Rhodovarius lipocyclicus gen. nov. sp. nov., a new genus of the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria

A bacterial strain (CCUG 44693T) was recovered during an industrial hygiene control. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that it represents a new lineage in the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria, with the highest sequence similarity of 93.3% to the type strain of Muricoccus roseus. In the polyamine pattern spermidine was the predominant compound. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl dimethylethanolamine, phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl cholin and an unknown amino lipid. The major respiratory quinone was a ubiquinone Q-10 and the major whole cell fatty acids were 19:0 cyclo omega8c and 18:1 omega7c. The isolate also contained 18:1 2-OH and other fatty acids typical for members of the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria in addition to 10:0 2-OH in low amounts, not detected in members of closely related genera. The strain grew heterotrophically and strictly aerobically and formed red-colored colonies on tryptone soy agar. Bacteriochlorophyll a could not be detected by direct spectrophotometric analyses of aerobically grown cells. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, chemotaxonomic and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strain CCUG 44693T (CIP 108310T) represents a new genus of the alpha-1 subclass of the Proteobacteria for which we propose the name Rhodovarius lipocyclicus gen. nov. sp. nov.     

Herminiimonas fonticola gen. nov., sp. nov., a Betaproteobacterium isolated from a source of bottled mineral water

Several yellowish-pigmented bacteria with an optimum growth temperature of about 30 degrees C, were recovered from the source (borehole) of bottled mineral water in the Serra da Estrela in Eastern Portugal. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strains S-94T , S-97, S-99 and S-92 indicated that these organisms represent a new species of the Betaproteobacteria that is not closely related to any other known species. The major fatty acids of the strains are 16:1 omega7c and 16:0. Ubiquinone 8 is the major respiratory quinone. The new isolates are strictly organotrophic and aerobic. The new strains only assimilated organic acids, glycine and alanine. Casamino acids and a mixture of all natural amino acids are not used as sole carbon and nitrogen sources; these are used as nitrogen source in the presence of organic acids. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we are of the opinion that strains S-94T, S-97, S-99 and S-92 represent a new species of a novel genus for which we propose the name Herminiimonas fonticola gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Acidipila rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., an acidophilic chemoorganotrophic bacterium belonging to the phylum Acidobacteria

Two strains of aerobic acidophilic chemoorganotrophic bacteria designed strains AP8(T) and AP9 were isolated from acid mine drainage and acidic soil, respectively. These isolates were gram-negative, nonmotile cocci and coccobacilli measuring 0.5-0.8 μm in diameter. Cells were capsulated. Colonies on solid media were pink colored. The pH range for growth was 3.0-6.0 (optimum pH 4.5). Sugars, gluconate, and some amino acids were good carbon and energy sources for growth. The main components of cellular fatty acids were C(15:0) iso and C(16:1) ω7c. Menaquinone-8 was the major quinone. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 59.5%. Both strains had identical sequences of 16S rRNA genes that were most closely related to that of the type strain of Acidobacterium capsulatum (96% similarity). There were major differences between the isolates and A. capsulatum in cell morphology, carbon nutrition, and fatty acid profiles. Based on these phylogenetic and phenotypic data, we propose the name Acidipila rosea gen. nov., sp. nov. to accommodate the novel isolates. The type strain is AP8(T) (NBRC 107607(T), KCTC 23427(T)).     

Novel facultative anaerobic acidotolerant Telmatospirillum siberiense gen. nov. sp. nov. isolated from mesotrophic fen

Three facultative anaerobic acidotolerant Gram-negative motile spirilla strains designated 26-4b1, 26-2 and K-1 were isolated from mesotrophic Siberian fen as a component of methanogenic consortia. The isolates were found to grow chemoorganotrophically on several organic acids and glucose under anoxic and low oxygen pressure in the dark, tolerant up to 5kPa of oxygen. At low oxygen supply, faint autotrophic growth on the H(2):CO(2) mixture was also observed. All three isolates were able to fix N(2). Major cellular fatty acids were 18:1 omega7c, 17:0 cyclopropane and 16:0. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that they formed a deep branch within the family Rhodospirillaceae of the Alphaproteobacteria with the highest similarity of 90.9-92.5% with members of genera Phaeospirillum and Magnetospirillum. Phylogenetic study of nifH (nitrogenase) and cbbL (RuBisCO) amino acid sequence identities confirmed that the new isolates represent a novel group. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and distinct phenotypic characteristics, we are of the opinion that strains 26-4b1, 26-2 and K-1 represent a new species of a novel genus for which the name Telmatospirillum siberiense gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed.     

