Aeromonas piscicola sp. nov., isolated from diseased fish

Four Aeromonas strains (S1.2^T, EO-0505, TC1 and TI 1.1) isolated from moribund fish in Spain showed a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern related to strains of Aeromonas salmonicida and Aeromonas bestiarum but their specific taxonomic position was unclear. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of housekeeping genes rpoD, gyrB, recA and dnaJ confirmed the allocation of these isolates to an unknown genetic lineage within the genus Aeromonas with A. salmonicida, A. bestiarum and Aeromonas popoffii as the phylogenetically nearest neighbours. Furthermore, a strain biochemically labelled as Aeromonas hydrophila (AH-3), showing a pattern of A. bestiarum based on 16S rDNA-RFLP, also clustered with the unknown genetic lineage. The genes rpoD and gyrB proved to be the best phylogenetic markers for differentiating these isolates from their neighbouring species. Useful phenotypic features for differentiating the novel species from other known Aeromonas species included their ability to hydrolyze elastin, produce acid from l-arabinose and salicin, and their inability to produce acid from lactose and use l-lactate as a sole carbon source. A polyphasic approach using phenotypic characterization, phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and of four housekeeping genes, as well as DNA–DNA hybridization studies and an analysis of the protein profiles by MALDI-TOF-MS, showed that these strains represented a novel species for which the name Aeromonas piscicola sp. nov. is proposed with isolate S1.2^T (=CECT 7443^T, =LMG 24783^T) as the type strain.     

一株维氏气单胞菌发酵培养基优化及其制备疫苗免疫效力比较

采用单因素试验、响应面试验法对维氏气单胞菌(Aeromonas veronii)发酵培养基的氮源、碳源、无机盐和磷酸盐成分及用量进行优化组合,确定优化培养基组成：胰蛋白胨10.8 g/L,葡萄糖5.0 g/L,牛肉膏3.0 g/L,磷酸二氢钾2.0 g/L,硫酸镁0.4 g/L,NaCl 5.0 g/L。并与基础培养基的发酵活菌数、制备的灭活疫苗免疫效力进行比较,经过验证试验绘制维氏气单胞菌在优化培养基条件下的7 L发酵罐生长曲线。在优化发酵培养基条件下,维氏气单胞菌活菌数为5.94×10⁹ cfu/mL,比基础培养基增幅43.13%;制备的灭活疫苗相对保护率为77.78%,比基础培养基提高了14.81%。7 L发酵罐发酵培养10 h,活菌数达到最大8.85×10⁹ cfu/mL。通过对发酵培养基的优化,可以获得低成本、优质高效的维氏气单胞菌发酵菌液,为今后维氏气单胞菌灭活疫苗规模化发酵培养提供参考。     

Vibrio plantisponsor sp. nov., a diazotrophic bacterium isolated from a mangrove associated wild rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka)

Two Gram negative, facultatively anaerobic, halophilic, motile, slightly curved rod-shaped bacterial strains MSSRF60^T and MSSRF64 were isolated from the roots of a mangrove-associated wild rice collected in the Pichavaram mangroves, India. These strains possess the key functional nitrogenase gene nifH. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA, recA, gapA, mreB, gyrB and pyrH, gene sequences revealed that strains MSSRF60^T and MSSRF64 belong to the genus Vibrio, and had the highest sequence similarity with the type strains of Vibrio diazotrophicus LMG 7893^T (99.7, 94.8, 98.5, 97.9, 94.0 and 90.7%, respectively), Vibrio areninigrae J74^T (98.2, 87.5, 91.5, 88.9, 86.5 and 84.6% respectively) and Vibrio hispanicus LMG 13240^T (97.8, 87.1, 91.7, 89.8, 84.1 and 81.9%, respectively). The fatty acid composition too confirmed the affiliation of strains MSSRF60^T and MSSRF64 to the genus Vibrio. These strains can be differentiated from the most closely related Vibrio species by several phenotypic traits. The DNA G + C content of strain MSSRF60^T was 41.8 mol%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic (multilocus sequence analysis using five genes and genomic fingerprinting using BOX-PCR) and DNA–DNA hybridization analyses, strains MSSRF60^T and MSSRF64 represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio plantipsonsor sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MSSRF60^T (=DSM 21026^T = LMG 24470^T = CAIM 1392^T).     

