<Emphasis Type="Italic">Deinococcus knuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from river water

Strain 16F3H^T, a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, and oval-shaped bacterium, was isolated from river water collected from the Han River in South Korea. Growth of strain 16F3H^T was observed at 10–42 °C (optimum at 25–30 °C), but no growth occurred at 4 °C. The strain is able to grow at pH 4–10 (optimum at pH 7–8) and tolerates up to 4% NaCl (w/v), with optimum growth at 0.5% NaCl. The isolate was found to be resistant to UV irradiation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, it is closely related to ‘Deinococcus seoulensis’ 16F1E (98.8%), Deinococcus aquaticus PB314^T (98.1%) and Deinococcus caeni Ho-08^T (98.0%). The level of DNA–DNA homology between the novel strain and the three related strains was 57.4, 41.2, and 35.8%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain 16F3H^T possesses MK-8 as the predominant respiratory quinone, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid as the major polar lipid, and C_15:1 ω6c and C_16:1 ω7c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 65.7 mol%. Based on polyphasic evidence, strain 16F3H^T (=KCTC 33794^T = JCM 31406^T) should be classified as the type strain of a novel Deinococcus species, for which the name Deinococcus knuensis sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anoxybacillus sediminis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring

A Gram-stain positive, moderately thermophilic, aerobic, spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterium, designated YIM 73012^T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a hot spring located in Tibet, China, and was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. The strain is oxidase positive and catalase negative. Growth occurred at 37–65 °C (optimum, 45–50 °C), at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum, pH 7.0–7.5) and with 0.5–3.5% NaCl (optimum, 0.5–1.0%, w/v). The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and C_16:0. The major polar lipids comprised of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The respiratory quinone was MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 43.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain YIM 73012^T forms a distinct lineage with respect to the genus Anoxybacillus in the family Bacillaceae. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence identities the closely related phylogenetic neighbours are Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus DSM 15730^T (96.7%) and Saccharococcus thermophilus DSM 4749^T (96.6%). Strain YIM 73012^T was distinguishable from the closely related reference strains by the differences in phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, and represents a novel species of the genus Anoxybacillus, for which the name Anoxybacillus sp. nov. is proposed. The type species is Anoxybacillus sediminis sp. nov., with the type strain YIM 73012^T (=?KCTC 33884^T?=?DSM 103835^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinokineospora</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mzabensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from Saharan soil

A novel actinomycete strain, designated PAL84, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected from Béni-Isguen, Ghardaïa (South of Algeria). This strain was studied for its taxonomic position using a polyphasic approach and was identified as a member of the genus Actinokineospora. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain PAL84 had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with members of the genus Actinokineospora ranging from 96.2 % (Actinokineospora inagensis DSM 44258^T) to 97.8 % (Actinokineospora baliensis NBRC 104211^T). The strain was observed to produce pinkish-purple aerial mycelium and purplish red substrate mycelium, which fragmented readily into chains of non-motile elements. The optimum growth temperature and pH were found to be 25–30 °C and 5.0–7.0, respectively. The cell-wall hydrolysate of strain PAL84 was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the diagnostic whole-cell sugars were identified as arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-9 (H₄). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:1 H and iso-C_16:0 2OH. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylethanolamine. The genotypic and phenotypic data show that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Actinokineospora, for which the name Actinokineospora mzabensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain PAL84^T (=DSM 45961^T = CECT 8578^T).     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium aquimarinum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium isolated from seawater

A novel, aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Dol 15-39^T, was isolated from a seawater sample near Geoje Island in the South Sea, Republic of Korea. The strain was found to be oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. The isolate was observed to grow at temperatures from 4 to 37°C, at salinities of up to 7%, and at pH levels from 6 to 9; moreover, it was not able to degrade starch, DNA, esculin, or tyrosine. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that Dol 15-39^T was most closely related to Flavobacterium jumunjinense HME7102^T with a sequence similarity of 97.3%. However, the levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between Dol 15-39^T and the most closely related species were much lower than 70%, confirming that they represented distinct genomic species. The genomic DNA G + C content of Dol 15-39^T was calculated to be 32.6 mol%. MK-6 was the predominant respiratory quinine, while iso-C_15:0 (25.0%), iso-C_15:1 G (17.0%), and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (10.4%) were the major cellular fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine was identified as a major polar lipid, while various unidentified aminolipids and polar lipids were also detected. Based on polyphasic taxonomic data, Dol 15-39^T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name F. aquimarinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is accessible under the culture collection numbers (KEMB 9005-617^T = JCM 31930^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium koreense</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium chungnamense</Emphasis> sp. nov., and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium cheonanense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater reservoir

