<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aliihoeflea aestuarii</Emphasis> gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from tidal flat sediment

A novel Gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterium, designated N8^T, was isolated from tidal flat sediment. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that N8^T strain is associated with the family Phyllobacteriaceae: two uncultured clones (98.4 and 99.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and the genus Mesorhizobium (≤97.0%). The novel strain formed a separate clade with uncultured clones in the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. Cellular fatty acid profiles predominately comprised C_18:1 ω7c and C_19:0 cyclo ω8c. The major isoprenoid quinone is ubiquinone-10 and genomic DNA G+C content is 53.4 mol%. The polyphasic taxonomic study indicates that the novel strain N8^T represents a novel species of the new genus in the family Phyllobacteriaceae, named Aliihoeflea aestuarii. The type strain is N8^T (= KCTC 22052^T= JCM 15118^T= DSM 19536^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus kyonggiensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil of a lettuce field

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming bacterial strain, designated NB22^T, was isolated from soil of a lettuce field in Kyonggi province, South Korea, and was characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. This novel isolate grew optimally at 30–37°C and pH 8–9. It grew in the presence of 0–4% NaCl (optimum, 1–2%). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NB22^T was closely related to members of the genus Bacillus and fell within a coherent cluster comprising B. siralis 171544^T (98.1%) and B. korlensis ZLC-26^T (97.3%). The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to other Bacillus species with validly published names were less than 96.4%. Strain NB22^T had a genomic DNA G+C content of 36.3 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, C_14:0, and C_16:0. These chemotaxonomic results supported the affiliation of strain NB22^T to the genus Bacillus, and the low DNA-DNA relatedness values and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain NB22^T from recognized Bacillus species. On the basis of the evidence presented, strain NB22^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus kyonggiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NB22^T (=KEMB 5401-267^T =JCM 17569^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Marinobacterium marisflavi</Emphasis> sp. nov., Isolated from a Costal Seawater

A marine bacterium designated strain IMCC4074^T was isolated from surface seawater collected off Incheon Port, the Yellow Sea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomy. The strain was Gram-negative, chemoheterotrophic, slightly halophilic, strictly aerobic, and motile rods. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the strain was most closely related to Marinobacterium litorale KCTC 12756^T (93.9%) and shared low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with members of the genus Marinobacterium (91.8–93.9%) and the genus Neptunomonas (93.4%) in the order Oceanospirillales. Phylogenetic analyses showed that this marine isolate formed an independent phyletic line within the genus Marinobacterium clade. The DNA G+C composition of the strain was 56.0 mol% and the predominant constituents of the cellular fatty acids were C_16:0 (28.0%), C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH (19.3%), C_18:1 ω7c (17.8%), and C_17:1 cyclo (12.5%), which differentiated the strain from other Marinobacterium species. Based on the taxonomic data collected in this study, only a distant relationship could be found between strain IMCC4074^T and other members of the genus Marinobacterium, thus the strain represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacterium, for which the name Marinobacterium marisflavi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Marinobacterium marisflavi is IMCC4074^T (= KCTC 12757^T = LMG 23873^T). The GenBank/EMBL/DDBJ accession number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain IMCC4074^T is EF468717. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Salinimonas lutimaris sp. nov., a polysaccharide-degrading bacterium isolated from a tidal flat

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-endospore-forming bacterial strain, designated DPSR-4^T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment on the southern coast of Korea. Strain DPSR-4^T grew optimally at 25–30°C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2% (w/v) NaCl. A Neighbour-Joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DPSR-4^T clustered with Salinimonas chungwhensis BH030046^T by a high bootstrap resampling value of 99.7%. Strain DPSR-4^T exhibited 96.2% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to that of S. chungwhensis BH030046^T and 93.7–96.6% sequence similarity to the sequences of type strains of Alteromonas species. Strain DPSR-4^T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone and iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c, C_16:0 and C_18:1 ω7c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain DPSR-4^T and S. chungwhensis KCTC 12239^T were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 53.4 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness of strain DPSR-4^T demonstrated that this strain is distinguishable from the sole recognized species of the genus Salinimonas, S. chungwhensis. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain DPSR-4^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Salinimonas, for which the name Salinimonas lutimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DPSR-4^T (KCTC 23464^T, CCUG 60743^T).     

