Nonomuraea shaanxiensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a soil sample

A novel actinomycete, strain NEAU-st1^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Shaanxi province, Northwest China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-st1^T belongs to the genus Nonomuraea, being most closely related to Nonomuraea rosea GW12687^T (98.91 %), Nonomuraea solani NEAU-Z6^T (98.44 %), Nonomuraea rhizophila YIM67092^T(98.24 %) and Nonomuraea monospora PT708^T (98.02 %); similarities to sequences of other type strains of the genus Nonomuraea were lower than 98 %. Both tree-making algorithms used also supported the position that strain NEAU-st1^T formed a distinct clade with its most closely related species. Morphological and physiological characteristics confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Nonomuraea and distinguished it from its most closely related species. DNA–DNA hybridization further differentiated strain NEAU-st1^T from its nearest phylogenetic neighbours. These results suggested that strain NEAU-st1^T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea shaanxiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-st1^T (=CGMCC 4.7096^T = DSM 45877^T).     

Salinicola zeshunii sp. nov., a Moderately Halophilic Bacterium Isolated from Soil of a Chicken Farm

The taxonomic status of a moderately halophilic bacterium, strain N4^T, isolated from soil of a chicken farm in China was determined. It was Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, motile, and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that this strain belonged to the genus Salinicola, as it showed the highest sequence similarities to Salinicola salaries M27^T (98.3 %), Salinicola socius SMB35^T (98.1 %), and Salinicola halophilus CG4.1^T (98.1 %). The major cellular fatty acids were C_16:0 (25.6 %), C_18:1ω7c (35.0 %), and C_19:0 cyclo ω8c (11.9 %), which are properties shared by members of the genus Salinicola. The DNA G+C content of strain N4^T was 69.1 mol %. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain N4^T and the other three type strains of the genus of Salinicola salaries M27^T, Salinicola socius SMB35^T, and Salinicola halophilus CG4.1^T were 34.3, 28.7, and 26.9 %, respectively. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, DNA–DNA relatedness, and phylogenetic analysis, strain N4^T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Salinicola, for which the name Salinicola zeshunii sp. nov. is proposed, with strain N4^T (=KACC 16602^T = CCTCC AB 2012912^T) as the type strain.     

Paenibacillus brassicae sp. nov., isolated from cabbage rhizosphere in Beijing, China

A novel Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, spore-forming, nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain 112^T, was isolated from cabbage rhizosphere in Beijing, China. The strain was found to grow at 10–40 °C and pH 4–11, with an optimum of 30 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain 112^T is a member of the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene similarities were found between strain 112^T, Paenibacillus sabinae DSM 17841^T (97.82 %) and Paenibacillus forsythiae DSM 17842^T (97.22 %). However, the DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain 112^T and the type strains of these two species were 10.36 and 6.28 %, respectively. The predominant menaquinone was found to be menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major fatty acids were determined to be anteiso-C_15:0 and C_16:0. The major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and unknown aminophospholipids. The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 55.4 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and the value of DNA–DNA hybridization, strain 112^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus brassicae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 112^T (= ACCC 01125^T = DSM 24983^T).     

Streptomyces jiujiangensis sp. nov., isolated from soil in South China

An actinomycete capable of lysing cyanobacteria, strain JXJ 0074^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Jiangxi province, south China, and characterized by using polyphasic taxonomy. The new isolate showed morphological and chemotaxonomic properties typical of members of the genus Streptomyces. Phylogenetic analysis of the near-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain JXJ 0074^T should be affiliated to the genus Streptomyces and exhibited highest similarities to Streptomyces shenzhenensis DSM 42034^T (98.99 %) and Streptomyces lucensis NBRC 13056^T (98.60 %), while the similarities to other members of the genus are lower than 98.22 % similarity. However, the DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain JXJ 0074^T and S. shenzhenensis DSM 42034^T or S. lucensis NBRC 13056^T were 46.2 ± 2.6 and 32.6 ± 3.1 %, respectively. Thus, on the basis of the polyphasic data, strain JXJ 0074^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces jiujiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JXJ 0074^T (= BCRC 16953^T = KCTC 29262^T).     

