Halomonas alkaliantarctica sp. nov., isolated from saline lake Cape Russell in Antarctica, an alkalophilic moderately halophilic, exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium

The taxomony of strain CRSS (DSM 15686(T)=ATCC BAA-848(T)) isolated from Cape Russell in Antarctica (Ross Sea, 74 52.35 S 163 53.03 E) was investigated in a polyphasic approach. The morphological, physiological and genetic characteristics were compared with that of related species of the genus Halomonas. The isolate grew optimally at pH 9.0, 10% NaCl at 30 degrees C. The cells were Gram-negative aerobic rods able to produce exopolysaccharide. They accumulated glycine-betaine, as a major osmolyte, with minor components ectoine and glutamate. The strain CRSS biosynthetised alpha-glucosidase. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as major components. Ubiquinone with nine repetitive unities (Q9) was the only quinone found and the fatty acid composition was dominated by C18:1 (53%). The G+C content of DNA was 55.0mol% and its phylogenetic position was established by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as a member of the genus Halomonas. For physiological, chemotaxonomic and genetic features (DNA-DNA hybridisation) it is proposed to classify the isolate as a new species for which we propose the name Halomonas alkaliantarctica sp. nov.     

Halomonas aidingensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from Aiding salt lake in Xinjiang, China

Two Gram-negative moderately halophilic bacterial strains, designated Ad-1(T) and C-12, were isolated from Aiding salt lake of Xinjiang in China. The novel isolates were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells of these strains were cocci or short rods and motile with polar flagella. Colonies produced brown-red pigment. The isolates grew in the range of 0.5-25% (w/v) NaCl, pH 5.5-10.5 and 4-45°C. Analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains Ad-1(T) and C-12 belonged to the genus Halomonas showing 92.7-98.4% similarity with the type species. The isoprenoid quinones of the isolates were Q-9 and Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids were C18:1ω7c, C16:1ω7c/6c, C16:0, C12:0-3OH and C10:0. The DNA G + C contents of strains Ad-1(T) and C-12 were 64.6 and 63.9 mol%, respectively. The DNA relatedness between the two isolates was 89.2%. The similarities of these newly isolated strains with closely related type strains were lower than 35% at the genetic level. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genetic characteristics, the representative strain Ad-1(T) is considered to be a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas aidingensis sp. nov. is proposed, with Ad-1(T) (= CGMCC 1.10191(T) = NBRC 106173(T)) as the type strain.     

Halomonas borealis sp. nov. and Halomonas niordiana sp. nov., two new species isolated from seawater

Two Gram-negative strains obtained from tank water in a scallop hatchery in Norway, were phenotypically and genotypically characterized in order to clarify their taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, these isolates, ATF 5.2^T and ATF 5.4^T, were included in the genus Halomonas, being their closest relatives H. smyrnensis and H. taeanensis, with similarities of 98.9% and 97.7%, respectively. Sequence analysis of the housekeeping genes atpA, ftsZ, gyrA, gyrB, mreB, rpoB, rpoD, rpoE, rpoH, rpoN and rpoS clearly differentiated the isolates from the currently described Halomonas species, and the phylogenetic analysis using concatenated sequences of these genes located them in two robust and independent branches. DNA–DNA hybridization (eDDH) percentage, together with average nucleotide identity (ANI), were calculated using the complete genome sequences of the strains, and demonstrate that the isolates constitute two new species of Halomonas, for which the names of Halomonas borealis sp. nov. and Halomonas niordiana sp. nov. are proposed, with type strains ATF 5.2^T (=CECT 9780^T = LMG 31367^T) and ATF 5.4^T (=CECT 9779^T = LMG 31227^T), respectively.     

Rhodospirillum salinarum sp. nov., a halophilic photosynthetic bacterium isolated from a Portuguese saltern

A new species of halophilic photosynthetic bacteria, Rhodospirillum salinarum, has been isolated and described. Its natural habitat are the terminal crystallization ponds of solar salt production plants. R. salinarum grows optimally at 42°C in the presence of 6–18% NaCl (w/v). Growth requirements are complex, yeast extract and peptone being required both for aerobic heterotrophic and for anaerobic phototrophic growth. Increasing concentrations of NaCl in the growth media did not give rise to any corresponding increase in intracellular concentrations of K⁺, Na⁺, polyalcohols or amino acids. Malate dehydrogenase from R. salinarum is not halophilic, being inhibited even at low concentrations of Na⁺ or K⁺. The GC mol % of DNA from R. salinarum is markedly higher than that for DNA from R. salexigens, the only previously described halophilic species of the genus Rhodospirillum.     

