Geodermatophilus brasiliensis sp. nov., isolated from Brazilian soil.

A Gram-reaction-positive bacterial isolate, designated Tü 6233(T), with rudimentary, coral-pink vegetative mycelium that formed neither aerial mycelium nor spores, was isolated from a Brazilian soil sample. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. Cell-wall hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and galactose as the diagnostic sugar. The major fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and C(17 : 1)ω8c and the predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown glycophospholipid and an unknown phospholipid. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 75.4 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence identity with members of the genus Geodermatophilus was 94.2-98.7%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain Tü 6233(T) is proposed to represent a novel species, Geodermatophilus brasiliensis sp. nov., with the type strain Tü 6233(T) ( = DSM 44526(T) = CECT 8402(T)).

Micromonospora halotolerans sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of a Pisum sativum plant.

A filamentous actinomycete strain designated CR18(T) was isolated on humic acid agar from the rhizosphere of a Pisum sativum plant collected in Spain. This isolate was observed to grow optimally at 28 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 5 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated a close relationship with the type strains of Micromonospora chersina and Micromonospora endolithica. A further analysis based on a concatenated DNA sequence stretch of 4,523 bp that included partial sequences of the atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and 16S rRNA genes clearly differentiated the new strain from recognized Micromonospora species compared. DNA-DNA hybridization studies further supported the taxonomic position of strain CR18(T) as a novel genomic species. Chemotaxonomic analyses which included whole cell sugars, polar lipids, fatty acid profiles and menaquinone composition confirmed the affiliation of the new strain to the genus Micromonospora and also highlighted differences at the species level. These studies were finally complemented with an array of physiological tests to help differentiate between the new strain and its phylogenetic neighbours. Consequently, strain CR18(T) (= CECT 7890(T) = DSM 45598(T)) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Micromonospora halotolerans sp. nov.

Micromonospora cremea sp. nov. and Micromonospora zamorensis sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Pisum sativum.

Three actinobacterial strains, CR30(T), CR36 and CR38(T), were isolated from rhizosphere soil of Pisum sativum plants collected in Spain. The strains were filamentous, Gram-stain-positive and produced single spores. Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and morphological analyses confirmed that the three strains belonged to the genus Micromonospora. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strains CR30(T) and CR36 showed a close relationship to Micromonospora coriariae NAR01(T) (99.3% similarity) while strain CR38(T) had a similarity of 99.0% with Micromonospora saelicesensis Lupac 09(T). In addition, gyrB gene phylogeny clearly differentiated the novel isolates from recognized Micromonospora species. DNA-DNA hybridization, BOX-PCR and ARDRA profiles confirmed that these strains represent novel genomic species. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of strains CR30(T) and CR38(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. Both strains had MK-10(H(4)) as the main menaquinone and a phospholipid type II pattern. An array of physiological tests also differentiated the isolates from their closest neighbours. Considering all the data obtained, it is proposed that strains CR30(T) and CR36 represent a novel species under the name Micromonospora cremea sp. nov. (type strain CR30(T) = CECT 7891(T) = DSM 45599(T)), whereas CR38(T) represents a second novel species, for which the name Micromonospora zamorensis sp. nov. is proposed, with CR38(T) ( = CECT 7892(T) = DSM 45600(T)) as the type strain.

Nocardia mikamii sp. nov., isolated from human pulmonary infections in the USA.

Four nocardioform bacterial strains isolated from clinical respiratory sources were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, these strains were found to be 100 % similar to each other and were shown to belong to the genus Nocardia. Chemotaxonomic data [major menaquinone: ω-cyclic isoprene side chain MK-8(H4(cycl)); major polar lipids: diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides; major fatty acids: monounsaturated fatty acids with a considerable amount of tuberculostearic acid; and mycolic acids (52-62 carbon atoms)] were consistent with the assignment of the novel strains to the genus Nocardia. Comparative phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strains were related to Nocardia cerradoensis DSM 44546(T) (99.8 %) and Nocardia aobensis JCM 12352(T) (99.6 %). Analysis of gyrB gene sequences showed these strains were related to N. aobensis (96.6 %) and to N. cerradoensis (96.3 %). The results suggest that gyrB gene sequencing is a more powerful tool than 16S rRNA gene sequencing for taxonomic identification within the genus Nocardia. DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests supported the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the novel strains from related species. These data indicated that the new strains represent a novel species within the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia mikamii sp. nov. is proposed, with strain W8061(T) (=DSM 45174(T)=JCM 15508(T)) as the type strain.

