Roseovarius azorensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater at Espalamaca,Azores

A Gram-negative, motile, non-spore forming, rod shaped aerobic bacterium, designated strain SSW084^T, was isolated from a surface seawater sample collected at Espalamaca (38°33′N; 28°39′W), Azores. Growth was found to occur from 15 to 40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 7.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 25–100 % seawater or 0.5–7.0 % NaCl in the presence of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺; no growth was found with NaCl alone. Colonies on seawater nutrient agar were observed to be punctiform, white, convex, circular, smooth, and translucent. Strain SSW084^T did not grow on Zobell marine agar and tryptic soy agar even when seawater supplemented. The major respiratory quinone was found to be Q-10 and the G + C content was determined to be 61.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain SSW084^T belongs to the genus Roseovarius and that its closest neighbours are Roseovarius tolerans EL-172^T, Roseovarius mucosus DFL-24^T and Roseovarius lutimaris 112^T with 95.7, 95.4 and 95.3 % sequence similarity respectively. The remaining species of Roseovarius showed <95 % similarity. The polar lipids of strain SSW084^T were determined to be phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified lipid and one unidentified aminolipid. The major fatty acids identified were identified as C_18:1 ω7c (52.5 %) and C_16:0 (13.8 %). On the basis of phenotypic, molecular and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain SSW084^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which Roseovarius azorensis sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is SSW084^T (=KCTC 32421^T = MTCC 11812^T).     

Roseovarius gaetbuli sp. nov., a novel alphaproteobacterium isolated from a tidal flat sediment

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile and ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated YM-20^T, was isolated from a tidal flat of the Yellow Sea in South Korea. Strain YM-20^T was found to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0–3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YM-20^T clustered consistently with the type strains of ‘Roseovarius marisflavi’ and Roseovarius lutimaris, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 99.86 and 98.71 %, respectively. Strain YM-20^T was found to contain Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C_18:1 ω7c as the predominant fatty acid. The major polar lipids of strain YM-20^T were identified as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain YM-20^T was determined to be 60.9 mol% and its DNA–DNA relatedness values with the type strains of ‘R. marisflavi’, R. lutimaris and Pelagicola litorisediminis were 53 ± 7.1, 22 ± 5.5 and 13 ± 4.7  %, respectively. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain YM-20^T is separated from ‘R. marisflavi’, R. lutimaris, the other Roseovarius species and P. litorisediminis. On the basis of the data presented, strain YM-20^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius gaetbuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YM-20^T (= KCTC 32428^T = CECT 8370^T).     

Roseovarius albus sp. nov., a new Alphaproteobacterium isolated from the Mediterranean Sea

Strain 4SM10^T, an aerobic marine, Gram-negative, heterotrophic and non pigmented bacterium isolated from seawater from Vinaroz in Castellón, Spain, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the strain within the Roseobacter clade in the family Rhodobacteraceae. Phylogenetic analyses also showed that strain 4SM10^T forms a stable clade with species of the genus Roseovarius, being related to Roseovarius nubinhibens ISM^T and Roseovarius aestuarii SMK-122^T at 97.5 and 97.4 % 16S rRNA sequence similarity, respectively. Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) values, determined as a measure of overall genomic resemblance, confirmed that strain 4SM10^T does not belong to the same species as R. aestuarii CECT 7745^T and Roseovarius nubinhibens CECT 7750^T displaying ANI values well below the 95 % boundary for genomic species. Strain 4SM10^T requires Na⁺ plus a divalent cation (either Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺) to grow, reduces nitrate to nitrite and uses a large number of amino acids and organic acids (but no carbohydrates) as sole carbon sources. Enzymatic activities displayed in API ZYM tests are alkaline phosphatase, leucine arylamidase and acid phosphatase. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c (67.1 %). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 54.27 mol%. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic data obtained, the name Roseovarius albus sp. nov. is proposed for this novel taxon, with the type strain 4SM10^T (=CECT 7450^T = KCTC 22653^T).     

