A new genus of male cones of voltzialean affinity,Uralostrobus voltzioides nov. gen., nov. sp., from the Lower Permian of the Urals (Russia)

A new genus and species of male cones of coniferophyte from the Lower Permian (Artinskian and Kungurian) deposits of the Urals, Russia is described: Uralostrobus voltzioides Naugolnykh nov. gen., nov. sp. The cone shows characters typical of some representatives of conifers belonging to the order Voltziales: more or less isometrical bracts of rhombic shape, prolonged sporangia with attenuate apices, and bisaccate pollen of Illinites-type. General information on the associated female seed scales and vegetative leafy shoots is given as well.     

Rhodospira trueperi gen. nov., spec. nov., a new phototrophic Proteobacterium of the alpha group

A new phototrophic purple bacterium was isolated from a flat, laminated microbial mat in a salt marsh near Woods Hole, Mass., USA. The spiral-shaped bacterium was highly motile and had bipolar tufts of flagella and intracytoplasmic membranes of the vesicular type. The major photosynthetic pigments were identified as the carotenoid tetrahydrospirilloxanthin and bacteriochlorophyll b. The long wavelength in vivo absorption maximum of the bacteriochlorophyll was at 986 nm. The marine bacterium showed optimal growth in the presence of 2% NaCl. It utilized a number of organic substrates as carbon and energy sources and required vitamins and sulfide as a reduced sulfur source for growth. In the presence of sulfide, elemental sulfur globules were formed outside the cells. Elemental sulfur was not further oxidized to sulfate. The new isolate had a unique lipid and fatty acid composition, and according to the 16S rRNA gene sequence, it is most similar to Rhodospirillum rubrum. It is described as a new species and assigned to a new genus with the proposed name Rhodospira trueperi. Received: 16 September 1996 / Accepted: 24 January 1997     

Fibrophrys columna gen. nov., sp. nov: A member of the family Amphifilidae

A novel Diplophrys-like organism, Fibrophrys columna, was isolated from Hiuchigaike Pond in Japan. F. columna showed a nearly orbicular or broadly elliptical cell shape and has fine filamentous, branching ectoplasmic elements emanating from both polar ends of the cell. Cells also contain orange, amber, or colorless lipid bodies. Although its whole cell morphology resembles that of the genus Diplophrys, Fibrophrys is clearly distinct from Diplophrys on the basis of 18S rDNA sequences. Molecular phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship of F. columna with Amphifila marina, and its sequence is similar to many environmental stramenopile sequences. The cells of F. columna measured 5.0–8.3 × 5.6–10.3 μm and sometimes possessed hernia-like prongs instead of filamentous ectoplasmic elements. An axis-like electron-dense body was observed in the mitochondria. We also studied the ultrastructure of another Fibrophrys strain, Fibrophrys sp. E-1, which is different from the type strain of F. columna. A ladder-like pattern was recognized in the outer part of unidentified cytoplasmic membranes connected with the mitochondria. The unidentified cytoplasmic membranes were connected to the nuclear, lipid body, and mitochondrial outer membranes. We propose a new genus, Fibrophrys, and a new species, F. columna, based on these ultrastructural and molecular features.     

Coprobacillus catenaformis gen. nov., sp. nov., a new genus and species isolated from human feces

Three strains of Eubacterium-like isolates from human feces were characterized by biochemical tests and 16S rDNA analysis. The phenotypic characteristics of the three strains resembled those of the genus Collinsella transferred from the genus Eubacterium recently. However, Eubacterium-like strains were phylogenetically members of the Clostridium subphylum of gram-positive bacteria, and these showed a specific phylogenetic association with Clostridium ramosum and C. spiroforme. C. ramosum and C. spiroforme are gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria that belong to the genus Clostridium, and the G + C contents are 26.0 and 27.4 mol%, respectively. However, the three Eubacterium-like strains had G + C contents of 32.1 to 33.1 mol% and were non-spore-forming rods. Based on phenotypic characteristics, we can differentiate these species, and furthermore, a 16S rDNA sequence divergence of greater than 9% with a new related genus, Coprobacillus, is proposed for the three strains, with one species, Coprobacillus catenaformis. The type strain of C. catenaformis is JCM 10604T.     

