<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">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).     

<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">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">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 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">Lysobacter spongiae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from spongin

A Gram-negative, motile, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strain designated 119BY6-57^T was isolated from spongin. The taxonomic position of the novel isolate was confirmed using the polyphasic approach. Strain 119BY6-57^T grew well at 25–30°C on marine agar. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain 119BY6-57^T belongs to the family Xanthomonadaceae and is related to Lysobacter aestuarii S2-C^T (99.8% sequence similarity), L. maris KMU-14^T (97.5%), and L. daejeonensis GH1-9^T (97.3%). Lower sequence similarities (97.0%) were found with all of the other recognized members of the genus Lysobacter. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 69.9 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the major fatty acids were C_16:0 iso, C_15:0 iso, summed feature 9 (comprising C_17:1 iso ω9c and/or C_16:0 10-methyl), summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c), and C_11:0 iso 3-OH. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids, and an unidentified polar lipid. DNADNA relatedness values between strain 119BY6-57^T and its closest phylogenetically neighbors were below 48.0 ± 2.1%. Based on genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, it is concluded that strain 119BY6-57^T is a new member within the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobacter spongiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 119BY6-57^T (= KACC 19276^T = LMG 30077^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter aquicola</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from freshwater

A non-motile, pink-pigmented bacterial strain designated IMCC25679^T, was isolated from freshwater Lake Chungju of Korea. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain IMCC25679^T formed a lineage within the genus Pedobacter. The strain IMCC25679^T was closely related to Pedobacter daechungensis Dae 13^T (96.4% sequence similarity), Pedobacter rivuli HME8457^T (95.3%) and Pedobacter lentus DS-40^T (94.3%). The major fatty acids of IMCC- 25679^T were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1ω6c and/or C_16:1ω7c). The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), an unidentified sphingolipid (SL), an unidentified aminolipid (AL) and three unidentified polar lipids (PL). The DNA G + C content of IMCC25679^T was 32.2 mol%. Based on the evidence presented in this study, the strain IMCC25679^T represents a novel species within the genus Pedobacter, with the proposed name Pedobacter aquicola, sp. nov. The type strain is IMCC25679^T (= KACC 19486^T = NBRC113131^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">Corynebacterium defluvii</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from Sewage

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shapeds, catalase-positive, and oxidase-negative strain, designated Y49^T, was isolated from sewage collected from Jilin Agricultural University, China. It grew at 20–40°C (optimum at 30°C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum at 7.0) and at 0–1.0% sodium chloride (optimum at 0%). The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-8 (MK-8) and the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, four unidentified lipids, and two unidentified aminolipids. The peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The cell-wall sugars were galactose, arabinose, and glucose. The fatty acids were C_9:0, C_16:0, C_16:1 ω9c, C_17:1 ω9c, C_18:3 ω6c (6,9,12), C_18:1 ω9c, and C_18:0. The DNA G+C content was 51.4 mol%. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbors of strain Y49^T were Corynebacterium efficiens DSM 44549^T (97.5%), Corynebacterium callunae DSM 20147^T (97.2%), Corynebacterium deserti GIMN 1.010^T (96.8%), Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032^T (96.4%), and other species belonging to this genus (92.3–95.4%). The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain Y49^T and C. efficiens DSM 44549^T, C. callunae DSM 20147^T, C. deserti GIMN1.010^T, and C. glutamicum ATCC 13032^T was 25.5±2.0%, 21.1±1.0%, 16.5±0.5%, and 13.5±0.9%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain Y49^T represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium defluvii sp nov. is proposed. The type strain is Y49^T (= KCTC 39731^T =CGMCC 1.15506^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">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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudonocardia serianimatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the surface-sterilized leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia annua</Emphasis> L.

