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

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-LA29^T, was isolated from soil collected from Xianglu Mountain and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Based on a polyphasic taxonomic approach comprising chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, morphological and physiological characterisation, the isolate has been affiliated to the genus Streptomyces. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate is closely related to Streptomyces vastus JCM4524^T (98.8% identity) and Streptomyces cinereus DSM43033^T (97.9%). However, multilocus sequence analysis based on five other house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) and low DNA–DNA relatedness values enabled the strain to be differentiated from these closely related species of the genus Streptomyces. Thus, strain NEAU-LA29^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces xiangluensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-LA29^T (=?CGMCC 4.7466^T?=?DSM 105786^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces tunisialbus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> species with antimicrobial activity

A novel actinomycete strain designated S2^T was isolated from Tunisian rhizosphere soil of Lavandula officinalis. This isolate exhibited broad spectrum antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and also antifungal activity against yeast and filamentous fungi. The isolate S2^T presents morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the members of the genus Streptomyces. Whole cell hydrolysates of S2^T were found to contain LL-diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C16:0 whereas the predominant menaquinones were found to be MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and three unidentified compounds. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 71.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S2^T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces netropsis DSM 40259^T with 99.86% sequence similarity. Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on four house-keeping gene alleles (gyrB, recA, trpB, rpoB) showed that isolate S2^T is closely related to S. netropsis, with an MLSA distance greater than 0.007. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain S2^T and its near phylogenetic neighbour was 63.6 ± 2.3%, which is lower than the 70% threshold value for delineation of genomic prokaryotic species. This isolate was also distinguished from the type strain S. netropsis DSM 40259^T, using a combination of morphological and physiological features. Based on its phenotypic and molecular properties, strain S2^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces tunisialbus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2^T (= JCM 32165^T = DSM 105760^T).     

<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 urticae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Urtica urens</Emphasis> L.

Two novel Gram-stain positive, spore-forming, aerobic actinomycetes, designated NEAU-PCY-1^T and NEAU-PCY-2, were isolated from rhizosphere soil of Urtica urens L. collected from Anshan, Liaoning Province, northeast China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strains NEAU-PCY-1^T and NEAU-PCY-2 exhibited 99.8% similarity with each other and are closely related to Streptomyces abietis DSM 42080^T (98.2, 98.3%) and Streptomyces fildesensis DSM 41987^T (98.0, 98.1%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains formed a cluster with these two closely related species. Moreover, DNA–DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic, physiological and biochemical properties differentiated the two strains from their close relatives in the genus Streptomyces. Based on a polyphasic taxonomy study, strains NEAU-PCY-1^T and NEAU-PCY-2 are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces urticae sp. nov. is proposed, with NEAU-PCY-1^T (=?DSM 105115^T?=?CCTCC AA 2017015^T) as the type strain.     

<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">Bacillus ferrooxidans</Emphasis> sp. nov., an iron(II)-oxidizing bacterium isolated from paddy soil

An endospore-forming bacterium, designated YT-3^T, was isolated from a paddy soil in Yingtan, Jiangxi, China. Cells of strain YT-3^T were Gram-positive, rod-shaped, facultative anaerobic, catalase, and oxidase positive. The optimum growth temperature and pH were 30°C (ranged from 15 to 50°C) and 6.5–7.0 (ranged from 3 to 11), respectively. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain YT-3^T was affiliated to the genus Bacillus and displayed the highest similarity to that of Bacillus drentensis JCM 21707^T (98.3%), followed by B. ginsengisoli JCM 17335^T (97.8%) and B. fumarioli JCM 21708^T (97.0%). The similarity of rpoB gene sequence between strain YT-3^T and B. drentensis JCM 21707^T, B. ginsengisoli JCM 17335^T and B. fumarioli JCM 21708T was 80.4%, 81.5%, and 82.1%, respectively. The genomic DNA G + C content was 44.9 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was Menaquinone-7, and meso-diaminopimelic acid was present in the peptidoglycan layer of cell wall. The major fatty acids were C_15:0 anteiso (36.2%), C_14:0 iso (19.6%), C_15:0 iso (17.4%), and C_16:0 iso (9.8%). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipids, and ammoniac phospholipids. The DNA-DNA hybridization values between isolate YT-3^T and B. drentensis (JCM 21707^T), B. ginsengisoli (JCM 17335^T), and B. fumarioli (JCM 21708^T) were 36.3%, 30.3%, and 25.3%, respectively. On the basis of physiological, genetic and biochemical data, strain YT-3^T represented a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus ferrooxidans sp. nov was proposed. The type strain is YT-3^T (= KCTC 33875T = CCTCC AB 2017049T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces caldifontis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a hot water spring of Tatta Pani,Kotli, Pakistan

