Yong-Xia Wang

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)).

Bacillus neizhouensis sp. nov., a halophilic marine bacterium isolated from a sea anemone

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, strain JSM 071004(T), was isolated from a sea anemone collected from Neizhou Bay in the South China Sea. Growth occurred with 0.5-10 % (w/v) total salts (optimum 2-4 %) and at pH 6.5-10.0 (optimum pH 8.5) and 4-30 degrees C (optimum 25 degrees C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7) and the polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). The genomic DNA G+C content was 39.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 071004(T) belongs to the genus Bacillus, being related most closely to the type strain of Bacillus agaradhaerens (sequence similarity 97.3 %), followed by the type strains of Bacillus cellulosilyticus (96.2 %), Bacillus clarkii (96.1 %) and Bacillus polygoni (96.0 %). The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data support the proposal that strain JSM 071004(T) represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus neizhouensis sp. nov. is proposed, with JSM 071004(T) (=CCTCC AB 207161(T) =DSM 19794(T) =KCTC 13187(T)) as the type strain.

Sphingobium qiguonii sp. nov., a carbaryl- degrading bacterium isolated from a wastewater treatment system

A Gram-staining-negative, catalase-positive, carbaryl-degrading, non-spore-forming, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain X23(T), was isolated from a wastewater treatment system. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Sphingobium. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity observed for the isolate was 96.6 % with the type strain of Sphingobium amiense. Chemotaxonomic data [major ubiquinone: Q-10; major polar lipids: diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine and unknown aminolipids and phospholipids; major fatty acids: summed feature 7 (C(18 : 1)ω7c, C(18 : 1)ω9t and/or C(18 : 1)ω12t), C(16 : 1)ω5c, C(14 : 0) 2-OH and C(16 : 0) 2-OH] as well as the inability to reduce nitrate and the presence of spermidine as the major polyamine supported the affiliation of the strain to the genus Sphingobium. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, whole-cell fatty acid composition and biochemical characteristics, the strain could be separated from all recognized species of the genus Sphingobium. Strain X23(T) should be classified as a novel species of the genus Sphingobium, for which the name Sphingobium qiguonii sp. nov. is proposed, with strain X23(T) (=CCTCC AB 208221(T) =DSM 21541(T)) as the type strain.

Fodinibius salinus gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a salt mine

A novel, moderately halophilic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain YIM D17(T), was isolated from a sample of sediment from a salt mine in Yunnan, south-western China. The taxonomy of strain YIM D17(T) was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM D17(T) was Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and non-motile and formed pink colonies on marine agar. Optimal growth occurred at 37 °C, pH 7.5-8.0 and in the presence of 10-15 % (w/v) NaCl. The major menaquinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profile was composed predominantly of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, one phospholipid, one glycolipid and one aminolipid. Minor amounts of other lipids were also detectable. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(17 : 1)ω9c/10-methyl-C(16 : 0) (24.0 %), iso-C(15 : 0) (23.6 %) and C(16 : 1)ω7c/C(16 : 1)ω6c (13.8 %). The DNA G+C content was 43.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the isolate formed a distinct clade with the genera Gracilimonas and Balneola (both in the phylum Bacteroidetes) and was related to the species Gracilimonas tropica, Balneola vulgaris and Balneola alkaliphila, with sequence similarities of 85.6 %, 83.0 % and 82.8 % to the respective type strains. On the basis of its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic features, strain YIM D17(T) represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Fodinibius salinus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM D17(T) ( = ACCC 10716(T) = DSM 21935(T)).

Rhodococcus kunmingensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from a rhizosphere soil

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterium strain, designated YIM 45607(T), was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample in Kunming, south-west China. Chemotaxonomically, the isolate contained chemical markers that supported its assignment to the genus Rhodococcus. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis, strain YIM 45607(T) formed a new subline within the genus Rhodococcus, with Rhodococcus equi as its closest phylogenetic neighbour (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain). However, DNA-DNA hybridization demonstrated that strain YIM 45607(T) was different from R. equi DSM 20307(T) (35.4 % relatedness). Based on polyphasic analysis, strain YIM 45607(T) could be clearly distinguished from other species of the genus Rhodococcus. The isolate therefore represents a novel species of Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus kunmingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain YIM 45607(T) (=KCTC 19149(T) =DSM 45001(T)).

