<Emphasis Type="Italic">Shewanella upenei</Emphasis> sp. nov., a lipolytic bacterium isolated from bensasi goatfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Upeneus bensasi</Emphasis>

A Gram-staining-negative, motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, 20-23R^T, was isolated from intestine of bensasi goatfish, Upeneus bensasi, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 20-23R^T belonged to the genus Shewanella. Strain 20-23R^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 99.5, 99.2, and 97.5% to Shewanella algae ATCC 51192^T, Shewanella haliotis DW01^T, and Shewanella chilikensis JC5^T, respectively. Strain 20-23R^T exhibited 93.1–96.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the other Shewanella species. It also exhibited 98.3–98.4% gyrB sequence similarity to the type strains of S. algae and S. haliotis. Strain 20-23R^T contained simultaneously both menaquinones and ubiquinones; the predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-8 and Q-7. The fatty acid profiles of strain 20–23R^T, S. algae KCTC 22552^T and S. haliotis KCTC 12896^T were similar; major components were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH and C_17:1 ω8c. The DNA G+C content of strain 20-23R^T was 53.9 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and genetic distinctiveness of strain 20–23R^T, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, revealed that this strain is distinguishable from recognized Shewanella species. On the basis of the data presented, strain 20-23R^T represents a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella upenei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 20–23R^T (=KCTC 22806^T =CCUG 58400^T).     

Oleispira lenta sp. nov., a novel marine bacterium isolated from Yellow sea coastal seawater in Qingdao, China

The taxonomic position of strain DFH11^T, which was isolated from coastal seawater off Qingdao, People’s Republic of China in 2007, was determined. Strain DFH11^T comprised Gram-negative, motile, strictly aerobic spirilli that did not produce catalase. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DFH11^T shared ~97.2, 93.3, 91.8, 91.7 and 91.5% sequence similarities with Oleispira antarctica, Spongiispira norvegica, Bermanella marisrubri, Oceaniserpentilla haliotis and Reinekea aestuarii, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated that the strain was distinct from its closest phylogenetic neighbour, O. antarctica. The strain grew optimally in 2–3% (w/v) NaCl, at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimally at pH 7.0) and between 0 and 30°C (optimum growth temperature 28°C). The strain exhibited a restricted substrate profile, with a preference for aliphatic hydrocarbons, that is consistent with its closest phylogenetic neighbour O. antarctica. Growth of the isolate at different temperatures affected the cellular fatty acid profile. 28°C cultured cells contained C_16:1ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH (50.4%) and C_16:0 (19.2%) as the major fatty acids. However, the major fatty acids of the cells cultured at 4°C were C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c (40.2%), C_16:0 (17.2%) and C_17:1ω8c (10.1%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42.7 mol%. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene sequences together with data from DNA–DNA hybridization, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterization revealed that DFH11^T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Oleispira, for which the name Oleispira lenta sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain DFH11^T (=NCIMB 14529^T = LMG 24829^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Photobacterium atrarenae</Emphasis> sp. nov. a Novel Bacterium Isolated from Sea Sand

The gram-reaction-negative, motile, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive bacterial strain M3-4^T was isolated from black sea sand and subjected to a taxonomic study. Cells of strain M3-4^T have monotrichous flagella, grow optimally at 37°C and at pH 7–8 in the presence of 1–4% (w/v) NaCl and hydrolyze casein, starch and l-tyrosine. According to phylogenetic analyses using 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M3-4^T belongs to the genus Photobacterium and is most closely related to Photobacterium rosenbergii LMG 22223^T (97.4%) and P. gaetbulicola KCTC 22804^T (96.6%). The DNA–DNA relatedness value between M3-4^T and P. rosenbergii LMG 22223^T was 21.5%. The DNA G+C mol% of strain M3-4^T was 53.6. The major cellular fatty acid of strain M3-4^T was a summed feature 3 consisting of C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH (35.0%), followed by C_16:0 (25.4%) and C_18:1ω7c (16.8%). These data suggest that strain M3-4^T represents a novel species in genus Photobacterium, for which the name P. atrarenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M3-4^T (= KCTC 23265^T = NCAIM B 02414^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Henriciella marina</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyphomonadaceae</Emphasis> isolated from the East Sea

