<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces luozhongensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete with antifungal activity and antibacterial activity

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 49605^T, was isolated from a desert soil sample from Lop Nur, Xinjiang, north-west China, and characterised using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain exhibited antifungal activity against the following strains: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Curvularia lunata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium citrinum, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis; Antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Micrococcus luteus; and no antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated strain TRM 49605^T to the genus Streptomyces. Strain TRM 49605^T shows high sequence similarities to Streptomyces roseolilacinus NBRC 12815^T (98.62 %), Streptomyces flavovariabilis NRRL B-16367^T (98.45 %) and Streptomyces variegatus NRRL B-16380^T (98.45 %). Whole cell hydrolysates of strain TRM 49605^T were found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and galactose, glucose, xylose and mannose as the major whole cell sugars. The major fatty acids in strain TRM 49605^T were identified as iso C_16:0, anteiso C_15:0, C_16:0 and Summed Feature 5 as defined by MIDI. The main menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₄), MK-9(H₆), MK-9(H₈) and MK-10(H₆). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 71.2 %. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain TRM 49605^T and the phylogenetically related strain S. roseolilacinus NBRC 12815^T was 60.12 ± 0.06 %, which is lower than the 70 % threshold value for delineation of genomic prokaryotic species. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain TRM 49605^T (=CCTCC AA2015026^T = KCTC 39666^T) should be designated as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces luozhongensis sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces lutosisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from muddy soil

A novel Gram-stain positive, spore-forming, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T, was isolated from muddy soil collected from a stream in Qitaihe, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China and characterised using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807^T (99.38%) and Streptomyces mirabilis JCM 4791^T (99.03%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a cluster with S. rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807^T and Streptomyces siamensis NBRC 108799^T (98.62%). The menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₈), MK-9(H₆) and MK-9(H₄). The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, C_16:0 and C_15:0. However, multilocus sequence analysis based on five house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB), low DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic, physiological and biochemical properties could differentiate the strain from its close relatives in the genus Streptomyces. Therefore, strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces lutosisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with NEAU-QTH3-11^T (=DSM 42165^T=CGMCC 4.7198^T) as the type strain.     

<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">Frankia inefficax</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinobacterial endophyte inducing ineffective,non nitrogen-fixing,root nodules on its actinorhizal host plants

Strain EuI1c^T is the first actinobacterial endophyte isolated from Elaeagnus umbellata that was shown to be infective on members of Elaeagnaceae and Morella but lacking the ability to form effective root nodules on its hosts. The strain can be easily distinguished from strains of other Frankia species based on its inability to produce vesicles, the specialized thick-walled structures where nitrogen fixation occurs. Chemotaxonomically, strain EuI1c^T contains phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two glycophospholipids and phosphatidylglycerol as phospholipids. The whole cell sugars were composed of glucose, galactose, mannose, ribose, rhamnose and fucose as diagnostic sugars of the species. Major fatty acids were iso-C_16:0, C_17:1 ω8c and C_15:0 and C_17:0 and the predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H₆), MK-9(H₈) and MK-9(H₄). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain EuI1c^T showed 97, 97.4 and 97.9% identity with Frankia elaeagni DSM 46783^T, Frankia casuarinae DSM 45818^T and Frankia alni DSM 45986^T, respectively. Digital DNA:DNA hybridizations with type strains of the three Frankia species with validly/effectively published names are significantly below 70%. These results warrant distinction of EuI1c^T (= DSM 45817^T = CECT 9037^T) as the type strain of a novel species designated Frankia inefficax sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces carminius</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sophora alopecuroides</Emphasis> in Xinjiang,China

