<Emphasis Type="Italic">Larkinella terrae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil on Jeju Island,South Korea

A Gram-stain negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated 15J8-8^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected on Jeju Island, South Korea, and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 15J8-8^T belongs to the family Cytophagaceae and is related to Larkinella bovis M2TB15^T (95.0%), ‘Larkinella harenae’ 15J9-9 (94.5%), Larkinella arboricola Z0532^T (93.2%), and Larkinella insperata LMG 22510^T (93.0%). The DNA G+C content of strain 15J8-8^T was 50.5 mol%. The detection of phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified polar lipids as major polar lipids; menaquinone-7 as the predominant quinone; and C_16:1 ω5c, C_16:0 N alcohol, and iso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids also supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Larkinella. Based on its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 15J8-8^T should be classified in the genus Larkinella as representative of a novel species, for which the name Larkinella terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15J8-8^T (= KCTC 52001^T = JCM 31990^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas heilongjiangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline and alkaline soil

A moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain 9-2^T, was isolated from saline and alkaline soil collected in Lindian county, Heilongjiang province, China. The strain was observed to be strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive and motile. It was found to require NaCl for growth and to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–14 % (w/v) (optimum, 7–10 %, w/v), at temperatures of 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C) and at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum pH 8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 9-2^T is a member of the genus Halomonas and is closely related to Halomonas desiderata DSM 9502^T (96.68 %), Halomonas campaniensis DSM 1293^T (96.46 %), Halomonas ventosae DSM 15911^T (96.27 %) and Halomonas kenyensis DSM 17331^T (96.27 %). The DNA–DNA hybridization value was 38.9 ± 0.66 % between the novel isolate 9-2^T and H. desiderata DSM 9502^T. The predominant ubiquinones were identified as Q9 (75.1 %) and Q8 (24.9 %). The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:0 (22.0 %), Summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c/C_18:1 ω7c, 19.6 %), Summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c/C_16:1 ω7c, 12.6 %), C_12:0 3-OH (12.0 %) and C_10:0 (11.7 %). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 69.7 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain 9-2^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas heilongjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 9-2^T (=DSM 26881^T = CGMCC 1.12467^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thauera sinica</Emphasis> sp. nov., a phenol derivative-degrading bacterium isolated from activated sludge

A bacterial strain, K11^T, capable of degrading phenol derivatives was isolated from activated sludge of a sewage treatment plant in China. This strain, which can degrade more than ten phenol derivatives, was identified as a Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, asporogenous, facultative anaerobic bacterium with a polar flagellum. The strain was found to grow in tryptic soy broth in the presence of 0–2.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0–1%), at 4–43 °C (optimum 30–35 °C) and pH 4.5–10.5 (optimum 7.5–8). Comparative analysis of nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this strain belongs to the genus Thauera. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was found to show high similarity (97.5%) to that of Thauera chlorobenzoica 3CB-1^T, with lesser similarity to other recognised Thauera strains. The G+C content of the DNA of the strain was determined to be 67.8 mol%. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between K11^T and Thauera aromatica DSM6984^T was 10.4 ± 4.5%. The genomic OrthoANI values of K11^T with the other nine type strains of genus Thauera were less than 81.1%. Chemotaxonomic analysis of strain K11^T revealed that Q-8 is the predominant quinone; the polar lipids contain phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and five uncharacterised lipids; the major cellular fatty acid was identified as summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH; 45.9%), followed by C_16:0 (20.5%) and C_18:1 ω7c (15.8%). Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, DNA–DNA hybridisation, OrthoANI, chemotaxonomic analysis and results of the physiological and biochemical tests, a new species named Thauera sinica sp. nov. is proposed with strain K11^T (= CGMCC 1.15731^T = KACC 19216^T) designated as the type strain.     

<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">Pusillimonas caeni</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a sludge sample of a biofilm reactor

A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out on strain EBR-8-1^T isolated from a biofilm reactor in Korea. The cells of the strain were Gram-stain negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, and short rod-shaped. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of this strain with Betaproteobacteria, which showed high pairwise sequence similarities with Pusillimonas noertemannii BN9^T (99.1 %), Pusillimonas soli MJ07^T (97.3 %), Pusillimonas ginsengisoli DCY25^T (97.2 %), and Pusillimonas harenae B201^T (96.8 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain formed a clear phylogenetic lineage within the genus Pusillimonas. The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:0, C_17:0 cyclo and C_19:0 cyclo ω8c. The major cellular polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. The respiratory quinone was identified as Q-8 and the genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 63.3 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, it is proposed that strain EBR-8-1^T should be placed in a new species, Pusillimonas caeni sp. nov. The type stain is EBR-8-1^T (=KCTC 42353^T = JCM 30463^T).     