Barbatosphaeria gen. et comb. nov., a new genus for Calosphaeria barbirostris

The new genus Barbatosphaeria is described for a perithecial ascomycete known as Calosphaeria barbirostris occurring on decayed wood of deciduous trees under the periderm. The fungus produces nonstromatic perithecia with hyaline, 1-septate ascospores formed in unitunicate, nonamyloid asci. Anamorphs produced in vitro belong to Sporothrix and Ramichloridium with holoblastic-denticulate conidiogenesis; conidiophores of the two types were formed in succession during the development of the colony. Phylogenetic analyses of nuLSU rDNA sequences indicate that this fungus is distinct from morphologically similar Lentomitella, tentatively placed in the Trichosphaeriales. It groups with freshwater Aquaticola and Cataractispora and terrestrial Cryptadelphia in maximum parsimony analysis; the same grouping but without Cryptadelphia was inferred from Bayesian analysis. Cultivation, morphology and phylogenetic studies of the nuLSU rDNA support the erection of a new genus for C. barbirostris.     

Endozoicomonas elysicola gen. nov., sp. nov., a gamma-proteobacterium isolated from the sea slug Elysia ornata

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-formed bacterium, strain MKT110(T), was isolated from a mollusk, the sea slug Elysia ornata collected in seawater off the coast of Izu-Miyake Island, Japan at a depth of 15m. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequences analysis indicated that the isolate MKT110(T) constituted a novel lineage in gamma-proteobacteria related to the genera Zooshikella, Oceanospirillum, Microbulbifer, Marinobacter, Saccharospirillum and Pseudomonas. The strain MKT110(T) was closely related to the clones from marine sponge Halichondria okadai (AB054136, AB054161) and the coral Pocillopora damicornis (AY700600, AY700601). The phylogenetic tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that MKT110(T) and four clones formed a sub-lineage related to the genus Zooshikella, with a bootstrap value of 100%. MKT110(T) required salt for its growth and was mesophilic. The bacterium contained 16:1omega7c, 16:0 and 14:0 as major cellular fatty acids, and 3-OH 14:0, 3-OH 10:0 and 3-OH 12:0 as major hydroxy fatty acids. The DNA base composition of the isolate was 50.4 mol% G+C. The major quinone was Q-9. The bacterium is distinguished from currently recognized bacterial genera based on phylogenetic and phenotypic features and should be classified in a novel genus for which the name Endozoicomonas elysicola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. (type strain MKT110(T)=IAM 15107(T)=KCTC 12372(T); GenBank accession no. AB196667).     

Tateyamaria omphalii gen. nov., sp. nov., an alpha-Proteobacterium isolated from a top shell Omphalius pfeifferi pfeifferi

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, coccoid to short rod-shaped marine bacterium strain MKT107(T) was isolated from the molluscan top shell Omphalius pfeifferi pfeifferi collected on the coast of Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain MKT107(T) constitutes a new lineage in alpha-Proteobacteria related to the genera Nereida, Roseobacter, Staleya, Oceanibulbus and Sulfitobacter. Strain MKT107(T) was found to require salt for its growth and to be mesophilic. It contained 18:1omega7c and 16:0 as major cellular fatty acids and 3-OH 10:0 and 3-OH 12:0 as hydroxy fatty acids. The DNA base composition of the isolate was 61.6 mol% G+C. The major quinone was Q-10. Sufficient differences existed to distinguish this strain from currently recognized bacterial genera. Therefore, the isolate is classified as representing a new genus and species, Tateyamaria omphalii gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain MKT107(T) =IAM 15108(T) =KCTC 12333(T); GenBank accession no. AB193438).     

