Marortus luteolus Yu et al. 2019 is a later heterotypic synonym of Zhongshania marina On et al. 2019.

Phylogeny of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that Marortus luteolus ZX-21T and Zhongshania marina DSW25-10T are closely related, and form a monophyletic clade affiliated with the genus Zhongshania. Whole genome sequence comparisons showed that M. luteolus ZX-21T and Z. marina DSW25-10T shared 78.8 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization, 97.6 % average nucleotide identity and 98.1 % average amino acid identity. These values exceeded the recommended threshold values for species delineation. Thus, based on the principle of priority, we propose the reclassification of Marortus luteolus Yu et al. 2019 as a later heterotypic synonym of Zhongshania marina On et al. 2019.

Mangrovimonas aestuarii sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and light yellow-pigmented strain designated MBT5T was isolated from tidal flat sediment of an oyster farming area in Quanzhou Bay, PR China. Catalase activity and oxidase activity were positive. Flexirubin-type pigment was absent. Growth was observed at 10-40 °C (optimum, 35 °C), pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 7), and with 1-7 % NaCl (optimum, 2 %, w/v). The 16S rRNA gene of strain MBT5T had maximum sequence similarity values with Meridianimaribacter flavus NH57NT, Mangrovimonas yunxiaonensis LYYY01T and Mangrovimonas futianensis AS18T of 95.6, 95.4 and 94.9 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and 120 conserved concatenated proteins indicated that strain MBT5T was affiliated to the genus Mangrovimonas and formed a distinct monophyletic branch. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values between strain MBT5T and the type strains of Mangrovimonas were estimated to be 17.3-18.7 %, 70.9-71.5 % and 66.4-68.2 %, respectively. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 1 G. The draft genome size was 2 952 053 bp with a DNA G+C content of 36.5 %. Based on phenotypic, physiological, phylogenetic and genomic data, together with chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain MBT5T represents a novel species, for which the name Mangrovimonas aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MBT5T (=MCCC 1K06186T=KCTC 92888T=GDMCC 1.3851T).

Paracrocinitomix mangrovi gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a mangrove sediment: proposal of two new families, Phaeocystidibacteraceae fam. nov. and Owenweeksiaceae fam. nov., and emended description of the family Schleiferiaceae.

A Gram-stain-negative and short rod-shaped bacterial strain designated GM2-3-6-6T was obtained from a mangrove sediment. Cells were light yellow-pigmented, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. Carotenoid pigment was produced. Phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain GM2-3-6-6T was affiliated to the family Crocinitomicaceae, sharing maximum sequence similarities with Crocinitomix algicola 0182T, C. catalasitica IFO 15977T, and Putridiphycobacter roseus SM1701T of 93.8%, 93.6%, and 92.5%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity values, digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimates and average amino acid identity values between strain GM2-3-6-6T and the three close relatives were 68.6-68.8%, 18.5-19.2%, and 59.0-62.3%, respectively. The complete circular genome of strain GM2-3-6-6T was 4,365,762 bp in length with a DNA G + C content of 35.0%. The respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, one unidentified aminoglycolipid, one unidentified aminolipid and four other unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c), and iso-C17:0 3-OH. Based on genomic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic characterizations, strain GM2-3-6-6T represents a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Paracrocinitomix mangrovi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GM2-3-6-6T (= MCCC 1K04831T = KCTC 82931T). Additionally, phylogenomic analysis of the type strains of the family Schleiferiaceae and family Cryomorphaceae related members including uncultivated bacteria, was performed using the Genome Taxonomic Database toolkit (GTDB-Tk). Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny and genomic features, two novel families, Phaeocystidibacteraceae fam. nov. and Owenweeksiaceae fam. nov. are proposed. An emended description of the family Schleiferiaceae is also proposed.

Hanstruepera crassostreae He et al. 2018 is a later heterotypic synonym of Pseudobizionia ponticola Park et al. 2018 and transfer of Pseudobizionia ponticola to the genus Hanstruepera as Hanstruepera ponticola comb. nov.

