Current Fungal Taxonomy and Developments in the Identification System.

A functional identification system is the core and basis of fungal taxonomy, which provides sufficient diagnostic characteristics for species delimitation. Phenotype-based identification systems have exhibited significant drawbacks, such as being laborious and time-consuming. Thus, a molecular-based identification system (rDNA, DNA fingerprint, etc.) is proposed for application to fungi that lack reliable morphological characteristics. High Throughput Sequencing also makes great contributions to fungal taxonomy. However, the formal naming of nonculturable fungi from environmental sequencing is a significant challenge. Biochemical profile-based identification systems have outstanding value in fungal taxonomy and can occasionally be indispensable. This method utilizes biomarker metabolites and proteins that are expected to be unequivocal and stable. Of these, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry has become the method of choice for chemotaxonomy. In sum, these described identification systems cannot solve all problems of species delimitation, and considerable attention to the updating of fungal nomenclature, standardization of techniques, knowledge sharing, and dissemination will be necessary.

Genetic and Chemical Diversity of Edible Mushroom Pleurotus Species.

The genus Pleurotus is one of the most widely cultivated and edible mushrooms with various cultivators. Three molecular characteristics were used to evaluate the genetic diversity of 132 tested samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed five clades for tested samples of the genus Pleurotus by the combined ITS and LSU sequences with strong bootstraps and Bayesian posterior probability supports. A total of 94 polymorphic fragments ranging from 10 to 100 bp were observed by using an intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker. The DNA fragment pattern showed that P. ostreatus cultivator (strain P9) was clearly distinguished from wild strain based on their clear banding profiles produced. DNA GC content of the genus Pleurotus varied from 55.6 mol% to 43.3 mol%. Their chemical composition was also determined, including sugar, amino acid, polar lipid, mycolic acid, quinone, and fatty acid, which presented some high homogeneity. Most of the tested samples contained mycolic acid; glucose and arabinose as the main sugars; aspartic acid, arginine, lysine, tyrosine, and alanine as the main amino acids; and C16:0, C18:0, C18:2 cis-9,12, anteiso-C14:0, and summed feature 8 as the main fatty acids. In addition, their polar lipid profiles were investigated for the first time, which significantly varied among Pleurotus species. The genus Pleurotus contained menaquinone-6 as the sole respiratory quinone, which showed a significant difference with that of its closely related genera. These results of this study demonstrated that the combined method above could efficiently differentiate each Pleurotus species and thus be considered an efficient tool for surveying the genetic diversity of the genus Pleurotus.

Lactobacillus paraplantarum THG-G10 as a potential anti-acne agent with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.

Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) is the main bacterium targeted for the prevention and medical treatment of acne vulgaris. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of microorganisms classified by their ability to produce lactic acid through fermentation. Although the activities of LAB have been studied, their potential anti-acne effects are not well known. Here, Lactobacillus paraplantarum THG-G10, which has anti-bacterial activity against C. acnes, was isolated from traditional Kimchi in Republic of Korea. The anti-acne effects of dried cell-free supernatant of L. paraplantarum THG-G10 (DC-G10) were evaluated by determining its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities. Anti-microbial activity was examined by a broth dilution assay: 25 mg/ml of DC-G10 inhibited the growth of C. acnes KCTC 5012 and KACC 1194; salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment inhibited the growth of C. acnes KCTC 5012 and KACC 11946 at concentrations of 1.25 and 7.5 mg/ml, respectively; and tea tree oil inhibited the growth of C. acnes KCTC 5012 but not the growth of C. acnes KACC 11946 at 50 mg/ml. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by a nitric oxide (NO) assay: only DC-G10 and ascorbic acid reduced LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the toxicities of erythromycin, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, and DC-G10 were examined in HaCaT cells and normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). In these cells, the cytotoxic effects of DC-G10 were weaker than the effects of erythromycin, benzoyl peroxide, and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy revealed that DC-G10 induces deleterious morphological changes in the bacterial cell membrane. These results demonstrate that DC-G10 may be an effective and safe treatment for acne vulgaris.

Cellulomonas aurantiaca sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample from a tangerine field.