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated TRM SA0054^T, was isolated from the roots of Sophora alopecuroides grown in Alar, Xinjiang, north-west China, and characterised by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM SA0054^T has 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.22% with Streptomyces barkulensis RC 1831^T. Whole cell hydrolysates of strain TRM SA0054^T were found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and ribose, glucose and xylose as the major whole cell sugars. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C_16:0, iso-C_16:1 G, anteiso-C_17:0, anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:1 ω9c. The main menaquinones were determined to be MK-8 (H₄), MK-9 (H₆) and MK-9 (H₈). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unidentified lipid. The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 73.04%. Strain TRM SA0054^T has a relatively low DNA–DNA relatedness value with Streptomyces barkulensis RC 1831^T as determined by calculating the average nucleotide identity value (ANI?=?84.1%). Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, it is concluded that strain TRM SA0054^T should be designated as a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces carminius sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain TRM SA0054^T (=?CCTCC AA 2016041^T?=?KCTC39903^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinoplanes deserti</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a desert soil sample

A novel actinomycete, designated strain YIM CF22^T, was isolated from a desert soil sample collected from Turpan in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, north-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain YIM CF22^T is described based on a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM CF22^T was found to form irregular sporangia on agar media. It contains meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The major menaquinone was identified as MK-9(H₄); the polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified glycolipids. The whole cell sugars were found to be ribose, mannose, galactose, glucose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were found to be (>?5%) iso-C_16:0 (43.5%), anteiso-C_17:0 (10.2%), iso-C_15:0 (7.1%), C_17:1 ω8c (6.3%) and iso H-C_16:1 (5.9%). The G+C content was determined to be 70.8%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain YIM CF22^T showed high similarity (97.0%) to Actinoplanes rishiriensis NBRC 108556^T. The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Verrucosispora sediminis CGMCC 4.3550^T (96.9%) and Micromonospora tulbaghiae DSM 45142^T (96.8%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM CF22^T clusters with A. rishiriensis NBRC 108556^T, Actinoplanes globisporus JCM 3186^T and Actinoplanes rhizophilus NEAU-A-2^T. Based on the differential phenotypic characteristics and the results of DNA–DNA relatedness and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain YIM CF22^T represents a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the name Actinoplanes deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM CF22^T (=?KCTC 39543^T?=?CCTCC AB2018113^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces thermoalkaliphilus</Emphasis> sp. nov., an alkaline cellulase producing thermophilic actinomycete isolated from tropical rainforest soil

During an investigation exploring potential sources of novel thermophilic species and natural products, a novel thermophilic and alkaliphilic actinomycete with alkaline cellulase producing ability, designated strain 4-2-13^T, was isolated from soil of a tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, China. The morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain 4-2-13^T are consistent with those of the members of the genus Streptomyces. The strain forms extensively branched aerial mycelia and substrate mycelia. Spiral spore chains were observed on aerial mycelia; spores were oval to cylindrical, with smooth surfaces. The organism was found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The whole cell hydrolysates were found to contain glucose and ribose. The cellular fatty acid profile mainly consists of anteiso-C_17:0 and iso-C_16:0. The menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₈), MK-10(H₆) and MK-9(H₆). The polar lipids profile were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, a ninhydrin-positive glycophospholipid, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipids. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the organism belongs to the genus Streptomyces and in the 16S rRNA gene tree it formed a distinct phyletic line together with the closely related type strain Streptomyces burgazadensis Z1R7^T (95.2% sequence similarity). However, the phenotypic characteristics of strain 4-2-13^T are significantly different from those of S. burgazadensis Z1R7^T. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain 4-2-13^T represents a novel species in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces thermoalkaliphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4-2-13^T (= DSM 42159^T = CGMCC 4. 7205^T).     

<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">Nocardia zhihengii</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from rhizosphere soil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psammosilene tunicoides</Emphasis>