Characterization of Halanaerobaculum tunisiense gen. nov., sp. nov., a new halophilic fermentative, strictly anaerobic bacterium isolated from a hypersaline lake in Tunisia

A new halophilic anaerobe was isolated from the hypersaline surface sediments of El-Djerid Chott, Tunisia. The isolate, designated as strain 6SANG, grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 14 to 30%, with an optimum at 20–22%. Strain 6SANG was a non-spore-forming, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, appearing singly, in pairs, or occasionally as long chains (0.7–1 × 4–13 μm) and showed a Gram-negative-like cell wall pattern. It grew optimally at pH values between 7.2 and 7.4, but had a very broad pH range for growth (5.9–8.4). Optimum temperature for growth was 42°C (range 30–50°C). Strain 6SANG required yeast extract for growth on sugars. Glucose, sucrose, galactose, mannose, maltose, cellobiose, pyruvate, and starch were fermented. The end products from glucose fermentation were acetate, butyrate, lactate, H₂, and CO₂. The G + C ratio of the DNA was 34.3 mol%. Strain 6SANG exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 91–92% with members of the genus Halobacteroides, H. halobius being its closest phylogenetic relative. Based on phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, we propose that this bacterium be classified as a novel species of a novel genus, Halanaerobaculum tunisiense gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is 6SANG^T (=DSM 19997^T = JCM 15060^T).     

Salinicoccus salitudinis sp. nov., a new moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a saline soil sample

A novel pale-yellow-pigmented, moderately halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic Gram-positive coccus, strain YIM-C678^T was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from a hypersaline habitat in the Qaidam basin, northwest China. The organism grew at 4–37°C and pH 6.0–11.0, with optimum growth at 25°C and pH 8.0. Strain YIM-C678^T grew optimally in the presence of 10–12% (w/v) NaCl and growth was observed in 1–25% (w/v) NaCl. The cell wall murein type was l-Lys-Gly₅. Major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and C_16:0. Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the major respiratory quinone. The DNA G + C content was 46.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain YIM-C678^T belonged to the family Staphylococcaceae and was most closely related to the eight described species of the genus Salinicoccus with sequence similarities from 92.2 (S. luteus YIM 70202^T) to 97.5% (S. kunmingensis YIM Y15^T). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YIM-C678^T and S. kunmingensis YIM Y15^T was 35.4%. Chemotaxonomic data and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis supported the affiliation of strain YIM-C678^T with the genus Salinicoccus. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic differences and DNA–DNA hybridization data supported the view that the bacterium represents a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which the name Salinicoccus salitudinis sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM-C678^T (=DSM 17846 = CGMCC 1.6299) as the type strain.     

Salimicrobium salexigens sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from salted hides

Two Gram-positive, moderately halophilic bacteria, designated strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI, were isolated from salted hides. Both strains were non-motile, strictly aerobic cocci, growing in the presence of 3–25% (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth at 7.5–12.5% [w/v] NaCl), between pH 5.0 and 10.0 (optimal growth at pH 7.5) and at temperatures between 15 and 40 °C (optimal growth at 37 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison showed that both strains showed a similarity of 98.7% and were closely related to species of the genus Salimicrobium, within the phylum Firmicutes. Strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.9–97.6% with Salimicrobium album DSM 20748^T, Salimicrobium halophilum DSM 4771^T, Salimicrobium flavidum ISL-25^T and Salimicrobium luteum BY-5^T. The DNA G+C content was 50.7 mol% and 51.5 mol% for strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization between both strains was 98%, whereas the values between strain 29CMI^T and the species S. album CCM 3517^T, S. luteum BY-5^T, S. flavidum ISL-25^T and S. halophilum CCM 4074^T were 45%, 28%, 15% and 10%, respectively, showing unequivocally that strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI constitute a new genospecies. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_14:0. The main respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7, although small amounts of MK-6 were also found. The polar lipids of the type strain consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid and one glycolipid. The peptidoglycan type is A1γ, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, and phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, we propose strains 29CMI^T and 53CMI as a novel species of the genus Salimicrobium, with the name Salimicrobium salexigens sp. nov. The type strain is 29CMI^T (=CECT 7568^T = JCM 16414^T = LMG 25386^T).     

