<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).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium knui</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>

A Gram-stain negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 2-56^T, was isolated from water and characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain 2-56^T belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae in the phylum Bacteroidetes and is closely related to Flavobacterium paronense KNUS1^T (98.4%) and Flavobacterium collinsense 4-T-2^T (96.7%). The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA of strain 2-56^T was 33.4 mol%. The isolate contained MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and iso-C_15:1 G (15.9%), iso-C_15:0 (15.8%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (10.7%), and iso-C_15:0 3-OH (9.6%) were the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid. The phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data support the affiliation of strain 2-56^T with the genus Flavobacterium. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and F. paronense and F. collinsense were 35.7 and 21.5%, respectively, clearly showing that strain 2-56^T is not related to them at the species level. Strain 2-56^T could be clearly differentiated from its close neighbours on the basis of its phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, strain 2-56^T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium knui sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2-56^T (=?KCTC 62061^T?=?JCM 32247^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Edaphorhabdus rosea</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cytophagaceae</Emphasis> isolated from soil in South Korea

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, oxidase and catalase positive, non-flagellated, pink coloured bacterium with gliding motility, designated as strain UDD1^T was isolated from soil. The bacterium lacked flexirubin-type pigments. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain UDD1^T formed a lineage within the family Cytophagaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, and forms a distinct clade with type strains of the closely related genus Pontibacter with similarities of 91.36–93.62%. Strain UDD1^T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and summed feature 4 (iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B) and iso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain UDD1^T was 49 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, the strain UDD1^T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Cytophagaceae, for which the name Edaphorhabdus rosea gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Edaphorhabdus rosea is UDD1^T (=?KCTC 62117^T =?JCM 32366^T). The Digital Protologue Database Taxon number for strain UDD1^T is GA00058.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zunongwangia flava</Emphasis> sp. nov., belonging to the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>, isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salicornia europaea</Emphasis>

A yellow pigmented bacterium designated strain MBLN094^T within the family Flavobacteriaceae was isolated from a halophyte Salicornia europaea on the coast of the Yellow Sea. This strain was a Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacterium. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MBLN094^T was found to be related to the genus Zunongwangia, exhibiting 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.0, 96.8, 96.4, and 96.3% to Zunongwangia mangrovi P2E16^T, Z. profunda SM-A87^T, Z. atlantica 22II14-10F7^T, and Z. endophytica CPA58^T, respectively. Strain MBLN094^T grew at 20?37°C (optimum, 25?30°C), at pH 6.0?10.0 (optimum, 7.0?8.0), and with 0.5?15.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0?5.0%). Menaquinone MK-6 was the sole respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, and four unidentified lipids. Major fatty acids were iso-C_17:0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c), and iso-C_15:0. The genomic DNA G + C content was 37.4 mol%. Based on these polyphasic taxonomic data, strain MBLN094^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Zunongwangia, for which the name Zunongwangia flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MBLN094^T (= KCTC 62279^T = JCM 32262^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter aquicola</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from freshwater

A non-motile, pink-pigmented bacterial strain designated IMCC25679^T, was isolated from freshwater Lake Chungju of Korea. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain IMCC25679^T formed a lineage within the genus Pedobacter. The strain IMCC25679^T was closely related to Pedobacter daechungensis Dae 13^T (96.4% sequence similarity), Pedobacter rivuli HME8457^T (95.3%) and Pedobacter lentus DS-40^T (94.3%). The major fatty acids of IMCC- 25679^T were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1ω6c and/or C_16:1ω7c). The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), an unidentified sphingolipid (SL), an unidentified aminolipid (AL) and three unidentified polar lipids (PL). The DNA G + C content of IMCC25679^T was 32.2 mol%. Based on the evidence presented in this study, the strain IMCC25679^T represents a novel species within the genus Pedobacter, with the proposed name Pedobacter aquicola, sp. nov. The type strain is IMCC25679^T (= KACC 19486^T = NBRC113131^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium zaozhuangense</Emphasis> sp. nov., a new member of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>, isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil

Strain ZZ-8^T, a Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from metolachlor-contaminated soil in China. The taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ZZ-8^T is a member of the genus Flavobacterium and shows high sequence similarity to Flavobacterium humicola UCM-46^T (97.2%) and Flavobacterium pedocola UCM-R36^T (97.1%), and lower (<?97%) sequence similarity to other known Flavobacterium species. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain ZZ-8^T possessed MK-6 as the major respiratory quinone; and iso-C_15:0 (28.5%), summed feature 9 (iso-C_17:1 w9c/C_16:0 10-methyl, 22.9%), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (17.0%), iso-C_15:0 3-OH (8.9%), iso-C_15:1 G (8.6%) and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 w7c/C_16:1 w6c, 5.7%) as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain ZZ-8^T were determined to be lipids, a glycolipid, aminolipids and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain ZZ-8^T showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with F. pedocola UCM-R36^T (43.23?±?4.1%) and F. humicola UCM-46^T (29.17?±?3.8%). The DNA G+C content was 43.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic data and DNA–DNA hybridization, strain ZZ-8^T is considered a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium zaozhuangense sp. nov. (type strain ZZ-8^T?=?KCTC 62315 ^T?=?CCTCC AB 2017243^T) is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus piscis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the muscle of the antarctic fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dissostichus mawsoni</Emphasis>