Arcobacter ellisii sp. nov., isolated from mussels

As part of a study carried out for detecting Arcobacter spp. in shellfish, three mussel isolates that were Gram-negative slightly curved rods, non-spore forming, showed a new 16S rDNA-RFLP pattern with a specific identification method for the species of this genus. Sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and those of the housekeeping genes rpoB, gyrB and hsp60 provided evidence that these mussel strains belonged to an unknown genetic lineage within the genus Arcobacter. The similarity between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the representative strain (F79-6^T) and type strains of the other Arcobacter species ranged between 94.1% with A. halophilus and 99.1% with the recently proposed species A. defluvii (CECT 7697^T). DDH results between strain F79-6^T and the type strain of the latter species were below 70% (53 ± 3.0%). Phenotypic characteristics together with MALDITOF mass spectra differentiated the new mussel strains from all other Arcobacter species. All the results indicate that these strains represent a new species, for which the name Arcobacter ellisii sp. nov. with the type strain F79-6^T (=CECT 7837^T = LMG 26155^T) is proposed.     

广东中山地区气单胞菌环境株的分离、鉴定及系统发生关系

从广东省中山市的池塘水样、底泥、健康鱼、肠道及稻田土样中用Aeromonas的选择培养基分离到10株气单胞菌。通过生理生化测试、16S rDNA序列测定、与气单胞菌典型菌株的16S rDNA序列进行比对和聚类分析,对它们进行了鉴定,并研究了它们之间的系统发生关系。结果显示该地区环境中气单胞菌的优势种除A. hydrophila（HG1组）外, 还有A. caviae（HG4组）、A. jandaei(HG9组)和A. veronii(HG10组),其中后两种是国内新记录。这是国内首次对环境中气单胞菌多样性进行研究。     

Meiothermus rufus sp. nov., a new slightly thermophilic red-pigmented species and emended description of the genus Meiothermus

Four red-pigmented isolates, with optimum growth temperatures of approximately 55–60 °C and an optimum pH for growth between 7.5 and 8.5, were recovered from hot springs in Central France. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these organisms represented a new species of the genus Meiothermus. The new isolates could be distinguished from other strains of the species of the genus Meiothermus primarily by the glycolipid profile and fatty acid composition because these organisms lacked the hydroxy fatty acids and the glycolipid variant GL-1a found in all other isolates of the species of Meiothermus examined. On the basis of the results presented here we propose the name Meiothermus rufus for the new species, which is represented by strains CAL-4^T (=DSM 22234^T=LMG 24878^T) and CAL-12 (=DSM 22235=LMG 24879). We also propose emending the genus Meiothermus to include strains that have only one glycolipid instead of two glycolipid variants.     

Salimicrobium salexigens sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from salted hides

Two Gram-positive, moderately halophilic bacteria, designated strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI, were isolated from salted hides. Both strains were non-motile, strictly aerobic cocci, growing in the presence of 3–25% (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth at 7.5–12.5% [w/v] NaCl), between pH 5.0 and 10.0 (optimal growth at pH 7.5) and at temperatures between 15 and 40 °C (optimal growth at 37 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison showed that both strains showed a similarity of 98.7% and were closely related to species of the genus Salimicrobium, within the phylum Firmicutes. Strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.9–97.6% with Salimicrobium album DSM 20748^T, Salimicrobium halophilum DSM 4771^T, Salimicrobium flavidum ISL-25^T and Salimicrobium luteum BY-5^T. The DNA G+C content was 50.7 mol% and 51.5 mol% for strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization between both strains was 98%, whereas the values between strain 29CMI^T and the species S. album CCM 3517^T, S. luteum BY-5^T, S. flavidum ISL-25^T and S. halophilum CCM 4074^T were 45%, 28%, 15% and 10%, respectively, showing unequivocally that strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI constitute a new genospecies. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_14:0. The main respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, although small amounts of MK-6 were also found. The polar lipids of the type strain consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid and one glycolipid. The peptidoglycan type is A1γ, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, and phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, we propose strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI as a novel species of the genus Salimicrobium, with the name Salimicrobium salexigens sp. nov. The type strain is 29CMI^T (=CECT 7568^T = JCM 16414^T = LMG 25386^T).     