Streptomonospora algeriensis sp. nov., a halophilic actinomycete isolated from soil in Algeria

A halophilic actinomycete strain, designated H27^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a hypersaline habitat in Djelfa Province (North-Central Algeria), and then investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain was observed to produce poor aerial mycelium, which formed short chains of oval to cylindrical-shaped spores at maturity, and non fragmented substrate mycelium. The optimum NaCl concentration for growth was found to be 10–15 % (w/v) and the optimum growth temperature and pH were found to be 28–37 °C and 6–7, respectively. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was identified as meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinones of strain H27^T were identified as MK-11 (H₄) and MK-10 (H₆). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0, 10 methyl C_17:0 and 10 methyl C_16:0. The diagnostic phospholipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. The chemotaxonomic properties of strain H27^T are consistent with those shared by members of the genus Streptomonospora. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain H27^T is most closely related to Streptomonospora alba DSM 44588^T (98.8 %) and Streptomonospora flavalba DSM 45155^T (98.7 %) whereas the DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain H27^T and the two type strains were 17.1 and 57.9 %, respectively. Based on the combined genotypic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that strain H27^T should be classified as representative of a novel species, for which the name Streptomonospora algeriensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H27^T (=DSM 45604^T =CCUG 63369^T =MTCC 11563^T).     

Bacillus cihuensis sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of a plant in the Cihu area of Taiwan

A Gram-positive, moderately halotolerant, rod-shaped, spore forming bacterium, designated strain FJAT-14515^T was isolated from a soil sample in Cihu area, Taoyuan County, Taiwan. The strain grew at 10–35 °C (optimum at 30 °C), pH 5.7–9.0 (optimum at pH 7.0) and at salinities of 0–5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 1 % w/v). The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan of the isolated strain was meso-diaminopimelic acid and major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (40.6 %), iso-C_15:0 (20.7 %) and the DNA G+C content of strain FJAT-14515^T was 37.1 mol %. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain FJAT-14515^T belongs to the genus Bacillus, and was most closely related to the reference strains of Bacillus muralis DSM 16288^T (97.6 %) and Bacillus simplex DSM 1321^T (97.5 %). Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain FJAT-14515^T and the reference strains of B. muralis DSM 16288^T and B. simplex DSM 1321^T were 27.9 % ± 3.32 and 44.1 % ± 0.57, respectively. Therefore, on the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic properties, strain FJAT-14515^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus cihuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-14515^T (=DSM 25969^T = CGMCC 1.12697^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Halomonas heilongjiangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline and alkaline soil

A moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain 9-2^T, was isolated from saline and alkaline soil collected in Lindian county, Heilongjiang province, China. The strain was observed to be strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive and motile. It was found to require NaCl for growth and to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–14 % (w/v) (optimum, 7–10 %, w/v), at temperatures of 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C) and at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimum pH 8.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 9-2^T is a member of the genus Halomonas and is closely related to Halomonas desiderata DSM 9502^T (96.68 %), Halomonas campaniensis DSM 1293^T (96.46 %), Halomonas ventosae DSM 15911^T (96.27 %) and Halomonas kenyensis DSM 17331^T (96.27 %). The DNA–DNA hybridization value was 38.9 ± 0.66 % between the novel isolate 9-2^T and H. desiderata DSM 9502^T. The predominant ubiquinones were identified as Q9 (75.1 %) and Q8 (24.9 %). The major fatty acids were identified as C_16:0 (22.0 %), Summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω6c/C_18:1 ω7c, 19.6 %), Summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c/C_16:1 ω7c, 12.6 %), C_12:0 3-OH (12.0 %) and C_10:0 (11.7 %). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 69.7 mol%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain 9-2^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas heilongjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 9-2^T (=DSM 26881^T = CGMCC 1.12467^T).     

Halomonas zhaodongensis sp. nov., a slightly halophilic bacterium isolated from saline–alkaline soils in Zhaodong, China

