Phenylobacterium falsum sp. nov., an Alphaproteobacterium isolated from a nonsaline alkaline groundwater, and emended description of the genus Phenylobacterium

A Gram-negative bacterium designated AC-49T was isolated from an alkaline groundwater with a pH 11.4. This organism formed rod-shaped cells, was strictly aerobic, catalase and oxidase positive, with an optimum growth temperature of 35 degrees C and an optimum pH value of 8.0. Strain AC-49T assimilated primarily amino acids and some Krebs cycle metabolites, did not use sugars for growth. The organism did not grow on L-phenylalanine or antipyrin. The G+ C content of DNA was 66.9 mol%. The phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the closest relatives of strain AC-49T were Phenylobacterium lituiforme and Phenylobacterium immobile, indicating that the organism is a member of the order Caulobacterales of the Alphaproteobacteria. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and distinct phenotypic characteristics, we are of the opinion that strain AC-49T, represents a novel species of the genus Phenylobacterium for which we propose the name Phenylobacterium falsum sp. nov.     

Dokdonella fugitiva sp. nov., a Gammaproteobacterium isolated from potting soil

A Gram-negative bacterium designated A3(T) was isolated from a potting soil produced in Portugal. This organism formed rod-shaped cells, was non-motile and strictly aerobic. Strain A3(T) was catalase-negative, weakly oxidase positive, with an optimum growth temperature of 40 degrees C and an optimum pH value for growth of 7.0. The predominant cellular fatty acids detected were iso-17:1 omega9c, iso-17:0, iso-15:0, iso-16:0 and iso-11:0 3OH and the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 8. The G+C content of DNA was 68.3%. The phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA sequencing showed that the closest relative of strain A3(T) was the type strain of Dokdonella koreensis indicating that the organism is a member of the family Xanthomonadaceae, class Gammaproteobacteria. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and distinct phenotypic characteristics, we are of the opinion that strain A3(T), represents a novel species of the genus Dokdonella for which we propose the name Dokdonella fugitiva sp.nov.     

Caldimonas taiwanensis sp. nov., a amylase producing bacterium isolated from a hot spring

During screening for amylase-producing bacteria, a strain designated OnlT was isolated from a hot spring located in Pingtung area, which is near the very southern part of Taiwan. Cells of this organism were Gram-negative rods motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Optimum conditions for growth were 55 degrees C and pH 7. Strain On1(T) grew well in minimal medium containing starch as the sole carbon source, and its extracellular products expressed amylase activity. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicates that strain On1(T) is a member of beta-Proteobacteria. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, DNA-DNA similarity data, physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as fatty acid compositions, the organism belonged to the genus Caldimonas and represented a novel species within this genus. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain On1(T) were 16:0 (about 30%), 18:1 omega 7c (about 20%) and summed feature 3 (16:1 omega 7c or 15:0 iso 2OH or both [about 31%]). Its DNA base ratio was 65.9 mol% G + C. We propose to classify strain On1(T) (= BCRC 17405T = LMG 22827T) as Caldimonas taiwanensis sp. nov.     

Pseudoxanthomonas kaohsiungensis, sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from oil-polluted site produces extracellular surface activity

During screening for biosurfactant-producing bacteria, a strain designated J36T was isolated from oil-polluted site near Kaohsiung city located in southern Taiwan. Cells of this organism were gram-negative rods motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strain J36T grew well in complex media under optimum conditions of 35 degrees C and pH 7. The extracellular products of the strain expressed emulsification activity. During cultivation on olive oil as the sole carbon and energy source, the culture supernatant of strain J36T reduced surface tension of the medium from 68 to 32.6 dyne/cm. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicates that strain J36T is a member of Xanthomonas group within the gamma-Proteobacteria. The organism belongs to the genus Pseudoxanthomonas and represents a novel species within this genus according to phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, DNA-DNA similarity data, whole-cell protein analysis, physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as fatty acid compositions. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain J36T were 15:0 iso (about 26%), 17:1 iso omega9c (about 25%), and 15:0 anteiso (about 10%). Its DNA base ratio was 60.1 mol% G+C. We propose to classify strain J36T (= BCRC 17375T = LMG 22530T) as Pseudoxanthomonas kaohsiungensis sp. nov.     

