<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mayteni</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a Chinese medicinal plant

An actinomycete strain, designated YIM 60475^T, was isolated from the roots of Maytenus austroyunnanensis and was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The strain was determined to belong to the genus Streptomyces, based on its phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics. The strain produced spiral spore chains on aerial mycelium. The cell wall contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained galactose, glucose, and xylose. The phospholipid was type II. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 73.3 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization and comparison of physiological and chemical characteristics suggested that strain YIM 60475^T is a new Streptomyces species, for which the name Streptomyces mayteni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 60475^T (=CCTCC AA 207005^T = KCTC 19383^T). Hua-Hong Chen and Sheng Qin contributed equally to this work.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces serianimatus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a rhizophere soil

A novel actinomycete strain, designated YIM 45720^T, was isolated from a Cephalotaxus fortunei rhizophere soil sample collected from Yunnan Province, southwest China. The strain formed well-differentiated aerial and substrate mycelia. Chemotaxonomically, it contained LL-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. The cell-wall sugars contained ribose, mannose, and galactose with traces of glucose and xylose. Phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. MK-9 (H₈) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids (>10%) were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:1 and anteiso-C_15:0. The G + C content of the DNA was 70 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis data based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain YIM 45720^T formed a distinct branch with the type strain of Streptomyces scabrisporus JCM 11712^T within the genus Streptomyces. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YIM 45720^T (=DSM 41883^T = CCTCC AA 206006^T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Streptomyces serianimatus sp. nov.     

<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">Nocardioides islandiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil in Bigeum Island Korea

A novel actinobacterium designated as MSL-26^T was isolated from soil in Bigeum Island Korea. A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic position of isolate MSL-26^T. Strain MSL-26^T was found to have chemical and morphological characteristics similar to Nocardioides. The strain grew optimally at pH 7·5 and 28°C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MSL-26^T forms a distinct line of descent within the radiation enclosed by the genus Nocardioides. The cell wall of strain MSL-26^T contained LL-2, 6-diaminopimelic acid. The principal menaquinone was MK-8 (H₄). The phospholipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and some unidentified lipids. C_18:1 w7c (50.38%) was the major fatty acid. The DNA G + C content of strain MSL-26^T was 71.4 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MSL-26^T shares the highest sequence similarity with Nocardioides kribbensis KCTC 19038^T (95.78%) and Nocardioides aquaticus DSM 11439^T (95.52%). Based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomical data presented in this study, strain MSL-26^T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides islandiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MSL-26^T (=KCTC 19275^T =DSM 19321^T)     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces gulbargensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil in Karnataka,India

During the course of screening for industrially important microorganisms, an alkali-tolerant and thermotolerant actinomycete, strain DAS 131T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Gulbarga region, Karnataka province, India. The strain was characterized by a polyphasic approach that showed that it belonged to the genus Streptomyces. Growth was observed over a wide pH range (pH 6-12) and at 45 degrees C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain DAS 131T was deposited in the GenBank database under the accession number DQ317411. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DAS 131T was most closely related to Streptomyces venezuelae ISP 5230T (AY999739) with a sequence similarity of 99.5% (8 nucleotide differences out of 1,477). Despite this very high sequence similarity, strain DAS 131T was phenetically distinct from S. venezuelae. The DNA relatedness between these strains was 54%, indicating that strain DAS 131T is a distinct genomic species. On the basis of phenetic and genetic analyses, strain DAS 131T is classified as a new species in the genus Streptomyces, for which we propose the name Streptomyces gulbargensis sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces tritolerans</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from soil in Karnataka,India

