Kocuria oceani sp. nov., isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal plume.

Three strains, FXJ8.095T, FXJ8.057 and H201, were isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal plume water collected at the Southwest Indian Ridge at a depth of 2800 m. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates formed a closely related subcluster within the genus Kocuria. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain FXJ8.095T shared 99.90 and 99.60 % similarity with those of strains FXJ8.057 and H201, respectively, and 98.81, 98.75, 98.68 and 98.10 % with those of 'Kocuria sediminis' JCM 17929, Kocuria flava HO-9041T, Kocuria turfanensis HO-9042T and Kocuria rosea JCM 11614T, respectively. DNA-DNA hybridization values among the three new isolates were higher than 70 %, while the values between each of the isolates and the closely related type strains were well below 70 %. Random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprint patterns and a combination of physiological and biochemical properties also distinguished the isolates from the related species. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolates were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, the predominant menaquinones were MK-7(H2) and MK-8(H2), and the main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C contents of strains FXJ8.095T, FXJ8.057 and H201 were 75.6, 72.8 and 70.4 mol%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, we propose to classify the three strains in a novel species named Kocuria oceani sp. nov., with FXJ8.095T (=CGMCC 4.6946T=DSM 24949T) as the type strain.

Brevibacterium sediminis sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediments from the Carlsberg and Southwest Indian Ridges.

Three actinobacterial strains, FXJ8.128, FXJ8.269T and FXJ8.309, were isolated from deep-sea sediments collected from the Carlsberg Ridge and Southwest Indian Ridge at depths of 3690, 1800 and 2461 m, respectively. The three strains had highly similar 16S rRNA gene sequences (99.8-99.9 % identities) and formed a monophyletic clade within the Brevibacterium 16S rRNA gene tree, showing 98.2-98.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identities with type strains Brevibacterium epidermidis NCIMB 702286T, Brevibacterium iodinum DSM 20626T, Brevibacterium linens DSM 20425T, Brevibacterium oceani BBH7T and Brevibacterium permense VKM Ac-2280T. All three isolates showed activity towards the breakdown of pectin and fluoranthene. They contained MK-8(H2) as the most predominant menaquinone, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and a glycolipd as the main polar lipids, and anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. Moreover, the three isolates were distinguished readily from the phylogenetically related type strains by DNA-DNA hybridization values, by random amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprint profiles and by a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics. On the basis of the above polyphasic taxonomic data, strains FXJ8.128, FXJ8.269T and FXJ8.309 represent a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FXJ8.269T (=CGMCC 1.15472T=DSM 102229T).

Streptomyces rubrisoli sp. nov., neutrotolerant acidophilic actinomycetes isolated from red soil.

Three neutrotolerant, acidophilic actinomycete strains, designated FXJ1.526, FXJ1.725(T) and FXJ1.726, were isolated from red soil collected from Liujiazhan, Jiangxi Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the three strains clustered together and their closest relative was Streptomyces ferralitis CGMCC 4.1985(T) (98.9-99.0% similarity). Multilocus sequence analysis confirmed their relationship to S. ferralitis and separated these strains as representing a novel species. Mean DNA-DNA hybridization values among strains FXJ1.526, FXJ1.725(T) and FXJ1.726 were 81.6 ± 3.5-87.2 ± 3.8%, and the values between the three strains and S. ferralitis CGMCC 4.1985(T) were well below 70%. The three strains also shared several phenotypic characteristics that were distinct from the closely related species. They grew at 21-50 °C, at pH 4.0-9.0 (with an optimal pH of 5.0) and with 0-3% (w/v) NaCl, and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. On the basis of data from this polyphasic taxonomic study, it is proposed that strains FXJ1.526, FXJ1.725(T) and FXJ1.726 be classified as representatives of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, with the name Streptomyces rubrisoli sp. nov. The type strain is FXJ1.725(T) ( = CGMCC 4.7025(T)= DSM 42083(T)).

