Siansivirga zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel zeaxanthin-producing member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from coastal seawater of Taiwan

A strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (strain CC-SAMT-1(T)) showing gliding motility was isolated from coastal seawater of China Sea, Taiwan. Strain CC-SAMT-1(T) synthesizes all-trans-zeaxanthin (6.5 ± 0.5 mg g(-1) dry biomass) as a predominant xanthophyll carotenoid. As determined by 16S rRNA gene analysis, strain CC-SAMT-1(T) shared very high sequence similarity to the members of the genera Mariniflexile (96.1-95.3%) and Gaetbulibacter (96.0-95.9%); however, it formed a distinct phyletic lineage distantly associated with Mariniflexile species. Polar lipid profile constitutes phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids, four unidentified lipids, and an unidentified glycolipid. Strain CC-SAMT-1(T) contains excessive unidentified aminolipid lipid (AL2-4) and glycolipid contents, and therefore clearly distinct from Mariniflexile species. Major fatty acids (> 5% of total fatty acids) were iso-C(15:0) (14.8%), iso-C(17:0) 3-OH (11.8%), iso-C(15:1) G (10.6%), anteiso-C(15:0) (9.7%), C(16:0) (8.1%), iso-C(16:0) 3-OH (7.9%), iso-C(15:0) 3-OH (7.5%), and summed feature 3 (containing C(16:1) ω6c and/or C(16:1) ω7c) (7.5%). Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was major respiratory quinone. DNA G+C content was 33.7 mol%. Based on polyphasic taxonomy, strain CC-SAMT-1(T) represents a novel genus and species in the family Flavobacteriaceae for which the name Siansivirga zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-SAMT-1(T) (= BCRC 80315(T) = JCM 17682(T)).     

Polaribacter marinivivus sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from seawater

A Gram-stain negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated GYSW-15^T, was isolated from a seawater of Geoje island on the South Sea, South Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain GYSW-15^T was found to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of approximately 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GYSW-15^T belongs to the genus Polaribacter, clustering coherently with the type strain of Polaribacter porphyrae showing sequence similarity value of 97.0 %. Strain GYSW-15^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 94.3–96.4 % to the type strains of the other Polaribacter species. Strain GYSW-15^T was found to contain MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1 G, iso-C_16:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c) as the major fatty acids. The polar lipid profile of strain GYSW-15^T containing phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid as major components was similar to that of the type strain of P. porphyrae. The DNA G + C content of strain GYSW-15^T was determined to be 31.2 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness with P. porphyrae LMG 26671^T was 17 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain GYSW-15^T is separated from recognized Polaribacter species. On the basis of the data presented, strain GYSW-15^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribacter marinivivus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GYSW-15^T ( = KCTC 42156^T = CECT 8655^T)     

Altuibacter lentus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from deep seawater of the South China Sea

A novel chemoheterotrophic, aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, yellow-pigmented, bacterial strain JLT2010^T was isolated from deep seawater of the South China Sea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain JLT2010^T belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae and is most closely related to Ulvibacter antarcticus IMCC3101^T with 95.7 % similarity. Some phenotypic characteristics such as the absence of flexirubin-type pigments, growth at 37 °C, hydrolysis of casein differentiated strain JLT2010^T from the genus Ulvibacter as well as other genera in the family Flavobacteriaceae. The DNA G+C content of the strain JLT2010^T was found to be 35.7 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was found to be MK-6. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic features, JLT2010^T is classified as a novel genus and species within the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Altuibacter lentus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JLT2010^T (=JCM 18884^T = CGMCC 1.12167^T).     

Aequoribacter fuscus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Halieaceae,isolated from coastal seawater

