Mzabimyces algeriensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic filamentous actinobacterium isolated from a Saharan soil,and proposal of Mzabimycetaceae fam. nov.

Three halophilic mycelium-forming actinobacteria, strains H195^T, H150 and H151, were isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected from Béni-isguen in the Mzab region (Ghardaïa, South of Algeria) and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterisation. These strains were observed to show an aerial mycelium differentiated into coccoid spore chains and fragmented substrate mycelium. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the highest sequence similarities were to Saccharopolyspora qijiaojingensis YIM 91168^T (92.02 % to H195^T). Phylogenetic analyses showed that the strains H195^T, H150 and H151 represent a distinct phylogenetic lineage. The cell-wall hydrolysate was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid, and the diagnostic whole-cell sugars were identified as arabinose and galactose. The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylcholine and MK-9 (H₄) was found to be the predominant menaquinone. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain H195^T was 68.2 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic features and phylogenetic position, we propose that strain H195^T represents a novel genus and species, Mzabimyces algeriensis gen. nov., sp. nov., within a new family, Mzabimycetaceae fam. nov. The type strain of M. algeriensis is strain H195^T (=DSM 46680^T = MTCC 12101^T).     

Paenibacillus nicotianae sp. nov., isolated from a tobacco sample

A Gram-stain positive, facultative anaerobic endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain YIM h-19^T, was isolated from a tobacco sample. Cells were observed to be motile rods by means of peritrichous flagella and colonies were observed to be convex, yellow, circular and showed catalase-positive and oxidase-negative reactions. Strain YIM h-19^T was able to grow at 4–45 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and 0–3 % NaCl (w/v). The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as MK-7. Major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and C_16:0. The polar lipids were found to be phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 54 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the strain YIM h-19^T was most closely related to Paenibacillus hordei RH-N24^T and Paenibacillus hunanensis FeL05^T with similarities of 98.30 and 94.64 % respectively. However, DNA–DNA hybridization data indicated that the isolate represented a novel genomic species with the genus Paenibacillus. All data from genotypic and phenotypic analyses support the conclusion that strain YIM h-19^T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus nicotianae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM h-19^T (=CGMCC1.12819^T = NRRL B-59112^T).     

Litoribrevibacter albus gen. nov. sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater,Fujian province,China

A Gram-stain negative, short rod-shaped aerobic bacterium with flagella, designated strain Y32^T, was isolated from coastal seawater in Xiamen, Fujian Province of China. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that strain Y32^T is a member of the family Oceanospirillaceae, forming a distinct lineage with species of the genus Litoribacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain Y32^T and other strains were all less than 94.0 %. Strain Y32^T was found to grow optimally at 28 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 4–5 % (w/v) NaCl. The major fatty acids were identified as Summed Feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c, 49.4 %), C_16:0 (17.7 %), C_14:0 (6.9 %) and C_18:1 ω9c (5.4 %). The major respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The major polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain Y32^T was determined to be 55.6 mol%. According to its morphology, physiology, fatty acid composition, polar lipids composition and 16S rRNA gene sequence data, strain Y32^T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Oceanospirillaceae, for which the name Litoribrevibacter albus gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Litoribrevibacter albus is Y32^T (=MCCC 1F01211^T=NBRC 110071^T).     

Motiliproteus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-to-spiral-shaped, oxidase- and catalase- positive and facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated HS6^T, was isolated from marine sediment of Yellow Sea, China. It can reduce nitrate to nitrite and grow well in marine broth 2216 (MB, Hope Biol-Technology Co., Ltd) with an optimal temperature for growth of 30–33 °C (range 12–45 °C) and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl (range 0.5–7 %, w/v). The pH range for growth was pH 6.2–9.0, with an optimum at 6.5–7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the novel isolate was 93.3 % similar to the type strain of Neptunomonas antarctica, 93.2 % to Neptunomonas japonicum and 93.1 % to Marinobacterium rhizophilum, the closest cultivated relatives. The polar lipid profile of the novel strain consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and some other unknown lipids. Major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/iso-C_15:0 2-OH), C_18:1 ω7c and C_16:0 and the main respiratory quinone was Q-8. The DNA G+C content of strain HS6^T was 61.2 mol %. Based on the phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain HS6^T represents a novel genus and species and the name Motiliproteus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is HS6^T (=ATCC BAA-2613^T=CICC 10858^T).     