Gracilibacillus quinghaiensis sp. nov., isolated from salt-lake sediment in the Qaidam Basin, north-west China

A motile, Gram-positive, slightly halophilic, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic, slender rod-shaped bacterium, strain YIM-C229T was isolated from the sediment of a salt lake in the Qaidam Basin, north-west China. Filamentous forms were present throughout the growth cycle. Strain YIM-C229T grew in the presence of 0.5-8% NaCl and at pH 6.0-8.5, with optimum growth at 1-3% NaCl and pH 7.0-7.5. It grew at 4-45 degrees C, with optimum growth at 37 degrees C. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, iso-C15:0, C16:1 omega11c and anteiso-C(17:0). The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol were the polar lipids, with meso-diaminopimelic acid occurring in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM-C229T was closely related to the type strains of the four recognized species of the genus Gracilibacillus: G. halotolerans NN T (sequence similarity 95.5%), G. dipsosauri DD1T (96.1%), G. orientalis XH-63T (96.8%) and G. boraciitolerans T-16X(T) (99.1%). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YIM-C229(T) and G. boraciitolerans DSM 17256(T) was 30.8%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic differences and DNA-DNA hybridization data supported the view that this strain represented a novel species of the genus Gracilibacillus, for which the name Gracilibacillus quinghaiensis sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM-C229T (=DSM 17858T=CGMCC 1.6304T) as the type strain.     

Arsukibacterium ikkense gen. nov., sp. nov, a novel alkaliphilic, enzyme-producing gamma-Proteobacterium isolated from a cold and alkaline environment in Greenland

A novel aerobic, Gram-negative, non-pigmented bacterium, GCM72(T), was isolated from the alkaline, low-saline ikaite columns in the Ikka Fjord, SW Greenland. Strain GCM72(T) is a motile, non-pigmented, amylase- and protease-producing, oxidase-positive, and catalase-negative bacterium, showing optimal growth at pH 9.2-10.0, at 15 degrees C, and at 3% (w/v) NaCl. Major fatty acids were C(12:0) 3-OH (12.2+/-0.1%), C(16:00) (18.0+/-0.1%), C(18:1)omega7c (10.7+/-0.5%), and summed feature 3 comprising C(16:1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH (36.3+/-0.7%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that isolate GCM72(T) was most closely related to Rheinheimera baltica and Alishewanella fetalis of the gamma-Proteobacteria with a 93% sequence similarity to both. The G+C content of DNA isolated from GCM72(T) was 49.9mol% and DNA-DNA hybridization between GCM72T and R. baltica was 9.5%. Fatty acid analysis and G+C content supports a relationship primarily to R. baltica, but several different features, such as a negative catalase-response and optimal growth at low temperature and high pH, together with the large phylogenetic distance and low DNA similarity to its closest relatives, lead us to propose a new genus, Arsukibacterium, gen. nov., with the new species Arsukibacterium ikkense sp. nov. (type strain is GCM72(T)).     

Tepidimonas aquatica sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic beta-proteobacterium isolated from a hot water tank

A bacterial isolate, with an optimum growth temperature of about 50 degrees C, was recovered from a domestic hot water tank in Coimbra. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain CLN-1T is a member of the beta-Proteobacteria and represents a new species of the genus Tepidimonas. The major fatty acids of strain CLN-1T are 16:0, 17:0 cyclo and 16:1 omega7c. Ubiquinone 8 is the major respiratory quinone, the major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The new isolate is aerobic and facultatively chemolithoheterotrophic. Thiosulfate and tetrathionate are oxidized to sulfate in the presence of a metabolizable carbon source. Strain CLN-1T grows on amino acids and organic acids, but this organism does not assimilate carbohydrates. Glycerol is the only polyol assimilated. Resinic acids, namely abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid and isopimaric acid are not degraded. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strain CLN-1T represents a new species for which we offer the name Tepidimonas aquatica.     

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).     

Microcella putealis gen. nov., sp. nov., a gram-positive alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a nonsaline alkaline groundwater

Three Gram-positive bacteria designated CV-2T, CV-40 and AC-30 were isolated from a highly alkaline groundwater environment (pH 11.4). These organisms formed very small rod-shaped cells, are aerobic, non-spore-forming, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, with an optimum growth temperature of 35 degrees C and optimum pH value of growth between 8.5 and 9.0. The strains possessed a novel B-type cell-wall peptidoglycan structure with lysine as the diamino acid; the major respiratory quinones were menaquinone 12 (MK12) and MK13. The G + C content of DNA was between 67.1 and 70.7 mol%. The phylogenetic analyses of the sequences of the 16S rRNA genes reveled that they formed a deep branch within the family Microbacteriaceae, with the highest similarity of approximately 95.6% with members of the genera Agreia, Agrococcus, Cryobacterium, Clavibacter, Frigoribacterium, Leifsonia, Mycetocola, Rhodoglobus, Salinibacterium and Subtercola. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and distinct phenotypic characteristics, we are of the opinion that strains CV-2T, CV-40 and AC-30, represent a new species of a novel genus within the family Microbacteriaceae for which we propose the name Microcella putealis gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Deinococcus soli sp. nov., a gamma- and uv-radiation-resistant bacterium from north-west China

