Name Planococcus Research Articles

Planococcus notacanthi sp. nov., isolated from the skin of a deep-sea snub-nosed spiny eel.

A novel bacterial strain, APC 4016T, was previously isolated from the skin of a snub-nosed spiny eel, Notacanthus chemnitzii, from a depth of 1000 m in the northern Atlantic Ocean. Cells were aerobic, cocci, motile, Gram-positive to Gram-variable staining, and gave rise to orange-pigmented colonies. Growth occurred at 4-40 °C (optimum, 25-28 °C), pH 5.5-12 (optimum, pH 7-7.5), and 0-12 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1 %). 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis confirmed that strain APC 4016T belonged to the genus Planococcus and was most closely related to Planococcus okeanokoites IFO 12536T (98.98 % 16S similarity). However, digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between these two strains were low, at 20.1 and 83.8 %, respectively. Major (>10 %) cellular fatty acids of strain APC 4016T were iso-C14 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1-ω-Alc. The predominant respiratory quinones were menaquinones 5, 6, 7 and 8. The major cellular polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, and three unknown lipids were also present. The draft genome sequence is 3.6 Mb with a G+C content of 45.25 mol%. This strain was previously shown to have antimicrobial activity and to encode bacteriocin and secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and its distinct phenotypic characteristics, strain APC 4016T is deemed to represent a novel species of the genus Planococcus, and for which the name Planococcus notacanthi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this species is APC 4016T (=DSM 115753T=NCIMB 15463T).

Two novel Planococcus species isolated from baijiu pit mud with potential application in brewing.

Two novel Gram-positive bacteria, designated strains REN8T and REN14T, were isolated from baijiu pit mud in Sichuan Province, China. REN8T achieved the best growth at 37°C, a pH of 8.0, and a NaCl concentration of 2%, while REN14T displayed optimal growth at 37°C, a pH of 6.0, and a NaCl concentration of 1%. 16S rRNA and genomic phylogenetic analysis showed that REN8T and REN14T were clustered with the genus Planococcus. The genomic DNA G + C contents of REN8T and REN14T were 46.7 and 45.1 mol%, respectively. The dDDH and ANI values were 24.5 and 80.43% between REN8T and P. salinarum (the most closely related type strain) and 25.1 and 82.42% between REN14T and P. soli (the most closely related type strain). Genomic analysis showed that several carbohydrate-active enzymes and secondary metabolite gene clusters existed in REN8T and REN14T. Chemotaxonomic characteristics of REN8T and REN14T included major fatty acids, predominant menaquinones, and polar lipids, all of which were consistent with the genus Planococcus. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic method, these two strains represent two novel species of the genus Planococcus; the name Planococcus beigongshangi sp. nov. is proposed for the type strain REN8T (=JCM 33964T = GDMCC 1.2213T), and the name Planococcus beijingensis sp. nov. is proposed for the type strain REN14T (=JCM 34410T = GDMCC 1.2209T). The addition of REN8T and REN14T might improve the quality of huangjiu by considerably increasing the amino acid nitrogen content and acidity and decreasing the bioamine content, with no significant change in alcohol content.

Novel β-Carotene and Astaxanthin-Producing Marine Planococcus sp.: Insights into Carotenogenesis Regulation and Genetic Aspects.

Astaxanthin and β-carotene are the most prominent carotenoids extensively used in pharmaceutics. Here, we present a halotolerant bacterium from Lake Wadi El-Natrun capable of producing astaxanthin and β-carotene analyzed by HPLC, ESI-MS, and infrared spectroscopy. The phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses classified the isolate as a novel strain of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus sp. Eg-Natrun is proposed. Carotenoid biosynthesis can exceptionally occur in a light-inducible or constitutive manner. The maximum carotenoid yields were 610 ± 13µg/g (~ 38% β-carotene and ~ 21% astaxanthin) in a minimal medium with acetate and 1024 ± 53µg/g dry cells in a rich marine medium. The carotenogenesis incentives (e.g., acetate) and disincentives (e.g., methomyl) were discussed. Moreover, we successfully isolated the CrtE gene, one of the astaxanthin biosynthesis genes, from the unknown genome using a consensus-based degenerate PCR approach. To our knowledge, this is the first report elucidating astaxanthin and β-carotene in the genus Planococcus.