Shewanella seohaensis sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment

A Gram-negative, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated S7-3^T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment at Saemankum on the western coast of Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and gyrB sequences showed that strain S7-3^T belonged to the genus Shewanella, clustering with Shewanella decolorationis S12^T. Strain S7-3^T exhibited 98.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 96.8 % gyrB sequence similarity to S. decolorationis S12^T, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between strain S7-3^T and other members of the genus Shewanella were in the range of 93.0–98.0 %. Strain S7-3^T contained simultaneously both menaquinones (MK) and ubiquinones (Q); the predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant ubiquinones were Q-7 and Q-8. The fatty acid profiles of strain S7-3^T and S. decolorationis JCM 21555^T were similar; major components were C_17:1 ω8c, iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_15:0 2-OH and/or C_16:1 ω7c. The DNA G+C content of strain S7-3^T was 51.8 mol% and its mean DNA–DNA relatedness value with S. decolorationis JCM 21555^T was 43 %. Differential phenotypic properties of strain S7-3^T, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that this strain is distinguishable from recognized Shewanella species. On the basis of the data presented, strain S7-3^T is considered to represent a novel Shewanella species, for which the name Shewanella seohaensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S7-3^T (=KCTC 23556^T = CCUG 60900^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Joostella atrarenae</Emphasis> sp. nov., a novel member of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavobacteriaceae</Emphasis> originating from the black sea sand of Jeju Island

Strain M1-2^T was isolated from the black sand from the seashore of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea and was classified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain M1-2^T appeared as Gram-negative, motile rods that could grow in the presence of 1–10% (w/v) NaCl and at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37°C. This isolate has catalase and oxidase activity and hydrolyses aesculin, DNA and l-tyrosine. Based on phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M1-2^T belongs to the genus Joostella and is clearly distinct from the other described species of this genus, Joostella marina (type strain En5^T). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity level between M1-2^T and J. marina En5^T is 97.2%, and the DNA–DNA relatedness value between the two strains is 23.9%. Strain M1-2^T contains MK-6 as the major menaquinone and iso-C_15:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2OH) and iso-C_17:0 3OH as major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G + C content is 32.3 mol%. These data suggest that strain M1-2^T should be classified as a novel species, for which the name Joostella atrarenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain for the novel species is M1-2^T (= KCTC 23194^T = NCAIM B.002413^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Photobacterium atrarenae</Emphasis> sp. nov. a Novel Bacterium Isolated from Sea Sand

The gram-reaction-negative, motile, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive bacterial strain M3-4^T was isolated from black sea sand and subjected to a taxonomic study. Cells of strain M3-4^T have monotrichous flagella, grow optimally at 37°C and at pH 7–8 in the presence of 1–4% (w/v) NaCl and hydrolyze casein, starch and l-tyrosine. According to phylogenetic analyses using 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M3-4^T belongs to the genus Photobacterium and is most closely related to Photobacterium rosenbergii LMG 22223^T (97.4%) and P. gaetbulicola KCTC 22804^T (96.6%). The DNA–DNA relatedness value between M3-4^T and P. rosenbergii LMG 22223^T was 21.5%. The DNA G+C mol% of strain M3-4^T was 53.6. The major cellular fatty acid of strain M3-4^T was a summed feature 3 consisting of C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH (35.0%), followed by C_16:0 (25.4%) and C_18:1ω7c (16.8%). These data suggest that strain M3-4^T represents a novel species in genus Photobacterium, for which the name P. atrarenae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M3-4^T (= KCTC 23265^T = NCAIM B 02414^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus berkeleyi</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from the sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus intermedius</Emphasis>

