Zhihengliuella salsuginis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic actinobacterium from a subterranean brine

A novel moderately halophilic, alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, aerobic, coccus-shaped, Gram-positive bacterium, designated strain JSM 071043^T, was isolated from a subterranean brine sample collected from a salt mine in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0.5–20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5–10%) at pH 6.5–10.5 (optimum pH 8.5) and at 10–40°C (optimum 25–30°C). Good growth also occurred in the presence of 0.5–20% (w/v) KCl (optimum 5–8%) or 0.5–25% (w/v) MgCl₂·6H₂O (optimum 5–10%). The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–l-Ala–l-Glu) and major cell-wall sugars were tyvelose and mannose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. Strain JSM 071043^T contained MK-9 and MK-8 as the predominant menaquinones and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content was 67.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSM 071043^T was a member of the suborder Micrococcineae, and was most closely related to Zhihengliuella halotolerans YIM 70185^T (sequence similarity 98.9%) and Zhihengliuella alba YIM 90734^T (98.2%), and the three strains formed a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the proposal that strain JSM 071043^T represents a novel species of the genus Zhihengliuella, for which the name Z. salsuginis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 071043^T (= DSM 21149^T = KCTC 19466^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Desulfovibrio legallis</Emphasis> sp. nov.: A Moderately Halophilic,Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Isolated from a Wastewater Digestor in Tunisia

A new moderately halophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium (strain H₁^T) was enriched and isolated from a wastewater digestor in Tunisia. Cells were curved, motile rods (2–3 x 0.5 μm). Strain H₁^T grew at temperatures between 22 and 43°C (optimum 35°C), and at pH between 5.0 and 9.2 (optimum 7.3–7.5). Strain H₁^T required salt for growth (1–45 g of NaCl/l), with an optimum at 20–30 g/l. Sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, and elemental sulfur were used as terminal electron acceptors but not nitrate and nitrite. Strain H₁^T utilized lactate, pyruvate, succinate, fumarate, ethanol, and hydrogen (in the presence of acetate and CO₂) as electron donors in the presence of sulfate as electron acceptor. The main end-products from lactate oxidation were acetate with H₂ and CO₂. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 55%. The predominant fatty acids of strain H₁^T were C_15:0 iso (38.8%), C_16:0 (19%), and C_14:0 iso 3OH (12.2%), and menaquinone MK-6 was the major respiratory quinone. Phylogenetic analysis of the small-subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequence indicated that strain H₁^T was affiliated to the genus Desulfovibrio. On the basis of SSU rRNA gene sequence comparisons and physiological characteristics, strain H₁^T is proposed to be assigned to a novel species of sulfate reducers of the genus Desulfovibrio, Desulfovibrio legallis sp. nov. (= DSM 19129^T = CCUG 54389^T).     

Streptomyces phytohabitans sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinomycete isolated from medicinal plant Curcuma phaeocaulis

A novel actinomycete, designated strain KLBMP 4601^T, was isolated from the root of the medicinal plant Curcuma phaeocaulis collected from Sichuan Province, south-west China. The strain produced extensively branched substrate and aerial hyphae that carried straight to flexuous spore chains. Chemotaxonomic properties of this strain were consistent with those of members of the genus Streptomyces. The cell wall of strain KLBMP 4601^T contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the characteristic diamino acid. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H₄), with minor amounts of MK-9(H₆), MK-9(H₈) and MK-10(H₂). The major fatty acids were C_16:0, iso-C_16:0, C_18:1ω9c and C_16:1, iso G. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain KLBMP 4601^T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is most closely related to Streptomyces armeniacus JCM 3070^T (97.9 %), Streptomyces pharmamarensis PM267^T (97.6 %) and Streptomyces artemisiae YIM 63135^T (97.5 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain KLBMP 4601^T and other members of this genus were lower than 97.5 %. DNA–DNA hybridization studies of strain KLBMP 4601^T with the three closest species showed relatedness values of 36.3 ± 4.2 %, 27.3 ± 0.6 %, and 30.9 ± 2.5 %, respectively. On the basis of chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is evident that strain KLBMP 4601^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces phytohabitans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KLBMP 4601^T (=KCTC 19892^T = NBRC 108772^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nocardiopsis terrae</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halophilic actinomycete isolated from saline soil