Red soils harbor diverse culturable actinomycetes that are promising sources of novel secondary metabolites.

Red soils, which are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of southern China, are characterized by low organic carbon, high content of iron oxides, and acidity and, hence, are likely to be ideal habitats for acidophilic actinomycetes. However, the diversity and biosynthetic potential of actinomycetes in such habitats are underexplored. Here, a total of 600 actinomycete strains were isolated from red soils collected in Jiangxi Province in southeast China. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed a high diversity of the isolates, which were distributed into 26 genera, 10 families, and 7 orders within the class Actinobacteria; these taxa contained at least 49 phylotypes that are likely to represent new species within 15 genera. The isolates showed good physiological potentials for biosynthesis and biocontrol. Chemical screening of 107 semirandomly selected isolates spanning 20 genera revealed the presence of at least 193 secondary metabolites from 52 isolates, of which 125 compounds from 39 isolates of 12 genera were putatively novel. Macrolides, polyethers, diketopiperazines, and siderophores accounted for most of the known compounds. The structures of six novel compounds were elucidated, two of which had a unique skeleton and represented characteristic secondary metabolites of a putative novel Streptomyces phylotype. These results demonstrate that red soils are rich reservoirs for diverse culturable actinomycetes, notably members of the families Streptomycetaceae, Pseudonocardiaceae, and Streptosporangiaceae, with the capacity to synthesize novel bioactive compounds.

Effects of simulated microgravity and spaceflight on morphological differentiation and secondary metabolism of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2).

As well-known antibiotic-producing and filamentous bacteria, streptomycetes can be an ideal model to study the effects of microgravity on microbial development and antibiotic production. In this study, the model organism Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) was exposed to simulated microgravity (SMG) on a rotating clinostat and microgravity (µg) on the Shenzhou-8 spacecraft. The strain exhibited some similar responses under both conditions. Compared with the controls, its life cycle in agar medium was shortened relatively, and the sporulation process was accelerated with higher accumulation of the gray spore pigment; the liquid cultures yielded more cell biomass, coupled with thicker, more fragmented, and well-dispersed hyphae of the µg spaceflight samples. Global transcriptional analysis verified that most of the differentially expressed genes involved in morphological differentiation of S. coelicolor were upregulated during days 4-6 under SMG conditions, notably the whi genes (whiD, sigF, and whiE). Production of actinorhodin (ACT) in agar cultures decreased under both conditions while undecylprodigiosin (RED) was produced earlier, which were consistent with the transcriptional levels of act and red gene clusters. Meanwhile, expression of the gene clusters for calcium-dependent antibiotic (CDA), methylenomycin (MMY), and a cryptic polyketide (CPK) was unchanged, downregulated, and upregulated, respectively, the latter of which might contribute to the enhanced activity of S. coelicolor against Bacillus subtilis under microgravity. Our study provides new insights into the morphological and secondary metabolic responses of streptomycetes to microgravity.

Glycomyces phytohabitans sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinomycete isolated from the coastal halophyte in Jiangsu, East China.

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain KLBMP 1483(T), was isolated from the stem of the coastal plant Dendranthema indicum (Linn.) Des Moul collected from Nantong, in East China. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain KLBMP 1483(T) was affiliated with the genus Glycomyces within the family Glycomycetaceae and shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with the type strains of Glycomyces arizonensis NRRL B-16153(T) (96.7%) and Glycomyces tenuis IFO 15904(T) (96.2%), and lower similarities (94.1-95.1%) to the other members of the genus Glycomyces, which distinguished KLBMP 1483(T) from representatives of the genus Glycomyces. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, xylose and galactose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, two unknown aminophospholipids, two phosphoglycolipids, two unknown phospholipids and one unknown lipid. MK-10(H4) was the predominant menaquinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C16:1 G and anteiso-C17:0. On the basis of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics presented in this study, strain KLBMP 1483(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Glycomyces phytohabitans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KLBMP 1483(T) (NBRC 109116(T)=DSM 45766(T)).

[Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology (second edition) Volume 5 and the study of Actinomycetes systematic in China].

Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology (hereinafter referred to as "Bergey's Manual") is the collection of academic views accepted by taxonomists in many countries. It has scientificity, unitarity and practicality. "Bergey's Manual" (special issue of Actinomycetes) divided into two parts (part A and part B) was published in May, 2012. Under the guidance and the organization of Michael Goodfellow et al., the great work has been completed successfully in May 2012. "Bergey's Manual" made a great modification on the systematic of Actinomycetes and formally set up the phylum of Actinobacteria, which encompasses 6 classes, 23 orders (include one order incertae sides), 53 families, 222 genera and about 3000 species. The taxonomic catalogue is Bacteria, phylum of Actinobacteria, under the phylum there are class, order, family, genera and species. "Bergey's Manual" collected a great deal of new taxa, which were published in IJSEM (International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology) by Chinese scientists. We need to indicate that due to its too rigorous, conservative writing purpose and long publication periods, "Bergey's Manual" fails to collect new research results using the molecular approaches of multilocus sequence analysis "MLSA", gene chip technology and genome technologies, which however will profoundly change the taxonomy of prokaryotes in the near future.

Streptomyces aidingensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from lake sediment.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46012(T), was isolated from sediment of Aiding Lake in Tulufan Basin (42° 64' N 89° 26' E), north-west China. The strain was aerobic and Gram-staining-positive with an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 0-5% (w/v). The isolate had sparse aerial mycelium and produced bud-shaped spores at the end of the aerial mycelium on ISP medium 4. The isolate contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and ribose as the major whole-cell sugar. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, one unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified glycolipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were iso-C(16:0), anteiso-C(17:0) and anteiso-C(15:0). The G+C content of the DNA was 74.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM 46012(T) had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.7% with the most closely related species with a validly published name, Streptomyces cheonanensis, and it could be distinguished from all species in the genus Streptomyces by using the data from this polyphasic taxonomic study. On the basis of these data, strain TRM 46012(T) should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces aidingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46012(T) ( =CGMCC 4.5739(T) =NBRC 108211(T)).

Cellulomonas marina sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea water.

A bacterial strain FXJ8.089(T) was isolated from deep-sea water collected from the southwest Indian Ocean (49° 39' E 37° 47' S) at a depth of 2800 m, and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain FXJ8.089(T) belonged to the genus Cellulomonas and had the highest similarities with Cellulomonas oligotrophica (96.9 %) and Cellulomonas aerilata (96.6 %). It contained MK-9(H4) as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4ß with an interpeptide bridge L-Orn-D-Glu. The cell-wall sugars were glucose, mannose and ribose. The DNA G+C content was 70.3 mol%. The strain also showed a number of physiological and biochemical characteristics that were distinct from the closely related species. Based on phenotypic and genotypic data, strain FXJ8.089(T) (= CGMCC 4.6945(T) = DSM 24960(T)) represents a novel species of the genus Cellulomonas, for which the name Cellulomonas marina sp. nov. is proposed.

Longimycelium tulufanense gen. nov., sp. nov., a filamentous actinomycete of the family Pseudonocardiaceae.

A novel filamentous actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46004(T), was isolated from sediment of Aiding Lake in Tulufan Basin (42° 64' N 89° 26' E), north-west China. The isolate was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed abundant aerial mycelium with few branches and vegetative mycelium, occasionally twisted and coiled; spherical sporangia containing one to several spherical spores developed at the ends of short sporangiophores on aerial mycelium. The G+C content of the DNA was 65.2 mol%. The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and xylose, galactose and ribose as the major whole-cell sugars. The diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H10). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain TRM 46004(T) formed a distinct lineage within the family Pseudonocardiaceae and showed 91.7-96.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with members of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. On the basis of the evidence from this polyphasic study, a novel genus and species, Longimycelium tulufanense gen. nov., sp. nov., are proposed. The type strain of Longimycelium tulufanense is TRM 46004(T) (= CGMCC 4.5737(T) = NBRC 107726(T)).

