<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).     

Aquimarina penaei sp. nov., isolated from intestinal tract contents of Pacific white shrimp,Penaeus vannamei

A novel bacterial strain designated P3-1^T was isolated from the intestinal tract contents of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) in Zhangpu, Fujian province, China. The isolate was found to be Gram-negative, long rod shaped, oxidase- and catalase- positive. Growth was observed at 1–7 % sea salt (w/v, optimum, 3 %), at pH 7.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 10–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C). The isolate was capable of hydrolysing gelatin, casein, starch and DNA but unable to degrade Tween 20, 40, 80 and cellulose. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain P3-1^T belongs to the genus Aquimarina, with highest sequence similarity to Aquimarina gracilis PSC32^T (96.2 %), followed by Aquimarina intermedia KMM 6258^T (96.1 %), Aquimarina spongiae A6^T (95.9 %) and Aquimarina muelleri KMM 6020^T (95.8 %). The principal cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3OH, C_16:1 ω7c/ω6c, iso-C_15:1 G, iso-C_15:0 3OH, iso-C_17:1 ω9c/C_16:0 10-methyl and C_16:0. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 33.3 mol%. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-6 (100 %). The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain P3-1^T represents a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina penaei sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain P3-1^T (=MCCC 1A09871^T = LMG 27943^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquimarina salinaria</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel algicidal bacterium isolated from a saltpan

A bacterial strain designated antisso-27^T, previously isolated from saltpan in Taiwan while screening for bacteria for algicidal activity, was characterized using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain antisso-27^T was Gram-negative, aerobic, brownish yellow colored, rod-shaped, non-flagellated and non-gliding. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain antisso-27^T belonged to the genus Aquimarina within the family Flavobacteriaceae with relatively low sequence similarities of 94.0–96.6% to other valid Aquimarina spp. It contained iso-C_17:0 3-OH, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:1 and iso-C_15:0 3-OH as the main fatty acids and contained a menaquinone with six isoprene units (MK-6) as the major isoprenoid quinone. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an uncharacterized aminolipid and five uncharacterized phospholipids. Strain antisso-27^T employed direct mode of algicidal lysis to Chlorella vulgaris strain 211-31; nevertheless, it released an algicidal substance against M. aeruginosa strain MTY01. This is the first study that the Aquimarina species possesses both direct and indirect algicidal activities. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain antisso-27^T should be classified as representing a novel species, for which the name A. salinaria sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A. salinaria antisso-27^T (= BCRC 80080^T = LMG 25375^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus berkeleyi</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus intermedius</Emphasis>

A bacterial strain, designated KMM 6244^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. The bacterium was found to be heterotrophic, aerobic, non-motile and spore-forming. Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed the marine isolate in the genus Bacillus. The nearest neighbor of strain KMM 6244^T was Bacillus decolorationis LMG 19507^T with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.0%. Sequence similarities with the other recognized Bacillus species were less than 96.0%. The results of the DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low relatedness (37%) of the novel isolate with the type strain of B. decolorationis LMG 19507^T. Strain KMM 6244^T grew at 4–45°C and with 0–12% NaCl. It produced catalase and oxidase and hydrolyzed aesculin, casein, gelatin and DNA. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and iso-C_14:0. The DNA G + C content was 39.4 mol%. A combination of phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic data clearly indicated that strain KMM 6244^T represents a novel species in the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus berkeleyi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6244^T (KCTC 12718^T = LMG 26357^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquimarina sediminis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain negative, long rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow pigmented bacterium, designated strain w01^T, was isolated from marine sediment. The strain was characterised to determine its taxonomic position by using a polyphasic approach. Strain w01^T was observed to grow optimally in the presence of 3.0% (w/v) NaCl, at 30 °C and to hydrolyse Tweens 20, 40 and 80, starch, casein and alginate. Carotenoid pigments were found to be produced but not flexirubin-type pigments. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain w01^T is phylogenetically affiliated with the genus Aquimarina and is closely related to Aquimarina macrocephali JCM 15542^T (97.4% sequence similarity) and Aquimarina muelleri KCTC 12285^T (97.0%). Lower sequence similarities (<?97.0%) were found with the other currently recognised members of the genus Aquimarina. The predominant fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0 (33.7%), C_18:0 3-OH (16.8%) and C_17:1ω7c (10.6%). The polar lipid profile was found to contain phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified polar lipids. MK-6 was identified as the sole respiratory quinone. The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 33.3 mol%. Strain w01^T can be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from recognised species of the genus Aquimarina. The isolate is therefore concluded to represent a novel species, for which the name Aquimarina sediminis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain w01^T (=?KCTC 62350^T?=?MCCC 1H00287^T).     