A Nocardia-like actinobacterial strain, designated YIM TG2190^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Psammosilene tunicoides collected from Gejiu, Yunnan province, China. The cells of strain YIM TG2190^T were observed to be Gram-stain positive and non-motile. The strain forms extensively branched substrate mycelia that fragments into rod-shaped elements. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM TG2190^T is closely related to Nocardia nova (97.5%), Nocardia jiangxiensis (97.1%) and Nocardia miyunensis (96.8%). Growth occurs at 4–30?°C (optimum 28?°C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and the strain can tolerate NaCl (w/v) up to 3% (optimum 0–1%). The cell walls were found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were identified as glucose, mannose, ribose, galactose, arabinose and fucose. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The menaquinones detected were MK-9 (H₂) and MK-8 (H₄). The major fatty acids (>?5%) were found to be C_16:0 (33.9%), summed feature 3 (21.7%), C_18:0 10-methyl TBSA (13.7%) and C_18:1ω9c (7.0%). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 61.1 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness between the strain YIM TG2190^T and N. nova CGMCC 4.1705^T, N. jiangxiensis CGMCC 4.1905^T and N. miyunensis CGMCC 4.1904^T were 46.9?±?2.6, 36.8?±?1.3, and 35.7?±?2.6%, respectively, values which are less than the threshold value (70%) for the delineation of prokaryotic genomic species. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data indicates that strain YIM TG2190^T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia zhihengii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM TG2190^T (=KCTC 39596^T?=?DSM 100515^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Blastococcus colisei</Emphasis> sp. nov,isolated from an archaeological amphitheatre

The taxonomic position of an actinobacterial isolate, designated strain BMG 822^T, isolated from limestone from the Amphitheater of El Jem (Coliseum Thysdrus), Tunisia, was established using a polyphasic approach. Strain BMG 822^T was found to grow well at 30 °C and pH 6.5–8.0, and to be coral-coloured, Gram-positive, catalase and oxidase negative. Whole cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, glucose, galactose and ribose. The phospholipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycophospholipid and six unidentified phospholipids. MK-9(H₄) was found to be the predominant menaquinone, followed by MK-9(H₂) and MK-9. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_16:0, C_18:1 ω9c, C_17:1 ω8c and iso-H-C_16:1. The G+C content of the DNA (73.2%) is typical of the genus. High degrees of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were found with the type strains of the genus Blastococcus (97.1–98.3%) followed by the type strains of Modestobacter (96.8–97.8%). Based on the above data and the phenotypic differences from the type strains of Blastococcus species, it is proposed that the isolate BMG 822^T (=DSM 46837^T=CECT 8823^T) should be classified as the type strain of a novel species, Blastococcus colisei sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces ginkgonis</Emphasis> sp. nov., an endophyte from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo biloba</Emphasis>

A novel endophytic actinomycete strain, designated KM-1-2^T, was isolated from seeds of Ginkgo biloba at Yangling, China. A polyphasic approach was used to study the taxonomy of strain KM-1-2^T and it was found to show a range of phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with those of members of the genus Streptomyces. The diamino acid of the cell wall peptidoglycan was identified as LL-diaminopimelic acid. No diagnostic sugars were detected in whole cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₆) and MK-9(H₈). The diagnostic phospholipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The DNA G + C content of the novel strain was determined to be 72.9 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids (> 10.0?%) were identified as iso-C_14?:?0, iso-C_16?:?0, C_16?:?0 and C_17?:?0 cyclo. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain is closely related to Streptomyces carpaticus JCM 6915^T (99.3%), Streptomyces harbinensis DSM 42076^T (98.9%) and Streptomyces cheonanensis JCM 14549^T (98.5%). DNA-DNA hybridizations with these three close relatives gave similarity values of 39.1 ± 1.9, 35.8 ± 2.3, and 47.4 ± 2.7%, respectively, which indicated that strain KM-1-2^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces. This is consistent with the morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic data. Cumulatively, these data suggest that strain KM-1-2^T represents a novel Streptomyces species, for which the name Streptomyces ginkgonis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain KM-1-2^T (= CCTCC AA2016004^T = KCTC 39801^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">Promicromonospora viridis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from soil

