<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oceanobacillus gochujangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">gochujang</Emphasis> a traditional Korean fermented food

A Gram-stain-positive, polar flagella-containing, rod-shaped, obligate aerobic, endospore-forming bacterium, strain TK1655^T, was isolated from the traditional Korean food gochujang. The 16S rRNA sequence of strain TK1655^T was a member of the genus Oceanobacillus similar to that of the type strain of Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi subsp. incaldanensis DSM 16557^T (97.2%), O. oncorhynchi subsp. oncorhynchi JCM 12661^T (97.1%), O. locisalsi KCTC 13253^T (97.0%), and O. sojae JCM 15792^T (96.9%). Strain TK1655^T was oxidase and catalase positive. Colonies were circular, smooth, low convex, cream in colour, and measured about 0.5–1.0 mm in diameter. The range for growth was 20–40°C (optimal, 30°C), pH 6.0–10.0 (optimal, 7.0), and 2–16% (w/v) NaCl (optimal, 2%). Additionally, the cells contained meso-DAP, and the predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The complex polar lipids were consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine (PC). The major cellular fatty acid components were iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, and anteiso-C_17:0, and the DNA G+C content was 40.5%. DNA-DNA relatedness of our novel strain and reference strain O. locisalsi KCTC 13253^T, O. oncorhynchi subsp. incaldanensis DSM 16557^T, O. oncorhynchi subsp. oncorhynchi JCM 12661^T was 45.7, 43.8, and 41.9%. From the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic analyses of strain TK1655^T, we propose the novel species Oceanobacillus gochujangensis sp. nov. The type strain is TK1655^T (=KCCM 101304^T =KCTC 33014^T =CIP 110582^T =NBRC 109637^T).     

Oceanobacillus halophilum sp. nov. Isolated from a Mangrove Forest Soil

A halophilic, aerobic bacterium, designated GD01^T, was isolated from a mangrove forest soil near the South China Sea. Cells of strain GD01^T were Gram staining positive, oxidase positive, and catalase positive. The strain was rod shaped and motile by means of peritrichous flagella and produced ellipsoidal endospores. The strain was able to grow with NaCl at concentrations of 0.5–12 % (optimum 3–5 %, w/v), at temperatures of 20–50 °C (optimum 30 °C), and at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum pH 7.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GD01^T formed a cluster with O. profundus DSM 18246^T (96.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), O. caeni KCTC 13061^T (95.4 %), and O. oncorhynchi JCM 12661^T (94.5 %). The G+C content of strain GD01^T was 38.7 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 (13.7 %), anteiso-C_17:0 (12.6 %), iso-C_15:0 (9.9 %), iso-C_14:0 (9.5 %), and C_16:0 (5.0 %). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid, four unknown lipids, and four unknown phospholipids. Based on phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic features, and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the strain was identified to represent a distinct novel species in the genus Oceanobacillus, and the name proposed is Oceanobacillus halophilum sp. nov. with type train GD01^T (=CCTCC AB 2012863^T = KCTC 33101^T).     

Oceanobacillus kimchii sp. nov. Isolated from a traditional Korean fermented food

A moderate halophile, strain X50^T, was isolated from mustard kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food. The organism grew under conditions ranging from 0–15.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum: 3.0%), pH 7.0–10.0 (optimum: pH 9.0) and 15–45°C (optimum: 37°C). The morphological, physiological, and biochemical features and the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain X50^T were characterized. Colonies of the isolate were creamcolored and the cells were rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain X50^T belongs to the genus Oceanobacillus and is closely related phylogenetically to the type strain O. iheyensis HTE831^T (98.9%) and O. oncorhynchi subsp. oncorhynchi R-2^T (97.0%). The cellular fatty acid profiles predominately included anteiso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of the isolate was 37.9 mol% and the major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA-DNA relatedness and physiological and biochemical tests indicated genotypic and phenotypic differences among strain X50^T and reference species in the genus Oceanobacillus. Therefore, strain X50^T was proposed as a novel species and named Oceanobacillus kimchii. The type strain of the new species is X50^T (=JCM 16803^T =KACC 14914^T =DSM 23341^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).     