A bacterial strain, designated KMM 6244^T, was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. The bacterium was found to be heterotrophic, aerobic, non-motile and spore-forming. Comparative phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed the marine isolate in the genus Bacillus. The nearest neighbor of strain KMM 6244^T was Bacillus decolorationis LMG 19507^T with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.0%. Sequence similarities with the other recognized Bacillus species were less than 96.0%. The results of the DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low relatedness (37%) of the novel isolate with the type strain of B. decolorationis LMG 19507^T. Strain KMM 6244^T grew at 4–45°C and with 0–12% NaCl. It produced catalase and oxidase and hydrolyzed aesculin, casein, gelatin and DNA. The predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_15:0, iso-C_16:0 and iso-C_14:0. The DNA G + C content was 39.4 mol%. A combination of phylogenetic, genotypic and phenotypic data clearly indicated that strain KMM 6244^T represents a novel species in the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus berkeleyi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6244^T (KCTC 12718^T = LMG 26357^T).     

Characterization of Microaerobacter geothermalis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel microaerophilic, nitrate- and nitrite-reducing thermophilic bacterium isolated from a terrestrial hot spring in Tunisia

A novel thermophilic anaerobic and microaerophilic bacterium (optimal growth in the presence of 5–10% O₂), strain Nad S1^T was isolated from the terrestrial hot spring of Hammam Sidi Jdidi, Nabeul, Tunisia. Cells were motile rods having a Gram-positive cell wall structure. Strain Nad S1^T grew optimally at 55°C (range 37–70°C). Optimum pH for growth was 6.5–7.0. It was halotolerant growing with NaCl up to 7% (optimum concentration 1.5–3.0%). It grew chemoorganotrophically on various carbohydrates, organic-acids and amino-acids as energy sources, or chemolithotrophically on H₂ using nitrate, as terminal electron acceptor. Beside oxygen (under microaerobic conditions) and nitrate, nitrite was also used. Nitrate was completely reduced to N₂. No fermentation occurred. The genomic DNA G + C content was 41.8 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Nad S1^T belongs to the Bacillaceae family within the class ‘Bacilli’. Because of its phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, we propose this isolate to be assigned as a novel genus and a novel species within the domain Bacteria, Microaerobacter geothermalis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is Nad S1^T (=DSM 22679^T =JCM 16213^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus rhizosphaerae</Emphasis> sp. nov., an novel diazotrophic bacterium isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere soil

A Gram-positive, non-pigmented, rod-shaped, diazotrophic bacterial strain, designated SC-N012^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of sugarcane and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain exhibited phenotypic properties that included chemotaxonomic characteristics consistent with its classification in the genus Bacillus. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of SC-N012^T revealed the closest match (98.9% pair wise similarity) with Bacillus clausii DSM 8716^T. However, DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated low levels of genomic relatedness (32%) with this strain. The major components of the fatty acid profile are iso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_15:0, iso-C_17:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA is 43.0 mol%. The lipids present in strain SC-N012^T are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown phospholipids. Their predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. Studies of DNA-DNA relatedness, morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses and phylogenetic data based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing allowed strain SC-N012^T to be described as members of novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SC-N012^T (=DSM 21911^T = NCCB 100267^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pedobacter yonginense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a mesotrophic artificial Lake in Korea

A non-motile red-pigmented bacterium, designated strain HMD1002^T, was isolated from an artificial lake located on the campus of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, South Korea. The major fatty acids were iso-C_15:0 (29.6%), Summed Feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C_15:0 2-OH; 17.5%) and iso-C_17:0 3-OH (12.5%). The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The DNA G+C content was 41.0 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain HMD1002^T formed a lineage in the genus Pedobacer and was closely related to Pedobacer terrae (96.3%) and Pedobacer suwonensis (95.8%) in sequence similarity. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain HMD1002^T represents a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter yonginense sp.nov. is proposed. The type strain is HMD1002^T (=KCTC 22721^T = CEC^T 7544^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Nocardioides dilutes</Emphasis> sp. nov. Isolated from Soil in Bigeum Island,Korea