Tsukamurella soli sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, white-coloured bacterium, designated strain JS18-1(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Halla mountain, Jeju island, Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the strain was most closely related to members of the genus Tsukamurella with levels of sequence similarity of 95.4-96.5 %. Strain JS18-1(T) shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Tsukamurella strandjordii DSM 44573(T) (96.5 %), Tsukamurella carboxydivorans Y2(T) (96.4 %) and Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens DSM 44234(T) (96.4 %). The G+C content of the total DNA of strain JS18-1(T) was 70 mol%. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A1gamma and mycolic acids were also detected. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. The major quinone was menaquinone-9 (MK-9) and major cell-wall sugars were arabinose, ribose and glucose. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) were C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)omega9c, C(18 : 0) 10-methyl and summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and chemotaxonomic, biochemical and physiological characteristics indicate that strain JS18-1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Tsukamurella, for which the name Tsukamurella soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JS18-1(T) (=KACC 20764(T)=DSM 45046(T)).

Streptomyces iranensis sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A novel streptomycete, designated strain HM 35(T), was isolated from soil in Isfahan city, Iran. Strain HM 35(T) produced a branched substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae that developed into short, compact, spiral spore chains with grey rugose spores at the tips of the aerial hyphae. On some media, these spirals coalesced into dark masses of spores with age. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain HM 35(T) contained LL-diaminopimelic acid, glucose and ribose. Phospholipids detected were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine and hydroxy-lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine. MK-9(H(4)), MK-9(H(6)) and MK-9(H(8)) were the predominant menaquinones. The major fatty acids were iso- and anteiso-branched components. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of the novel isolate matched those described for members of the genus Streptomyces. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain HM 35(T) showed highest similarity to Streptomyces rapamycinicus NRRL 5491(T) (99.2 %), Streptomyces violaceusniger DSM 40563(T) (99.1 %), Streptomyces javensis DSM 41764(T) (99.1 %) and Streptomyces yogyakartensis DSM 41766(T) (99.1 %). The novel strain formed a distinct monophyletic line within the 16S rRNA gene sequence tree. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain HM 35(T) and the type strain of S. rapamycinicus was 72.7 %. Strain HM 35(T) showed the typical morphology found among members of the S. violaceusniger/Streptomyces hygroscopicus group but could be clearly differentiated from closely related species based on other phenotypic markers. Phenotypic and genotypic data thus indicate that strain HM 35(T) represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces iranensis is proposed. The type strain is HM 35(T) (=DSM 41954(T)=CCUG 57623(T)).

Nocardiopsis sinuspersici sp. nov., isolated from sandy rhizospheric soil.

A polyphasic taxonomic study of a halotolerant bacterium, isolated from sandy rhizospheric soil in Sarbandar, Persian Gulf, Iran, revealed that strain HM6(T) represents a novel species within the genus Nocardiopsis. Results of the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain HM6(T) clustered with strains of the genus Nocardiopsis, showing the highest degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Nocardiopsis quinghaiensis (99.2 %), Nocardiopsis aegyptia (98.5 %) and Nocardiopsis halotolerans (98.3 %). However, DNA-DNA hybridization studies with these type strains revealed less than 39.6 % similarity. Rather than genotypic differences, there are some phenotypic discrepancies between strain HM6(T) and closely related species of the genus Nocardiopsis. Main morphological and chemotaxonomical features of strain HM6(T) include: (i) growth characteristics, i.e. the formation of a scant light-yellow to white aerial mycelium and the typical zig-zag form of the hyphae, which fragment during ageing into smooth rod-shaped spores; (ii) the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid and glucose plus ribose in whole-cell hydrolysates; (iii) the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol, together with three unknown Nocardiopsis-specific phospholipids (close to diphosphatidylglycerol in position) in polar lipid extracts; (iv) the presence of the major menaquinones MK-10(H0), MK-10(H2) and MK-9(H0) in the non-polar fraction; (v) the presence of iso/anteiso-branched plus 10-methyl-branched fatty acids, showing the diagnostic combination for species of the genus Nocardiopsis of iso-16 : 0 (31.1 %), anteiso-17 : 0 (19.2 %), 10-methyl-17 : 0 (5.8 %) and tuberculostearic acid (8.8 %); and (vi) the absence of mycolic acids. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain HM6(T) represents a distinct taxon within the genus Nocardiopsis. Based upon genotypic and phenotypic differences from other members of the genus, a novel species, Nocardiopsis sinuspersici sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is HM6(T) (=UTMC 00102(T) =DSM 45277(T) =CCUG 57624(T)).