Citreicella thiooxidans gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel lithoheterotrophic sulfur-oxidizing bacterium from the Black Sea

Four strains of obligately heterotrophic bacteria isolated from the oxygen-sulfide interface of the Black Sea are characterized. The bacteria are aerobic, Gram-negative, with lemon-like, nonmotile cells. Bacteriochlorophyll a is not detected. They are mesophilic and neutrophilic with a temperature range of 8–35 °C (optimum 25) and pH range of 6.5–8.5 (optimum 7.8). Their growth is NaCl dependent within a range of 5 and 60 (optimum 20) g l⁻¹. They are able to oxidize thiosulfate, sulfide and elemental sulfur to sulfate and to use metabolic energy from these reactions (lithoheterotrophy). According to the level of DNA reassociation of more than 40%, all isolates represent a single generic group. The G+C content of the DNA was in the range of 67.5–69.2 mol%. According to phylogenetic analysis, the new isolates form a separate branch in the alpha-3 subdivision of the Proteobacteria together with two undescribed marine bacterial strains. On the basis of phenotypical and genomic properties, the new isolates are described as a new genus and species Citreicella thiooxidans gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is CHLG 1^T (=DSM 10146, UNIQEM U 228).     

Haliangium ochraceum gen. nov., sp. nov. and Haliangium tepidum sp. nov.: novel moderately halophilic myxobacteria isolated from coastal saline environments

Phenotypic and phylogenetic studies were performed on two myxobacterial strains, SMP-2 and SMP-10, isolated from coastal regions. The two strains are morphologically similar, in that both produce yellow fruiting bodies, comprising several sessile sporangioles in dense packs. They are differentiated from known terrestrial myxobacteria on the basis of salt requirements (2-3% NaCl) and the presence of anteiso-branched fatty acids. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies revealed that SMP-2 and SMP-10 are genetically related, and constitute a new cluster within the myxobacteria group, together with the Polyangium vitellinum Pl vt1 strain as the closest neighbor. The sequence similarity between the two strains is 95.6%. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that these two strains be assigned to a new genus, Haliangium gen. nov., with SMP-2 designated as Haliangium ochraceum sp. nov. (= JCM 11303(T) = DSM 14365(T)), and SMP-10 as Haliangium tepidum sp. nov. (= JCM 11304(T)= DSM 14436(T)).     

Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov., a slightly halophilic myxobacterium isolated from the coastal areas of Japan

Six isolates of novel marine myxobacteria, designated strains SHK-1T, SMK-1-1, SMK-1-3, SMK-10, SKK-2, and SMP-6, were obtained from various coastal samples (mud, sands and algae) collected around Japan. All of the isolates had Gram-negative rod-shaped cells, motile by gliding and grew aerobically. They showed bacteriolytic action, fruiting body formation, and NaCl requirement for growth with an optimum concentration of 1.0-2.0% (w/v). In addition, divalent cationic components of seawater, such as Mg2+ or Ca2+, were also needed for growth. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA ranged from 65.6 to 67.4 mol% (by HPLC). The isolates shared almost identical 16S rDNA sequences, and clustered with a recently described marine myxobacterium, Plesiocystis pacifica, as their closest relative on a phylogenetic tree (95.9-96.0% similarity). Physiological and chemotaxonomic differences between the new strains and strains of the genus Plesiocystis justify the proposal of a new genus. Therefore, we propose to classify the six isolates into a new taxon of marine myxobacteria with the name, Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is SHK-1(T) (JCM 11769(T) = DSM 15217(T) = AJ 110011(T)).     

Diaminobutyricibacter tongyongensis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Homoserinibacter gongjuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. Belong to the Family Microbacteriaceae