A bacterial strain, designated Iso4^T, was isolated from the East Sea of Korea and was subjected to a poly-phasic taxonomy study including phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Cells of the strain were Gram-negative, motile, non-budding, non-stalked, and strictly aerobic. Strain Iso4^T grew optimally at 20°C in the presence of 1∼2% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.9∼7.6. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major cellular fatty acids were C_18:1 ω7c (53.5%), C_17:1 ω5c (11.7%), C_17:1 ω6c (8.1%), C_16:0 (7.8%), C_17:0 (4.8%), C_15:0 (2.9%), and C_16:1 ω5c (2.2%). The DNA G+C content of strain Iso4^T was 56.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Iso4^T formed a monophyletic clade in the family Hyphomonadaceae, supported by high bootstrap value and was most closely related to the genus Hyphomonas (92∼94%), a member of marine bacteria in the family. The phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic evidences also suggest strain Iso4^T represents a novel genus and species in the family Hyphomonadaceae, for which the name Henriciella gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Iso4^T (=KCTC 12513^T =DSM 19595^T =JCM 15116^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas sediminis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new halophilic bacterium isolated from salt-lake sediment in China

A novel Gram-negative, slightly halophilic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic bacterium, strain YIM-C248^T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a salt-lake in the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai, north-west China. Cells were non-sporulating short rods, occurring singly or as doublets, motile with peritrichous flagella. Growth occurred with 1–15% (w/v) NaCl [optimum 2–4% (w/v) NaCl], at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum pH 7.5) and at 4–35°C (optimum 25–30°C). The major cellular fatty acids were C_18:1 ω7c, C_12:0 3-OH, cyclo C_19:0 ω8c, C_16:0 and C_16:1. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-9 and the genomic DNA G + C content was 58.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM-C248^T should be assigned to the genus Halomonas. The sequence similarities between the isolate and the type strains of members of the genus Halomonas were in the range of 92.5–97.5%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic differences supported the view that strain YIM-C248^T represents a new species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas sediminis sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM-C248^T (=CCTCC AA 207031 = KCTC 22167) as the type strain. The GenBank/EMBL/DBBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIM-C248^T is EU135707.     

Roseovarius litoreus sp. nov., isolated from seawater of southern coast of Korean peninsula

A gram-negative, non-flagellated and ovoid- to rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated GSW-M15^T, was isolated from seawater on the southern coast of South Korea. Strain GSW-M15^T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. The phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain GSW-M15^T belonged to the genus Roseovarius. Strain GSW-M15^T exhibited highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values (98.3 and 97.5 %) to Roseovarius halotolerans HJ50^T and Roseovarius pacificus 81-2^T and 92.8-96.2 % sequence similarity values to the type strains of the other Roseovarius species. Strain GSW-M15^T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C_18:1 ω7c and 11-methyl-C_18:1 ω7c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain GSW-M15^T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain GSW-M15^T was 62.9 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness values with R. halotolerans KCTC 22224^T and R. pacificus LMG 24575^T were 33 and 18 %, respectively. Differential phenotypic properties of strain GSW-M15^T, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that this strain is distinguishable from other Roseovarius species. On the basis of the data presented here, strain GSW-M15^T (=KCTC 23897^T = CCUG 62218^T) represents a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius litoreus sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas jeotgali</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new moderate halophilic bacterium isolated from a traditional fermented seafood

A moderate halophilic, Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shape, and aerobe designated as strain Hwa^T was isolated from traditional fermented Korean seafood, which presented as a single cell or paired cells. Optimal growth occurred at 25°C in 10% (w/v) salts at pH 7.0–8.0; however, growth occurred in a temperature range of 10–32°C, a salts concentration of 5–25% (w/v) and pH 5.0–10.0. Tests for oxidase and catalase were positive. The cells produced poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid, but not exopolysaccharide. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, not only was there low similarity between strain Hwa^T and all other species (94.1% similarity with H. subglaciescola DSM 4683^T, 94.0% similarity with H. sulfidaeris Esulfide1^T, 93.6% similarity with H. cerina SP4^T and 93.0% similarity with H. halodurans DSM 5160^T), but the phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate may be classified as a novel species belonging to the genus Halomonas in the class Gammaproteobacteria. The predominant fatty acids of strain Hwa^T were C_18:1 ω7c, C_16:0, C_12:0 3-OH and C_16:1 ω7c/C_15:0 iso 2-OH. The DNA G+C content was calculated as 61.7 mol%. Based on phenotypic, genotypic, and phylogenetic characteristics, it is proposed that the strain designated as Hwa^T be assigned to the genus Halomonas as Halomonas jeotgali sp. nov. (=KCTC 22487^T =JCM 15645^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gaetbulibacter jejuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from seawater