A slightly halophilic bacterium (strain NEAU-ST10-25^T) was isolated from saline–alkaline soils in Zhaodong City, Heilongjiang Province, China. The strain is a Gram-negative, aerobic motile rod. It accumulates poly-β-hydroxyalkanoate and produces exopolysaccharide. It produces beige-yellow colonies. Growth occurs at NaCl concentrations (w/v) of 0–15 % (optimum 3 %), at temperatures of 4–60 °C (optimum 35 °C) and at pH 6–12 (optimum pH 9). Its G+C content is 53.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on the separate 16S rRNA gene and concatenation of the 16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoD genes indicate that it belongs to the genus Halomonas in the class Gammaproteobacteria. The most phylogenetically related species is Halomonas alkaliphila DSM 16354^T, with which strain NEAU-ST10-25^T showed 16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoD gene sequence similarities of 99.2, 82.3 and 88.2 %, respectively. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization assays showed 60.47 ± 0.69 % DNA relatedness between strain NEAU-ST10-25^T and H. alkaliphila DSM 16354^T, 42.43 ± 0.37 % between strain NEAU-ST10-25^T and Halomonas venusta DSM 4743^T and 30.62 ± 0.43 % between strain NEAU-ST10-25^T and Halomonas hydrothermalis DSM 15725^T. The major fatty acids are C_18:1 ω7c (62.3 %), C_16:0 (17.6 %), C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c (7.7 %), C_14:0 (2.9 %), C_12:0 3-OH (2.8 %), C_10:0 (2.1 %) and C_18:1 ω9c (1.6 %) and the predominant respiratory quinone is ubiquinone 9 (Q-9). The proposed name is Halomonas zhaodongensis, NEAU-ST10-25^T (=CGMCC 1.12286^T = DSM 25869^T) being the type strain.     

Actinopolyspora saharensis sp. nov., a novel halophilic actinomycete isolated from a Saharan soil of Algeria

A novel halophilic actinomycete, strain H32^T, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected in El-Oued province, south Algeria. The isolate was characterized by means of polyphasic taxonomy. Optimal growth was determined to occur at 28–32 °C, pH 6.0–7.0 and in the presence of 15–25 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain was observed to produce abundant aerial mycelium, which formed long chains of rod-shaped spores at maturity, and fragmented substrate mycelium. The cell wall was determined to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the characteristic whole-cell sugars were arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were found to be MK-10(H₄) and MK-9(H₄). The predominant cellular fatty acids were determined to be anteiso C_17:0, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylcholine. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that this strain formed a distinct phyletic line within the radiation of the genus Actinopolyspora. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain H32^T was most closely related to ‘Actinopolyspora algeriensis’ DSM 45476^T (98.8 %) and Actinopolyspora halophila DSM 43834^T (98.5 %). Furthermore, the result of DNA–DNA hybridization between strain H32^T and the type strains ‘A. algeriensis’ DSM 45476^T, A. halophila DSM 43834^T and Actinopolyspora mortivallis DSM 44261^T demonstrated that this isolate represents a different genomic species in the genus Actinopolyspora. Moreover, the physiological and biochemical data allowed the differentiation of strain H32^T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Therefore, it is proposed that strain H32^T represents a novel species of the genus Actinopolyspora, for which the name Actinopolyspora saharensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H32^T (=DSM 45459^T=CCUG 62966^T).     

Paenibacillus thermophilus sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a sediment of hot spring in Fujian province, China

A Gram-positive, thermophilic, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated WP-1^T, was isolated from a sediment sample from a hot spring in Fujian province of China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells of strain WP-1^T were rods (~0.6–0.8 × 2.5–3.5 μm) and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Endospores were ellipsoidal in terminal or subterminal positions. Strain WP-1^T grew at 37–60 °C (optimum 42–45 °C), 0–3 % NaCl (optimum 1 %, w/v) and pH 3.0–9.0 (optimum pH 6.5–7.0). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, C_16:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two glycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and two unknown polar lipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP). The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 52.5 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain WP-1^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus and exhibited sequence similarity of 99.3 % to Paenibacillus macerans DSM 24^T and both strains represented a separate lineage from all other Paenibacillus species. However, the level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain WP-1^T and P. macerans DSM 24^T was 34.0 ± 4.7 %. On the basis of phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analysis data, strain WP-1^T is considered to represent as a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus thermophilus sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain WP-1^T (=DSM 24746^T = JCM 17693^T = CCTCC AB 2011115^T).     