Ogataea falcaomoraisii sp. nov., a sporogenous methylotrophic yeast from tree exudates

Thirteen strains of a new ascospore-forming, methanol-assimilating yeast species were isolated from sap exudates of Sclerolobium sp. (carvoeiro) in two forest fragments in the state of Toncantins, Brazil, and from Hymenaea courbaril (guapinol, jatobá) in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. Analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 large-subunit ribosomal DNA showed that the species belongs to the genus Ogataea (syn. Pichia), and it was described as Ogataea falcaomoraisii. The closest relatives are Candida ortonii and C. nemodendra. The type culture is UFMG-T264-1T (= CBS 9814T = NRRL Y-27756).     

Hyaloscyphaceae in Japan (6): the genus Hyphodiscus in Japan and its anamorph Catenulifera gen. nov.

Three Hyphodiscus species are described and illustrated: Hyphodiscus otanii sp. nov., Hyphodiscus hymeniophilus, and H. theiodeus, which is new to Japan. Culture studies revealed Phialophora-like anamorphs. Catenulifera gen. nov. is proposed for the anamorph of Hyphodiscus. The history of the genus is reviewed. Hyphodiscus can be delimited to members with gelatinized excipulum, Cistella-like hairs with more coarse granulation, small asci, ascospores with conspicuous globules, cylindrical, flexuous paraphyses, and a Catenulifera anamorph. Received: September 6, 2001 / Accepted: October 4, 2001     

Aeromonas allosaccharophila sp. nov., a new mesophilic member of the genus Aeromonas

Phenotypic and genetic studies were performed on some atypical aeromonas strains of uncertain taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that these strains represent a hitherto unknown genetic line within the genus Aeromonas, for which the name Aeromonas allosaccharophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CECT 4199.     

Oleomonas sagaranensis gen. nov., sp. nov., represents a novel genus in the alpha-Proteobacteria

A Gram-negative bacterium was previously isolated from an oil field in Shizuoka, Japan, and designated strain HD-1. Here we have performed detailed characterization of the strain, and have found that it represents a novel genus. The 16S rRNA sequence of strain HD-1 displayed highest similarity to various uncultured species (86.7-99.7%), along with 86.2-88.2% similarity to sequences from Azospirillum, Methylobacterium, Rhizobium, and Hyphomicrobium, all members of the alpha-Proteobacteria. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HD-1 represented a deep-branched lineage among the alpha-Proteobacteria. DNA-DNA hybridization analysis with Azospirillum lipoferum and Hyphomicrobium vulgare revealed low levels of similarity among the strains. We further examined the biochemical properties of the strain under aerobic conditions. Among carbon sources, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, and n-tetradecanol were the most preferred, while acetate, propionate, and pyruvate also supported high levels of growth. The strain could also grow on aromatic compounds such as toluene, benzene and phenol, and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-octane and n-tetradecane. In contrast, glycerol and various sugars, including glucose, fructose, maltose, and lactose, failed to support growth of HD-1. Under an anaerobic gas phase with butanol as the carbon source, little increase in cell weight was observed with the addition of several possible electron acceptors. As strain HD-1 represents a novel genus in the alpha-Proteobacteria, we designated the strain as Oleomonas sagaranensis gen. nov., sp. nov., strain HD-1.     

Pukyongia salina gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae

A Gram-negative aerobic bacterium, designated RR4-38T, was isolated from a biofilter in a seawater recirculating aqua-culture system (RAS) in Busan, South Korea. The bacteria were irregular, short, rod-shaped, non-motile, oxidase-positive, and catalase-negative. Growth of the strain RR4-38T was observed at 15–35·C (optimum, 25–30·C), pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum, pH 8.0), and in the presence of 0–5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain RR4-38T formed a distinct lineage with close genera Ulvibacter (≤ 95.01% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Aureitalea (94.74%), Aureisphaera (≤ 93.27%), and Jejudonia (93.07%) that all belong to the family Flavobacteriaceae. Whole-genome sequence comparison revealed that the ANI (average nucleotide identity) and digital DDH (DNA-DNA hybridization) values between strain RR4-38T and the two closest strains, Ulvibacter antarcticus DSM 23424T and Aureitalea marina S1-66T, were 68.96–69.88% and 17.4–19%, respectively. The genome analysis revealed that the strain might be involved in biodegradation of organic debris produced by farmed fish in aquaculture systems. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-6 and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (26.5%), iso-C17:0 3-OH (16.4%), iso-C15:1 G (15%), and iso-C16:0 3-OH (9.6%). The major cellular polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified aminolipids, and glycolipids. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic features, strain RR4-38t represents a novel genus and species in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Pukyongia salina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RR4-38T (= KCTC 52651T = DSM 108068T).     