<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">Paradevosia shaoguanensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., Isolated from a Coking Wastewater

A Gram staining negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain J5-3^T with a single polar flagellum was isolated from coking wastewater collected from Shaoguan, Guangdong, China. It was motile and capable of optimal growth at pH 6–8, 30 °C, and 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl. Its predominant fatty acids were 11-methyl C_18:1 ω7c (29.2 %), C_16:0 (20.6 %), C_19:0 cyclo ω8c (18.2 %), C_18:0 (11.0 %), and C_18:1 ω7c/C_18:1 ω6c (10.9 %) when grown on trypticase soy agar. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unknown glycolipids (GL1, GL2), and two unknown phospholipid (PL1, PL2). The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10, and the genome DNA G+C content was 61.7 mol %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain J5-3^T belonged to the family Hyphomicrobiaceae in Alphaproteobacteria. It shared the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 93.8–96.1 % with the genus Devosia, 94.5–94.8 % with the genus Pelagibacterium, and <92.0 % with all the other type strains in family Hyphomicrobiaceae. It can be distinguished from the closest phylogenetic neighbors based on several phenotypic and genotypic features, including α-galactosidase activity, tetracycline susceptibility, major fatty acid composition, polar lipid profile, DNA gyrase B subunit (gyrB) gene sequence, and random-amplified polymorphic DNA profile. Therefore, we consider strain J5-3^T to represent a novel species of a novel genus within the family Hyphomicrobiaceae, for which the name Paradevosia shaoguanensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Paradevosia shaoguanensis is J5-3^T (=CGMCC 1.12430^T =LMG 27409^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">Mesorhizobium soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel species isolated from the rhizosphere of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Robinia pseudoacacia</Emphasis> L. in South Korea by using a modified culture method

Strain NHI-8^T was isolated from a forest soil sample, collected in South Korea, by using a modified culture method. Comparative analysis of its nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain NHI-8^T belongs to the genus Mesorhizobium and to be closely related to Mesorhizobium chacoense PR5^T (97.32 %). The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NHI-8^T and reference type strains of the genus Mesorhizobium were 32.28–53.65 %. SDS-PAGE of total soluble proteins and the sequences of the housekeeping genes recA, glnII, and atpD were also used to support the clade grouping in rhizobia. The new strain contained summed feature 8 (57.0 %), cyclo-C_19:0ω8c (17.3 %), and C_18:0 (11.0 %) as the major fatty acids, as in genus Mesorhizobium. The strain contained cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol, ornithine-containing lipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyl-N-dimethylethanolamine, and phosphatidylcholine. Morphological and physiological analyses were performed to compare the characteristics of our strain with those of the reference type strains. Based on the results, strain NHI-8^T was determined to represent a novel member of the genus Mesorhizobium, and the name Mesorhizobium soli is proposed. The type strain is NHI-8^T (=KEMB 9005-153^T = KACC 17916^T = JCM 19897^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hoeflea prorocentri</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a culture of the marine dinoflagellate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prorocentrum mexicanum</Emphasis> PM01

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, yellow-pigmented and non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated PM5-8^T, was isolated from a culture of a marine toxigenic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum mexicanum PM01. Strain PM5-8^T grew at 15–35 °C (optimum, 25–30 °C) and pH 6–11 (optimum, 7.5–8). Cells required at least 1.5% (w/v) NaCl for growth, and can tolerate up to 7.0% with the optimum of 4%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain PM5-8^T is closely related to members of the genus Hoeflea, with high sequence similarities with Hoeflea halophila JG120-1^T (97.06%) and Hoeflea alexandrii AM1V30^T (97.01%). DNA–DNA hybridization values between the isolate and other type strains of recognized species of the genus Hoeflea were between 11.8 and 25.2%, which is far below the value of 70% threshold for species delineation. The DNA G?+?C content was 50.3 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids of the strain were identified as summed feature 8 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c; 51.5%), C_18:1 ω7c 11-methyl (20.7%), C_16:0 (17.2%) and C_18:0 (5.7%). The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. Polar lipids profiles contained phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol, phosphatidylmono- methylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and four unidentified lipids. On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomic data presented, strain PM5-8^T (=?CCTCC AB 2016294^T?=?KCTC 62490^T) represents a novel species of the genus Hoeflea, for which the name Hoeflea prorocentri sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gallaecimonas mangrovi</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from mangrove sediment