Diversity and biosynthetic potential of culturable actinomycetes associated with marine sponges in the China Seas.

The diversity and secondary metabolite potential of culturable actinomycetes associated with eight different marine sponges collected from the South China Sea and the Yellow sea were investigated. A total of 327 strains were isolated and 108 representative isolates were selected for phylogenetic analysis. Ten families and 13 genera of Actinomycetales were detected, among which five genera represent first records isolated from marine sponges. Oligotrophic medium M5 (water agar) proved to be efficient for selective isolation, and "Micromonospora-Streptomyces" was proposed as the major distribution group of sponge-associated actinomycetes from the China Seas. Ten isolates are likely to represent novel species. Sponge Hymeniacidon perleve was found to contain the highest genus diversity (seven genera) of actinomycetes. Housekeeping gene phylogenetic analyses of the isolates indicated one ubiquitous Micromonospora species, one unique Streptomyces species and one unique Verrucosispora phylogroup. Of the isolates, 27.5% displayed antimicrobial activity, and 91% contained polyketide synthase and/or nonribosomal peptide synthetase genes, indicating that these isolates had a high potential to produce secondary metabolites. The isolates from sponge Axinella sp. contained the highest presence of both antimicrobial activity and NRPS genes, while those from isolation medium DNBA showed the highest presence of antimicrobial activity and PKS I genes.

Microbacterium marinum sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea water.

Two Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterial strains, H101(T) and H207, were isolated from deep sea water collected from South-West Indian Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the two strains were closely related to one another (100% similarity), and had the closest relationship with Microbacterium hominis NBRC 15708(T) and Microbacterium insulae KCTC 19247(T) (98.2-98.3% similarities). DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains H101(T) and H207 was 87.2 ± 3.7%, and the values between the two strains and the closely related type strains were well below 70%. The two strains also shared a number of physiological and biochemical characteristics that were distinct from the closely related species, and grew at 2-37 ° C, pH 5-11 and 0-8% (w/v) NaCl. Both strains contained MK-12, MK-13 and MK-11 as the detected menaquinones. The peptidoglycan was of type B1γ with an interpeptide bridge D-Glu(Hyg)→ Gly(2)→ l-Lys. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), anteiso-C(17:0), and iso-C(16:0). Based on the genetic and phenotypic properties, it is proposed that strains H101(T) and H207 be classified as representatives of a novel species of the genus Microbacterium, with the name Microbacterium marinum sp. nov. The type strain is H101(T) (= CGMCC 4.6941(T) = DSM 24947(T)).

Nonomuraea jiangxiensis sp. nov., isolated from acidic soil.

An actinomycete, designated FXJ1.102(T), was isolated from acidic soil collected in Jiangxi Province, south-east China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain FXJ1.102(T) belonged to the genus Nonomuraea and was most closely related to Nonomuraea candida HMC10(T), Nonomuraea turkmeniaca DSM 43926(T), Nonomuraea antimicrobica YIM 61105(T) and 'Nonomuraea aegyptia' S136 (98.9, 98.3, 97.9 and 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively). The morphological characteristics were typical of the genus Nonomuraea. The chemotaxonomic properties, such as cell-wall chemotype IIIB, phospholipid type IV, MK-9(H(4)) as the major menaquinone and iso-C(16:0) (22.2 %) as the major fatty acid, supported the assignment of the strain to the genus Nonomuraea. DNA-DNA relatedness and physiological tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain FXJ1.102(T) from its closest phylogenetic relatives. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Nonomuraea jiangxiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FXJ1.102(T) ( = CGMCC 4.6533(T) = NBRC 106679(T)).