Litoribacter ruber gen. nov., sp. nov., an alkaliphilic, halotolerant bacterium isolated from a soda lake sediment

A novel alkaliphilic, halotolerant, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain YIM CH208(T), was isolated from a soda lake in Yunnan, south-west China. The taxonomy of strain YIM CH208(T) was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM CH208(T) was Gram-negative, strictly aerobic and non-motile and formed red colonies. Optimal growth conditions were 28°C, pH8.5 and 0.5-2.5 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the isolate formed a distinct line within a clade containing the genus Echinicola in the phylum Bacteroidetes and was related to the species Echinicola pacifica and Rhodonellum psychrophilum, with sequence similarity of 91.7 and 91.6 % to the respective type strains. The DNA G+C content was 45.1 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(17 : 1)ω9c (19.9 %), C(15 : 0) 3-OH (12.1 %), iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH (11.3 %), summed feature 3 (iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C(16 : 1)ω7c; 10.7 %) and C(17 : 1)ω6c (8.7 %). On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain YIM CH208(T) represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Litoribacter ruber gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Litoribacter ruber is YIM CH208(T) (=ACCC 05414(T) =KCTC 22899(T)).

Aliifodinibius roseus gen. nov., sp. nov., and Aliifodinibius sediminis sp. nov., two moderately halophilic bacteria isolated from salt mine samples.

Two rod-shaped, non-motile bacteria were isolated from two separate salt mines in Yunnan, south-western China. These strains, designated YIM D15(T) and YIM J21(T), were Gram-negative and moderately halophilic. The two strains required 6-10 % NaCl (w/v; optimal) for growth. The DNA G+C contents of strains YIM D15(T) and YIM J21(T) were 49.0 mol% and 48.4 mol%, respectively. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The polar lipid profiles of strains YIM D15(T) and YIM J21(T) were composed predominantly of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown polar lipids and one glycolipid. Minor amounts of other lipids were also detectable. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω9c/10 methyl-C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the two isolates formed a distinct clade with the genus Fodinibius (in the phylum Bacteroidetes) and were related to the species Fodinibius salinus, with sequence similarities of 91.9-92.4 %. Analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains YIM D15(T) and YIM J21(T) were related to each other (97.3 % sequence similarity). The DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness between the two isolates was 34 %. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strains YIM D15(T) and YIM J21(T) should be classified as members of a novel genus and as two novel species, for which the names Aliifodinibius roseus gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain YIM D15(T) = ACCC 10715(T) = KCTC 23442(T)) and Aliifodinibius sediminis sp. nov. (type strain YIM J21(T) = ACCC 10714(T) = DSM 21194(T)) are proposed.

Microlunatus aurantiacus sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, mesophilic strain, designated YIM 45721T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample in Yunnan Province, China. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis, strain YIM 45721T was assigned to the genus Microlunatus and was most closely related to the type strain of Microlunatus phosphovorus (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Chemotaxonomic data, including cell-wall peptidoglycan structure, menaquinones and fatty acid profile, supported affiliation of strain YIM 45721T to the genus Microlunatus. Results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests enabled strain YIM 45721T to be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from M. phosphovorus. Therefore, strain YIM 45721T represents a novel species of the genus Microlunatus, for which the name Microlunatus aurantiacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 45721T (=CCTCC AB 206067T=DSM 18424T).

Stackebrandtia albiflava sp nov and emended description of the genus Stackebrandtia

A novel actinomycete, designated YIM 45751(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Xishuang Banna tropical rainforest, Yunnan province, south-west China, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained ribose, xylose and glucose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H(4)), MK-10(H(6)), MK-11(H(4)) and MK-11(H(6)). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and three unknown phospholipids. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that Stackebrandtia nassauensis DSM 44728(T) was the closest phylogenetic neighbour (95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). On the basis of phylogenetic and some common chemotaxonomic data, the isolate should belong to the genus Stackebrandtia. However, phylogenetic analysis and comparison of physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics demonstrated that the isolate is distinct from S. nassauensis DSM 44728(T). Strain YIM 45751(T) represents a separate species of the genus Stackebrandtia, for which the name Stackebrandtia albiflava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 45751(T) (=DSM 45044(T)=CCTCC AA 206003(T)). Furthermore, the description of the genus Stackebrandtia is also required to be emended.

Roseivivax sediminis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from salt mine sediment

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, short rod-shaped, heterotrophic bacterium, designated strain YIM D21(T), was isolated from a salt mine in Yunnan province, south-west China. Strain YIM D21(T) formed cream-yellow colonies, was non-motile and moderately halophilic, and tolerated NaCl concentrations of 1-15% (w/v), with optimum growth at 5-10 % (w/v). Growth occurred at 15-42 °C (optimum 28 °C) and at pH 6.5-8.5 (optimum 7.5-8.0). The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, three unidentified phospholipids, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were C(18:1)ω7c and cyclo C(19:0)ω8c and the DNA G+C content was 67.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain YIM D21(T) belongs to the genus Roseivivax. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of YIM D21(T) were 95.7, 95.0 and 94.8% with the type strains of Roseivivax halodurans, Roseivivax lentus and Roseivivax halotolerans, respectively. Physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain YIM D21(T) from closely related species with validly published names. We therefore propose that this isolate represents a novel species, Roseivivax sediminis sp. nov.; the type strain is YIM D21(T) ( = KCTC 23444(T) = ACCC 10710(T)).