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, obligately aerobic, nonflagellated, and chemoheterotrophic bacterium, designated IMCC3088T, was isolated from coastal seawater of the Yellow Sea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that this strain belonged to the family Halieaceae which shared the highest sequence similarities with Luminiphilus syltensis NOR5-1BT (94.5%) and Halioglobus pacificus S1-72T (94.5%), followed by 92.3–94.3% sequence similarities with other species within the aforementioned family. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that strain IMCC3088T was robustly clustered with Luminiphilus syltensis NOR5-1BT within the family Halieaceae. However, average amino acid identity (AAI), percentages of conserved proteins (POCP), average nucleotide identity (ANI), and alignment fraction (AF) between strain IMCC3088T and Luminiphilus syltensis NOR5-1BT were 54.5%, 47.7%, 68.0%, and 16.5%, respectively, suggesting that they belonged to different genera. Whole-genome sequencing of strain IMCC3088T revealed a 3.1 Mbp genome size with a DNA G + C content of 51.7 mol%. The genome encoded diverse metabolic pathways including sulfur oxidation, phenol degradation, and proteorhodopsin phototrophy. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids were found to be the predominant cellular fatty acid components in the strain. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol were the primarily identified polar lipids, and ubiquinone-8 was identified as a major respiratory quinone. The taxonomic data collected herein suggested that strain IMCC3088T represented a novel genus and species of the family Halieaceae, for which the name Aequoribacter fuscus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain (= KACC 15529T = NBRC 108213T).     

Spongiimonas flava gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from an unidentified marine sponge

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, golden-yellow pigmented, non-motile, rod-shaped strain designated J36A-7^T was isolated from an unidentified yellow-green coloured marine sponge. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate was affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it showed highest sequence similarity (85.6 %) to Nonlabens dokdonensis DSW-6^T. The strain could be differentiated phenotypically from recognized members of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The major fatty acids of strain J36A-7^T were identified as iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature three as defined by the MIDI system (C16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 31.2 mol%, the major respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone 6 (MK-6) and a complex polar lipid profile was present consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified glycolipids, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel genus for which the name Spongiimonas flava gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of S. flava is J36A-7^T (=KCTC 32176^T = NBRC 109319^T).     

Spodiobacter cordis gen. nov. sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from patients with infective endocarditis

Two gram‐negative, catalase‐negative, oxidase‐positive strains (PAGU 1467^T and PAGU 1468) isolated from patients with infective endocarditis were investigated to determine their taxonomic status. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the two strains were members of the Bergeyella‐Chryseobacterium‐Riemerella branch of the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strains PAGU 1467^T and PAGU 1468 were highly related to each other (98.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Phylogenetically closely‐related species to PAGU 1467^T comprised Bergeyella zoohelcum (95.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Riemerella anatipestifer (94.3%) and Cloacibacterium normanense (94.3%). The major fatty acids of the two isolates were iso‐C_15:0, iso‐C_17:0 3‐OH and iso‐C_15:0 3‐OH. The presence of C_16:0 3‐OH and iso‐C_15:0 2‐OH allowed these isolates to be distinguished from B. zoohelcum. Menaquinone MK‐6 was the only respiratory quinone in these organisms; this is a consistent characteristic of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The guanine‐plus‐cytosine content of the genomic DNA was 42.0%, which is higher than that of other close phylogenetic relatives. On the basis of their phenotypic properties and genetic distinctiveness, isolates PAGU 1467^T and PAGU 1468 were classified within the novel genus Spodiobacter, as Spodiobacter cordis gen. nov., sp. nov., which is also the type species. The type strain of S. cordis is PAGU 1467^T ( = CCUG 65564^T = NBRC 109998^T).     

Lentilitoribacter donghaensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a slowly-growing alphaproteobacterium isolated from coastal seawater

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated and rod- or short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated BH-4^T, was isolated from coastal seawater in the East Sea, South Korea. Strain BH-4^T grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain BH-4^T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value (96.5 %) to Hoeflea phototrophica NCIMB 14078^T. It exhibited 94.2–95.5, 94.7 and 93.8 % sequence similarity values to the type strains of the other Hoeflea species, Ahrensia kielensis and Pseudahrensia aquimaris, respectively. Neighbor-joining, maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees revealed that strain BH-4^T clustered with the type strains of A. kielensis and P. aquimaris. Strain BH-4^T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone as shown in the genera Ahrensia, Pseudahrensia and Hoeflea. The fatty acid and polar lipid profiles of strain BH-4^T were distinguished from those of members of the genera Ahrensia, Pseudahrensia and Hoeflea. The DNA G + C content was 49.3 mol%, lower than those of the type strains of P. aquimaris and Hoeflea species. The phylogenetic data, differential chemotaxonomic and other phenotypic properties revealed that strain BH-4^T constitutes a new genus and species within the Alphaproteobacteria, for which the name Lentilitoribacter donghaensis gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Lentilitoribacter donghaensis is BH-4^T (=KCTC 32082^T = CCUG 62792^T).     

