Glaciimonas soli sp. nov., a soil bacterium isolated from the forest of a high elevation mountain.

A Gram-negative, psychrophilic bacterium, designated strain GS1T, was isolated from a forest soil sample collected from the West Peak of Mt. Yushan, Yushan National Park, Taiwan. Cells grown in broth cultures were mostly non-motile and non-flagellated, whereas motile cells with monotrichous, subpolar flagella were also observed. The novel strain grew over a temperature range of 4-25 °C with optimum growth at 10-15 °C. It grew aerobically and was not capable of anaerobic growth by fermentation of D-glucose or other carbohydrates. Ubiquinone 8 was the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The major polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and dimethylaminoethanol. Cellular fatty acids were dominated by C16:1ω7c (35.2%), C16:0 (19.5%), C18:1ω7c (18.8%) and C17:0ω7c cyclo (15.5%). The DNA G + C content was 49.2 mol% evaluated according to the genomic sequencing data. Strain GS1T shared more than 96.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with type strains of four Collimonas species (97.2-97.5%), three Glaciimonas species (97.3% for each of the three) and Oxalicibacterium solurbis (96.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain GS1T formed a stable genus-level clade with type strains of species in the genus Glaciimonas in the family Oxalobacteraceae and GS1T was an outgroup with respect to these Glaciimonas species. Characteristically, strain GS1T could be easily distinguished from the recognised Glaciimonas species by exhibition of swimming motility with monotrichous, subpolar flagellum in some of the cells, ability to grow in NaCl at 2% but not at 3% and the distinguishable fatty acid profiles. On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomic data from this study, strain GS1T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Glaciimonas, for which the name Glaciimonas soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GS1T (= JCM 33275T = BCRC 81091T).

Dongshaea marina gen. nov., sp. nov., a facultatively anaerobic marine bacterium that ferments glucose with gas production.

Two isolates of heterotrophic, facultatively anaerobic, marine bacteria, designated DM1 and DM2T, were recovered from a lagoon sediment sample of Dongsha Island, Taiwan. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative rods. Nearly all of the cells were non-motile and non-flagellated during the late exponential to early stationary phase of growth, while a few of the cells exhibited motility with monotrichous flagellation. The two isolates required NaCl for growth and grew optimally at about 30 °C, 2-3 % NaCl and pH 7-8. They grew aerobically and could achieve anaerobic growth by fermenting d-glucose or other carbohydrates with production of acids and the gases, including CO2 and H2. Ubiquinone Q-8 was the only respiratory quinone. Cellular fatty acids were predominated by C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 1ω7c. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. Strains DM1 and DM2T had DNA G+C contents of 52.0 and 51.8 mol%, respectively, as determined by HPLC analysis. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences clearly indicated that the two isolates formed a distinct genus-level lineage in the family Aeromonadaceae of the class Gammaproteobacteria and was an outgroup with respect to a stable supragenic clade comprising species of the genera Oceanimonas, Oceanisphaera and Zobellella. The phylogenetic data and those from chemotaxonomic, physiological and morphological characterizations support the establishment of a novel species and genus inside the family Aeromonadaceae, for which the name Dongshaea marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DM2T (=BCRC 81069T=JCM 32096T).

Spongiibacter taiwanensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from aged seawater.

A Gram-reaction-negative, heterotrophic, marine bacterium, designated strain SPT1T, was isolated from an aged seawater sample which was collected from the shallow coastal region of Nanya, Keelung, Taiwan and stored at room temperature for more than 7 years. Strain SPT1T was a motile rod which exhibited monotrichous flagellation. It required NaCl for growth and exhibited optimal growth at 30-35 °C, 1-3 % NaCl and pH 7-8. The strain was a strictly aerobic bacterium, incapable of anaerobic growth by nitrate reduction or denitrification, or by fermenting glucose or other carbohydrates. Cellular fatty acids were dominated by C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (23.4 %), C17 : 1ω8c (18.1 %), C16 : 0 (8.5 %), C18 : 1ω7c (8.4 %) and C10 : 0 3-OH (6.3 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. Polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. The DNA G+C content was 57.9 mol%. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SPT1T formed a distinct species-level lineage within the genus Spongiibacter of the class Gammaproteobacteria and shared sequence similarities of 94.4-96.2 % with Spongiibacter marinusand Spongiibacter tropicus, the only two species of the genus Spongiibacterwith validly published names. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain SPT1T and other species were less than 93.1 %. Polyphasic taxonomic data obtained in this study indicated that strain SPT1T could be classified as a novel species of the genus Spongiibacter, for which the name Spongiibacter taiwanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SPT1T (=JCM 31012T=BCRC 80916T).

