Shu-Kun Tang

Zhihengliuella alba sp. nov., and emended description of the genus Zhihengliuella.

A Gram-positive, non-motile, white-pigmented, short rod actinobacterium, designated YIM 90734T, was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from Ganjiahu Suosuo Forest National Nature Reserve in Xinjiang province, north-west China, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM 90734T grew optimally at 28-37 degrees C and pH 6.0-8.0 and in 5% (w/v) NaCl. The peptidoglycan type was A4alpha, L-Lys-L-Ala-L-Glu and tyvelose and mannose were the major cell-wall sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10 and MK-9. Major cellular fatty acids (>10% of total) were anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, one unknown phospholipid and two unknown glycolipids. The DNA G+C content was 70.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 90734T belonged to the genus Zhihengliuella. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain YIM 90734T and the type strain of the only recognized Zhihengliuella species, Zhihengliuella halotolerans, was 97.7%. However, the level of DNA-DNA relatedness of the two strains was 41.4%. The DNA-DNA relatedness data and differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain YIM 90734T could be differentiated from Z. halotolerans. On the basis of the data presented, strain YIM 90734T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Zhihengliuella, for which the name Zhihengliuella alba sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 90734T (=KCTC 19375T=DSM 21143T). The description of the genus Zhihengliuella has also been emended.

Bacterial and archaeal diversities in Yunnan and Tibetan hot springs, China

Thousands of hot springs are located in the north-eastern part of the Yunnan-Tibet geothermal zone, which is one of the most active geothermal areas in the world. However, a comprehensive and detailed understanding of microbial diversity in these hot springs is still lacking. In this study, bacterial and archaeal diversities were investigated in 16 hot springs (pH 3.2-8.6; temperature 47-96°C) in Yunnan Province and Tibet, China by using a barcoded 16S rRNA gene-pyrosequencing approach. Aquificae, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Deinococcus-Thermus and Bacteroidetes comprised the large portion of the bacterial communities in acidic hot springs. Non-acidic hot springs harboured more and variable bacterial phyla than acidic springs. Desulfurococcales and unclassified Crenarchaeota were the dominated groups in archaeal populations from most of the non-acidic hot springs; whereas, the archaeal community structure in acidic hot springs was simpler and characterized by Sulfolobales and Thermoplasmata. The phylogenetic analyses showed that Aquificae and Crenarchaeota were predominant in the investigated springs and possessed many phylogenetic lineages that have never been detected in other hot springs in the world. Thus findings from this study significantly improve our understanding of microbial diversity in terrestrial hot springs.

Kocuria halotolerans sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a saline soil in China.

A Gram-positive actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 90716(T), was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from Ganjiahu Suosuo Forest National Nature Reserve in Xinjiang Province, north-west China. The new isolate contained lysine, glutamic acid and alanine with peptidoglycan type Lys-Ala(3) (variation A3alpha). The major phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaqinone was MK-7(H(2)). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). The DNA G+C content of strain YIM 90716(T) was 68.0 mol%. Chemotaxonomic properties supported the affiliation of strain YIM 90716(T) to the genus Kocuria. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism was related most closely to Kocuria kristinae DSM 20032(T) (96.8 % similarity) and showed lower levels of 16S rRNA gene similarity (<96.5 %) with the type strains of other species of the genus Kocuria. The results of fatty acid analysis and physiological and biochemical tests allowed the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain YIM 90716(T) from its closest relatives. On the basis of data from the present polyphasic study, strain YIM 90716(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Kocuria, for which the name Kocuria halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 90716(T) (=DSM 18442(T)=KCTC 19172(T)=CCTCC AB 206069(T)).