Citrimicrobium luteum gen. nov., sp. nov., aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium isolated from the gut of a sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus

A Gram-stain negative, yellow-pigmented, motile, pleomorphic bacterium, designated strain CBA4602^T, was isolated from the gut of the sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus, which was collected from Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea. In a phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene, strain CBA4602^T belonged to the order Sphingomonadales in the class Alphaproteobacteria. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain CBA4602^T and ‘Citromicrobium bathyomarinum’ JF-1, the most closely related strain having nonvalidly published name, was 98.4%, followed by 95.2–96.7% identities with sequence of the other closest strains in the genus Erythrobacter. Strain CBA4602^T had bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids. Strain CBA4602^T grew in 0–10% (w/v) NaCl, at 10–42°C and pH 6.0–8.0, with optimal growth in 1–2% NaCl, at 30–37°C and pH 7.0. Strain CBA4602^T was positive for catalase and oxidase activities and was able to hydrolyse gelatine and Tween 20 and 40, but not starch, Tween 80 or l-tyrosine. The G+C content of genomic DNA from strain CBA4602^T was 68.0 mol% and Q-10 was the major detected isoprenoid quinone. The polar lipids were three unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified glycolipids, and two unidentified lipids. The dominant fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:0, anteiso-C_17:0 and C_18:0. As considering the current taxonomic status of the genus ‘Citromicrobium’ and polyphasic taxonomic analyses, strain CBA4602^T represents a novel genus and species. The name Citrimicrobium luteum is proposed for the type strain CBA4602^T (=KACC 17668^T =JCM 19530^T).     

Streptosporangium subfuscum sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of marigold (Tagetes erecta L.)

A Gram-stain positive, filamentous bacterial strain, designated strain NEAU-TWSJ13^T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of a marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) plant collected in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain was observed to form abundant aerial hyphae differentiated into spherical sporangia. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-TWSJ13^T belongs to the genus Streptosporangium, being most closely related to Streptosporangium fragile DSM 43847^T (98.6 %). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that it formed a phyletic line with S. fragile DSM 43847^T, Streptosporangium jomthongense NBRC 110047^T (98.4 % 16S rRNA gene similarity) and Streptosporangium violaceochromogenes DSM 43849^T (97.6 % 16S rRNA gene similarity). A combination of DNA–DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that strain NEAU-TWSJ13^T can be distinguished from S. fragile DSM 43847^T and S. jomthongense NBRC 110047^T. Moreover, strain NEAU-TWSJ13^T can also be differentiated from S. violaceochromogenes DSM 43849^T and other Streptosporangium species showing high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.0 %) by morphological and physiological characteristics. Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-TWSJ13^T represents a novel species of the genus Streptosporangium, for which the name Streptosporangium subfuscum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-TWSJ13^T ( = CGMCC 4.7146^T = DSM = 46724^T).     