Planococcus soli sp. nov., isolated from antarctic soil.

A novel bacterial strain, designated C23T, was isolated from a soil sample obtained from King George Island, Antarctica. Phenotypic, phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses were performed on the new isolate. Strain C23T formed orange colonies on agar plates and was Gram-stain-positive. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain C23T was a member of the genus Planococcus and was closely related to Planococcus salinarum DSM 23802T (98.5% sequence similarity), Planococcus halotolerans SCU63T (98.3%), Planomicrobium okeanokoites IFO 12526T (98.3%), Planococcus donghaensis DSM 22276T (98.3%) and Planococcus maitriensisi S1T (98.2%). This organism grew at 2-38°C (optimum, 25-30°C), pH 6.0-12.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 0-14% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2%). The predominant menaquinone was MK-8. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C14:0 and C16:1 ω7c alcohol. The whole genome DNA of C23T was deposited in the GenBank database under accession number WXYN00000000. According to the whole genome, the DNA G + C content of strain C23T was determined to be 46.8mol%; the average nucleotide identity (ANI) of strain C23T and P. salinarum DSM 23802T, P. halotolerans SCU63T, P. okeanokoites IFO 12526T, P. donghaensis DSM 22276T and P. maitriensis S1T were 74.1%, 74.3%, 74.1%, 78.8 and 73.6%; the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain C23T and the five closely related species were 19.7%, 19.6%, 19.5%, 22.4 and 18.6%; the average amino acid identity (AAI) values between strain C23T and the five closely related species were 73.9%, 74.5%, 74.4%, 84.6 and 74.5%. All data were below the threshold range for species determination. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic study, we considered that strain C23T represented a novel species of the genus Planococcus for which the name Planococcus soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C23T (= KCTC 33644T = CGMCC 1.15115T).

Characteristics of Planococcus antioxidans sp. nov., an antioxidant-producing strain isolated from the desert soil in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Strain Y74T was an isolate from the sandy soil in the town of Huatugou, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China. An analysis of this strain's phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic characteristics established the relationship of the isolate with the genus Planococcus. Strain Y74T was able to grow between 4 and 42°C (with an optimum temperature of 28°C) at pH values of 6–8.5 and in 0%–7% (w/v) NaCl. The dominant quinones were MK‐8 and MK‐7. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unknown phospholipid. The majority of the fatty acid content was anteiso‐C15:0 (28.8%) followed by C16:1 ω7c alcohol (20.9%) and iso‐C14:0 (13.4%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis demonstrated a stable branch formed by strain Y74T and Planococcus halotolerans SCU63T (99.66%). The digital DNA–DNA hybridization between these two strains was 57.2%. The G + C content in the DNA of Y74T was 44.5 mol%. In addition, the morphological, physiological, and chemotaxonomic pattern clearly differentiated the isolates from their known relatives. In conclusion, the strain Y74T (=JCM 32826T = CICC24461T) represents a novel member of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus antioxidans sp. nov. is proposed. Strain Y74T was found to have potent antioxidant activity via its hydrogen peroxide tolerance and its 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity. The DPPH radical‐scavenging activity was determined to be 40.2 ± 0.7%. The genomic analysis indicated that six peroxidases genes, one superoxide dismutase gene, and one dprA (DNA‐protecting protein) are present in the genome of Y74T.

Planococcus lenghuensis sp. nov., an oil-degrading bacterium isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil.