Tagaea marina gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from shallow coastal water.

A Gram-negative, heterotrophic, marine bacterium, designated strain TT1T, was isolated from seawater collected from the shallow coastal region of Anping Harbour, Tainan, Taiwan. Cells grown in broth cultures were straight rods that were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The isolate required NaCl for growth and exhibited optimal growth at 30-35 °C, 2-4 % NaCl and pH 7-8. Strain TT1T grew aerobically and was not capable of anaerobic growth by fermentation of glucose or other carbohydrates. Q-10 was the sole major isoprenoid quinone. Cellular fatty acids were dominated by C18 : 1ω7c (47.5 %), C18 : 1 2-OH (16.3 %) and C19 : 0ω8c cyclo (10.6 %). The DNA G+C content was 56.4 mol%. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TT1T formed a distinct genus-level lineage in the family Rhodospirillaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria and exhibited the highest sequence similarity with species of the genera Thalassobaculum (89.9-90.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Oceanibaculum (89.4-89.9 %) and Nisaea (89.1-89.7 %). Strain TT1T could be distinguished from species of these phylogenetically closest genera based on differences in DNA G+C contents (56.4 mol% vs 60.0-68.0 mol%), fatty acid profiles and some physiological characteristics. On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomic data from this study, strain TT1T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Tagaea marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is TT1T ( = JCM 18659T = BCRC 80493T).

Aliidiomarina shirensis sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from Shira Lake in Khakasia, southern Siberia, and a proposal to transfer Idiomarina maris to the genus Aliidiomarina.

Strain AIS(T), an aerobic halophilic, Gram-reaction-negative, heterotrophic bacterium isolated from the water of Shira Lake in Khakasia, southern Siberia, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Our analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that 'Aliidiomarina haloalkalitolerans', 'Aliidiomarina sanyensis', Idiomarina maris and AIS(T) formed a distinct lineage. The sequence similarities between AIS(T) and the type strains of species of the genera Idiomarina and Aliidiomarina were 91.6-95.1 % and 94.0-96.9 %, respectively. The major isoprenoid quinone of AIS(T) was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). Predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 9. The genomic DNA G+C content was 45.8 mol%. It is concluded that AIS(T) represents a novel species of the genus Aliidiomarina, and the name Aliidiomarina shirensis sp. nov. is herein proposed for it. The type strain is AIS(T) ( = JCM 17761(T) = BCRC 80327(T)). Based on its fatty acid profile and our phylogenetic analysis, we propose that Idiomarina maris be transferred to the genus Aliidiomarina.

Reclassification of [Glaciecola] lipolytica and [Aestuariibacter] litoralis in Aliiglaciecola gen. nov., as Aliiglaciecola lipolytica comb. nov. and Aliiglaciecola litoralis comb. nov., respectively.

Following phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, together with DNA G+C contents and differential chemotaxonomic and physiological characteristics, a new genus with the name Aliiglaciecola gen. nov. is proposed to more appropriately accommodate two recognized species of the genera Glaciecola and Aestuariibacter. Accordingly, [Glaciecola] lipolytica and [Aestuariibacter] litoralis should be reassigned to the novel genus as Aliiglaciecola lipolytica comb. nov. (type strain, E3(T) = JCM 15139(T) = CGMCC 1.7001(T)) and Aliiglaciecola litoralis comb. nov. (type strain, KMM 3894(T) = JCM 15896(T) = NRIC 0754(T)), respectively. Aliiglaciecola lipolytica is proposed as the type species of this new genus. Physiologically, the combined characteristics of positive reactions for nitrate reduction and growth at 4 °C and 36 °C distinguish the new genus from the genera Aestuariibacter and Glaciecola by one to three traits. Moreover, the new genus is also distinguished from the genus Glaciecola by the fatty acid profile and distinguished from the genus Aestuariibacter by the differences of major isoprenoid quinone (MK-7 vs Q-8) and DNA G+C content (40.8-43.0 mol% vs 48.0-54.0 mol%).

Kangiella taiwanensis sp. nov. and Kangiella marina sp. nov., marine bacteria isolated from shallow coastal water.