Halococcus sediminicola sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a marine sediment

A novel, red-pigmented and coccoid haloarchaeon, designated strain CBA1101^T, was isolated from a marine sediment. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain CBA1101^T is most closely related to the genus Halococcus in the family Halobacteriaceae. Strain CBA1101^T had a highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.4 % with Halococcus dombrowskii DSM 14522^T, followed by 93.7–98.3 % with sequences of other type strains in the genus Halococcus. The RNA polymerase subunit B′ gene sequence similarity of strain CBA1101^T with that of Halococcus qingdaonensis JCM 13587^T is 89.5 % and lower with those of other members of the genus Halococcus. Strain CBA1101^T was observed to grow at 25–40 °C, pH 6.0–9.0 and in the presence of 15–30 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth at 35–40 °C, pH 7.0 and with 20 % NaCl. The cells of strain CBA1101^T are Gram-negative and did not lyse in distilled water. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglyerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, sulfated diglycosyl diether, unidentified phospholipids and unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined 66.0 mol%. The DNA–DNA hybridization experiment showed that there was less than 40 % relatedness between strain CBA1101^T and the reference species in the genus Halococcus. Based on this polyphasic taxonomic analysis, strain CBA1101^T is considered to represent a new species in the genus Halococcus, for which the name Halococcus sediminicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CBA1101^T (=JCM 18965^T = CECT 8275^T).     

Salinicola peritrichatus sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment

A Gram stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, strain DY22^T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment collected from the east Pacific Ocean. The isolate was found to grow in the presence of 0–20.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 4.5–8.5; optimum growth was observed with 0.5–2.0 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 5.0–7.0. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed the presence of ubiquinone-9 as predominant respiratory quinone and C_16:0, C_19:0 ω8c cyclo and C_12:0 3-OH as major cellular fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 59.6 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the novel isolate belongs to the genus Salinicola. Strain DY22^T exhibited the closest phylogenetic affinity to the type strain of Salinicola salarius with 97.2 % sequence similarity and less than 97 % sequence similarity with respect to other Salinicola species with validly published names. The DNA–DNA reassociation values between strain DY22^T and S. salarius DSM 18044^T was 52 ± 4 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data, strain DY22^T represents a novel species of the genus Salinicola, for which the name Salinicola peritrichatus sp. nov. (type strain DY22^T = CGMCC 1.12381^T = JCM 18795^T) is proposed.     

Kineococcus endophytica sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinomycete isolated from a coastal halophyte in Jiangsu, China

A novel Gram-positive, motile, non-spore-forming coccus-shaped bacterial strain, designated KLBMP 1274^T, was isolated from a halophytic plant (Limonium sinense) collected from the coastal region of Nantong, Jiangsu Province, in east China. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain KLBMP 1274^T belongs to the genus Kineococcus and is closely related to Kineococcus rhizosphaerae RP-B16^T (98.72 %), Kineococcus aurantiacus IFO 15268^T (98.71 %), Kineococcus radiotolerans SRS30216^T (98.69 %) and Kineococcus gynurae KKD096^T (97.33 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to other species of the genus Kineococcus was <97 %. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, with arabinose and galactose as the characteristic sugars. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H₂). The polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, an unknown phospholipid, an unknown glycolipid, and three unknown lipids. Major cellular fatty acids were found to be anteiso-C_{15: 0} and iso-C_{14: 0}. The chemotaxonomic data for strain KLBMP 1274^T were typical of the genus Kineococcus. The total DNA G+C content was 73.4 mol %. DNA–DNA relatedness and differential phenotypic data demonstrated that strain KLBMP 1274^T was clearly distinguished from all closely related species of the genus Kineococcus. Thus, strain KLBMP 1274^T represents a novel species of the genus Kineococcus, for which the name Kineococcus endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KLBMP 1274^T (=KCTC 19886 ^T = NBRC 108674^T).     

Paracoccus siganidrum sp. nov., isolated from fish gastrointestinal tract

A bacterial strain, designated M26^T, was isolated from a fish gastrointestinal tract, collected from Zhanjiang Port, South China. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain M26^T belongs to the subclass α-Proteobacteria, being related to the genus Paracoccus, and sharing highest sequence similarity with Paracoccus alcaliphilus JCM 7364^T (98.1 %), Paracoccus huijuniae FLN-7^T (97.3 %), Paracoccus stylophorae KTW-16^T (97.1 %) and Paracoccus seriniphilus DSM 14827^T (96.9 %). The major quinone was determined to be ubiquinone Q-10, with Q-9 and Q-8 as minor components. The major fatty acid was identified as C_18:1ω7c, with smaller amounts of C_18:0 and C_16:0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be 64.3 mol%. The DNA hybridization value between strain M26^T and the most closely related type strain, P. alcaliphilus, was 29.0 ± 1.0 %. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and low DNA–DNA relatedness showed that the strain could be readily distinguished from closely related species. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strain M26^T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus siganidrum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M26^T (=CCTCC AB 2012865^T = DSM 26381^T).     

