Pontibacter soli sp. nov., isolated from the soil of a Populus rhizosphere in Xinjiang, China

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and pink-pigmented bacterial strain, designated strain HYL7-26^T, was isolated from a soil in the Desert Park of Huyang forest located in Xinjiang, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HYL7-26^T belongs to the genus Pontibacter in the family Cytophagaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain HYL7-26^T and type strains of Pontibacter species ranged from 93.2 to 96.0 %. Strain HYL7-26^T was found to contain iso-C_15:0 (15.9 %), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (9.5 %) and summed feature 4 (comprising anteiso-C_17:1 B and/or iso-C_17:1 I, 21.0 %, as defined by the MIDI system) as the major cellular fatty acids. The major respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7 and the DNA G+C content was determined to be 43.8 mol%. sym-Homospermidine was the major polyamine observed in the cells. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain HYL7-26^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HYL7-26^T (=CCTCC AB 206240^T = NRRL B-59490^T).     

Pontibacter jeungdoensis sp. nov., isolated from a solar saltern in Korea

A Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped and red-pigmented bacterial strain, HMD3125^T, was isolated from a solar saltern in Jeungdo, Republic of Korea. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMD3125^T formed a lineage within the genus Pontibacter and was similar to Pontibacter salisaro (96.1%) and P. korlensis (95.3%). The major fatty acids of strain HMD3125^T were summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B; 30.4%), iso-C_15:0 (20.4%) and iso-C_17:0 3OH (17.2%). The polar lipid profile of HMD3125^T consisted of the phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified polar lipids, unidentified phospholipid, unidentified aminolipid and unidentified aminophospholipid. Strain HMD3125^T contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and sym-homospermidine as the major polyamine. The DNA G+C content of strain HMD3125^T was 45.6 mol%. Strain HMD3125^T assigned as a novel species in the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter jeungdoensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMD3125^T (=KCTC 23156^T =CECT 7710^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pontibacter salisaro</Emphasis> sp. nov., Isolated from a clay tablet solar saltern in Korea

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, and red-pigmented bacterial strain, HMC5104^T, was isolated from a solar saltern, found in Jeungdo, Republic of Korea (34°59′47″N 126°10′02″E). The major fatty acids were summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C_17:1 I and/or anteiso-C_17:1 B; 37.2%), iso-C_15:0 (20.4%), and iso-C_17.0 30H (15.3%). The DNA G+C content was 46.0 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMC5104^T formed a lineage within the genus Pontibacter, and was closely related to Pontibacter korlensis (95.9%), P. roseus (94.9%), and P. actiniarum (94.3%). Similarities to all other Pontibacter species were between 95.9–93.9%. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMC5104^T represents a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter salisaro sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMC5104^T (=KCTC 22712^T = NBRC 105731^T).     

Thermus tengchongensis sp. nov., isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample in Tengchong, Yunnan, south-west China

A Gram-stain negative aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 77924^T, was isolated from a geothermally heated soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west China. Growth was found to occur from 55 to 75 °C (optimum 65 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 0–1 % NaCl (w/v). Cells were observed to be rod-shaped and the colonies convex, circular, smooth, yellow and non-transparent. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM 77924^T belongs to the genus Thermus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain YIM 77924^T and other species of the genus Thermus were all below 97 %. The polar lipids of strain YIM 77924^T were determined to be aminophospholipid, phospholipid and glycolipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-8 and the G+C content was 66.64 mol%. The major fatty acids identified were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and C_16:0. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics as well as genotypic data, strain YIM 77924^T is proposed to represent a novel species, Thermus tengchongensis sp. nov., in the genus Thermus. The type strain is YIM 77924^T (=KCTC 32025^T = CCTCC AB2012063^T).     

Lysobacter thermophilus sp. nov., isolated from a geothermal soil sample in Tengchong, south-west China

A Gram-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 77875^T, was isolated from a geothermal soil sample collected at Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, south-west China. Bacterial growth occurred from 37 to 65 °C (optimum 50 °C), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 0–1 % NaCl (w/v). Cells were rod-shaped and colonies were convex, circular, smooth, yellow and non-transparent. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM 77875^T belongs to the genus Lysobacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain YIM 77875^T and other species of the genus Lysobacter were all below 94.7 %. The polar lipids of strain YIM 77875^T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and five unknown phospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the G+C content was 68.8 mol%. Major fatty acids were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_11:0. On the basis of the morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as genotypic data, strain YIM 77875^T represents a novel species, Lysobacter thermophilus sp. nov., in the genus Lysobacter. The type strain is YIM 77875^T (CCTCC AB 2012064^T = KCTC 32020^T).     

