Streptosporangium jiaoheense sp. nov. and Streptosporangium taraxaci sp. nov., actinobacteria isolated from soil and dandelion root (Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.).

Phylogenetic analyses of the genus Glaciecola were performed using the sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and the GyrB protein to establish its taxonomic status. The results indicated a consistent clustering of the genus Glaciecola into two clades, with significant bootstrap values, with all the phylogenetic methods employed. Clade 1 was represented by seven species, Glaciecola agarilytica, G. aquimarina, G. arctica, G. chathamensis, G. mesophila, G. polaris and G. psychrophila, while clade 2 consisted of only three species, Glaciecola nitratireducens, G. pallidula and G. punicea. Evolutionary distances between species of clades 1 and 2, based on 16S rRNA gene and GyrB protein sequences, ranged from 93.0 to 95.0 % and 69.0 to 73.0 %, respectively. In addition, clades 1 and 2 possessed 18 unique signature nucleotides, at positions 132, 184 : 193, 185 : 192, 230, 616 : 624, 631, 632, 633, 738, 829, 1257, 1265, 1281, 1356 and 1366, in the 16S rRNA gene sequence and can be differentiated by the occurrence of a 15 nt signature motif 5'-CAAATCAGAATGTTG at positions 1354-1368 in members of clade 2. Robust clustering of the genus Glaciecola into two clades based on analysis of 16S rRNA gene and GyrB protein sequences, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of ≤95.0 % and the occurrence of signature nucleotides and signature motifs in the 16S rRNA gene suggested that the genus should be split into two genera. The genus Paraglaciecola gen. nov. is therefore created to accommodate the seven species of clade 1, while the name Glaciecola sensu stricto is retained to represent species of clade 2. The species of clade 1 are transferred to the genus Paraglaciecola as Paraglaciecola mesophila comb. nov. (type strain DSM 15026(T) = KMM 241(T)), P. agarilytica comb. nov. (type strain NO2(T) = KCTC 12755(T) = LMG 23762(T)), P. aquimarina comb. nov. (type strain GGW-M5(T) = KCTC 32108(T) = CCUG 62918(T)), P. arctica comb. nov. (type strain BSs20135(T) = CCTCC AB 209161(T) = KACC 14537(T)), P. chathamensis comb. nov. (type strain E3(T) = CGMCC 1.7001(T) = JCM 15139(T)), P. polaris comb. nov. (type strain ARK 150(T) = CIP 108324(T) = LMG 21857(T)) and P. psychrophila comb. nov. (type strain 170(T) = CGMCC1.6130(T) = JCM 13954(T)). The type species of the genus Paraglaciecola is Paraglaciecola mesophila. An emended description of the genus Glaciecola is provided. In addition, a novel strain, 162Z-12(T), was isolated from seawater collected as part of an iron fertilization experiment (LOHAFEX) conducted in the Southern Ocean in 2009 and was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. Cells of 162Z-12(T) were Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, ovoid to short rod-shaped, obligatorily halophilic and possessed all the characteristics of the genus Paraglaciecola. Strain 162Z-12(T) shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of P. agarilytica (99.7 %), P. chathamensis (99.7 %), P. mesophila (98.5 %) and P. polaris (98.3 %). However, it exhibited DNA-DNA relatedness of less than 70.0 % with its nearest phylogenetic relatives, well below the threshold value for species delineation. Further, strain 162Z-12(T) differed from the nearest species in several phenotypic characteristics, in addition to the occurrence of unique nucleotides G, T, T and T at positions 1194, 1269, 1270 and 1271 of the 16S rRNA gene. Based on the cumulative differences it exhibited from its nearest phylogenetic neighbours, strain 162Z-12(T) was identified as a novel member of the genus Paraglaciecola and assigned to the novel species Paraglaciecola oceanifecundans sp. nov. The type strain of Paraglaciecola oceanifecundans is 162Z-12(T) ( = KCTC 32337(T) = LMG 27453(T)).

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)).