A Gram-staining-positive and aerobic coccus with the ability to degrade petroleum bacterium, designated Y42T, was isolated from the Lenghu oil field located in the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin. Phylogenetic and signature nucleotides analyses revealed that strain Y42T belongs to the genus Planococcus. The multiple sequence alignments of 16S rRNA and housekeeping genes showed that strain Y42T formed a distinct lineage with the other Planococcus clade. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA-DNA hybridization values (DDH) between strain Y42T and the reference strains were 69.5-70.1 and 19.4-21.7%, respectively, which values were below the threshold for species delineation. The major fatty acids of strain Y42T were anteiso-C15:0. The respiratory quinone was MK-7 (71.8%) as the predominant menaquinone followed the MK-6 (28.2%) and the cell-wall hydrolysates contained LL-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipid was composed of diphosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphoglycolipid, aminophospholipid and four unidentified lipids. The peptidoglycan type was A4α (L-Lys-D-Glu). The strain Y42T possessed larger genome (approximately 4MB) and revealed obvious differences for the abundance of the COG categories compared with the other Planococcus bacteria. Also, the strain Y42T also possessed more unique orthologous proteins. The structural characteristics of the strain Y42T genome provided a competitive advantage for better survival in petroleum-polluted environments. Combined with the 16S rRNA gene and genome sequence, phenotypic as well as chemotaxonomic characterisations, strain Y42T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus lenghuensis sp. nov. be proposed. The type strain is Y42T (= CGMCC 1.15921T = JCM 32719T).

Planococcus salinus sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a saline-alkali soil.

A novel aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, motile, moderately halophilic and coccoid bacterial strain, designated LCB217T, was isolated from a saline-alkali soil in north-western China and identified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Growth occurred with 3-15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3-5 %), at 10-45 °C (optimum 30 °C) and at pH 7.0-9.0 (optimum pH 9.0). Strain LCB217T contained MK-7 and MK-8 as the predominant menaquinones and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids from strain LCB217T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid and one unidentified lipid. The peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys-d-Glu). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain LCB217T belonged to the genus Planococcus and was closely related to the type strains Planococcus plakortidis AS/ASP6 (II)T (98.2 % similarity), Planococcus maitriensis S1T (97.7 %) and Planococcus salinarum ISL-16T (97.2 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 49.4 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain LCB217T andPlanococcusplakortidis AS/ASP6 (II)T, Planococcusmaitriensis S1T andPlanococcussalinarum ISL-16T were 29.5, 38.1 and 39.5 %, respectively. On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic data, strain LCB217T represents a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus salinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LCB217T (=CGMCC 1.15685T=KCTC 33861T).

Planococcus ruber sp. nov., isolated from a polluted farmland soil sample.

A pale-red-pigmented bacterial strain, designated CW1T, was isolated from a polluted soil sample in China and was characterized by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain CW1T was Gram-stain-positive (or variable), coccoid, motile by a single polar flagellum and non-spore-forming. Growth was observed at 15-37 °C, but not at 10 °C or 40 °C, at pH 5.0-9.0 and with 0-5 % NaCl (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain CW1T belongs to the genus Planococcus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between CW1T and the four most closely related type strains, Planococcus antarcticus DSM 14505T, Planococcus halocryophilus DSM 24743T, Planomicrobium soli XN13T and Planomicrobium okeanokoites NBRC 12536T were 97.96, 97.83, 97.83 and 97.82 %, respectively. The whole-cell sugars contained galactose, ribose and glucose. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7 followed by MK-8, and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphoglycolipid. The DNA G+C content was 48.6 mol%. The phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses indicated that strain CW1T belongs unanimously to the genus Planococcus. However, DNA-DNA hybridization showed relatively low relatedness of 21.8 % (DSM 14505T) and 19.6 % (DSM 24743T) with the two most closely related strains of the genus Planococcus. Combined with the genotypic and phenotypic analysis, strain CW1T should represent a novel species in the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus ruber sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CW1T (=CCTCC AB 207187T=LMG 24442T).