Polaribacter reichenbachii sp. nov.: A New Marine Bacterium Associated with the Green Alga Ulva fenestrata

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 6Alg 8^T, was isolated from the common Pacific green alga Ulva fenestrata. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the novel strain within the genus Polaribacter, a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the phylum Bacteroidetes, with sequence similarities of 97.6 % to Polaribacter dokdonensis DSW-5^T and 92.8–96.1 % to other recognized Polaribacter species. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 6Alg 8^T were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1, iso-C_15:0 2-OH, C_15:0 and C_15:1ω6. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and one unknown lipid. The DNA G+C content of the type strain is 31.6 mol%. The new isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Polaribacter were readily distinguished based on a number of phenotypic characteristics. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel species of the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribacter reichenbachii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 6Alg 8^T (= KCTC 23969^T = KMM 6386^T = LMG 26443^T).     

Bacillus bingmayongensis sp. nov., isolated from the pit soil of Emperor Qin’s Terra-cotta warriors in China

A Bacillus-like isolate, strain FJAT-13831^T, isolated from the No. 1 pit soil of Emperor Qin’s Terra-cotta Warriors in Xi’an City, China, was studied to determine its taxonomic status. Dominant fatty acids of this organism included iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0, C_16:0, iso-C_13:0, anteiso-C_15:0, and iso-C_17:1ω5c. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis confirmed the affiliation of this isolate to the genus Bacillus and indicated that it was closely related to Bacillus pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T (99.72 % similarity). A phylogenetic analysis of the gyrB gene sequence similarities exhibited independent clustering of the isolate FJAT-13831^T and showed 93.8 % (<95 %) sequence similarity with its closest phylogenetic neighbour B. pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T. Separate standing of the strain FJAT-13831^T was supported by a whole genome-based phylogenetic analysis with an average nucleotide identity value of 91.47 (<95 %) between isolate FJAT-13831^T and B. pseudomycoides DSM 12442^T and was consistent with the results of DNA–DNA hybridization (69.1 % relatedness). These findings support the conclusion that the isolate FJAT-13831^T represents a novel species, for which the name Bacillus bingmayongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-13831^T (= CGMCC 1.12043^T = DSM 25427^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pontibacter rhizosphera</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of an Indian medicinal plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nerium indicum</Emphasis>

A gram-negative, motile, straight to curved rod shaped, pink pigmented bacterium was isolated from a soil sample collected from the rhizosphere of an Indian medicinal plant, Nerium indicum (Chuvanna arali) and subjected to a detailed polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain, designated as IMTB-1969^T, matched with most of the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties of the genus Pontibacter and represents a novel species. The major fatty acids of the strain were monounsaturated iso/anteiso branched C17 fatty acids (45.1%) and iso-C15:0 (16.5%). MK-7 was the predominant isoprenoid quinone. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain IMTB-1969^T was indicated to belonged to the phylum Bacteroidetes and further phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strain IMTB-1969^T belongs to the family Cytophagaceae and genus Pontibacter. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was with Pontibacter korlensis CCTCC AB 206081^T (97.2%) and lower sequence similarity was observed with other species in the genus Pontibacter (95.9–94.0%). DNA–DNA relatedness study of the strain IMTB-1969^T confirmed that it represents a novel species. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 52.2 (±0.5) mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed the genotypic and phenotypic distinction of strain IMTB-1969^T from its closest phylogenetic relatives. The strain IMTB-1969^T should be classified as novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter rhizosphera sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMTB-1969^T (=MTCC 10673^T = DSM 24399^T).     

Aquimarina atlantica sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater of the Atlantic Ocean

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain 22II-S11-z7^T, which was isolated from the surface seawater of the Atlantic Ocean. The bacterium was found to be Gram-negative, oxidase negative and catalase positive, long-rod shaped, and gliding. Growth was observed at salinities of 1–5 % and at temperatures of 10–41 °C. The isolate was capable of hydrolysing gelatin and Tween 80 and able to reduce nitrate to nitrite, but unable to degrade aesculin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 22II-S11-z7^T belongs to the genus Aquimarina, with highest sequence similarity to Aquimarina megaterium XH134^T (98.31 %), followed by Aquimarina macrocephali JAMB N27^T (96.59 %); other species of the genus Aquimarina shared 93.63–96.08 % sequence similarity. The ANI value between strain 22II-S11-z7^T and A. megaterium XH134^T was found to be 91.86–91.81 %. The DNA–DNA hybridization estimated value between strain 22II-S11-z7^T and A. megaterium XH134^T was 47.7 ± 2.6 %. The principal fatty acids were identified as Summed Feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/ω6c, as defined by the MIDI system; 8.1 %), SummedFeature 9 (iso-C_17:1 ω7c/C_16:110-methyl; 6.8 %), iso-C_15:0 G (11.3 %), iso-C_15:0 (24.9 %), iso-C_16:0 (5.7 %), C_16:0 (5.2 %), iso-C_15:0 3OH (6.4 %) and iso-C_17:0 3OH (21.5 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 32.99 mol %. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-6 (100 %). Phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, five unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified lipids were found to be present. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain 22II-S11-z7^T represents a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina atlantica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 22II-S11-z7^T (=MCCC 1A09239^T = KCTC 42003^T).     

Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae sp. nov., a new marine polysaccharide-degrading bacterium isolated from a Pacific red alga

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 10Alg 130^T, that displayed the ability to destroy polysaccharides of red and brown algae, was isolated from the red alga Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the novel strain within the genus Flavobacterium, the type genus of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the phylum Bacteroidetes, with sequence similarities of 96.2 and 95.7 % to Flavobacterium jumunjiense KCTC 23618^T and Flavobacterium ponti CCUG 58402^T, and 95.3–92.5 % to other recognized Flavobacterium species. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 10Alg 130^T were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, C_15:0 and iso-C_17:1ω9c. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and three unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 34.3 mol%. The new isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium could strongly be distinguished by a number of phenotypic characteristics. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10Alg 130^T (=KCTC 32467^T = KMM 6686^T).     

Bacillus xiamenensis sp. nov., isolated from intestinal tract contents of a flathead mullet (Mugil cephalus)

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain HYC-10^T, which was isolated from the intestinal tract contents of a flathead mullet, Mugil cephalus, captured from the sea off Xiamen Island, China. The bacterium was observed to be Gram positive, oxidase and catalase positive, rod shaped, and motile by subpolar flagella. The bacterium was found to grow at salinities of 0–12 % and at temperatures of 8–45 °C. The isolate was found to hydrolyze aesculin and gelatin, but was unable to reduce nitrate to nitrite. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HYC-10^T belongs to the genus Bacillus, with highest sequence similarity (99.3 %) to Bacillus aerophilus 28K^T, Bacillus stratosphericus 41KF2a^T and Bacillus altitudinis DSM 21631^T, followed by Bacillus safensis DSM 19292^T (99.5 %) and Bacillus pumilus DSM 27^T (99.5 %), while the sequence similarities to others were all below 97.6 %. The genomic ANIm values between strain HYC-10^T and three type strains (B. altitudinis DSM 21631^T, B. safensis DSM 19292^T and B. pumilus DSM 27^T) were determined to range from 89.11 to 91.53 %. The DNA–DNA hybridization estimate values between strain HYC-10^T and the three type strains were from 36.60 to 44.00 %. The principal fatty acids identified were iso-C_15:0 (39.1 %), anteiso-C_15:0 (22.7 %), iso-C_17:0 (13.1 %), C_16:0 (6.1 %), anteiso-C_17:0 (5.8 %) and iso-C_16:0 (5.1 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined from the draft genome sequence to be 41.3 mol%. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-7 (100 %). Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminoglycolipid, two glycolipids and two unknown phospholipids were found to be present. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain HYC-10^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus xiamenensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain HYC-10^T (=CGMCC NO.1.12326^T = LMG 27143^T = MCCC 1A00008^T).     

Aquimarina penaei sp. nov., isolated from intestinal tract contents of Pacific white shrimp,Penaeus vannamei

A novel bacterial strain designated P3-1^T was isolated from the intestinal tract contents of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) in Zhangpu, Fujian province, China. The isolate was found to be Gram-negative, long rod shaped, oxidase- and catalase- positive. Growth was observed at 1–7 % sea salt (w/v, optimum, 3 %), at pH 7.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 10–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C). The isolate was capable of hydrolysing gelatin, casein, starch and DNA but unable to degrade Tween 20, 40, 80 and cellulose. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain P3-1^T belongs to the genus Aquimarina, with highest sequence similarity to Aquimarina gracilis PSC32^T (96.2 %), followed by Aquimarina intermedia KMM 6258^T (96.1 %), Aquimarina spongiae A6^T (95.9 %) and Aquimarina muelleri KMM 6020^T (95.8 %). The principal cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3OH, C_16:1 ω7c/ω6c, iso-C_15:1 G, iso-C_15:0 3OH, iso-C_17:1 ω9c/C_16:0 10-methyl and C_16:0. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 33.3 mol%. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-6 (100 %). The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain P3-1^T represents a novel species within the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina penaei sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain P3-1^T (=MCCC 1A09871^T = LMG 27943^T).     

