Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov., a slightly halophilic myxobacterium isolated from the coastal areas of Japan

Six isolates of novel marine myxobacteria, designated strains SHK-1T, SMK-1-1, SMK-1-3, SMK-10, SKK-2, and SMP-6, were obtained from various coastal samples (mud, sands and algae) collected around Japan. All of the isolates had Gram-negative rod-shaped cells, motile by gliding and grew aerobically. They showed bacteriolytic action, fruiting body formation, and NaCl requirement for growth with an optimum concentration of 1.0-2.0% (w/v). In addition, divalent cationic components of seawater, such as Mg2+ or Ca2+, were also needed for growth. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA ranged from 65.6 to 67.4 mol% (by HPLC). The isolates shared almost identical 16S rDNA sequences, and clustered with a recently described marine myxobacterium, Plesiocystis pacifica, as their closest relative on a phylogenetic tree (95.9-96.0% similarity). Physiological and chemotaxonomic differences between the new strains and strains of the genus Plesiocystis justify the proposal of a new genus. Therefore, we propose to classify the six isolates into a new taxon of marine myxobacteria with the name, Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is SHK-1(T) (JCM 11769(T) = DSM 15217(T) = AJ 110011(T)).     

Bifidobacterium reuteri sp. nov., Bifidobacterium callitrichos sp. nov., Bifidobacterium saguini sp. nov., Bifidobacterium stellenboschense sp. nov. and Bifidobacterium biavatii sp. nov. isolated from faeces of common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and red-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas)

Five strains of bifidobacteria were isolated from faeces of a common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and a red-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas). The five isolates clustered inside the phylogenetic group of the genus Bifidobacterium but did not show high sequence similarities between the isolates and to known species in the genus by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Sequence analyses of dnaJ1 and hsp60 also indicated their independent phylogenetic positions to each other in the Bifidobacterium cluster. DNA G+C contents of the species ranged from 57.3 to 66.3 mol%, which is within the values recorded for Bifidobacterium species. All isolates showed fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase activity. Based on the data provided, the five isolates represent five novel species, for which the names Bifidobacterium reuteri sp. nov. (type strain: AFB22-1(T) = JCM 17295(T) = DSM 23975(T)), Bifidobacterium callitrichos sp. nov. (type strain: AFB22-5(T) = JCM 17296(T) = DSM 23973(T)), Bifidobacterium saguini sp. nov. (type strain: AFB23-1(T) = JCM 17297(T) = DSM 23967(T)), Bifidobacterium stellenboschense sp. nov. (type strain: AFB23-3(T) = JCM 17298(T) = DSM 23968(T)) and Bifidobacterium biavatii sp. nov. (type strain: AFB23-4(T) = JCM 17299(T) = DSM 23969(T)) are proposed.     

Eight new species of the genus Micromonospora, Micromonospora citrea sp. nov., Micromonospora echinaurantiaca sp. nov., Micromonospora echinofusca sp. nov. Micromonospora fulviviridis sp. nov., Micromonospora inyonensis sp. nov., Micromonospora peucetia sp. nov., Micromonospora sagamiensis sp. nov., and Micromonospora viridifaciens sp. nov

A previous phylogenetic study on type strains of the genus Micromonospora and Micromonospora species bearing non-validly published names has pointed towards the species status of several of latter strains. Subsequent studies on morphological, cultural, chemotaxonomic, metabolic, and genomic properties, and on whole cell mass spectrometric analyses by matrix adsorbed laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) confirmed the species status, leading to the proposal of eight new Micromonospora species: Micromonospora citrea sp. nov., type strain DSM 43903T, Micromonospora echinaurantiaca sp. nov., type strain DSM 43904T, Micromonospora echinofusca sp. nov., type strain DSM 43913T, Micromonospora fulviviridis sp. nov., type strain DSM 43906T, Micromonospora inyonensis sp. nov., type strain DSM 46123T, Micromonospora peucetia sp. nov., type strain DSM 43363T, Micromonospora sagamiensis sp. nov., type strain DSM 43912T and Micromonospora viridifaciens sp. nov., type strain DSM 43909T.     