Nitratireductor shengliensis sp. nov., Isolated from an Oil-Polluted Saline Soil

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, short-rod-shaped bacterial isolates, designated 110399^T and 110248, were isolated from an oil-polluted saline soil in Shengli Oilfield, Eastern China. The two strains shared 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the DNA–DNA relatedness value being 80.0 %. They were both capable to grow at 20–40 °C, pH 7–9, and 1–9 % (w/v) NaCl with the optimum growth happened at 30 °C, pH 8, and 2–6 % (w/v) NaCl. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the two strains were members of Nitratireductor and most closely related to Nitratireductor pacificus pht-3B^T and N. basaltis J3^T with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities being 97.1 and 97.0 %. The DNA–DNA relatedness between the novel strains and two type strains were below 27 ± 7 %. The strains 110399^T and 110248 also differed from N. pacificus and N. basaltis in nitrate reduction, salt tolerance, enzyme activities, and utilization of carbon sources. The major cellular fatty acids of strain 110399^T were C_19:0ω8c cyclo (10.5 %) and Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c, 41.5 %) which are typical in the genus Nitratireductor. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10. The genome DNA G+C content of strain 110399^T and 110248 was 61.1 and 61.7 mol%. On the basis of genetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic analyses, strains 110399^T and 110248 represent a novel species within the genus Nitratireductor, for which the name Nitratireductor shengliensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 110399^T (=CGMCC 1.12519^T = LMG 27405^T).     

Thalassobius aquaeponti sp. nov., an alphaproteobacterium isolated from seawater

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped or ovoid bacterial strain, GJSW-22^T, which was isolated from seawater at Geoje island in South Korea, was characterized taxonomically. Strain GJSW-22^T was observed to grow optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. In the neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain GJSW-22^T grouped with the type strains of Thalassobius species, forming a stable cluster with the type strain of Thalassobius aestuarii (bootstrap value of 83.2 %). Strain GJSW-22^T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value (98.0 %) to the type strain of T. aestuarii. It exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 95.6–96.1 % to the type strains of the other Thalassobius species. Strain GJSW-22^T was found to contain Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C_18:1 ω7c and 11-methyl C_18:1 ω7c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain GJSW-22^T were identified as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G + C content of strain GJSW-22^T is 60.3 mol % and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness value with the type strain of T. aestuarii was 23 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, confirmed that strain GJSW-22^T is distinct from other Thalassobius species. On the basis of the data presented, strain GJSW-22^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Thalassobius, for which the name Thalassobius aquaeponti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GJSW-22^T (=KCTC 42115^T = NBRC 110378^T).     

Paenibacillus abyssi sp. nov., isolated from an abyssal sediment sample from the Indian Ocean

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SCSIO N0306^T, was isolated from an abyssal sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean. The isolate was found to grow optimally at 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl, pH 7.0 and 30 °C. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate SCSIO N0306^T belongs phylogenetically to the genus Paenibacillus, and to be most closely related to P. algorifonticola XJ259^T (with 95.47 % sequence similarity), sharing less than 95.0 % sequence similarity with all other taxa of this genus. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed MK-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone, the DNA G+C content was determined to be 45.5 mol%, and anteiso-C_15:0, C_16:0, and iso-C_15:0 were identified as the major fatty acids. On the basis of this polyphasic taxonomic data, isolate SCSIO N0306^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus abyssi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCSIO N0306^T (= DSM 26238^T = CGMCC 1.12987^T).     

Marinomonas profundimaris sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment sample of the Arctic Ocean

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain D104^T, which was isolated from deep-sea subsurface sediment sample from the Arctic Ocean. The bacterium was found to be Gram-negative, oxidase negative and catalase weakly positive, rod shaped, motile by means of polar flagellum. The organism grows between 4 and 37 °C (optimum 25–28 °C) and 0.5–6 % NaCl (optimum 3 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain D104^T belongs to the genus Marinomonas, with highest sequence similarities of 97.7 % to Marinomonas ushuaiensis DSM 15871^T, followed by M. dokdonensis DSW10-10^T (96.9 %), M. arenicola KMM 3893^T (96.7 %), M. arctica 328^T (96.6 %) and other 18 species of the genus Marinomonas (94.4–96.5 %). The average nucleotide identity and estimated DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain D104^T and M. ushuaiensis DSM 15871^T were 84.24 % and 20.80 ± 2.33 % respectively. The principal fatty acids were C_16:0, sum in feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c), sum in feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c/C_18:1 ω6c) and C_12:1 3OH. The G + C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 44.8 mol%. The respiratory quinone was found to be Q8 (100 %). Polar lipids include phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as major phospholipids and aminolipid and phospholipid as minor components. The results of the genotypic and phenotypic analyses indicate that strain D104^T represents a novel species of the genus Marinomonas, for which the name Marinomonas profundimaris sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain D104^T (=MCCC 1A07573^T = LMG 27696^T).     

