<Emphasis Type="Italic">Westiellopsis ramosa</Emphasis> sp. nov., intensely branched species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Westiellopsis</Emphasis> (cyanobacteria) from a freshwater habitat of Jabalpur,Madhya Pradesh,India

An axenic culture of a cyanobacterium (strain HPS) was raised from a field specimen of greenish planktonic floccose mass from a local lake, Ganga Sagar. Intense morphological examination and comparative morphological assessment with the genera Fischerella and Hapalosiphon and all the known strains of the genus Westiellopsis indicated that the strain HPS differed in morphology with the closely related strains in trichome arrangement, size of vegetative cells, heterocytes, monocytes, and number of rows of main filaments. There were also differences in the habitat preference, being aquatic rather than terrestrial or subaerial. Intense ecological characterization of the habitat was performed through measurements of important physicochemical characteristics. 16S rRNA gene-based identification and phylogenetic placement indicated conclusively that the strain HPS was different from the most closely related strain Westiellopsis prolifica SAG 16.93. Phylogenetic inferences drawn in between all the branched heterocytous forms and subsequent 16S-23S ITS analyses and folding of the secondary structures revealed an entirely new form that is unknown till now. Subsequent nifD and rbcL gene-based phylogenetic assessments indicated that strain HPS is phylogenetically different from all the other previously known species of true branching cyanobacteria, along with also pointing toward the huge database inconsistencies in case of true branched cyanobacteria. Assessment of morphological and ecological differences along with comprehensive phylogenetic evaluation indicated that the strain HPS is a new species of the genus Westiellopsis and the name being proposed is Westiellopsis ramosa sp. nov.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kretzschmaria varians</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria coremiifera</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xylaria umbonata</Emphasis> sp. nov. from Costa Rica

Kretzschmaria varians, a species apparently related to K. micropus, is described as new. It is distinguished primarily by having asci with 2 to 8 ascospores with inconstant germination slit length and remains of synnemata on stromata and surrounding substrate. Xylaria coremiifera, described here as new, bears small fragile coremia on pulvinate stromata and the surrounding substrate. Asci often have fewer than 8 ascospores, most frequently 4. Xylaria umbonata, described here as new, produces perithecia around a central umbo that appears to be the remains of a synnema. Ascospores have long spiralling germination slits.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium koreense</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium chungnamense</Emphasis> sp. nov., and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacterium cheonanense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a freshwater reservoir

Taxonomic studies were performed on three strains isolated from Cheonho reservoir in Cheonan, Korea. The isolates were Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, catalase-positive, and oxidase-positive. Colonies on solid media were cream-yellow, smooth, shiny, and circular. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains belong to the genus Flavobacterium. The strains shared 98.6–99.4% sequence similarity with each other and showed less than 97% similarity with members of the genus Flavobacterium with validly published names. The DNA-DNA hybridization results confirmed the separate genomic status of strains ARSA-42^T, ARSA-103^T, and ARSA-108^T. The isolates contained menaqui-none-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0 3-OH, iso-Ci_15:1 G, and iso-C_16:0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolates were 31.4–33.2 mol%. According to the phenotypic and genotypic data, these organisms are classified as representative of three novel species in the genus Flavobacterium, and the name Flavobacterium koreense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-42^T =KCTC 23182^T =JCM 17066^T =KACC 14969^T), Flavobacterium chungnamense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-103^T =KCTC 23183^T =JCM 17068^T =KACC 14971^T), and Flavobacterium cheonanense sp. nov. (strain ARSA-108^T =KCTC 23184^T =JCM 17069^T =KACC 14972) are proposed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ogataea phyllophila</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida chumphonensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida mattranensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., three methylotrophic yeast species from phylloplane in Thailand

Five strains (LN12, LN14^T, LN15^T, LN16 and LN17^T) representing three novel methylotrophic yeast species were isolated from the external surface of plant leaves by three-consecutive enrichments. On the basis of morphological, biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the phylogenetic analysis, the five strains were assigned to be one novel Ogataea species and two novel Candida species. Three strains (LN12, LN14^T and LN16) represent a single novel species of the genus Ogataea, for which the name Ogataea phyllophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LN14^T (= BCC 42666^T = NBRC 107780^T = CBS 12095^T). Strain LN15^T was assigned to be Candida chumphonensis sp. nov. (type strain LN15^T = BCC 42667^T = NBRC 107781^T = CBS 12096^T). Strain LN17^T represented another novel species of Candida that was named Candida mattranensis sp. nov. (type strain LN17^T = BCC 42668^T = NBRC 107782^T = CBS 12097^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium matuoi</Emphasis> sp. nov. and its teleomorph <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cosmospora matuoi</Emphasis> sp. nov.