Two bacterial strains, KIS66-7^T and 5GH26-15^T, were isolated from soil samples collected in the South Korean cities of Tongyong and Gongju, respectively. Both strains were aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, mesophilic, flagellated, and rodshaped. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that both strains belonged to the family Microbacteriaceae of the phylum Actinobacteria. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KIS66-7^T had the highest similarities with those of Labedella gwakjiensis KSW2-17^T (97.3%), Cryobacterium psychrophilum DSM 4854T (97.2%), Leifsonia lichenia 2Sb^T (97.2%), Leifsonia naganoensis JCM 10592^T (97.0%), and Cryobacterium mesophilum MSL-15^T (97.0%). Strain 5GH26-15^T showed the highest sequence similarities with Leifsonia psychrotolerans LI1T (97.4%) and Schumannella luteola KHIAT (97.1%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence from KIS66-7^T exhibited 96.4% similarity with that from 5GH26-15^T. Strain KIS66-7^T contained a B2γ type peptidoglycan structure with D-DAB as the diamino acid; MK-13, MK-12, and MK-14 as the respiratory quinones; ai-C_15:0, ai-C_17:0, and i-C_16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids; and diphosphatidylglycerol, phatidylglycerol, and glycolipids as the predominant polar lipids. Strain 5GH26-15T had a B2β type peptidoglycan structure with D-DAB as the diamino acid; MK-14 and MK-13 as the respiratory quinones; ai-C_15:0, i-C_16:0, and ai-C{vn17:0} as the major cellular fatty acids; and diphosphatidylglycerol, phatidylglycerol, and glycolipids as the predominant polar lipids. Both strains had low DNA-DNA hybridization values (<40%) with closely related taxa. Based on our polyphasic taxonomic characterization, we propose that strains KIS66-7^T and 5GH26-15^T represent novel genera and species, for which we propose the names Diaminobutyricibacter tongyongensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain KIS66-7^T=KACC 15515^T=NBRC 108724^T) and Homoserinibacter gongjuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain 5GH26-15^T=KACC 15524^T=NBRC 108755^T) within the family Microbacteriaceae.     

Mobilicoccus pelagius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Piscicoccus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., two new members of the family Dermatophilaceae, and reclassification of Dermatophilus chelonae (Masters et al. 1995) as Austwickia chelonae gen. nov., comb. nov

Two Gram-positive bacteria, designated strains Aji5-31(T) and Ngc37-23(T), were isolated from the intestinal tracts of fishes. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that both strains were related to the members of the family Dermatophilaceae, with 95.6-96.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. The family Dermatophilaceae contains 2 genera and 3 species: Dermatophilus congolensis, Dermatophilus chelonae and Kineosphaera limosa. However, it has been suggested that the taxonomic position of D. chelonae should be reinvestigated using a polyphasic approach, because the chemotaxonomic characteristics are not known (Stackebrandt, 2006; Stackebrandt and Schumann, 2000). Our present study revealed that strains Aji5-31(T), Ngc37-23(T) and D. chelonae NBRC 105200(T) should be separated from the other members of the family Dermatophilaceae on the basis of the following characteristics: the predominant menaquinone of strain Aji5-31(T) is MK-8(H(2)), strain Ngc37-23(T) possesses iso- branched fatty acids as major components, and the menaquinone composition of D. chelonae is MK-8(H(4)), MK-8 and MK-8(H(2)) (5 : 3 : 2, respectively). On the basis of these distinctive phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis results, it is proposed that strains Aji5-31(T) and Ngc37-23(T) be classified as two novel genera and species of the family Dermatophilaceae. The names are Mobilicoccus pelagius gen. nov., sp. nov. and Piscicoccus intestinalis gen. nov., sp. nov., and the type strains are Aji5-31(T) (=NBRC 104925(T) =DSM 22762(T)) and Ngc37-23(T) (=NBRC 104926(T) =DSM 22761(T)), respectively. In addition, D. chelonae should be reassigned to a new genus of the family Dermatophilaceae with the name Austwickia chelonae gen. nov., comb. nov.     

Defluviimonas denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov., and Pararhodobacter aggregans gen. nov., sp. nov., non-phototrophic Rhodobacteraceae from the biofilter of a marine aquaculture

Three Gram-negative bacterial strains were isolated from the biofilter of a recirculating marine aquaculture. They were non-pigmented rods, mesophiles, moderately halophilic, and showed chemo-organoheterotrophic growth on various sugars, fatty acids, and amino acids, with oxygen as electron acceptor; strains D9-3^T and D11-58 were in addition able to denitrify. Phototrophic or fermentative growth could not be demonstrated. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed D9-3^T and D11-58, and D1-19^T on two distinct branches within the alpha-3 proteobacterial Rhodobacteraceae, affiliated with, but clearly separate from, the genera Rhodobacter, Rhodovulum, and Rhodobaca. Based on morphological, physiological, and 16S rRNA-based phylogenetic characteristics, the isolated strains are proposed as new species of two novel genera, Defluviimonas denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain D9-3^T = DSM 18921^T = ATCC BAA-1447^T; additional strain D11-58 = DSM19039 = ATCC BAA-1448) and Pararhodobacter aggregans gen. nov., sp. nov (type strain D1-19^T = DSM 18938^T = ATCC BAA-1446^T).     