In this paper, a new bacterial strain designated as 16MFT21^T is isolated from the muscle of a fish caught in the Antarctic Ocean. Strain 16MFT21^T is a Gram-staining-positive, catalase-oxidase-positive, rod-shaped facultative-aerobic bacterium. The phylogenetic analysis that is based on the 16S-rRNA gene sequence of strain 16MFT21^T revealed that it belongs to the genus Bacillus in the family Bacillaceae in the class Bacilli. The highest degrees of the sequence similarity of the strain 16MFT21^T is with Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 14580^T (96.6%) and Bacillus sonorensis NBRC 101234^T (96.6%). The isolate formed a pale-yellow pigment, and it grew in the presence of 0% to 10% (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 2% NaCl), a pH of 6.0 to 10.0 (optimum pH from 7.0 to 8.0), and from 4°C to 30°C (optimum at 30°C). The major polar lipids consist of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). The predominant fatty acids are iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0, and anteiso-C_17:0. The main respiratory quinone is menaquinone-7 (MK-7), and based on the use of the meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, the peptidoglycan cell-wall type is A1γ. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic data, strain 16MFT21^T (=KCTC 18866^T =JCM 31664^T) for which the name Bacillus piscis sp. nov. is proposed should be classified as a new species.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces lutosisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from muddy soil

A novel Gram-stain positive, spore-forming, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T, was isolated from muddy soil collected from a stream in Qitaihe, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China and characterised using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807^T (99.38%) and Streptomyces mirabilis JCM 4791^T (99.03%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a cluster with S. rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807^T and Streptomyces siamensis NBRC 108799^T (98.62%). The menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₈), MK-9(H₆) and MK-9(H₄). The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, C_16:0 and C_15:0. However, multilocus sequence analysis based on five house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB), low DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic, physiological and biochemical properties could differentiate the strain from its close relatives in the genus Streptomyces. Therefore, strain NEAU-QTH3-11^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces lutosisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with NEAU-QTH3-11^T (=DSM 42165^T=CGMCC 4.7198^T) as the type strain.     

<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">Streptomyces carminius</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sophora alopecuroides</Emphasis> in Xinjiang,China

A novel actinobacterial strain, designated TRM SA0054^T, was isolated from the roots of Sophora alopecuroides grown in Alar, Xinjiang, north-west China, and characterised by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM SA0054^T has 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.22% with Streptomyces barkulensis RC 1831^T. Whole cell hydrolysates of strain TRM SA0054^T were found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and ribose, glucose and xylose as the major whole cell sugars. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C_16:0, iso-C_16:1 G, anteiso-C_17:0, anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:1 ω9c. The main menaquinones were determined to be MK-8 (H₄), MK-9 (H₆) and MK-9 (H₈). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unidentified lipid. The G?+?C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 73.04%. Strain TRM SA0054^T has a relatively low DNA–DNA relatedness value with Streptomyces barkulensis RC 1831^T as determined by calculating the average nucleotide identity value (ANI?=?84.1%). Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, it is concluded that strain TRM SA0054^T should be designated as a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces carminius sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain TRM SA0054^T (=?CCTCC AA 2016041^T?=?KCTC39903^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium ureilyticum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel urea hydrolysing bacterium isolated from stream bank soil

A novel bacterium designated S-42^T was isolated from stream bank soil. Cells were found to be aerobic, Gram staining-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, and yellow-pigmented. The strain can grow at 15–35 °C, pH 6.0–10.0, and at 0.5% (w/v) NaCl concentration. Urea was hydrolysed. Flexirubin-type pigments were absent. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain S-42^T formed a lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes that is distinct from various species of the genus Flavobacterium, including Flavobacterium maotaiense T9^T (97.6% sequence similarity), Flavobacterium hibernum ATCC 51468^T (97.4%), and Flavobacterium granuli Kw05^T (97.1%). The 16S rRNA gene sequences identity between strain S-42^T and other members of the genus Flavobacterium were < 97.0%. Strain S-42^T contains MK-6 as sole respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_{16: 1}ω6c), C_16:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, and iso-C_15:1 G. The DNA G?+?C content of the strain was 35.8 mol%. The polyphasic characterization indicated that strain S-42^T represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ureilyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-42^T (=?KEMB 9005-537^T?=?KACC 19115^T?=?NBRC 112683^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavisolibacter carri</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from an automotive air-conditioning system