Aquimarina atlantica sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater of the Atlantic Ocean

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain 22II-S11-z7^T, which was isolated from the surface seawater of the Atlantic Ocean. The bacterium was found to be Gram-negative, oxidase negative and catalase positive, long-rod shaped, and gliding. Growth was observed at salinities of 1–5 % and at temperatures of 10–41 °C. The isolate was capable of hydrolysing gelatin and Tween 80 and able to reduce nitrate to nitrite, but unable to degrade aesculin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 22II-S11-z7^T belongs to the genus Aquimarina, with highest sequence similarity to Aquimarina megaterium XH134^T (98.31 %), followed by Aquimarina macrocephali JAMB N27^T (96.59 %); other species of the genus Aquimarina shared 93.63–96.08 % sequence similarity. The ANI value between strain 22II-S11-z7^T and A. megaterium XH134^T was found to be 91.86–91.81 %. The DNA–DNA hybridization estimated value between strain 22II-S11-z7^T and A. megaterium XH134^T was 47.7 ± 2.6 %. The principal fatty acids were identified as Summed Feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/ω6c, as defined by the MIDI system; 8.1 %), SummedFeature 9 (iso-C_17:1 ω7c/C_16:110-methyl; 6.8 %), iso-C_15:0 G (11.3 %), iso-C_15:0 (24.9 %), iso-C_16:0 (5.7 %), C_16:0 (5.2 %), iso-C_15:0 3OH (6.4 %) and iso-C_17:0 3OH (21.5 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 32.99 mol %. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-6 (100 %). Phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, five unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids were found to be present. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain 22II-S11-z7^T represents a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina atlantica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 22II-S11-z7^T (=MCCC 1A09239^T = KCTC 42003^T).     

<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).     

Winogradskyella jejuensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from a brown alga Carpopeltis affinis

A Gram-negative, orange-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CP32^T was isolated from a brown alga Carpopeltis affinis collected on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The isolate grew at 10–37°C (optimum 25°C) and at pH 6.5–9.5 (optimum pH 7.0). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed much similarity with the type strains of recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella (94.0–96.6%). The most closely related species were Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211^T, Winogradskyella ulvae KMM 6390^T, Winogradskyella thalassocola KMM 3907^T, Winogradskyella poriferorum UST030701-295^T, and Winogradskyella eximia KMM 3944^T. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and the predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:1 G (24.8%), iso-C_15:0 (23.4%), and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (11.6 %). The DNA G+C content was 33.3 mol%. The polar lipid profile was composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminolipids, and five unknown lipids. On the basis of phenotypic features, and the result of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CP32^T (=KCTC 23835^T =JCM 18454^T) represents a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lysobacter daecheongensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from sediment of stream near the Daechung dam in South Korea

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod shaped, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated Dae08^T, was isolated from sediment of the stream near Daechung dam in South Korea, and was characterized in order to determine its taxonomic position, using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Dae08^T belongs to the family Xanthomonadaceae of the Gammaproteobacteria, and is related to Lysobacter brunescens ATCC 29482^T (97.3%). The phylogenetic distances from any other species with validly published names within the genus Lysobacter were greater than 3.7%. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA of strain Dae08^T was 69.3 mol%. The detection of a quinone system with Q-8 as the predominant compound and a fatty acid profile with iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:1, ω9c, iso-C_17:0, iso-C_16:0, and iso-C_11:0 3-OH as the major acids supported the affiliation of strain Dae08^T to the genus Lysobacter. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain Dae08^T and its phylogenetically closest neighbour was 28%. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain Dae08^T (= KCTC 12600^T) should be classified in the genus Lysobacter as the novel species, for which the name Lysobacter daecheongensis sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Shewanella upenei</Emphasis> sp. nov., a lipolytic bacterium isolated from bensasi goatfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Upeneus bensasi</Emphasis>