A Gram-stain positive, facultatively aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated THG-SMD2.3T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in a tangerine field, Republic of Korea. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Cellulomonas and to be closely related to Cellulomonas fimi ATCC 484T (98.5%), Cellulomonas biazotea DSM 20112T (98.3%), Cellulomonas chitinilytica X.bu-bT (98.0%), Cellulomonas xylanilytica XIL11T (97.2%), Cellulomonas humilata ATCC 25174T (97.1%) and Cellulomonas composti TR7-06T (97.0%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with other current species of the genus Cellulomonas were in the range 95.4-96.6%. Catalase and oxidase tests were found to be positive. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 73.0 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-SMD2.3T and C. fimi ATCC 484T, C. biazotea DSM 20112T, C. chitinilytica X.bu-bT, C. xylanilytica XIL11T, C. humilata ATCC 25174T and C. composti TR7-06T were 58.1 ± 1.6%, 56.7 ± 0.8%, 30.3 ± 1.6%, 22.8 ± 1.6%, 19.9 ± 1.6%, and 13.5 ± 3.0%, respectively. Strain THG-SMD2.3T was also found to be able to grow at 20-42 °C, at 0-3% NaCl and at pH 5.5-10. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C14:0. The predominant menaquinone was identified as tetrahydrogenated menaquinones with nine isoprene units [MK-9(H4)]. The polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified phospholipids. Based on these phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characterisations strain THG-SMD2.3T (= KACC 19341T = CGMCC 1.16303T) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Cellulomonas, for which the name Cellulomonas aurantiaca sp. nov. is proposed.

Chitinophaga aurantiaca sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample from a tangerine field.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated THG-SD5.5T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in a tangerine field, Republic of Korea. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, the isolate was identified as a member of the genus Chitinophaga and to be closely related to Chitinophaga ginsengihumi KACC 17604T (97.9%) and Chitinophaga rupis KACC 14521T (97.5%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with other species of the genus Chitinophaga were in the range 92.8-95.5%. Catalase test was positive. Oxidase test was negative. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 46.1 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-SD5.5T and C. ginsengihumi KACC 17604T and C. rupis KACC 14521T were 45.1% and 15.6%, respectively. Strain THG-SD5.5T was also found to be able to grow at 24-33 °C, at 0-5% NaCl and at pH 5.5-9.0. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, anteiso-C17:0 and C18:0. The dominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified lipids. Based on these phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characterisations, strain THG-SD5.5T (= KACC 19338T = CGMCC 1.16304T) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga, for which the name Chitinophaga aurantiaca sp. nov. is proposed.

Glaciecola amylolytica sp. nov., an amylase-producing bacterium isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and coccus-shaped bacterium (THG-3.7T) was isolated from seawater. Growth occurred at 10-30 °C (optimum 25 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum 7) and in the presence of 1-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 4 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-3.7T were identified as Paraglaciecola mesophila DSM 15026T (95.3 % similarity), Glaciecola pallidula DSM 14239T (95.2 %), Paraglaciecola aquimarina KCTC 32108T (95.1 %), Paraglaciecola arctica KACC 14537T (94.9 %), Glaciecola nitratireducens KCTC 12276T (94.7 %) and Paraglaciecola psychrophila CGMCC 1.6130T (94.7 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities among strain THG-3.7T and other species were lower than 94.7 %. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified lipid and one unidentified aminolipid. The quinone system was composed of Q-8. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-3.7T was 47.9 mol%. On the basis of the data presented, strain THG-3.7T represents a novel species of the genus Glaciecola, for which the name Glaciecola amylolytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-3.7T (=KACC 19478T=CCTCC AB 2017258T).

Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus sp. nov., a cellulose-degrading bacterium isolated from tea.

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped strain (THG-NT9T) was isolated from a green tea sample. Growth occurred at 20-45 °C (optimum 28-35 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0-2.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-NT9T were identified as Scopulibacillus daqui DSM 28236T (98.6%), Scopulibacillus darangshiensis DSM 19377T (97.4%), Pullulanibacillus pueri CGMCC 1.12777T (96.7%) and Pullulanibacillus camelliae CGMCC 1.15371T (96.3%). The DNA G + C content of strain THG-NT9T was determined to be 47.5 mol %. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-NT9T and S. daqui DSM 28236T, S. darangshiensis DSM 19377T, P. pueri CGMCC 1.12777T, P. camelliae CGMCC 1.15371T and Pullulanibacillus naganoensis DSM 10191T were 41.3 ± 0.1 (39.4 ± 0.4% reciprocal analysis), 39.1 ± 0.1 (37.3 ± 0.1%), 21.4 ± 0.7 (20.1 ± 0.3%), 20.7 ± 0.1 (20.1 ± 0.4%) and 12.1 ± 0.2% (8.3 ± 0.2%). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7. The major fatty acids were C18:3 ω7c, iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The cell wall type was determined to be A1γ peptidoglycan with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid plus alanine and glutamic acid and glucose as the cell wall sugar. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-NT9T represents a novel species of the genus Scopulibacillus, for which the name Scopulibacillus cellulosilyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-NT9T (= KCTC 33918T = CGMCC 1.16305T).