Planococcus versutus sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A taxonomic study was performed on a novel Gram-stain-positive, coccus-shaped, orange-pigmented motile bacterium, designated as strain L10.15T. The organism was isolated from a soil sample collected in Lagoon Island (close to Adelaide Island, western Antarctic Peninsula) using a quorum-quenching enrichment medium. Growth occurred at 4-30 °C, pH 6-11 and at moderately high salinity (0-15 %, w/v, NaCl), with optimal growth at 26 °C, at pH 7-8 and with 6 % (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain L10.15T belonged to the genus Planococcus and was closely related to Planococcus halocryophilus Or1T (99.3 % similarity), Planococcus donghaensis JH1T (99.0 %), Planococcus antarcticus DSM 14505T (98.3 %), Planococcus plakortidis AS/ASP6 (II)T (97.6 %), Planococcus maritimus TF-9T (97.5 %), Planococcus salinarum ISL-6T (97.5 %) and Planococcus kocurii NCIMB 629T (97.5 %). However, the average nucleotide identity-MUMmer analysis showed low genomic relatedness values of 71.1-81.7 % to the type strains of these closely related species of the genus Planococcus. The principal fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and anteiso-C17 : 0, and the major menaquinones of strain L10.15T were MK-5 (48 %), MK-6 (6 %) and MK-7 (44 %). Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and aminophospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 39.4 mol%. The phenotypic and genotypic data indicate that strain L10.15T represents a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus versutus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is L10.15T (=DSM 101994T=KACC 18918T).

Planococcus faecalis sp. nov., a carotenoid-producing species isolated from stools of Antarctic penguins.

Taxonomic studies were performed on a novel carotenoid-producing strain, designated AJ003T, isolated from faeces of Antarctic penguins. Cells of strain AJ003T were aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, cocci-shaped and orange. Strain AJ003T was capable of growing in a broad temperature range, including sub-zero growth (below − 20 to 30 °C). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain AJ003T was closely related to Planococcus halocryophilus Or1T (97.4 % similarity), Planococcus antarcticus DSM 14505T (97.3 %), Planococcus kocurii NCIMB 629T (97.3 %), and Planococcus donghaensis JH1T (97.1 %). The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, and iso-C16 : 0.MK-7 and MK-8 were the quinones identified, and the major pigment was glycosyl-4,4′-diaponeurosporen-4′-ol-4-oic acid. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylglycerol. DNA–DNA relatedness of strain AJ003T with respect to its closest phylogenetic neighbours was 38.2 ± 0.5 % for Planococcus halocryophilus DSM 24743T, 32.2 ± 0.2 % for Planococcus antarcticus DSM 14505T, 21.0 ± 0.3 % for Planococcus kocurii DSM 20747T and 18.6 ± 1.4 % for Planococcus donghaensis KCTC 13050T. The DNA G+C content of strain AJ003T was 40.0 ± 0.6 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain AJ003T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus faecalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AJ003T ( = KCTC 33580T = CECT 8759T).

Planococcus dechangensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from saline and alkaline soils in Dechang Township, Zhaodong City, China.

Strain NEAU-ST10-9(T) is a moderately halophilic, coccoid and non-motile bacterium isolated from saline and alkaline soils in the Dechang Township, Zhaodong City, China. The bacterium was found to be aerobic and Gram-stain positive. It forms orange colonies and grows at NaCl concentrations of 2-10% (w/v) (optimum, 4% w/v), at 4-50°C (optimum, 30°C) and at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that it belongs to the genus Planococcus within the family Planococcaceae. The most closely related species was Planococcus maritimus, whose type strain (TF-9(T)) showed gene sequence similarities of 99.1% for 16S rRNA, 83.7% for gyrB and 87.0% for rpoB with those of strain NEAU-ST10-9(T), respectively. DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain NEAU-ST10-9(T) and type strains P. maritimus DSM 17275(T) , P. rifietoensis DSM 15069(T) , P. plakortidis DSM 23997(T), P. citreus DSM 20549(T), P. maitriensis DSM 15305(T), P. salinarum KCTC 13584(T) and P. columbae DSM 17517(T) were from 55±1 to 32±2%. The DNA G+C content was found to be 45.2mol%. The major fatty acids (>5%) were determined as C15:0 anteiso, C16:1 ω7c alcohol, C17:1 ω9c and C17:0 anteiso. The major menaquinones of strain NEAU-ST10-9(T) were identified as MK-7 and MK-8. The polar lipids were found to contain of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphocholine and two unknown lipids. The genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analysis indicated that strain NEAU-ST10-9(T) represents a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which we proposed the name Planococcus dechangensis sp. nov. The type strain is NEAU-ST10-9(T) (=CGMCC 1.12151(T)=DSM 25871(T)).