A group of Fusarium isolates from slime flux similar to F. aquaeductuum produced unique, strongly curved, aseptate, C-shaped conidia. They were found to be identical to F. splendens nom. nud. Dried specimens from which F. splendens was originally isolated were reexamined and characterized as a new species of Cosmospora. Cosmospora matuoi sp. nov. is proposed for the teleomorph, and Fusarium matuoi sp. nov. is proposed for its anamorph.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida kashinagacola</Emphasis> sp. nov., <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. pseudovanderkliftii</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. vanderkliftii</Emphasis> sp. nov., three new yeasts from ambrosia beetle-associated sources

Three new yeast species, Candida kashinagacola (JCM 15019(T) = CBS 10903(T)), C. pseudovanderkliftii (JCM 15025(T) = CBS 10904(T)), and C. vanderkliftii (JCM 15029(T) = CBS 10905(T)) are described on the basis of comparison of nucleotide sequences of large subunit ribosomal DNA D1/D2 region (LSU rDNA D1/D2). The nearest assigned species of the three new species was Candida llanquihuensis. Candida kashinagacola and C. pseudovanderkliftii differed from C. llanquihuensis by 3.8% nucleotide substitution of the region, while C. vanderkliftii did by 4.4%. Three new species differed in a number of physiological and growth characteristics from any previously assigned species and from one another. A phylogenetic tree based on the sequences of LSU rDNA D1/D2 showed that these new species together with Candida sp. ST-246, Candida sp. JW01-7-11-1-4-y2, Candida sp. BG02-7-20-001A-2-1 and C. llanquihuensis form a clade near Ambrosiozyma species. The new species did not assimilate methanol as a sole source of carbon, which supported the monophyly of these non methanol-assimilating species which are closely related to the methylotrophic yeasts. Candida kashinagacola was frequently isolated from the beetle galleries of Platypus quercivorus in three different host trees (Quercus serrata, Q. laurifolia and Castanopsis cuspidata) located in the sourthern part of Kyoto, Japan, thus indicating that this species may be a primary ambrosia fungus of P. quercivorus. On the other hand, C. pseudovanderkliftii and C. vanderkliftii were isolated only from beetle galleries in Q. laurifolia. Candida vanderkliftii was isolated from beetle gallery of Platypus lewisi as well as those of P. quercivorus. Candida pseudovanderkliftii and C. vanderkliftii are assumed to be auxiliary ambrosia fungi of P. quercivorus.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingorhabdus buctiana</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from fresh water,and reclassification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingopyxis contaminans</Emphasis> as <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingorhabdus contaminans</Emphasis> comb. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated T5^T, was isolated from the Chishui River in Maotai town, Guizhou Province, Southwest of China. Strain T5^T was found to grow optimally at pH 9.0 and 25 °C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain T5^T belongs to the family Sphingomonadaceae within the phylum Proteobacteria; the strain T5^T clustered with the type strains of Sphingopyxis contaminans, Sphingorhabdus wooponensis and Sphingorhabdus rigui, with which it exhibits 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.2–96.9%. The DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major polyamine was homospermidine and the major fatty acids were C_18:1 ω7c (37.5%) and C_16:1 ω7c (30.1%). On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic and genetic data, strain T5^T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingorhabdus, for which the name Sphingorhabdus buctiana sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T5^T (= CGMCC 1.12929^T = JCM 30114^T). It is also proposed that Sphingopyxis contaminans should be reclassified as a member of the genus Sphingorhabdus.     

Selective inhibition of the cyanobacterium, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcystis</Emphasis>, by a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> sp.