Bacillus borbori sp. Nov., Isolated From an Electrochemically Active Biofilm

A Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, motile, endospore-forming rod strain, designated DX-4^T, was isolated from an electrochemically active biofilm. Growth occurred at 30–65 °C (optimum 55 °C), at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum pH 7.0–7.5) and with <6 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive. The main respiratory quinone was MK-7, the predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, and unidentified aminophospholipid, the DNA G+C content was 38.6 mol% and the major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C_15:0 (38.9 %), iso-C_17:0 (30.5 %), iso-C_16:0 (5.6 %), and anteiso-C_17:0 (5.2 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain DX-4^T is a member of the genus Bacillus. The results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic analyses clearly indicated that strain DX-4^T represents a novel species, for which the name Bacillus borbori sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DX-4^T (= CCTCC AB2012196^T = KCTC 33103^T).     

Shewanella litorisediminis sp. nov., a gammaproteobacterium isolated from a tidal flat sediment

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated SMK1-12^T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment on the western coast of Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences showed that strain SMK1-12^T belonged to the genus Shewanella, clustering with the type strain of Shewanella amazonensis. Strain SMK1-12^T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value (97.0 %) and the highest gyrB sequence similarity value (87.8 %) to S. amazonensis SB2B^T, respectively. Strain SMK1-12^T contained simultaneously both menaquinones and ubiquinones; the predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-7 and Q-8. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) detected in strain SMK1-12^T were the MIDI system summed feature 3 (iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c), iso-C_15:0, C_17:1 ω8c and C_16:0. The DNA G+C content of strain SMK1-12^T was 58.0 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness value with S. amazonensis ATCC 700329^T was 15 ± 4.6 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain SMK1-12^T is distinguishable from recognized Shewanella species. On the basis of the data presented, strain SMK1-12^T is considered to represent a novel Shewanella species, for which the name Shewanella litorisediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SMK1-12^T (=KCTC 23961^T = CCUG 62411^T).     

Hymenobacter qilianensis sp. nov., isolated from a subsurface sandstone sediment in the permafrost region of Qilian Mountains,China and emended description of the genus Hymenobacter

A red–pink, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain DK6-37 was isolated from the permafrost region of Qilian Mountains in northwest of China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that this isolate represents a novel member of the genus Hymenobacter, with low sequence similarities (<97 %) to recognized Hymenobacter species. Optimum growth was observed at 28 °C, pH 7.0 and 0 % NaCl. The strain was found to contain MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolanmine, two unknown aminophospholipids, one unknown aminolipid and three unknown polar lipids. The major fatty acids were identified as summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c as defined by MIDI), summed feature 4 (anteiso-C_17:1 B/iso-C_17:1 I), C_16:1 ω5c, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, iso-C_15:0 and C_18:0. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 67.4 mol %. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented, it is proposed that strain DK6-37 represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter, for which the name Hymenobacter qilianensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DK6-37^T (= CGMCC 1.12720^T = JCM 19763^T).     

Bacillus pakistanensis sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium isolated from salt mines of the Karak Area in Pakistan

A rod shaped, non-motile, endospore forming, Gram-stain positive and moderately halotolerant strain, designated as NCCP-168^T, was isolated from salt mines sampled in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in Pakistan. To delineate its taxonomic position, the strain was subjected to polyphasic characterization. Cells of strain NCCP-168^T can grow at 10–40 ^○C (optimum at 30–35 ^○C), in a pH range of 5.0–9.0 (optimum at pH 8.0) and in 0–17 % (w/v) NaCl on agar medium. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain NCCP-168^T belongs to the genus Bacillus with the highest similarity to Bacillus seohaeanensis BH724^T (97.1 %), and less than 97 % similarity with other closely related taxa (95.6 % with B. subtilis subsp. subtilis NCIB3610^T). DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NCCP-168^T and the type strains of closely related species was lower than 30 %. Chemotaxonomic data (major menaquinone, MK-7; cell wall peptidoglycan type, A1γ [meso-diaminopimelic acid]; major fatty acids, iso-C_15:0 29.9 %, anteiso-C_15:0 29.3 %, iso-C_16:0 11.4 %, iso-C_14:0 8.9 % and anteiso-C_17:0 7.0 %; major polar lipids, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine) support the affiliation of strain NCCP-168^T with genus Bacillus. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain NCCP-168^T can be distinguished from the closely related taxa and thus represents a novel species in the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus pakistanensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain NCCP-168^T (= KCTC 13786^T = DSM 24834^T = JCM 18975^T).     