Taxonomic studies were performed on three strains isolated from Cheonho reservoir in Cheonan, Korea. The isolates were Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, catalase-positive, and oxidase-positive. Colonies on solid media were cream-yellow, smooth, shiny, and circular. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains belong to the genus Flavobacterium. The strains shared 98.6–99.4% sequence similarity with each other and showed less than 97% similarity with members of the genus Flavobacterium with validly published names. The DNA-DNA hybridization results confirmed the separate genomic status of strains ARSA-42^T, ARSA-103^T, and ARSA-108^T. The isolates contained menaqui-none-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-Ci_15:1 G, and iso-C_16:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolates were 31.4–33.2 mol%. According to the phenotypic and genotypic data, these organisms are classified as representative of three novel species in the genus Flavobacterium, and the name Flavobacterium koreense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-42^T =KCTC 23182^T =JCM 17066^T =KACC 14969^T), Flavobacterium chungnamense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-103^T =KCTC 23183^T =JCM 17068^T =KACC 14971^T), and Flavobacterium cheonanense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-108^T =KCTC 23184^T =JCM 17069^T =KACC 14972) are proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Deinococcus soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a gamma- and UV-radiation-resistant bacterium from north-west China

An ionizing- and UV-radiation-resistant bacterial strain, designated ZLM-202^T, was isolated from an arid soil sample collected from Xinjiang Province, north-west China. The soil sample was irradiated before serial dilution plating was performed using twofold-diluted marine agar. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain ZLM-202^T was a member of the genus Deinococcus, exhibiting sequence similarities of 86.3–92.2% to the type strains of recognized Deinococcus species. Strain-ZLM-202^T was strictly aerobic and showed optimum growth at 30–37°C and pH 7.0. The major respiratory menaquinone was MK-8. The major fatty acids were 16:1 ω7c, 16: 0, 15: 1 ω6c, 15: 0 iso and 16: 1 ω5c. L-ornithine was detected in its peptidoglycan. The polar lipid profile consisted mainly of various unknown phosphoglycolipids, aminophospholipids, glycolipids and phospholipids. The DNA G + C content was 65.5 mol. %. The strain was shown to be extremely resistant to gamma radiation (>10 kGy) and UV light (>600 J m⁻²). On the basis of the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain ZLM-202^T represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZLM-202^T (=CCTCC AB 208223^T=KCTC 13419^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Deinococcus sedimenti</Emphasis> sp. nov. isolated from river sediment

A novel Gram-positive, oval-shaped, non-motile bacterium designated strain 16F1L^T was isolated from sediment collected from the Han River in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence (1,448 bp), this strain was identified as a member of the genus Deinococcus that belongs to the class Deinococci. Similarities in the 16S rRNA gene sequence were shown with Deinococcus daejeonensis MJ27^T (99.0%), D. grandis DSM 3963^T (98.1%), D. radiotolerans C1^T (97.5%), and D. caeni Ho-08^T (97.2%). Strain 16F1L^T was classified as a different genomic species from closely related Deinococcus members, based on less than 70% DNA-DNA relatedness. Genomic DNA G+C content of strain 16F1L^T was 67.2 mol%. Strain 16F1L^T was found to grow at temperatures of 10–37°C (optimum 25°C) and pH 7–8 (optimum pH 7) on R2A medium, and was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Strain 16F1L^T showed resistance to gamma radiation (D₁₀ > 2 kGy). In addition, this strain had the following chemotaxonomic characteristics: the major fatty acids were C_15:1ω6c and C_16:1ω7c; the polar lipid profile contained phosphoglycolipids, unknown aminophospholipids, an unknown aminoglycolipid, unknown aminolipids, an unknown glycolipid, an unknown phospholipid, and an unknown polar lipid; the major quinone was MK-8. Phylogenetic, genotypic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic characteristics indicated that strain 16F1L^T represents a novel species within the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus sedimenti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 16F1L^T (=KCTC 33796^T =JCM 31405^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus</Emphasis> sp. nov., a cellulose-degrading bacterium isolated from tea