Kribbella yunnanensis sp. nov., Kribbella alba sp. nov., two novel species of genus Kribbella isolated from soils in Yunnan, China

Two actinomycete strains, designated YIM 30006(T) and YIM 31075(T), were isolated from soil samples in Yunnan, China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Morphological and chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that the two isolates should be consistent with the nocardioform actinomycetes. Comparative 16S rDNA sequences confirmed that the two unknown isolates to be members of the genus Kribbella. Based on the results of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic studies and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strains YIM 30006(T) and YIM 31075(T) should be classified as two novel species of the genus Kribbella, for which the names Kribbella yunnanensis sp. nov. and Kribbella alba sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains for them are YIM 30006(T) (=CCTCC AA001019(T)=DSM 15499(T)) and YIM 31075(T) (=CCTCC AA 001020(T)=DSM 15500(T)), respectively. The 16S rDNA sequences of strains YIM 30006(T), YIM 31075(T) have been deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers AY 082061 and AY 082062, respectively.     

Nocardia testaceus sp. nov. and Nocardia senatus sp. nov., isolated from patients in Japan

Two actinomycete strains isolated from sputum between 1999 and 2001 in Japan were provisionally assigned to the genus Nocardia based on morphological criteria. These isolates were further studied in order to determine their specific taxonomic status. Detailed chemotaxonomic characterization and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis of these isolates also confirmed that they belong to the genus Nocardia. The 16S rDNA sequence data of the two strains showed that they are most similar to that of Nocardia carnea and Nocardia flavorosea. However, DNA-DNA relatedness data showed that the two strains could be distinguished from N. carnea and N. flavorosea and therefore represented two new species within the genus Nocardia. The designation of the two isolated strains are Nocardia testaceus for IFM 0937(T) (=JCM 12235(T), DSM 44765(T)) and Nocardia senatus for IFM 10088(T) (=JCM 12236(T), DSM 44766(T)).     

Mobilicoccus pelagius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Piscicoccus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., two new members of the family Dermatophilaceae, and reclassification of Dermatophilus chelonae (Masters et al. 1995) as Austwickia chelonae gen. nov., comb. nov

Two Gram-positive bacteria, designated strains Aji5-31(T) and Ngc37-23(T), were isolated from the intestinal tracts of fishes. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that both strains were related to the members of the family Dermatophilaceae, with 95.6-96.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. The family Dermatophilaceae contains 2 genera and 3 species: Dermatophilus congolensis, Dermatophilus chelonae and Kineosphaera limosa. However, it has been suggested that the taxonomic position of D. chelonae should be reinvestigated using a polyphasic approach, because the chemotaxonomic characteristics are not known (Stackebrandt, 2006; Stackebrandt and Schumann, 2000). Our present study revealed that strains Aji5-31(T), Ngc37-23(T) and D. chelonae NBRC 105200(T) should be separated from the other members of the family Dermatophilaceae on the basis of the following characteristics: the predominant menaquinone of strain Aji5-31(T) is MK-8(H(2)), strain Ngc37-23(T) possesses iso- branched fatty acids as major components, and the menaquinone composition of D. chelonae is MK-8(H(4)), MK-8 and MK-8(H(2)) (5 : 3 : 2, respectively). On the basis of these distinctive phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis results, it is proposed that strains Aji5-31(T) and Ngc37-23(T) be classified as two novel genera and species of the family Dermatophilaceae. The names are Mobilicoccus pelagius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Piscicoccus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., and the type strains are Aji5-31(T) (=NBRC 104925(T) =DSM 22762(T)) and Ngc37-23(T) (=NBRC 104926(T) =DSM 22761(T)), respectively. In addition, D. chelonae should be reassigned to a new genus of the family Dermatophilaceae with the name Austwickia chelonae gen. nov., comb. nov.     