Lactobacillus kosoi Chiou et al. 2018 and Lactobacillus micheneri McFrederick et al. 2018 are closely related, and they share 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 99.6 % pheS gene sequence similarity, 100 % rpoA gene sequence similarity, 97.3 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) value and 76.6 % in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH) value, indicating that they represent the same species. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) analysis and phenotypic characterization also indicated that L. kosoi and L. micheneri are very similar. We propose L. kosoi Chiou et al. 2018 as a later heterotypic synonym of L. micheneri McFrederick et al. 2018. The taxonomic position of Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. argentoratensis in the L. plantarum group was re-examined using a polyphasic approach, including sequence analyses of 16S rRNA, pheS, rpoA and recA genes, average nucleotide identity analysis, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, fatty acid methyl ester analysis and phenotypic characterization. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis was closely related to L. plantarum subsp. plantarum, L. pentosus and L. paraplantarum in the L. plantarum group, sharing 99.6-99.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Results of pheS, rpoA and recA gene sequence analyses indicated that L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis was most closely related to L. plantarum subsp. plantarum, having 91.8 % pheS gene sequence similarity, 98.9 % rpoA gene sequence similarity and 93.1 % recA gene sequence similarity. L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis DSM 16365T shared 95.6 % ANI value and 62.9 % isDDH value with L. plantarum subsp. plantarum ATCC 14917T. The low isDDH value confirmed that L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis and L. plantarum subsp. plantarum represent two different species, rather than two different subspecies in the L. plantarum group. On the basis of the data from polyphasic characterization obtained in the present study and in previous studies, L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis is elevated to the species level and represents a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus argentoratensis sp. nov. is proposed and the type strain is DKO 22T (=CIP 108320T=DSM 16365T=JCM 16169T). Two novel Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains, designated 1206-1T and F027-1-2, were isolated from traditional pickle in Heilongjiang Province, PR China, and from the intestinal tract of a honey bee (Apis mellifera) in Hubei Province, PR China, respectively. The two bacteria were characterized by a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, pheS gene sequence analysis, rpoA gene sequence analysis, fatty acid methyl ester analysis, average nucleotide identity analysis, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization analysis and an analysis of phenotypic features. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains 1206-1T and F027-1-2 were distantly related to Lactobacillus sharpeae, Lactobacillus hulanensis, Lactobacillus songhuajiangensis, Lactobacillus pantheris, Lactobacillus thailandensis, Lactobacillus camelliae, Lactobacillus jixianensis, Lactobacillus nasuensis, Lactobacillus baoqingensis, Lactobacillus manihotivorans and Lactobacillus porcinae. Strain 1206-1T exhibited 94.2-96.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, 69.5-83.3 % pheS gene sequence similarities and 73.1-90.3 % rpoA gene sequence similarities to type strains of phylogenetically related species. ANI and isDDH values between strain 1206-1T and the type strains of phylogenetically related species were 52.7-73.7 % and 21.1-30.1 %, respectively. On the basis of the data obtained in the present study, a novel species, Lactobacillus zhaodongensis sp. nov. is proposed and the type strain is 1206-1T (=CCM 8981T=CCTCC AB 2019200T=LMG 31620T).

The species Lactococcus lactis currently includes three subspecies; L. lactis subsp. lactis and L. lactis subsp. cremoris, isolated from milk sources, and L. lactis subsp. hordniae, isolated from the leafhopper Hordnia circellata. In this study, three strains, designated L105(T), I3 and L101, were isolated from the intestinal mucus of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). These strains were closely related to members of the species Lactococcus lactis. Strain L105(T) showed 99.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to that of the type strains L. lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 604(T) and L. lactis subsp. hordniae NCDO 2181(T) and showed 99.9 % similarity to the type strain Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris NCDO 607(T). Analysis of two housekeeping genes, rpoB and recA, confirmed the close relationship between the novel strains and L. lactis subsp. cremoris with similarities of 99.3 and 99.7 %, respectively. The three strains could, however, be differentiated from their closest relatives on the basis of several phenotypic characteristics, as was the case for L. lactis subsp. lactis and L. lactis subsp. hordniae, which were also closely related on the basis of 16S rRNA, rpoB and recA gene sequence similarities. The strains isolated in this study represent a new subspecies, for which the name Lactococcus lactis subsp. tructae subsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is L105(T) ( = LMG 24662(T) = DSM 21502(T)).