Lacinutrix jangbogonensis sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from Antarctic marine sediment and emended description of the genus Lacinutrix

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and psychrophilic bacterial strain, PAMC 27137^T, was isolated from the marine sediment of the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Strain PAMC 27137^T was observed to grow at 4–10 °C, at pH 6.5–7.5 and in the presence of 2.5–4.0 % (w/v) sea salts. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain PAMC 27137^T belongs to the genus Lacinutrix showing the high similarities with Lacinutrix mariniflava JCM 13824^T (97.6 %) and Lacinutrix algicola JCM 13825^T (97.1 %). Genomic relatedness analyses based on the average nucleotide identity and the genome-to-genome distance showed that strain PAMC 27137^T is clearly distinguished from the most closely related Lacinutrix species. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were identified as iso-C_15:1 G (19.9 %), iso-C_15:0 (19.3 %), iso-C_17:0 3-OH (11.3 %), summed feature 9 (C_16:0 10-methyl and/or iso-C_17:1 ω9c as defined by MIDI, 9.1 %), iso-C_15:0 3-OH (7.5 %), and anteiso-C_15:1 A (5.8 %). The polar lipids were found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, and five unidentified phospholipids. The major respiratory quinone was identified as MK-6. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 32.1 mol%. Based on the data from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain PAMC 27137^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Lacinutrix, for which the name Lacinutrix jangbogonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PAMC 27137^T (=KCTC 32573^T=JCM 19883^T).     

Flavobacterium qiangtangensis sp. nov., Isolated from Qiangtang Basin in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,China

A flexirubin-type yellow-pigmented, non-gliding, non-flagellated, gram-negative bacterium strain, designated F3^T, was isolated from a drilling core sample of the Qiangtang basin, Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain F3^T belongs to the genus Flavobacterium, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the Flavobacterium noncentrifugens CGMCC 1.10076^T (94.92 %). Strain F3^T grew optimally at temperature about 20 °C, at pH about 7.0–8.0, at NaCl concentration 0 % (w/v). The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 35.5 mol%. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine, predominant cellular fatty acids of the strain was iso-C_15:0 (22.02 %), while the major menaquinone was menaquinone 6. Due to the phenotypic and genetic distinctiveness and several other characteristic studied in this article, we consider F3^T as a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, and propose to name it Flavobacterium qiangtangensis sp. nov. The type strain is F3^T (=CGMCC 1.12706^T = JCM 19739^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).     

Saccharomonospora oceani sp. nov. isolated from marine sediments in Little Andaman, India

Two actinomycete strains, designated YIM M11168^T and YIM M11177, were isolated from marine sediment samples from Little Andaman, Indian Ocean, and their taxonomic position was determined by a polyphasic approach. The two Gram-positive, aerobic strains were observed to produce branched substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae but did not fragment, and no diffusible pigment was produced on the media tested. At maturity, spores were formed singly or in pairs on aerial hyphae and substrate mycelium, and occasionally the single ones were borne on long sporophores. The optimum growth was determined to occur at 28 °C, 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 7.0–8.0. Whole-cell hydrolysates of both strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the diagnostic sugars were determined to be galactose, glucose and arabinose. Their predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-9(H₄). The polar lipids detected in the two strains were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown phosphoglycolipids. The major fatty acids (>10 %) identified were iso-C_16:0, iso-C_16:1 H, iso-C_16:0, C_17:1 ω6c for strain YIM M11168^T, iso-C_16:0 and Summed Feature 3 for strain YIM M11177. The G + C contents of the genomic DNAs of both strains were determined to be 71.4 %. DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness values (78.4 ± 3.7 %) of these two isolates supported the conclusion that they belong to the same species. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic and genotypic data, it is concluded that the two isolates belong to a novel species of the genus Saccharomonospora of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. The name Saccharomonospora oceani sp. nov. (Type strain YIM M11168^T = DSM 45700^T = JCM 18128^T) is proposed for the novel species.     

Ferruginibacter profundus sp. nov., a novel member of the family Chitinophagaceae,isolated from freshwater sediment of a reservoir

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain DS48-5-3^T, was isolated from a 48 m sediment sample taken from Daechung Reservoir, Republic of Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of this strain to the Bacteroidetes, notably most closely related to Ferruginibacter alkalilentus HU1-GD23^T, Ferruginibacter lapsinanis HU1-HG42^T and Ferruginibacter yonginensis HME8442^T, showing 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of these species of 95.2–96.4 % similarity. The predominant ubiquinone was identified as MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 3-OH, and iso-C_15:1 G. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain DS48-5-3^T was determined to be 37.2 %. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, it is proposed that strain DS48-5-3^T should belong to a novel species, for which the name Ferruginibacter profundus sp. nov. (type strain DS48-5-3^T = KCTC 32478^T = JCM 19431^T), is proposed.     

