bacteroidetes, and was most closely related to Spirosoma aerophilum 5516J-17^T (96.1% similarity), Spirosoma pulveris JSH5-14^T (95.6%), and Spirosoma linguale DSM 74^T (95.2%). The G + C content of the genomic DNA of the isolate was 47.0 mol%. Strain 15J9-8^T contained summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c), C_16:1 ω5c, and iso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid as the main polar lipids, and menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 15J9-8^T should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma migulaei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15J9-8^T (=KCTC 52028^T =JCM 31996^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirosoma lituiforme</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, curved rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated S1-2-4^T, was isolated from soil in Jeollabuk-do province, Republic of Korea, and was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain S1-2-4^T was a member of the family Cytophagaceae and most closely related to ‘Spirosoma radiotolerans’ DG5A (97.2%), Spirosoma fluviale MSd3^T (96.4%), and Spirosoma linguale DSM 74^T (96.3%). The genomic DNA G + C content of strain S1-2-4^T was 49.7 mol%. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c/C_16:1ω6c), C_16:1ω5c, and C_16:0, and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. MK-7 was the predominant respiratory quinone. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain S1-2-4^T with the genus Spirosoma. DNA-DNA hybridization between strain S1-2-4^T and ‘Spirosoma radiotolerans’ showed relatively low DNA-DNA relatedness (31%). Strain S1-2-4^T could be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic neighbors based on its phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain S1-2-4^T represents a novel member of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma lituiforme sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S1-2-4^T (= KCTC 52724^T = JCM 32128^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidovorax monticola</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A novel strain K-4-16^T was isolated from forest soil of Namsan Mountain, Seoul, South Korea, and was taxonomically characterized by a polyphasic approach. Strain K-4-16^T was observed to be a Gram-staining negative, grayish white-coloured, motile with peritrichous flagella, and rod shaped bacterium. It was able to grow at 15–45 °C, at pH 4.5–10.5, and at 0–4% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain K-4-16^T belongs to the genus Acidovorax and is closely related to Acidovorax anthurii CFBP 3232^T (98.3% sequence identity), Acidovorax konjaci K2^T (97.9% sequence identity), Acidovorax valerianellae CFBP 4730^T (97.8% sequence identity), and Acidovorax caeni R-24608^T (97.8% sequence identity). The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant fatty acids of strain K-4-16^T were summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c), C_16:0, and summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c). The genomic DNA G+C content of this novel strain was 64.7 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain K-4-16^T and its reference strains were below the threshold value of 70%. The morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic analyses clearly distinguished this strain from its close phylogenetic neighbors. Thus, strain K-4-16^T represents a novel species of the genus Acidovorax, for which the name Acidovorax monticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K-4-16^T (=?KEMB 9005-570^T?=?KACC 19171^T?=?NBRC 113141^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter jeollabukensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated 1-3-3-8^T, was isolated from soil and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 1-3-3-8^T belongs to the family Cytophagaceae of phylum Bacteroidetes and is most closely related to Hymenobacter paludis KBP-30^T (96.8% similarity), Hymenobacter ocellatus Myx2105^T (96.8%), Hymenobacter coalescens WW84^T (95.6%), and Hymenobacter deserti ZLB-3^T (95.4%). The G + C content of the genomic DNA of strain 1-3-3-8^T was 63.6 mol%. The isolate contained C_15:0 iso (28.4%), summed feature 4 (C_17:1 anteiso B/C_17:1 iso I; 18.9%), and C_15:0 anteiso (17.6%) as major fatty acids, MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and sym-homospermidine as the predominant polyamine. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid. The phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain 1-3-3-8^T with the genus Hymenobacter. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 1-3-3-8^T and H. paludis KCTC 32237^T and H. ocellatus DSM 11117^T were 24.5 and 27.4% respectively, clearly showing that the isolate is not related to them at the species level. Overall, the novel strain could be differentiated from its phylogenetic neighbors on the basis of several phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain 1-3-3-8^T represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter jeollabukensis sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is 1-3-3-8^T (= KCTC 52741^T = JCM 32192^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter terrigena</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rodshaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated S1-2-2-5^T, was isolated from the Jeollabuk-do province, Republic of Korea, and was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain S1-2-2-5^T belonged to the family Cytophagaceae in phylum Bacteroidetes, and was most closely related to Hymenobacter terrae DG7A^T (98.2%), Hymenobacter rubidus DG7B^T (98.0%), Hymenobacter soli PB17^T (97.7%), Hymenobacter daeguensis 16F3Y-2^T (97.2%) and Hymenobacter saemangeumensis GSR0100^T (97.0%). The G + C content of the genomic DNA of strain S1-2-2-5^T was 59.4 mol%. The detection of menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, a fatty acid profile with summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c/C_16:1ω6c; 32.0%), C_15:0 iso (19.0%), and C_15:0 anteiso (15.0%) as the major components, and a polar lipid profile with phosphatidylethanolamine as the major component supported the affiliation of strain S1-2-2-5^T to the genus Hymenobacter. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain S1-2-2-5^T and H. terrae KCTC 32554^T, H. rubidus KCTC 32553^T, H. soli KCTC 12607^T, H. daeguensis KCTC 52537^T, and H. saemangeumensis KACC 16452^T were 49.5, 48.2, 34.1, 28.1, and 31.8% respectively, clearly showing that the isolate is not related to them at the species level. Strain S1-2-2-5^T could be clearly differentiated from its closest neighbors on the basis of its phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain S1-2-2-5^T represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter terrigena sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S1-2-2-5^T (= KCTC 52737^T = JCM 32195^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter panacis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis> soil