A novel marine bacterium, designated strain CNURIC014^T was isolated from coastal seawater of Jeju Island in Korea. Strain CNURIC014^T formed yellow colonies on marine agar 2216 and the cells were Gram-negative, non-motile, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped. The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were 15–37°C, pH 6.0–9.0 and 1.0–7.0% NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CNURIC014^T was most closely related to Gaetbulibacter marinus and Gaetbulibacter saemankumensis, with a sequence similarity of 95.1% and 94.6%, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 33.1 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:1 (22.8%), iso-C_15:0 (18.8%), summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH/C_16:1 ω7c, 12.9%) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (11.5%). On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genotypic data, strain CNURIC014^T represents a novel species within the genus Geatbulibacter, for which the name Gaetbulibacter jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CNURIC014^T(=KCTC 22615^T =JCM 15976^T).     

Pigmentiphaga soli sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from soil

Strain BS12^T, a Gram-negative motile bacterium, was isolated from soil in South Korea and characterized to determine its taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain belonged to the family Alcaligenaceae in the class Betaproteobacteria. The highest degree of sequence similarities of strain BS12^T were found with Pigmentiphaga litoralis JSM 061001^T (98.3%), Pigmentiphaga daeguensis K110^T (98.2%), and Pigmentiphaga kullae K24^T (98.1%). Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain BS12^T possessed ubiquinone-8, which is common in the family Alcaligenaceae, and the predominant fatty acids were C_16:0, C_17:0 cyclo, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c/ω7c), and summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c/ω7c). The major polar lipids of strain BS12^T were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Based on these data, BS12^T (=KCTC 23577^T =JCM 17666^T =KEMB 9004-082^T) should be classified as a type strain of a novel species, for which the name Pigmentiphaga soli sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tropicibacter phthalicus</Emphasis> sp. nov., A Phthalate-Degrading Bacterium from Seawater

An aerobic, Gram-negative bacterial strain, designated KU27E1^T, which degrades phthalate and dimethylphthalate, was isolated from seawater obtained from the coastal region of Ishigaki Island, Japan. Cells are motile rods with polar flagella. Strain KU27E1^T grew at 15–30°C, pH 6.0–8.0, in the presence of 1.0–2.0% (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that this strain was affiliated with the family Rhodobacteraceae in the class Alphaproteobacteria, and was most closely related to Tropicibacter naphthalenivorans (96.8%). The predominant respiratory lipoquinone was ubiquinone-10, and the major cellular fatty acid was C_18:1ω7c (88.5%). The G+C content of genomic DNA was 58.7 mol%. Based on the physiological, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic data, strain KU27E1^T is suggested to represent a novel species of the genus Tropicibacter, for which the name Tropicibacter phthalicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Tropicibacter phthalicus is designated as KU27E1^T (=JCM 17793^T = KCTC 23703^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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oceanicoccus sagamiensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a gammaproteobacterium isolated from sea water of Sagami Bay in Japan

A gram-negative, motile, coccoid- and amorphous-shaped, non-pigmented chemoheterotrophic bacterium, designated strain PZ-5^T, was isolated from sea water of Sagami Bay in Japan and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate could be affiliated with the class Gammaproteobacteria. Strain PZ-5^T showed below 93.9% similarity with validly published bacteria and demonstrated the highest sequence similarity to Dasania marina KOPRI 20902^T (93.9%). Strain PZ-5^T formed a monophyletic group with D. marina KOPRI 20902^T. The DNA G+C content of strain PZ-5^T was 49.8 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 and predominant cellular fatty acids were C_15:0 ISO 20H (19%), C_16:1 ω7c (17.4%), C_17;1 ω8c (16.2%), C_11:0 3OH (7.5%), and C_15:1 ω8c (6.5%). Based on evidence from a polyphasic taxonomical study, it was concluded that the strain should be classified as representing a new genus and species of the class Gammaproteobacteria, for which the name Oceanicoccus sagamiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., (type strain PZ-5^T =NBRC 107125^T =KCTC 23278^T) is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas jejuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from marine sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymeniacidon flavia</Emphasis>

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod shaped, and orange-pigmented chemoheterotrophic bacterium, strain MS-31^T was isolated from the marine sponge Hymeniacidon flavia, collected from near Jeju Island, Korea. The Strain MS-31^T was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate could be affiliated within the genus Sphingomonas. The strain MS-31^T showed 95.6% of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the most closely related species Sphingomonas koreensis JSS26^T. The DNA G+C content of the strain MS-31^T was 69.4 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiqunone 10 and predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 7 (comprising C_18:1 ω7c, C_18:1 Ω9t and/or C_18:1 ωl2t, 39.7%), C_16:0 (16.3%), C_14:0 2OH (15.9%) and summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_15:0 iso 2OH, 11.7%). The polar lipids were sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidyletha-nolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipid. Based on the evidence from the polyphasic taxonomic study, the strain should be classified as a new species of the genus Sphingomonas. As a result, the name Sphingomonas jejuensis sp. nov. (type strain MS-31^T =KCTC 23321^T =NBRC 107775^T) is proposed.     