A Gram-staining positive, non-motile, rod-shaped, catalase positive and oxidase negative bacterium, designated NCCP-1331^T, was isolated from a hot water spring soil collected from Tatta Pani, Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The isolate grew at a temperature range of 18-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum 7.0) and with 0–6 % NaCl (optimum 2 % NaCl (w/v)). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain NCCP-1331^T belonged to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces brevispora BK160^T with 97.9 % nucleotide similarity, followed by Streptomyces drosdowiczii NRRL B-24297^T with 97.8 % nucleotide similarity. The DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain NCCP-1331^T with S. brevispora KACC 21093^T and S. drosdowiczii CBMAI 0498^T were 42.7 and 34.7 %, respectively. LL-DAP was detected as diagnostic amino acid along with alanine, glycine, leucine and glutamic acid. The isolate contained MK-9(H₈) as the predominant menaquinone. Major polar lipids detected in NCCP-1331^T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and unidentified phospholipids. Major fatty acids were iso-C_{16: 0}, summed feature 8 (18:1 ω7c/18:1 ω6c), anteiso-C_15:0 and C_16:0. The genomic DNA G + C content was 69.8 mol %. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analysis, it is concluded that strain NCCP-1331^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces caldifontis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NCCP-1331^T (=KCTC 39537^T = CPCC 204147^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ponticoccus alexandrii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the marine toxigenic dinoflagellate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alexandrium minutum</Emphasis>

During an investigation of the biodiversity of the cultivable bacterial community associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin-producing marine dinoflagellate, Alexandrium minutum a novel algal-associated bacterium, designated strain AT2-A^T was isolated. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that the strain is a member of the genus Ponticoccus, with high sequence similarity to Ponticoccus litoralis DSM 18986^T (97.9%) and Ponticoccus lacteus JCM 30379^T (96.0%). However, based on the data obtained for the physiological and biochemical characteristics, and low level of DNA–DNA relatedness analysis, the strain could be genotypically and phenotypically differentiated from two type strains of the genus Ponticoccus. Therefore, this algal-associated bacterial strain is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Ponticoccus, for which the name Ponticoccus alexandrii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AT2-A^T (CCTCC AB 2017228 ^T = KCTC 52626 ^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).     

Taxonomic description and draft genome of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas sediminis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from the rhizospheric sediment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites karka</Emphasis>

