<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acinetobacter soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

A non-motile and rod shaped bacterium, designated strain B1(T), was isolated from forest soil at Mt. Baekwoon, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-negative, catalase-positive, and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acids were 9-octadecenoic acid (C(18:1) omega9c; 42%) and hexadecanoic acid (C(16:0); 25.9%) and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and/or C(16:1) omega7c; 10.0%). The DNA G+C content was 44.1 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain B1(T) formed a lineage within the genus Acinetobacter and was closely related to A. baylyi DSM 14961(T) (98.6% sequence similarity), followed by A. baumannii DSM 30007(T) (97.4%), A. calcoaceticus DSM 30006(T) (97.0%) and 3 genomic species (96.8 approximately 7.6%). Phenotypic characteristics, gyrB gene sequence analysis and DNA-DNA relatedness data distinguished strain B1(T) from type strains of A. baylyi, A. baumannii, and A. calcoaceticus. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain B1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B1(T) (= KCTC 22184(T)= JCM 15062(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">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">Sphingomonas hunanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

A novel Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, non spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 083058^T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0–8% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5–3%) at pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 5–35°C (optimum, 25–30°C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 083058^T fell within the cluster comprising species of the genus Sphingomonas, clustering with Sphingomonas aestuarii K4^T, with which it shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.2%). The chemotaxonomic properties of strain JSM 083058^T were consistent with those of the genus Sphingomonas. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10, and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c), C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c) and C17:1ω6c. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and sphingoglycolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 083058^T was 65.5 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 083058^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 083058^T (=CCTCC AA 209011^T = DSM 22213^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nonomuraea insulae</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

Strain H2R21^T, a novel actinobacterium, isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Heybeliada, Istanbul, Turkey, and a polyphasic approach was used for characterisation of the strain. Chemotaxonomic and morphological characterisation of strain H2R21^T indicated that it belongs to the genus Nonomuraea. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that the strain is closely related to Nonomuraea purpurea 1SM4-01^T (99.1%) and Nonomuraea solani CGMCC 4.7037^T (98.4%). DNA–DNA relatedness values were found to be lower than 70% between the isolate and its phylogenetic neighbours N. purpurea 1SM4-01^T, N. solani CGMCC 4.7037^T and Nonomuraea rhizophila YIM 67092^T. The whole cell hydrolysates of strain H2R21^T were found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and glucose, madurose, mannose and ribose as the cell sugars. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, dihydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, glycophosphatidylinositol, two glycophospholipids and two unidentified lipids. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₄) and MK-9(H₆). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_16:0, iso-C_16:0 2OH and C_17:0 10-methyl. On the basis of DNA–DNA relatedness data and some phenotypic characteristics, it is evident that strain H2R21^T can be distinguished from the closely related species in the genus Nonomuraea. Thus, it is concluded that strain H2R21^T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea insulae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H2R21^T (= DSM 102915^T = CGMCC 4.7338^T = KCTC 39769^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nocardia zhihengii</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from rhizosphere soil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psammosilene tunicoides</Emphasis>

A Nocardia-like actinobacterial strain, designated YIM TG2190^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Psammosilene tunicoides collected from Gejiu, Yunnan province, China. The cells of strain YIM TG2190^T were observed to be Gram-stain positive and non-motile. The strain forms extensively branched substrate mycelia that fragments into rod-shaped elements. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM TG2190^T is closely related to Nocardia nova (97.5%), Nocardia jiangxiensis (97.1%) and Nocardia miyunensis (96.8%). Growth occurs at 4–30?°C (optimum 28?°C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and the strain can tolerate NaCl (w/v) up to 3% (optimum 0–1%). The cell walls were found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were identified as glucose, mannose, ribose, galactose, arabinose and fucose. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The menaquinones detected were MK-9 (H₂) and MK-8 (H₄). The major fatty acids (>?5%) were found to be C_16:0 (33.9%), summed feature 3 (21.7%), C_18:0 10-methyl TBSA (13.7%) and C_18:1ω9c (7.0%). The DNA G+C content was determined to be 61.1 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness between the strain YIM TG2190^T and N. nova CGMCC 4.1705^T, N. jiangxiensis CGMCC 4.1905^T and N. miyunensis CGMCC 4.1904^T were 46.9?±?2.6, 36.8?±?1.3, and 35.7?±?2.6%, respectively, values which are less than the threshold value (70%) for the delineation of prokaryotic genomic species. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data indicates that strain YIM TG2190^T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia zhihengii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM TG2190^T (=KCTC 39596^T?=?DSM 100515^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Planomonospora algeriensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a Saharan soil of Algeria

