Echinicola shivajiensis sp. nov., a novel bacterium of the family “Cyclobacteriaceae” isolated from brackish water pond

Strain AK12^T, an orange pigmented Gram-negative, rod shaped, non-motile bacterium, was isolated from a mud sample collected from a brackish water pond at Rampur of West Bengal, India. The strain was positive for oxidase, catalase and phosphatase. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (42.7%), iso-C_17:0 3OH (13.2%), C_16:1ω7c/C_16:1ω6c (summed feature 3) (8.0%), iso-C_17:1 I/anteiso-C_17:1 B (summed feature 4) (6.1%) and iso-C_17:1ω9c/C_16:0 10-methyl (summed feature 9) (9.4%). Strain AK12^T contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid and six unidentified lipids as the polar lipids. The G + C content of DNA of the strain AK12^T was 46.2 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain AK12^T was member of the genus Echinicola and closely related to Echinicola vietnamensis, Echinicola pacifica and Echinicola jeungdonensis with pair-wise sequence similarity of 96.8, 96.3 and 96.0% respectively. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that the strain AK12^T clustered with E. vietnamensis and together with E. pacifica and E. jeungdonensis with a phylogenetic distance of 5.1, 6.3 and 6.6% (94.9, 93.7 and 93.4% similarity) respectively. Based on data from the current polyphasic study, strain AK12^T is proposed as a novel species of the genus Echinicola, for which the name Echinicola shivajiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of E. shivajiensis is AK12^T (= MTCC 11083^T = JCM 17847^T).     

Rufibacter tibetensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Cytophagaceae isolated from soil

A red-pigmented, Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium which was motile by gliding, designated strain 1351^T, was isolated from the soil of Lengduo, Tibet in China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. The isolate grows optimally at 30°C and pH 7. It grows with NaCl tolerated up to 1.5% (optimum, 0.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that strain 1351^T is closely related to members of the family ‘Cytophagaceae’ closest sequence similarity was observed with similarity with Adhaeribacter terreus (91.8%). The major whole-cell fatty acids are summed feature 4 (containing anteiso-C_17:1 B and/or iso-C_17:1 I, 29.2%), summed feature 3 (containing C_16:1ω6c and/or C_16:1ω7c, 13.0%) and iso-C_15:0 (12.0%). The predominant menaquinone of strain 1351^T is menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and the G+C content of the DNA is 46.8 mol%. According to the phylogenetic evidence and phenotypic data, strain 1351^T is considered to represent a new genus and species of the family ‘Cytophagaceae’ for which the name Rufibacter tibetensis gen nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type species is R. tibetensis and the type strain is 1351^T (=CCTCC AB 208084^T = NRRL B-51285^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Panacagrimonas perspica</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gammaproteobacteria</Emphasis> isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A taxonomic study was carried out on Gsoil 142^T, a bacterial strain isolated from the soil collected in a ginseng field in Pocheon province, South Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of this bacterium to the Gammaproteobacteria, and it was most closely related to Hydrocarboniphaga effusa ATCC BAA 332^T (94.4%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Nevskia ramosa DSM 11499^T (94.1%) and Alkanibacter difficilis MN154.3^T (92.0%). Strain Gsoil 142^T was a Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped bacterium. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.9% and predominant ubiquinone was Q-8. Major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or ω6c, 36.3%), summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c, 20.6%) and C_16:0 (17.4%). The major polar lipids detected in strain Gsoil 142^T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and an unknown glycolipid. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, it is proposed that strain Gsoil 142^T should be placed in a novel genus and species, for which the name Panacagrimonas perspica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gsoil 142^T (= KCTC 12982^T = LMG 23239^T).     

Gramella jeungdoensis sp. nov., isolated from a solar saltern in Korea

A non-motile, Gram-stain-negative, yellow pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, strain HMD3159^T, was isolated from a solar saltern in Korea. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (26.3%), iso-C_17:0 3OH (12.1%), iso-C_16:0 (12.0%), summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c; 11.0%) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17:1 ω9c and/or 10-methyl C_16:0; 10.0%). The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content was 40.9 mol%. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMD3159^T formed a lineage within the genus Gramella and closely related to Gramella gaetbulicola (95.5% sequence similarity), Gramella portivictoriae (94.9%), Gramella echinicola (94.6%), and Gramella marina (93.6%). On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMD3159^T represents a novel species of the genus Gramella, for which the name Gramella jeungdoensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is HMD3159^T (=KCTC 32123^T =CECT 7683^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas rosea</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas swuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., rosy colored <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-glucosidase-producing bacteria isolated from soil