Planococcus halocryophilus sp. nov., an extreme sub-zero species from high Arctic permafrost

A novel aerobic, Gram-positive, motile, coccoid bacterial strain, designated Or1(T), was isolated from permafrost active-layer soil collected from the Canadian high Arctic. Strain Or1(T) was capable of growth over a broad temperature range, including sub-zero growth (below -10 to 37 °C), and at high salinity (0-19% NaCl), growing optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2% NaCl. Its taxonomic and phylogenetic position was determined by using a polyphasic approach, which indicated that strain Or1(T) was a member of the genus Planococcus. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain Or1(T) belonged to the genus Planococcus, differing by 0.4-3.6% from the type strains of all recognized Planococcus species, and was related most closely to Planococcus antarcticus CMS 26or(T) (98.8% similarity) and Planococcus donghaensis JH1(T) (99.6%). However, DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed that strain Or1(T) had low genomic relatedness to Planococcus antarcticus CMS 26or(T) (18%) and Planococcus donghaensis JH1(T) (46%). The major menaquinones of strain Or1(T) were MK-7 (55%), MK-8 (36%) and MK-6 (9%) and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), C(16:1)ω7c alcohol and anteiso-C(17:0). The DNA G+C content of strain Or1(T) was 40.5 mol%. Differential phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic data suggest that strain Or1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus halocryophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Or1(T) ( = DSM 24743(T) = JCM 17719(T)).

Planococcus plakortidis sp. nov., isolated from the marine sponge Plakortis simplex (Schulze)

A novel coccoid-shaped strain, AS/ASP6 (II)T, was isolated from a sample taken from Plakortis simplex (Schulze), a marine sponge, collected at a depth of 30 m from the Bay of Bengal. This strain was identified by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain AS/ASP6 (II)T should be assigned to the genus Planococcus. Chemotaxonomic data (A4α-type peptidoglycan; MK-6, MK-7 and MK-8 menaquinones; mainly branched cellular fatty acids; and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as cellular phospholipids) supported taxonomic placement in the genus Planococcus. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain AS/ASP6 (II)T belonged to the genus Planococcus and was closely related to the type strains of Planococcus maritimus (99.1 %) followed by Planococcus rifietoensis (98.6 %), Planococcus maitriensis (98.5 %), Planococcus citreus (98.3 %), Planococcus salinarum (98.1 %), Planococcus columbae (97.9 %), Planococcus donghaensis (97.8 %) and Planococcus antarcticus (97.7 %); DNA-DNA hybridization values obtained were well below the threshold that is required for the proposal of a novel species. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 51.0 mol%. The phenotypic and genotypic data showed that strain AS/ASP6 (II)T merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus plakortidis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is AS/ASP6 (II)T (=MTCC 8491T=DSM 23997T).

Planococcus salinarum sp. nov., isolated from a marine solar saltern, and emended description of the genus Planococcus

A Gram-positive, non-motile and coccoid-, short rod- or rod-shaped bacterial strain, ISL-16(T), was isolated from a marine solar saltern in Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain ISL-16(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0, at 30 degrees C and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain ISL-16(T) joined the cluster comprising species of the genus Planococcus. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence contained the same signature nucleotides as those defined for the genus Planococcus. Strain ISL-16(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.9-98.2 % to the type strains of species of the genus Planococcus. Strain ISL-16(T) contained MK-8 and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinones and anteiso-C(15 : 0), C(16 : 1)omega7c alcohol and anteiso-C(17 : 0) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 48.3 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain ISL-16(T) and the type strains of species of the genus Planococcus were 15-28 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, enabled strain ISL-16(T) to be differentiated from recognized species of the genus Planococcus. On the basis of the data presented, strain ISL-16(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus salinarum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ISL-16(T) (=KCTC 13584(T)=CCUG 57753(T)). An emended description of the genus Planococcus is also given.