Sufflavibacter maritimus gen. nov., sp. nov., novel Flavobacteriaceae bacteria isolated from marine environments

Four Gram-negative, chemoheterotrophic, nonmotile, yellow-colored strains were isolated from the East Sea or from deep-sea sediments of Nankai Trough by standard dilution plating. Characterization by polyphasic approaches indicated that the four strains are members of the same species. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strains formed a coherent and novel genus-level lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae. The dominant cellular fatty acids were i-C15:0, 3-OH i-C17:0, and 2-OH i-C15:0 and/or C16:1 omega7c. Predominance of 2-OH i-C 15:0 and/or C16:1omega7c clearly differentiated the strains from closely related members. The DNA G+C contents ranged 35.1-36.2 mol%. It is proposed, from the polyphasic evidence, that the strains should be placed into a novel genus and species named Sufflavibacter maritimus gen. nov., sp. nov., with strain IMCC 1001T (=KCCM 42359T=NBRC 102039T) as the type strain.     

Shivajiella indica gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine bacterium of the family "Cyclobacteriaceae" with nitrate reducing activity

Novel orange pigmented, Gram-negative-staining, rod-shaped, non-motile, strictly aerobic strains designated NIO-S1(T) and NIO-S2 were isolated from the water sample of a pond adjacent to the coast and an algal mat from a fish pond, respectively, at Kakinada, India. Both strains were positive for oxidase, catalase and β-galactosidase activities. The predominant fatty acids in NIO-S1(T) were iso-C(15:0) (39.6%), anteiso-C(15:0) (9.9%), iso-C(17:0) 3OH (10.9%) and C(16:1)ω7c/C(16:1)ω6c (summed feature 3) (5.7%). The strains contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinine, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids as the polar lipids. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain NIO-S1(T) was a member of the family "Cyclobacteriaceae" of the class "Sphingobacteriia" and it clustered with the genera Fontibacter, Cecembia and Aquiflexum with phylogenetic distances of 6.8, 9.0 and 12.2% (93.2, 91.0 and 87.8% similarity), respectively. DNA-DNA hybridization between strains NIO-S1(T) and NIO-S2 showed a relatedness of 93% and rep-PCR banding patterns were similar. Based on data from the current polyphasic study, it is proposed that the new isolates be placed in a new genus and species with the name Shivajiella indica gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Shivajiella indica is NIO-S1(T) (= KCTC 19812(T)=MTCC 11065(T)).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alkalimonas amylolytica</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Alkalimonas delamerensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., novel alkaliphilic bacteria from soda lakes in China and East Africa

Two related novel alkaliphilic and slightly halophilic bacteria are described. They are strain N10 from Lake Chahannor in China and strain 1E1 from Lake Elmenteita in East Africa. Both strains are strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, alkaliphilic, mesophilic, and require NaCl for growth. The optimal conditions for growth were at pH 10–10.5 and 2–3% (w/v) NaCl. Cells of both strains were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, and motile with a single polar flagellum. Cellular fatty acids in both strains were predominantly saturated and mono-unsaturated straight-chain fatty acids (16:0, 16:17c and 18:17c). The major isoprenoid quinone of both strains was Q8. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate and phosphatidylethanolamine. The guanine plus cytosine (G+C) content of the DNA was 52.5 mol% and 55.4 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two strains formed a distinct lineage within the gamma-3 subclass of the Proteobacteria. The strains shared a 16S rDNA sequence similarity of 96.1% and showed less than 93.7% of sequence similarity to any other known species. Based on polyphasic data, the two strains were differentiated from currently recognized genera and represent a new genus, Alkalimonas gen. nov., with two species, Alkalimonas amylolytica sp. nov. (type strain is N10^T = AS 1.3430) and Alkalimonas delamerensis sp. nov. ( type strain is 1E1^{P, T} = CBS 391.94). The GenBank accession numbers for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strains N10 and 1E1 are AF250323 and X92130, respectively.Communicated by K. Horikoshi     

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.     