The 16S rRNA gene sequences of Pseudobizionia ponticola MM-14T and Hanstruepera crassostreae L53T shared 100 % sequence similarity. This study aimed to clarify the taxonomic position of the two species. Whole-genome comparisons showed that P. ponticola MM-14T and H. crassostreae L53T shared average nucleotide identity of 97.52 %, digital DNA-DNA hybridization of 75.30 % and average amino acid identity of 96.98 %. These values exceeded the threshold of bacterial species delineation. Furthermore, average amino acid identities of P. ponticola MM-14T and H. crassostreae L53T in comparison with Hanstruepera neustonica CC-PY-50T were 82.04 and 82.11 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and 120 bacterial conserved single-copy genes also supported that P. ponticola MM-14T and H. crassostreae L53T belonged to the genus Hanstruepera. Phenotypic and chemical taxonomic properties compared between P. ponticola MM-14T and H. crassostreae L53T were nearly identical. Colonies of the two species on marine agar plates were orange-pigmented, circular and smooth. Flexirubin-type pigments were present in both H. crassostreae L53T and P. ponticola MM-14T. The major fatty acids composition of the two species consisted of iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, similar to H. neustonica CC-PY-50T. Based on priority, H. crassostreae He et al. 2018 is a later heterotypic synonym of P. ponticola Park et al. 2018, and P. ponticola should be transferred to the genus Hanstruepera as Hanstruepera ponticola comb. nov.

Portibacter marinus sp. nov., isolated from the sediment on the surface of plastics and proposal of a novel genus Neolewinella gen. nov. based on the genome-based phylogeny of the family Lewinellaceae.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and orange-pigmented bacterial strain designated 10MBP4-2-1T was isolated from the sediment on the surface of a plastic straw collected from oyster-farming areas in Quanzhou Bay, PR China. Catalase activity and oxidase activity were positive. Flexirubin-type pigment was absent. The 16S rRNA gene of strain 10MBP4-2-1T showed highest sequence similarity to Portibacter lacus YM8-076T of 98.3 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and 120 conserved concatenated proteins indicated that strain 10MBP4-2-1T was affiliated to the genus Portibacter and formed a monophyletic clade with P. lacus YM8-076T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values between strain 10MBP4-2-1T and P. lacus YM8-076T were estimated to be 17.7, 70.4 and 70.3 %, respectively. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7. The major fatty acid composition was iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). The draft genome size was 5 191 941 bp with DNA G+C content of 39.2 %. Based on phylogenetic analyses and whole genomic comparisons, strain 10MBP4-2-1T represents a novel species, for which the name Portibacter marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10MBP4-2-1T (=MCCC 1K07073T=KCTC 92101T). Additionally, phylogeny and whole genomic comparison of the family Lewinellaceae placed Lewinella cohaerens and the remaining Lewinella (currently comprising 11 species) in two clearly distinguishable clades recognized at the genus level. Thus, a novel genus named Neolewinella gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate the 11 species. Our study provides a taxonomic framework for the family Lewinellaceae based on genomic data.

Oceanobacter mangrovi Sp. Nov., a Novel Poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate Accumulating Bacterium Isolated from Mangrove Sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile, mesophilic, and aerobic bacterial strain, designated SM2-42 T was isolated from a mangrove sediment. Catalase activity and oxidase activity were positive. Growth was observed at 20 °C-40 °C, pH 6.0-8.0, and in the presence of 0.5-5.0% NaCl. Cells of strain SM2-42 T contained poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate granules. The 16S rRNA gene of strain SM2-42 T had maximum sequence similarity with Oceanobacter kriegii 197 T of 97.1%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and 120 conserved concatenated proteins indicated that strain SM2-42 T was affiliated to the genus Oceanobacter and formed a monophyletic branch with O. kriegii 197 T. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain SM2-42 T and O. kriegii 197 T were 76.43% and 21.60%, respectively. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The major fatty acids (> 10%) comprised C16:0, summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and C18:1 ω6c), C18:0, and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c). The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified lipids. The draft genome size was 5,115,008 bp with DNA G + C content of 54.3%. Based on phylogenetic analyses and whole genomic comparisons, strain SM2-42 T represented a novel species, for which the name Oceanobacter mangrovi sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain was SM2-42 T (= MCCC 1K06300T = KCTC 82938 T).