Thaumasiovibrio occultus gen. nov. sp. nov. and Thaumasiovibrio subtropicus sp. nov. within the family Vibrionaceae,isolated from coral reef seawater off Ishigaki Island,Japan

Two phylogenetically distinct Vibrionaceae strains C4II189^T and C4V358^T isolated from reef seawater off Ishigaki Island, Japan, in 2014 were studied with advanced genome-based taxonomy approaches. All aspects of phylogenetic (16S rRNA phylogeny, MLSA), phenotypic and genetic (ANI, DDH, AAI, and the number of core genes) cohesions between the two identified species were high enough to propose them as members of a new genus within the family Vibrionaceae. Consequently, an eighth genus Thaumasiovibrio gen. nov. is proposed that contains two new species Thaumasiovibrio occultus sp. nov. strain C4II189^T (=DSM 101554^T = JCM 31629^T) (type species) and Thaumasiovibrio subtropicus sp. nov. strain C4V358^T (=DSM 101555^T = JCM 31630^T). Thaumasiovibrio species were phylogenetically distinct from the other Vibrionaceae species based on pyrH gene sequences. The combination of catalase negative, sensitivity to vibriostatic agent O/129, and green colony formation on TCBS for the phylogenetically affiliated strains was the diagnostic features for the current tentative identification of this genus.     

Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. methylbutyratica subsp. nov., and assignment of Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. saponavida to Syntrophomonas saponavida sp. nov. comb. nov

A spore-forming bacterium strain 4J5(T) was isolated from rice field mud. When co-cultured with Methanobacterium formicicum DSM 1535(T), strain 4J5(T) could syntrophically degrade saturated fatty acids with 4-8 carbon atoms, including 2-methylbutyrate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene similarity showed that strain 4J5(T) was most closely related to Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. wolfei DSM 2245(T) (98.9% sequence similarity); however, it differed from the latter in the substrates utilized and its genetic characteristics. Therefore, a new subspecies Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. methylbutyratica is proposed. The type strain is 4J5(T) (=CGMCC 1.5051(T)=JCM 14075(T)). Furthermore, based on 16S rRNA sequence divergence and substrate utilization, we propose the assignment of Syntrophomonas wolfei subsp. saponavida DSM 4212(T) to Syntrophomonas saponavida sp. nov. comb. nov.     

Legionella impletisoli sp. nov. and Legionella yabuuchiae sp. nov., isolated from soils contaminated with industrial wastes in Japan

In this study, we tried to isolate legionellae from nine Legionella DNA-positive soil samples collected from four different sites contaminated with industrial wastes in Japan. Using culture methods with or without Acanthamoeba culbertsoni, a total of 22 isolates of legionellae were obtained from five of the nine samples. Identification of species and/or serogroups (SGs), performed by DNA-DNA hybridization and agglutination tests, revealed that the 22 isolates consisted of ten isolates of Legionella pneumophila including five SGs, five Legionella feeleii, and one each of Legionella dumoffii, Legionella longbeachae, and Legionella jamestownensis. The species of the remaining four isolates (strains OA1-1, -2, -3, and -4) could not be determined, suggesting that these isolates may belong to new species. The 16S rDNA sequences (1476-1488bp) of the isolates had similarities of less than 95.0% compared to other Legionella species. A phylogenetic tree created by analysis of the 16S rRNA (1270bp) genes demonstrated that the isolates formed distinct clusters within the genus Legionella. Quantitative DNA-DNA hybridization tests on the OA1 strains indicated that OA1-1 should be categorized as a new taxon, whereas OA1-2, -3, and -4 were also genetically independent in another taxon. Based on the evaluated phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, it is proposed that one of these isolates from the soils, OA1-1, be classified as a novel species, Legionella impletisoli sp. nov.; the type strain is strain OA1-1(T) (=JCM 13919(T)=DSMZ 18493(T)). The remaining three isolates belong to another novel Legionella species, Legionella yabuuchiae sp. nov.; the type strain is strain OA1-2(T) (=JCM 14148(T)=DSMZ 18492(T)). This is the first report on the isolation of legionellae from soils contaminated with industrial wastes.     

Candida dajiaensis sp. nov., Candida yuanshanicus sp. nov., Candida jianshihensis sp. nov., and Candida sanyiensis sp. nov., four anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast species isolated from soil in Taiwan