Sciscionella marina gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine actinomycete isolated from a sediment in the northern South China Sea

The taxonomic position of an actinomycete, designated SCSIO 00231(T), isolated from a sediment sample collected from the northern South China Sea, was determined by using a polyphasic approach. The organism formed fragmented substrate hyphae and sparse aerial mycelium on modified ISP 2 medium. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain SCSIO 00231(T) fell into the family Pseudonocardiaceae, in which it formed a distinct lineage and was loosely associated with Thermocrispum municipale DSM 44069(T), with 93 % similarity. The other closest phylogenetic neighbours were Saccharopolyspora erythraea NRRL 2338(T) (92.6 % similarity) and Amycolatopsis sacchari DSM 44468(T) (93.1 % similarity). The isolate had cell-wall type IV (meso-diaminopimelic acid and whole-cell sugars arabinose, galactose and glucose) and phospholipid type III. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H(4)). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69 mol%. Based on these data, strain SCSIO 00231(T) can be readily distinguished from previously described organisms and represents a new genus within the family Pseudonocardiaceae. The name Sciscionella gen. nov. is proposed, with the novel species Sciscionella marina sp. nov. The type strain of Sciscionella marina is SCSIO 00231(T) (=KCTC 19433(T) =CCTCC AA208009(T)).

Haloactinospora alba gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic filamentous actinomycete of the family Nocardiopsaceae

A novel halophilic, filamentous, actinomycete strain, designated YIM 90648(T), was isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang Province, north-west China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Optimal growth occurred at 37 degrees C, pH 7.0-8.0 and 15% (w/v) NaCl. The aerial mycelium of strain YIM 90648(T) formed long chains of spores at maturity and the spores were cylindrical with smooth surfaces. Spore chains with pseudosporangia at the end were borne on the substrate mycelium and most spores had wrinkled surfaces. Strain YIM 90648(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and galactose and ribose as the major whole-cell components. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. MK-10(H(8)), MK-11(H(4)), MK-11(H(6)) and MK-11(H(8)) were the predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acids were i-C(16:0) and ai-C(17:0). The DNA G+C content was 68 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM 90648(T) formed a distinct lineage within the family Nocardiopsaceae and showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 93.3-95.0% with members of the family Nocardiopsaceae. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, a novel genus and species, Haloactinospora alba gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed to accommodate this isolate. The type strain of Haloactinospora alba is YIM 90648(T) (=DSM 45015(T) =CCTCC AA 206008(T)).

Diversity of Crenarchaeota in terrestrial hot springs in Tengchong, China

Diversity of Crenarchaeota was investigated in eight terrestrial hot springs (pH 2.8–7.7; temperature 44–96°C) located in Tengchong, China, using 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis. A total of 826 crenarchaeotal clones were sequenced and a total of 47 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. Most (93%) of the identified OTUs were closely related (89–99%) to those retrieved from hot springs and other thermal environments. Our data showed that temperature may predominate over pH in affecting crenarchaeotal diversity in Tengchong hot springs. Crenarchaeotal diversity in moderate-temperature (59–77°C) hot springs was the highest, indicating that the moderately hot-temperature springs may provide optimal conditions for speciation of Crenarchaeota.

Marinactinospora thermotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine actinomycete isolated from a sediment in the northern South China Sea

A novel marine actinomycete, designated SCSIO 00652(T), was isolated from a marine sediment collected from the northern South China Sea at a depth of 3865 m. The strain formed branched substrate mycelia and no fragmentation was found. Abundant aerial mycelia differentiated into long spore chains and the spores had a wrinkled surface. Growth occurred on ISP medium 2 with 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl and at 10-55 degrees C. The whole-cell hydrolysate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and glucose as the whole-cell sugar. blast search results based on an almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence showed the novel strain had the highest similarity (96.5 %) with Nocardiopsis trehalosi VKM Ac-942(T). The phylogenetic tree of the family Nocardiopsaceae indicated that strain SCSIO 00652(T) formed a distinct lineage at the deepest branch with a high bootstrap value. Additionally, the profiles of menaquinones, phospholipids and fatty acids showed there were marked differences between strain SCSIO 00652(T) and the recognized genera of the family Nocardiopsaceae. Based on the polyphasic data, a new genus, Marinactinospora gen. nov., is proposed within the family Nocardiopsaceae with the type species Marinactinospora thermotolerans sp. nov. The type strain of the type species is SCSIO 00652(T) (=DSM 45154(T)=CCTCC AA 208041(T)).