The taxonomic position of a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated PI11^T, isolated from the rhizospheric sediment of Phragmites karka was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Strain PI11^T could grow optimally at 1.0% NaCl concentration with pH 7.0 at 30°C and was positive for oxidase and catalase but negative for hydrolysis of starch, casein, and esculin ferric citrate. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain PI11^T belonged to the genus Pseudomonas sharing the highest sequence similarities with Pseudomonas indoloxydans JCM 14246^T (99.72%), followed by, Pseudomonas oleovorans subsp. oleovorans DSM 1045^T (99.29%), Pseudomonas toyotomiensis JCM 15604^T (99.15%), Pseudomonas chengduensis DSM 26382^T (99.08%), Pseudomonas oleovorans subsp. lubricantis DSM 21016^T (99.08%), and Pseudomonas alcaliphila JCM 10630^T (99.01%). Experimental DNA-DNA relatedness between strain PI11^T and P. indoloxydans JCM 14246^T was 49.4%. The draft genome of strain PI11^T consisted of 4,884,839 bp. Average nucleotide identity between the genome of strain PI11^T and other closely related type strains ranged between 77.25–90.74%. The polar lipid pattern comprised of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylcholine. The major (> 10%) cellular fatty acids were C_18:1ω6c/ω7c, C_16:1ω6c/ω7c, and C_16:0. The DNA G + C content of strain PI11^T was 62.4 mol%. Based on the results of polyphasic analysis, strain PI11^T was delineated from other closely related type strains. It is proposed that strain PI11^T represents represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PI11^T (= KCTC 42576^T = DSMZ 100245^T).     

A novel pigmented and heavy metal biosorptive bacterium, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucobacter epilobiisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Epilobium hirsutum</Emphasis> L.

A novel yellow pigmented, Gram-positive, aerobic and heavy metal biosorptive bacterium designated SYP-B2667^T was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Epilobium hirsutum L. in Tongren, Guizhou province, China. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, it was shown that strain SYP-B2667^T represents a novel species in the genus Leucobacter, with Leucobacter chromiireducens subsp. solipictus JCM 15573^T as a close phylogenetic neighbour (sequence similarity of 98.2%). Chemotaxonomic characteristics also supported the affiliation to the genus Leucobacter. Strain SYP-B2667^T was determined to have a DNA G+C content of 66.6 mol%; 2,4-diaminobutyric acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan amino acids; MK-11 as predominant menaquinone; an abundance of anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0 fatty acids; and polar lipids including diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipids and unidentified phospholipids. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain SYP-B2667^T and L. chromiireducens subsp. solipictus JCM 15573^T was 19.7?±?2.8%. Based on these phylogenetic and phenotypic results, it can be concluded that strain SYP-B2667^T represents a novel species, for which the name Leucobacter epilobiisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYP-B2667^T (=DSM 105145^T=CPCC 204976^T). This strain can tolerate and adsorb five heavy metals and so may have potential to facilitate heavy metal removal and bioremediation.     

<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">Paenibacillus oryzisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of rice

A novel bacterium, strain 1ZS3-15^T, was isolated from rhizosphere of rice. Its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The novel strain was observed to be Gram-stain positive, spore-forming, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 1ZS3-15^T was recovered within the genus Paenibacillus. It is closely related to Paenibacillus pectinilyticus KCTC 13222^T (97.9 % similarity), Paenibacillus frigoriresistens CCTCC AB 2011150^T (96.8 %), Paenibacillus alginolyticus JCM 9068^T (96.4 %) and Paenibacillus chondroitinus DSM 5051^T (95.5 %). The fatty acid profile of strain 1ZS3-15^T, which showed a predominance of anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0, supported the allocation of the strain into the genus Paenibacillus. The predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-7. The polar lipids profile of strain 1ZS3-15^T was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The cell wall peptidoglycan contains meso-diaminopimelic acid. Based on draft genome sequences, the DNA–DNA relatedness between strain 1ZS3-15^T and the closely related species P. pectinilyticus KCTC 13222^T are 24.2 ± 1.0 %, and the Average Nucleotide Identity values between the strains are 78.9 ± 0.1 %, which demonstrated that this isolate represents a new species in the genus Paenibacillus. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 45.3 mol%, which is within the range reported for Paenibacillus species. Characterisation by genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analysis indicated that strain 1ZS3-15^T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus oryzisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1ZS3-15^T (= ACCC 19783^T = JCM 30487^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodopirellula rosea</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from an ark clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scapharca broughtonii</Emphasis>

