Unknown Phospholipids Research Articles

Bacillus notoginsengisoli sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere of Panax notoginseng.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, motile bacterium designated as SYP-B691T was isolated from rhizospheric soil of Panax notoginseng. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that SYP-B691T clearly represented a member of the genus Bacillus and showed 16S rRNA gene similarity lower than 97.0 % with the type strains of species of the genus Bacillus, which indicates that it should be considered as a candidate novel species within this genus. The optimum growth of the strain was found to occur at 37 °C and pH 7.0-9.0. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 45.2 mol%. It contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown phospholipid. MK-7 was the only menaquinone identified. The major cellular fatty acids of SYP-B691T were identified as iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, SYP-B691T merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus notoginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with SYP-B691T(=DSM 29196T=JCM 30743T) as the type strain.

Description of Naumannella cuiyingiana sp. nov., isolated from a ca. 1500-year-old mural painting, and emended description of the genus Naumannella.

Strain AFT2T was isolated from a mural painting sample from a ca. 1500-year-old tomb located in Shanxi Province, China. The isolate was a Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic and oval to short-rod-shaped bacterium that formed white-pigmented colonies. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain AFT2T was most closely (97.01 %) correlated and formed a monophyletic clade with Naumannella halotolerans WS4616T (=DSM 24323T). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.97 mol%, and the strain showed 37.27 % DNA-DNA relatedness to N. halotolerans DSM 24323T. The major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0 (55.32 %), and MK-9(H4) was the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unknown phospholipids and five unknown glycolipids. ll-Diaminopimelic acid was detected in the cell-wall peptidoglycan (type A3γ), and the whole-cell sugars consisted of ribose, mannose, arabinose and galactose. On the basis of its phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, it is proposed that strain AFT2T should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Naumannella, for which the name Naumannella cuiyingiana sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AFT2T (=CCTCC AB 2015428T=DSM 103164T).

Nocardioides sonneratiae sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from a branch of Sonneratia apetala.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic non-spore-forming and short-rod-shaped endophytic actinomycete was isolated from a branch of Sonneratia apetala, designated strain BGMRC0092T and investigated in detail data to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the results of the phylogenetic analyses indicated that BGMRC0092T was most closely related to Nocardioides alpinus Cr7-14T (96.9 %), Nocardioides oleivorans DSM16090T (96.4 %) and Nocardiodes exalbidus RC825T (96.3 %). The predominant cellular fatty acids of BGMRC0092T were iso-C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω8c. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant cell-wall sugars were composed of galactose, mannose, rhamnose and xylose. The polar lipid pattern contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unknown phospholipid and three unknown polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 69.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and the results of phylogenetic analysis, BGMRC0092T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides sonneratiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Nocardioides sonneratiae BGMRC0092T (=KCTC 39565T=NBRC 110251 T=DSM 100390T).

Micrococcoides hystricis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Micrococcaceae, phylum Actinobacteria.

A Gram-stain-positive bacterium, designated TSL3T, was isolated from faeces of a porcupine, Hystrix indica, from the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, Hungary. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain is phylogenetically related to the family Micrococcaceae. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was found with Micrococcus terreus V3M1T (96.50 %) followed by Arthrobacter humicola KV-653T (96.43 %). Cells of strain TSL3T were aerobic, non-motile and coccoid-shaped. The main fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (54.4 %), iso-C16 : 0 (18.2 %) and iso C15 : 0 (9.7 %). The major menaquinone was MK-7, and the polar lipid profile included phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, dimannosylglyceride, trimannosyldiacylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, three unknown phospholipids and two unknown glycolipids. Strain TSL3T showed the peptidoglycan structure A4alpha l-Lys - Gly - l-Glu. The DNA G+C content of strain TSL3T was 58.4 mol%. Phenotypic and genotypic characterisation clearly showed that strain TSL3T could be differerentiated from the members of other genera in the family Micrococcaceae. According to these results, strain TSL3T represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Micrococcoides hystricis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TSL3T (=DSM 29785T=NCAIM B. 02604T).

Mesonia maritima sp. nov., isolated from seawater of the South Sea of Korea.

A yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, originally designated 15-S14-6T, was isolated from the southern coastal waters of Korea and was subjected to taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain 15-S14-6T was Gram-staining-negative, flagellated, rod-shaped and aerobic. The strain grew optimally at 25-30 °C, in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.5-8.0. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that 15-S14-6T represented a member of the genus Mesonia and exhibited the highest sequence similarity (98.0 %) with Mesonia aquimarina IMCC1021T, followed by Mesonia mobilis KMM 6059T (96.7 %) and Mesonia phycicola MDSW-25T (96.1 %). DNA-DNA relatedness between 15-S14-6T and M. aquimarina IMCC1021T was 11.2±1.6 % (12.3±0.3 % in a reciprocal experiment). Strain 15-S14-6T had a DNA G+C content of 34.4 mol% and had MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone. Furthermore, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 were identified as the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids, an unknown phospholipid and four other unknown lipids were determined to be the major polar lipids. Based on phenotypic properties and phylogenetic data presented here, 15-S14-6T represents a novel species within the genus Mesonia , for which the name Mesonia maritima sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 15-S14-6T (= KCCM 43197T, NCAIM B.02633T, CGMCC 1.16020T).

Cumulibacter manganitolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from sludge of a manganese mine.

A Gram-stain-positive actinobacterium, designated as strain 2-36T, was isolated from sludge of a sewage outlet in a manganese mine. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes assigned strain 2-36T in a single lineage in the family Geodermatophilaceae and closely related to Modestobacter roseus KLBMP 1279T (93.8 % similarity), Blastococcus saxobsidens BC444T (93.1 %) and Geodermatophilus aquaeductus BMG801T (92.8 %). It contained iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C17 : 1ω6c, iso-C14 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) as the major fatty acids (>5 %), with MK-9(H4), MK-8(H4) and MK-9(H6) as the quinones. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and the DNA G+C content was 70.1 mol%. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unknown glycolipid, an unknown aminophospholipid and two unknown phospholipids. Compared to closely related strains, strain 2-36T showed distinguishing characteristics, such as the distinct phylogenetic lineage, positive result for phenylacetic acid assimilation and negative result for α-glucosidase and having C17 : 1ω6c and iso-C14 : 0 as the major fatty acids. On the basis of the polyphasic analyses, strain 2-36T represents a novel species of a new genus within the family Geodermatophilaceae, for which the name Cumulibacter manganitolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of 'Cumulibacter manganitolerans' is 2-36T (=CCTCC AA 2016026T=DSM 103787T).

Paracoccus aerius sp. nov., isolated from air.

Strain 011410T, isolated from air at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain, Beijing, China, was Gram-reaction-negative, facultatively anaerobic, oval-shaped, motile with two flagella and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Growth of strain 011410T was observed at 4-41 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 4.5-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and at salinities of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 011410T was a member of the genus Paracoccus and was related most closely to Paracoccus aestuarii B7T (96.62 % similarity) and Paracoccus sediminis CMB17T (96.48 % similarity). The major fatty acid was identified as C18 : 1ω7c, with smaller amounts of C18 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 2 (C14 : 0 3-OH and/or iso-C16 : 1 I). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10), with Q-9 as a minor component. Polar lipid analysis indicated the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unknown phosphoglycolipid, five unknown phospholipids, one unknown aminolipid, one unknown glycolipid and two unknown polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 63.5 mol%. On the basis of the data from this polyphasic characterization, strain 011410T represents a novel species, for which the name Paracoccus aerius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 011410T (=CFCC 14285T=KCTC 42845T).

Bacillus catenulatus sp. nov., an alkalitolerant bacterium isolated from a soda lake.

Two novel (18CT and 6C) Gram-stain-positive, rod shaped, motile and endospore-forming bacterial strains were isolated from Lonar soda lake, India. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strains 18CT and 6C were identified as belonging to the class Firmibacteria, and were most closely related to Bacillus cohnii KCTC 3572T (99.3 and 99.9%, respectively), Bacillus zhanjiangensis KCTC 13713T (97.4 and 98.0%, respectively), Bacillus halmapalus LMG 17950T (97.0 and 97.6%, respectively) and other members in the genus Bacillus (<97.0%). However, the DNA-DNA relatedness between 18CT and 6C and B. cohnii KCTC 3572T (49.6±0.9 and 51.6±0.7, respectively), B. zhanjiangensis KCTC 13713T (42.9±0.8 and 47.1±0.3, respectively) and B. halmapalus LMG 17950T (39.9±0.8 and 40.8±0.3, respectively) indicated that the novel strains were distantly related to these strains. Further, the high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (100%) and DNA-DNA relatedness (90±5%) suggested that strains 18CT and 6C were members of a genomospecies. The strains grew optimally at a pH of 7.5 with 2-3% (w/v) NaCl and temperature of 37°C. Strains 18CT and 6C were catalase and oxidase negative. The cell wall of strain 18CT contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, which was in contrast with its nearest neighbour B. cohnii KCTC 3572T, which contained ornithine and aspartic acid. Polar lipids include diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), an unknown phospholipid (PL) and three unknown lipids (L1-3). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. iso-C15:0 (32.5%) was the predominant fatty acid and significant proportions of anteiso-C15:0 (19.5%), C16:0 (11.5%), iso-C17:0 (9.5%) and anteiso-C17:0 (6.3%) were also detected. The DNA G+C content of strains 18CT and 6C were 39.3 and 39.2mol%, respectively. The results of molecular, biochemical and chemotaxonomic tests showed a clear differentiation of strains 18CT and 6C from all other members of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus catenulatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 18CT (=KCTC 33781T=CGMCC 1.15475T).