Proposal of Zooshikellaceae fam. nov. to accommodate the genera Zooshikella and Spartinivicinus and reclassification of Zooshikella marina as a later heterotypic synonym of Zooshikella ganghwensis based on whole genome sequence analysis.

The genus Spartinivicinus, affiliated to the class Gammaproteobacteria, is an important marine member that produces prodiginines. Currently, its taxonomic assignment to family level is not well presented. Phylogeny of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that Spartinivicinus forms a monophyletic clade with Zooshikella, which is neighboured by Aestuariirhabdus of the family Aestuariirhabdaceae and another monophyletic clade of the family Endozoicomonadaceae. The 16S rRNA gene of Spartinivicinus ruber S2-4-1HT had sequence similarities to those of Aestuariirhabdus litorea GTF13T, Zooshikella members and Endozoicomonas members of 93.4%, 93.2-93.4  and <92.5 %, respectively. Phylogenomic analysis based on 120 bacterial conserved single-copy genes highly supported placing Spartinivicinus as a sister member of Zooshikella, neighboured by Aestuariirhabdaceae and Endozoicomonadaceae members, indicating that Spartinivicinus and Zooshikella could be considered to belong to the same family. Thus, Zooshikellaceae fam. nov. is proposed to accommodate the two genera. Colonies of Spartinivicinus and Zooshikella are red-pigmented, which is different from Aestuariirhabdus (pale-yellow pigmented). The major respiratory quinone of S. ruber was ubiquinone (Q-9), similar to Zooshikella, but distinct from Aestuariirhabdus (Q-9 and Q-8). The predominant fatty acids and polar lipids of Spartinivicinus also showed a similar patterns to Zooshikella, but they were different from Aestuariirhabdus. Lastly, Spartinivicinus possessed a genome size of 6.68 Mbp and DNA G+C content of 40.1mol%, similar to Zooshikella, but much larger than Aestuariirhabdus. In addition, the 16S rRNA genes of Z. ganghwensis JC2044T and Z. marina JC333T possess sequence similarity of 99.79 %. Whole genome comparisons indicated that they shared 79.8 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization, 97.78 % average nucleotide identity and 97.31 % average amino acid identity values. Activities of catalase and oxidase for the two strains were positive. Hydrolysis of skimmed milk and Tweens (40, 60 and 80) was positive. Interestingly, the two strains produced different kinds of prodiginines. We propose that Z. marina is a later heterotypic synonym of Zooshikella ganghwensis.

Pareuzebyella sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel marine bacterium in the family Flavobacteriaceae, isolated from a tidal flat sediment.

Two marine bacterial strains, designated S2-4-21T and MT2-5-19, were isolated from two tidal flat sediments of cordgrass Spartina alterniflora and adjacent oyster culture field in Quanzhou bay, China, respectively. Both strains were Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-motile, aerobic, had NaCl requirements, and contained carotenoid and flexirubin pigments. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.8%), average nucleotide identity value (99.4%) and average amino acid identity (99.3%) between strain S2-4-21T and strain MT2-5-19 strongly supported that they belonged to a single species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S2-4-21T and strain MT2-5-19 formed a monophyletic branch affiliated to the family Flavobacteriaceae, sharing similarities of 94.6% with Euzebyella marina CY01T and E. saccharophila 7SM30T, and of 94.1 and 92.8% with E. algicola MEBiC 12267T and Pseudozobellia thermophile DSM 19858T, respectively. Phylogenomic analysis based on the whole genome sequences supported that the two strains formed a distinct monophyletic clade within Flavobacteriaceae members, which was phylogenetically different from the clades of Euzebyella and Pseudozobellia. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-6. The major fatty acids (>10%) consisted of C15 : 0 iso, C16 : 0, summed feature 9 (C17 : 1 iso ω9c/C16 : 0 10-methyl) and C17 : 0 iso 3-OH. The polar lipid profiles of strain S2-4-21T and strain MT2-5-19 are identical, including phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids, and four unidentified lipids. The genomic size was 4.9-5.0 Mb with genomic DNA G+C content of 41.5 mol%. Based on the above characteristics, strains S2-4-21T and MT2-5-19 represented a novel species of a novel genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae. Thus, Pareuzebyella sediminis gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed with type strain S2-4-21T (=MCCC 1K03818T=KCTC 72152T), and another strain MT2-5-19 (=KCTC 72539=MCCC 1K03874).