Nine anamorphic, ascomycetous yeast strains belonging to the Pichia anomala clade were recovered from forest soil in 2006 in Taiwan. The nine yeast strains represent four novel yeast species based on the sequences of their D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and their physiological characteristics. The scientific names of Candida dajiaensis sp. nov., Candida yuanshanicus sp. nov., Candida jianshihensis sp. nov., and Candida sanyiensis sp. nov. are proposed for these novel yeast species. The type strains are C. dajiaensis SM11S03(T) (=CBS 10590(T)=BCRC 23099(T)), C. yuanshanicus SY3S02(T) (=CBS 10589(T)=BCRC 23100(T)), C. jianshihensis SM8S04(T) (=CBS 10591(T)=BCRC 23096(T)), and C. sanyiensis SA1S06(T) (=CBS 10592(T)=BCRC 23094(T)). Sequence analysis of the D1/D2 of the LSU rRNA gene revealed that the three species, C. dajiaensis, C. yuanshanicus and Pichia onychis, shared a separate branch in the phylogenetic tree, C. jianshihensis is phylogenetically related to Candida ulmi and Pichia alni, and the phylogenetically closest relative of C. sanyiensis is Pichia populi.     

Two new species of the genus Micromonospora: Micromonospora chokoriensis sp. nov. and Micromonospora coxensis sp. nov., isolated from sandy soil

Two actinomycete strains, 2-19(6)(T) and 2-30-b(28)(T), which produced single, non-motile noduler to warty spore surfaces, were isolated from sandy soil in Chokoria, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic position of these strains. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of these strains coincided with those of the genus Micromonospora. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA sequences indicated that these strains should be classified in the genus Micromonospora. The 16S rDNA sequence of strain 2-19(6)(T )showed closest similarity to the type strains of M. mirobrigensis (98.9%) and M. carbonacea (98.8%), and the strain 2-30-b(28)(T) to the type strains of M. purpureochromogenes (99.4%), M. halophytica (99.3%) and M. aurantiaca (99.2%). Furthermore, a combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some differential physiological and biochemical properties indicated that these strains were distinguished from the phylogenetically closest relatives. These strains therefore represent two novel species, for which the name Micromonospora chokoriensis sp. nov. and Micromonospora coxensis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are 2-19(6)(T) (=JCM 13247(T) =MTCC 8535(T)) and 2-30-b(28)(T) (=JCM 13248(T)=MTCC 8093(T)).     

A novel lineage of sulfate-reducing microorganisms: Thermodesulfobiaceae fam. nov.,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Thermodesulfobium narugense</Emphasis>, gen. nov., sp. nov., a new thermophilic isolate from a hot spring

A novel type of a sulfate-reducing microorganism, represented by strain Na82T, was isolated from a hot spring in Narugo, Japan. The isolate was a moderate thermophilic autotroph that was able to grow on H2/CO2 by sulfate respiration. The isolate could grow with nitrate in place of sulfate, and possessed menaquinone-7 and menaquinone-7(H2) as respiratory quinones. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain Na82T was a member of the domain Bacteria and distant from any known bacteria, as well as from other sulfate-reducing bacteria (sequence similarities less than 80%). The phylogenetic analysis of the dsrAB gene (alpha and beta subunits of dissimilatory sulfite reductase) sequence also suggested that strain Na82T was not closely related to other sulfate reducers. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, a new taxon is established for the isolate. We proposed the name Thermodesulfobium narugense gen. nov., sp. nov. with strain Na82T (=DSM 14796T=JCM 11510T) as the type strain. Furthermore, a new family, Thermodesulfobiaceae fam. nov., is proposed for the genus.     

Luedemannella gen. nov., a new member of the family Micromonosporaceae and description of Luedemannella helvata sp. nov. and Luedemannella flava sp. nov

Three actinomycete strains were isolated from soil samples collected in Bangladesh. The cultures formed spherical sporangia on short sporangiophores directly above the surface of the substrate mycelium. The sporangia developed singly or in clusters and each sporangium contained several nonmotile spherical to oval spores with a smooth surface. The strains 3-9(24)(T), 3-21(27) and 7-40(26)(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell walls, predominant menaquinone MK-9(H(6)) and MK-9(H(4)) and glucose, xylose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, ribose and arabinose in the whole-cell hydrolysates. Diagnostic phospholipid is phosphatidylethanolamine and branched anteiso-C(17 : 0) (30.0-38.0%), anteiso-C(15 : 0) (12.5-14.0%), iso-C(16 : 0) (10.0-15.0%) and iso-C(15 : 0) (10.0-12.0%) were detected as the major cellular fatty acids. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was glycolyl and mycolic acids were not detected. The G+C content of the DNA was 71 mol%. The chemotaxonomic data indicate that these strains belong to the family Micromonosporaceae. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence data suggested that the strains 3-9(24)(T), 3-21(27) and 7-40(26)(T) fall within the family Micromonosporaceae. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis and characteristic patterns of signature nucleotides as well as morphological and chemotaxonomic data, Luedemannella gen. nov. is proposed for our 3 isolates. DNA-DNA hybridization experiment and phenotypic characterization indicated that the new genus was constituted of 2 species, as Luedemannella helvata sp. nov. for the strain 3-9(24)(T) (=JCM 13249(T)=MTCC 8091(T)) and Luedemannella flava for the strain 7-40(26)(T) (=JCM 13250(T)=MTCC 8095(T)) in the family Micromonosporaceae.     