Geobacillus galactosidasius sp. nov., a new thermophilic galactosidase-producing bacterium isolated from compost

Two thermophilic spore-forming strains, with optimum growth temperature at 70 °C, were isolated from compost of the “Experimental System of Composting” (Teora, Avellino, Italy). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these organisms represented a new species of the genus Geobacillus. Based on polyphasic taxonomic data the strains represented a novel species for which the name Geobacillus galactosidasius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CF1B^T (= ATCC BAA-1450^T = DSM 18751^T).     

Chimaereicella alkaliphila gen. nov., sp. nov., a Gram-negative alkaliphilic bacterium isolated from a nonsaline alkaline groundwater

A Gram-negative bacterium designated AC-74(T) was isolated from a highly alkaline groundwater environment (pH 11.4). This organism formed rod-shaped cells, is strictly aerobic, catalase and oxidase positive, tolerates up to 3.0% NaCl, has an optimum growth temperature of 30 degrees C, but no growth occurs at 10 or 40 degrees C, and an optimum pH value of 8.0, but no growth occurs at pH 7.0 or 11.3. The predominant fatty acids are iso-15:0, iso-17:1 omega9c and 16:1 omega7c and or iso-15:2OH. The G+C content of DNA was 43.5mol%. The phylogenetic analyses of the sequences of the 16s RNA genes indicated that strain AC-74(T) belongs to the family "Flexibacteriaceae" and is phylogenetically equidistant ( approximately 94.5%) from the majority of the species of the genus Algoriphagus and from the genus Hongiella. Based on the phylogenetic analyses and distinct phenotypic characteristics, we are of the opinion that strain AC-74(T), represents a new species of the novel genus for which we propose the name Chimaereicella alkaliphila gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Virgibacillus albus sp. nov., a novel moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from Lop Nur salt lake in Xinjiang province, China

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated YIM 93624^T, was isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang province of China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain YIM 93624^T grew at 15–45 °C (optimum 25–30 °C), 1–17% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5–10 %, w/v) and pH 4.0–9.0 (optimum pH 7.0). The predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-7. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and C_16:0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, a glycolipid and two unidentified phospholipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 93624^T was a member of the genus Virgibacillus and exhibited the highest similarity of 97.0 % to Virgibacillus koreensis KCTC 3823^T. However, the level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YIM 93624^T and V. koreensis KCTC 3823^T was 32.5 %. On the basis of phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analysis data, the isolate is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus albus sp. nov., is proposed, with type strain of YIM 93624^T (=DSM 23711^T = JCM 17364^T).     

Thiocapsa halophila sp. nov., a new halophilic phototrophic purple sulfur bacterium

A new phototrophic sulfur bacterium has been isolated from a red layer in a laminated mat occurring underneath a gypsum crust in the mediterranean salterns of Salin-de-Giraud (Camargue, France). Single cells were coccus-shaped, non motile, without gas vacuoles and contained sulfur globules. Bacteriochlorophyll a and okenone were present as major photosynthetic pigments. These properties and the G+C content of DNA (65.9–66.6 mol% G+C) are typical characteristics of the genus Thiocapsa. However, the new isolate differs from known species in the genus, particularly in NaCl requirement (optimum, 7% NaCl; range, 3–20% NaCl) and some physiological characteristics. Therefore, a new species is proposed, Thiocapsa halophila, sp. nov.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. Norbert Pfennig in occasion of his 65th birthday     

Salinicoccus salsiraiae sp. nov.: a new moderately halophilic gram-positive bacterium isolated from salted skate

Two moderately halophilic low G + C Gram-positive bacteria were isolated from a sample of salted skate (Class Chondrychthyes, Genus Raja). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strains RH1^T and RH4 showed that these organisms represented a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus. The new isolates formed pink–red colonies and flocculated in liquid media, with optimum growth in media containing 4% NaCl and pH of about 8.0. These organisms are aerobic but reduce nitrate to nitrite under anaerobic conditions. Acid is produced from several carbohydrates. Oxidase and catalase were detected. Menaquinone 6 was the major respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids of strains RH1^T and RH4 were 15:0 anteiso and 15:0 iso. The G + C contents of DNA were 46.2 and 46.0 mol%, respectively. The peptidoglycan was of A3alpha L-Lys-Gly_5–6 type. On the basis of the phylogenetic analyses, physiological and biochemical characteristics, we suggest that strain RH1^T (=LMG 22840 = CIP 108576) represents a new species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which we propose the name Salinicoccus salsiraiae.     