Roseomonas musae sp. nov., a new bacterium isolated from a banana phyllosphere

A Gram-negative, coccobacilli, non-spore forming and non-motile bacterium, designated PN1^T, was isolated from a banana leaf collected in Mattra island, Thailand. This isolate was observed to grow optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.0, and to grow with 0–3 % NaCl. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain PN1^T is closely related to members of the genus Roseomonas, exhibiting the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Roseomonas aestuarii JC17^T (96.5 %). The DNA G + C content of strain PN1^T was determined to be 69.7 mol %. Based on physiological and biochemical tests, and genotypic differences between strain PN1^T and the validly named species of the genus Roseomonas, it is proposed that the strain be classified as a new species of Roseomonas for which the name Roseomonas musae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PN1^T (= BCC 44863^T = NBRC 107870^T).     

Actinopolyspora dayingensis sp. nov., a novel halophilic actinomycete isolated from a hypersaline lake

A novel halophilic, filamentous actinomycete, designated TRM 4064^T, was isolated from a hypersaline habitat in Sichuan Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on an almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain TRM 4064^T showed that it was most closely related to Actinopolyspora mortivallis (99.1 % sequence similarity). The sequence similarities between strain TRM 4064^T and other Actinopolyspora species with validly-published names were <97.0 %. However, it had relatively low mean values for DNA–DNA relatedness with the A. mortivallis DSM 44261^T (23.2 %). Optimal growth occurred at 37 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 13 % (w/v) NaCl. The whole-cell sugar pattern consists of xylose, glucose, ribose and arabinose. The predominant menaquinones are MK-10(H₄) (38.2 %), MK-9(H₄) (25.1 %), MK-9(H₂) (28.6 %) and MK-8(H₄) (7.3 %). The major fatty acids are anteiso-C_17:0 (36.9 %) and iso-C_17:0 (19.3 %). The diagnostic phospholipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and two unknown phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of the type strain is 66.3 mol%. Strain TRM 4064^T therefore represents a novel species of the genus Actinopolyspora, for which the name Actinopolyspora dayingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 4064^T (= KCTC 19979^T = CCTCC AA 2010010^T).     

Sphingomonas gimensis sp. nov., a novel Gram-negative bacterium isolated from abandoned lead–zinc ore mine

A novel bacterial strain designated 9PNM-6^T was isolated from an abandoned lead–zinc ore mine site in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, China. The isolate was found to be Gram-negative, rod-shaped, orange-pigmented, strictly aerobic, oxidase- and catalase-positive. Growth occurred at 0–4 % NaCl (w/v, optimum, 0 %), at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 15–32 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities showed that strain 9PNM-6^T belongs to the genus Sphingomonas, with the highest sequence similarities with Sphingomonas jejuensis NBRC 107775^T (99.7 %), Sphingomonas koreensis KCTC 2882^T (95.1 %) and Sphingomonas dokdonesis KCTC 12541^T (95.1 %). The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain 9PNM-6^T were consistent with those of the genus Sphingomonas. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquinone Q-10, the major polyamine as sym-homospermidine, and the major cellular fatty acids as C_18:1 ω7c, C_16:0, C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c and C_14:0 2-OH. The major polar lipids are sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatideylcholine, an unidentified phospholipid and four unidentified aminolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 9PNM-6^T was determined to be 69.2 ± 0.6 mol%. Based on comparative analyses of morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic data, and levels of DNA–DNA relatedness values, strain 9PNM-6^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas gimensis sp. nov. (Type strain 9PNM-6^T = GIMCC 1.655^T = CGMCC 1.12671^T = DSM 27569^T) is proposed.     