A novel strain, DCY108^T was isolated from soil of a Panax ginseng field, Yeoncheon province (38°04′N 126°57′E), Republic of Korea. Strain DCY108^T is Gram-negative, non-motile, non-flagellate, rod-shaped, and aerobic. The bacterium grows optimally at 25–30 °C, pH 6.5–7.0 and 1 % NaCl. Phylogenetically, strain DCY108^T is closely related to Pedobacter jejuensis JCM 18824^T, Pedobacter aquatilis JCM 13454^T, Pedobacter kyungheensis LMG 26577^T and the type strain of the genus Pedobacter heparinus DSM 2366^T. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain DCY108^T and its close phylogenetic neighbors were below 30.0 %. The DNA G+C content of strain DCY108^T was determined to be 45.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified aminolipids AL1, AL13 and AL17. Iso-C_15:00, iso-C_17:03OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c) were identified as the major fatty acids present in strain DCY108^T. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed strain DCY108^T to be differentiated phenotypically from other recognized species belonging to the genus Pedobacter. Therefore, it is suggested that the newly isolated organism represents a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter panacis sp. nov is proposed with the type strain designated as DCY108^T (=CCTCCAB 2015196^T = KCTC 42748^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium koreense</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium chungnamense</Emphasis> sp. nov., and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium cheonanense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater reservoir

Taxonomic studies were performed on three strains isolated from Cheonho reservoir in Cheonan, Korea. The isolates were Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, catalase-positive, and oxidase-positive. Colonies on solid media were cream-yellow, smooth, shiny, and circular. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains belong to the genus Flavobacterium. The strains shared 98.6–99.4% sequence similarity with each other and showed less than 97% similarity with members of the genus Flavobacterium with validly published names. The DNA-DNA hybridization results confirmed the separate genomic status of strains ARSA-42^T, ARSA-103^T, and ARSA-108^T. The isolates contained menaqui-none-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-Ci_15:1 G, and iso-C_16:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolates were 31.4–33.2 mol%. According to the phenotypic and genotypic data, these organisms are classified as representative of three novel species in the genus Flavobacterium, and the name Flavobacterium koreense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-42^T =KCTC 23182^T =JCM 17066^T =KACC 14969^T), Flavobacterium chungnamense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-103^T =KCTC 23183^T =JCM 17068^T =KACC 14971^T), and Flavobacterium cheonanense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-108^T =KCTC 23184^T =JCM 17069^T =KACC 14972) are proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chitinophaga salinisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from saline soil

A novel aerobic bacterium, designated strain LAM9153^T, was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from Lingxian County, Shandong Province, China. Cells of strain LAM9153^T were observed to be Gram-stain negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. The new isolate grew optimally at 30–35 °C, pH 7.0 and 0.5% of NaCl concentration (w/v). According to the phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain LAM9153^T shares high similarity with Chitinophaga terrae Gsoil 238^T (96.9%) and Chitinophaga niabensis JS 13-10^T (95.9%), forming a subcluster with C. terrae Gsoil 238^T, Chitinophaga cymbidii R156-2^T, C. niabensis JS 13-10^T and Chitinophaga soli Gsoil 219^T in the phylogenetic tree. The major cellular fatty acids (> 10%) were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and summed features 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c). The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone MK-7. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, aminophospholipid, three unidentified aminolipids and five unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 53.2 ± 1.6 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain LAM9153^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga, for which the name Chitinophaga salinisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LAM9153^T (= ACCC 19960^T = JCM 30847^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter sedentarius</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a soil