Paenibacillus ihbetae sp. nov., a cold-adapted antimicrobial producing bacterium isolated from high altitude Suraj Tal Lake in the Indian trans-Himalayas

The assessment of bacterial diversity and bioprospection of the high-altitude lake Suraj Tal microorganisms for potent antimicrobial activities revealed the presence of two Gram-stain-variable, endospore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacteria, namely IHBB 9852^T and IHBB 9951. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed the affiliation of strains IHBB 9852^T and IHBB 9951 within the genus Paenibacillus, exhibiting the highest sequence similarity to Paenibacillus lactis DSM 15596^T (97.8% and 97.7%) and less than 95.9% similarity to other species of the genus Paenibacillus. DNA-DNA relatedness among strains IHBB 9852^T and IHBB 9951 was 90.2%, and with P. lactis DSM 15596^T, was 52.7% and 52.4%, respectively. The novel strains contain anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 and iso-C_16:0 as major fatty acids, and phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol were predominant polar lipids. The DNA G+C content for IHBB 9852T and IHBB 9951 was 52.1 and 52.2 mol%. Based on the results of phenotypic and genomic characterisations, we concluded that strains IHBB 9852^T and IHBB 9951 belong to a novel Paenibacillus species, for which the name Paenibacillus ihbetae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IHBB 9852^T (=MTCC 12459^T = MCC 2795^T = JCM 31131^T = KACC 19072^T; DPD TaxonNumber TA00046) and IHBB 9951 (=MTCC 12458 = MCC 2794 = JCM 31132 = KACC 19073) is a reference strain.     

Ochrovirga pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov., A Novel Agar-Lytic Marine Bacterium of the Family Flavobacteriaceae Isolated From A Seaweed

A strain designated as S85^T was isolated from a seaweed collected from coastal area of Chuuk State in Micronesia. The strain was gram-negative, rod-shaped, and non-motile and formed yellow colonies on the SWY agar (0.2 % yeast extract and 1.5 % agar in seawater) and Marine agar 2216. The strain grew at pH 5–9 (optimum, pH 8), at 15–40 °C (optimum, 25–28 °C), and with 1–9 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain S85^T was related to Lutibacter litoralis CL-TF09^T and Maritimimonas rapanae A31^T with 91.4 % and with 90.5 % similarity, respectively. The dominant fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH and iso-C_17:0 3-OH, C_16:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 34.6 mol %. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown glycolipid and two unknown polar lipids. Based on this polyphasic taxonomic data, strain S85^T stands for a novel species of a new genus, and we propose the name Ochrovirga pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of O. pacifica is S85^T (=KCCM 90106 =JCM 18327^T).     

Haloplanus litoreus sp. nov. and Haloplanus ruber sp. nov., from a marine solar saltern and an aquaculture farm,respectively

Two halophilic archaea, strains GX21^T and R35^T, were isolated from a marine solar saltern and an aquaculture farm in China, respectively. Cells of the two strains were observed to be pleomorphic, flat, to contain gas vesicles, stain Gram-negative and produce red-pigmented colonies. Strain GX21^T was found to be able to grow at 25–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 2.6–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 3.4 M NaCl), at 0.05–1.0 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.1 M MgCl₂) and at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum pH 6.5) while strain R35^T was found to be able to grow at 25–45 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 2.1–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 3.1 M NaCl), at 0–0.7 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.03 M MgCl₂) and at pH 5.5–9.5 (optimum pH 6.5–7.0). The cells of both isolates were observed to lyse in distilled water. The minimum NaCl concentrations that prevented cell lysis were determined to be 15 % (w/v) for strain GX21^T and 12 % (w/v) for strain R35^T. The major polar lipids of the two strains were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate, one major glycolipid and a minor lipid chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether and mannosyl glucosyl diether, respectively. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strains GX21^T and R35^T show 97.1 % sequence similarity to each other and are closely related to Haloplanus aerogenes TBN37^T (96.8 and 95.8 %), Haloplanus vescus RO5-8^T (96.7 and 96.1 %), Haloplanus salinus YGH66^T (96.4 and 95.8 %) and Haloplanus natans JCM 14081^T (96.3 and 95.4 %). The rpoB′ gene similarity between strains GX21^T and R35^T is 90.5 % and show 88.5–90.8 % similarity to the Haloplanus species with validly published names. The DNA G+C content of strain GX21^T and R35^T were determined to be 65.8 and 66.0 mol%, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain GX21^T and strain R35^T, and the two strains with the Haloplanus species with validly published names, showed less than 50 % DNA–DNA relatedness. It was concluded that strain GX21^T (=CGMCC 1.10456^T = JCM 17092^T) and strain R35^T (=CGMCC 1.10594 ^T = JCM 17271^T) represent two new species of Haloplanus, for which the names Haloplanus litoreus sp. nov. and Haloplanus ruber sp. nov. are proposed.     