Hoyosella altamirensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the order Actinomycetales isolated from a cave biofilm.

A novel actinomycete, strain OFN S31(T), was isolated from a complex biofilm in the Altamira Cave, Spain. A polyphasic study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of this strain. Phylogenetic analysis with 16S rRNA gene sequences of representatives of the genera Corynebacterium, Dietzia, Gordonia, Millisia, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, Rhodococcus, Segniliparus, Skermania, Tsukamurella and Williamsia indicated that strain OFN S31(T) formed a distinct taxon in the 16S rRNA gene tree that was more closely associated with the Mycobacterium clade. The type strain of Mycobacterium fallax was the closest relative of strain OFN S31(T) (95.6 % similarity). The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose and galactose, which are characteristic components of cell-wall chemotype IV of actinomycetes. The sugars of the peptidoglycan were acetylated. The polar lipid pattern was composed of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol. Strain OFN S31(T) is characterized by the absence of mycelium and mycolic acids. Strain OFN S31(T) had MK-8 as the major menaquinone. The DNA G+C content was 49.3 mol%, the lowest found among all taxa included in the suborder Corynebacterineae. Based on morphological, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genetic characteristics, strain OFN S31(T) is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Hoyosella altamirensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Hoyosella altamirensis is strain OFN S31(T) (=CIP 109864(T) =DSM 45258(T)).

Mycetocola reblochoni sp. nov., isolated from the surface microbial flora of Reblochon cheese.

Four Gram-positive, aerobic, non-sporulating, rod-shaped bacteria isolated from the surface microflora of Reblochon cheese at the late stage of ripening had chemotaxonomic properties characteristic of members of the family Microbacteriaceae. The isolates had virtually identical SDS-PAGE whole-organism protein patterns, shared many chemical and phenotypic characteristics and formed an independent branch in the Microbacteriaceae 16S rRNA gene tree that was most closely related to the type strains of Mycetocola species. The new isolates had chemotaxonomic properties consistent with their classification in the genus Mycetocola but were readily distinguished from recognized members of this taxon based on DNA-DNA relatedness, whole-organism protein and phenotypic data. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicate that the isolates should be classified in the genus Mycetocola as members of a novel species, for which the name Mycetocola reblochoni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMG 22367(T) (=R-20377(T) =BRB-1L41(T) =DSM 18580(T)).

Cellulomonas aerilata sp. nov., isolated from an air sample.

A Gram-positive, aerobic, motile, coccoid or short rod-shaped bacterium, 5420S-23(T), was isolated from an air sample collected in the Republic of Korea. According to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain 5420S-23(T) revealed 97.5, 97.3, 97.3 and 97.2 % similarity, respectively, to Cellulomonas biazotea DSM 20112(T), Cellulomonas cellasea DSM 20118(T), Cellulomonas fimi DSM 20113(T) and Cellulomonas chitinilytica X.bu-b(T). The peptidoglycan type of strain 5420S-23(T) was A4beta, containing l-ornithine-d-glutamic acid. The cell-wall sugars were galactose, glucose and xylose. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0) (49.7 %) and C(16 : 0) (20.0 %). The major menaquinone was MK-9(H(4)) and major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 74 mol%. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization with strains of closely related Cellulomonas species, in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data, demonstrated that isolate 5420S-23(T) represents a novel Cellulomonas species, for which the name Cellulomonas aerilata sp. nov. is proposed, with strain 5420S-23(T) (=KACC 20692(T) =DSM 18649(T)) as the type strain.