A short coccoid-rod-shaped, nonmotile actinobacteria strain MSL-11^T was isolated from soil in Bigeum Island, Korea. A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic position of this strain. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain MSL-11^T forms an evolutionary lineage within the radiation of the genus Nocardioides. The cell wall peptidoglycan of strain MSL-11^T contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, indicating wall chemotype I. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H₄). Strain MSL-11^T had a cellular fatty acid profile containing straight-chain, branched, unsaturated, and 10-methyl fatty acids, with iso-C_16:0 as a major fatty acid component detected. The DNA G + C content of the strain was 71.8 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the strains constituted a distinct subclade within the genus Nocardioides, displaying a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of about 95.68% with Nocardioides jensenii DSM 20641^T. On the basis of both phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, the strain is separated from previously described Nocardioides species and should be assigned to represent a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides dilutes sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain MSL-11^T (= KCTC 19288^T = DSM 19318^T).     

Kocuria sediminis sp. nov., isolated from a marine sediment sample

A Gram-positive, pinkish-orange pigmented, coccoid strain, FCS-11^T was isolated from a marine sediment sample taken from Kochi fort area, Kerala, India and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic study. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain was determined and the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain FCS-11^T should be assigned to the genus Kocuria. The chemotaxonomic data supported this taxonomic placement i.e. menaquinones MK-7(H₂), MK-8(H₂) and MK-9(H₂); major fatty acids anteiso C15:0 and iso-C15:0 and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) as major polar lipids. Further phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence confirmed that the strain FCS-11^T belonged to the genus Kocuria and is closely related to Kocuria turfanensis MTCC 10790^T (99.4%) followed by Kocuria polaris MTCC 3702^T (98.2%), Kocuria rosea MTCC 2522^T (98.2%), Kocuria flava MTCC 10971^T (98.2%), Kocuria aegyptia MTCC 10791^T (98.0%), Kocuria himachalensis MTCC 7020^T (97.5%) and Kocuria atrinae MTCC 10972^T (97.1%). However, the DNA–DNA hybridisation values obtained between strain FCS-11^T and other related strains were well below the threshold that is required for the proposal of a novel species. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 60.7 mol%. The phenotypic and genotypic data showed that the strain FCS-11^T merits the recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Kocuria. It is proposed that the isolate should be classified in the genus Kocuria as a novel species, Kocuria sediminis sp. nov. The type strain is FCS-11^T (= MTCC 10969^T = JCM 17929^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Luteimonas aestuarii</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment

A novel bacterium B9^T was isolated from tidal flat sediment. Its morphology, physiology, biochemical features, and 16S rRNA gene sequence were characterized. Colonies of this strain are yellow and the cells are Gram-negative, rod-shaped, and do not require NaCl for growth. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity indicated that strain B9^T is associated with the genus Lysobacter (≤ 97.2%), Xanthomonas (≤ 96.8%), Pseudomonas (≤ 96.7%), and Luteimonas (≤ 96.0%). However, within the phylogenetic tree, this novel strain shares a branching point with the species Luteimonas composti CC-YY255^T (96.0%). The DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed a DNA-DNA homology of 23.0% between strain B9^T and Luteimonas mephitis B1953/27.1^T. The G+C content of genomic DNA of the type strain is 64.7 mol% (SD, 1.1). The predominant fatty acids are iso-C_11:0, iso-C_15:0, iso-C_16:0, iso-C_17:0, iso-C_17:0 ω9c, and iso-C_11:0 3-OH. Combined analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, fatty acid profile, and results from physiological and biochemical tests indicated that there is genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the isolate from other Luteimonas species. For these reasons, strain B9^T was proposed as a novel species, named Luteimonas aestuarii. The type strain of the new species is B9^T (= KCTC 22048^T, DSM 19680^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Methylobacterium dankookense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from drinking water