Desulfovibrio oceani subsp. oceani sp. nov., subsp. nov. and Desulfovibrio oceani subsp. galateae subsp. nov., novel sulfate-reducing bacteria isolated from the oxygen minimum zone off the coast of Peru

Two deltaproteobacterial sulfate reducers, designated strain I.8.1^T and I.9.1^T, were isolated from the oxygen minimum zone water column off the coast of Peru at 400 and 500 m water depth. The strains were Gram-negative, vibrio-shaped and motile. Both strains were psychrotolerant, grew optimally at 20°C at pH 7.0–8.0 and at 2.5–3.5% NaCl (w/v). The strains grew by utilizing hydrogen/acetate, C_3–4 fatty acids, amino acids and glycerol as electron acceptors for sulfate reduction. Fumarate, lactate and pyruvate supported fermentative growth. Sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate and taurin supported growth as electron acceptors. Both strains were catalase-positive and highly oxygen-tolerant, surviving 24 days of exposure to atmospheric concentrations. MK6 was the only respiratory quinone. The most prominent cellular fatty acid was iso-17:1-ω9c (18%) for strain I.8.1^T and iso-17:0-ω9c (14%) for strain I.9.1^T. The G+C contents of their genomic DNA were 45–46 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and dsrAB gene sequences showed that both strains belong to the genus Desulfovibrio. Desulfovibrio acrylicus DSM 10141^T and Desulfovibrio marinisediminis JCM 14577^T represented their closest validly described relatives with pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence identities of 98–99%. The level of DNA-DNA hybridization between strains I.8.1^T and I.9.1^T was 30–38%. The two strains shared 10–26% DNA-DNA relatedness with D. acrylicus. Based on a polyphasic investigation it is proposed that strains I.8.1^T and I.9.1^T represent a novel species for which the name Desulfovibrio oceani sp. nov. is proposed with the two subspecies D. oceani subsp. oceani (type strain, I.8.1^T = DSM 21390^T = JCM 15970^T) and D. oceani subsp. galateae (type strain, I.9.1^T = DSM 21391^T = JCM 15971^T).     

Pontibacter humi sp. nov., Isolated from Mountain Soil

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated as SWU8^T, was isolated from a mountain soil collected in Seoul Women’s University campus at South Korea. Phylogenic analysis, using 16S rRNA gene sequence of the new isolate, showed that strain SWU8^T belongs to the genus Pontibacter. The highest sequence similarities were 96.2 % with Pontibacter saemangeumensis GCM0142^T, 95.5 % with Pontibacter toksunensis ZLD-7^T, 95.3 % with Pontibacter roseus DSM 17521^T, and 95.1 % with Pontibacter odishensis JC130^T. Chemotaxonomic data showed that the most abundant fatty acids were summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C_17:1 I/anteiso-C_17:1 B; 26.9 %), iso-C_15:0 (25.6 %), and iso-C_17:0 3OH (10.6 %), and major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content of strain SWU8^T was 48.5 mol%. Together, the phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic data supported that strain SWU8^T presents a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter humi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SWU8^T (=KEMC 9004-131^T = JCM 19178^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).     

Halorubrum rubrum sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from a Chinese salt lake

Two halophilic archaeal strains, YC87^T and YCA11, were isolated from Yuncheng salt lake in Shanxi, China. Cells of the two strains were observed to be pleomorphic rod-shaped, stained Gram-negative and produced red-pigmented colonies. Strain YC87^T was able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 1.4–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 2.1 M NaCl), at 0.05–1.0 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.3 M MgCl₂) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) while strain YCA11 was able to grow at 20–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), at 2.1–4.8 M NaCl (optimum 3.1 M NaCl), at 0.01–0.7 M MgCl₂ (optimum 0.1 M MgCl₂) and at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.5). The cells of both isolates were observed to lyse in distilled water. The minimum NaCl concentrations that prevented cell lysis were determined to be 8 % (w/v) for strain YC87^T and 12 % (w/v) for strain YCA11. The major polar lipids of the two strains were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and one major glycolipid chromatographically identical to sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether; another major glycolipid and trace amounts of several unidentified lipids were also detected. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains were 99.8 % identical, showing 93.2–98.2 % similarity to members of the genus Halorubrum of the family Halobacteriaceae. The rpoB′ gene similarity between strains YC87^T and YCA11 was 99.3 % and showed 87.5–95.2 % similarity to the closest relative members of the genus Halorubrum. The DNA G+C content of strains YC87^T and YCA11 were determined to be 64.9 and 64.5 mol%, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between strain YC20^T and strain YC77 was 87 % and the two strains showed low DNA–DNA relatedness with Halorubrum cibi JCM 15757^T and Halorubrum aquaticum CGMCC 1.6377^T, the most related members of the genus Halorubrum. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggest that strains YC87^T and YCA11 represent a novel species of the genus Halorubrum, for which the name Halorubrum rubrum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC87^T (=CGMCC 1.12124^T = JCM 18365^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).     