The taxonomic position of a Gram-stain positive bacterium isolated from a solar saltern sample collected from Kanyakumari, coastal region of the Bay of Bengal, India, was analysed by using a polyphasic approach. The isolated strain, designated SA2-6T, had phenotypic characteristics that matched those of the genus Bacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence (1493 bases) of the novel strain was compared with those of previously studied Bacillus type strains and confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Bacillus and was moderately closely related to the type strain of Bacillus foraminis at 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, followed by those of Bacillus thioparans (96.9 %), Bacillus subterraneus (96.8 %), Bacillus jeotgali (96.6 %), Bacillus selenatarsenatis (96.6 %) and Bacillus boroniphilus (96.6 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain SA2-6T differs from all other species of the genus Bacillus by at least 2.5 %. It contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, and iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as major fatty acids. Major lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Based on data from this polyphasic study, strain SA2-6T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus campisalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SA2-6T ( = MTCC 11848T = DSM 28801T). The draft genome of strain SA2-6T consisted of 5 183 363 bp with G+C content of 45.44 mol%, 5352 predicted coding sequences, 191 RNAs and 479 subsystems.

Two novel species belonging to the genus Shewanella are described on the basis of their phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences and levels of DNA-DNA hybridization. A total of 47 strains belonging to two novel Gram-negative, psychrotolerant, H2S-producing bacterial species were isolated from marine fish (cod and flounder) caught from the Baltic Sea off Denmark. The phenotypic characteristics of strains belonging to group 1 (14 strains) indicated that these represented a non-sucrose-assimilating variant of Shewanella baltica with a DNA G+C content of 47.0 mol%. Strains of group 2 (33 isolates) did not utilize the carbon substrates assimilated by S. baltica except gluconate, N-acetylglucosamine and malate. Their DNA G+C content was 44.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence data placed the two novel species within the genus Shewanella. Group 1 strains showed greatest sequence similarity to Shewanella putrefaciens ATCC 8071T (99.0 %) and with S. baltica NCTC 10375(T) (98.3 %). However, gyrB gene sequence analysis showed these isolates to share only 90.0 % sequence similarity with S. putrefaciens ATCC 8071T and 93.9 % with S. baltica NCTC 10375T. Similarly, DNA-DNA hybridization experiments revealed DNA relatedness levels of 38 % between the group 1 isolates and S. putrefaciens ATCC 8071T and 43 % with S. baltica NCTC 10375T. The group 2 strains shared less than 97 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with recognized Shewanella species. Comparisons between the two novel species indicated 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of approximately 98 %, gyrB gene sequence similarity of approximately 89 % and DNA-DNA reassociation values of 20-34 %. Based on the evidence presented, two novel species, Shewanella hafniensis sp. nov. (type strain P010T = ATCC BAA-1207T = NBRC 100975T) and Shewanella morhuae sp. nov. (type strain U1417T = ATCC BAA-1205T = NBRC 100978T), are described.

Two non-pigmented, motile, Gram-negative marine bacteria designated R9SW1T and A3d10T were isolated from sea water samples collected from Chazhma Bay, Gulf of Peter the Great, Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean, Russia and St. Kilda Beach, Port Phillip Bay, the Tasman Sea, Pacific Ocean, respectively. Both organisms were found to grow between 4°C and 40°C, between pH 6 to 9, and are moderately halophilic, tolerating up to 20% (w/v) NaCl. Both strains were found to be able to degrade Tween 40 and 80, but only strain R9SW1T was found to be able to degrade starch. The major fatty acids were characteristic for the genus Marinobacter including C16:0, C16:1ω7c, C18:1ω9c and C18:1ω7c. The G+C content of the DNA for strains R9SW1T and A3d10T were determined to be 57.1 mol% and 57.6 mol%, respectively. The two new strains share 97.6% of their 16S rRNA gene sequences, with 82.3% similarity in the average nucleotide identity (ANI), 19.8% similarity in the in silico genome-to-genome distance (GGD), 68.1% similarity in the average amino acid identity (AAI) of all conserved protein-coding genes, and 31 of the Karlin's genomic signature dissimilarity. A phylogenetic analysis showed that R9SW1T clusters with M. algicola DG893T sharing 99.40%, and A3d10T clusters with M. sediminum R65T sharing 99.53% of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. The results of the genomic and polyphasic taxonomic study, including genomic, genetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoD gene sequence similarities, the analysis of the protein profiles generated using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and DNA-DNA relatedness data, indicated that strains R9SW1T and A3d10T represent two novel species of the genus Marinobacter. The names Marinobacter salarius sp. nov., with the type strain R9SW1T ( = LMG 27497T = JCM 19399T = CIP 110588T = KMM 7502T) and Marinobacter similis sp. nov., with the type strain A3d10T ( = JCM 19398T = CIP 110589T = KMM 7501T), are proposed.