An ionizing- and UV-radiation-resistant bacterial strain, designated ZLM-202T, was isolated from an arid soil sample collected from Xinjiang Province, north-west China. The soil sample was irradiated before serial dilution plating was performed using twofold-diluted marine agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain ZLM-202T was a member of the genus Deinococcus, exhibiting sequence similarities of 86.3-92.2% to the type strains of recognized Deinococcus species. Strain-ZLM-202 was strictly aerobic and showed optimum growth at 30-37 degrees C and pH 7.0. The major respiratory menaquinone was MK-8. The major fatty acids were 16:1 omega7c, 16:0, 15:1 omega6c, 15:0 iso and 16:1 omega5c. L-ornithine was detected in its peptidoglycan. The polar lipid profile consisted mainly of various unknown phosphoglycolipids, aminophospholipids, glycolipids and phospholipids. The DNA G + C content was 65.5 mol. %. The strain was shown to be extremely resistant to gamma radiation (> 10 kGy) and UV light (> 600 J m(-2)). On the basis of the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain ZLM-202T represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZLM-202T (= CCTCC AB 208223T = KCTC 13419T).     

Phenylobacterium zucineum sp. nov., a facultative intracellular bacterium isolated from a human erythroleukemia cell line K562

A bacterial strain HLK1(T) was isolated from the human erythroleukemia cell line K562. This bacterium is a Gram-negative rod, motile with a polar flagellum. It is strictly aerobic, nonfermentative, and oxidase and catalase positive. Its optimal growth occurs at 37 degrees C at pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Phylogenetically, although it shares 98% similarity with the 16S rRNA of Phenylobacterium lituiforme, the DNA-DNA hybridization value between the two species is only 43%. HLK1(T) has a DNA G+C content of 71.2+/-0.2 mol%. It is a facultative intracellular organism and may have pathogenic relevance with humans and mammals. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic characterization, strain HLK1(T) is proposed to be classified in the genus Phenylobacterium, as P. zucineum sp. nov. The type strain is HLK1(T) (=CGMCC 1.3786(T), DSM=18354).     

Dasania marina gen. nov., sp. nov., of the order Pseudomonadales, isolated from Arctic marine sediment

An obligately aerobic bacterium, strain KOPRI 20902T, was isolated from a marine sediment in Ny-Arlesund, Spitsbergen Islands, Norway. Cells were irregular rods and motile with polar monotrichous flagellum. The optimum growth temperature was 17-22 degrees . Cells grew best in pH 7.0-10.0 and 3-4% sea salts (corresponding to 2.3-3.1% NaCl). The novel strain required Ca2+ or Mg2+ in addition to NaCl for growth. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Arctic isolate is distantly related with established species (<92.4% sequence similarity) and formed a monophyletic group with Cellvibrio, which formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage in the order Pseudomonadales. Predominant cellular fatty acids [C16:1 omega7c/15:0 iso 2OH (45.3%), C16:0 (18.4%), ECL 11.799 (11.2%), C10:0 3OH (10.4%)]; DNA G+C content (37.0 mol%); nitrate reduction to nitrogen; absence of aesculin hydrolysis, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and esterase; no assimilation of arabinose, galactose, glucose, lactose, maltose, and trehalose differentiated the strain from the genus Cellvibrio. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, Dasania marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed in the order Pseudomonadales. Strain KOPRI 20902T (=KCTC 12566T=JCM 13441T) is the type strain of Dasania marina.     

Tepidimonas thermarum sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic betaproteobacterium isolated from the Elisenquelle in Aachen and emended description of the genus Tepidimonas

Several non-pigmented bacterial isolates, with an optimum growth temperature of about 50-55 degrees C, were recovered from the Elisenquelle at Aachen, Germany. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strains AA-1(T) and AA-2 indicated that these organisms represent a new species of the genus Tepidimonas. The major fatty acids of strains AA-1(T) and AA-2 are 16:0 and 16:1 omega7c. Ubiquinone 8 is the major respiratory quinone, the major polar lipids are phosphotidylethanolamine and phosphotidylglycerol. The new isolates are aerobic; thiosulfate is oxidized to sulfate in the presence of a metabolizable carbon source. The organism assimilated organic acids and amino acids, but did not assimilate carbohydrates or polyols. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strains AA-1(T) (=LMG 23094(T); =CIP 108777(T)) and AA-2 (=LMG 23095; =CIP 108778) represents a new species for which we recommend the name Tepidimonas thermarum.     