Phylogenetic classification of ten novel species belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium comprising B. phasiani sp. nov., B. pongonis sp. nov., B. saguinibicoloris sp. nov., B. colobi sp. nov., B. simiiventris sp. nov., B. santillanense sp. nov., B. miconis sp. nov., B. amazonense sp. nov., B. pluvialisilvae sp. nov., and B. miconisargentati sp. nov

Ten Bifidobacterium strains, i.e., 6T3, 64T4, 79T10, 80T4, 81T8, 82T1, 82T10, 82T18, 82T24, and 82T25, were isolated from mantled guereza (Colobus guereza), Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abeli), silvery marmoset (Mico argentatus), golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor), and common pheasant (Phaisanus colchinus). Cells are Gram-positive, non-motile, non-sporulating, facultative anaerobic, and fructose 6-phosphate phosphoketolase-positive. Phylogenetic analyses based on the core genome sequences revealed that isolated strains exhibit close phylogenetic relatedness with Bifidobacterium genus members belonging to the Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium pullorum, and Bifidobacterium tissieri phylogenetic groups. Phenotypic characterization and genotyping based on the genome sequences clearly show that these strains are distinct from each of the type strains of the so far recognized Bifidobacterium species. Thus, B. phasiani sp. nov. (6T3 = LMG 32224^T = DSM 112544^T), B. pongonis sp. nov. (64T4 = LMG 32281^T = DSM 112547^T), B. saguinibicoloris sp. nov. (79T10 = LMG 32232^T = DSM 112543^T), B. colobi sp. nov. (80T4 = LMG 32225^T = DSM 112552^T), B. simiiventris sp. nov. (81T8 = LMG 32226^T = DSM 112549^T), B. santillanense sp. nov. (82T1 = LMG 32284^T = DSM 112550^T), B. miconis sp. nov. (82T10 = LMG 32282^T = DSM 112551^T), B. amazonense sp. nov. (82T18 = LMG 32297^T = DSM 112548^T), pluvialisilvae sp. nov. (82T24 = LMG 32229^T = DSM 112545^T), and B. miconisargentati sp. nov. (82T25 = LMG 32283^T = DSM 112546^T) are proposed as novel Bifidobacterium species.     

Characterization of Bifidobacterium apousia sp. nov., Bifidobacterium choladohabitans sp. nov., and Bifidobacterium polysaccharolyticum sp. nov., three novel species of the genus Bifidobacterium from honey bee gut

Bifidobacterium is one of the dominating bacterial genera in the honey bee gut, and they are the key degrader of diet polysaccharides for the host. Previous genomic analysis shows that they belong to separate phylogenetic clusters and exhibited different functional potentials in hemicellulose digestion. Here, three novel strains from the genus Bifidobacterium were isolated from the guts of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Phylogenomic analysis showed that the isolates could be grouped into four phylogenetic clusters. The average nucleotide identity values between strains from different clusters are <95%, while strains in Cluster IV belong to the characterized species Bifidobacterium asteroides. Carbohydrate-active enzyme annotation confirmed that the metabolic capacity for carbohydrates varied between clusters of strains. Cells are Gram-positive rods; they grew both anaerobically and in a CO₂-enriched atmosphere. All strains grew at a temperature range of 20–42 °C, with optimum growth at 35 °C. The pH range for growth was 5–9. Strains from different phylogenetic clusters varied in multiple phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterizations. Thus, we propose three novel species Bifidobacterium apousia sp. nov. whose type strain is W8102^T (=CGMCC 1.18893 ^T = JCM 34587 ^T), Bifidobacterium choladohabitans sp. nov., whose type strain is B14384H11^T (=CGMCC 1.18892 ^T = JCM 34586 ^T), and Bifidobacterium polysaccharolyticum sp. nov. whose type strain is W8117^T (=CGMCC 1.18894 ^T = JCM 34588 ^T).     