A Gram-positive, nonmotile, moderately halophilic, alkali and thermotolerant strain designated DAS 165(T), was isolated from a dry land soil sample from the Gulbarga region, Karnataka province, India. The isolate produced yellow substrate mycelia and gray aerial mycelia on most tested media. Strain DAS 165(T) showed growth in the presence of 5 to 7% NaCl and at 45 degrees C. The DNA G + C content was 69.7%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis together with these characteristics consistently assigned strain DAS 165(T) to the genus Streptomyces. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DAS 165(T) was most closely related to S. tendae ATCC 19812(T) (D 63873) with a sequence similarity of 99.6% (three nucleotide differences out of 1,517). Strain DAS 165(T) formed a distinct clade based on analysis of the almost complete sequence and 120-nucleotide variable gamma region of the 16S rRNA gene. Despite the high sequence similarity, strain DAS 165(T) was phenotypically different from S. tendae ATCC 19812(T). DNA-DNA hybridization between these strains was 47% showing that strain DAS 165(T) is a distinct genomic species. Phenetic and genetic results support the classification of strain DAS 165(T) as a new species, for which the name S. tritolerans is proposed, with strain DAS 165(T) as the type strain (=DSM 41899(T )= CCTCCAA 206013(T)).     

Four novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> species in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida albicans</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lodderomyces elongisporus</Emphasis> clade isolated from the gut of flower beetles

Flower-visiting beetles belonging to three species of Cetoniidae were collected on three mountains near Beijing, China, and yeasts were isolated from the gut of the insects collected. Based on the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequence analysis and phenotypic characterization, four novel anamorphic yeast species located in the Candida albicans/Lodderomyces elongisporus clade were identified from 18 of the strains isolated. The new species and type strains are designated as Candida blackwellae AS 2.3639^T (=CBS 10843^T), Candida jiufengensis AS 2.3688^T (=CBS 10846^T), Candida oxycetoniae AS 2.3656^T (=CBS 10844^T), and Candida pseudojiufengensis AS 2.3693^T (=CBS 10847^T). C. blackwellae sp. nov. was basal to the branch formed by C. albicans and C. dubliniensis with moderately strong bootstrap support. The closest relative of C. oxycetoniae was L. elongisporus. C. jiufengensis sp. nov. and C. pseudojiufengensis sp. nov. were closely related with each other and formed a branch in a subclade represented by C. parapsilosis and L. elongisporus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Luteimonas aestuarii</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment

A novel bacterium B9^T was isolated from tidal flat sediment. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features, and 16S rRNA gene sequence were characterized. Colonies of this strain are yellow and the cells are Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and do not require NaCl for growth. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain B9^T is associated with the genus Lysobacter (≤ 97.2%), Xanthomonas (≤ 96.8%), Pseudomonas (≤ 96.7%), and Luteimonas (≤ 96.0%). However, within the phylogenetic tree, this novel strain shares a branching point with the species Luteimonas composti CC-YY255^T (96.0%). The DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed a DNA-DNA homology of 23.0% between strain B9^T and Luteimonas mephitis B1953/27.1^T. The G+C content of genomic DNA of the type strain is 64.7 mol% (SD, 1.1). The predominant fatty acids are iso-C_11:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0, iso-C_17:0 ω9c, and iso-C_11:0 3-OH. Combined analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, fatty acid profile, and results from physiological and biochemical tests indicated that there is genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from other Luteimonas species. For these reasons, strain B9^T was proposed as a novel species, named Luteimonas aestuarii. The type strain of the new species is B9^T (= KCTC 22048^T, DSM 19680^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">Halobacillus naozhouensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a sea anemone

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071068^T, was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from the Naozhou Island on the Leizhou Bay in the South China Sea. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071068^T was able to grow with 1–20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 6–9%), at pH values of 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and a temperature range of 10–35°C (optimum, 25°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G + C content was 42.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071068^T belonged to the genus Halobacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain JSM 071068^T and the type strains of the recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.9% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.3% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of H. alkaliphilus, Halobacillus campisalis, Halobacillus halophilus and Halobacillus seohaensis were 25.6, 22.1, 10.8 and 13.2%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 071068^T represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus naozhouensis sp. nov. is proposed, with JSM 071068^T (=DSM 21183^T =KCTC 13234^T) as the type strain. The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 071068^T is EU925615.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from wastewater reservoir sediment