Antagonism of Aeromonas hydrophila by propolis and its effect on the performance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Propolis, a resinous substance collected by Apis mellifera bees from various plant sources and mixed with secreted beeswax, is a multifunctional material used by bees in the construction, maintenance, and protection of their hives. The collected propolis sample, from High Egypt, was dark-green with olive-odor. The minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of propolis-ethanolic-extract, against Aeromonas hydrophila, was 80 μg Propolis-ethanolic-extract and crude propolis (1%) were added to artificial basal diet with (30% crude protein) to evaluate their efficacy on the fish growth-performance, immunostimulation and resistance to A. hydrophila. Two hundred and twenty-five Oreochromis niloticus (8 ± 0.45 g/fish) were divided into three equal treatments (T) of triplet replicates. The fish of T₁ were fed on basal diet (control). The fish of T₂ were given the basal diet, containing propolis-ethanolic-extract. The fish of T₃ were given the basal diet containing crude propolis for 28 day. The fish were intraperitoneally challenged by A. hydrophila (0.2 × 10⁷ cells ml⁻¹) at the end of the feeding period and kept for 15 more days.The best growth rate and feed conversion ratio were obtained with T_2. The increase in the average daily gain, specific growth rate and feed efficiency ratio were highly significances in T₂ followed by T₃ when compared with the control group. The HCT-level and monocyte-counts were increased (T₂). No significant change, in the large lymphocytic-count was found among the three treatments (28–27–28%), while the neutrophil-count was significantly decreased (7%) with T₂ and increased (13.11%) with the control. A significant increase in serum lysozyme and serum bactericidal activities was found with T₂. The RLP against A. hydrophila was high with T₂ and T₃.The propolis-ethanolic-extract enhanced the growth, immunity and resistance of O. niloticus against A. hydrophila more than the crude propolis.     

嗜水气单胞菌ntrC调控的生理功能及其机制研究

[目的] NtrC是一种与DNA结合的转录调控因子,在激活氮同化基因的转录和维持氮源供应中具有重要作用,本研究拟探究其对嗜水气单胞菌生理功能的影响及其作用机理。[方法] 本研究采用同源重组方法构建了嗜水气单胞菌ATCC 7966 ntrC的缺失株,并以野生株为对照,对缺失株的生理表型进行测定和分析,利用定量蛋白质组学技术比较野生株和ntrC缺失株的蛋白表达差异。[结果] 发现敲除ntrC基因后,嗜水气单胞菌在缺氮、渗透压、重金属离子、氧化以及不同抗生素胁迫下的耐受性都发生显著变化,且这些表型在其补救菌株中均能得到恢复。定量蛋白质组学分析发现,野生株和ntrC缺失株的差异表达蛋白可能参与氨基酸生物合成、抗坏血酸和醛糖酸盐等代谢通路的调控。[结论] 本研究阐明了ntrC在嗜水气单胞菌中的重要作用及其对细菌生物学功能的影响,探讨了ntrC直接或间接调控的蛋白与生理表型之间的联系,研究结果可为未来水产致病菌的防治提供理论支持。     

Natronolimnobius baerhuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. and Natronolimnobius innermongolicus sp. nov., novel haloalkaliphilic archaea isolated from soda lakes in Inner Mongolia, China