A novel Gram-negative, motile, and ovoid-shaped strain, LHWP3^T, which belonged to the family Planctomycetaceae in the phylum Planctomycetes, was isolated from a dead ark clam Scapharca broughtonii collected during a mass mortality event on the south coast of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate was most closely related to the type strain of Rhodopirellula baltica, with a shared 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 94.8%. The isolate grew optimally at 30°C in 4–6% (w/v) NaCl, and at pH 7. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The dominant polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unidentified polar lipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C_16:0, C_18:1 ω9c, and C_18:0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain LHWP3^T was 53.0 mol%. Based on polyphasic taxonomic analyses, strain LHWP3^T should be classified as a novel species in the genus Rhodopirellula in the family Planctomycetaceae, for which the name Rhodopirellula rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LHWP3^T (=KACC 15560^T =JCM 17759^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacteroides sedimenti</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a chloroethenes-dechlorinating consortium enriched from river sediment

A Gram-negative, anaerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated YN3PY1^T, was isolated from a chloroethene-dechlorinating consortium originally enriched from river sediment. The strain enhanced the dechlorination of cis-dichloroethene to ethene by Dehalococcoides, especially at the early stages of cultivation. Strain YN3PY1^T was the first isolate of the genus Bacteroides, obtained from animal-independent environments, and its 16S rRNA gene had the highest sequence similarity (97.1%) with Bacteroides luti JCM 19020^T in the ‘Coprosuis’ clade of the genus Bacteroides. Strain YN3PY1^T formed a phylogenetic cluster with other phylotypes detected from sediments and paddy soil, and the cluster was affiliated with a linage of so-called free-living Bacteroides detected from animal-independent environments, suggesting specific adaptations to sediment-like environments. The strain showed typical phenotypes of Bacteroides, i.e., polysaccharolytic anaerobe having anteiso-C_15:0 as the most abundant fatty acid and MK-11 as one of the major respiratory quinones. Additionally, the strain uniquely transforms glucose to lactate and malate, has MK-12 as another major respiratory quinone, and grows at comparatively low temperatures, i.e. 10–40°C, with an optimum at 28°C. Based on the presented data, strain YN3PY1^T (= KCTC 15656^T = NBRC 113168^T) can be proposed as a novel species of the genus Bacteroides and named as Bacteroides sedimenti sp. nov.     

<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">Microbacterium rhizosphaerae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a Ginseng field,South Korea

A novel Gram-stain positive, aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated strain CHO1^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil from a ginseng agriculture field. Strain CHO1^T was observed to form yellow colonies on R2A agar medium. The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain alanine, glycine, glutamic acid, d-ornithine and serine. The cell wall sugars were identified as galactose, mannose, rhamnose and ribose. Strain CHO1^T was found to contain MK-11, MK-12, MK-13 as the predominant menaquinones and anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, and anteiso-C_17:0 as the major fatty acids. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified glycolipids were found to be present in strain CHO1^T. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CHO1^T was found to be closely related to Microbacterium mangrovi DSM 28240^T (97.81 % similarity), Microbacterium immunditiarum JCM 14034^T (97.45 %), Microbacterium oryzae JCM 16837^T (97.33 %) and Microbacterium ulmi KCTC 19363^T (97.10 %) and to other species of the genus Microbacterium. The DNA G+C content of CHO1^T was determined to be 70.1 mol %. The DNA–DNA hybridization values of CHO1^T with M. mangrovi DSM 28240^T, M. immunditiarum JCM 14034^T, M. oryzae JCM 16837^T and M. ulmi KCTC 19363^T were 46.7 ± 2, 32.4 ± 2, 32.0 ± 2 and 29.2 ± 2 %, respectively. On the basis of genotypic, phenotypic and phylogenetic properties, it is concluded that strain CHO1^T represents a novel species within the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of M. rhizosphaerae is CHO1^T (= KEMB 7306-513^T = JCM 31396^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nonomuraea rhizosphaerae</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a rubber tree (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hevea brasiliensis</Emphasis> Muell. Arg)