Marinilabilia nitratireducens sp. nov., a lipolytic bacterium of the family Marinilabiliaceae isolated from marine solar saltern

A Gram-negative, rod shaped, motile bacterium, was isolated from a marine solar saltern sample collected from Kakinada, India. Strain AK2^T was determined to be positive for nitrate reduction, catalase, Ala-Phe-Pro-arylamidase, β-galactosidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, α-glucosidase, α-galactosidase and phosphatase activities, hydrolysis of aesculin, Tween 20/40/60/80 and urea. It was determined to be negative for oxidase, lysine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase activities and could not hydrolyze agar, casein, gelatin and starch. The predominant fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0 (28.2 %), anteiso-C_15:0 (23.2 %), iso-C_13:0 (19.9 %) and iso-C_15:0 3-OH (13.9 %). Strain AK2^T was found to contain menaquinone with seven isoprene units (MK-7) as the sole respiratory quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids as polar lipids. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated the strain AK2^T as a member of the genus Marinilabilia and is closely related to Marinilabilia salmonicolor with pair-wise sequence similarity of 98.2 %. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene revealed that the strain AK2^T clustered with M. salmonicolor. However, DNA–DNA hybridization with M. salmonicolor JCM 21150^T showed a relatedness of 48 ± 0.5 % with respect to strain AK2^T. The DNA G+C content of the strain was determined to be 40.2 mol%. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference, it is proposed that the strain AK2^T represents a novel species of the genus Marinilabilia, for which the name Marinilabilia nitratireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of M. nitratireducens sp. nov. is AK2^T (= MTCC 11402^T = JCM 17679^T).     

Gracilibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov., a new member of the genus Gracilibacillus isolated from Xinjiang region, China

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated isolate J2^T was isolated from a soil sample from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. The isolate was observed to grow at 16–46 °C and pH 6.5–8.0. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed menaquinone-7 (MK-7) to be the major isoprenoid quinone; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one aminophospholipid, two phosphoglycolipids and one glycolipid as the major cellular polar lipids; and anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and C_16:0 as the major fatty acids. Comparative analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain J2^T is most closely related to Gracilibacillus ureilyticus (with 98.8 % similarity), Gracilibacillus dipsosauri (97.2 %), Gracilibacillus quinghaiensis (97.1 %) and Gracilibacillus thailandensis (97.0 %). The DNA–DNA reassociation values between strain J2^T and G. ureilyticus MF38^T, G. dipsosauri DD1^T, G. quinghaiensis YIM-C229^T and G. thailandensis TP2-8^T were 29.8 ± 3.7, 23.0 ± 3.5, 15.8 ± 4.9 and 15.9 ± 5.0 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain J2^T was determined to be 36.5 mol%. Based on these data, strain J2^T is considered as a novel species of the genus Gracilibacillus, for which the name Gracilibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type species is J2^T (= CGMCC 1.12449^T = JCM 18859^T).     

Bacillus alkalicola sp. nov., An Alkaliphilic,Gram-Positive Bacterium Isolated from Zhabuye Lake in Tibet,China

A Gram-positive, alkaliphilic bacterium, designated strain Zby6^T, was isolated from Zhabuye Lake in Tibet, China. The strain was able to grow at pH 8.0–11.0 (optimum at pH 10.0), in 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum at 3 %, w/v) and at 10–45 °C (optimum at 37 °C). Cells of the isolate were facultatively anaerobic and spore-forming rods with polar flagellum. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, and its cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 and anteiso-C_15:0. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 38.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Zby6^T was a member of the genus Bacillus and most closely related to Bacillus cellulosilyticus DSM 2522^T (97.7 % similarity). The DNA–DNA relatedness value between strain Zby6^T and B. cellulosilyticus DSM 2522^T was 59.2 ± 1.8 %. Comparative analysis of genotypic and phenotypic features indicated that strain Zby6^T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus alkalicola sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is Zby6^T (=CGMCC 1.10368^T = JCM 17098^T = NBRC 107743^T).