Reclassification of Myxococcus flavescens Yamanaka et al. 1990VP as a later synonym of Myxococcus virescens Thaxter 1892AL.

The taxonomic relatedness between the species Myxococcus flavescens and Myxococcus virescens was investigated. Literature data had already indicated the synonymy between the two species but this observation had not been formalized. Additional evidence that the two taxa represent a single species was provided by comparison of metabolic properties, cellular fatty acid profiles and from a DNA-DNA reassociation value of >80 %. Data from this study led to the proposal that M. flavescens should be reclassified as a later synonym of M. virescens.

Phycicoccus aerophilus sp. nov., isolated from air.

A Gram-positive, short rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated 5516T-20(T), was isolated from an air sample. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain 5516T-20(T) belonged to the family Intrasporangiaceae, having the highest sequence similarities (97.5 and 96.1 %, respectively) with respect to the type strains of Phycicoccus dokdonensis and Phycicoccus jejuensis. The value for DNA-DNA hybridization between 5516T-20(T) and P. dokdonensis DS-8(T) was 41 %. Strain 5516T-20(T) contained menaquinone MK-8(H4) as the major isoprenoid quinone, possessed phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol as the polar lipids and contained glucose and ribose as whole-cell sugars. The major fatty acids were C(17 : 1)omega8c, iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), C(17 : 0) and iso-C(14 : 0). The G+C content of the DNA from strain 5516T-20(T) was 70.5 mol%. On the basis of the data from the polyphasic taxonomic study, strain 5516T-20(T) represents a novel species within the genus Phycicoccus, for which the name Phycicoccus aerophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5516T-20(T) (=KACC 20658(T) =DSM 18548(T)).

Nocardia altamirensis sp. nov., isolated from Altamira cave, Cantabria, Spain.

A novel actinomycete strain, OFN S17(T), was isolated from a sample collected from Altamira Cave, Cantabria, Spain. This strain was identified by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The 16S rRNA, hsp65 and sod gene sequences of the strain were determined and compared with those of representative Nocardia species. The results showed that strain OFN S17(T) should be assigned to the genus Nocardia. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain OFN S17(T) was most closely related to the type strain of Nocardia tenerifensis (98.6, 96.2 and 96% similarity, respectively, for the 16S rRNA, hsp65 and sod gene sequences). The DNA G+C content was 64.4 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization analyses revealed 29% relative reassociation between the DNA of strain OFN S17(T) and N. tenerifensis DSM 44704(T). The phenotypic and genotypic data show that strain OFN S17(T) merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia altamirensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is OFN S17(T) (=CIP 109606(T) =DSM 44997(T)).

The temperature-adaptive fatty acid content in Bacillus simplex strains from 'Evolution Canyon', Israel.

Exploring the evolutionary response of Bacillus simplex strains to the slope-specific habitats of 'Evolution Canyon' I and II, Israel, we report here on presumably adaptive differences in fatty acid (FA) content that correlate with one particular feature of the habitats, temperature difference. These two canyons represent similar ecological sites, separated by 40 km, in which the orientation of the sun yields a strong sun-exposed and hot 'African' south-facing slope versus a rather cooler and mesic-lush 'European' north-facing slope within a distance of only 50-400 m. Among 131 strains, which are identical in their 16S sequences, those assigned genetically to the 'African' ecotypes express phenotypically generally more high-temperature-tolerance-providing iso-branched FAs than strains assigned to the 'European' ecotypes when grown at 20 degrees C, 28 degrees C and 40 degrees C. Conversely, 'European' lineages express larger amounts of low-temperature-tolerance-providing anteiso-branched and non-saturated FAs when grown at the same temperatures. Moreover, 'African' ecotypes show a stronger adjustment of their high- and low-temperature-tolerance-providing FAs in response to low temperatures, which suggests that, as a result of temperature adaptation, 'African' and 'European' ecotypes have evolved different reaction norms within their phenotypic plasticity response. Thus, bacterial adaptive microevolution may include such multigenic and highly complex organs as the bacterial cell membrane. The results contribute to our understanding of the speciation process among the 'Evolution Canyon' B. simplex ecotypes.