A pink-pigmented bacterium, designated SW08-7^T was isolated from the drinking water of a water purifier. Cells were Gram-negative, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, and non-spore-forming. It grew optimally at 25°C, pH 6∼7. Phylogenese analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain SW08-7^T belongs to the genus Methylobacterium. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities were found to Methylobacterium mesophilicum JCM 2829^T (96.9%), Methylobacterium brachiatum B0021^T (96.9%), Methylobacterium phyllosphaerae CBMB27^T (96.6%), Methylobacterium radiotolerans JCM 2831^T (96.6%), and Methylobacterium hispanicum GP34^T (96.5%). DNA-DNA hybridization experiment revealed low-level (28.5%) of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SW08-7^T and Methylobacterium hispanicum. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.9 mol% and the major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The major cellular fatty acid of strain SW08-7^T was C_18:1 ω7c (79.8±2.1%). Results of phylogenetic, phenotypic, and biochemical analyses revealed that strain SW08-7^T could be classified as representing a novel species of genus Methylobacterium, for which the name Methylobacterium dankookense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SW08-7^T (=KCTC 22512^T =DSM 22415¹).     

Methylobacterium bullatum sp. nov., a methylotrophic bacterium isolated from Funaria hygrometrica

A novel, pink-pigmented aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic bacterial strain (F3.2^T) isolated from the phyllosphere of Funaria hygrometrica, was analyzed using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-negative, motile rods, strictly aerobic and non-spore-forming and exhibited surface structures varying in quantity, distribution and morphology. The isolate grew at 10–33 °C over a pH range of 5.5–8.0 and in the presence of less than 1.0% NaCl. Strain F3.2^T shared less than 70% DNA–DNA binding to the next type strain of the genus Methylobacterium (M. adhaesivum DSM 17169^T). In addition to the major cellular fatty acid C_18:1ω7c (81.7%), present in all Methylobacterium species (and also members of the genus Alphaproteobacteria), a high value (11.7%) of the fatty acids (summed feature) C_16:1ω7c and/or iso-C_15:02OH was determined. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rDNA and methanol dehydrogenase gene sequences, DNA–DNA hybridization values, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics indicate that the strain F3.2^T represents a novel species within the genus Methylobacterium. We propose the name Methylobacterium bullatum sp. nov. for this species. The type strain is the strain F3.2^T (DSM 21893^T = LMG 24788^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Virgibacillus xinjiangensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from a Salt Lake of Xin-jiang Province in China

A strictly aerobic Gram-positive, moderately halophilic spore forming bacterium, designated strain SL6-1^T, was isolated from a salt lake in Xin-jiang province, China. Growth of strain SL6-1^T was observed at NaCl concentrations of 0∼20% (w/v) (the optimum being 5∼7%, w/v). The peptidoglycan type of strain SL6-1^T was Alγ-meso-diaminopimelic acid and its major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_14:0 and iso-C_16:0 and ante-iso-C_15:0. The major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.5 mol%. The major cellular phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SL6-1^T formed a phylogenetic lineage within the genus Virgibacillus. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the strain was most closely related to Virgibacillus olivae E₃₀8^T, Virgibacillus kekensis YIM kkny16^T, Virgibacillus marismortui DSM 12325^T with 97.1%, 97.1%, and 97.0% gene sequence similarities, respectively and the sequence similarities to other related taxa were less than 96.7%. The DNA relatedness values between strain SL6-1^T and V. olivae E₃₀8^T, V. kekensis YIM kkny16^T, V. marismortui DSM 12325^T were 16.7%, 51.0%, and 22.8%, respectively. On the basis of physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic properties, strain SL6-1^T represents a novel species, for which the name Virgibacillus xinjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SL6-1^T (=KCTC 13128^T =DSM 19031^T).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphingomonas jejuensis</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from marine sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymeniacidon flavia</Emphasis>