Paenibacillus brassicae sp. nov., isolated from cabbage rhizosphere in Beijing, China

A novel Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, spore-forming, nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain 112^T, was isolated from cabbage rhizosphere in Beijing, China. The strain was found to grow at 10–40 °C and pH 4–11, with an optimum of 30 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain 112^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene similarities were found between strain 112^T, Paenibacillus sabinae DSM 17841^T (97.82 %) and Paenibacillus forsythiae DSM 17842^T (97.22 %). However, the DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain 112^T and the type strains of these two species were 10.36 and 6.28 %, respectively. The predominant menaquinone was found to be menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major fatty acids were determined to be anteiso-C_15:0 and C_16:0. The major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and unknown aminophospholipids. The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 55.4 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and the value of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain 112^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus brassicae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 112^T (= ACCC 01125^T = DSM 24983^T).     

Exiguobacterium himgiriensis sp. nov. a novel member of the genus Exiguobacterium, isolated from the Indian Himalayas

The taxonomic position of an orange coloured bacterium, strain K22–26^T isolated from a soil sample was studied using a polyphasic approach. The organism had phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with its allocation into the genus Exiguobacterium. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain K22–26^T belongs to the genus Exiguobacterium and was related to Exiguobacterium aurantiacum DSM 6208^T (99.0 %) Exiguobacterium mexicanum DSM 16483^T (98.6 %), Exiguobacterium aquaticum (98.6 %), Exiguobacterium aestuarii DSM 16306^T (98.1 %), Exiguobacterium profundum DSM 17289^T (98.1 %) and Exiguobacterium marinum DSM 16483^T (97.9 %), whereas sequence similarity values with respect to other Exiguobacterium species with validly published names were between 92.5–94.0 %. The major polar lipids detected were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major menaquinone was determined to be MK-7 (83 %) whereas MK-8 (11 %) and MK-6 (6 %) occur in smaller amounts. The peptidoglycan of the strain was found to contain l-lysine as the diagnostic diamino acid. The major fatty acids detected were iso C_13:0 (11.2 %), anteiso C_13:0 (15.4 %), iso C_15:0 (13.2 %) and iso C_17:0 (16.1 %). However, analysis of the DNA–DNA relatedness confirmed that strain K22–26^T belongs to a novel species. The G + C content of the strain K22–26^T was determined to be 50.1 mol %. The novel strain was distinguished from closely related type species of the genus Exiguobacterium using DNA–DNA relatedness and phenotypic data. Based on these differences, the strain K22–26^T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Exiguobacterium, for which the name Exiguobacterium himgiriensis sp. nov. strain K22–26^T (= MTCC 7628^T = JCM 14260^T) is proposed.     

Halomonas shantousis sp. nov., a novel biogenic amines degrading bacterium isolated from Chinese fermented fish sauce

A Gram-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated SWA25^T, was isolated from Chinese fermented fish sauce in Shantou, Guangdong Province, China. Strain SWA25^T was moderately halophilic, formed colourless colonies and grew at 10–45 °C (optimum, 37 °C) and pH 4–9 (optimum, 6–7) in the presence of 0.5–22.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as C_18:1 ω7C, C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c, and C_19:0 cyclo ω8c, and the predominant respiratory ubiquinone was Q-9. The genomic DNA G+C content was 61.3 ± 2.1 mol %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SWA25^T belonged to the genus Halomonas in the family Halomonadaceae. The closest relatives were Halomonas xianhensis A-1^T (96.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), H. lutea DSM 23508^T (96.5 %) and H. muralis LMG 20969^T (96.1 %). DNA–DNA hybridization assays showed 30.7 ± 2.6 % relatedness between strain SWA25^T and H. xianhensis A-1^T, and 39.4 ± 4.1 % between strain SWA25^T and H. lutea DSM 23508^T. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic features, strain SWA25^T should be placed in the genus Halomonas as a representative of a novel species. The name Halomonas shantousis sp. nov. is proposed, with SWA25^T(=CCTCC AB 2013151^T = JCM 19368^T) as the type strain.     