Desulfotomaculum alcoholivorax sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic, spore-forming, sulfate-reducer isolated from a fluidized-bed reactor treating acidic metal- and sulfate-containing wastewater.

A moderately thermophilic, Gram-positive, endospore-forming, sulfate-reducing bacterium was isolated from a fluidized-bed reactor treating acidic water containing metal and sulfate. The strain, designated RE35E1T, was rod-shaped and motile. The temperature range for growth was 33-51 degrees C (optimum 44-46 degrees C) and the pH range was 6.0-7.5 (optimum pH 6.4-7.3). The strain grew optimally without additional NaCl. The electron acceptors were 10 mM sulfate, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur and 1 mM (but not 10 mM) sulfite. Various alcohols and carboxylic acids were utilized as electron donors. Fermentative growth occurred on pyruvate. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and the major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The major whole-cell fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1 omega 10c and iso-C17 : 0. Strain RE35E1T was related to representatives of the genera Desulfotomaculum and Sporotomaculum, the closest relatives being Desulfotomaculum arcticum DSM 17038T (96.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Sporotomaculum hydroxybenzoicum DSM 5475T (92.0 % similarity). Strain RE35E1T represents a novel species, for which the name Desulfotomaculum alcoholivorax sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RE35E1T (=DSM 16058T=JCM 14019T).

Nocardiopsis quinghaiensis sp. nov., isolated from saline soil in China.

A previously unknown Gram-positive, obligately aerobic actinomycete, YIM 28A4(T), was isolated from a sample of saline soil collected from the Qaidam Basin in Qinghai Province, north-west China, and was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strain grew well on most of the media tested, producing white to pale-yellow substrate mycelium, white aerial mycelium and straight to flexuous hyphae. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age; the aerial mycelium produced long, straight spore chains. The spore chains were composed of non-motile, smooth-surfaced, rod-shaped spores. No diffusible pigments were produced on any of the media tested. The strain grew in the presence of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0-8.0, with optimum growth occurring at 3 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 7.0. It grew at 10-37 degrees C, the optimum growth temperature being 28 degrees C. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain YIM 28A4(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and no diagnostic sugars. The predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10, MK-10(H(2)), MK-11 and MK-11(H(2)). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). The DNA G+C content was 67.1 mol%. The morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the isolate matched those described for Nocardiopsis species. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons confirmed that strain YIM 28A4(T) was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis and most closely related to the type strains Nocardiopsis aegyptia DSM 44442(T) and Nocardiopsis halotolerans DSM 44410(T), showing 98.1 and 97.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. Strain YIM 28A4(T) can be differentiated from these type strains by using phenotypic, phylogenetic and DNA-DNA hybridization data. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, strain YIM 28A4(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis quinghaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 28A4(T) (=DSM 44739(T) =CGMCC 4.3494(T)).

Bacillus butanolivorans sp. nov., a species with industrial application for the remediation of n-butanol.

Four bacterial strains, designated K9(T), K105, K1012A and K101, were isolated from soil in Lithuania. All these strains could use n-butanol as a sole carbon source. The strains grew in a medium containing 12-120 mM n-butanol. The strains were strictly aerobic, Gram-positive endospore-formers. The best growth was achieved at 25 degrees C and pH 7.0 in medium containing 1 % (w/v) NaCl. The strains showed identical profiles of 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer PCR and nearly identical 16S rRNA gene PCR-RFLP electrophoretic patterns and physiological characteristics, demonstrating their relationship at the species level. The cellular fatty acid profile of K9(T) consisted of significant amounts of the C(15) branched-chain fatty acids iso-C(15 : 0) (16.78 %) and anteiso-C(15 : 0) (45.80 %). The diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of K9(T) showed the highest similarity to the sequences of Bacillus simplex DSM 1321(T) and Bacillus muralis LMG 20238(T) (98.3 and 97.7 %, respectively). The DNA G+C content was 37.4 mol%. Studies of DNA-DNA relatedness, morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic analyses and phylogenetic data based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing allowed strains K9(T), K105, K1012A and K101 to be described as members of a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus butanolivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K9(T) (=DSM 18926(T) =LMG 23974(T)).