Acinetobacter refrigeratorensis sp. nov., Isolated from a Domestic Refrigerator

A Gram-negative bacterial strain, designated WB1^T, was isolated from a domestic refrigerator in Guangzhou, PR China. Cells of strain WB1^T were oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming and non-motile coccobacilli with peritrichous fimbriae-like structures. The strain was able to grow at 10–40 °C with optimum growth at 28–30 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 0–6 % NaCl (w/v, optimum, 0.5 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and rpoB gene sequences revealed that strain WB1^T belonged to the genus Acinetobacter and was most closely related to A. indicus DSM 25388^T (97.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and A. radioresistens NBRC 102413^T (96.8 %). The DNA G + C content of strain WB1^T was 46.74 ± 0.04 mol % and the major fatty acids comprised summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c), C_18:1 ω9c, C_16:0 and C_12:0. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as Q-9 and the polar lipids as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and an unidentified phospholipid. Phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data, including low DNA–DNA relatedness with closely related type strains, supported that strain WB1^T represents a distinct novel species in the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter refrigeratorensis sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain is WB1^T (=GIMCC 1.663^T = CCTCC AB 2014197^T = KCTC 42011^T).     

Thioclava atlantica sp. nov., isolated from deep sea sediment of the Atlantic Ocean

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain 13D2W-2^T, which was isolated from a sulphur-oxidizing bacterial consortium, enriched by the deep-sea sediment of the Atlantic Ocean. The isolate was observed to be Gram-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, short rod-shaped and motile by means of a flagellum. Growth was observed at salinities from 0.5 to 12 % and at temperatures from 4 to 41 °C, and the strain found to be able to reduce nitrate but not degrade gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 13D2W-2^T belongs to the genus Thioclava, with highest sequence similarity of 97.8 % to Thioclava dalianensis DLFJ1-1^T, followed by Thioclava pacifica TL 2^T (97.7 %), while the sequence similarities to other members of the genus were all below 97.0 %. The digital DNA:DNA hybridization estimated values between strain 13D2W-2^T and, respectively, T. dalianensis DLFJ1-1^T and T. pacifica TL 2^T were 22.6 ± 2.4 and 25.6 ± 2.4 %. The ANI values between strain 13D2W-2^T and T. dalianensis DLFJ1-1^T and T. pacifica TL 2^T were 78.49 and 81.91 % respectively. The principal fatty acid identified was Summed Feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c/ω6c) (74.38 %). The isoprenoid quinone of strain 13D2W-2^T was identified as Q10 (100 %). The major polar lipids of strain 13D2W-2^T were found to be comprised of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an aminophospholipid, a glycolipid and three unknown phospholipids. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was determined to be 65.3 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain 13D2W-2^T represents a novel species of the genus Thioclava, for which the name Thioclava atlantica sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 13D2W-2^T ( = MCCC 1A02612^T = LMG 27145^T).     

Cohnella humi sp. nov., Isolated from Russian Soil

A Gram-positive, catalase and oxidase positive, rod-shaped bacteria, and spore-forming, designated as J20-3^T was isolated from a peat soil, collected near a coal mine at Prokopyevsk, (GPS; N53°52′51″, E86°43′39″) Kemerovo Oblast, Russia. A polyphasic taxonomy study using phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genotypic method was performed to characterize strain J20-3^T. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain J20-3^T represented a novel subline within the genus Cohnella in the family Paenibacillaceae. According to 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain J20-3^T showed 93.7–97.2 % similarity levels with other Cohnella species. Strain J20-3^T exhibited relatively low level of DNA–DNA hybridization value with type strains KACC 11643^T (40 %), KACC 11771^T (37.5 %), and KACC 15372^T (30.5 %). The strain showed typical chemotaxonomic characteristic of the genus Cohnella, with the presence of predominant respiratory quinone MK-7; major fatty acids are C_15:0, C_16:0, iso, and C_16:0. The DNA G+C content of the strain J20-3^T was 56.3 mol%. The polar lipid profile of the strain J20-3^T included major amount of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphoatidylethanolamine. On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic properties, and its phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain J20-3^T should be classified as a novel species in the genus Cohnella, for which the name Cohnella humi sp. nov. is proposed.     