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and yellow bacterium, designated TX0651^T, was isolated from an automotive air-conditioning system. Phylogenetically, the strain groups with the members of the genus Flavisolibacter and exhibits high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Flavisolibacter ginsenosidimutans Gsoil 636^T (97.4%), Flavisolibacter ginsengiterrae Gsoil 492^T (96.3%) and Flavisolibacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 643^T (96.2%). DNA–DNA relatedness between TX0651^T and F. ginsenosidimutans KCTC 22818^T and F. ginsengiterrae KCTC 12656^T were determined to be less than 40%. The low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness identifies the strain TX0651^T as a novel species in the genus Flavisolibacter. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c), iso-C_15:1 G and iso-C_17:0 3-OH. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7. The polar lipids were found to be comprised of phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified amino-glycophospholipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified amino lipid and unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was determined to be 31.2 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain TX0651^T should be classified in a novel species in the genus Flavisolibacter, for which the name Flavisolibacter carri sp. nov. (=?KACC 19014^T?=?KCTC 52836^T?=?NBRC 111784^T) is proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Algoriphagus formosus</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment

A Gram-stain negative, facultative anaerobic, non-motile, strongly orange-pigmented and rod-shaped bacterium, designated XAY3209^T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the coast of Weihai, China. Strain XAY3209^T was found to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence of 2.0% (w/v) NaCl. Its genomic DNA G+C content was 41.9 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the novel isolate belongs to the family Cyclobacteriaceae and is related to the genus Algoriphagus. It shares 98.1% 16S rRNA sequence identity with Algoriphagus marincola, its close phylogenetic relative, but did not show similarities more than 97% with other members of the genus Algoriphagus with validly published names. It contained menaquinone-7 (MK-7) as the sole respiratory quinone, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:1 ω9c and Summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH) as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified phospholipid and five unidentified lipids. Results of physiological experiments, biochemical tests and genome average nucleotide identity value (with A. marincola MCCC 1F01203^T) indicate that strain XAY3209^T is genetically and phenotypically distinct from the species of the genus Algoriphagus with validly published names. Strain XAY3209^T therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Algoriphagus formosus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XAY3209^T (= KCTC 52842^T = MCCC 1H00189^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Algoriella xinjiangensis</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a new psychrotolerant bacterium of the family <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis>

An aerobic, Gram-stain negative, non-spore-forming and psychrotolerant bacterium, designated strain XJ109^T, was isolated from a sewage water sample collected from Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain XJ109^T represents a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The strain showed 95.5 % similarity with the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Empedobacter brevis LMG 4011^T, 95.4 % with Chishuiella changwenlii BY4^T, 95.3 % with Empedobacter falsenii NF 993^T and 92.3 % with Weeksella virosa DSM 16922^T. Strain XJ109^T showed the common phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the family Flavobacteriaceae, containing menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the predominant respiratory quinone and iso-C_17:0 3OH and iso-C_15:0 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.0 mol%. Strain XJ109^T was positive for catalase and oxidase activities, and it was observed to grow at 4–30 °C (optimal 16–20 °C), pH 6.5–10.0 (optimal 7.0–7.5) and in media containing 0–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 0.5 %). On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented, strain XJ109^T is considered to represent a novel genus and species of the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Algoriella xinjiangensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XJ109^T (=CGMCC 1.10229^T=JCM 16590^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces xiangtanensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a manganese-contaminated soil

An actinomycete strain, designated strain LUSFXJ^T, was isolated from a soil sample obtained near the Xiangtan Manganese Mine, Central-South China and characterised using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis indicated that this strain belongs to the genus Streptomyces. The DNA–DNA relatedness between this strain and two closely related type strains, Streptomyces echinatus CGMCC 4.1642^T and Streptomyces lanatus CGMCC 4.137^T, were 28.7 ± 0.4 and 19.9 ± 2.0%, respectively, values which are far lower than the 70% threshold for the delineation of a novel prokaryotic species. The DNA G+C content of strain LUSFXJ ^T is 75.0 mol%. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that the menaquinones of strain LUSFXJ^T are MK-9(H₆), MK-9(H₈), MK-9(H₂) and MK-8(H₈). The polar lipid profile of strain LUSFXJ^T was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified polar lipid. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, C_16:0 and Summed feature 3. Strain LUSFXJ^T was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell wall diamino acid and the whole cell hydrolysates were found to be rich in ribose, mannose and glucose. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is concluded that strain LUSFXJ^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name S. xiangtanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LUSFXJ^T (=GDMCC 4.133^T = KCTC 39829^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces ginkgonis</Emphasis> sp. nov., an endophyte from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ginkgo biloba</Emphasis>