A novel Gram-negative and red-pinkish bacterium designated DG5B^T was isolated from a dry soil. Cells were rods that were catalase- and oxidase-positive, and non-motile. The strain was found to grow at temperatures from 10 to 30°C (optimum 25°C) and pH 6.0–8.0, (optimum pH 7) on R2A broth. 16S rRNA gene sequence (1,452 bp) analysis of this strain identified it as a member of the genus Hymenobacter that belongs to the class Cytophagia. The highest gene sequence similarities were with Hymenobacter arizonensis OR362-8^T (98.3%), Hymenobacter humi DG31A^T (97.6%), and Hymenobacter glaciei VUG-A130^T (96.6%). Strain DG5B^T exhibited <70% DNA-DNA relatedness with H. arizonensis (34.7 ± 7.0%; reciprocally, 29.7 ± 1.2%) and H. humi (39.4 ± 4.3%; reciprocally, 39.5 ± 3.3%) as a different genomic species, and its genomic DNA G+C content was 59.8%. Strain DG5B^T had the following chemotaxonomic characteristics: the major fatty acids are iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:1ω5c, and summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c / C_16:1ω6c); polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), unknown aminophospholipid (APL), unknown glycolipids (GL), unknown phospholipids (PL), and unknown polar lipids (L); the major quinone is MK-7. The absorbance peak of pigment is at 481.0 nm. Strain DG5B^T showed low-level resistance to gamma-ray irradiation. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic properties indicated that isolate DG5B^T represents a novel species within the genus Hymenobacter for which the name Hymenobacter sedentarius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DG5B^T (=KCTC 32524^T =JCM 19636^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirosoma daeguensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from beach soil

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated 15J9-6^T, was isolated from beach soil on Jeju Island, South Korea. Strain 15J9-6^T, grew at 10–30°C (optimum growth at 25°C) and pH 7–8 (optimum growth at pH 7) on R2A, NA, and TSA agar. Phylogenetically, the strain was closely related to members of the genus Spirosoma (92.3–90.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities) and showed highest sequence similarity to Spirosoma panaciterrae DSM 21099^T (92.3%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 15J9-6^T was 45.7 mol%. The strain contained phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, an unidentified phospholipid, and an unidentified lipid as the major polar lipids; menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c/C_16:1 ω7c; 30.1%), C_16:1 ω5c (23.1%), iso C_15:0 (13.3%), and C_16:0 (8.4%) as the major fatty acids which supported the affiliation of strain 15J9-6^T to the genus Spirosoma. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 15J9-6^T from recognized Spirosoma species. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 15J9-6^T represents a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma daeguensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15J9-6^T (=KCTC 52036^T =JCM 31995T)     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacillus hunanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a subterranean brine

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071077^T, was isolated from a subterranean brine sample collected from a salt mine in Hunan Province, China. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071077^T was able to grow with 2–25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–40°C (optimum, 25–30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071077^T should be assigned to the genus Halobacillus, being related most closely to the type strain of Halobacillus naozhouensis (98.8% sequence similarity), and the two strains formed a distinct subline in the neighbor-joining, minimum-evolution and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees. The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.6% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.2% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The results of the phylogenetic analyses, combined with DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support that strain JSM 071077^T represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 071077^T (=DSM 21184^T = KCTC 13235^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinokineospora</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mzabensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from Saharan soil

A novel actinomycete strain, designated PAL84, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected from Béni-Isguen, Ghardaïa (South of Algeria). This strain was studied for its taxonomic position using a polyphasic approach and was identified as a member of the genus Actinokineospora. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain PAL84 had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with members of the genus Actinokineospora ranging from 96.2 % (Actinokineospora inagensis DSM 44258^T) to 97.8 % (Actinokineospora baliensis NBRC 104211^T). The strain was observed to produce pinkish-purple aerial mycelium and purplish red substrate mycelium, which fragmented readily into chains of non-motile elements. The optimum growth temperature and pH were found to be 25–30 °C and 5.0–7.0, respectively. The cell-wall hydrolysate of strain PAL84 was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the diagnostic whole-cell sugars were identified as arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-9 (H₄). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:1 H and iso-C_16:0 2OH. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylethanolamine. The genotypic and phenotypic data show that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Actinokineospora, for which the name Actinokineospora mzabensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain PAL84^T (=DSM 45961^T = CECT 8578^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kretzschmaria varians</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria coremiifera</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria umbonata</Emphasis> sp. nov. from Costa Rica