Three novel isolates of haloalkaliphilic archaea, strains IHC-005^T, IHC-010, and N-1311^T, from soda lakes in Inner Mongolia, China, were characterized to elucidate their taxonomic positions. The three strains were aerobic, Gram-negative chemoorganotrophs growing optimally at 37–45°C, pH 9.0–9.5, and 15–20% NaCl. Cells of strains IHC-005^T/IHC-010 were motile rods, while those of strain N-1311^T were non-motile pleomorphic flats or cocci. The three strains contained diphytanyl and phytanyl-sesterterpanyl diether derivatives of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerophosphate methyl ester. No glycolipids were detected. On phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, they formed an independent cluster in the Natro group of the family Halobacteriaceae. Comparison of their morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties, DNA G+C content and 16S rRNA gene sequences, and DNA-DNA hybridization study support the view that strains IHC-005^T/IHC-010 and strain N-1311^T represent separate species. Therefore, we propose Natronolimnobius baerhuensis gen. nov., sp. nov. for strains IHC-005^T (=CGMCC 1.3597^T =JCM 12253^T)/IHC-010 (=CGMCC 1.3598=JCM 12254) and Natronolimnobius innermongolicus sp. nov. for N-1311^T (=CGMCC 1.2124^T =JCM 12255^T).     

Nocardia rhamnosiphila sp. nov., isolated from soil

In this study two actinomycete strains were isolated in Cape Town (South Africa), one from a compost heap (strain 202GMO^T) and the other from within the fynbos-rich area surrounded by the horseracing track at Kenilworth Racecourse (strain C2). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence BLAST analysis, the strains were identified as members of the genus Nocardia. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains clustered together and are most closely related to Nocardia flavorosea NRRL B-16176^T, Nocardia testacea JCM 12235^T, Nocardia sienata IFM 10088^T and Nocardia carnea DSM 43397^T. This association was also supported by gyrB based phylogenetic analysis. The results of DNA–DNA hybridization and physiological tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of both strains 202GMO^T and C2 from related species. However, their high DNA relatedness showed that they belong to the same species. Strain 202GMO^T was selected as the type strain to represent this novel species, for which the name Nocardia rhamnosiphila is proposed (=DSM 45147^T = NRRL B-24637^T).     

Four novel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> species in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida albicans</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lodderomyces elongisporus</Emphasis> clade isolated from the gut of flower beetles

Flower-visiting beetles belonging to three species of Cetoniidae were collected on three mountains near Beijing, China, and yeasts were isolated from the gut of the insects collected. Based on the 26S rDNA D1/D2 domain and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequence analysis and phenotypic characterization, four novel anamorphic yeast species located in the Candida albicans/Lodderomyces elongisporus clade were identified from 18 of the strains isolated. The new species and type strains are designated as Candida blackwellae AS 2.3639^T (=CBS 10843^T), Candida jiufengensis AS 2.3688^T (=CBS 10846^T), Candida oxycetoniae AS 2.3656^T (=CBS 10844^T), and Candida pseudojiufengensis AS 2.3693^T (=CBS 10847^T). C. blackwellae sp. nov. was basal to the branch formed by C. albicans and C. dubliniensis with moderately strong bootstrap support. The closest relative of C. oxycetoniae was L. elongisporus. C. jiufengensis sp. nov. and C. pseudojiufengensis sp. nov. were closely related with each other and formed a branch in a subclade represented by C. parapsilosis and L. elongisporus.     