An aerobic, non-motile, catalase-positive, Gram-stain positive actinomycete designated YIM 63233^T was isolated from the surface-sterilized leaves of Artemisia annua L. and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Optimal growth occurred at 20–28°C, pH 6.0–7.0 and in the presence of 0–3% (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YIM 63233^T clustered with species of the genus Pseudonocardia, displaying ≥1.2% sequence divergence with recognized species of this genus (from 98.8 to 94.0%). Relatively low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness were found between strain YIM 63233^T and Pseudonocardia petroleophila IMSNU 22072^T, which supported the classification of strain YIM 63233^T within a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia. The G + C content of genomic DNA was 72.0 mol%. Strain YIM 63233^T possessed chemotaxonomic markers that were consistent with classification in the genus Pseudonocardia, i.e. the predominant fatty acids were iso-C16:0 (32.27%), C16:0 10-methyl (8.73%) and C17:1ω8c (8.30%), whilst the predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H₄). The diagnostic diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cell wall sugars were glucose, arabinose, galactose, mannose and rhamnose. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and DNA–DNA hybridization allowed the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain YIM 63233^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, the new isolate YIM 63233^T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia serianimatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 63233^T (=DSM 45302^T = CCTCC AA 208079^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Viridibacterium curvum</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from freshwater

A Gram stain-negative, yellowish green-pigmented, facultatively anaerobic, motile, curved rod-shaped bacterium designated as strain JJ016^T was isolated from an artificial lake in South Korea, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JJ016^T indicated that the isolate belonged to the family Rhodocyclaceae and exhibited 95.0% identity to Uliginosibacterium gangwonense 5YN10-9^T. The major cellular fatty acids of the novel strain were summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c), C_16:0, C_14:0, and summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain JJ016^T was 61.9 mol%. The major respiratory quinone and major polar lipid of strain JJ016^T were ubiquinone-8 and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. Based on the morphological and physiological properties and the biochemical evidence presented, we concluded that strain JJ016^T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodocyclaceae, for which the name Viridibacterium curvum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JJ016^T (=KACC 16899^T =JCM 18715^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scopulibacillus darangshiensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from rock

A novel, Gram-positive bacterium, designated DLS-06^T, was isolated from scoria (volcanic ash) under rock on the peak of small mountain (300 m above the sea level; known as Darangshi Oreum) in Jeju, Republic of Korea. The cells of the isolate were aerobic, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, endospore-forming, non-motile rods. The organism grew at 25∼30°C and initial pH 6.1∼9.1. A neighbour-joining tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism was related to members of the family “Sporolactobacillaceae” and related taxa. The phylogenetic neighbours were Pullulanibacillus naganoensis (95.2% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Tuberibacillus calidus (95.0%) and Sporolactobacillus (91.8∼94.2%). Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of the isolate to representatives of other genera were in the range of 87.2∼93.7%. The organism contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown ninhydrin-positive phospholipid, three unknown phospholipids and an unknown lipid. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The G+C content of the DNA was 50.8 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data presented in this study, this organism represents a novel genus and species in the order Bacillales, for which the name Scopulibacillus darangshiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DLS-06^T (=DSM 19377^T =KCTC 13161^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ogataea phyllophila</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida chumphonensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida mattranensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., three methylotrophic yeast species from phylloplane in Thailand

Five strains (LN12, LN14^T, LN15^T, LN16 and LN17^T) representing three novel methylotrophic yeast species were isolated from the external surface of plant leaves by three-consecutive enrichments. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the phylogenetic analysis, the five strains were assigned to be one novel Ogataea species and two novel Candida species. Three strains (LN12, LN14^T and LN16) represent a single novel species of the genus Ogataea, for which the name Ogataea phyllophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LN14^T (= BCC 42666^T = NBRC 107780^T = CBS 12095^T). Strain LN15^T was assigned to be Candida chumphonensis sp. nov. (type strain LN15^T = BCC 42667^T = NBRC 107781^T = CBS 12096^T). Strain LN17^T represented another novel species of Candida that was named Candida mattranensis sp. nov. (type strain LN17^T = BCC 42668^T = NBRC 107782^T = CBS 12097^T).     

<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">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.