Planococcus columbae sp. nov., isolated from pigeon faeces

An orange-pigmented, Gram-positive bacterial strain, designated PgEx11(T), was isolated from pigeon faeces. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate indicated that it had 94.2-98.2 % sequence identity with respect to those of seven recognized species of the genus Planococcus. The strain PgEx11(T) contained anteiso-C(15 : 0) as a major cellular fatty acid and MK-7 and MK-8 as the major menaquinones. The DNA G+C content of strain PgEx11(T) was 50.5 mol%. Furthermore, analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated high levels of similarity with Planococcus rifietoensis (98.2 %), Planococcus maitriensis (97.6 %), Planococcus citreus (97.5 %) and Planococcus maritimus (97.1 %). However, the mean value for DNA-DNA relatedness between PgEx11(T) and these four closely related species was in the range 45.4-16.8 %, respectively. Moreover, strain PgEx11(T) also differs from its close relatives with regard to biochemical and chemotaxonomic characteristics. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic differences, strain PgEx11(T) represents a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus columbae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PgEx11(T) (=MTCC 7251(T)=DSM 17517(T)).

Planococcus stackebrandtii sp. nov., isolated from a cold desert of the Himalayas, India

The taxonomic position of a bacterium isolated from a cold desert of the Himalayas, India, was analysed by using a polyphasic approach. The isolated strain, designated K22-03T, had phenotypic characteristics that matched those of the genus Planococcus and it represents a novel species. The almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1464 bases) of the novel strain was compared with those of previously studied Planococcus type strains and confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Planococcus. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain K22-03T differs from all other species of Planococcus by at least 2.5 %. DNA-DNA hybridization showed that it had low genomic relatedness with Planomicrobium mcmeekinii (MTCC 3704T, 23 %), Planococcus psychrophilus (MTCC 3812T, 61 %), Planococcus antarcticus (MTCC 3854T, 45 %) and Planomicrobium okeanokoites (MTCC 3703T, 51 %), the four species with which it was most closely related based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis (97-97.5 % similarity). Therefore, strain K22-03T should be recognized as a novel species, for which the name Planococcus stackebrandtii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K22-03T (=MTCC 6226T=DSM 16419T=JCM 12481T).

Planococcus maritimus sp. nov., isolated from sea water of a tidal flat in Korea.

Two Gram-positive, motile cocci, strains TF-9(T) and TF-16, were isolated from sea water of a tidal flat in Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that the strains fall within the radiation of the cluster comprising Planococcus citreus and Planococcus kocurii, and this cluster joined the clade comprising Planomicrobium species and Planococcus alkanoclasticus and Planococcus psychrophilus with a high bootstrap resampling value. Strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 contained MK-8, MK-7 and MK-6 as the predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acid was anteiso-C(15 : 0). The DNA G+C contents of strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 were respectively 48 and 49 mol%. The level of 16S rDNA identity between strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 was 98.9 %. Strain TF-9(T) and TF-16 respectively exhibited levels of 16S rDNA identity of 97.2-98.4 and 96.9-99.5 % to the type strains of Planococcus kocurii, Planococcus citreus and Planococcus antarcticus. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 was 36.7 %. Strains TF-9(T) and TF-16 respectively exhibited levels of DNA-DNA relatedness of 7.1-43.4 and 3.5-80.9 % to Planococcus citreus DSM 20549(T), Planococcus kocurii DSM 20747(T) and Planococcus antarcticus DSM 14505(T). On the basis of the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic data, strain TF-9(T) (=KCCM 41587(T)=JCM 11543(T)) should be placed as a novel species of the genus Planococcus, for which the name Planococcus maritimus sp. nov. is proposed, and strain TF-16 should be classified as a member of Planococcus citreus.