A Gram-staining-negative, motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, 20-23R^T, was isolated from intestine of bensasi goatfish, Upeneus bensasi, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 20-23R^T belonged to the genus Shewanella. Strain 20-23R^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 99.5, 99.2, and 97.5% to Shewanella algae ATCC 51192^T, Shewanella haliotis DW01^T, and Shewanella chilikensis JC5^T, respectively. Strain 20-23R^T exhibited 93.1–96.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the other Shewanella species. It also exhibited 98.3–98.4% gyrB sequence similarity to the type strains of S. algae and S. haliotis. Strain 20-23R^T contained simultaneously both menaquinones and ubiquinones; the predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-8 and Q-7. The fatty acid profiles of strain 20–23R^T, S. algae KCTC 22552^T and S. haliotis KCTC 12896^T were similar; major components were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH and C_17:1 ω8c. The DNA G+C content of strain 20-23R^T was 53.9 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and genetic distinctiveness of strain 20–23R^T, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, revealed that this strain is distinguishable from recognized Shewanella species. On the basis of the data presented, strain 20-23R^T represents a novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella upenei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 20–23R^T (=KCTC 22806^T =CCUG 58400^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodanobacter xiangquanii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a Novel Anilofos-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from a Wastewater Treating System

A Gram-staining-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, and rod-shaped bacterium, designated BJQ-6^T, was isolated from activated sludge of a waste-water treatment plant in Jiangsu Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BJQ-6^T belonged to the genus Rhodanobacter, and shared 98.7% similarity with Rhodanobacter lindaniclasticus LMG 18385^T and <97% similarities with other Rhodanobacter species. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (17.6%), iso-C_16:0 (19.3%), and Summed feature 9 (isoC_17:1 ω9c and/or C_16:0 10-methyl) (25.8%). The DNA G+C content of strain BJQ-6^T was 64.8 mol%. Based on the phenotypic and phylogenetic considerations, strain BJQ-6^T represents a novel species of the genus Rhodanobacter, for which the name Rhodanobacter xiangquanii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BJQ-6^T (=CCTCC AB 2010106^T =KCTC 23100^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter yonginense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a mesotrophic artificial Lake in Korea

A non-motile red-pigmented bacterium, designated strain HMD1002^T, was isolated from an artificial lake located on the campus of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, South Korea. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (29.6%), Summed Feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH; 17.5%) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (12.5%). The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The DNA G+C content was 41.0 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMD1002^T formed a lineage in the genus Pedobacer and was closely related to Pedobacer terrae (96.3%) and Pedobacer suwonensis (95.8%) in sequence similarity. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMD1002^T represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter yonginense sp.nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMD1002^T (=KCTC 22721^T = CEC^T 7544^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pontibacter salisaro</Emphasis> sp. nov., Isolated from a clay tablet solar saltern in Korea

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, and red-pigmented bacterial strain, HMC5104^T, was isolated from a solar saltern, found in Jeungdo, Republic of Korea (34°59′47″N 126°10′02″E). The major fatty acids were summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B; 37.2%), iso-C_15:0 (20.4%), and iso-C_17.0 30H (15.3%). The DNA G+C content was 46.0 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMC5104^T formed a lineage within the genus Pontibacter, and was closely related to Pontibacter korlensis (95.9%), P. roseus (94.9%), and P. actiniarum (94.3%). Similarities to all other Pontibacter species were between 95.9–93.9%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMC5104^T represents a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter salisaro sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMC5104^T (=KCTC 22712^T = NBRC 105731^T).     

Phycicoccus ochangensis sp. nov., isolated from soil of a potato cultivation field

Two novel, Gram-positive, motile, coccal bacteria, strains L1b-b9^T and B5a-b5, were isolated from a potato cultivation field in Ochang, Korea. These isolates grew at 10–45°C, pH 5.0–10.0, and in the presence of 8% (w/v) NaCl. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H₄) and the main cellular fatty acids were iso-C_14:0, iso-C_15:0, and anteiso-C_15:0. Polar lipids in strain L1b-b9^T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and an unknown glyco-amino lipid. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 73.6 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains L1b-b9^T and B5a-b5 shared 99.36% similarity and formed a robust clade with the type species of the genus Phycicoccus. Strain L1b-b9^T is related most closely to Phycicoccus cremeus V2M29^T (97.52% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). On the basis of phylogenetic characteristics, the name Phycicoccus ochangensis sp. nov. is proposed for strain LIb-b9^T (=KCTC 19694^T =JCM 17595^T).     

<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).     