Mesoflavibacter zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel zeaxanthin-producing marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae

A novel strictly aerobic, gliding, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, halo- and mesophilic bacterium (TD-ZX30(T)) was isolated from a seawater sample collected on the Pacific coastline of Japan near Kamakura City (Fujisawa, Kanagawa). The temperature range for growth of TD-ZX30(T) was between 16 and 44 degrees C. The DNA G+C content was 32.0mol%. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C(15:1) G, iso-C(15:0), iso-C(16:0) 3-OH, iso-C(15:0) 3-OH, Summed feature (iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and/or C(16:1)omega7c), iso-C(17:0) 3-OH, and C(15:0). MK-6 was the only respiratory quinone. Zeaxanthin was the major carotenoid pigment produced but flexirubin-type pigments were not produced. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that TD-ZX30(T) belonged to a distinct lineage in the family Flavobacteriaceae, sharing 93.9% sequence similarity with the nearest species Olleya marilimosa. TD-ZX30(T) could be distinguished from the other members of the family Flavobacteriaceae by a number of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics. The results of polyphasic taxonomic analyses suggested that TD-ZX30(T) represents a novel genus and a novel species, for which the name Mesoflavibacter zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TD-ZX30(T) (=NBRC 102119=CCUG 53614=DSM 18436).     

Balneomonas flocculans gen. nov., sp. nov., a new cellulose-producing member of the alpha-2 subclass of Proteobacteria

A new bacterial strain capable of producing cellulose was isolated from a hot spring. The isolate was Gram-negative, aerobic, and rod-shaped. The optimum temperature for growth was 40-45 degrees C. Methanol, glucose and other common carbohydrates were not utilized as sole growth substrates. Thiosulfate was not oxidized. The G+C content of the DNA was determined to be 64.0 mol%. Comparative 16S rDNA analysis indicated that Bosea thiooxidans and some strains of the genus Methylobacterium were the nearest relatives. The isolate can be distinguished from these relatives by its defectiveness in methanol utilization and thiosulfate oxidation. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogeny, it is proposed that the isolate be designated Balneomonas flocculans gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is TFBT (= JCM 11936T, = KCTC 12101T, = IAM 15034T, = ATCC BAA-817T).     

Rubritepida flocculans gen. nov., sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic member of the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria

A bacterial isolate, with an optimum growth temperature of about 50 degrees C, was recovered from the hot spring at Egerszalók in Hungary. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain H-8T indicated that the new organism represented a new genus and species of alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria. The major fatty acids of strain H-8T are 16:0, 18:1 omega7c; the rare fatty acid 19:0 20H cyclo 11,12 is also present. Ubiquinone 9 is the major respiratory quinone, the polar lipids are phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol in addition to two unidentified aminolipids. The new isolate forms red-colored colonies, flocculates in liquid media, is heterotrophic and strictly aerobic. Thiosulfate is oxidized to sulfate, but an increase in biomass could not be measured because of the flocculating behavior. Bacteriochloropyll a was detected by direct spectrophotometric analysis when the organism was grown at 30 degrees C, but could not be detected after growth at 50 degrees C. pufL and pufM genes were present. Heterotrophic growth of strain H-8T occurs on a few carbohydrates, amino acids and organic acids. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strain H-8T represents a new genus and a new species most closely related to Roseococcus thiosulfatophilus for which we propose the name Rubritepida flocculans.     

Chitinimonas taiwanensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel chitinolytic bacterium isolated from a freshwater pond for shrimp culture