Amycolatopsis halophila sp. nov., a halophilic actinomycete isolated from a salt lake

A novel halophilic actinomycete, designated strain YIM 93223(T), was isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang Province, north-west China, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The isolate grew at 25-45 degrees C, at pH 6-8 and in the presence of 1-15 % (w/v) NaCl; no growth was observed in the absence of NaCl. Strain YIM 93223(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glutamic acid and alanine as cell-wall amino acids, and glucose and galactose as major whole-cell-wall sugars. Major fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), C(16 : 0) and C(16 : 1)omega7c/iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH. MK-8(H(4)) was the predominant menaquinone. The genomic DNA G+C content was 66.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 93223(T) belongs to the genus Amycolatopsis. It shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Amycolatopsis palatopharyngis 1BDZ(T) (96.6 %) and Amycolatopsis marina Ms392A(T) (96.4 %), but lower values (94.5-96.2 %) with the type strains of other recognized species of the genus Amycolatopsis. On the basis of the data from this polyphasic study, strain YIM 93223(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis, for which the name Amycolatopsis halophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 93223(T) (=DSM 45216(T) =KCTC 19403(T)).

Nocardiopsis litoralis sp. nov., a halophilic marine actinomycete isolated from a sea anemone.

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, alkalitolerant, filamentous, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain JSM 073097(T), was isolated from a sea anemone collected from a tidal flat in the South China Sea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the new isolate was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis and was most closely related to Nocardiopsis kunsanensis HA-9(T), Nocardiopsis xinjiangensis YIM 90004(T) and Nocardiopsis salina YIM 90010(T) (99.6, 98.5 and 98.1 % similarity, respectively). Phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data also indicated that strain JSM 073097(T) was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis. The strain grew well on most of the media tested, producing white to yellow-white substrate mycelium and white aerial mycelium and straight to flexuous hyphae. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age; the aerial mycelium produced long, straight to flexuous spore chains with non-motile, smooth-surfaced, rod-shaped spores. The strain grew in the presence of 1-15 % (w/v) total salts and at pH 6.0-10.5 and 20-35 degrees C; optimum growth occurred in the presence of 5-7 % (w/v) total salts and at pH 8.5 and 25 degrees C. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain JSM 073097(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and no diagnostic sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H(4)), MK-10(H(6)) and MK-10(H(8)). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0), anteiso-C(16 : 0) and 10-methyl C(18 : 0). Polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain JSM 073097(T) was 70.4 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the suggestion that strain JSM 073097(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 073097(T) (=DSM 45168(T)=KCTC 19473(T)).

A new member of the family Micromonosporaceae, Planosporangium flavigriseum gen. nov., sp. nov.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain YIM 46034(T), was isolated from an evergreen broadleaved forest at Menghai, in southern Yunnan Province, China. Phenotypic characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain belonged to the family Micromonosporaceae. Strain YIM 46,034(T) showed more than 3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence from recognized species of genera in the family Micromonosporaceae. Characteristic features of strain YIM 46,034(T) were the production of two types of spores, namely motile spores, which were formed in sporangia produced on substrate mycelia, and single globose spores, which were observed on short sporophores of the substrate mycelia. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glycine, arabinose and xylose, which are characteristic components of cell-wall chemotype II of actinomycetes. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the major phospholipid (phospholipid type II). Based on morphological, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genetic characteristics, strain YIM 46,034(T) is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Micromonosporaceae, for which the name Planosporangium flavigriseum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Planosporangium flavigriseum is YIM 46,034(T) (=CCTCC AA 205,013(T) =DSM 44,991(T)).