Bacillus alkalicola sp. nov., An Alkaliphilic,Gram-Positive Bacterium Isolated from Zhabuye Lake in Tibet,China

A Gram-positive, alkaliphilic bacterium, designated strain Zby6^T, was isolated from Zhabuye Lake in Tibet, China. The strain was able to grow at pH 8.0–11.0 (optimum at pH 10.0), in 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 3 %, w/v) and at 10–45 °C (optimum at 37 °C). Cells of the isolate were facultatively anaerobic and spore-forming rods with polar flagellum. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, and its cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 38.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Zby6^T was a member of the genus Bacillus and most closely related to Bacillus cellulosilyticus DSM 2522^T (97.7 % similarity). The DNA–DNA relatedness value between strain Zby6^T and B. cellulosilyticus DSM 2522^T was 59.2 ± 1.8 %. Comparative analysis of genotypic and phenotypic features indicated that strain Zby6^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus alkalicola sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is Zby6^T (=CGMCC 1.10368^T = JCM 17098^T = NBRC 107743^T).     

Bacillus sediminis sp. nov., isolated from an electroactive biofilm

A Gram-stain positive, facultative anaerobic, motile, spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium with peritrichous flagella, designated DX-5^T, was isolated from an electroactive biofilm. Growth was observed to occur at 35–60 °C, at pH 7.0–10.0 and with 0.5–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum growth: 50 °C, pH 8.0 and 0.5–3 % NaCl). Cells were determined to be catalase- and oxidase-positive. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7; the major polar lipids were determined to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid, aminoglycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid; the DNA G+C content was determined to be 46.6 mol%; and the major fatty acids (>5 %) were identified as anteiso-C_15:0 (33.6 %), iso-C_15:0 (24.1 %) and anteiso-C_17:0 (13.4 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons indicated that strain DX-5^T should be assigned to the genus Bacillus, and was related most closely to the type strains of B. fortis DSM 16012^T (96.3 %), B. composti KACC 16872^T (96.3 %) and B. fordii DSM 16014^T (95.8 %). Results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analysis indicated that strain DX-5^T represents a novel species, for which the name B. sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DX-5^T (=CGMCC 1.12412^T = KCTC 33102^T).     

Actinopolyspora righensis sp. nov., a novel halophilic actinomycete isolated from Saharan soil in Algeria

A novel halophilic actinomycete strain, H23^T, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected in Djamâa (Oued Righ region), El-Oued province, South Algeria. Strain H23^T was identified as a member of the genus Actinopolyspora by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain H23^T had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 97.8 % (Actinopolyspora xinjiangensis TRM 40136^T) to 94.8 % (Actinopolyspora mortivallis DSM 44261^T). The strain grew optimally at pH 6.0–7.0, 28–32 °C and in the presence of 15–25 % (w/v) NaCl. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age. The aerial mycelium produced long, straight or flexuous spore chains with non-motile, smooth-surfaced and rod-shaped spores. Strain H23^T had MK-10 (H₄) and MK-9 (H₄) as the predominant menaquinones. The whole micro-organism hydrolysates mainly consisted of meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose and arabinose. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylcholine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_17:0 (37.4 %), iso-C_17:0 (14.8 %), iso-C_15:0 (14.2 %), and iso-C_16:0 (13.9 %). The genotypic and phenotypic data show that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Actinopolyspora, for which the name Actinopolyspora righensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain H23^T (=DSM 45501^T = CCUG 63368^T = MTCC 11562^T).     

Oceanobacillus halophilum sp. nov. Isolated from a Mangrove Forest Soil

A halophilic, aerobic bacterium, designated GD01^T, was isolated from a mangrove forest soil near the South China Sea. Cells of strain GD01^T were Gram staining positive, oxidase positive, and catalase positive. The strain was rod shaped and motile by means of peritrichous flagella and produced ellipsoidal endospores. The strain was able to grow with NaCl at concentrations of 0.5–12 % (optimum 3–5 %, w/v), at temperatures of 20–50 °C (optimum 30 °C), and at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum pH 7.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GD01^T formed a cluster with O. profundus DSM 18246^T (96.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), O. caeni KCTC 13061^T (95.4 %), and O. oncorhynchi JCM 12661^T (94.5 %). The G+C content of strain GD01^T was 38.7 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 (13.7 %), anteiso-C_17:0 (12.6 %), iso-C_15:0 (9.9 %), iso-C_14:0 (9.5 %), and C_16:0 (5.0 %). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid, four unknown lipids, and four unknown phospholipids. Based on phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic features, and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the strain was identified to represent a distinct novel species in the genus Oceanobacillus, and the name proposed is Oceanobacillus halophilum sp. nov. with type train GD01^T (=CCTCC AB 2012863^T = KCTC 33101^T).     