Aegicerativicinus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel carotenoid-producing marine bacterium in the family Flavobacteriaceae.

A novel bright-yellow pigmented bacterial strain SM2-FT was isolated from a mangrove sediment collected at the mangrove coast of Luoyang estuary, Quanzhou, China. Strain SM2-FT was Gram-stain-negative, catalase-weak positive, oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, non-flagellated and non-motile. Growth of strain SM2-FT was observed at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 1.0-4.0% NaCl (optimum, 2.0% NaCl). Flexirubin-pigment was absent, and carotenoid-pigment was present. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain SM2-FT into the family Flavobacteriaceae and shared the maximum sequence similarity with Aequorivita soesokkakensis RSSK-12 T of 92.5%. Whole genomic comparison between strain SM2-FT and close relatives suggested a novel species of a novel genus. The predominant quinone of strain SM2-FT was menaquinone (MK)-6. The major fatty acids (> 10%) comprised iso-C15:1 G (32.4%) and iso-C15:0 (29.1%). The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. The complete genome size was 4,094,245 bp with DNA G + C content of 36.0 mol%. Based on the data of polyphasic study, strain SM2-FT was considered to represent a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Aegicerativicinus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., was proposed. The type strain was SM2-FT (= MCCC 1K04383T = KCTC 82361 T).

"Candidatus Desulfobulbus rimicarensis," an Uncultivated Deltaproteobacterial Epibiont from the Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Shrimp Rimicaris exoculata.

The deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimp Rimicaris exoculata largely depends on a dense epibiotic chemoautotrophic bacterial community within its enlarged cephalothoracic chamber. However, our understanding of shrimp-bacterium interactions is limited. In this report, we focused on the deltaproteobacterial epibiont of R. exoculata from the relatively unexplored South Mid-Atlantic Ridge. A nearly complete genome of a Deltaproteobacteria epibiont was binned from the assembled metagenome. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis reveals that it is affiliated with the genus Desulfobulbus, representing a potential novel species for which the name "Candidatus Desulfobulbus rimicarensis" is proposed. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal that this bacterium utilizes the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for carbon assimilation and harvests energy via sulfur disproportionation, which is significantly different from other shrimp epibionts. Additionally, this epibiont has putative nitrogen fixation activity, but it is extremely active in directly taking up ammonia and urea from the host or vent environments. Moreover, the epibiont could be distinguished from its free-living relatives by various features, such as the lack of chemotaxis and motility traits, a dramatic reduction in biosynthesis genes for capsular and extracellular polysaccharides, enrichment of genes required for carbon fixation and sulfur metabolism, and resistance to environmental toxins. Our study highlights the unique role and symbiotic adaptation of Deltaproteobacteria in deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimps.IMPORTANCE The shrimp Rimicaris exoculata represents the dominant faunal biomass at many deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This organism harbors dense bacterial epibiont communities in its enlarged cephalothoracic chamber that play an important nutritional role. Deltaproteobacteria are ubiquitous in epibiotic communities of R. exoculata, and their functional roles as epibionts are based solely on the presence of functional genes. Here, we describe "Candidatus Desulfobulbus rimicarensis," an uncultivated deltaproteobacterial epibiont. Compared to campylobacterial and gammaproteobacterial epibionts of R. exoculata, this bacterium possessed unique metabolic pathways, such as the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, as well as sulfur disproportionation and nitrogen fixation pathways. Furthermore, this epibiont can be distinguished from closely related free-living Desulfobulbus strains by its reduced genetic content and potential loss of functions, suggesting unique adaptations to the shrimp host. This study is a genomic and transcriptomic analysis of a deltaproteobacterial epibiont and largely expands the understanding of its metabolism and adaptation to the R. exoculata host.