New taxa in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alphaproteobacteria: Brevundimonas olei</Emphasis> sp. nov., an esterase-producing bacterium

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a Gram-negative, non-motile bacterium, designated MJ15^T, that was isolated from soil of a GS-Caltex Oil reservoir in Korea. As shown by comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MJ15^T belongs to genus Brevundimonas. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranged from 95.6–99.2% between strain MJ15^T and validated representatives of the genus Brevundimonas. With respect to Brevundimonas species, strain MJ15^T exhibited DNA-DNA relatedness values below 40.7%. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.7 mol%. Strain MJ15^T contained ubiquinone Q-10. The major fatty acids were C_16:0 (27.7%), C_19:0 cyclo ω8c (23.2%), summed feature 8 (containing C_18:1 ω7c/C_18:1 6c) (28.5%), and major hydroxyl fatty acid was C_12:0 3OH (3.7%). Based upon its phenotypic and genotypic properties, as well as its phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain MJ15^T (KCTC 22461^T; JCM 16237^T) should be classified in the genus Brevundimonas as the type strain of a novel species. The name Brevundimonas olei sp. nov. is proposed for this new species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aliihoeflea aestuarii</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from tidal flat sediment

A novel Gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterium, designated N8^T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that N8^T strain is associated with the family Phyllobacteriaceae: two uncultured clones (98.4 and 99.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and the genus Mesorhizobium (≤97.0%). The novel strain formed a separate clade with uncultured clones in the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Cellular fatty acid profiles predominately comprised C_18:1 ω7c and C_19:0 cyclo ω8c. The major isoprenoid quinone is ubiquinone-10 and genomic DNA G+C content is 53.4 mol%. The polyphasic taxonomic study indicates that the novel strain N8^T represents a novel species of the new genus in the family Phyllobacteriaceae, named Aliihoeflea aestuarii. The type strain is N8^T (= KCTC 22052^T= JCM 15118^T= DSM 19536^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alteromonas halophila</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a sea anemone

A pale yellow-colored, moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-sporulating, rod-shaped, motile, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 073008^T, was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 1–20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10–40°C (optimum, 25–30°C). The major cellular fatty acids were C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c/iso-C_15:0 2-OH and C_18:1 ω7c. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the genomic DNA G + C content was 47.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 073008^T should be assigned to the genus Alteromonas, being most closely related to Alteromonas hispanica F-32^T (sequence similarity 96.9%), followed by Alteromonas genovensis LMG 24078^T (96.6%) and Alteromonas litorea TF-22^T (96.4%). The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Alteromonas species ranged from 95.9% (with Alteromonas stellipolaris ANT 69a^T) to 94.5% (with Alteromonas simiduii BCRC 17572^T). The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 073008^T represents a new species of the genus Alteromonas, for which the name Alteromonas halophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 073008^T (=CCTCC AA 207035^T = KCTC 22164^T). The authors Yi-Guang Chen and Huai-Dong Xiao have contributed equally to this work.     

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).     

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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus berkeleyi</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus intermedius</Emphasis>

A bacterial strain, designated KMM 6244^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. The bacterium was found to be heterotrophic, aerobic, non-motile and spore-forming. Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed the marine isolate in the genus Bacillus. The nearest neighbor of strain KMM 6244^T was Bacillus decolorationis LMG 19507^T with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.0%. Sequence similarities with the other recognized Bacillus species were less than 96.0%. The results of the DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low relatedness (37%) of the novel isolate with the type strain of B. decolorationis LMG 19507^T. Strain KMM 6244^T grew at 4–45°C and with 0–12% NaCl. It produced catalase and oxidase and hydrolyzed aesculin, casein, gelatin and DNA. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and iso-C_14:0. The DNA G + C content was 39.4 mol%. A combination of phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic data clearly indicated that strain KMM 6244^T represents a novel species in the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus berkeleyi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6244^T (KCTC 12718^T = LMG 26357^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.