Two strains PB196^T and PB62^T of Gram-negative, non-motile, and non-spore-forming bacteria, were isolated from soil in South Korea and characterized to determine their taxonomic positions. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the two strains belonged to the genus Sphingomonas. The highest degree of sequence similarity of strain PB196^T was found with PB62^T (98.9%), Sphingomonas humi PB323^T (98.9%), Sphingomonas kaistensis PB56^T (98.2%), and Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens TDMA-17^T (98.0%). The highest degree of sequence similarity of strain PB62^T was found with Sphingomonas humi PB323^T (98.8%), Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens TDMA-17^T (98.2%), and Sphingomonas kaistensis PB56^T (98.1%). Chemotaxonomic data revealed that they possessed ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as common in the genus Sphingomonas, that the predominant fatty acids were summed feature 7 (C_18:1 ω7c/ω9t/ω12t), summed feature 4 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_15:0 iso 2OH), C_16:0, and C_17:1 ω6c, and that they contained sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and phosphatidyle-thanolamine (PE) in common but they showed difference for diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG). Based on these data, PB196^T (=KCTC 12339^T =JCM 16604^T) and PB62^T (=KCTC 12336^T =JCM 16605^T =KEMB 9004-005^T) should be classified as type strains of two novel species, for which the names Sphingomonas rosea sp. nov. and Sphingomonas swuensis sp. nov. are proposed, respectively.     

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

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

Paralcaligenes ureilyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. isolated from soil of a Korean ginseng field

A bacterial strain, designated GR24-5^T, was isolated from soil cultivated with Korean ginseng. Cells were Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-spore-forming motile rods. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain GR24-5^T could be assigned to the family Alcaligenaceae. Strain GR24-5^T showed the highest sequence similarities with Parapusillimonas granuli Ch07^T (97.1%), Pusillimonas noertemannii BN9^T (96.9%), Pigmentiphaga kullae DSM 13608^T (96.5%), and Castellaniella defragrans 54Pin^T (96.3%). Strain GR24-5^T demonstrated a low DNA-DNA relatedness (23%) with P. granuli Ch07^T. The major respiratory quinone is ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) and the major fatty acids are C_16:0, C_17:0 cyclo, and summed feature 1 (C_14:0 3-OH/iso-C_16:1 I/C_12:0 aide). Putrescine, spermidine, and 2-hydroxyputrescine are the major polyamines. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, di-phosphatidylglycerol, and an unknown aminophospholipid. Polar lipid patterns of strain GR24-5^T were unique in having a large amount of phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. Based on phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain GR245^T represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Paralcaligenes ureilyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of P. aralcaligenes ureilyticus is GR24-5^T (=KACC 13888 =DSM 24591^T).     

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

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

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas humi</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, small, orange, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from soil in South Korea and characterized to determine its taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence examination revealed that strain PB323^T belongs to the family Sphingomonadaceae. The highest degree of sequence similarity was found with Sphingomonas kaistensis PB56^T (98.9%), followed by Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens TDMA-17^T (98.3%). Chemotaxonomic characteristics (the G+C content of the genomic DNA 69.0 mol%, Q-10 quinone system, C_18:1 ω7c/ω9t/ω12t, C_16:1 ω7c/C_15:0 iso 2OH, C_17:1 ω6c, and C16:0 as the major fatty acids) corroborated assignment of strain PB323^T to the genus Sphingomonas. Results of physiological and biochemical tests clearly demonstrate that strain PB323^T represents a distinct species and support its affiliation with the genus Sphingomonas. Based on these data, PB323^T (=KCTC 12341^T =JCM 16603T =KEMB 9004-003^T) should be classified as a type strain of a novel species, for which the name Sphingomonas humi sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter brisouii</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a wetland in Korea

A bacterial strain 5YN5-8^T was isolated from peat layer on Yongneup in Korea. Cells of strain 5YN5-8^T were strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, coccobacilli, non-spore forming, and non-motile. The isolate exhibited optimal growth at 28°C, pH 7.0, and 0–1% NaCl. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated a close relationship of this isolate to Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (97.8% similarity for strain DSM 30006^T). It also exhibited 94.4–97.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the validly published Acinetobacter species. The value for DNA-DNA hybridization between strain 5YN5-8^T and other members of the genus Acinetobacter ranged from 16 to 28%. Predominant cellular fatty acids were C_18:1 ω9c, summed feature 4 containing C_15:0 iso 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c, and C_16:0. The DNA G+C content was 43.9 mol%. Phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic data accumulated in this study revealed that the isolate could be classified in a novel species of the genus Acinetobacter. The name Acinetobacter brisouii sp. nov. is proposed for the novel species, with 5YN5-8^T (=KACC 11602^T = DSM 18516^T) as the type strain.     