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic, filamentous actinomycete strain, designated YIM 90022^T, was isolated from saline soil collected from the Qaidam Basin, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the new isolate was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis and the sequence similarities between the isolate and the type strains of members of the genus Nocardiopsis were in the range of 95.1–98.7%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties of this organism also indicated that strain YIM 90022^T was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis. The strain grew well on most of the media tested, producing yellow-white to deep brown substrate mycelium and white aerial mycelium. Light gray to deep brown diffusible pigments were produced. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age; the aerial mycelium produced long, straight to flexuous spore chains with non-motile, smooth-surfaced, rod-shaped spores on them. The strain grew in the presence of 1–15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 3–5%) and at pH 6.0–10.5 (optimum, pH 8.5) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain YIM 90022^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and no diagnostic sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H₄), MK-9(H₈), MK-10(H₆) and MK-10(H₈). Polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0, 10-methyl-C_18:0 and 10-methyl-C_17:0. The DNA G + C content of strain YIM 90022^T was 71.5 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the suggestion that strain YIM 90022^T represents a new species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 90022^T (=CCTCC AA 208011^T =KCTC 19431^T).     

Cohnella plantaginis sp. nov., a novel nitrogen-fixing species isolated from plantain rhizosphere soil

A novel bacterium capable of fixing nitrogen was isolated from plantain rhizosphere soil in China. The isolate, designated YN-83^T, is Gram-positive, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped (0.4–0.6 μm × 1.9–2.6 μm). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain YN-83^T was a member of the genus Cohnella. High similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence was found between YN-83^T and Cohnella ginsengisoli DSM18997^T (97.99%), whereas the similarity was below 96.0% between YN-83^T and the other Cohnella species. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YN-83^T and C. ginsengisoli DSM18997^T was 27.4 ± 6.2%. The DNA G+C content of strain YN-83^T was 59.3 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (44.3%), iso-C_15:0 (11.3%), iso-C_16:0 (18.6%) and C_16:0 (7.7%). The polar lipids of strain YN-83^T consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, lyso- phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, 16S rRNA gene sequence, G+C content and DNA–DNA hybridization, strain YN-83^T represents a novel species of the genus Cohnella, for which the name Cohnella plantaginis sp. nov. (type strain YN-83^T = DSM 25424^T = CGMCC 1.12047^T) is proposed.     

Metschnikowia saccharicola sp. nov. and Metschnikowia lopburiensis sp. nov., two novel yeast species isolated from phylloplane in Thailand

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile by means of single polar flagellum, rod-shaped marine bacterium, designated strain E414, was isolated from sea water collected from a farming pond rearing marine shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, PRC. The strain was able to grow in the presence of 0.5–6% (w/v) NaCl (optimally in 3–6% (w/v) NaCl), between pH 6 and 9 (optimally at pH 7–8), between 15 and 37°C (optimally at 25–30°C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences locate strain E414 in the vicinity of the coralliilyticus clade within the genus Vibrio. DNA–DNA relatedness data and multigene phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of four genes (16S rRNA, rpoA, recA and pyrH) clearly differentiated strain E414 from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Analysis of phenotypic features, including enzyme activities and utilization and fermentation of various carbon sources, further revealed discrimination between strain E414 and phylogenetically related Vibrio species. The major fatty acid components are C_16:1ω6c and/or C_16:1ω7c (27.4%), C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c (19.3%) and C_16:0 (18.2%). The DNA G+C content of strain E414 was 38.7 mol%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA relatedness values, it can be concluded that E414 should be placed in the genus Vibrio as representing a novel species, for which the name Vibrio zhanjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain E414 (=CCTCC AB 2011110^T = NBRC 108723^T = DSM 24901).     

Nocardioides panzhihuaensis sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinomycete isolated from medicinal plant Jatropha curcas L.

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped and mycelia-producing bacterial strain, designated KLBMP 1050^T, was isolated from the stem of the oil-seed plant Jatropha curcas L. collected from Sichuan Province, south-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate KLBMP 1050^T belonged to the genus Nocardioides, with the highest sequence similarity to Nocardioides albus KCTC 9186^T (99.38 %) and Nocardioides luteus KCTC 9575^T (99.03 %). However, the DNA–DNA relatedness of isolate KLBMP 1050^T to these two type strains were 37.5 ± 3.5 and 33 ± 2.3 %, respectively. Strain KLBMP 1050^T grew at the pH range 6–11, temperature range 10–32 °C and with 0–12 % NaCl. The physiological properties of strain KLBMP 1050^T differ from those of N. albus KCTC 9186^T and N. luteus KCTC 9575^T. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and MK-8(H₄) was the major respiratory quinone. The predominant cellular fatty acid of strain KLBMP 1050^T was iso-C_16:0 (23.3 %). The total DNA G+C content was 70.1 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain KLBMP 1050^T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides panzhihuaensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KLBMP 1050^T (= KCTC 19888^T = NBRC 108680^T).     