Micromonospora lupini sp. nov. and Micromonospora saelicesensis sp. nov., isolated from root nodules of Lupinus angustifolius.

A study was conducted to determine the taxonomic status of six actinomycete strains isolated from root nodules of Lupinus angustifolius. The strains were filamentous, Gram-positive and produced single spores at the tip of the hyphae. Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and morphological analyses demonstrated that all six strains belonged to the genus Micromonospora. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence data, the strains were divided into two clusters that are moderately related to Micromonospora mirobrigensis, Micromonospora matsumotoense and Micromonospora purpureochromogenes. Fatty acid patterns also supported the division of the strains, and significant differences between the two groups were found in the amounts of iso-15 : 0, iso-16 : 0, iso-16 : 1 and iso-17 : 0. Furthermore, the two groups showed physiological differences which included utilization of arabinose, trehalose, alanine and sucrose and xylan hydrolysis. Finally, DNA-DNA hybridization and ribotyping studies confirmed that each group represents a novel species. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic data, the novel species Micromonospora lupini sp. nov. (type strain Lupac 14N(T) =DSM 44874(T) =LMG 24055(T)) and Micromonospora saelicesensis sp. nov. (type strain Lupac 09(T) =DSM 44871(T) =LMG 24056(T)) are proposed.

Knoellia aerolata sp. nov., isolated from an air sample in Korea.

An aerobic, Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-coccus-shaped bacterium, strain 5317S-21(T), was isolated from an air sample from Suwon city, Republic of Korea. The isolate was able to grow within a pH range of 5.0-9.0 and a temperature range of 5-35 degrees C and it tolerated up to 2 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H(4)). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol; phosphatidylglycerol and several unknown phospholipids were also detected. Mycolic acids were absent. The only whole-cell sugar was glucose. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), C(17 : 1)omega8c and iso-C(15 : 0). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 5317S-21(T) was related phylogenetically to members of the genus Knoellia, with 97.4 % sequence similarity to the type strains of Knoellia sinensis and Knoellia subterranea. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain 5317S-21(T) was 73 mol%. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 5317S-21(T) and the type strains of Knoellia sinensis and Knoellia subterranea were 37 and 41 %, respectively. It was concluded that strain 5317S-21(T) represents a novel species of the genus Knoellia, for which the name Knoellia aerolata sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5317S-21(T) (=KACC 20583(T) =DSM 18566(T)).

Terrabacter aerolatus sp. nov., isolated from an air sample.

A Gram-positive, strictly aerobic, motile, rod- or coccoid-shaped bacterium, strain 5516J-36(T), was isolated from an air sample from Jeju region, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. The organism grew optimally at 30 degrees C and pH 7.0-8.0. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that this strain was highly related phylogenetically to Terrabacter terrae PPLB(T) and Terrabacter tumescens DSM 20308(T), showing 98.9 % sequence similarity to both strains. However, the DNA-DNA reassociation values between 5516J-36(T) and the type strains of Terrabacter terrae and Terrabacter tumescens were low (51 and 48 %, respectively). The peptidoglycan type was A3gamma, the predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H(4)), the polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified phosphoglycolipid and the whole-cell sugars were glucose, ribose, rhamnose, xylose and galactose. Mycolic acids were absent. The major fatty acids (>5 % of total fatty acids) were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(14 : 0), iso-C(17 : 0) and anteiso-C(15 : 0). The DNA G+C content was 71.7 mol%. On the basis of the above data, it is proposed that strain 5516J-36(T) represents a novel species, Terrabacter aerolatus sp. nov. The type strain of Terrabacter aerolatus is 5516J-36(T) (=KACC 20556(T) =DSM 18562(T)).