Two Gram-stain positive, aerobic actinomycete strains, designated NEAU-JGR1^T and NEAU-JGC41, were isolated from soil collected from Fairy Lake Botanical Garden in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, south of China. The 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis showed that the two strains exhibited 99.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other and were closely related to Promicromonospora thailandica JCM 17130^T (99.4, 99.3%) and Promicromonospora citrea DSM 43110^T (99.2, 99.2%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains clustered together and formed a cluster with P. thailandica JCM 17130^T and P. citrea DSM 43110^T. Both strains were observed to contain MK-9(H₄) and MK-9(H₂) as predominant menaquinones. Their whole cell sugar profiles were found to main contained rhamnose, ribose, glucose and galactose. The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, glycophosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant cellular fatty acids for the two strains were identified as anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strains NEAU-JGR1^T and NEAU-JGC41 was 85.1?±?0.3%, and the values between the two strains and their close phylogenetic relatives were well below 70%, supporting the conclusion that they represent a distinct genomic species. An array of phenotypic characteristics also differentiated the isolates from closely related species. On the basis of the genetic and phenotypic properties, strains NEAU-JGR1^T and NEAU-JGC41 can be classified as representatives of a novel species of the genus Promicromonospora, for which the name Promicromonospora viridis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-JGR1^T (=?DSM 105536^T?=?CGMCC 4.7473^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">Baekduia soli</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the soil of Baekdu Mountain and proposal of a novel family name, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Baekduiaceae</Emphasis> fam. nov.

A taxonomic study was conducted on BR7-21^T, a bacterial strain isolated from the soil of a ginseng field in Baekdu Mountain. Comparative studies of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate was most closely related to Conexibacter woesei DSM 14684^T, Solirubrobacter pauli ATCC BAA-492^T, Patulibacter minatonensis JCM 12834^T, with 93.8%, 92.4%, and 91.5% sequence similarity, respectively; each genus represented a family in the order Solirubrobacterales. Strain BR7-21^T was Gram-reaction positive, non-spore forming, aerobic, non-motile, and short rod-shaped. It grew well on half-strength R2A medium. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 73.9%. It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall and the major menaquinones were MK-7(H₄) and MK-8(H₄). The major fatty acids were summarized as (C_16:1ω7c/iso-C_15:0 2-OH), iso-C_16:0, and C_17:0 cyclo. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, it was proposed that strain BR7-21^T should be placed in a new genus and species, for which the name Baekduia soli gen. nov., sp. nov. was proposed with the type strain BR7-21^T (= KCTC 22257T = LMG 24797^T). The family Baekduiaceae fam. nov. is proposed to encompass the genus Baekduia gen. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Plantactinospora solaniradicis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the root of a tomato plant (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis> L.)

A Gram-positive, non-motile actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-FJL1^T, was isolated from tomato root (Solanum lycopersicum L.) collected from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, north China. The strain formed single spores with smooth surfaces from substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NEAU-FJL1^T should be affiliated with the genus Plantactinospora and forms a distinct branch with its close neighbour Plantactinospora soyae NEAU-gxj3^T (99.2% sequence similarity). The cell wall was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole cell sugars were identified as xylose, glucose, arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-10(H₆) and MK-10(H₄). The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. The major fatty acids were identified as C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA–DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-FJL1^T can be distinguished from its most closely related strain and classified as a new species, for which the name Plantactinospora solaniradicis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-FJL1^T (= DSM 100596^T = CGMCC 4.7284^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Deinococcus knuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from river water

Strain 16F3H^T, a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, and oval-shaped bacterium, was isolated from river water collected from the Han River in South Korea. Growth of strain 16F3H^T was observed at 10–42 °C (optimum at 25–30 °C), but no growth occurred at 4 °C. The strain is able to grow at pH 4–10 (optimum at pH 7–8) and tolerates up to 4% NaCl (w/v), with optimum growth at 0.5% NaCl. The isolate was found to be resistant to UV irradiation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, it is closely related to ‘Deinococcus seoulensis’ 16F1E (98.8%), Deinococcus aquaticus PB314^T (98.1%) and Deinococcus caeni Ho-08^T (98.0%). The level of DNA–DNA homology between the novel strain and the three related strains was 57.4, 41.2, and 35.8%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain 16F3H^T possesses MK-8 as the predominant respiratory quinone, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid as the major polar lipid, and C_15:1 ω6c and C_16:1 ω7c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 65.7 mol%. Based on polyphasic evidence, strain 16F3H^T (=KCTC 33794^T = JCM 31406^T) should be classified as the type strain of a novel Deinococcus species, for which the name Deinococcus knuensis sp. nov. is proposed.     

<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">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">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).