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped strain (THG-NT9^T) was isolated from a green tea sample. Growth occurred at 20–45 °C (optimum 28–35 °C), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0–2.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-NT9^T were identified as Scopulibacillus daqui DSM 28236^T (98.6%), Scopulibacillus darangshiensis DSM 19377^T (97.4%), Pullulanibacillus pueri CGMCC 1.12777^T (96.7%) and Pullulanibacillus camelliae CGMCC 1.15371^T (96.3%). The DNA G?+?C content of strain THG-NT9^T was determined to be 47.5 mol %. DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain THG-NT9^T and S. daqui DSM 28236^T, S. darangshiensis DSM 19377^T, P. pueri CGMCC 1.12777^T, P. camelliae CGMCC 1.15371^T and Pullulanibacillus naganoensis DSM 10191^T were 41.3?±?0.1 (39.4?±?0.4% reciprocal analysis), 39.1?±?0.1 (37.3?±?0.1%), 21.4?±?0.7 (20.1?±?0.3%), 20.7?±?0.1 (20.1?±?0.4%) and 12.1?±?0.2% (8.3?±?0.2%). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7. The major fatty acids were C_18:3 ω7c, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The cell wall type was determined to be A1γ peptidoglycan with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid plus alanine and glutamic acid and glucose as the cell wall sugar. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA–DNA hybridization data, strain THG-NT9^T represents a novel species of the genus Scopulibacillus, for which the name Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-NT9^T (=?KCTC 33918^T?=?CGMCC 1.16305^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus kimchii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from kimchi

A Gram-stain-positive, halophilic, rod-shaped, non-motile, spore forming bacterium, strain NKC1-2^T, was isolated from kimchi, a Korean fermented food. Comparative analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence demonstrated that the isolated strain was a species of the genus Virgibacillus. Strain NKC1-2^T exhibited high level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of Virgibacillus xinjiangensis SL6-1^T (96.9%), V. sediminis YIM kkny3^T (96.8%), and V. salarius SA-Vb1^T (96.7%). The isolate grew at pH 6.5–10.0 (optimum, pH 8.5–9.0), 0.0–25.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 10–15% NaCl), and 15–50°C (optimum, 37°C). The major menaquinone in the strain was menaquinone-7, and the main peptidoglycan of the strain was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant fatty acids of the strain were iso-C_14:0, anteisio-C_15:0, iso- C_15:0, and iso-C_16:0 (other components were < 10.0%). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G + C content of NKC1-2^T was 42.5 mol%. On the basis of these findings, strain NKC1-2^T is proposed as a novel species in the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus kimchii sp. nov. is proposed (=KACC 19404^T =JCM 32284^T). The type strain of Virgibacillus kimchii is NKC1-2T.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Desulfomicrobium thermophilum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel thermophilic sulphate-reducing bacterium isolated from a terrestrial hot spring in Colombia

A moderately thermophilic, sulphate-reducing bacterium, designated strain P6-2(T), was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring located at a height of 2,500 m in the Andean region, Colombia (5 degrees 43'69'N, 73 degrees 6'10'W). Cells of strain P6-2(T) were rod-shaped, stained Gram-negative and were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The strain grew lithotrophically with H(2) as the electron donor and organotrophically on lactate, pyruvate, ethanol, malate, fumarate, n-propanol and succinate in the presence of sulphate as the terminal electron acceptor. Fumarate and pyruvate was fermented. Strain P6-2(T) grew optimally at 55 degrees C (range 37-60 degrees C), pH 6.6 (range 5.8-8.8) in the presence of 0.5% NaCl (range 0-4.5%) with lactate and sulphate and produced acetate, CO(2) and H(2)S as the major end-products. Sulphate, sulphite and thiosulphate could be used as electron acceptors but not elemental sulphur or nitrate. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 58.7 mol%. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that strain P6-2(T) was a member of the class Deltaproteobacteria, domain Bacteria with Desulfomicrobium baculatum being the closest relative (similarity value of 94%). Phylogeny of genes encoding alpha- and beta-subunits of the dissimilatory sulphite reductase (dsrAB genes) supported its affiliation to members of the genus Desulfomicrobium. On the basis of this evidence, we propose to assign strain P6-2(T) as new species of the genus Desulfomicrobium, D. thermophilum sp. nov., with strain P6-2(T) as the type strain (= DSM 16697(T) = CCUG 49732(T)).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gracilibacillus kimchii</Emphasis> sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from kimchi

A novel halophilic bacterium, strain K7^T, was isolated from kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food. The strain is Gram-positive, motile, and produces terminal endospores. The isolate is facultative aerobic and grows at salinities of 0.0–25.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 10–15% NaCl), pH 5.5–8.5 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5), and 15–42°C (optimum 37°C). The predominant isoprenoid quinone in the strain is menaquinone-7 and the peptidoglycan of the strain is meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acids of the strain are anteisio-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, and, C_16:0 (other components were < 10.0%), while the major polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and three unidentified lipids. A phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that the isolated strain was a cluster of the genus Gracilibacillus. High levels of gene sequence similarity were observed between strain K7^T and Gracilibacillus orientalis XH-63^T (96.5%), and between the present strain and Gracilibacillus xinjiangensis (96.5%). The DNA G+C content of this strain is 37.7 mol%. Based on these findings, strain K7^T is proposed as a novel species: Gracilibacillus kimchii sp. nov. The type strain is K7^T (KACC 18669^T; JCM 31344^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharothrix ghardaiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from Saharan soil