A novel Gram-positive bacterium, designated SYB2T, was isolated from wastewater reservoir sediment, and a polyphasic taxonomic study was conducted based on its morphological, physiological, and biochemical features, as well as the analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence. During the phylogenetic analysis of the strain SYB2T, results of a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed this bacterium in the genus Arthrobacter within the family Micrococcaceae. SYB2T and Arthrobacter protophormiae ATCC 19271T, the most closely related species, both exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.99%. The genomic DNA G+C content of the novel strain was found to be 62.0 mol%. The predominant fatty acid composition was anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C16:0, and iso-C15:0. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and DNA-DNA relatedness, as well as physiological and biochemical tests, showed genotypic and phenotypic differences between strain SYB2T and other Arthrobacter species. The type strain of the novel species was identified as SYB2T (= KCTC 19291T= DSM 19449T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces roseoalbus</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from soil in Yunnan,China

A strain YIM 33098T (= CCTCC AA001027T = DSM 41831T) was isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Nanning in Guangxi Province, China, in the course of screening for producers of new drug lead compounds. This strain was identified by using a polyphasic approach. The results showed that it should be assigned to the genus Streptomyces. An almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain was determined and compared with those of representative Streptomyces species. Strain YIM 33098T was clustered in the same subclade with Streptomyces tendae ATCC19812T and Streptomyces eurythermus ATCC14975T. Similarities of strain YIM 33098T with the two strains were 97.35% and 97.42%, respectively. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic evidence, it is therefore proposed that strain YIM 33098T should be classified in the genus Streptomyces as a new species under the name of Streptomyces nanningensis sp. nov.     

<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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorobaculum macestae</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new green sulfur bacterium

The investigated green sulfur bacterium, strain M, was isolated from a sulfidic spring on the Black Sea Coast of the Caucasus. The cells of strain M are straight or curved rods 0.6–0.9 × 1.8–4.2 μm in size. According to the cell wall structure, the bacteria are gram-negative. Chlorosomes are located along the cell periphery. Strain M is an obligate anaerobe capable of photoautotrophic growth on sulfide, thiosulfate, and H₂. Acetatate is utilized as an additional carbon source. It utilizes ammonium, urea, casein hydrolysate, and N₂ as nitrogen sources and sulfide, thiosulfate, and elemental sulfur as sulfur sources. Bacteriochlorophyll c and the carotenoid chlorobactene are the main pigments. The optimal growth temperature is 25–28°C; the optimal pH is 6.8. The strain does not require NaCl. Vitamin B 12 stimulates growth. The content of the G+C base pairs in the DNA of strain M is 58.3 mol %. In the phylogenetic tree constructed on the basis of analysis of nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA genes, strain M forms a separate branch, which occupies an intermediate position between the phylogenetic cluster containing representatives of the genus Chlorobaculum (94.9–96.8%) and the cluster containing species of the genus Chlorobium (94.1–96.5%). According to the results of analysis of the amino acid sequence corresponding to the fmo gene, strain M represents a branch which, unlike that in the “ribosomal” tree, falls into the cluster of the genus Chlorobaculum (95.8–97.2%). Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequence corresponding to the nifH gene placed species of the genera Chlorobaculum and Chlorobium into a single cluster, whereas strain M formed a separate branch. The results obtained allow us to describe strain M as a new species of the genus ChlorobacChlorobaculum — Chlorobaculum macestae sp. nov.     