Azoarcus taiwanensis sp. nov., a denitrifying species isolated from a hot spring

The strain NSC3^T, a novel, facultative, chemolithotrophic, denitrifying, alkaliphilic, sulfide-oxidizing bacterium isolated from a hot spring in Yang-Ming Mountain, Taiwan, was Gram negative, rod shaped, and motile by single polar flagella and grew facultatively by adopting a denitrifying metabolism. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis revealed that strain NSC3^T belongs to beta subclass of the Proteobacteria and most closely related to Azoarcus evansii KB740^T (95.44 %), Azoarcus toluvorans Td-21^T (95.21 %), Azoarcus tolulyticus Tol-4^T (95.08 %), and Azoarcus toluclasticus MF63^T (94.94 %). The phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain NSC3^T formed a distinct lineage in the Betaproteobacteria and that it exhibited the highest level of sequence similarity with species of the genera Azoarcus (95.28–93.13 %). The major fatty acids of the type strain were C_16:0 (26.9 %), C_16:1w7c (28.9 %), C_18:0 (9.6 %), and C_18:1w7c/w6c (29.9 %). The DNA G+C content of genomic DNA was 63.7 mol%. On the basis of the 16S rRNA sequence similarity, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, and chemotaxonomic data, the strain NSC3^T could be differentiated from other species of the genus Azoarcus. Therefore, strain NSC3^T (equal to BCRC 80111^T and DSM 24109^T) is proposed as a novel species in genus Azoarcus, for which the name Azoarcus taiwanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The strain NSC3^T is deposited in Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Taiwan, under the reference number BCRC 80111^T, and German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Germany (DSMZ), with DSM 24109^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).     

Evaluation of the Role of Glutathione in the Lead-Induced Toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A Gram-negative, aerobic, short-rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium designated Rs7^T, was isolated from peat soil collected from Russia and was characterized to determine its taxonomic position. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the strain Rs7^T belongs to the class Betaproteobacteria. The highest degree of sequence similarities were determined to be with Burkholderia tropica Ppe8^T (98.4 %), Burkholderia unamae MTI-641^T (97.8 %), Burkholderia bannensis E25^T (97.7 %), Burkholderia heleia SA41^T (97.0 %), and Burkholderia sacchari IPT101^T (97.0 %). Chemotaxonomic data revealed that the strain Rs7^T possesses ubiquinone Q-8. The polar lipid profile of strain Rs7^T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unknown amino phospholipid. The predominant fatty acids were C_16:0, C_19:0 cyclo ω8c, and C_17:0 cyclo, all of which corroborated the assignment of the strain to the genus Burkholderia. The DNA G+C content was 63.2 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed less than 37.8 % DNA relatedness with closely related type strains, thus confirming separate species status. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain Rs7^T from the members of the genus Burkholderia. Based on these data, Rs7^T (=KEMC 7302-068^T = JCM 18069^T) should be classified as the type strain for a novel Burkholderia species, for which the name Burkholderia humi sp. nov. is proposed.     

Vibrio zhuhaiensis sp. nov., isolated from a Japanese prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus)

A Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated strain E20121, was isolated from the digestive tract of a Japanese prawn (Marsupenaeus japonicus) collected from the coastal sea water area of Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China. The new isolate was determined to be closely related to Vibrio ponticus DSM 16217^T, having 97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on recA, pyrH and rpoA also showed low levels of sequence similarities (72.6–96.6 %) with all species of the genus Vibrio. A multigene phylogenetic tree using concatenated sequences of the four genes (16S rRNA, rpoA, recA and pyrH) clearly showed that the new isolate is different from the currently known Vibrio species. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed similarity values below 70 % with the closest related species V. ponticus DSM 16217^T. Several phenotypic traits enabled the differentiation of strain E20121 from the closest phylogenetic neighbours. The DNA G+C content of strain E20121 was determined to be 47.6 mol % and the major fatty acid components identified were C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c (39.8 %), C_18:1ω7c (13.6 %) and C_16:0 (9.6 %). Based on genotypic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridization analyses, strain E20121 is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio for which the name Vibrio zhuhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E20121^T(=DSM 25602^T = CCTCC AB 2011174^T).     

Nocardioides rubroscoriae sp. nov., isolated from volcanic ash

A rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated Sco-A25^T, was isolated from a red-coloured layer of scoria (volcanic ash) in the Republic of Korea and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain Sco-A25^T is a member of the genus Nocardioides and formed a tight monophyletic unit with the type strain of Nocardioides plantarum (98.7 % gene similarity). LL-Diaminopimelic acid was detected in the cell wall. The predominant menaquinone is MK-8(H₄). The polar lipids found were phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unknown phospholipid. The fatty acid profile was represented by large amounts of saturated, unsaturated and iso-branched fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 71.6 mol %. Genomic DNA similarity between strain Sco-A25^T and N. plantarum KCTC 9577^T was 47.8 %. On the basis of the results of phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic analyses presented here, strain Sco-A25^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides rubroscoriae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Sco-A25^T (=KCTC 19805^T = DSM 23986^T = NBRC 107916^T).     