Mabikibacter ruber Choi et al. 2017 is a later heterotypic synonym of Notoacmeibacter marinus Huang et al. 2017.

The present study aimed to examine the taxonomic relationship between two alphaproteobacterial species, Mabikibacter ruber Choi et al. 2017 and Notoacmeibacter marinus Huang et al. 2017. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that they shared 99.9 % sequence similarity. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) estimate (79.8 %) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) value (97.8 %) compared between M. ruber YP382-1-A and N. marinus XMTR2A4T, were both greater than the threshold for bacterial species delineation, strongly supporting the hypothesis that they represented a single species. Moreover, M. ruber YP382-1-A and N. marinus XMTR2A4T shared similar physiological and biochemical properties and fatty acid profiles though they displayed distinct colony colours and other minor different properties, including genome size and ability to degrade cellulose, which were presumably due to the presence of a megaplasmid in the genome of M. ruber YP382-1-A. On the basis of the results of genomic analysis, phenotypic and physiological properties, and fatty acid composition, Mabikibacter ruber Choi et al. 2017 is a later heterotypic synonym of Notoacmeibacter marinus Huang et al. 2017 according to the priority of names determined by the date of original publication.

Draconibacterium mangrovi sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment.

A marine bacterial strain, designated GM2-18T, was isolated from mangrove sediment sampled at Luoyang River estuary, Quanzhou, PR China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, slightly curved long rod-shaped and facultatively anaerobic with no flagellum. Catalase activity was found to be weak-positive and oxidase-positive. It had no ability to degrade or hydrolyse substrates including skimmed milk, cellulose, starch and Tweens (40, 60 and 80). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain GM2-18T had maximum similarity values to 'Draconibacterium filum' F2T, Draconibacterium sediminis JN14CK-3T and Draconibacterium orientale FH5T of 98.0, 97.8 and 97.4 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain GM2-18T was affiliated to the genus Draconibacterium and formed a clade with an uncultured bacterium clone identified from mangrove environment. Average nucleotide identity values and DNA-DNA hybridization estimates of strain GM2-18T compared to its Draconibacterium relatives strongly supported that it belonged to a new species. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The major fatty acids (>10 %) consisted of iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C17 : 1 ω6c. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, a phospholipid and several unidentified lipids. The genomic size of strain GM2-18T was 5.9 Mb and the G+C content was 40.8 mol%. Gene prediction and annotation of strain GM2-18T indicated that there was a nitrogen-fixing gene cluster encoding nitrogenase molybdenum-iron protein and related proteins responsible for nitrogen fixation. Based on the above characteristics, strain GM2-18T represents a novel species within the genus Draconibacterium. Thus, Draconibacterium mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed with type strain GM2-18T (=MCCC 1K04382T=KCTC 72879T), isolated from mangrove sediment.

Croceicoccus sediminis sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, cocci or short rod-shaped, yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain S2-4-2T, was isolated from coastal sediment of Spartina alterniflora in Quanzhou Bay, PR China. Growth was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). Strain S2-4-2T tolerated 0-10 % NaCl (optimum, 1 %). The 16S rRNA gene of strain S2-4-2T showed highest sequence similarity to Croceicoccus pelagius Ery9T (98.2 %), followed by Croceicoccus naphthovorans PQ-2T, Croceicoccus marinus E4A9T and Croceicoccus mobilis Ery22T (97.6%, 96.3 and 96.3 %, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and phylogenomic analysis based on 92 up-to-date bacterial core gene sets indicated that strain S2-4-2T forms a distinct monophyletic branch affiliated to the genus Croceicoccus. The average nucleotide identity value between strain S2-4-2T and its close relatives were estimated to be 74.8-85.7 %. The respiratory quinone was found to be Q-10. The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and C16 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. The draft genome size of strain S2-4-2T was 3.5 Mb with a genomic G+C content of 63.0 mol%. Based on these results, strain S2-4-2T is concluded to represent a novel species within the genus Croceicoccus, for which the name Croceicoccus sediminis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain S2-4-2T (=MCCC 1K03706T=KCTC 72146T).