The taxonomic position of a new Saccharothrix strain, designated MB46^T, isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected in Mzab region (Ghardaïa province, South Algeria) was established following a polyphasic approach. The novel microorganism has morphological and chemical characteristics typical of the members of the genus Saccharothrix and formed a phyletic line at the periphery of the Saccharothrix espanaensis subcluster in the 16S rRNA gene dendrograms. Results of the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain MB46^T shares high degrees of similarity with S. espanaensis DSM 44229^T (99.2%), Saccharothrix variisporea DSM 43911^T (98.7%) and Saccharothrix texasensis NRRL B-16134^T (98.6%). However, the new strain exhibited only 12.5–17.5% DNA relatedness to the neighbouring Saccharothrix spp. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons and DNA-DNA hybridizations, strain MB46^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Saccharothrix, for which the name Saccharothrix ghardaiensis sp. nov. (type strain MB46^T = DSM 46886^T = CECT 9046^T) is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter agri</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from soil

A bacterial isolate was recovered from a soil sample collected in Jeollabuk-do Province, South Korea, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic assessment. Cells of the isolate, designated strain S1-2-1-2-1^T, were observed to be rod-shaped, pink in color, and Gram-stain negative. The strain was able to grow at temperature range from 10 to 30 °C, with an optimum of 25 °C, and growth occurred at pH 6–8. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain S1-2-1-2-1^T belongs to the genus Hymenobacter, with closely related type strains being Hymenobacter daeguensis 16F3Y-2^T (95.8% similarity), Hymenobacter rubidus DG7B^T (95.8%), Hymenobacter soli PB^T (95.7%), Hymenobacter terrenus MIMtkLc17^T (95.6%), Hymenobacter terrae DG7A^T (95.3%), and Hymenobacter saemangeumensis GSR0100^T (95.2%). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S1-2-1-2-1^T was 63.0 mol%. The main polar lipid of this strain was phosphatidylethanolamine, the predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7, and the major fatty acids were C_15:0 iso (27.3%), summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c) (16.5%), C_15:0 anteiso (15.3%), and C_16:0 (14.7%), supporting the affiliation of this strain with the genus Hymenobacter. The results of this polyphasic analysis allowed for the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain S1-2-1-2-1^T from recognized Hymenobacter species. On the basis of its phenotypic properties, genotypic distinctiveness, and chemotaxonomic features, strain S1-2-1-2-1^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter agri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S1-2-1-2-1^T (=KCTC 52739^T?=?JCM 32194^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Siphonobacter intestinalis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from the feces of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudorhynchus japonicus</Emphasis>

Strain 63MJ-2^T was isolated from the feces of broad-winged katydid (Pseudorhynchus japonicus) collected in Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of this strain showed the highest sequence similarity with that of Siphonobacter aquaeclarae P2^T (96.1%) and had low similarities (below 86.3%) with those of other members of family ‘Flexibacteraceae’. The strain 63MJ-2^T is a strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium. The strain grew at 4–35°C (optimum, 25–30°C), pH of 5.0–9.0 (optimum, 6.0–7.0), and 0–2.0% (optimum, 1.0–2.0) (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content of strain 63MJ-2^T was 43.5 mol%. The major fatty acids were C_16:1ω5c (42.5%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (18.7%), and summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1ω7c, 18.0%). The major menaquinone was MK-7 and polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, six unknown aminolipids, and five unknown lipids. Based on the evidence from our polyphasic taxonomic study, we conclude that strain 63MJ-2^T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Siphonobacter, and propose the name Siphonobacter intestinalis sp. nov. The type strain is 63MJ-2^T (=KACC 18663^T =NBRC 111883^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquamicrobium soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from a chlorobenzoate-contaminated soil