Ponticoccus gilvus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Propionibacteriaceae from seawater

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain MSW-19^T, was isolated from a seawater sample in Republic of Korea. Cells were aerobic, Gram-positive, non-endospore-forming, and non-motile cocci. Colonies were circular, convex, opaque, and vivid yellow in colour. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences exhibited that the organism formed a distinct clade within the radius encompassing representatives of the family Propionibacteriaceae. The phylogenetic neighbors were the type strains of the genera Friedmanniella, Microlunatus, Micropruina, Propionicicella, and Propionicimonas. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the isolate and members of the family were less than 95.3%. The cell wall peptidoglycan of the organism contained LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The isolate contained MK-9(H₄) as the predominant menaquinone, ai-C_15:0 as the major fatty acid and polar lipids including phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and an unknown phospholipid. The G+C content of the DNA was 69.6 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data presented here, the isolate is considered to represent a novel genus and species in the family Propionibacteriaceae, for which the name Ponticoccus gilvus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain MSW-19^T (= KCTC 19476^T= DSM 21351^T).     

Nonlabens arenilitoris sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from seashore sand

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming, aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated M-M3^T, was isolated from marine sand on the southern coast of South Korea and subjected to a polyphasic study. Strain M-M3^T was observed to grow optimally at 25–30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain M-M3^T fell within the clade comprising Nonlabens species, joining the type strain of Nonlabens ulvanivorans, with which it exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 99.4 %. Sequence similarity to the type strains of the other Nonlabens species was 93.0–95.2 % and <92.2 % to those of other species used in the phylogenetic analysis. Strain M-M3^T was found to contain MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_17:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were determined to be phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified lipids and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain M-M3^T was determined to be 38.2 mol% and its DNA–DNA relatedness values with N. ulvanivorans DSM 22727^T was 42 ± 6.2 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain M-M3^T is separate from other Nonlabens species. On the basis of the data presented, strain M-M3^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonlabens, for which the name Nonlabens arenilitoris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M-M3^T (=KCTC 32109^T = CCUG 62919^T).     

Sabulilitoribacter multivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., a polysaccharide-degrading bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from seashore sand

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated M-M16^T, was isolated from seashore sand around a seaweed farm on the South Sea, South Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Strain M-M16^T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain M-M16^T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values to the type strains of Gaetbulibacter lutimaris (96.5 %) and Flaviramulus basaltis (95.8 %). Neighbour-joining and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain M-M16^T clustered with the type strains of Gaetbulibacter species and F. basaltis. Strain M-M16^T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:1 G, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_17:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain M-M16^T were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain M-M16^T was 37.4 mol%. The phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data and other phenotypic properties revealed that strain M-M16^T represents a novel genus and species within the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Sabulilitoribacter multivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of S. multivorans is M-M16^T (= KCTC 32326^T = CCUG 63831^T).     

Avrilella dinanensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from human blood

Polyphasic taxonomic analysis was performed on a novel bacterium, designated UR159^T, isolated in 2016 from human blood of a septic patient hospitalized in France. Preliminary 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain UR159^T belonged to the family Flavobacteriaceae, forming a distinct phyletic line distantly related (<94% sequence similarity) to known species of the family. Further phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic analyses were performed. Cells were non-motile, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive Gram-negative rods. It was strictly aerobic yielding yellow-pigmented colonies, and was metabolically rather inert. Major fatty acids were iso-branched fatty acids, predominantly iso-C_15:0 (55.5%) and iso-C_17:1ω9c (8.8%). Whole genome sequencing revealed a 2.3-Mbp genome encoding a total of 2262 putative genes with a genomic DNA G + C content at 37.6 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH) values between strain UR159^T and the most closely related members of the Flavobacteriaceae family were <75% and <39%, respectively, much below the established cut-offs for ANI (<95–96%) and isDDH (<70%) for species and genus delineation. Average Amino Acid Identity (AAI) percentages were also estimated and were lower than 65% (cut-off proposed for genus delineation for uncultivated prokaryotes) in all cases, except for F. marinum that was just at the limit (65.1%). Based on these findings, we propose it as a new genus and species, Avrilella dinanensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain UR159^T = CIP 111616^T = DSM 105483^T).     