Pleionea sediminis sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment and emendation of the description of the genus Pleionea.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated strain S1-5-21T, was isolated from coastal sediment in Quanzhou Bay, PR China, and subjected to taxonomic characterization. Growth of strain S1-5-21T was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30-35 °C), NaCl tolerance of 0.5-10 % NaCl (w/v; optimum, 1 %), and pH range of 5-8 (optimum, pH 7). Catalase activity and oxidase activity were found to be positive. The nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain S1-5-21T shows maximum sequence similarity to Pleionea mediterranea MOLA115T (95.7 %), followed by Kangiella chungangensis CAU 1040T (90.4 %) and Aliikangiella marina GYP-15T (90.1 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S1-5-21T forms a distinct monophyletic branch affiliated to the genus Pleionea. The ANI value between strain S1-5-21T and close relative P. mediterranea MOLA115T was estimated to be 70.8 %. The respiratory quinone was found to be Q-8. The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1 ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl) and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, two aminolipids, three phospholipids and five unidentified polar lipids. The draft genome size of strain S1-5-21T is 5.2 Mb with genomic G+C content of 40.1 mol%. Based on these results, strain S1-5-21T is concluded to represent a novel species within the genus Pleionea, for which the name Pleioneasediminis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain S1-5-21T (=MCCC 1K03814T=KCTC 72149T).

Cohaesibacter intestini sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and facultative anaerobic strain named YE-B6T was isolated from the intestine of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai. The reactions of oxidase and catalase were both positive. Strain YE-B6T could grow at 10-37 °C (optimum, 28-33 °C), at pH 7-9 (optimum, pH 7) and in salinity of 0-8 % NaCl (w/v; optimum, 2 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YE-B6T had maximum sequence similarities to Cohaesibacter celericrescens H1304T (98.0 %), Cohaesibacter marisflavi DQHS21T (97.4 %), Cohaesibacter haloalkalitolerans JC131T (97.4 %) and Cohaesibacter gelatinilyticus CL-GR15T (97.3 %). Results of phylogenetic analysis showed that it was affiliated to the genus Cohaesibacter within the order Rhizobiales in the Alphaproteobacteria. The respiratory quinone of strain YE-B6T was Q-10. The cellular fatty acids mainly comprised C18 : 1 ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified polar lipids and one unidentified phospholipid. The G+C content of strain YE-B6T was 55.6 mol%. Based on its genotypic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain YE-B6T represented a novel species within the genus Cohaesibacter, for which the name Cohaesibacterintestini sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the new species is YE-B6T (=MCCC 1A13131T=KCTC 62716T).

Lottiidibacillus patelloidae gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the intestinal tract of a marine limpet and reclassification of Bacillus taeanensis as Maribacillus taeanensis gen. nov., comb. nov.

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain SA5d-4T, which was isolated from a marine limpet (Patelloida saccharina lanx [Reeve, 1855]) collected from intertidal rocks in Xiamen, China. Strain SA5d-4T was aerobic, Gram-positive, lacked flagellum, non-motile, filamentous, formed a slightly-yellowish colony, and non-sporulating. The strain grew optimally at 28 °C, at pH values 7.0-8.0, and in the presence of 1-2% (w/v) sodium chloride. The major cellular fatty acids identified were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0ω10c, and iso-C17:0. The dominated respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. The major phospholipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G + C content was 35.3 mol%, calculated from a draft genome sequence. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain SA5d-4T belongs to a new genus within the family Bacillaceae, and this gene shares 95.6% similarity with that from Bacillus taeanensis BH030017T, 95.2% with Bacillus algicola KMM 3737T, 95.1% with Bacillus alkalinitrilicus ANL-iso4T, 94.9% with Bacillus hwajinpoensis SW-72T, and 94.6% with Anaerobacillus alkalidiazotrophicus MS6T. Whole genome phylogenetic analyses indicated that strain SA5d-4T formed a monophyletic branch with B. taeanensis BH030017T. The average nucleotide identity between strain SA5d-4T and B. taeanensis BH030017T was 69.6%. Based on polyphasic taxonomic characteristics, strain SA5d-4T represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Lottiidibacillus patelloidae gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed with the type strain SA5d-4T (= MCCC 1A11654T = KCTC 33831T). Based on phylogenetic analyses, B. taeanensis should be transferred to a new genus, named Maribacillus, as Maribacillus taeanensis comb. nov., with type strain BH030017T (= KCTC 3918T = DSM 16466T).