嗜水气单胞菌对四环素类药物诱导耐药表型及机理研究

【目的】初步探讨利用四环素类药物体外诱导嗜水气单胞菌耐药后,嗜水气单胞菌对四环素类药物敏感性的变化及其耐药机制。【方法】筛选临床分离嗜水气单胞菌的四环素类敏感株,从含有1/4×MIC的强力霉素的TSA固体培养基开始,等比2倍提高诱导药物质量浓度对受试菌进行连续传代培养,以获得高耐诱导株;测定诱导菌对强力霉素和16种非诱导药物的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)及添加外排泵抑制剂N-甲基吡咯烷酮(NMP)后的MIC,分析其敏感性变化与外排作用的关系;提取诱导菌的DNA,PCR扩增其5个tet基因并测序。【结果】诱导后菌株对强力霉素的MIC显著升高,对非诱导四环素类药物也有不同程度提高,对氟喹诺酮类药物的MIC比诱导前增加几十至上千倍;对氨基糖苷类药物和利福平的MIC则有不同程度的降低;添加NMP后,所有诱导菌株对强力霉素的MIC值均有不同程度的下降;四环素类耐药基因的检测结果表明,在诱导后7号菌株中同时检测到tet A和tet E;在诱导前后的2号菌株中检测到tet C;在诱导前后的1、3、4、5、6、7号菌株中均检测到tet E。【结论】本研究表明tet E基因可能是介导气单胞菌分离株对四环素类药物耐药的优势基因,为阐明嗜水气单胞菌对四环素类药物耐药机制及耐药性与耐药基因之间的关系提供理论依据。     

Phylogenetic diversity based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">rrs,atpD, recA</Emphasis> genes and 16S–23S intergenic sequence analyses of rhizobial strains isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicia faba</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pisum sativum</Emphasis> in Peru

In this study 17 isolates from effective nodules of Vicia faba and Pisum sativum var. macrocarpum growing in different soils from Peru were isolated and characterized. The isolates, presenting 11 different RAPD profiles, were distributed in three groups on the basis of their 16S-RFLP patterns. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains from 16S-RFLP groups I, II and III were closely related (identities higher than 99.5%) to Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii DSM 30141 (=ATCC 14480), R. leguminosarum bv. viciae DSM 30132^T and Rhizobium etli CFN42^T (=USDA 9032^T), respectively. The analysis of the 16S–23S intergenic spacer (ITS) and two housekeeping genes, atpD and recA, confirmed the identification of strains from group I, however those from groups II and III were phylogenetically divergent to strains DSM 30132^T and CFN42^T. These results support the fact that the 16S rRNA gene is not adequate for identification at species level within genus Rhizobium and suggest the existence of putative new species within the phylogenetic group of R. leguminosarum. They also confirm the need of a taxonomic revision of R. leguminosarum since the reference strains of the three biovars included in this study are phylogenetically divergent according to their ITS, atpD and recA gene sequences.     

Proposal to assign Aeromonas diversa sp. nov. as a novel species designation for Aeromonas group 501

The Aeromonas group 501, also named Aeromonas sp. HG13, is taxonomically close to A. schubertii. Results obtained in previous studies, including DNA–DNA hybridization and DNA fingerprinting, suggest that Aeromonas group 501 could constitute a different Aeromonas species. In this work we have performed a polyphasic study with the two strains comprising the Aeromonas sp. HG13 in order to propose a formal species name. They could be differentiated from A. schubertii by the indole and lysine decarboxylase tests and the utilization of l-lactate. Phenotypically, both strains were also easily separated from the other Aeromonas species. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed high sequence similarities (>97%) between Aeromonas group 501 and all Aeromonas species. Nevertheless, sequence divergences of cpn60, dnaJ, gyrB and rpoD genes were higher than the intraspecific threshold values established for each gene (3.5%, 3.3%, 2.3% and 2.6%, respectively), while sequence divergences between strains CDC 2478-85^T and CDC 2555-87 were low (0.6–1.1%). The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 62.2 mol%. Phenotypic and genotypic evidence strongly suggests that the Aeromonas group 501 is a novel species of the genus Aeromonas, for which the name Aeromonas diversa sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CDC 2478-85^T (=CECT 4254^T=ATCC 43946^T=LMG 17321^T).     