Psychrophilic Planococcus maitriensis sp.nov. from Antarctica

An orange pigmented bacterium, S1, was isolated from a cyanobacterial mat sample collected in the vicinity of Schirmacher Oasis, Maitri, the Indian station, in Antarctica. The bacterium is Gram-positive and possesses all the characteristics of the genus Planococcus. It is non-sporulating, motile and has A4alpha type peptidoglycan, MK-7 and MK-8 as the major menaquinones and anteiso-C(15:0) as the major fatty acid. Based on the phylogenetic characteristics, the bacterium S1 is identified as a close relative of Planococcus citreus with which it shares 98.12% similarity at the 16S rRNA gene level but exhibits a low similarity of 52% at the whole genome level. Apart from the above major differences, S1 also exhibits phenotypic differences with Planococcus citreus and other members of the genus Planococcus. Based on these differences, the bacterium S1 is identified as a new species of the genus Planococcus for which the name Planococcus maitriensis is proposed. The type strain of Planococcus maitriensis is S1(T) (= MTCC 4827; DSM 15305).

Planococcus antarcticus and Planococcus psychrophilus spp. nov. isolated from cyanobacterial mat samples collected from ponds in Antarctica.

Thirteen orange-pigmented bacteria associated with cyanobacterial mat samples collected from four different lakes in McMurdo, Antarctica, were isolated. Twelve of the isolates, which were coccoid in shape, were very similar and possessed all the characteristics of the genus Planococcus and represented a new species, which was assigned the name Planococcus antarcticus sp. nov. (CMS 26or(T)). Apart from the phenotypic differences, P. antarcticus differed from all reported species of Planococcus by more than 2.5% at the 16S rRNA gene sequence level. In addition, at the DNA-DNA hybridization level, it exhibited very little similarity either with P. mcmeekinii (30%-35%), P. okeanokoites (26%-29%), or CMS 53or(T) (15%-25%), the three species with which it is closely related at the rRNA gene sequence level (2.5%-2.9%). P. antarcticus also showed only 2.5% difference in its 16S rRNA gene sequence compared with the P. alkanoclasticus sequence. But it was distinctly different from P. alkanoclasticus, which exists only as rods, is mesophilic and phosphatase positive, can hydrolyze starch, cannot utilize succinate, glutamate, or glucose, and cannot acidify glucose. Most important, P. antarcticus and P. alkanoclasticus varied distinctly in their fatty acid composition in that C(15:0), C(15:1), C(16:0), iso-C(16:1), and C(17:0) were present only in P. antarcticus but absent in P. alkanoclasticus. CMS 53or(T), the thirteenth isolate, was also identified as a new species of Planococcus and was assigned the name Planococcus psychrophilus sp. nov. This species was distinctly different from all the reported species, including the new species P. antarcticus, with respect to a number of phenotypic characteristics. At the 16S rRNA gene sequence level, it was closely related to P. okeanokoites (98.1%) and P. mcmeekinii (98%), but with respect to the DNA-DNA hybridization, the similarity was only 35%-36%. The type strain of P. antarcticus is CMS 26or(T) (MTCC 3854; DSM 14505), and that of P. psychrophilus is CMS 530r(T) (MTCC 3812; DSM 14507).

Planococcus halophilus sp.nov., a Facultatively Halophilic Coccus

National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) strain 14033 is a gram-variable, motile, yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic, facultatively halophilic coccus. The guanine plus cytosine content of the deoxyribonucleic acid of this strain is 50.4 ± 0.7 mol%. This strain belongs to the genus Planococcus but differs from the neotype strain (CCM 316) of the type species, Planococcus citreus, in cell wall composition and NaCl requirement; unlike strain CCM 316, strain NRCC 14033 possesses meso-diaminopimelic acid in its cell wall peptidoglycan, and it cannot grow on nutrient medium at 30 C without added NaCl. We regard this strain as belonging to a new species, for which we propose the name Planococcus halophilus. Since the original description is based on a single strain, this strain is the type strain by monotypy. It has been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection under the number 27964.