Micromonospora yangpuensis sp. nov., isolated from a sponge.

An actinomycete, strain FXJ6.011(T), was isolated from a cup-shaped sponge collected at Dachan reef, Yangpu in the South China Sea. The strain had morphological characteristics of members of the family Micromonosporaceae. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain FXJ6.011(T) indicated the highest similarity (98.7 %) to Micromonospora auratinigra JCM 12357(T), Micromonospora chaiyaphumensis JCM 12873(T) and Micromonospora echinofusca JCM 3327(T). Analysis of the gyrB gene sequence also showed that strain FXJ6.011(T) should be assigned to the genus Micromonospora. It contained DD-diaminopimelic acid as the major cell-wall diamino acid and MK-10(H(2)) as predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidyl mannosides and phosphatidylinositol dimannoside. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), C(17 : 1)ω8c and C(16 : 0). Physiological and biochemical data and low DNA-DNA relatedness values enabled the strain to be differentiated from members of closely related species. Based on phenotypic and genotypic data, strain FXJ6.011(T) represents a novel Micromonospora species, for which the name Micromonospora yangpuensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is FXJ6.011(T) ( = CGMCC 4.5736(T) = NBRC 107727(T)).

Amycolatopsis salitolerans sp. nov., a filamentous actinomycete isolated from a hypersaline habitat.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM F103(T), was isolated from a hypersaline habitat of the Tarim basin in Xinjiang province, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Amycolatopsis and was most closely related to Amycolatopsis halophila YIM 93223(T) (99.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). However, DNA-DNA relatedness between these two strains, based on triplicate experiments, was only 31.6%. The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and ribose, glucose and galactose as the major whole-cell sugars. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H(4)). The major fatty acids were iso-C(16:0) and C(16:0). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and glucosamine-containing phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66.4 mol%. The phenotypic data clearly distinguished the isolate from its closest relatives. The combined phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data indicate that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis. The proposed name is Amycolatopsis salitolerans sp. nov., with TRM F103(T) (=JCM 15899(T)=CCTCC AB 208326(T)) as the type strain.

Lentzea jiangxiensis sp. nov., isolated from acidic soil.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain FXJ1.034(T), was isolated from acidic soil collected in Jiangxi Province, South-east China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain FXJ1.034(T) belonged to the genus Lentzea and showed high sequence similarities to Lentzea kentuckyensis NRRL B-24416(T) (98.5%) and Lentzea albida NBRC 16102(T) (98.3%). Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics supported its assignment to the genus Lentzea. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization, physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of the novel strain from closely related species. Based on the evidence presented here, strain FXJ1.034(T) represents a novel species of the genus Lentzea, for which the name Lentzea jiangxiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FXJ1.034(T) ( = CGMCC 4.6609(T)  = NBRC 106680(T)).

Microbispora hainanensis sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of Excoecaria agallocha in a mangrove.

Strain 211020(T) was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Excoecaria agallocha in a mangrove in Hainan, China. The strain produced longitudinal pair spores branching from aerial hyphae. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate belonged to the genus Microbispora, exhibiting the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.75 %) to Microbispora corallina JCM 10267(T) with a low DNA-DNA relatedness value (13 ± 0.6 %). The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid but madurose was not detected. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H(4)), MK-9(H(2)) and MK-9(H(0)), and the major fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and C(17 : 0). The phospholipid profile of strain 211020(T) comprised phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phospholipids of unknown structure containing glucosamine. The DNA G+C content was 70.8 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain 211020(T) can be distinguished as a novel species of the genus Microbispora, for which the name Microbispora hainanensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is 211020(T) ( = CGMCC 4.5595(T) = DSM 45428(T)).

Description of Verrucosispora qiuiae sp. nov., isolated from mangrove swamp sediment, and emended description of the genus Verrucosispora.