Streptococcus fryi sp. nov., a novel species with Lancefield group M antigens

The taxonomic characteristics of β-hemolytic streptococcal strains that reacted with Lancefield group M antisera were investigated. Group M streptococci have not been proposed as a species to date. Four strains of the group M streptococci isolated from dog were located within the pyogenic group of the genus Streptococcus on 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis; the group M strains were located a short distance away from all other members of the group. The homology values of 16S rRNA gene sequences between group M strains and all other streptococci were<95.6%. Group M strains exhibited low levels of DNA-DNA homology to other streptococcal species. Some biochemical traits, such as β-galactosidase activity and acid production from glycogen, could distinguish these group M strains from other closely related species. Thus, these strains are proposed to constitute a new species -Streptococcus fryi sp. nov. The type strain is PAGU 653(T) (=NCTC 10235(T)=JCM 16387(T)).     

Janibacter corallicola sp. nov., isolated from coral in Palau

A novel Janibacter species is described on the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data. Two bacterial strains were isolated in Palau, which were both Gram-positive, catalase-positive bacteria with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H(4)). Mycolic acids were not detected. The G+C content of the DNA was 70-71 mol%. Comparative 16S rDNA studies of the two isolated strains revealed that they both belonged to the genus Janibacter. DNA-DNA relatedness data revealed that 04PA2-Co5-61(T) and 02PA-Ca-009 belong to the same species, a new species of the genus Janibacter. From these results, Janibacter corallicola sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 04PA2-Co5-61(T) (=MBIC 08265(T), DSM 18906(T)).     

Peptoniphilus coxii sp. nov. and Peptoniphilus tyrrelliae sp. nov. isolated from human clinical infections

Two groups of previously undescribed anaerobic, gram-positive cocci recovered from human clinical infections were characterized using phenotypic and molecular genotypic methods. Comparative genotypic analysis showed that the strains within each of these two groups were homogeneous within the group and that each group was unique within the genus Peptoniphilus. The first group is most closely related to Peptoniphilus ivorii and the second group to Peptoniphilus harei. Based on these findings we propose two novel species, Peptoniphilus coxii sp. nov. and Peptoniphilus tyrrelliae sp. nov. The type strains are P. coxii sp. nov., RMA 16757^T (= JCM 16892^T = CCUG 59622^T = ATCC BAA-2106^T) and P. tyrrelliae sp. nov., RMA 19911^T (= JCM 16893^T = CCUG 59621^T = ATCC BAA-2105^T).     

Natrinema salaciae sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from the deep, hypersaline anoxic Lake Medee in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Two halophilic archaea, strains MDB25(T) and MDB20, were isolated from a sample of the brine from Lake Medee, at a depth of 3050m, in the Mediterranean Sea. Cells of the organisms were Gram-negative, non-motile and pleomorphic, and colonies were red pigmented. Strains MDB25(T) and MDB20 showed optimum growth at 45°C, in 2.6-3.4M NaCl and at pH 7.0-8.0. The major polar lipids of the two strains were phosphatidylglycerol (PG1 and PG2), phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester (PGP-Me) and mannose-2,6-dissulfate (1→2)-glucose glycerol diether (S(2)-DGD). Menaquinone MK-8 and MK-8(H(2)) were the major respiratory quinones. The DNA G+C content of strain MDB25(T) was 63.0%. The strains were facultatively anaerobic but grew better under aerobic conditions, nitrate served as electron acceptor. Analysis of the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strains MDB25(T) and MDB20 represented a member of the genus Natrinema in the family Halobacteriaceae. Both strains formed a distinct cluster and were most closely related to Natrinema ejinorense JCM 13890(T) and Haloterrigena longa JCM 13562(T) (98.0% and 97.9% sequence similarity, respectively). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization results, physiological and biochemical characteristics we describe a new species represented by strain MDB25(T) (=DSM 25055(T) =JCM 17869(T)) for which we propose the name Natrinema salaciae sp. nov.