The taxonomic position of a novel actinobacterium, strain SG1T, isolated from a Saharan soil sample collected from Béni-Abbès, Béchar (south-west Algeria), was established by using a polyphasic approach. The micro-organism had morphological and chemical features that were consistent with its classification in the genus Streptosporangium. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars contained ribose and glucose, but not madurose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H4). The polar lipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylhydroxymethylethanolamine, phosphatidylhydroxyethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C17 : 1ω8c, iso-C16 : 0, 10-methyl C17 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and C17 : 0. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis supported the classification of the isolate in the genus Streptosporangium and indicated that it was related most closely to 'Streptosporangium subfuscum' DSM 46724 (99.7 % similarity), Streptosporangium pseudovulgare DSM 43181T (98.7 %), Streptosporangium fragile DSM 43847T (98.6 %) and Streptosporangium sandarakinum DSM 45763T (98.5 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SG1T formed a cluster with its closest relative 'S. subfuscum' DSM 46724. However, DNA-DNA relatedness as well as physiological and chemotaxonomical analyses showed that strain SG1T could be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relatives. Therefore, it is proposed that strain SG1T should be classified as representing a novel species in the genus Streptosporangium, for which the name Streptosporangiumbecharense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SG1T (=DSM 46887T=CECT 8961T).

The taxonomy of the genus Campylobacter has changed dramatically since its inception in 1963. At that time the genus comprised just two species. At present, taxa that were once assigned to Campylobacter may belong to one of over 50 species distributed among six genera. Most of these taxa belong to a phylogenetically distinct group referred to as either ribosomal RNA (rRNA) superfamily VI or the epsilon division of the class Proteobacteria. The taxonomic diversity of the group is matched by the diverse habitats in which they may be found, and by the wide range of diseases that they are associated with. Recognition of their clinical and economic importance has resulted in intense interest in the group, and the application of increasingly sophisticated isolation, detection and chemotaxonomic methods continues to elucidate new aspects of their biodiversity. However, despite the advances in new bacterial systematics, there remain a number of important issues concerning the classification of various campylobacterial taxa that require careful consideration. Ultimately, these issues are relevant to many working in the field of applied microbiology, including clinicians, veterinarians, epidemiologists and taxonomists. The purpose of this article is briefly to review the major developments in the taxonomy of Campylobacter from its inception to the present day; summarize the most recent changes in the field; analyse current topical issues of special relevance to applied microbiologists, including identification of the bacteria; and speculate on future prospects for campylobacterial taxonomy.

Two Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T), were isolated from a sand sample collected from the west coast of the Korean peninsula by using low-nutrient media, and their taxonomic positions were investigated in a polyphasic study. The strains did not grow on marine agar. They grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 6.5-7.5. Strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) shared 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness of 12 %. In phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T), together with several uncultured bacterial clones, formed independent lineages within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the phylum Bacteroidetes. Strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(15 : 0) and C(16 : 1)ω5c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents of strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) were 42.8 and 44.6 mol%, respectively. Strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) exhibited very low levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (<85.0 %) to the type strains of recognized bacterial species. These data were sufficient to support the proposal that the novel strains should be differentiated from previously known genera of the phylum Bacteroidetes. On the basis of the data presented, we suggest that strains 3B-2(T) and 10AO(T) represent two distinct novel species of a new genus, for which the names Ohtaekwangia koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (the type species; type strain 3B-2(T) = KCTC 23018(T) = CCUG 58939(T)) and Ohtaekwangia kribbensis sp. nov. (type strain 10AO(T) = KCTC 23019(T) = CCUG 58938(T)) are proposed.

A polyphasic study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of two Gram-positive bacteria isolated from soil samples of the Grotta dei Cervi (Italy), a relatively unexplored hypogean environment. The strains, 20-5T and 23-23T, showed phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics that were consistent with their classification in the genus Agromyces. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that the two strains formed distinct phyletic lines within the genus Agromyces. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, chemotaxonomic data and the results of DNA-DNA relatedness studies, it is proposed that the two isolates represent two novel species of the genus Agromyces. Pronounced differences in a broad range of phenotypic characteristics and DNA G+C content distinguished the two strains from each other and from previously described species of the genus Agromyces. Two novel species are proposed: Agromyces salentinus sp. nov. (type strain, 20-5T=HKI 0320T=DSM 16198T=NCIMB 13990T) and Agromyces neolithicus sp. nov. (type strain, 23-23T=HKI 0321T=DSM 16197T=NCIMB 13989T).