A novel endophytic actinomycete strain, designated KM-1-2^T, was isolated from seeds of Ginkgo biloba at Yangling, China. A polyphasic approach was used to study the taxonomy of strain KM-1-2^T and it was found to show a range of phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with those of members of the genus Streptomyces. The diamino acid of the cell wall peptidoglycan was identified as LL-diaminopimelic acid. No diagnostic sugars were detected in whole cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H₆) and MK-9(H₈). The diagnostic phospholipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The DNA G + C content of the novel strain was determined to be 72.9 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids (> 10.0?%) were identified as iso-C_14?:?0, iso-C_16?:?0, C_16?:?0 and C_17?:?0 cyclo. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain is closely related to Streptomyces carpaticus JCM 6915^T (99.3%), Streptomyces harbinensis DSM 42076^T (98.9%) and Streptomyces cheonanensis JCM 14549^T (98.5%). DNA-DNA hybridizations with these three close relatives gave similarity values of 39.1 ± 1.9, 35.8 ± 2.3, and 47.4 ± 2.7%, respectively, which indicated that strain KM-1-2^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces. This is consistent with the morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic data. Cumulatively, these data suggest that strain KM-1-2^T represents a novel Streptomyces species, for which the name Streptomyces ginkgonis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain KM-1-2^T (= CCTCC AA2016004^T = KCTC 39801^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">Plantactinospora solaniradicis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the root of a tomato plant (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum lycopersicum</Emphasis> L.)

A Gram-positive, non-motile actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-FJL1^T, was isolated from tomato root (Solanum lycopersicum L.) collected from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, north China. The strain formed single spores with smooth surfaces from substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NEAU-FJL1^T should be affiliated with the genus Plantactinospora and forms a distinct branch with its close neighbour Plantactinospora soyae NEAU-gxj3^T (99.2% sequence similarity). The cell wall was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole cell sugars were identified as xylose, glucose, arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-10(H₆) and MK-10(H₄). The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. The major fatty acids were identified as C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_17:0 and iso-C_15:0. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA–DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-FJL1^T can be distinguished from its most closely related strain and classified as a new species, for which the name Plantactinospora solaniradicis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-FJL1^T (= DSM 100596^T = CGMCC 4.7284^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mucilaginibacter hankyongensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil of ginseng field Baekdu Mountain

A Gram-negative, non-motile, aerobic, and rod-shaped bacterial strain designated as BR5-28^T was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field at Baekdu Mountain Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain BR5-28^T grew at 10–42°C (optimum temperature, 30°C) and pH 5.5–8.5 (optimum pH, 7.0) on R2A agar medium without additional NaCl supplementation. Strain BR5- 28T exhibited β-glucosidase activity, which was responsible for its ability to transform the ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd (the two dominant active components of ginseng) to compound-K. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, the novel strain showed a new branch within the genus Mucilaginibacter of the family Sphingobacteriaceae, and formed clusters with Mucilaginibacter frigoritolerans FT22^T (95.8%) and Mucilaginibacter gotjawali SA3-7^T (95.7%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 45.1%. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω6c and/or C_16:1 ω7c), iso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain BR5-28^T was differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from the recognized species of the genus Mucilaginibacter. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Mucilaginibacter hankyongensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain BR5-28^T (=KCTC 22274^T =DSM 21151^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Terrabacter ginsengisoli</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from ginseng cultivating soil

A Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, nonmotile, yellowish, coccus-rod-shaped bacterium (designated Gsoil 653^T) isolated from ginseng cultivating soil was characterized using a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. The strain Gsoil 653^T exhibited optimal growth at pH 7.0 on R2A agar medium at 30°C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, indicated that Gsoil 653^T belongs to the genus Terrabacter of the family Humibacillus, and was closely related to Terrabacter tumescens DSM 20308^T (98.9%), Terrabacter carboxydivorans PY2^T (98.9%), Terrabacter terrigena ON10^T (98.8%), Terrabacter terrae PPLB^T (98.6%), and Terrabacter lapilli LR-26^T (98.6%). The DNA G + C content was 70.5 mol%. The major quinone was MK-8(H₄). The primary polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl-ethanolamine. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_14:0, and anteiso-C_15:0, as in the case of genus Terrabacter, thereby supporting the categorization of strain Gsoil 653^T. However, the DNA-DNA relatedness between Gsoil 653^T and closely related strains of Terrabacter species was low at less than 31%. Moreover, strain Gsoil 653^T could be both genotypically and phenotypically distinguished from the recognized species of the genus Terrabacter. This isolate, therefore, represents a novel species, for which the name Terrabacter ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain Gsoil 653^T (= KACC 19444^T = LMG 30325^T).