<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">Sphingomonas hunanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

A novel Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, non spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 083058^T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0–8% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5–3%) at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 5–35°C (optimum, 25–30°C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 083058^T fell within the cluster comprising species of the genus Sphingomonas, clustering with Sphingomonas aestuarii K4^T, with which it shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.2%). The chemotaxonomic properties of strain JSM 083058^T were consistent with those of the genus Sphingomonas. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10, and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c), C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c) and C17:1ω6c. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 083058^T was 65.5 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 083058^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 083058^T (=CCTCC AA 209011^T = DSM 22213^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter kyonggiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-glucosidase-producing bacterium,isolated from sewage treatment plant

A Gram-negative, non-motile bacterium, designated KSL5401-037^T, was isolated from a sewage treatment plant in Gwangju in the Republic of Korea and was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain KSL5401-037^T belonged to the genus Acinetobacter in the family Moraxellaceae of the Gammaproteobacteria (Brisou and Prevot, 1954). According to a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, it was closely related to Acinetobacter johnsonii ATCC 17909^T (97.3%), A. bouvetii 4B02^T (97.2%), and A. beijerinckii 58a^T (96.8%). Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain KSL5401-037^T possesses an ubiquinone system with Q-8 as the predominant compound and C_16:0 (19.2%), C_18:1 ω9c (19.5%), and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω6c / C_16:1 ω7c, 34.1%) as the predominant cellular fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain KSL5401-037^T were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) and, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), followed by phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and moderate amounts of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.2–42.1 mol%. Strain KSL5401-037^T exhibited relatively low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with respect to A. johnsonii DSM 6963^T (17.7%) and A. bouvetii 4B02^T (9.3%). The DNA-DNA relatedness values, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of strain KSL5401-037^T strongly support its genotypic and phenotypic differentiation from other recognized type strains of the genus Acinetobacter. Based on these data, strain KSL5401-037^T (JCM 17071^T =KEMC 5401-037^T) should be classified in the genus Acinetobacter as a type strain of novel species, for which the name Acinetobacter kyonggiensis sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingobacterium bambusae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil of bamboo plantation

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain designated IBFC2009^T was isolated from soil of a bamboo plantation. The strain could grow at 11°C∼39°C, pH 6.0–9.0, and in the presence of 0∼5% NaCl. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, Strain IBFC2009^T belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and showed the highest sequence similarity of 94.6% (S. composti T5-12^T) with the type strains within the genus. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c, 34.4%), iso-C_15:0 (22.4%), C_16:0 3-OH (15.2%), and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (12.8%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.0 mol%. According to the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, Strain IBFC2009^T should represent a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium bambusae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IBFC2009^T (=CCTCC AB 209162^T =KCTC 22814^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">Paracoccus oceanense</Emphasis> sp. nov., Isolated from the West Pacific

A Gram-negative, short ovoid- to coccus-shaped, aerobic, motile, non-spore-forming bacterium (designated strain JLT1679^T) was isolated from West Pacific. Cells have subpolar flagella, dividing by binary fission. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain belongs to branch of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Paracoccus, family Rhodobacteraceae, order Rhodobacterales, class Alphaproteobacteria. The closest neighbours were Paracoccus stylophorae KTW-16^T (97.1% similarity), Paracoccus caeni strain MJ17^T (96.5% similarity), Paracoccus homiensis DD-R11^T (96.0% similarity) and Paracoccus alcaliphilus JCM 7364^T (95.8% similarity). The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain JLT1679^T were summed feature 8 (18:1ω6c) (38.8%), C_18:0 (27.7%), C_16:0 (22.5%), and significant amounts of C_18:1 ω9c (5.1%), C_14:0 (3.8%) and C_18:1 ω7c 11-methyl (2.1%), were present. The predominant respiratory ubiquinone of strain JLT1679^T was Q-10 and the DNA G + C content of strain JLT1679^T was 59.5 mol%. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid. The isolate was distinguishable from members of the genus Paracoccus on the basis of phenotypic and biochemical characteristics. It is evident from the genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data that strain JLT1679^T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus oceanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JLT1679^T (= JCM 17768^T = CGMCC 1.10831^T).     

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

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

Oceanibacterium hippocampi gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from cutaneous mucus of wild seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus)

A Gram-negative, aerobic, motile and slightly curved rod-shaped bacterium (BFLP-8^T) was isolated from cutaneous mucus of wild long-snouted seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus) captured in northwest Spain (Toralla, Galicia). Strain BFLP-8^T grew at 10–35 °C and pH 5–9 (optimally at 25 °C and pH 7.0) and with 1–6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 2 % NaCl). The predominant respiratory quinone (90 %) was ubiquinone with ten isoprene units (Q-10) and the major fatty acids identified were C_18:1 ω7c (54.8 % of the total), C_19:0 cyclo ω8c (11.6 %), C_16:0 (9.5 %), C_18:1 2-OH (7.1 %) and C_16:1 ω11c (6.7 %). The G+C content of the DNA was 57.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BFLP-8^T formed a distinct clade within the family Sneathiellaceae but is not specifically associated with any species in the family. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BFLP-8^T represents a novel species within a new genus, for which the name Oceanibacterium hippocampi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BFLP-8^T (=CECT 7691^T = DSM 23444^T).     

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

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

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

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