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-mq18^T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) collected from Xianglu Mountain in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate belongs to the genus Nonomuraea with high sequence similarity to Nonomuraea guangzhouensis NEAU-ZJ3^T (98.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain clusters phylogenetically with N. guangzhouensis NEAU-ZJ3^T and Nonomuraea glycinis NEAU-BB2C19^T. Moreover, key chemotaxonomic properties including the major menaquinones, fatty acid composition and phospholipid profile also confirmed the affiliation of the strain to the genus Nonomuraea. However, some physiological, morphological and biochemical properties, and low DNA–DNA relatedness values, enabled the strain to be differentiated from closely related species of the genus Nonomuraea. Thus, strain NEAU-mq18^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-mq18^T (=CGMCC 4.7431^T=DSM 105761^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Larkinella roseus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a species of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cytophagaceae</Emphasis> isolated from beach soil

The taxonomic position of bacterial strain, designated 15J16-1T3A^T, recovered from a soil sample was established using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain 15J16-1T3A^T belonged to the family Cytophagaceae, phylum Bacteroidetes, and was most closely related to ‘Larkinella harenae’ 15J9-9 (95.9% similarity), Larkinella ripae 15J11-11^T (95.6%), Larkinella bovis M2TB15^T (94.7%), Larkinella arboricola Z0532^T (93.9%), and Larkinella insperata LMG 22510^T (93.5%). Cells were rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, and nonmotile. The isolate grew on NA, R2A, TSA, but not on LB agar. The strain was able to grow at temperature range from 10°C to 30°C with an optimum at 25°C and pH 6–8. Menaquinone MK-7 was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids comprised C_16:1ω5c (48.6%) and C_15:0 iso (24.1%). Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and an unidentified lipid were the major polar lipids. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 49.5 mol%. Strain 15J16-1T3A^T could be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic neighbors based on its phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Larkinella, for which the name Larkinella roseus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15J16-1T3A^T (= KCTC 52004^T = JCM 31991^T).     

Taxonomic description and genome sequence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halobacillus marinus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel strain isolated from Chilika Lake,India

moderately halophilic spore forming, motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterial strain designated as KGW1^T was isolated from water sample of Chilika Lake and characterized taxonomically using polyphasic approach. The strain grew in the presence of 0–25% (w/v) NaCl in marine salt agar media, hydrolyzes casein, and gelatin and shows presence of alkaline proteases. The major cell wall menaquinone was MK7 and major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (44.89%), anteiso-C_17:0 (6.18%), isoC_15:0 (19.38%), and iso-C_16:0 (7.39%). Several chemotaxonomic features conform the isolate be a member of genus Halobacillus. The isolate KGW1^T contained A1γ meso-Dpm-direct type of peptidoglycan which is different from its phylogenetically closest neighbours. The 16S rRNA gene sequence based phylogenetic analysis also revealed the strain KGW1^T was affiliated to the genus Halobacillus and sequence similarity between the isolated strain and the type strains of Halobacillus species were found closest to, H. dabanensis D-8 DSM 18199^T (99.08%) and H. faecis IGA7-4 DSM 21559^T (99.01%), H. trueperi SL-5 DSM 10404^T (98.94%). The in silico DDH showed that the values in a range of 14.2–17.5% with the most closest strain H. dabanensis D-8 DSM 18199^T and other type strains of the genus Halobacillus for which whole genome sequence is reported. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain KGW1^T and the closest type strain Halobacillus trueperi DSM 10404^T was 11.75% (± 1.15). The draft genome sequence includes 3,683,819 bases and comprises of 3898 predicted coding sequences with a G + C content of 46.98%. Thus, the significant distinctiveness supported by phenotypic and genotypic data with its closest neighbors and other closely related species confirm the strain KGW1^T to be classified as a novel species within the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KGW1^T (= DSM 29522 = JCM 30443).