Echinimonas agarilytica gen. nov., sp. nov., a new gammaproteobacterium isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius

A novel Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic and motile bacterial strain, designated KMM 6351^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the strain formed a distinct phyletic line in the class Gammaproteobacteria and was most closely related to the genera Aliivibrio, Photobacterium and Vibrio. Strain KMM 6351^T grows at 4–40 °C and with 0.5–12 % NaCl and decomposes aesculin, agar, gelatin, starch, chitin and DNA. The DNA G+C content of the strain was determined to be 46.1 mol%. The prevalent fatty acids were found to be C_16:0, C_18:1 ω7c, C_12:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH fatty acids). The major polar lipids were determined to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. The predominant ubiquinone was found to be Q-8. The results of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses clearly indicated that the novel strain should be assigned to a new genus and species within the class γ-Proteobacteria for which the name Echinimonas agarilytica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6351^T (=KCTC 22996^T = LMG 25420^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Joostella atrarenae</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel member of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis> originating from the black sea sand of Jeju Island

Strain M1-2^T was isolated from the black sand from the seashore of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea and was classified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain M1-2^T appeared as Gram-negative, motile rods that could grow in the presence of 1–10% (w/v) NaCl and at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37°C. This isolate has catalase and oxidase activity and hydrolyses aesculin, DNA and l-tyrosine. Based on phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M1-2^T belongs to the genus Joostella and is clearly distinct from the other described species of this genus, Joostella marina (type strain En5^T). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity level between M1-2^T and J. marina En5^T is 97.2%, and the DNA–DNA relatedness value between the two strains is 23.9%. Strain M1-2^T contains MK-6 as the major menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2OH) and iso-C_17:0 3OH as major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G + C content is 32.3 mol%. These data suggest that strain M1-2^T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Joostella atrarenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain for the novel species is M1-2^T (= KCTC 23194^T = NCAIM B.002413^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus xinjiangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a Salt Lake of Xin-jiang Province in China

A strictly aerobic Gram-positive, moderately halophilic spore forming bacterium, designated strain SL6-1^T, was isolated from a salt lake in Xin-jiang province, China. Growth of strain SL6-1^T was observed at NaCl concentrations of 0∼20% (w/v) (the optimum being 5∼7%, w/v). The peptidoglycan type of strain SL6-1^T was Alγ-meso-diaminopimelic acid and its major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_14:0 and iso-C_16:0 and ante-iso-C_15:0. The major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.5 mol%. The major cellular phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SL6-1^T formed a phylogenetic lineage within the genus Virgibacillus. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the strain was most closely related to Virgibacillus olivae E₃₀8^T, Virgibacillus kekensis YIM kkny16^T, Virgibacillus marismortui DSM 12325^T with 97.1%, 97.1%, and 97.0% gene sequence similarities, respectively and the sequence similarities to other related taxa were less than 96.7%. The DNA relatedness values between strain SL6-1^T and V. olivae E₃₀8^T, V. kekensis YIM kkny16^T, V. marismortui DSM 12325^T were 16.7%, 51.0%, and 22.8%, respectively. On the basis of physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic properties, strain SL6-1^T represents a novel species, for which the name Virgibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SL6-1^T (=KCTC 13128^T =DSM 19031^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus rhizosphaerae</Emphasis> sp. nov., an novel diazotrophic bacterium isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere soil

A Gram-positive, non-pigmented, rod-shaped, diazotrophic bacterial strain, designated SC-N012^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of sugarcane and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain exhibited phenotypic properties that included chemotaxonomic characteristics consistent with its classification in the genus Bacillus. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of SC-N012^T revealed the closest match (98.9% pair wise similarity) with Bacillus clausii DSM 8716^T. However, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated low levels of genomic relatedness (32%) with this strain. The major components of the fatty acid profile are iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA is 43.0 mol%. The lipids present in strain SC-N012^T are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown phospholipids. Their predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. Studies of DNA-DNA relatedness, morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses and phylogenetic data based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing allowed strain SC-N012^T to be described as members of novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SC-N012^T (=DSM 21911^T = NCCB 100267^T).     

Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae sp. nov., a new marine polysaccharide-degrading bacterium isolated from a Pacific red alga

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 10Alg 130^T, that displayed the ability to destroy polysaccharides of red and brown algae, was isolated from the red alga Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the novel strain within the genus Flavobacterium, the type genus of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the phylum Bacteroidetes, with sequence similarities of 96.2 and 95.7 % to Flavobacterium jumunjiense KCTC 23618^T and Flavobacterium ponti CCUG 58402^T, and 95.3–92.5 % to other recognized Flavobacterium species. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 10Alg 130^T were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, C_15:0 and iso-C_17:1ω9c. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and three unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 34.3 mol%. The new isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium could strongly be distinguished by a number of phenotypic characteristics. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10Alg 130^T (=KCTC 32467^T = KMM 6686^T).