Allostreptomyces indica sp. nov., isolated from India.

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 75704T, was isolated from a limestone quarry located at Gulbarga, Karnataka, India. The novel strain has showed typical morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the family Streptomycetaceae. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that this strain represents a novel member of the family Streptomycetaceae and exhibited 99.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with the type species of the recently described novel genus Allostreptomyces, that is, Allostreptomyces psammosilenae, whereas other species of Streptomyces were below 95% sequence similarity. The cell hydrolysates contained the LL-isomer of diaminopimelic acid and the predominant quinones were MK-9 (H6, H8 and H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositolmannosides and three unknown phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was 75.0 mol%. A polyphasic study of the strain with morphological, phenotypic, phylogenetic and with DNA-DNA hybridization evidence with related members showed that this strain represents novel species of Allostreptomyces for which the name Allostreptomyces indica sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is YIM 75704T (= DSM 41985T=CCTCC AA 209051T= NCIM 5485T).

Flavitalea antarctica sp. nov., isolated from Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica.

A bright-yellow, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, gliding and aerobic bacterium, designated strain AQ6-291T, was isolated from the Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica, and its taxonomic position was investigated by genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses. Growth occurred at 4-28 °C (optimum 20 °C) and at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0). Strain AQ6-291T contained iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) as the major cellular fatty acids. The main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminophospholipids, unknown phospholipids, five unknown aminolipids and two unknown polar lipids. MK-7 was the major respiratory quinone. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain AQ6-291T belonged to the genus Flavitalea. The DNA G+C content was 48.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain AQ6-291T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Flavitalea, for which the name Flavitalea antarctica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AQ6-291T (=CCTCC AB 2016109T=KCTC 52491T).

Sphingobacteriumsoli sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated YIM X0211T, was isolated from a soil sample of Shiling County, Yunnan Province, south-west China. The new isolate was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0 and with 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. It was positive for catalase and oxidase but negative for H2S production. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM X0211T fell within the cluster comprising Sphingobacterium species and clustered with Sphingobacterium mizutaii DSM 11724T (97.93 % similarity). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingolipid, and several unknown phospholipids or lipids. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain YIM X0211T and S. mizutaii DSM 11724T was 42.3±0.4 %, which is below the 70 % limit for species delineation. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain YIM X0211T to the genus Sphingobacterium. Based on the recorded phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is determined that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM X0211T (=KCTC 42696T=CGMCC 1.15966T).

Nocardioides litoris sp. nov., isolated from the Taean seashore.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, irregularly rod-shaped actinomycete, designated strain 002-2T, was isolated from sand beach sediment collected from the Taean seashore, Republic of Korea. Cells were aerobic, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. Colonies of cells were bright yellow, circular, smooth and convex. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall was ll-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown phospholipid and two unknown amino phospholipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c. The DNA G+C content was 68.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain 002-2T belongs to the family Nocardioidaceae and formed a cluster with Nocardioides rubroscoriae Sco-A25T (98.1 % sequence similarity) and Nocardioides plantarum NCIMB 12834T (97.6 %). On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain 002-2T (=KCTC 39838T=DSM 103718T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides litoris sp. nov. is proposed.

Sporolactobacillus shoreicorticis sp.nov., a lactic acid-producing bacterium isolated from tree bark.