A Streptomyces strain, NT0401, was isolated from soil that selectively inhibited Microcystis strains but did not affect other microorganisms. Based on its morphology, physiology and 16S rDNA sequence, it was identified as Streptomyces grisovariabilis. The active substance produced by NT0401 was a water-soluble compound with a Mr <1 kDa that was stable over a broad pH range and at 100°C for 20 min. This organism should be a potential environment-friendly strain for control of Microcystis blooms.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azohydromonas riparia</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Azohydromonas ureilytica</Emphasis> sp. nov. isolated from a riverside soil in South Korea

White and pale yellow coloured bacteria were isolated from the riverside soil, Daejeon, South Korea, and were designated UCM-11^T, UCM-F25, and UCM-80^T. We found that all strains were able to reduce nitrate, and the cells were aerobic and motile. The DNA G+C contents of UCM-11^T, UCM-F25, and UCM-80^T were between 68.9 to 71.2 mol% and the main ubiquinone was observed as Q-8. Based on16S rRNA gene sequences, strains UCM-11^T and UCM-F25 were found to closely match with Azohydromonas australica IAM 12664^T (98.48–98.55%), and the strain UCM-80^T was the closest match with Azohydromonas lata IAM 12599^T (98.34%). The presence of summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_16:1 ω6c), C_16:0, summed feature 8 (C_18:1 ω7c and/or C_18:1 ω6c) as well as twokinds of hydroxyfatty acids consisting of C_10:0 3-OH and C_12:0 2-OH, and branched fatty acids containing C_16:0 iso and C_17:0 cyclo were detected in all the strains. Phosphatidylethanolamine was a major polar lipid. DNA–DNA relatedness confirmed UCM-11^T, UCM-F25 and UCM-80^T as novel members of the genus Azohydromonas. Based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and genotypic characteristics, we suggest that strains UCM-11^T, UCM-F25, and UCM-80^T represent novel species within the genus Azohydromonas. The names Azohydromonas riparia sp. nov., and Azohydromonas ureilytica sp. nov. are proposed for the type strains UCM-11^T (=KACC 18570^T =NBRC 111646^T) and UCM-80^T (=KACC 18576^T =NBRC 111658^T), respectively.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter panacis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panax ginseng</Emphasis> soil

A novel strain, DCY108^T was isolated from soil of a Panax ginseng field, Yeoncheon province (38°04′N 126°57′E), Republic of Korea. Strain DCY108^T is Gram-negative, non-motile, non-flagellate, rod-shaped, and aerobic. The bacterium grows optimally at 25–30 °C, pH 6.5–7.0 and 1 % NaCl. Phylogenetically, strain DCY108^T is closely related to Pedobacter jejuensis JCM 18824^T, Pedobacter aquatilis JCM 13454^T, Pedobacter kyungheensis LMG 26577^T and the type strain of the genus Pedobacter heparinus DSM 2366^T. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain DCY108^T and its close phylogenetic neighbors were below 30.0 %. The DNA G+C content of strain DCY108^T was determined to be 45.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified aminolipids AL1, AL13 and AL17. Iso-C_15:00, iso-C_17:03OH and summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c/C_16:1 ω6c) were identified as the major fatty acids present in strain DCY108^T. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed strain DCY108^T to be differentiated phenotypically from other recognized species belonging to the genus Pedobacter. Therefore, it is suggested that the newly isolated organism represents a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter panacis sp. nov is proposed with the type strain designated as DCY108^T (=CCTCCAB 2015196^T = KCTC 42748^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saturnispora serradocipensis</Emphasis> sp. nov. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saturnispora gosingensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., two ascomycetous yeasts from ephemeral habitats

Two novel ascomycetous yeast species, Saturnispora serradocipensis and Saturnispora gosingensis, were isolated from leaf detritus in a tropical stream of Southeastern Brazil and a mushroom collected in Taiwan, respectively. Analysis of the D1/D2 domains of the large-subunit of the rRNA gene of these strains showed that these species are related to Saturnispora hagleri, their closest relative. Saturnispora serradocipensis and S. gosingensis differed from S. hagleri, respectively, by seven nucleotide substitutions and two indels and three nucleotide substitutions and three indels in D1/D2 rRNA sequences. The two new species differ from each another by four nucleotide substitutions and one indel in D1/D2 rRNA sequences. However, the ITS sequences of S. serradocipensis, S. gosingensis and S. hagleri were quite divergent, showing that they are genetically separate species. The type strain of S. serradocipensis is UFMG-DC-198^T (=CBS 11756^T = NRRL Y-48717^T), and of S. gosingensis GA4M05^T is (CBS 11755^T = NRRL Y-48718^T).     