Micromonospora haikouensis sp. nov., isolated from mangrove soil

An actinomycete strain 232617^T was isolated from a composite mangrove sediment sample collected in Haikou, China. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 232617^T indicated the highest similarity with Micromonospora siamensis TT2-4^T (99.05%), Micromonospora krabiensis A-2^T (98.99%) and Micromonospora carbonacea DSM 43815^T (98.91%). The gyrB gene sequence analysis also indicated that 232617^T should be assigned to the genus Micromonospora. The cell wall contains meso-DAP and glycine. The major menaquinones were MK-10(H₄) and MK-10(H₆), with MK-9(H₄) as minor components. The characteristic whole-cell sugars are xylose, arabinose and glucose. The phospholipid profile comprises phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidlglycerol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The DNA G+C content is 71.5 mol%. Furthermore, a combination of DNA–DNA relatedness and some physiological and biochemical properties indicated that the novel strain could be readily distinguished from the closest related species. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strain 232617^T represents a novel species of the genus Micromonospora, for which the name Micromonospora haikouensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 232617^T (= CCTCC AA 201112 ^T = DSM 45626 ^T).     

Shewanella seohaensis sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment

A Gram-negative, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated S7-3^T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment at Saemankum on the western coast of Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and gyrB sequences showed that strain S7-3^T belonged to the genus Shewanella, clustering with Shewanella decolorationis S12^T. Strain S7-3^T exhibited 98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 96.8 % gyrB sequence similarity to S. decolorationis S12^T, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain S7-3^T and other members of the genus Shewanella were in the range of 93.0–98.0 %. Strain S7-3^T contained simultaneously both menaquinones (MK) and ubiquinones (Q); the predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-7 and Q-8. The fatty acid profiles of strain S7-3^T and S. decolorationis JCM 21555^T were similar; major components were C_17:1 ω8c, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c. The DNA G+C content of strain S7-3^T was 51.8 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness value with S. decolorationis JCM 21555^T was 43 %. Differential phenotypic properties of strain S7-3^T, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that this strain is distinguishable from recognized Shewanella species. On the basis of the data presented, strain S7-3^T is considered to represent a novel Shewanella species, for which the name Shewanella seohaensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S7-3^T (=KCTC 23556^T = CCUG 60900^T).     

Virgibacillus zhanjiangensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from sea water

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 079157^T, was isolated from surface seawater off the coastline of Naozhou Island in South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 1–15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 4–7%), and at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, and the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (45.1%) and anteiso-C_17:0 (16.2%), and the DNA G + C content was 39.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 079157^T should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus litoralis (97.4% sequence similarity), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus carmonensis (97.1%). These four strains formed a distinct subcluster in the phylogenetic tree. The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of V. litoralis, V. necropolis and V. carmonensis were 30.4, 19.3 and 12.6%, respectively. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, combined with DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support the suggestion that strain JSM 079157^T represents a new species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus zhanjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 079157^T (=DSM 21084^T = KCTC 13227^T).     

Thermovorax subterraneus, gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic hydrogen-producing bacterium isolated from geothermally active underground mine

A thermophilic, rod-shaped, motile, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium strain 70B^T was isolated from a geothermally active underground mine in Japan. The temperature and pH range for growth was 50–81°C (optimum 71°C) and 6.2–9.8 (optimum pH 7–7.5), respectively. Growth occurred in the presence 0–2% NaCl (optimum 1% NaCl). Strain 70B^T could utilize glucose, fructose, mannose, mannitol, pyruvate, cellobiose and tryptone as substrates. Thiosulfate was used as electron acceptor. Major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 DMA (dimethyl acetal), C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The G+C mol% of the DNA was 44.2%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the closest relatives of strain 70B^T were Thermosediminibacter oceani DSM 16646^T (94% similarity) and Thermosediminibacter litoriperuensis DSM 16647 (93% similarity). The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain 70B^T represents a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Thermovorax subterraneus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thermovorax subterraneus is 70B^T (=DSM 21563 = JCM 15541).     