Nocardioides pelophilus sp. nov., isolated from freshwater mud.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile, rod- or cocci-shaped bacterium with flagella bacterium (THG-T63T) was isolated from freshwater mud. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum, 28-35 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum, 7) and at 0-6 % NaCl (optimum, 2 %). Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T63T were identified as Nocardioides panacisoli KCTC 19470T (97.5 %), Nocardioides caeni KCTC 19600T (96.4 %), Nocardioides humi KCTC 19265T (96.3 %), Nocardioides kongjuensis KCTC 19054T (96.1 %) and Nocardioides nitrophenolicus KCTC 457BPT (96.1 %). 16S rRNA sequence similarities among strain THG-T63T and other species were lower than 96.0 %. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and one unidentified phospholipid. The quinone system was composed of MK-8 (H4). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω6c, C17 : 1ω8c, C18 : 0 10-methyl, C18 : 1ω9c and iso-C16 : 0. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T63T was 74.6 mol%. Strain THG-T63T exhibited levels of DNA-DNA relatedness of 20-44 % to the type strains of phylogenetically related Nocardioides species and could be differentiated from these species based on differences in phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of the data presented here, strain THG-T63T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides pelophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T63T(=KACC 19192T=CGMCC 4.7388T).

Nibribacter flagellatus sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus and emended description of the genus Nibribacter.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, motile by flagella, rod-shaped strain (THG-T16T) was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum 28-30 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0-1.0% NaCl (optimum 0%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the near phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T16T were identified as Nibribacter koreensis KACC 16450T (98.6%), Rufibacter roseus KCTC 42217T (94.7%), Rufibacter immobilis CCTCC AB 2013351T (94.5%) and Rufibacter tibetensis CCTCC AB 208084T (94.4%). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T16T was determined to be 46.7 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T16T and N. koreensis KACC 16450T, R. roseus KCTC 42217T, R. immobilis CCTCC AB 2013351T, R.tibetensis CCTCC AB 208084T were 33.5 ± 0.5% (31.7 ± 0.7% reciprocal analysis), 28.1 ± 0.2% (25.2 ± 0.2%), 17.1 ± 0.9% (10.2 ± 0.6%) and 8.1 ± 0.3% (5.2 ± 0.1%). The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. The quinone was identified as MK-7 and the polyamine as sym-homospermidine. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:1 ω5c, C17:1 ω6c, iso-C15:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) and summed feature 4 (iso-C17:1 I and/or anteiso-C17:1 B). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics, and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T16T represents a novel species of the genus Nibribacter, for which the name Nibribacter flagellatus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T16T(= KACC 19188T = CCTCC AB 2016246T).

Sphingomonas rhizophila sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive bacteria (THG-T61T), was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus. Growth occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum 25-30 °C), at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum 7.0) and in the presence of 0-2.0 % NaCl (optimum without NaCl supplement). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T61T were identified as Sphingomonas ginsengisoli KCTC 12630T (97.9 %), Sphingomonas jaspsi DSM 18422T (97.8 %), Sphingomonas astaxanthinifaciens NBRC 102146T (97.4 %), Sphingomonassediminicola KCTC 12629T (97.2 %), 'Sphingomonas swuensis' KCTC 12336 (97.1 %) and Sphingomonas daechungensis KCTC 23718T (96.9 %). The isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω6c, summed feature 4 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and summed feature 7 (C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1ω9t and/or C18 : 1ω12t). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified phosphoglycolipid. The polyamine was homospermidine. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T61T was 65.6 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG-T61T and its closest reference strains were less than 49.2 %, which is lower than the threshold value of 70 %. Therefore, strain THG-T61T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas rhizophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T61T (=KACC 19189T=CCTCC AB 2016245T).