Saprolegnia semihypogyna sp. nov., a saprolegniaceous oomycete isolated from soil in Japan

Saprolegnia semihypogyna, a saprolegniaceous oomycete (Saprolegniales, Oomycetes), is described based on two strains isolated from soil samples collected in Japan. It is characterized by having a new combination of sexual characters in the genus Saprolegnia, namely, producing mostly monosporous oogonia with subeccentric oospores and semihypogynous or androgynous antheridial branches. The species is morphologically similar to Scoliolegnia subeccentrica, although the oogonial wall of the former is smooth and that of the latter is densely ornamented. Morphological comparison of the two species indicates that the generic status of the genus Scoliolegnia is questionable. Received: February 22, 2001 / Accepted: September 5, 2001     

Imantonia rotunda gen. et sp. nov., a new member of the Haptophyceae

Imantonia rotunda, a new member of the Haptophyceae, is described and records of its distribution are given. It is characterised by a distinctive “bicycle-wheel” type of scale and does not bear a haptonema.     

Yokenella regensburgei gen. nov., sp. nov.: a new genus and species in the family Enterobacteriaceae

The name Yokenella gen. nov. is proposed for a group of organisms in the family Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical sources and insects. Yokenella is a gram-negative, oxidase-negative, fermentative, motile rod possessing the characteristics of the family Enterobacteriaceae and the guanine plus cytosine contents of the DNA range from 58.0 to 59.3 mol%. Biochemical characteristics of this group and DNA hybridization studies indicate that the 11 strains studied here comprise a separate species which should be best placed in a new genus. This single DNA hybridization group is named Yokenella regensburgei sp. nov. The type strain of Y. regensburgei is NIH 725-83 (JCM 2403).     

Holophaga foetida gen. nov., sp. nov., a new,homoacetogenic bacterium degrading methoxylated aromatic compounds

A polyphasic approach was used in which genotypic and phenotypic properties of a gram-negative, obligately anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from a black anoxic freshwater mud sample were determined. Based on these results, the name Holophaga foetida gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. This microorganism produced dimethylsulfide and methanethiol during growth on trimethoxybenzoate or syringate. The only other compounds utilized were pyruvate and trihydroxybenzenes such as gallate, phloroglucinol, or pyrogallol. The aromatic compounds were degraded to acetate. Although comparison of the signature nucleotide pattern of the five established subclasses of Proteobacteria with the 16S rDNA sequence of Holophaga foetida revealed a relationship to members of the -subclass, the phylogenetic position within the radiation of this class is so deep and dependent upon the number and selection of reference sequences that its affiliation to the Proteobacteria must be considered tentative. The type strain is H. foetida strain TMBS4 (DSM 6591).F. Bak died on 27 December 1992. A very promising and productive career thus ended much too early     

New taxa in the Tremellales: Bulleribasidium oberjochense gen. et sp. nov., Papiliotrema bandonii gen. et sp. nov. and Fibulobasidium murrhardtense sp. nov

Two new genera, Bulleribasidium and Papiliotrema, and three new species, B. oberjochense, P. bandonii and Fibulobasidium murrhardtense are described. An integrated analysis of morphological, ultrastructural, physiological, and molecular data indicates that the new taxa belong to the Tremellales (Basidiomycota). Relevant characteristics of the new genera and species are discussed and compared with those of closely related taxa.