Two Gram-negative, heterotrophic, aerobic, marine bacteria, designated strains KT1(T) and KM1(T), were isolated from seawater samples collected from the shallow coastal regions of northern Taiwan. Cells grown in broth cultures were non-flagellated rods. NaCl was required for growth. Optimal growth occurred with 2-5 % NaCl, at 25-30 °C and at pH 8. They grew aerobically and were not capable of anaerobic growth by fermenting D-glucose or other carbohydrates. Q-8 was the only isoprenoid quinone. The major polar lipid detected in strain KT1(T) was phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, whereas those detected in KM1(T) were phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid. Cellular fatty acids were nearly all iso-branched, with iso-C(15 : 0) as the most abundant component (54.6-57.2 % of the total). Strains KT1(T) and KM1(T) had DNA G+C contents of 43.9 and 46.3 mol%, respectively. The two strains shared 98.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity; levels of similarity with the type strains of species of the genus Kangiella were 95.6-98.4 %. Data from the present taxonomic study conducted using a polyphasic approach revealed that the isolates could be classified as representatives of two novel species of the genus Kangiella, for which the names Kangiella taiwanensis sp. nov. (type strain KT1(T) = BCRC 80330(T) = JCM 17727(T)) and Kangiella marina sp. nov. (type strain KM1(T) = BCRC 80329(T) = JCM 17728(T)) are proposed.

Aliidiomarina taiwanensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from shallow coastal water.

A Gram-negative, heterotrophic, aerobic, marine bacterium, designated AIT1(T), was isolated from a seawater sample collected in the shallow coastal region of Bitou Harbour, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Cells grown in broth cultures were straight or slightly curved rods that were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Strain AIT1(T) required NaCl for growth, grew optimally at 30-40°C and with 1.5-5.0% NaCl, and was incapable of anaerobic growth by fermentation of glucose or other carbohydrates. The isoprenoid quinones consisted of Q-8 (95.2%) and Q-9 (4.8%). The major polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The cellular fatty acids were predominantly iso-branched and included iso-C(17:0) (26.5%), summed feature 9 (comprising iso-C(17:1)ω9c and/or 10-methyl C(16:0); 25.9%) and iso-C(15:0) (20.5%). The DNA G+C content was 51.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain AIT1(T) formed a distinct lineage within the class Gammaproteobacteria and was most closely related to members of the genus Idiomarina in the family Idiomarinaceae (91.5-93.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The phylogenetic data, together with chemotaxonomic, physiological and morphological data, revealed that the isolate should be classified as a representative of a novel species in a new genus in the family Idiomarinaceae, for which the name Aliidiomarina taiwanensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AIT1(T) (=JCM 16052(T)=BCRC 80035(T)=NCCB 100321(T)).

Aliagarivorans marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. and Aliagarivorans taiwanensis sp. nov., facultatively anaerobic marine bacteria capable of agar degradation.

Two agarolytic strains of Gram-negative, heterotrophic, facultatively anaerobic, marine bacteria, designated AAM1T and AAT1T, were isolated from seawater samples collected in the shallow coastal region of An-Ping Harbour, Tainan, Taiwan. Cells grown in broth cultures were straight rods that were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The two isolates required NaCl for growth and grew optimally at about 25-30 degrees C, in 2-4% NaCl and at pH 8. They grew aerobically and could achieve anaerobic growth by fermenting D-glucose or other sugars. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 (79.8-92.0%) and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1omega7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH; 26.4-35.6%), C18:1omega7c (27.1-31.4%) and C16:0 (14.8-16.3%) in the two strains. Strains AAM1T and AAT1T had DNA G+C contents of 52.9 and 52.4 mol%, respectively. The two strains had a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.6% and shared 84.9-92.4% sequence similarity with the type strains of Agarivorans albus (91.2-92.4%), eight Alteromonas species (84.9-87.1%), two Aestuariibacter species (86.0-87.0%), Bowmanella denitrificans (86.1-86.7%), eight Glaciecola species (85.0-87.9%) and Salinimonas chungwhensis (85.9-86.1%). Despite their high sequence similarity, strains AAM1T and AAT1T had a DNA-DNA relatedness value of only 4.5%. The data obtained from these polyphasic taxonomic studies revealed that the two agarolytic isolates could be classified as representatives of two novel species in a new genus, Aliagarivorans gen. nov., with Aliagarivorans marinus sp. nov. [type strain is AAM1T (=BCRC 17888T=JCM 15522T)] as the type species and Aliagarivorans taiwanensis sp. nov. [type strain is AAT1T (=BCRC 17889T=JCM 15537T)] as a second species.