A Gram-stain-positive, lactic acid-producing bacterium designed strain MK21-7T, was isolated from tree bark collected from the north east of Thailand. This strain was a facultatively anaerobic spore-forming rod that was catalase-negative. It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan and had seven isoprene units (MK-7) as the predominant menaquinone. Major fatty acids of MK21-7T were anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. Polar lipids were phosphatidglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unknown phospholipid, three unknown glycolipids and an unknown lipid. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that it represented a member of the genus Sporolactobacillus. MK21-7T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sporolactobacillus terrae NBRC 101527T with 98.4 % similarity and exhibited 97.6 % similarity with Sporolactobacillus kofuensis NRIC 0334T, 97.5 % with Sporolactobacillus laevolacticus NRIC 0361T, 97.3 % with Sporolactobacillus nakayamaesubsp.nakayamae NRIC 0347T and 97.1 % with Sporolactobacillus nakayamaesubsp.racemicus NBRC 101524T. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationship based on 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequencing revealed that the position of MK21-7T was clearly separated from all related species of the genus Sporolactobacillus. It had low DNA-DNA relatedness (22.8-57.2 %) with S. terrae NBRC 101527T and related type strains. The DNA G+C content was 43.1 mol%. On the basis of the results of the phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic studies, MK21-7T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Sporolactobacillus for which the name Sporolactobacillus shoreicorticis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MK21-7T (=NBRC 111517T=LMG 29111T=TISTR 2466T).

Natrinema soli sp. nov., a novel halophilic archaeon isolated from a hypersaline wetland.

An extremely halophilic archaeon, designated strain 5-3T, was isolated from a soil sample of Meighan wetland in Iran. Strain 5-3T was strictly aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and ovoid. Colonies of strain 5-3T were cream-coloured. The isolate showed optimum growth at 4.0 M NaCl, 40 °C and pH 7.0. The major polar lipids of the strain were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, two unknown phospholipids and three glycolipids (including one that was chromatographically identical to S2-DGD). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-8. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.5 mol%. The closest relative was Natrinema salaciae JCM 17869T with 97.3 % similarity in the orthologous 16S rRNA gene sequence. Analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB' gene sequences indicated that strain 5-3T is a member of the genus Natrinema in the family Natrialbaceae and forms a distinct cluster. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, and phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, a novel species of the family Natrialbaceae, Natrinema soli sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is 5-3T (=IBRC-M 11063T=LMG 29247T).

Aliidiomarina sedimenti sp. nov., a haloalkaliphilic bacterium in the family Idiomarinaceae.

A novel Gram-staining-negative straight or curved rod-shaped, moderately halophilic and alkaliphilic bacterium, designated strain GBSy1T, was isolated from a sediment sample from the coastal-marine wetland Gomishan in Iran. GBSy1T was motile, and formed non-pigmented, mucoid colonies. Growth occurred with between 1 and 15 % (w/v) NaCl and the isolate grew optimally with 5 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were 8.5 and 34 °C, while the strain was able to grow at pH 7.0-10 and 4-40 °C. On the basis of the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, GBSy1T was shown to represent a member of the genus Aliidiomarina within the class Gammaproteobacteria, family Idiomarinaceae and showed closest phylogenetic similarity to Aliidiomarina marisCF12-14T (97.7 %). The DNA G+C content of GBSy1T was 51.2 mol%. The cells of GBSy1T contained the isoprenoid ubiquinones Q-8, Q-9 and Q-10 (92, 2 and 2 %, respectively). The major cellular fatty acids of the isolate were iso-C11 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c and its polar lipid profile comprised phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three unknown phospholipids. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between GBSy1T and Aliidiomarina marisDSM 22154T was 31 %. All these features confirmed the placement of GBSy1T within the genus Aliidiomarina. On the basis of evidence from this study, a novel species of the genus Aliidiomarina, Aliidiomarina sedimenti sp. nov., is proposed, with GBSy1T (=IBRC-M 10764T=CECT 8340T) as the type strain.

Glycomyces xinjiangensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a hypersaline habitat.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated XHU 5301T, was isolated from a hypersaline habitat, China. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain positive and the optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 7-9% (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on an almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain XHU 5301T showed that the organism was most closely related to Glycomyces halotolerans TRM 40137T (96.0%). The whole-cell sugar pattern consisted of glucose and galactose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-10(H4), MK-10(H2), and MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15: 0, iso-C15: 0, iso-C16: 0, and methyl-C19: 0. The polar lipids consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and one unknown phospholipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.5mol%. The novel species Glycomyces xinjiangensis sp. nov. was proposed, with strain XHU 5301T (=CCTCC AA 2016043T=KCTC 39689T) as the type strain of Glycomyces xinjiangensis.