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

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

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Strobilomyces verruculosus</Emphasis> sp. nov. from Japan

A new species, Strobilomyces verruculosus, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically distinct from other species of Strobilomyces by having a verruculose pileus with small subpyramidal scales, a long and thick stipe with small warty to appressed scales, subdecurrent tubes, and incompletely reticulate basidiospores. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 3 (cox3) gene support that it belongs to the genus Strobilomyces and is highly differentiated from the other members of this genus found in Japan.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Actinokineospora</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">mzabensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from Saharan soil

A novel actinomycete strain, designated PAL84, was isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected from Béni-Isguen, Ghardaïa (South of Algeria). This strain was studied for its taxonomic position using a polyphasic approach and was identified as a member of the genus Actinokineospora. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain PAL84 had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with members of the genus Actinokineospora ranging from 96.2 % (Actinokineospora inagensis DSM 44258^T) to 97.8 % (Actinokineospora baliensis NBRC 104211^T). The strain was observed to produce pinkish-purple aerial mycelium and purplish red substrate mycelium, which fragmented readily into chains of non-motile elements. The optimum growth temperature and pH were found to be 25–30 °C and 5.0–7.0, respectively. The cell-wall hydrolysate of strain PAL84 was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the diagnostic whole-cell sugars were identified as arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinone was identified as MK-9 (H₄). The major fatty acids were found to be iso-C_16:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:1 H and iso-C_16:0 2OH. The diagnostic phospholipid detected was phosphatidylethanolamine. The genotypic and phenotypic data show that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Actinokineospora, for which the name Actinokineospora mzabensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain PAL84^T (=DSM 45961^T = CECT 8578^T).     

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

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

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus bryophyllum</Emphasis> sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bryophyllum pinnatum</Emphasis>

A nitrogen-fixing, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain L201^T was isolated from the leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum growing in South China Agricultural University. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain L201^T is affiliated with the genus Paenibacillus, and closely related to Paenibacillus albidus Q4-3^T (97.4%), Paenibacillus odorifer DSM 15391^T (97.3%) and Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188^T (97.2%). The main fatty acids components was anteiso-C_15:0 (48.1%). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of strain L201^T was 43.9%. DNA–DNA relatedness between L201^T and the reference strain was 29.8%. Biological and biochemical tests, protein patterns, genomic DNA fingerprinting and comparison of cellular fatty acids distinguished strain L201^T from the closely related Paenibacillus species. Based on these data, the novel species Paenibacillus bryophyllum sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain L201^T(=?KCTC 33951 ^T?=?GDMCC 1.1251 ^T).     

Multilocus phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clonostachys</Emphasis> subgenus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bionectria</Emphasis> from Brazil and description of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clonostachys chloroleuca</Emphasis> sp. nov.

Phylogenetic analyses based on protein-encoding gene exons and introns of ATP citrate lyase (ACL1), beta tubulin (TUB), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1) are used for inferring the existence of a new Clonostachys species from the Cerrado biome in Brazil, described here as C. chloroleuca. The species produces dimorphic, primary, and secondary conidiophores that form consistently greenish conidial masses on artificial media. It resembles therefore C. rosea f. catenulata although it differs from this species by less adpressed branches in the secondary conidiophores. The new species is also phylogenetically related to C. byssicola and C. rhizophaga. Our inventory suggests that C. byssicola, C. chloroleuca, C. pseudochroleuca, C. rhizophaga, C. rogersoniana, and C. rosea commonly occur in native and agriculturally used soils of the Cerrado and Amazon Forest. Using sequences available from two genome-sequenced strains employed as biological control agents, we confirm the identity of the European strain IK726 as C. rosea and identify strain 67-1 from China as C. chloroleuca.