Tepidimonas taiwanensis sp. nov., a novel alkaline-protease-producing bacterium isolated from a hot spring

The bacterial strain designated I1-1^T was isolated from a hot spring located in the Pingtung area, southern Taiwan. Cells of this organism were Gram reaction negative rods, motile by a single polar flagellum. Optimum conditions for growth were 55°C and pH 7. Strain I1-1^T grew well in lower nutrient media such as 5–10% Luria–Bertani broth, and its extracellular products expressed alkaline protease activity. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicates that strain I1-1^T is a member of -Proteobacteria. On the basis of a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, DNA–DNA similarity data, whole-cell protein analysis, physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as fatty acid compositions, the organism belonged to the genus Tepidimonas and represented a novel species within this genus. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain I1-1^T were 16:0 (about 41%), 18:1 7c (about 13%), and summed feature 3 [16:1 7c or 15:0 iso 2OH or both (about 26%)]. Its DNA base ratio was 68.1 mol%. We propose to classify strain I1-1^T (=BCRC 17406^T=LMG 22826^T) as Tepidimonas taiwanensis sp. nov.     

Desulfosporomusa polytropa gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel sulfate-reducing bacterium from sediments of an oligotrophic lake

Five strains of sulfate-reducing bacteria were isolated from the highest positive dilutions of a most probable number (MPN) series supplemented with lactate and inoculated with sediments from the oligotrophic Lake Stechlin. The isolates were endospore-forming and were motile by means of laterally inserted flagella. They stained Gram-negative and contained b-type cytochromes. CO difference spectra indicated the presence of P582 as a sulfite reductase. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rDNA sequences revealed that the isolates were very closely affiliated with the genus Sporomusa. However, sulfate and amorphous Fe(OH)₃, but not sulfite, elemental sulfur, MnO₂, or nitrate were used as terminal electron acceptors. Homoacetogenic growth was found with H₂/CO₂ gas mixture, formate, methanol, ethanol, and methoxylated aromatic compounds. The strains grew autotrophically with H₂ plus CO₂ in the presence or absence of sulfate. Formate, butyrate, several alcohols, organic acids, carbohydrates, some amino acids, choline, and betaine were also utilized as substrates. The growth yield with lactate and sulfate as substrate was 7.0 g dry mass/mol lactate and thus two times higher than in sulfate-free fermenting cultures. All isolates were able to grow in a temperature range of 4–37°C. Physiologically and by the presence of a Gram-negative cell wall, the new isolates resemble known Desulfosporosinus species. However, phylogenetically they are affiliated with the Gram-negative genus Sporomusa belonging to the Selenomonas subgroup of the Firmicutes. Therefore, the new isolates reveal a new phylogenetic lineage of sulfate-reducing bacteria. A new genus and species, Desulfosporomusa polytropa gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.Dedicated to Prof. H. G. Schlegel on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Pseudoxanthomonas kaohsiungensis, sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from oil-polluted site produces extracellular surface activity

During screening for biosurfactant-producing bacteria, a strain designated J36T was isolated from oil-polluted site near Kaohsiung city located in southern Taiwan. Cells of this organism were gram-negative rods motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strain J36T grew well in complex media under optimum conditions of 35 degrees C and pH 7. The extracellular products of the strain expressed emulsification activity. During cultivation on olive oil as the sole carbon and energy source, the culture supernatant of strain J36T reduced surface tension of the medium from 68 to 32.6 dyne/cm. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicates that strain J36T is a member of Xanthomonas group within the gamma-Proteobacteria. The organism belongs to the genus Pseudoxanthomonas and represents a novel species within this genus according to phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences, DNA-DNA similarity data, whole-cell protein analysis, physiological and biochemical characteristics, as well as fatty acid compositions. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain J36T were 15:0 iso (about 26%), 17:1 iso omega9c (about 25%), and 15:0 anteiso (about 10%). Its DNA base ratio was 60.1 mol% G+C. We propose to classify strain J36T (= BCRC 17375T = LMG 22530T) as Pseudoxanthomonas kaohsiungensis sp. nov.     