A Micromonospora-like strain, RtIII47(T), was isolated from a mangrove swamp in Sanya, Hainan Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain had a close association with the genus Verrucosispora and shared the highest sequence similarity with Verrucosispora lutea YIM 013(T) (98.0%). The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Micromonospora olivasterospora DSM 43868(T) (97.9%), Plantactinospora mayteni YIM 61359(T) (97.9%), Salinispora tropica CNB-440(T) (97.8%), Micromonospora peucetia DSM 43363(T) (97.7%), Micromonospora auratinigra TT1-11(T) (97.7%), Verrucosispora sediminis CGMCC 4.3550(T) (97.6%) and Salinispora arenicola CNH-643(T) (97.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequence supported the conclusion that strain RtIII47(T) should be assigned to the genus Verrucosispora. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain RtIII47(T) and the most closely related type strain, V. lutea YIM 013(T), was less than 40%. Chemotaxonomic results confirmed the taxonomic position of the isolate in the genus Verrucosispora, and revealed differences at the species level in polar lipids, whole-cell sugars and DNA G+C content. A combination of physiological and biochemical tests also distinguished this strain from other Verrucosispora species. Based on genotypic and phenotypic observations, strain RtIII47(T) (=CGMCC 4.5826(T) =NBRC 106684(T)) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Verrucosispora qiuiae sp. nov. An emended description of the genus Verrucosispora is also provided.

[Studies on the actinobacterial diversity in aiding lake sediments].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at investigating the diversity of actinobacteria in Aiding Lake, a hypersaline lake and the lowest land point in China. METHODS: The diversity of actinobacteria in the sediment from Aiding Lake was investigated by culture--independent method based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and selective isolation. Specific primers were used to amplify the actinobacterial 16S rRNA gene, and corresponding clone libraries were constructed for the sediment samples. Different clones selected on the basis of Hae III digestion patterns were sequenced. Nine selective media with different salinities were used to isolate actinobacteria from the sediment samples. RESULTS: The analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that 273 clone sequences belonged to subclasses Actinobacteridae (208), Acidimicrobidae (13) and Rubrobacteridae (52). The dominant actinobacteria was genus Rothia, which accounted for 37% of total clones. The similarity between 45.8% of 273 detected sequences and published sequences were less than 97%, which might represent new taxa. Some sequences, which formed several distinct clades in phylogenetic tree may represent new taxonomical groups of actinobacteria. Fifty-five strains were isolated by different selective media. They belonged to six suborders of the order Actinomycetales, of which Streptomyces and Nocardiopsis were the dominant groups. Six potential new species were obtained. CONCLUSION: Aiding Lake harbors abundant actinobacteria, including large number of unknown actinobacterial groups.

Saccharopolyspora lacisalsi sp. nov., a novel halophilic actinomycete isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang, China.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 40133(T), was isolated from a hypersaline habitat of Tarim basin in Xinjiang Province, north-west China. Its taxonomic status was determined using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on an almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain showed that it formed a well-seperated sub-branch within the radiation of the genus Saccharopolyspora. The highest levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was found between the strain TRM 40133(T) and Saccharopolyspora qijiaojingensis YIM 91168(T) (96.5%). The chemotaxonomic characteristics of the isolate are typical for the genus Saccharopolyspora. It contained meso-DAP as the diagnostic diamino acid. Whole cell hydrolysate contained arabinose, xylose, ribose and glucose. The diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and two unknown phospholipids. The main menaquinone was MK-9(H(6)) and MK-9(H(4)). No mycolic acid was detected. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16:0) and anteiso-C(17:0). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.2 mol%. In addition, the strain TRM 40133(T) had a phenotypic profile that readily distinguished it from the recognized representatives of the genus Saccharopolyspora. The strain TRM 40133(T) therefore represents a novel species of the genus Saccharopolyspora, for which the name Saccharopolyspora lacisalsi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 40133(T) (=KCTC 19987(T) =CCTCC AA 2010012(T)).