Actinotalea solisilvae sp. nov., isolated from forest soil and emended description of the genus Actinotalea.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile and short-rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated THG-T121T, was isolated from forest soil. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum 28-30 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum 7) and at 0-4 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T121T were identified as Actinotalea ferrariae KCTC 29134T (97.9 %), Actinotalea fermentans KCTC 3251T (97.3 %), Cellulomonas carbonis KCTC 19824T (97.2 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities among strain THG-T121T and other recognized species were lower than 97.0 %. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, one unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified glycolipids and one unidentified lipid. The isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone (MK-10(H4)). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 1 A, C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The whole-cell sugars of strain THG-T121T were rhamnose, ribose, mannose and glucose. The peptidoglycan type of strain THG-T121T is A4ß, containing l-Orn-D-Ser-L-Asp. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T121T was 72.4 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T121T and A. ferrariae KCTC 29134T, A. fermentans KCTC 3251T and C. carbonis KCTC 19824T were 30.2 % (27.3 %, reciprocal analysis), 28.4 %, (17.3 %) and 16.9 %, (9.3 %), respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T121T represents a novel species of the genus Actinotalea, for which the name Actinotaleasolisilvae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T121T (=KACC 19191T=CGMCC 4.7389T).

Deinococcus hibisci sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (mugunghwa flower).

A Gram-stain-positive, pink-pigmented, coccus-shaped, strictly aerobic, non-motile bacterium, strain THG-AG1.5T, was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (Mugunghwa flower) located in Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea. The isolated strain grew optimally at 25-30 °C, at pH 6.0-7.5 and in the presence of additional 0-1.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain THG-AG1.5T exhibited tolerance to UV radiation (>1500 J m-2) and to gamma radiation (>12 kGy). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain THG-AG1.5T was closely related to Deinococcus daejeonensis MJ27T (98.03 %), Deinococcus radiotolerans C1T (97.61 %) and Deinococcus grandis DSM 3963T (97.32 %). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain THG-AG1.5T was 74.8 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-AG1.5T and its closest phylogenetically neighbours were below 63.0 %. The peptidoglycan amino acids were alanine, valine, glutamic acid, glycine, ornithine, lysine and aspartic acid. Strain THG-AG1.5T contained ribose, mannose and glucose as whole-cell-wall sugars and menaquinone-8 (MK-8) as the only isoprenoid quinone. The major component in the polyamine pattern was spermidine. The major polar lipids of strain THG-AG1.5T were a phosphoglycolipid, six unidentified glycolipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, C17 : 0, C18 : 0 and summed feature 3. On the basis of our polyphasic taxonomy study, strain THG-AG1.5T represents a novel species within the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcushibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-AG1.5T (=KACC 18850T=CCTCC AB 2016078T).

Flavobacterium limi sp. nov., isolated from forest mud.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, yellow and rod-shaped bacterial strain was isolated from forest mud located at Kyung Hee University, South Korea. Strain THG-AG6.4T grew at 10-35 °C, pH 6.0-9.5 and in the presence of 0-1.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, showed that strain THG-AG6.4T was most closely related to Flavobacterium gyeonganense HME 7524T (97.66 %), Flavobacterium defluvii EMB 117T (96.93 %) and Flavobacterium arsenitoxidans S2-3HT (96.80 %). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-AG6.4T was 30.2 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG-AG6.4T and its closest phylogenetic neighbour, F. gyeonganense HME 7524T, were below 61.0 %. The predominant quinone of strain THG-AG6.4T was MK-6. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, five unidentified glycolipids, phosphatidylserine, an unidentified lipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified aminoglycolipids. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 0 10-methyl, summed feature 3 and C18 : 1ω9c. The major polyamine was homospermidine. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characterization of strain THG-AG6.4T, it is concluded that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium limi sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-AG6.4T as the type strain (=KACC 18851T=CGMCC 1.16060T).