A filamentous actinobacterium, designated strain PM3^T, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected from Béni-Abbès, Béchar (South-West Algeria). A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out to establish the status of strain PM3^T. The isolate was found to have morphological and chemotaxonomical properties associated with members of the genus Planomonospora. The new isolated microorganism developed cylindrical sporangia arranged in double parallel rows on aerial mycelium, each one containing a motile single sporangiospore. The cell wall of the strain was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates were found to contain madurose, glucose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-9(H₂) (69.6%). The polar lipids detected were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylhydroxyethanolamine and glucosamine-containing lipids. The major fatty acids were found to be C_17:1ω9c (38.6%) and C_17:0 (24.2%). Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain PM3^T shared a high degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Planomonospora sphaerica DSM 44632^T (99.3%), Planomonospora parontospora subsp. parontospora DSM 43177^T (99.2%) and P. parontospora subsp. antibiotica DSM 43869^T (99.0%). DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain PM3^T and the type strains of the closely related species were between 58.4 and 70.1%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data support the conclusion that strain PM3^T represents a novel species of the genus Planomonospora, for which the name Planomonospora algeriensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PM3^T (=DSM 46752^T = CECT 9047^T).     

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

A novel Gram-negative and red-pinkish bacterium designated DG5B^T was isolated from a dry soil. Cells were rods that were catalase- and oxidase-positive, and non-motile. The strain was found to grow at temperatures from 10 to 30°C (optimum 25°C) and pH 6.0–8.0, (optimum pH 7) on R2A broth. 16S rRNA gene sequence (1,452 bp) analysis of this strain identified it as a member of the genus Hymenobacter that belongs to the class Cytophagia. The highest gene sequence similarities were with Hymenobacter arizonensis OR362-8^T (98.3%), Hymenobacter humi DG31A^T (97.6%), and Hymenobacter glaciei VUG-A130^T (96.6%). Strain DG5B^T exhibited <70% DNA-DNA relatedness with H. arizonensis (34.7 ± 7.0%; reciprocally, 29.7 ± 1.2%) and H. humi (39.4 ± 4.3%; reciprocally, 39.5 ± 3.3%) as a different genomic species, and its genomic DNA G+C content was 59.8%. Strain DG5B^T had the following chemotaxonomic characteristics: the major fatty acids are iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:1ω5c, and summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c / C_16:1ω6c); polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), unknown aminophospholipid (APL), unknown glycolipids (GL), unknown phospholipids (PL), and unknown polar lipids (L); the major quinone is MK-7. The absorbance peak of pigment is at 481.0 nm. Strain DG5B^T showed low-level resistance to gamma-ray irradiation. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic properties indicated that isolate DG5B^T represents a novel species within the genus Hymenobacter for which the name Hymenobacter sedentarius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DG5B^T (=KCTC 32524^T =JCM 19636^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter jeollabukensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated 1-3-3-8^T, was isolated from soil and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 1-3-3-8^T belongs to the family Cytophagaceae of phylum Bacteroidetes and is most closely related to Hymenobacter paludis KBP-30^T (96.8% similarity), Hymenobacter ocellatus Myx2105^T (96.8%), Hymenobacter coalescens WW84^T (95.6%), and Hymenobacter deserti ZLB-3^T (95.4%). The G + C content of the genomic DNA of strain 1-3-3-8^T was 63.6 mol%. The isolate contained C_15:0 iso (28.4%), summed feature 4 (C_17:1 anteiso B/C_17:1 iso I; 18.9%), and C_15:0 anteiso (17.6%) as major fatty acids, MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and sym-homospermidine as the predominant polyamine. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid. The phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain 1-3-3-8^T with the genus Hymenobacter. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 1-3-3-8^T and H. paludis KCTC 32237^T and H. ocellatus DSM 11117^T were 24.5 and 27.4% respectively, clearly showing that the isolate is not related to them at the species level. Overall, the novel strain could be differentiated from its phylogenetic neighbors on the basis of several phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain 1-3-3-8^T represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter jeollabukensis sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is 1-3-3-8^T (= KCTC 52741^T = JCM 32192^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenobacter terrigena</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rodshaped, aerobic bacterial strain, designated S1-2-2-5^T, was isolated from the Jeollabuk-do province, Republic of Korea, and was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain S1-2-2-5^T belonged to the family Cytophagaceae in phylum Bacteroidetes, and was most closely related to Hymenobacter terrae DG7A^T (98.2%), Hymenobacter rubidus DG7B^T (98.0%), Hymenobacter soli PB17^T (97.7%), Hymenobacter daeguensis 16F3Y-2^T (97.2%) and Hymenobacter saemangeumensis GSR0100^T (97.0%). The G + C content of the genomic DNA of strain S1-2-2-5^T was 59.4 mol%. The detection of menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, a fatty acid profile with summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c/C_16:1ω6c; 32.0%), C_15:0 iso (19.0%), and C_15:0 anteiso (15.0%) as the major components, and a polar lipid profile with phosphatidylethanolamine as the major component supported the affiliation of strain S1-2-2-5^T to the genus Hymenobacter. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain S1-2-2-5^T and H. terrae KCTC 32554^T, H. rubidus KCTC 32553^T, H. soli KCTC 12607^T, H. daeguensis KCTC 52537^T, and H. saemangeumensis KACC 16452^T were 49.5, 48.2, 34.1, 28.1, and 31.8% respectively, clearly showing that the isolate is not related to them at the species level. Strain S1-2-2-5^T could be clearly differentiated from its closest neighbors on the basis of its phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain S1-2-2-5^T represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter terrigena sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S1-2-2-5^T (= KCTC 52737^T = JCM 32195^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirosoma migulaei</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated 15J9-8^T, was isolated from soil on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The isolate was able to grow between 10 and 30°C, pH 6.5–8.5, and in presence of 0–1% (w/v) NaCl. The results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 15J9-8^T represented a member of the family Cytophagaceae, phylum Bacteroidetes, and was most closely related to Spirosoma aerophilum 5516J-17^T (96.1% similarity), Spirosoma pulveris JSH5-14^T (95.6%), and Spirosoma linguale DSM 74^T (95.2%). The G + C content of the genomic DNA of the isolate was 47.0 mol%. Strain 15J9-8^T contained summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c), C_16:1 ω5c, and iso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid as the main polar lipids, and menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain 15J9-8^T should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma migulaei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15J9-8^T (=KCTC 52028^T =JCM 31996^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirosoma lituiforme</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, curved rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated S1-2-4^T, was isolated from soil in Jeollabuk-do province, Republic of Korea, and was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain S1-2-4^T was a member of the family Cytophagaceae and most closely related to ‘Spirosoma radiotolerans’ DG5A (97.2%), Spirosoma fluviale MSd3^T (96.4%), and Spirosoma linguale DSM 74^T (96.3%). The genomic DNA G + C content of strain S1-2-4^T was 49.7 mol%. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c/C_16:1ω6c), C_16:1ω5c, and C_16:0, and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. MK-7 was the predominant respiratory quinone. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain S1-2-4^T with the genus Spirosoma. DNA-DNA hybridization between strain S1-2-4^T and ‘Spirosoma radiotolerans’ showed relatively low DNA-DNA relatedness (31%). Strain S1-2-4^T could be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic neighbors based on its phenotypic, genotypic, and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain S1-2-4^T represents a novel member of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma lituiforme sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S1-2-4^T (= KCTC 52724^T = JCM 32128^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidovorax monticola</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A novel strain K-4-16^T was isolated from forest soil of Namsan Mountain, Seoul, South Korea, and was taxonomically characterized by a polyphasic approach. Strain K-4-16^T was observed to be a Gram-staining negative, grayish white-coloured, motile with peritrichous flagella, and rod shaped bacterium. It was able to grow at 15–45 °C, at pH 4.5–10.5, and at 0–4% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain K-4-16^T belongs to the genus Acidovorax and is closely related to Acidovorax anthurii CFBP 3232^T (98.3% sequence identity), Acidovorax konjaci K2^T (97.9% sequence identity), Acidovorax valerianellae CFBP 4730^T (97.8% sequence identity), and Acidovorax caeni R-24608^T (97.8% sequence identity). The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant fatty acids of strain K-4-16^T were summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c), C_16:0, and summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c). The genomic DNA G+C content of this novel strain was 64.7 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain K-4-16^T and its reference strains were below the threshold value of 70%. The morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic analyses clearly distinguished this strain from its close phylogenetic neighbors. Thus, strain K-4-16^T represents a novel species of the genus Acidovorax, for which the name Acidovorax monticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K-4-16^T (=?KEMB 9005-570^T?=?KACC 19171^T?=?NBRC 113141^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas humi</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, small, orange, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from soil in South Korea and characterized to determine its taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence examination revealed that strain PB323^T belongs to the family Sphingomonadaceae. The highest degree of sequence similarity was found with Sphingomonas kaistensis PB56^T (98.9%), followed by Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens TDMA-17^T (98.3%). Chemotaxonomic characteristics (the G+C content of the genomic DNA 69.0 mol%, Q-10 quinone system, C_18:1 ω7c/ω9t/ω12t, C_16:1 ω7c/C_15:0 iso 2OH, C_17:1 ω6c, and C16:0 as the major fatty acids) corroborated assignment of strain PB323^T to the genus Sphingomonas. Results of physiological and biochemical tests clearly demonstrate that strain PB323^T represents a distinct species and support its affiliation with the genus Sphingomonas. Based on these data, PB323^T (=KCTC 12341^T =JCM 16603T =KEMB 9004-003^T) should be classified as a type strain of a novel species, for which the name Sphingomonas humi sp. nov. is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter soli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from wastewater reservoir sediment