Nocardia bhagyanesis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the rhizosphere of Callistemon citrinus (Curtis), India

A novel actinomycete strain, designated VRC07^T, was isolated from a Callistemon citrinus rhizosphere sample collected from Hyderabad, India. Its taxonomic status was determined by using polyphasic approach. It is a Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, weakly acid-fast strain. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain VRC07^T is a member of the genus Nocardia. The highest levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was found between the strains Nocardia niwae W9241^T (99.6 %), Nocardia amikacinitolerans W9988^T (99.3 %) and Nocardia arthritidis IFM 10035^T (98.9 %); similarity to other type strains of the genus Nocardia was below 98.7 %. The organism had chemical and morphological features consistent with its classification in the genus Nocardia such as meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. Arabinose and galactose as the diagnostic sugars. Diagnostic polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H_{4, ω-cycl}). The major fatty acids were C_16:0, C_18:0, C_{18:1 w9c}, C_{18:0 10-methyl TBSA} and sum in feature 3 (16:1 w7c/16:1 w6c). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.5 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness data, together with phenotypic differences clearly distinguished the isolate from its closest relatives. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Nocardia bhagyanesis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is VRC07^T (=KCTC 29209^T = MTCC 11725^T = ATCC BAA-2548).     

Bacillus hunanensis sp. nov., a slightly halophilic bacterium isolated from non-saline forest soil

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, endospore-forming, motile, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 081003^T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0.5?C15% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2?C4%) at pH 6.5?C10.5 (optimum pH 7.5?C8.5) and at 5?C40°C (optimum 30°C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C14:0. Strain JSM 081003^T contained MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain JSM 081003^T was 40.9 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 081003^T should be assigned to the genus Bacillus, and was related most closely to the type strains of Bacillus lehensis (sequence similarity 99.6%), Bacillus oshimensis (99.4%) and Bacillus patagoniensis (96.6%); lower than 96.0% sequence similarity was observed with other Bacillus species. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA?CDNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the view that strain JSM 081003^T represents a new species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 081003^T (= DSM 23008^T = KCTC 13711^T).     

Azospirillum himalayense sp. nov., a nifH bacterium isolated from Himalayan valley soil,India

Gram-negative, free-living bacterial strain ptl-3^T was isolated from Himalayan valley soil, India. Polyphasic taxonomy was performed including morphological characterization, fatty acid analysis, biochemical tests, 16S rRNA and nifH gene sequence analyses. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain ptl-3^T belonged to the genus Azospirillum and was closely related to A. brasilense (98.7 % similarity) and A. rugosum (97 % similarity). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96–95 %) was shown with other members of the genus Azospirillum. Major fatty acid 18:1ω7c was also similar to the genus Azospirillum. DNA–DNA relatedness value between strain ptl-3^T and A. brasilense was found to be 47 %. Various biochemical tests showed that the strain ptl-3^T differed from its closely related species A. brasilense. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular genetics evidence, a bacterium with the type strain ptl-3^T is proposed as a novel species of the genus Azospirillum. The name of bacterial strain ptl-3^T has been proposed as Azospirillum himalayense sp. nov. The type strain of ptl-3^T (CCUG 58760^T, KCTC 23189^T) has been submitted to two culture collection centres. The accession numbers for 16S rRNA and nifH gene are GQ 284588 and GQ 249665. respectively.     

Streptosporangium shengliensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a lake sediment

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-GH7^T, was isolated from a lake sediment and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Strain NEAU-GH7^T was Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming and produced spherical sporangia. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain NEAU-GH7^T formed a monophyletic clade with the closest relative Streptosporangium longisporum DSM 43180^T (99.0 %), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 74 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. However, the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness allowed the strain to be differentiated from its closest relative. Moreover, strain NEAU-GH7^T could also be differentiated from S. longisporum DSM 43180^T and other Streptosporangium species showing high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.0 %) by morphological and physiological characteristics. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA hybridization and phenotypic characteristics, strain NEAU-GH7^T should be classified as a new species of the genus Streptosporangium, for which the name Streptosporangium shengliensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-GH7^T (=CGMCC 4.7105^T=DSM 45881^T).