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

A Gram-stain-negative, smooth, bright yellow-pigmented, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive and rod-shaped bacterial strain was isolated from rhizosphere of Hibiscus syriacus L. (Mugunghwa flower) located in Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi, South Korea. Cells were dimorphic, non-motile or non-stalked, and motile by means of peritrichous flagellum. The strain, named THG-AG3.4T, grew at 15-35 °C, at pH 6.5-9.0 and in the presence of 0-1.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain THG-AG3.4T was most closely related to Caulobacter segnis ATCC 21756T (98.64 % similarity), Caulobacter vibrioides CB51T (98.57 %) and Caulobacter henricii ATCC 15253T (97.41 %). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-AG3.4T was 64.0 mol%. In DNA-DNA hybridization, the DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-AG3.4T and its closest phylogenetic neighbour was below 55.0 %. The predominant isoprenoid quinone detected in strain THG-AG3.4T was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The major polar lipids were found to be an unidentified lipid, two unidentified phosphoglycolipids, five unidentified glycolipids, eight unidentified aminolipids and phosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). Thus, based on the report of the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characterization of strain THG-AG3.4T, it has been concluded that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Caulobacter, for which the name Caulobacter hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-AG3.4T (=KACC 18849T=CCTCC AB 2016077T).

Microbacterium hibisci sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere of mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus L.).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short-rod shaped actinobacterium, designated THG-T2.14T, was isolated from soil sampled from the rhizosphere of mugunghwa. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum 7.0) and at 0-7.0 % NaCl (optimum 3.0 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T2.14T were identified as Microbacterium yannicii DSM 23203T (98.8 %), Microbacterium trichothecenolyticum DSM 8608T (98.8 %), Microbacterium arthrosphaerae DSM 22421T (98.7 %) and Microbacterium jejuense KACC 17124T (98.4 %). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified lipid, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified phosphoglycolipids. The menaquinones were MK-12, and MK-13. The major polyamine was spermidine. The peptidoglycan contained ornithine, alanine, glycine, homoserine and glutamic acid. The diagnostic diamino acid was ornithine. The acyl type of the muramic acid was glycolyl. The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose, ribose, galactose, arabinose, xylose and glucose. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T2.14T was 71.2 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-T2.14T and its closest reference strains were significantly lower than the threshold value of 70 %. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T2.14T represents a novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium hibisci sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T2.14T (=KACC 18931T=CCTCC AB 2016180T).

Chryseomicrobium deserti sp. nov., isolated from desert soil in South Korea.

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium (THG-T1.18T) was isolated from desert soil. Growth occurred at 20-35 °C (optimum 28-30 °C), at pH 5-7 (optimum 7) and at 0-4 % NaCl (optimum 0-1 %). Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T1.18T were identified as Chryseomicrobium amylolyticum DSM 23442T (96.6 %), Chryseomicrobium imtechense JCM 16573T (96.3 %) and Chryseomicrobium aureum KACC 17219T (96.1 %). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified glycolipid. The quinone system was composed of MK-7, MK-8 and MK-6. The major fatty acids were iso C15 : 0 and anteiso C15 : 0. The type of peptidoglycan was A4ß, containing of l-Orn-D-Glu. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T1.18T was 50.4 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T1.18T and C. amylolyticum DSM 23442T, C. imtechense JCM 16573T, C. aureum KACC 17219T were 24.7 % (20.1 % reciprocal analysis), 19.5 % (16.1 %) and 10.4 % (6.7 %) respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T1.18T represents a novel species of the genus Chryseomicrobium, for which the name Chryseomicrobium deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T1.18T (=KACC 18929T=CCTCC AB 2016179T).

Ramlibacter rhizophilus sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of national flower Mugunghwa from South Korea.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, long rods or coccoid without flagellum strain, designated THG-YS3.2.7T, was isolated from therhizosphere soil of a Mugunghwa flower collected from Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum 28-37 °C), at pH 6-8 (optimum 7) and at 0-5 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). The predominant ubiquinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). The major cellular fatty acids were C10 : 0, C10 : 0 3OH, C16 : 0, C17 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, C18 : 0, C18 : 3ω6c (6,9,12), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-YS3.2.7T was 69.4 mol%. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-YS3.2.7T were identified as Ramlibacter henchirensis DSM 14656T (97.92 %), Ramlibacter tataouinensis DSM 14655T (97.90 %), Ramlibacter solisilvae KACC 17567T (97.04 %). DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-YS3.2.7T and R. henchirensis DSM 14656T, R. tataouinensis DSM 14655T, R. solisilvae KACC 17567T were 32.5±1.5, 43.1±1.1, 42.8±1.1 %, respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-YS3.2.7T represent a novel species of the genus Ramlibacter, for which the name Ramlibacter rhizophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-YS3.2.7T (=KCTC 52083T=CCTCC AB 2015357T).