A bacterial strain, designated cfT was isolated from surface water of a freshwater pond for shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture at Ping-Tung (Southern Taiwan). Cells of this organism were Gram-negative, slightly curved rods which were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strain cfT utilized chitin as the exclusive carbon, nitrogen, and energy source for growth, both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Optimum conditions for growth were between 25 and 37 degrees C, 0 and 1% NaCl and pH 6 to 8. Strain cfT secreted two chitinolytic enzymes with approximate molecular weight 52 and 64 kDa, which hydrolyzed chitin to produce chitotriose as major product. Sequence comparison of an almost complete 16S rDNA gene showed less than 92% sequence similarity with known bacterial species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the neighbour-joining and other methods indicated that the organism formed a distinct lineage within the beta-subclass of Proteobacteria. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain cfT were hexadecanoic acid (about 29%), octadecenoic acid (about 12%) and summed feature 3 (16:1 omega7c or 15 iso 2-OH or both [about 49%]). Its DNA base ratio was 62.8 mol% G+C. We propose to classify strain cfT (= CCRC 17210T = LMG 22011T) as Chitinimonas taiwanensis gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Hymenobacter perfusus sp. nov., Hymenobacter flocculans sp. nov. and Hymenobacter metalli sp. nov. three new species isolated from an uranium mine waste water treatment system

Three red-pink pigmented strains, designated A1-12(T), A2-50A(T) and A2-91(T), were recovered from two different sites in a uranium mine. For all strains, the optimum growth temperature was 25°C, the optimum pH was 6.0-6.5 and the DNA G+C contents were between 60 and 63.4 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7) and the fatty acid profiles contained iso- and anteiso-branched C15 fatty acids, summed feature 3 (16:1 ω6c and/or ω7c and/or 15:0 iso 2-OH), summed feature 4 (17:1 anteiso B and/or iso I) and the unsaturated fatty acid 16:1 ω5c as the major components. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these organisms represented three distinct branches within the family Flexibacteraceae most closely related to the members of the genus Hymenobacter. Strain A1-12(T) formed a distinct phylogenetic line along with H. rigui KCTC 12533(T) and they shared approximately 98.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. However, these two strains shared only 14.7% pairwise similarity in their genomic DNA. Strains A2-50A(T) and A2-91(T) formed two distinct lineages, related to the species H. soli KCTC 12607(T), sharing about 95.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between themselves, and 88.3 and 92.0% with other members of the genus Hymenobacter. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical characteristics, these isolates were considered to represent three novel species for which we propose the names Hymenobacter perfusus for strain A1-12(T) (=CIP 110166=LMG 26000), Hymenobacter flocculans for strain A2-50A(T) (=CIP 110139=LMG 25699) and Hymenobacter metalli for strain A2-91(T) (=CIP 110140=LMG 25700).     

Rheinheimera aquatica sp. nov., an antimicrobial activity producing bacterium isolated from freshwater culture pond

A bacterial strain designated GR5(T) was isolated from freshwater culture pond in Taiwan during the screening of bacteria for antimicrobial compounds and characterized using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain GR5(T) was Gram-negative, aerobic, greenish-yellow colored, rod-shaped, and motile by means of a polar single flagellum. Growth occurred at 10-40 degrees C (optimum, 35 degrees C), at pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum pH 8.0) and with 0-2.0% NaCl (optimum, 0.5-1.0%). The major fatty acids were C(16:1) omega7c (36.3%), C(16:0) (16.6%), C(12:0) 3-OH (12.5%) and C(18:1) omega7c (9.1%). The major respiratory quinone was Q-8. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 51.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GR5(T) belonged to the genus Rheinheimera and its most closely neighbours were Rheinheimera texasensis A62-14B(T) and Rheinheimera tangshanensis JA3-B52(T) with sequence similarities of 98.1 and 97.5%, respectively. The sequence similarities to any other recognized species within Gammaproteobacteria were less than 96.5%. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain GR5(T) and R. texasensis A62-14B(T), the strain most closely related to the isolate, was 26.5 +/- 7.6 %. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain GR5(T) should be classified as representing a novel species, for which the name Rheinheimera aquatica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GR5(T) (= BCRC 80081(T) = LMG 25379(T)).     

Comamonas badia sp. nov., a floc-forming bacterium isolated from activated sludge

Strain IAM 14839, isolated from activated sludge in Japan, forms a visible floc and grows in the flocculated state. This bacterium is Gram-negative, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic and highly motile with a single polar flagellum. Both oxidase and catalase activities are positive. No growth was observed on sugars. The strain can grow at 20 degrees C, but does not grow at 37 degrees C. The G+C content of DNA is 66.3 mol% and Q-8 is the major quinone. The major cellular fatty acids are 16:1omega7c, 16:0, 18:1omega7c, 2OH 16:0, 3OH 10:0. The 16S rDNA sequence analysis indicated that the bacterium clustered within the genus Comamonas. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic properties, it is proposed that the strain IAM 14839T be classified in a novel species of the genus Comamonas, Comamonas badia sp. nov. The type strain is IAM 14839T (=KCTC 12244T ).