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, strictly aerobic bacterium HK-28^T was isolated from a mangrove sediment sample in Haikou city, Hainan Province, China. Strain HK-28^T was able to grow at 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), pH 5.0–8.5 (optimum 6.0–7.0) and 0.5–12.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.0–3.0%, w/v). The major cellular fatty acids were C_16:0, Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c), Summed Feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c), C_17:0, C_12:0 3-OH and C_17:1ω8c. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, four unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified glycolipid, an unidentified glycophospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content was 50.2 mol%. Accoroding to 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain HK-28^T shared 97.1 and 96.7% sequence similarities to the validly named species Gallaecimonas xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T and Gallaecimonas pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T, respectively, and shared lower sequence similarities (<?92.0%) to all other genera. Phylogenetic analysis showed strain HK-28^T was clustered with G. pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T and G. xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T. Strain HK-28^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with G. xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T (28.3?±?1.5%) and G. pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T (25.2?±?2.4%). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, strain HK-28^T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Gallaecimonas, for which the name Gallaecimonas mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HK-28^T (=?KCTC 62177^T?=?MCCC 1K03441).     

Description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter daejeonensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from grass soil,based on multilocus sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">gyr</Emphasis>B and <Emphasis Type="Italic">tuf</Emphasis> genes

A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out on strains PB105^T and PB108 isolated from a grass soil in Korea. The cells of the strains were Gram-stain negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, and rod-shaped. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of these strains with Bacteroidetes, which showed high pairwise sequence similarities with Hymenobacter algoricola VUG-A23a^T (99.2%), Hymenobacter fastidiosus VUG-A124a^T (97.4%), and Hymenobacter daecheongensis Dae14^T (96.9%). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strains formed a clear phylogenetic lineage with the genus Hymenobacter. The major fatty acids were identified as C_15:0 iso, C_15:0 anteiso, C_16:1 ω5c, C_15:0 iso 3-OH, C_17:0 iso 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c/t), and summed feature 4 (C_17:1 anteiso B and/or C_17:1 iso I). The major cellular polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, and two unidentified lipids. The respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7 and the genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 64.5 mol% for strain PB105^T and 64.1 mol% for strain PB108. DNA–DNA hybridization value of type strain PB105^T with H. algoricola VUG-A23a^T was 32.3% (reciprocal 39.2). Based on the combined genotypic and phenotypic data, we propose that strains PB105^T and PB108 represent a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter daejeonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PB105^T (=?KCTC 52579^T?=?JCM 31885^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 flavus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium from soil of Jeju Island

A novel, Gram-staining negative, yellow pigmented bacterial strain, designated 15J11-2^T, was isolated from soil sample on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The strain was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. The strain was able to grow at temperature range from 10°C to 30°C, pH 7–8, and in presence of 0–1% (w/v) NaCl. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 15J11-2^T belongs to the genus Spirosoma and levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity ranged from 91.5% to 89.8%. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain 15J11-2^T was 46.0 mol%. The isolate contained phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid as the main polar lipids, menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω6c/C_16:1ω7c; 39.4%), C_16:1ω5c (27.1%), and C_16:0 (13.0%) as the major fatty acids, which supported the affiliation of strain 15J11-2^T to the genus Spirosoma. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 15J11-2^T from recognized Spirosoma species. On the basis of its phenotypic properties, genotypic distinctiveness, chemotaxonomic features, strain 15J11-2^T represents a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15J11-2^T (= KCTC 52026^T = JCM 31998^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizobium hedysari</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel species isolated from a root nodule of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hedysarum multijugum</Emphasis> in China