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, short rod-shaped, asporogenous, non-motile bacterium designated strain NK8^T was isolated from a chlorobenzoate contaminated soil in China. Strain NK8^T was observed to grow optimally at pH 7.0, 30 °C and in the absence of NaCl in LB medium. The G + C content of the total DNA of strain NK8^T was found to be 65.5 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NK8^T showed high similarity to that of Aquamicrobium aerolatum Sa14^T (97.3%), followed by Aquamicrobium lusatiense S1^T (96.7%) and Mesorhizobium sangali SCAU7^T (96.6%). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NK8^T and A. aerolatum Sa14^T was 35.5 ± 0.9%. The major fatty acids of strain NK8^T were determined to be C_19:0 cyclo ω8c (45.6%), C_18:1 ω7c (33.4%) and C_16:0 (8.4%). The respiratory quinone was found to be ubiquinone Q-10. The major polyamine was found to be spermidine. The polar lipid profile include the major compounds phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol, and moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, aminolipid and phospholipid. Based on the differential biochemical and physiological characteristics, the geno-, chemo- and phenotypic characteristics, strain NK8^T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Aquamicrobium, Aquamicrobium soli sp. nov. The type strain is NK8^T (=KCTC 52165^T=CCTCC AB2016045^T).     

<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">Paenibacillus telluris</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel phosphate-solubilizing bacterium isolated from soil

A phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strain designated PS38^T was isolated from farm soil. The isolate was a Gram-positive, motile, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium. It grew optimally at 37°C and pH 7.5. The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, and iso-C_16:0. The DNA G+C content was 49.5 mol% and the predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Phylogenese analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain PS38^T belonged to the genus Paenibacillus and was most closely related to Paenibacillus chibensis JCM 9905^T, P. barengoltzii SAFN-016^T, P. timonensis 2301032^T, and P. motobuensis MC10^T with 96.3%, 96.0%, 95.9%, and 95.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. On the basis of morphological, chemotaxonomic, physiological, and phylogenetic properties, strain PS38^T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus telluris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PS38^T (=KCTC 13946^T =CGMCC 1.10695^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kretzschmaria varians</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria coremiifera</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria umbonata</Emphasis> sp. nov. from Costa Rica

Kretzschmaria varians, a species apparently related to K. micropus, is described as new. It is distinguished primarily by having asci with 2 to 8 ascospores with inconstant germination slit length and remains of synnemata on stromata and surrounding substrate. Xylaria coremiifera, described here as new, bears small fragile coremia on pulvinate stromata and the surrounding substrate. Asci often have fewer than 8 ascospores, most frequently 4. Xylaria umbonata, described here as new, produces perithecia around a central umbo that appears to be the remains of a synnema. Ascospores have long spiralling germination slits.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Gallaecimonas mangrovi</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from mangrove sediment

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, strictly aerobic bacterium HK-28^T was isolated from a mangrove sediment sample in Haikou city, Hainan Province, China. Strain HK-28^T was able to grow at 10–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), pH 5.0–8.5 (optimum 6.0–7.0) and 0.5–12.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1.0–3.0%, w/v). The major cellular fatty acids were C_16:0, Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c), Summed Feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c), C_17:0, C_12:0 3-OH and C_17:1ω8c. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, four unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified glycolipid, an unidentified glycophospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content was 50.2 mol%. Accoroding to 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain HK-28^T shared 97.1 and 96.7% sequence similarities to the validly named species Gallaecimonas xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T and Gallaecimonas pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T, respectively, and shared lower sequence similarities (<?92.0%) to all other genera. Phylogenetic analysis showed strain HK-28^T was clustered with G. pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T and G. xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T. Strain HK-28^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with G. xiamenensis MCCC 1A01354^T (28.3?±?1.5%) and G. pentaromativorans MCCC 1A06435^T (25.2?±?2.4%). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, strain HK-28^T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Gallaecimonas, for which the name Gallaecimonas mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HK-28^T (=?KCTC 62177^T?=?MCCC 1K03441).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodopirellula rosea</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from an ark clam <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scapharca broughtonii</Emphasis>

A novel Gram-negative, motile, and ovoid-shaped strain, LHWP3^T, which belonged to the family Planctomycetaceae in the phylum Planctomycetes, was isolated from a dead ark clam Scapharca broughtonii collected during a mass mortality event on the south coast of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate was most closely related to the type strain of Rhodopirellula baltica, with a shared 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 94.8%. The isolate grew optimally at 30°C in 4–6% (w/v) NaCl, and at pH 7. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The dominant polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unidentified polar lipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C_16:0, C_18:1 ω9c, and C_18:0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain LHWP3^T was 53.0 mol%. Based on polyphasic taxonomic analyses, strain LHWP3^T should be classified as a novel species in the genus Rhodopirellula in the family Planctomycetaceae, for which the name Rhodopirellula rosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LHWP3^T (=KACC 15560^T =JCM 17759^T).