Altererythrobacter deserti sp. nov., isolated from desert soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium (THG-S3T), was isolated from desert soil. Growth occurred at 15-35 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 5-10 (optimum 7) and at 0-4 % NaCl (optimum 1 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-S3T were identified as Altererythrobacter rigui KCTC 42620T (99.0 %), Altererythrobacter dongtanensis KCTC 22672T (97.1 %), Altererythrobacter xinjiangensis CCTCC AB 207166T (96.9 %), Altererythrobacter troitsensis KCTC 12303T (96.9 %). Levels of relatedness among strain THG-S3T and other Altererythrobacter species were lower than 96.0 %. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-S3T and A. rigui KCTC 42620T, A. dongtanensis KCTC 22672T, A. xinjiangensis CCTCC AB 207166T and A. troitsensis KCTC 12303T were 59.7 % (42.8 %, reciprocal analysis), 45.1 % (36.3 %), 34.7 % (25.1 %) and 15.1 % (12.3 %), respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain THG-S3T was 69 mol%. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and three unidentified lipids The quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 1 ω6c, C18 : 1 ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-S3T represents a novel species of the genus Altererythrobacter, for which the name Altererythrobacter deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-S3T (=KACC 19190T=CGMCC 1.15959T).

Roseomonas hibiscisoli sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and coccoid to short-rod-shaped bacterial strain (THG-N2.22T) was isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus). Growth occurred at 20-40 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 5-9 (optimum 7) and with 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-N2.22T were identified as Roseomonas rhizosphaerae YW11T (98.5 % similarity), Roseomonas rubra S5T (98.5 %), Roseomonas cervicalis ATCC 49957T (98.2 %), Roseomonas aestuarii JC17T (97.8 %), Roseomonas oryzae JC288T (97.3 %) and Roseomonas ludipueritiae 170/96T (97.3 %); levels of similarity with the type strains of other Roseomonas species were lower than 97.0 %. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified aminolipids, three unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified lipids. The major quinone was ubiquinone-10. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 2-OH, C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-N2.22T was 64.1 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-N2.22T and R. rhizosphaerae YW11T, R. rubra S5T, R. cervicalis ATCC 49957T, R. aestuarii JC17T, R. oryzae JC288T and R. ludipueritiae 170/96T were 43.1 % (30.2 %, reciprocal analysis), 39.0 % (24.7 %), 34.4 % (15.2 %), 18.0 % (14.5 %), 14.7 % (9.7 %) and 11.0 % (5.6 %), respectively. On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-N2.22T represents a novel species of the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas hibiscisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-N2.22T (=KACC 18935T=CCTCC AB 2016176T).

Paracoccus hibiscisoli sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus).

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, non-motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium (THG-T2.31T) was isolated from the rhizosphere of Mugunghwa (Hibiscus syriacus). Growth occurred at 10-35 °C (optimum 28 °C), at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0-4.0 % NaCl (optimum 1.0 %). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the nearest phylogenetic neighbours of strain THG-T2.31T were identified as Paracoccus marcusii DSM 11574T (98.4 %), Paracoccus haeundaensis BC74171T (98.3 %), Paracoccus carotinifaciens E-396T (98.3 %), Paracoccus aestuarii B7T (97.3 %) and Paracoccus seriniphilus MBT-A4T (97.0 %); levels of similarity with the type strains of other species of the genus Paracoccus were lower than 97.0 %. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH, and C18 : 1ω7c. The quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The DNA G+C content of strain THG-T2.31T was 69.1 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THG-T2.31T and P. marcusii DSM 11574T, P. haeundaensis BC74171T, P. carotinifaciens E-396T, P. aestuarii B7T and P. seriniphilus MBT-A4T were 38.9 % (34.9 %, reciprocal analysis), 29.1 % (23.5 %), 28.0 % (19.7 %), 18.9 % (9.3) and 13.1 % (6.2 %). On the basis of the phylogenetic analysis, chemotaxonomic data, physiological characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain THG-T2.31T represents a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus hibiscisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-T2.31T (=KACC 18933T=CCTCC AB 2016182T).