Luteolibacter cuticulihirudinis sp. nov., isolated from Hirudo medicinalis

A Gram-negative, coccoid shaped bacterium isolated from the outer surface of the medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis was characterized. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that the bacterium was closely related to species of the genus Luteolibacter. Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis was the most closely related species (94.6 % sequence similarity), followed by Luteolibacter luojiensis (93.4 %) and Luteolibacter algae (93.3 %). Chemotaxonomic data (major ubiquinone: MK-9; major polar lipids: phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol; and major fatty acids: iso-C_14:0, C_16:0, iso-C_16:1, and anteiso-C_15:0) supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Luteolibacter. DNA–DNA hybridizations with the type strain of L. pohnpeiensis was 31 % (reciprocal value 30 %). A phenotypic differentiation of strain E100^T from L. pohnpeiensis and the other Luteolibacter species was possible by several physiological tests. We conclude Strain E100^T represents a novel species, for which we propose the name Luteolibacter cuticulihirudinis sp. nov. with the type strain E100^T (=CCM 8400^T = LMG 26924^T).     

Sediminihabitans luteus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Cellulomonadaceae isolated from sea sediment

Two novel Gram-positive actinobacteria, designated H97-3^T and H83-5, were isolated from marine sediment samples and their taxonomic positions were investigated by a polyphasic approach. Both strains formed vegetative hyphae in the early phase of growth but the hyphae eventually fragmented into coccoid cells. The peptidoglycan type was found to be A4α. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H₄), and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and C_16:0. The DNA G+C content was 74.0–74.9 mol %. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that strains H97-3^T and H83-5 represented novel members of the family Cellulomonadaceae. Their nearest phylogenetic neighbours were the members of the genus Oerskovia, with a similarity of 98.3–98.4 %. However, strains H97-3^T and H83-5 were distinguishable from the members of the genus Oerskovia and the other genera of the family Cellulomonadaceae in terms of chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic relationship. The result of the DNA–DNA hybridization indicated that strains H97-3^T and H83-5 belonged to the same species. Therefore, strains H97-3^T and H83-5 represent a novel genus and species of the family Cellulomonadaceae, for which the name Sediminihabitans luteus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of S. lutes is H97-3^T (=NBRC 108568^T = DSM 25478^T).     

Kineococcus glutineturens sp. nov., isolated from soil in Yunnan, south-west China

An orange-coloured, non-spore-forming, motile and coccus-shaped actinobacterium, designated YIM 75677^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a dry-hot river valley in Dongchuan county, Yunnan Province, south-west China and its taxonomic position was investigated. Growth of strain YIM 75677^T occurred at 12–55 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and NaCl tolerance up to 2 % (w/v). Cells adhered to agar media and were agglutinated tightly together. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid. The whole-cell hydrolysates mainly contained glucose, galactose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9 (H₂) and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0. Mycolic acids were not present. The DNA G+C content of strain YIM 75677^T was 74.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons clearly revealed that strain YIM 75677^T represents a novel member of the genus Kineococcus and is closely related to Kineococcus xinjiangensis S2-20^T (level of similarity, 98.6 %). Meanwhile, the result of DNA–DNA hybridization between strain YIM 75677^T and K. xinjiangensis S2-20^T demonstrated that this isolate represented a different genomic species in the genus Kineococcus. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain YIM 75677^T represents a novel species of the genus Kineococcus, for which the name Kineococcus glutineturens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 75677^T (=CCTCC AA 209075^T = JCM 18126^T).     

Winogradskyella multivorans sp. nov., a polysaccharide-degrading bacterium isolated from seawater of an oyster farm

A novel bacterial strain, designated T-Y1^T, capable of degrading a variety of polysaccharides was isolated from seawater of an oyster farm in the South Sea, Korea. It was found to be aerobic, Gram-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped. Strain T-Y1^T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain T-Y1^T belonged to the genus Winogradskyella. Strain T-Y1^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.0–96.8 % to the type strains of recognized Winogradskyella species and less than 94.5 % to other validly named species. The chemotaxonomic data concurred with the phylogenetic inference. Strain T-Y1^T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1 G and iso-C_16:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain T-Y1^T were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 36.2 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic distinctiveness, enabled strain T-Y1^T to be differentiated from the recognized Winogradskyella species. On the basis of the data presented here, strain T-Y1^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella multivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T-Y1^T (=KCTC 23891^T = CCUG 62216^T).     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deinococcus sahariens</Emphasis> sp. nov., a radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from a Saharan hot spring