Mariniflexile ostreae sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from an oyster

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated and rod-shaped bacterial strain able to move by gliding, designated TYO-10^T, was isolated from an oyster collected at Tongyoung on the South Sea, South Korea. Strain TYO-10^T was found to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TYO-10^T joined the cluster comprising the type strains of Mariniflexile species. Strain TYO-10^T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.4–95.7 % to the type strains of Mariniflexile species and of less than 95.4 % to the type strains of other recognized species. Strain TYO-10^T was found to contain MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1 G, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and iso-C_15:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain TYO-10^T were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid, which is similar to those of the type strains of Mariniflexile species, but different from those of other phylogenetically related species. The DNA G+C content of strain TYO-10^T was determined to be 35.9 mol%. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain TYO-10^T is separated from other Mariniflexile species. On the basis of the data presented, strain TYO-10^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Mariniflexile, for which the name Mariniflexile ostreae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TYO-10^T (= KCTC 42113^T = CECT 8622^T).     

Marinitalea sucinacia gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from tidal flat sediment

An amber-pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped and aerobic bacterial strain devoid of flagella, designated strain JC2131(T) , was isolated from tidal flat sediment of Dongmak in Ganghwa island, South Korea. Identification was carried out on the basis of polyphasic taxonomy. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate belonged to the family Flavobacteriaceae and showed the highest sequence similarity of 94.5% with Lutibacter litoralis KCCM 42118(T). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15:0) (25.9%), iso-C(15:0) 3-OH (20.0%) and iso-C(13:0) (12.7%). Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content was 43.7 mol%. Several phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties including growth at pH 6, sea salts requirement, aesculin hydrolysis, carbon utilization, DNA G+C content and fatty acid profiles also differentiated the strain from the related members of the family. Therefore, results from the polyphasic taxonomy study suggested that strain JC2131(T) represents a novel genus and species in the family Flavobacteriaceae for which the name Marinitalea sucinacia gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed (type strain JC2131(T)=KCTC 12705(T)=JCM 14003(T)).     

Tenacibaculum caenipelagi sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from tidal flat sediment

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, aerobic, non-flagellated, gliding and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated HJ-26M^T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment in the Korean peninsula. It grew optimally at 25–30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain fell within the clade comprising Tenacibaculum species, clustering coherently with the type strains of Tenacibaculum lutimaris and Tenacibaculum aestuarii. Strain HJ-26M^T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.4 and 98.2 % to T. lutimaris TF-26^T and T. aestuarii SMK-4^T, respectively, and of 94.9–97.4 % to the type strains of the other Tenacibaculum species. Strain HJ-26M^T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_17:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content of strain HJ-26M^T was 34.5 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness values with the type strains of T. lutimaris and T. aestuarii were 19 and 23 %, respectively. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain HJ-26M^T is separate from other Tenacibaculum species. On the basis of the data presented, strain HJ-26M^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Tenacibaculum, for which the name Tenacibaculum caenipelagi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HJ-26M^T (= KCTC 32323^T = CECT 8283^T).     

Winogradskyella undariae sp. nov., a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from a brown algae reservoir

A novel bacterial strain, designated WS-MY5^T, capable of degrading a variety of polysaccharides was isolated from a brown algae (Undaria pinnatifida) reservoir at Wando in the South Sea, South Korea. Strain WS-MY5^T was found to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain WS-MY5^T falls within the clade comprising Winogradskyella species, clustering with the type strains of Winogradskyella pacifica, Winogradskyella arenosi, Winogradskyella rapida and Winogradskyella thalassocola, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.3–98.8 %. It exhibited sequence similarity values of 93.0–96.2 % to the type strains of the other recognized Winogradskyella species. Strain WS-MY5^T was found to contain MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and iso-C_15:1 G as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain WS-MY5^T were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified lipids and two unidentified aminolipids. The DNA G+C content of strain WS-MY5^T was determined to be 33.2 mol% and its DNA–DNA relatedness values with the type strains of W. pacifica, W. arenosi, W. rapida and W. thalassocola were in the range 16–28 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, enabled strain WS-MY5^T to be differentiated from the recognized Winogradskyella species. On the basis of the data presented here, strain WS-MY5^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella undariae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WS-MY5^T (=KCTC 32261^T=CCUG 63832^T).