A Gram-negative, non-motile, rod shaped, and orange-pigmented chemoheterotrophic bacterium, strain MS-31^T was isolated from the marine sponge Hymeniacidon flavia, collected from near Jeju Island, Korea. The Strain MS-31^T was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate could be affiliated within the genus Sphingomonas. The strain MS-31^T showed 95.6% of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the most closely related species Sphingomonas koreensis JSS26^T. The DNA G+C content of the strain MS-31^T was 69.4 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiqunone 10 and predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 7 (comprising C_18:1 ω7c, C_18:1 Ω9t and/or C_18:1 ωl2t, 39.7%), C_16:0 (16.3%), C_14:0 2OH (15.9%) and summed feature 3 (comprising C_16:1 ω7c and/or C_15:0 iso 2OH, 11.7%). The polar lipids were sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidyletha-nolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipid. Based on the evidence from the polyphasic taxonomic study, the strain should be classified as a new species of the genus Sphingomonas. As a result, the name Sphingomonas jejuensis sp. nov. (type strain MS-31^T =KCTC 23321^T =NBRC 107775^T) is proposed.     

Vibrio nitrifigilis sp. nov., a marine nitrogen-fixing bacterium isolated from the lagoon sediment of an islet inside an atoll

A nitrogen-fixing isolate of facultatively anaerobic, marine bacterium, designated strain NFV-1^T, was recovered from the lagoon sediment of Dongsha Island, Taiwan. It was a Gram-negative rod which exhibited motility with monotrichous flagellation in broth cultures. The strain required NaCl for growth and grew optimally at about 25–35 °C, 3% NaCl and pH 7–8. It grew aerobically and could achieve anaerobic growth by fermenting d-glucose or other carbohydrates as substrates. NH₄Cl could serve as a sole nitrogen source for growth aerobically and anaerobically, whereas growth with N₂ as the sole nitrogen source was observed only under anaerobic conditions. Cellular fatty acids were predominated by C_16:1 ω7c, C_16:0, and C_18:1 ω7c. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. Strain NFV-1^T had a DNA G?+?C content of 42.5 mol%, as evaluated according to the chromosomal DNA sequencing data. Analyses of sequence similarities and phylogeny based on the 16S rRNA genes, together with the housekeeping genes, gyrB, ftsZ, mreB, topA and gapA, indicated that the strain formed a distinct species-level lineage in the genus Vibrio of the family Vibrionaceae. These phylogenetic data and those from genomic and phenotypic characterisations support the establishment of a novel Vibrio species, for which the name Vibrio nitrifigilis sp. nov. (type strain NFV-1^T?=?BCRC 81211^T?=?JCM 33628^T) is proposed.

     

Cohnella plantaginis sp. nov., a novel nitrogen-fixing species isolated from plantain rhizosphere soil

A novel bacterium capable of fixing nitrogen was isolated from plantain rhizosphere soil in China. The isolate, designated YN-83^T, is Gram-positive, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped (0.4–0.6 μm × 1.9–2.6 μm). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain YN-83^T was a member of the genus Cohnella. High similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence was found between YN-83^T and Cohnella ginsengisoli DSM18997^T (97.99%), whereas the similarity was below 96.0% between YN-83^T and the other Cohnella species. DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YN-83^T and C. ginsengisoli DSM18997^T was 27.4 ± 6.2%. The DNA G+C content of strain YN-83^T was 59.3 mol%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 (44.3%), iso-C_15:0 (11.3%), iso-C_16:0 (18.6%) and C_16:0 (7.7%). The polar lipids of strain YN-83^T consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, lyso- phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, 16S rRNA gene sequence, G+C content and DNA–DNA hybridization, strain YN-83^T represents a novel species of the genus Cohnella, for which the name Cohnella plantaginis sp. nov. (type strain YN-83^T = DSM 25424^T = CGMCC 1.12047^T) is proposed.