A Gram-staining positive, endospore-forming, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, BR-29(T), was isolated from soil from west coast of the Korean peninsula, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic study. Strain BR-29(T) grew optimally at around pH7.5, at 30°C and in the presence of 0.5% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BR-29(T) fell into a clade comprising the type strains of Cohnella species, with which it exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 92.8-96.4%. Strain BR-29(T) contained a cell wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), C(16:0) and iso-C(16:0). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysylphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified phospholipids; a minor amount of phosphatidylglycerol was present. The DNA G+C content was 54.9mol%. Strain BR-29(T) could be differentiated from phylogenetically related Cohnella species by differences in phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain BR-29(T) represents a novel species of the genus Cohnella, for which the name Cohnella boryungensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is BR-29(T) (=KCTC 13735(T)=CCUG 59598(T)).

Two novel actinomycetes, designated strains NEAU-Jh1-3(T) and NEAU-Jh2-5(T), were isolated from muddy soil collected from a riverbank in Jiaohe, Jilin Province, north China. A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic positions of these strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the two novel isolates exhibited 99.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other and that they are closely related to Actinomadura viridis IFO 15238(T) (99.6, 99.6%) and Actinomadura vinacea IFO 14688(T) (99.3, 99.3%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two cultures clustered together and formed a cluster with A. viridis IFO 15238(T), A. vinacea IFO 14688(T) and Actinomadura rugatobispora IFO 14382(T). However, the DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains NEAU-Jh1-3(T) and NEAU-Jh2-5(T) was 63.6%, and the values between the two strains and their close phylogenetic relatives were also below 70%. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA-DNA hybridization results, the two strains can be distinguished from each other and their close phylogenetic relatives. Thus, strains NEAU-Jh1-3(T) and NEAU-Jh2-5(T) represent two novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the names Actinomadura jiaoheensis sp. nov. and Actinomadura sporangiiformans sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are NEAU-Jh1-3(T) (=CGMCC 4.7197(T)=JCM 30341(T)) and NEAU-Jh2-5(T) (=CGMCC 4.7211(T)=JCM 30342(T)), respectively.

A nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain Be17(T), was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Begonia semperflorens planted in Beijing Botanical Garden, PR China. Phylogenetic analyses based on a segment of the nifH gene sequence and a full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain Be17(T) was a member of the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were found between strain Be17(T) and Paenibacillus graminis RSA19(T) (97.9 %), Paenibacillus sonchi LMG 24727(T) (97.8 %), Paenibacillus riograndensis CECT 7330(T) (96.2 %) and Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188(T) (96.1 %), respectively. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain Be17(T) and the type strains of other recognized members of the genus Paenibacillus were below 96.0 %. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain Be17(T) and P. graminis RSA19(T), P. sonchi LMG 24727(T) and P. riograndensis CECT 7330(T) were 47.9 %, 38.7 % and 37.5 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain Be17(T) was 52.9 mol%. The major fatty acid component of strain Be17(T) was anteiso-branched C(15 : 0) (30.92 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of its phenotypic characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA G+C content, DNA-DNA relatedness, chemotaxonomic properties and nifH gene sequence, strain Be17(T) represents a nitrogen-fixing strain of a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus jilunlii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Be17(T) ( = CGMCC 1.10239(T) = DSM 23019(T)).

The taxonomic positions of seven atypical Enterococcus strains, isolated from artisanal Italian cheeses, were investigated in a polyphasic study. By using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA-DNA hybridization and intergenic transcribed spacer analysis, as well as by examining the phenotypic properties, the novel isolates were shown to constitute a novel enterococcal species. Their closest relatives are Enterococcus sulfureus and Enterococcus saccharolyticus, having a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.7 %. This group of strains can be easily differentiated from the other Enterococcus species by DNA-DNA hybridization and by their phenotypic characteristics: the strains do not grow in 6.5 % NaCl, and they do not produce acid from L-arabinose, melezitose, melibiose, raffinose or ribose. The name Enterococcus italicus sp. nov. is proposed for this species, with strain DSM 15952T (= LMG 22039T) as the type strain.