Paracoccus hibisci sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (Mugunghwa flower).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short-rod-shaped bacterium, motile by means of one flagellum (THG-T2.8T), was isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa flower. Growth occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum 7) and with 0-5 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). The major quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The major fatty acids were C10 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C18 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid, two unknown phospholipids, one unknown glycolipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T2.8T was 65.5 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T2.8T were identified as Paracoccus tibetensis Tibet-S9a3T (98.6 %), Paracoccus aestuarii B7T (98.4 %), Paracoccus rhizosphaerae CC-CCM15-8T (98.3 %) and Paracoccus beibuensis JLT1284T (98.2 %). Levels of sequence similarity among strain THG-T2.8T and other species of the genus Paracoccus were lower than 98.0 %. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T2.8T and P. tibetensis Tibet-S9A3TT, P. aestuarii B7T, P. rhizosphaerae CC-CCM15-8T and P. beibuensisJLT1284T were 36.5 % (38.8 %, reciprocal analysis), 32.8 % (34.8 %), 31.6 % (33.8 %) and 15.3 % (24.8 %), respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T2.8T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T2.8T (=KACC 18932T=CCTCC AB 2016181T).

Pseudonocardia profundimaris sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterium, designated GY0556T, was isolated from deep-sea sediment collected from the western Pacific Ocean at a depth of 7118 m. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that this strain belongs to the genus Pseudonocardia, being most closely related to Pseudonocardia hydrocarbonoxydans IMSNU 22140T (97.6 % similarity), Pseudonocardia sulfidoxydans DSM 44248T (97.6 %) and Pseudonocardia alaniniphila Y-16303T (97.6 %); similarity to other type strains of the genus Pseudonocardia was less than 97.5 %. Strain GY0556T contained MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C16 : 0 and iso H-C16 : 1 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids detected in strain GY0556T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, one unknown glycolipid, one unknown phospholipid and two unknown lipids. The whole organism hydrolysates mainly consisted of meso-diaminopimelic acid, xylose, galactose and arabinose. The DNA G+C content of strain GY0556T was 76.9 mol%. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations and phylogenetic analysis, together with the phenotypic and biochemical tests, allowed the differentiation of strain GY0556T from established members of the genus Pseudonocardia. Therefore, it is proposed that strain GY0556T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia profundimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GY0556T (=MCCC 1A10574T=KCTC 39641T).

Sphingobacterium alkalisoli sp. nov., isolated from a saline-alkaline soil.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium designated Y3L14T was isolated from the saline-alkaline soil of a farmland, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Strain Y3L14T could grow at 10-40 °C (optimally at 30 °C), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimally at pH 8.0), and in the presence of 0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 0-2.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB) gene sequences revealed that strain Y3L14T clustered with strains belonging to the genus Sphingobacterium, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Sphingobacterium lactis WCC 4512T (94.99 %). Its major cellular fatty acids contained iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the only isoprenoid quinone. Strain Y3L14T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingophospholipid, two unknown phospholipids and three unknown lipids as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain Y3L14T was 36.0 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic characteristics, strain Y3L14T represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which Sphingobacterium alkalisoli sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is Y3L14T (=CGMCC 1.15782T=KCTC 52379T).

Caulobacter rhizosphaerae sp. nov., a stalked bacterium isolated from rhizosphere soil.

The Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, white- to pale-yellow-coloured and rod-shaped bacterium with a single polar flagellum or a stalk, designated strain 7F14T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of cultivated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) collected from Hefei, China. Growth of strain 7F14T was observed at pH 6.0-9.0, 10-30 °C and in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells were catalase-negative and oxidase-positive. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 7F14T formed a phyletic lineage within the genus Caulobacter of the family Caulobacteraceae and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Caulobacter henricii ATCC 15253T (98.66 %), Caulobacter segnis ATCC 21756T (98.27 %), Caulobacter vibrioides CB51T (97.92 %) and Caulobacter flavus RHGG3T (97.44 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.6 mol%. Strain 7F14T contained Q-10 as the sole ubiquinone and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown phosphoglycolipid, five unknown glycolipids, an unknown phospholipid and three unknown lipids. DNA-DNA relatedness values to the most closely related type strains Caulobacter henricii DSM 4730T and Caulobacter segnis DSM 7131T were 26.0 and 19.7 %, respectively. Based on unique phenotypic traits, and phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain 7F14T should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Caulobacter, for which the name Caulobacter rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 7F14T (=CGMCC 1.15915T=KCTC 52515T).