Rhizobium smilacinae sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from the leaf of Smilacina japonica

During a study of endophytic bacteria from traditional Chinese medicinal plants, a bacterial strain, designated PTYR-5^T, was isolated from the leaf of Smilacina japonica A. Gray collected from Taibai Mountain in Shaanxi Province, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain PTYR-5^T is a member of the genus Rhizobium, exhibiting the highest sequence similarities to R. cellulosilyticum LMG 23642^T (97.2 %), R. huautlense LMG 18254^T (97.2 %) and R. alkalisoli CCBAU 01393^T (97.1 %). The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to other Rhizobium species with validly published names were less than 97.0 %. Phylogenies of the housekeeping genes atpD, recA and glnII confirmed its distinct position, showing low similarity with respect to those of recognized Rhizobium species (no more than 94.1?, 90.0 and 88.0 ?    % similarity, respectively). The DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain PTYR-5^T with R. cellulosilyticum LMG 23642^T, R. huautlense LMG 18254^T and R. alkalisoli CCBAU 01393^T were 33.6, 21.4 and 29.5 %, respectively. Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, strain PTYR-5^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium smilacinae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PTYR-5^T (=CCTCC AB 2013016^T=KCTC 32300^T=LMG 27604^T).     

Bacterioplanes sanyensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a PHB-accumulating bacterium isolated from a pool of Spirulina platensis cultivation

A Gram-negative, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating rod bacterium, strain GYP-2^T, was isolated from a pool of marine Spirulina platensis cultivation, Sanya, China. Growth was observed at 10–45 °C and pH 6–10 in the presence of 1–10 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the new isolate belonged to Gammaproteobacteria and displayed 93.8–95.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequences similarities to members of the genera Thalassolituus, Oleibacter, and Oceanobacter, but house-keeping gene gyrB (encode DNA gyrase beta subunit) demonstrated that the new isolate was distantly related to Thalassolituus, Oleibacter, and Oceanobacter species (only 77–83 % gene gyrB sequences similarities).The G+C content of genomic DNA was 55 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-9, while that for Oceanobacter kriegii LMG 6238^T was Q-8. Major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. On the basis of its physiological, chemotaxonomic, and molecular properties, strain GYP-2^T is suggested to represent a novel species of a new genus in Gammaproteobacteria, for which the name Bacterioplanes sanyensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GYP-2^T (=CGMCC 1.12392^T=KCTC 32220^T).     

Bacillus thermophilum sp. nov., isolated from a microbial fuel cell

A novel thermophilic, Gram-staining positive bacterium, designated DX-2^T, was isolated from the anode biofilm of a microbial fuel cell. Cells of the strain were oxidase positive, catalase positive, facultative anaerobic, motile rods. The isolate grew at 30–60 °C (optimum 50 °C) and pH 5–9 (optimum pH 8–8.5). The pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities showed that strain DX-2^T was most closely related to Bacillus fumarioli LMG 17489^T (96.2 %), B. firmus JCM 2512^T (96.0 %) and B. foraminis DSM 19613^T (95.7 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DX-2^T formed a cluster with B. smithii (95.5 %) and B. infernus (94.9 %). The genomic G+C content of DX-2^T was 43.7 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and unknown phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acid was iso-C_16:0. Based on its phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic features, and results of phylogenetic analysis, the strain was identified to represent a distinct novel species in the genus Bacillus, and the name proposed is B. thermophilum sp. nov. The type strain is DX-2^T (=CCTCC AB2012194^T = KCTC 33128^T).     