An ultraviolet-radiation-resistant, Gram-positive, orange-pigmented, thermophilic and strictly aerobic cocci was isolated from Saharan water hot spring in Tunisia. The newly isolated bacterium, designated HAN-23^T, was identified based on polyphasic taxonomy including genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterization. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed this strain within Deinococcus genus. However, strain HAN-23^T is different from recognized species of the genus Deinococcus, showing less than 94.0% similarity values to its closest relatives. The predominant cellular fatty acids determined by gas chromatography were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and iso C_17:1 ω9c. The major respiratory quinone was MK-8. The DNA G + C content was 66.9 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization measurements revealed low DNA relatedness (6%) between the novel isolate and its closest neighbor, the type strain Deinococcus geothermalis DSM 11300. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain HAN-23^T represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus sahariens sp. nov. is proposed, the type strain being HAN-23^T (=DSM 18496^T; LMG 23756^T).     

Cohnella boryungensis sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-staining positive, endospore-forming, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, BR-29^T, was isolated from soil from west coast of the Korean peninsula, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic study. Strain BR-29^T grew optimally at around pH 7.5, at 30°C and in the presence of 0.5% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BR-29^T fell into a clade comprising the type strains of Cohnella species, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 92.8–96.4%. Strain BR-29^T contained a cell wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:0 and iso-C_16:0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysylphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified phospholipids; a minor amount of phosphatidylglycerol was present. The DNA G+C content was 54.9 mol%. Strain BR-29^T could be differentiated from phylogenetically related Cohnella species by differences in phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BR-29^T represents a novel species of the genus Cohnella, for which the name Cohnella boryungensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is BR-29^T (= KCTC 13735^T = CCUG 59598^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salinicoccus kekensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel alkaliphile and moderate halophile isolated from Keke Salt Lake in Qinghai,China

A novel alkaliphilic and moderate halophilic bacterium, designated strain K164^T, was isolated from Keke Salt Lake in Qinghai, China. The strain grew with 2.0–20.0% (w/v) NaCl, at 4–50°C and pH 6.5–11.5, with an optimum of 8% (w/v) NaCl, 37°C and pH 10, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6) and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 50.16 mol. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain K164^T was a member of the genus Salinicoccus. Strain K164^T showed the highest similarity (98.4%) with Salinicoccus alkaliphilus AS 1.2691^T and below 97% similarity with other recognized members of the genus in 16S rRNA gene sequence. Level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain K164^T and Salinicoccus alkaliphilus AS 1.2691^T was 20.1%. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and the level of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain K164^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which the name Salinicoccus kekensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K164^T (=CGMCC 1.10337^T = DSM 23173^T).     

Verrucosispora wenchangensis sp. nov., isolated from mangrove soil

An actinomycete strain 234402^T was isolated from a mangrove soil sample collected in Wenchang, China. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 234402^T indicated that the highest similarity was to Verrucosispora sediminis MS426^T (99.25%). The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major menaquinones were MK-9(H₄) and MK-9(H₆), with MK-9(H₈) as minor components. The characteristic whole-cell sugars were xylose, mannose and glucose. The phospholipid profile was found to comprise phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unknown phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 69.2 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and low DNA–DNA relatedness demonstrated strain 234402^T could be readily distinguished from the closely related Verrucosispora species. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strain 234402^T represents a novel species of the genus Verrucosispora, for which the name Verrucosispora wenchangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 234402^T (=CCTCC AA 2011018^T=DSM 45674^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter halodurans</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new halotolerant bacterium isolated from sea water

A novel Gram-positive, halotolerant, non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078085^T, was isolated from sea water collected from the South China Sea. Strain JSM 078085^T exhibited a rod-coccus growth cycle and produced a yellow pigment. The strain was able to grow in the presence of 0–12% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0–9.5 and 4–35°C; optimum growth was observed at pH 7.0 and 25–30°C in the absence of NaCl. The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys–l-Ala–l-Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained galactose and glucose. Strain JSM 078085^T contained menaquinone MK-9(H₂) as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0 and the DNA G + C content was 63.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 078085^T should be assigned to the genus Arthrobacter, being most closely related to the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi (sequence similarity 97.1%), and the two strains formed a distinct lineage in the phylogenetic tree. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 078085^T and the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi was 10.6%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078085^T represents a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter halodurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078085^T (=DSM 21081^T=KCTC 19430^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 078085^T is EU583729.