Chitinophaga soli sp. nov. and Chitinophaga terrae sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon Province, Korea

Two novel strains of the Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides (CFB) group, designated Gsoil 219" and Gsoil 2381, were isolated from soil of a ginseng field of Pocheon Province in Korea. Both strains were Gram-negative, aerobic, nonmotile, nonspore-forming, and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that both isolates belong to the genus Chitinophaga but were clearly separated from established species of this genus. The sequence similarities between strain Gsoil 219T and type strains of the established species and between strain Gsoil 238T and type strains of the established species ranged from 91.4 to 94.7% and 91.6 to 94.2%, respectively. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data (major menaquinone, MK-7; major fatty acids, iso-C15:0 and C(16:1) omega5c; major hydroxy fatty acid, iso-C(17:0) 3-OH; major polyamine, homospermidine) supported the affiliation of both strains Gsoil 219T and Gsoil 238T to the genus Chitinophaga. Furthermore, the results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of both strains from the other validated Chitinophaga species. Therefore, the two isolates represent two novel species, for which the name Chitinophaga soli sp. nov. (type strain, Gsoil 219T=KCTC 12650T=DSM 18093T) and Chitinophaga terrae sp. nov. (type strain, Gsoil 238T=KCTC 12651T=DSM 18078T) are proposed.     

Neoscardovia arbecensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from porcine slurries

Three Gram-positive, anaerobic, pleomorphic strains (PG10(T), PG18 and PG22), were selected among five strains isolated from pig slurries while searching for host specific bifidobacteria to track the source of fecal pollution in water. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed a maximum identity of 94% to various species of the family Bifidobacteriaceae. However, phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and HSP60 gene sequences revealed a closer relationship of these strains to members of the recently described Aeriscardovia, Parascardovia and Scardovia genera, than to other Bifidobacterium species. The names Neoscardovia gen. nov. and Neoscardovia arbecensis sp. nov. are proposed for a new genus and for the first species belonging to this genus, respectively, and for which PG10(T) (CECT 8111(T), DSM 25737(T)) was designated as the type strain. This new species should be placed in the Bifidobacteriaceae family within the class Actinobacteria, with Aeriscardovia aeriphila being the closest relative. The prevailing cellular fatty acids were C(16:0) and C(18:1)ω9c, and the major polar lipids consisted of a variety of glycolipids, diphosphatidyl glycerol, two unidentified phospholipids, and phosphatidyl glycerol. The peptidoglycan structure was A1γmeso-Dpm-direct. The GenBank accession numbers for the 16S rRNA gene and HSP60 gene sequences of strains PG10(T), PG18 and PG22 are JF519691, JF519693, JQ767128 and JQ767130, JQ767131, JQ767133, respectively.     

Novosphingobium hassiacum sp. nov., a new species isolated from an aerated sewage pond

The taxonomy of two strains W-51T and W-52 isolated from a wastewater treatment plant was investigated in a polyphasic approach. The yellow pigmented gram-negative organism contained a quinone system with mainly ubiquinone Q-10, and the polar lipid profile contained a sphingoglycolipid suggesting that both strains belonged to the the alpha-4 subclass of the Proteobacteria. The polar lipid profile consisted furthermore of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylcholine and of minor amounts of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene supported the allocation into the genus Novosphingobium, together with the type strains of N. subterraneum, N. aromaticivorans, N. stygium, and N. capsulatum, showing similarities of 97.3%, 97.0%, 95.7% and 96.2%, respectively. This allocation was supported by the polyamine profile, which consisted mainly of spermidine. The analysis of the fatty acids revealed 2-OH 13:0, 2-OH 14:0 and 2-OH 15:0, with 2-OH 15:0 as predominant hydroxylated fatty acid. W-51T and W-52 were almost identical with respect to their phenotypic including the majority of the chemotaxonomic properties, identical in their 16S rRNA sequences, and showed 86% DNA-DNA similarity. Both strains were able to reduce nitrate and on the basis of further physiological features, a clear differentiation from all other Novosphingobium species was possible. The DNA-DNA similarities of W-51T to the type strains of N. subterraneum, N. aromaticivorans, and N. capsulatum were below 56%. For these reasons, it is proposed to create a new species with the name Novosphingobium hassiacum sp. nov.     

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.     

Characterization of some strains from human clinical sources which resemble "Leptotrichia sanguinegens": description of Sneathia sanguinegens sp. nov., gen. nov

Three strains of a gram-negative, blood or serum requiring, rod-shaped bacterium recovered from human clinical specimens were characterised by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed the unknown rod-shaped strains are members of the same species as some fastidious isolates recovered from human blood specimens and previously designated "Leptotrichia sanguinegens". Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the isolates from human sources be classified in a new genus Sneathia, as Sneathia sanguinegens gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Sneathia sanguinegens is CCUG 41628T.