A strain 5-1-2^T was isolated from a root nodule of Hedysarum multijugum collected from Zhangye city, Gansu province, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and other housekeeping genes (recA and atpD) indicated that the strain represents a novel species in the genus Rhizobium close to the strain Rhizobium subbaraonis JC85^T with similarities of 98.27, 88.92 and 89.62%, respectively. Strain 5-1-2^T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. Our results showed that the major fatty acids were feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c; 38.90%). In addition, the DNA–DNA hybridizations with the type strains R. subbaraonis JC85^T and Rhizobium halophytocola YC6881^T were 39.2 ± 2.1 and 44.3 ± 1.9, respectively. Therefore, a novel species Rhizobium hedysari sp. nov. is proposed, and 5-1-2^T (=CGMCC1.15677^T = NBRC112532^T) is designated as the type strain.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Limnobacter humi</Emphasis> sp. nov., a thiosulfate-oxidizing,heterotrophic bacterium isolated from humus soil,and emended description of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Limnobacter</Emphasis> Spring <Emphasis Type="Italic">et al.</Emphasis> 2001

Three Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, chemolithoheterotrophic bacterial strains, designated UCM-30, UCM-33, and UCM-39^T, were isolated in South Korea. Based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences, the three isolated strains were found to be similar to Limnobacter thiooxidans CS-K2^T (97.41–97.68%), Limnobacter litoralis KP1-19^T (95.55–95.76%), and various genera belonging to the class Betaproteobacteria (90.34–93.34%). DNA-DNA hybridization showed 79.3–83.9% similarity between the genomic DNA of UCM-39^T, UCM-30, and UCM-33, while the sequence similarity between UCM-39^T and L. thiooxidans KACC 13837T or L. litoralis LMG 24869T was 23.7% and 18.6%, respectively. The DNA G+C content of UCM 39T was 59.7 mol%, the major ubiquinone was Q-8, and the optimal oxidation rate was observed at 10 mM thiosulfate. The major fatty acids (≥ 10%) were summed features 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c) and 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c), and C_16:0. The major polar lipids (diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol) were found in all members of genus Limnobacter. Based on phenotypic, physiological, and phylogenetic analyses, the UCM-39T strain was found to be significantly distinct to represent a novel species affiliated to the genus Limnobacter. We propose to name it Limnobacter humi sp. nov. with the type strain UCM-39^T (=KACC 18574^T =NBRC 111650^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">Flavobacterium ureilyticum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel urea hydrolysing bacterium isolated from stream bank soil

A novel bacterium designated S-42^T was isolated from stream bank soil. Cells were found to be aerobic, Gram staining-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and yellow-pigmented. The strain can grow at 15–35 °C, pH 6.0–10.0, and at 0.5% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Urea was hydrolysed. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain S-42^T formed a lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes that is distinct from various species of the genus Flavobacterium, including Flavobacterium maotaiense T9^T (97.6% sequence similarity), Flavobacterium hibernum ATCC 51468^T (97.4%), and Flavobacterium granuli Kw05^T (97.1%). The 16S rRNA gene sequences identity between strain S-42^T and other members of the genus Flavobacterium were < 97.0%. Strain S-42^T contains MK-6 as sole respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_{16: 1}ω6c), C_16:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, and iso-C_15:1 G. The DNA G?+?C content of the strain was 35.8 mol%. The polyphasic characterization indicated that strain S-42^T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ureilyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-42^T (=?KEMB 9005-537^T?=?KACC 19115^T?=?NBRC 112683^T).     

<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">Spirosoma metallicus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from an automobile air conditioning system

A Gram-stain-negative and orangish yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated PR1014K^T, was isolated from an automobile evaporator core collected in Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain PR1014K^T was related with the members of the genus Spirosoma (94.7–90.2%) and closely related with Spirosoma lacussanchae CPCC 100624^T (94.7%), Spirosoma knui 15J8-12^T (94.3%), and Spirosoma soli MIMBbqt12^T (93.3%). The strain grew at 15–40°C (optimum, 25°C), pH 6.5–7.0 (optimum, 6.5) and 0–1% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0%). The predominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c), C_16:0, iso-C_15:0, C_16:1 ω5c, and iso-C_17:0 3-OH. The major menaquinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profile of the strain indicated that the presence of one phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified aminophospholipids, and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 47.4 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain PR1014K^T represents a novel species in the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma metallicus sp. nov. (=KACC 17940^T =NBRC 110792^T) is proposed.