Seohaeicola nanhaiensis sp. nov., A Moderately Halophilic Bacterium Isolated from the Benthic Sediment of South China Sea

An aerobic, Gram-staining negative, non-motile, and rod-shaped bacterial strain, SS011A0-7#2-2^T, was isolated from the sediment of South China Sea with the depth of 1,500 m. Optimum growth occurred at pH 8.0, 30 °C, and 6 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T did not synthesize bacteriochlorophyll a or carotenoid, neither possess photosynthesis genes. Its genome DNA G+C content was 67.9 mol%. It contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C_18:1 ω7c (52.3 %) as the major fatty acid. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified phospholipid, and unidentified aminolipid. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that it was closely related to Seohaeicola saemankumensis SD-15^T, Phaeobacter gallaeciensis BS 107^T and Roseovarius pacificus 81-2^T in Rhodobacteraceae, with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities being 96.5, 95.7, and 95.6 %, respectively. However, the phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T was a member of the genus Seohaeicola. Strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T was moderately halophilic which was different from Seohaeicola saemankumensis SD-15^T, and it showed the enzyme activities and carbon source spectrum significantly different from Seohaeicola saemankumensis SD-15^T. As its physiological and chemotaxinomic properties were different from those of Seohaeicola saemankumensis SD-15^T, strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T represents a novel species of the genus Seohaecola. The name Seohaeicola nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed, with strain SS011A0-7#2-2^T (=LMG 27733^T = CGMCC 1.12759^T) as the type strain.     

Siansivirga jejunensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater of Jeju Island in Korea and emendation of the genus Siansivirga

A Gram-stain negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding and rod-shaped bacterium, strain JHH-2^T, was isolated from seawater collected in Jeju Island, Korea. The novel isolate was found to grow at 25–30 °C, at pH 6.5–7.0 and in the presence of 1–2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain JHH-2^T is closely related to Siansivirga zeaxanthinifaciens JCM 17682^T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.6 %. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-6 and the major cellular fatty acids were detected as iso-C_15:0, C_16:0 and iso-C_17:0 3-OH. Polar lipid profiling revealed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid, four unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the chromosomal DNA of the type strain is 35.6 mol%. On the basis of several distinct phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, a new species of the genus Siansivirga, Siansivirga jejunensis JHH-2^T sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JHH-2^T (= KCCM 92030^T = JCM 19228^T).     

Acinetobacter apis sp. nov., isolated from the intestinal tract of a honey bee,Apis mellifera

A novel Gram-negative, obligate aerobic, non-motile, and both coccobacillus- and bacillus-shaped bacterium, designated strain HYN18^T, was isolated from the intestinal tract of a honey bee (Apis mellifera). The isolate was oxidasenegative and catalase-positive. Strain HYN18^T showed optimum growth at 25°C, pH 6–7, and in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl in trypticase soy broth medium. The isolate was negative for hydrolyses of starch, casein, gelatin and urea, indole production from tryptone and hemolysis on sheep blood agar. A phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and rpoB gene sequence showed that strain HYN18^T was most closely related to Acinetobacter nectaris SAP 763.2^T and A. boissieri SAP 284.1^T with 98.3% and 98.1% similarity (16S rRNA gene), respectively, and 84.4% similarity with Acinetobacter nectaris SAP 763.2^T (rpoB gene). The major cellular fatty acids were summed features 3 (comprising C_16:1ω7c /C_16:1ω6c ), C_12:0 and C_16:0. The main isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-9 (Q-9). The polar lipids of strain HYN18^T were phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified lipids, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content was 40.6 mol%. DNADNA hybridization experiments indicated less than 33 ± 10% relatedness to the closest phylogenetic species, Acinetobacter nectaris SAP 763.2^T. Thus, the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic analyses indicate that strain HYN18^T is a novel species within the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter apis is proposed. The type strain is HYN18^T (=KACC 16906^T =JCM 18575^T).