Kretzschmaria varians, a species apparently related to K. micropus, is described as new. It is distinguished primarily by having asci with 2 to 8 ascospores with inconstant germination slit length and remains of synnemata on stromata and surrounding substrate. Xylaria coremiifera, described here as new, bears small fragile coremia on pulvinate stromata and the surrounding substrate. Asci often have fewer than 8 ascospores, most frequently 4. Xylaria umbonata, described here as new, produces perithecia around a central umbo that appears to be the remains of a synnema. Ascospores have long spiralling germination slits.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces xiangtanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a manganese-contaminated soil

An actinomycete strain, designated strain LUSFXJ^T, was isolated from a soil sample obtained near the Xiangtan Manganese Mine, Central-South China and characterised using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis indicated that this strain belongs to the genus Streptomyces. The DNA–DNA relatedness between this strain and two closely related type strains, Streptomyces echinatus CGMCC 4.1642^T and Streptomyces lanatus CGMCC 4.137^T, were 28.7 ± 0.4 and 19.9 ± 2.0%, respectively, values which are far lower than the 70% threshold for the delineation of a novel prokaryotic species. The DNA G+C content of strain LUSFXJ ^T is 75.0 mol%. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that the menaquinones of strain LUSFXJ^T are MK-9(H₆), MK-9(H₈), MK-9(H₂) and MK-8(H₈). The polar lipid profile of strain LUSFXJ^T was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified polar lipid. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, C_16:0 and Summed feature 3. Strain LUSFXJ^T was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell wall diamino acid and the whole cell hydrolysates were found to be rich in ribose, mannose and glucose. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is concluded that strain LUSFXJ^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name S. xiangtanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LUSFXJ^T (=GDMCC 4.133^T = KCTC 39829^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirosoma pomorum</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from apple orchard soil

A Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated S7-2-11^T, was isolated from apple orchard soil from Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Republic of Korea, and was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain S7-2-11^T belongs to the family Cytophagaceae in phylum Bacteroidetes, and is closely related to Spirosoma luteolum 16F6E^T (94.2% identity), Spirosoma knui 15J8-12^T (92.7%), and Spirosoma linguale DSM 74^T (91.0%). The G + C content of the genomic DNA of strain S7-2-11^T was 49.8 mol%. Strain S7-2-11^T contained summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c; 35.1%), C_16:1 ω5c (22.4%), C_15:0 iso (13.9%), and C_17:0 iso 3-OH (10.6%) as major cellular fatty acids, and MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid, and two unidentified polar lipids. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain S7-2-11^T with the genus Spirosoma. The results of physiological and biochemical tests showed the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from recognized Spirosoma species. On the basis of its phenotypic properties, genotypic distinctiveness, and chemotaxonomic features, strain S7-2-11^T represents a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma pomorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S7-2-11^T (= KCTC 52726^T = JCM 32130^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Terrabacter ginsengisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from ginseng cultivating soil

A Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, nonmotile, yellowish, coccus-rod-shaped bacterium (designated Gsoil 653^T) isolated from ginseng cultivating soil was characterized using a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. The strain Gsoil 653^T exhibited optimal growth at pH 7.0 on R2A agar medium at 30°C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, indicated that Gsoil 653^T belongs to the genus Terrabacter of the family Humibacillus, and was closely related to Terrabacter tumescens DSM 20308^T (98.9%), Terrabacter carboxydivorans PY2^T (98.9%), Terrabacter terrigena ON10^T (98.8%), Terrabacter terrae PPLB^T (98.6%), and Terrabacter lapilli LR-26^T (98.6%). The DNA G + C content was 70.5 mol%. The major quinone was MK-8(H₄). The primary polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_14:0, and anteiso-C_15:0, as in the case of genus Terrabacter, thereby supporting the categorization of strain Gsoil 653^T. However, the DNA-DNA relatedness between Gsoil 653^T and closely related strains of Terrabacter species was low at less than 31%. Moreover, strain Gsoil 653^T could be both genotypically and phenotypically distinguished from the recognized species of the genus Terrabacter. This isolate, therefore, represents a novel species, for which the name Terrabacter ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain Gsoil 653^T (= KACC 19444^T = LMG 30325^T).