New species in the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Francisella</Emphasis> (Gammaproteobacteria; Francisellaceae); <Emphasis Type="Italic">Francisella piscicida</Emphasis> sp. nov. isolated from cod (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gadus morhua</Emphasis>)

A Francisella strain, GM2212, previously isolated from moribund farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in Norway, is closely related to Francisella philomiragia among Francisella spp. according to its complete 16S rDNA, 16S-23S intergenic spacer, 23S rDNA, 23S–5S intergenic spacer, 5S rDNA, FopA, lipoprotein TUL4 (LpnA), malate dehydrogenase and hypothetical lipoprotein (LpnB) sequences. A comparison between GM2212 and the type strain of Francisella philomiragia were performed by DNA–DNA hybridization and fatty acid analysis. The DNA–DNA hybridization showed a 70% similarity. The fatty acid analysis showed only minor differences between the Francisella isolates. Due to the inconclusive result from the DNA–DNA hybridisation, major emphasis concerning the status of this isolate is made on previously published molecular, phenotypic and biochemical characters. All characteristics taken together support the establishment of GM2212 as a novel species, for which the name Francisella piscicida sp. nov. is proposed (=CNCM I-3511^T = DSM 18777^T = LMG registration number not yet available).     

Insecticidal action of Quinomycin A from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp. KN-0647, isolated from a forest soil

An actinomycete strain KN-0647 was isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Dali Cangshan mountain, Yunnan Province, China. The strain was identified as Streptomyces sp. according to the morphological, physiological characteristics and whole nucleotide sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene, and could not be identified up to species level, just suggesting a potential new taxon. The ethyl acetate extract from this strain displayed growth inhibition on the test pathogenetic insects, such as Spodoptera exigua, Dendrolimus punctatus, Plutella xylostella, Aphis glycines and Culex pipiens. The active compound was isolated and identified through a combination of spectral and chemical methods (UR, MS, and ¹HNMR) as quinomycin A. This is the first report on the insecticidal activity of antibiotic quinomycin A.     

<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.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodotorula oryzae</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel basidiomycetous yeast species isolated from paddy rice

A basidiomyetous yeast strain RO-203, which formed orange-red colored colonies, was isolated from a sample of paddy rice crops at the ripe stage in Japan. Morphological, physiological and biochemical characterization indicated that this strain belonged to the genus Rhodotorula. Molecular taxonomic analysis based on the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences showed that RO-203 represents an undescribed yeast species, for which the name Rhodotorula oryzae sp. nov. is proposed (type strain: AS 2.2363^T = MAFF 516128^T). The new species clustered in a branch together with Sakaguchia dacryoidea in phylogenetic trees based on the D1/D2 and ITS sequences. These two species differed by 2.3% and 12% nucleotide divergences in the D1/D2 and ITS regions, respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus ginsengisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon province,South Korea

A Gram-positive, aerobic or facultative anaerobic, motile, spore-forming bacterial strain, designated Gsoil 1638T, was isolated from a soil sample of a ginseng field in Pocheon province (South Korea), and was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. It grew well on nutrient agar medium, utilized a fairly narrow spectrum of carbon sources and tolerated 10% NaCl. The isolate was positive for catalase and oxidase tests but negative for the degradation of macromolecules such as casein, collagen, starch, chitin, CM-cellulose, xylan and DNA. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 50.7 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 (44%) and C16:0 (25%). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Gsoil 1638T fell within the radiation of the cluster comprising Paenibacillus species and joined Paenibacillus anaericanus DSM 15890T with a bootstrap value of 100%. These two strains shared 99.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other. The phylogenetic distance from any other validly described species within the genus Paenibacillus was less than 96.2%. DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain Gsoil 1638T and its closest phylogenetic neighbor, Paenibacillus anaericanus, was 62%. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain Gsoil 1638T (= KCTC 13931T = LMG 23406T = CCUG 52472T) was classified in the genus Paenibacillus as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Paenibacillus ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus litoralis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline soil

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 089168^T, was isolated from saline soil collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 2–25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5–10%), at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 10–45°C (optimum, 30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The strain contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol 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 40.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 089168^T should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus carmonensis (sequence similarity 97.6%), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus halodenitrificans (97.1%). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain JSM 089168^T and the type strains of V. carmonensis, V. necropolis and V. halodenitrificans were 20.4, 14.3 and 12.0%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 089168^T represents a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 089168^T (=DSM 21085^T =KCTC 13228^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JSM 089168^T is FJ425909.