Nocardioides panaciterrulae sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field, with ginsenoside converting activity

A Gram-positive, coccoid to rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated Gsoil 958^T, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field located in Pocheon province in South Korea. This bacterium was characterized in order to determine its taxonomic position by using a polyphasic approach. Strain Gsoil 958^T was observed to grow well at 25–30 °C and at pH 7.0 on R2A and nutrient agar without NaCl supplementation. Strain Gsoil 958^T was determined to have β-glucosidase activity and the ability to transform ginsenoside Rb₁ (one of the dominant active components of ginseng) to F₂ via gypenoside XVII and Rd. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain Gsoil 958^T was shown to belong to the family Nocardioidaceae and related most closely to Nocardioides koreensis MSL-09^T (97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Nocardioides aquiterrae GW-9^T (97.0 %), and Nocardioides sediminis MSL-01^T (97.0 %). The sequence similarities with other validly named species within the genus Nocardioides were less than 96.8 %. Strain Gsoil 958^T was characterized chemotaxonomically as having LL-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-8(H₄) as the predominant menaquinone, and iso-C_16:0, iso-C_16:1 H, iso-C_14:0, iso-C_15:0 were identified as the major fatty acids. The G + C content of genomic DNA was determined to be 70.8 mol %. The chemotaxonomic properties and phenotypic characteristics supported the affiliation of strain Gsoil 958^T to the genus Nocardioides. The results of both physiological and biochemical tests allowed for differentiation of strain Gsoil 958^T from the recognized Nocardioides species. Therefore, strain Gsoil 958^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides panaciterrulae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 958^T (KACC 14271^T = KCTC 19471^T = DSM 21350^T).     

Saccharopolyspora cavernae sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the Swallow Cave in Yunnan, south-west China

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterial strain, designated YIM C01235^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Swallow Cave, Yunnan province, south-west China. The isolate grew at 10–30 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed highest similarity to Saccharopolyspora gloriosae YIM 60513^T (96.8 %), and lower 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (95.1–96.7 %) with the other species of the genus Saccharopolyspora. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP), arabinose and galactose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, two unknown glycolipids, two unknown phospholipids and one polar lipid. MK-9(H₄) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. Mycolic acids were not detected. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.1 mol%. These chemotaxonomic data, together with its morphological properties, were consistent with the assignment of strain YIM C01235^T to the genus Saccharopolyspora. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed strain YIM C01235^T to be differentiated phenotypically from all the recognized Saccharopolyspora species. On the basis of evidence from this polyphasic study, the novel species Saccharopolyspora cavernae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM C01235^T (=DSM 45825^T = CCTCC AA 2012022^T).     

Paenibacillus taohuashanense sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from rhizosphere soil of the root of Caragana kansuensis Pojark

A nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain gs65^T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of Caragana kansuensis Pojark. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the nifH gene and the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain gs65^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene similarity were found between strain gs65^T and Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188^T (97.5 %), Paenibacillus odorifer ATCC BAA-93^T (97.3 %), Paenibacillus durus DSM 1735^T (97.0 %) and Paenibacillus sophorae DSM23020^T (96.9 %). Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain gs65^T and the type strains of other recognized members of the genus Paenibacillus were below 97.0 %. Levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain gs65^T and P. borealis DSM 13188^T, P. odorifer ATCC BAA-93^T (97.3 %), P. durus DSM 1735^T and P. sophorae DSM23020^T were 35.9, 38.0, 34.2 and 35.5 % respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain gs65^T was determined to be 51.6 mol%. The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_14:0, anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics and levels of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain gs65^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus taohuashanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is gs65^T (=CGMCC 1.12175^T = DSM 25809^T).     

Salegentibacter echinorum sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus

A novel Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, heterotrophic, non-motile and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated HD4^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus collected from the Yellow Sea in China. Optimal growth of the strain was observed at 28–30 °C, pH 6.8–7.3, and in the presence of 3–5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain HD4^T exhibited high similarity with the members of Salegentibacter (92.3–95.4 %). The DNA G+C content was 37.0 mol%, MK-6 was the main respiratory quinone and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C_15:0 2-OH/C_16:1ω7c), iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH and anteiso-C_15:0 were the major cellular fatty acids. The predominant polar lipids in strain HD4^T were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown lipids (L2, L4). Based on the phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain HD4^T should be classified as a novel species within the genus Salegentibacter, for which the name Salegentibacter echinorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HD4^T (=CICC 10466^T = NRRL B-59666^T).