Paenibacillus taohuashanense sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from rhizosphere soil of the root of Caragana kansuensis Pojark

A nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain gs65^T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of Caragana kansuensis Pojark. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the nifH gene and the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain gs65^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene similarity were found between strain gs65^T and Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188^T (97.5 %), Paenibacillus odorifer ATCC BAA-93^T (97.3 %), Paenibacillus durus DSM 1735^T (97.0 %) and Paenibacillus sophorae DSM23020^T (96.9 %). Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain gs65^T and the type strains of other recognized members of the genus Paenibacillus were below 97.0 %. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain gs65^T and P. borealis DSM 13188^T, P. odorifer ATCC BAA-93^T (97.3 %), P. durus DSM 1735^T and P. sophorae DSM23020^T were 35.9, 38.0, 34.2 and 35.5 % respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain gs65^T was determined to be 51.6 mol%. The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_14:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and levels of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain gs65^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus taohuashanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is gs65^T (=CGMCC 1.12175^T = DSM 25809^T).     

Bacillus xiamenensis sp. nov., isolated from intestinal tract contents of a flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus)

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain HYC-10^T, which was isolated from the intestinal tract contents of a flathead mullet, Mugil cephalus, captured from the sea off Xiamen Island, China. The bacterium was observed to be Gram positive, oxidase and catalase positive, rod shaped, and motile by subpolar flagella. The bacterium was found to grow at salinities of 0–12 % and at temperatures of 8–45 °C. The isolate was found to hydrolyze aesculin and gelatin, but was unable to reduce nitrate to nitrite. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HYC-10^T belongs to the genus Bacillus, with highest sequence similarity (99.3 %) to Bacillus aerophilus 28K^T, Bacillus stratosphericus 41KF2a^T and Bacillus altitudinis DSM 21631^T, followed by Bacillus safensis DSM 19292^T (99.5 %) and Bacillus pumilus DSM 27^T (99.5 %), while the sequence similarities to others were all below 97.6 %. The genomic ANIm values between strain HYC-10^T and three type strains (B. altitudinis DSM 21631^T, B. safensis DSM 19292^T and B. pumilus DSM 27^T) were determined to range from 89.11 to 91.53 %. The DNA–DNA hybridization estimate values between strain HYC-10^T and the three type strains were from 36.60 to 44.00 %. The principal fatty acids identified were iso-C_15:0 (39.1 %), anteiso-C_15:0 (22.7 %), iso-C_17:0 (13.1 %), C_16:0 (6.1 %), anteiso-C_17:0 (5.8 %) and iso-C_16:0 (5.1 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined from the draft genome sequence to be 41.3 mol%. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-7 (100 %). Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminoglycolipid, two glycolipids and two unknown phospholipids were found to be present. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain HYC-10^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus xiamenensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain HYC-10^T (=CGMCC NO.1.12326^T = LMG 27143^T = MCCC 1A00008^T).     

Rothia marina sp. nov., isolated from an intertidal sediment of the South China Sea

A novel non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, Gram-positive coccus, designated strain JSM 078151^T, was isolated from an intertidal sediment sample collected from Naozhou Island in the South China Sea, China. Growth was found to occur in the presence of 0–15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0.5–3 % (w/v) NaCl), at pH 6.5–10.5 (optimum pH 7.0–8.0) and at 5–35 °C (optimum 25–30 °C). The peptidoglycan type was determined to be A3a, containing lysine, glutamic acid and alanine. The major cellular fatty acid identified was anteiso-C_15:0 and the predominant menaquinones are MK-7 and MK-8. The polar lipids were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 078151^T was determined to be 55.2 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 078151^T should be assigned to the genus Rothia, and was most closely related to Rothia nasimurium CCUG 35957^T (98.3 % sequence similarity), followed by Rothia amarae J18^T (97.5 %) and Rothia terrae L-143^T (97.3 %). A combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the suggestion that strain JSM 078151^T represents a novel species of the genus Rothia, for which the name Rothia marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078151^T (= DSM 21080^T = KCTC 19432^T).