Chitinimonas taiwanensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel chitinolytic bacterium isolated from a freshwater pond for shrimp culture

A bacterial strain, designated cfT was isolated from surface water of a freshwater pond for shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) culture at Ping-Tung (Southern Taiwan). Cells of this organism were Gram-negative, slightly curved rods which were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strain cfT utilized chitin as the exclusive carbon, nitrogen, and energy source for growth, both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Optimum conditions for growth were between 25 and 37 degrees C, 0 and 1% NaCl and pH 6 to 8. Strain cfT secreted two chitinolytic enzymes with approximate molecular weight 52 and 64 kDa, which hydrolyzed chitin to produce chitotriose as major product. Sequence comparison of an almost complete 16S rDNA gene showed less than 92% sequence similarity with known bacterial species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the neighbour-joining and other methods indicated that the organism formed a distinct lineage within the beta-subclass of Proteobacteria. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain cfT were hexadecanoic acid (about 29%), octadecenoic acid (about 12%) and summed feature 3 (16:1 omega7c or 15 iso 2-OH or both [about 49%]). Its DNA base ratio was 62.8 mol% G+C. We propose to classify strain cfT (= CCRC 17210T = LMG 22011T) as Chitinimonas taiwanensis gen. nov., sp. nov.     

Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov., a slightly halophilic myxobacterium isolated from the coastal areas of Japan

Six isolates of novel marine myxobacteria, designated strains SHK-1T, SMK-1-1, SMK-1-3, SMK-10, SKK-2, and SMP-6, were obtained from various coastal samples (mud, sands and algae) collected around Japan. All of the isolates had Gram-negative rod-shaped cells, motile by gliding and grew aerobically. They showed bacteriolytic action, fruiting body formation, and NaCl requirement for growth with an optimum concentration of 1.0-2.0% (w/v). In addition, divalent cationic components of seawater, such as Mg2+ or Ca2+, were also needed for growth. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The G+C content of genomic DNA ranged from 65.6 to 67.4 mol% (by HPLC). The isolates shared almost identical 16S rDNA sequences, and clustered with a recently described marine myxobacterium, Plesiocystis pacifica, as their closest relative on a phylogenetic tree (95.9-96.0% similarity). Physiological and chemotaxonomic differences between the new strains and strains of the genus Plesiocystis justify the proposal of a new genus. Therefore, we propose to classify the six isolates into a new taxon of marine myxobacteria with the name, Enhygromyxa salina gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is SHK-1(T) (JCM 11769(T) = DSM 15217(T) = AJ 110011(T)).     

Halogranum salarium sp. nov., a halophilic archaeon isolated from sea salt

Three halophilic archaea, strains B-1^T, B-3 and B-4, were isolated from evaporitic salt crystals from Namhae, Korea. Cells of the strains were Gram-stain-negative, motile and pleomorphic, and colonies were red-pigmented. The three isolates had identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and formed a tight phylogenetic clade with Halogranum rubrum RO2-11^T in the genus Halogranum, showing 99.5% sequence similarity. The next most closely related species were Halogranum amylolyticum and Halogranum gelatinilyticum (97.4 and 96.3% similarity to the respective type strains). The phylogeny based on the full-length RNA polymerase subunit B′ gene (rpoB′) was in agreement with the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, but allowed better discrimination. DNA-DNA hybridization between a representative strain (B-1^T) and the type strains of Hgn. rubrum, Hgn. amylolyticum and Hgn. gelatinilyticum revealed less than 40% relatedness. Polar lipid analysis showed that the three isolates contained phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and three glycolipids. Combined genotypic and phenotypic data supported the conclusion that strains B-1^T, B-3 and B-4 represent a novel species of the genus Halogranum, for which the name Halogranum salarium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B-1^T (=KCTC 4066^T = DSM 23171^T).