A novel Gram-positive bacterium, designated SYB2T, was isolated from wastewater reservoir sediment, and a polyphasic taxonomic study was conducted based on its morphological, physiological, and biochemical features, as well as the analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence. During the phylogenetic analysis of the strain SYB2T, results of a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed this bacterium in the genus Arthrobacter within the family Micrococcaceae. SYB2T and Arthrobacter protophormiae ATCC 19271T, the most closely related species, both exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.99%. The genomic DNA G+C content of the novel strain was found to be 62.0 mol%. The predominant fatty acid composition was anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C16:0, and iso-C15:0. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and DNA-DNA relatedness, as well as physiological and biochemical tests, showed genotypic and phenotypic differences between strain SYB2T and other Arthrobacter species. The type strain of the novel species was identified as SYB2T (= KCTC 19291T= DSM 19449T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter panacis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis> soil

A novel strain, DCY108^T was isolated from soil of a Panax ginseng field, Yeoncheon province (38°04′N 126°57′E), Republic of Korea. Strain DCY108^T is Gram-negative, non-motile, non-flagellate, rod-shaped, and aerobic. The bacterium grows optimally at 25–30 °C, pH 6.5–7.0 and 1 % NaCl. Phylogenetically, strain DCY108^T is closely related to Pedobacter jejuensis JCM 18824^T, Pedobacter aquatilis JCM 13454^T, Pedobacter kyungheensis LMG 26577^T and the type strain of the genus Pedobacter heparinus DSM 2366^T. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain DCY108^T and its close phylogenetic neighbors were below 30.0 %. The DNA G+C content of strain DCY108^T was determined to be 45.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified aminolipids AL1, AL13 and AL17. Iso-C_15:00, iso-C_17:03OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c) were identified as the major fatty acids present in strain DCY108^T. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed strain DCY108^T to be differentiated phenotypically from other recognized species belonging to the genus Pedobacter. Therefore, it is suggested that the newly isolated organism represents a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter panacis sp. nov is proposed with the type strain designated as DCY108^T (=CCTCCAB 2015196^T = KCTC 42748^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">Leifsonia flava</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquilegia viridiflora</Emphasis>

SYP-B2174^T is a yellow-pigmented, Gram-positive, non-motile, and rod-shaped actinobacterium isolated from the rhizospheric soil of Aquilegia viridiflora Pall. collected from the Xinjiang uygur autonomous region of China. The strain’s growth temperature ranges from 1 to 35°C, with an optimal growth being observed at 28°C. Growth occurs from 0 to 5% NaCl and at pH 6–8, with optimal growth being observed in 1% NaCl at pH 7. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis placed the strain in a clade with the species Leifsonia kafniensis JCM 17021^T and Leifsonia psychrotolerans DSM 22824^T with similarities of 97.8 and 97.6%, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization values of the strain SYP-B2174^T to its closest phylogenetic neighbors were significantly lower than 35.7%. The strain was identified as a novel species of the genus Leifsonia judging by the coryneform morphology, peptidoglycans based upon 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, principal phospholipids phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol, major menaquinone MK-11, predominant fatty acids of anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, and iso-C_16:0, and a DNA G + C base composition of 68.7 mol%, for which the name Leifsonia flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYP-B2174^T (= CGMCC 1.15856^T = DSM 105144^T = KCTC 39963T).     

<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).