Gluconacetobacter maltaceti sp. nov., a novel vinegar producing acetic acid bacterium

Comparison of HaeIII- and HpaII-restriction profiles of PCR-amplified 16S-23S rDNA ITS regions of Gluconacetobacter sp. LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 with restriction profiles of reference strains of acetic acid bacteria described by Tr?ek and Teuber [34] revealed the same but unique restriction profiles for LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109. Further analyses of nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences, nearly complete 16S-23S rDNA ITS sequences, as well as concatenated partial sequences of the housekeeping genes dnaK, groEL and rpoB, allocated both strains to a single phylogenetic cluster well separated from the other species of the genus Gluconacetobacter. DNA–DNA hybridizations confirmed their novel species identity by 73% DNA–DNA relatedness between both strains, and values below the species level (<70%) between SKU 1109 and the type strains of the closest phylogenetic neighbors. The classification of strains LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 into a single novel species was confirmed also by AFLP and (GTG)₅-PCR DNA fingerprinting data, as well as by phenotypic data. Strains LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 can be differentiated from their closely related Gluconacetobacter species, Gluconacetobacter entanii and Gluconacetobacter hansenii, by their ability to form 2-keto-d-gluconic acid from d-glucose, their ability to use d-mannitol, d-gluconate and glycerol as carbon source and form acid from d-fructose, and their ability to grow without acetic acid. The major fatty acid of LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 is C_18:1ω7c (60.2–64.8%). The DNA G + C content of LMG 1529^T and SKU 1109 is 62.5 and 63.3 mol% respectively. The name Gluconacetobacter maltaceti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 1529^T (= NBRC 14815^T = NCIMB 8752^T).     

Salinicoccus salsiraiae sp. nov.: a new moderately halophilic gram-positive bacterium isolated from salted skate

Two moderately halophilic low G + C Gram-positive bacteria were isolated from a sample of salted skate (Class Chondrychthyes, Genus Raja). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strains RH1^T and RH4 showed that these organisms represented a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus. The new isolates formed pink–red colonies and flocculated in liquid media, with optimum growth in media containing 4% NaCl and pH of about 8.0. These organisms are aerobic but reduce nitrate to nitrite under anaerobic conditions. Acid is produced from several carbohydrates. Oxidase and catalase were detected. Menaquinone 6 was the major respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids of strains RH1^T and RH4 were 15:0 anteiso and 15:0 iso. The G + C contents of DNA were 46.2 and 46.0 mol%, respectively. The peptidoglycan was of A3alpha L-Lys-Gly_5–6 type. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we suggest that strain RH1^T (=LMG 22840 = CIP 108576) represents a new species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which we propose the name Salinicoccus salsiraiae.     

Photobacterium piscicola sp. nov., isolated from marine fish and spoiled packed cod

Five isolates from marine fish (W3^T, WM, W1S, S2 and S3) and three isolates misclassified as Photobacterium phosphoreum, originating from spoiled modified atmosphere packed stored cod (NCIMB 13482 and NCIMB 13483) and the intestine of skate (NCIMB 192), were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were members of the genus Photobacterium. Sequence analysis using the gapA, gyrB, pyrH, recA and rpoA loci showed that these isolates formed a distinct branch in the genus Photobacterium, and were most closely related to Photobacterium aquimaris, Photobacterium kishitanii, Photobacterium phosphoreum and Photobacterium iliopiscarium. The luxA gene was present in isolates W3^T, WM, W1S, S2 and S3 but not in NCIMB 13482, NCIMB 13483 and NCIMB 192. AFLP and (GTG)₅-PCR fingerprinting indicated that the eight isolates represented at least five distinct genotypes. DNA–DNA hybridizations revealed 89% relatedness between isolate W3^T and NCIMB 192, and values below 70% with the type strains of the phylogenetically closest species, P. iliopiscarium LMG 19543^T, P. kishitanii LMG 23890^T, P. aquimaris LMG 26951^T and P. phosphoreum LMG4233^T. The strains of this new taxon could also be distinguished from the latter species by phenotypic characteristics. Therefore, we propose to classify this new taxon as Photobacterium piscicola sp. nov., with W3^T (=NCCB 100098^T = LMG 27681^T) as the type strain.