Nonlabens xiamenensis sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater.

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped and non-flagellated bacterium, designated strain 1Q3T, was isolated from coastal seawater in Xiamen Island, China, and subjected to taxonomic characterisation using a polyphasic approach. Strain 1Q3T was found to be aerobic, non-gliding and to lack flexirubin-type pigments. Catalase activity was found to be negative and oxidase positive. The strain has the ability to degrade protein. The nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 1Q3T shows high sequence similarities with Nonlabens aestuariivivens OITF-31T (96.1%), Nonlabens halophilus CAU 1131T and Nonlabens spongiae UST030701-156T (95.7% and 95.5%, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and phylogenomic analysis based on a 92 bacterial core gene set indicated that strain 1Q3T should be affiliated to the genus Nonlabens, but forms a distinct monophyletic branch, which is separated from the other members within the genus Nonlabens. The predominant fatty acids (> 10%) were identified as iso-C17:0 3-OH, iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0. The predominant respiratory quinone was found to be MK-6. The polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, a phospholipid, an aminolipid and three unidentified polar lipids. The draft genome size of strain 1Q3T is 3.7 Mb with genomic G + C content of 41.1 mol%. Based on these results, strain 1Q3T is concluded to represent a novel species within the genus Nonlabens, for which the name Nonlabens xiamenensis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain 1Q3T (= MCCC 1A14023T = KCTC 62889T).

Pleomorphobacterium xiamenense Yin et al. 2013 is a later heterotypic synonym of Oceanicella actignis Albuquerque et al. 2012.

Pleomorphobacterium xiamenense CLWT was compared with Oceanicella actignis PRQ-67T to examine the taxonomic relationship between the two organisms. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison showed that the two strains had 99.9 % sequence similarity. Phylogenetic analysis showed the two strains formed an independent tight cluster, distinctly branching from the closely related species in the family Rhodobacteraceae. Whole genomic comparison between the two strains revealed a digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate of 88.4 % and average nucleotide identity of 98.8 %, strongly supporting that the two strains represented a single species. In addition, neither strain displayed any striking difference in biochemical characteristics, fatty acid composition, and polar lipid profile. According to priority, Pleomorphobacterium xiamenense is reclassified as a later heterotypic synonym of Oceanicella actignis based on the phylogenetic relationship, whole genomic comparison, fatty acid composition and polar lipid profile, and other phenotypic and biochemical properties.

Paraferrimonas haliotis sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai and emendation of description of the genus Paraferrimonas.

Two strains, AFRC7-2-1T and CFD7-4-2, were isolated from the intestine of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai. The bacterial cells were Gram-stain-negative, stick-shaped and non-flagellated. They were facultative anaerobic bacteria and could reduce Fe(III) to Fe(II). The 16S rRNA genes of two strains shared 99.7 % sequence similarity, and had the highest similarity of 97.3-97.5 % with Paraferrimonas sedimenticola NBRC 101628T, and of <94.0 % with other species. Phylogenetic relationship showed that the two strains formed a tight clade with an isolate Paraferrimonas sp. CGB11 obtained from the intestine of small abalone, H. diversicolor, and P. sedimenticola NBRC 101628T. The resulted DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values of strains AFRC7-2-1T and CFD7-4-2 compared with P. sedimenticola NBRC 101628T was 18.8-18.9 %. The resultant average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of AFRC7-2-1T and CFD7-4-2 compared with P. sedimenticola NBRC 101628T was 71.3-71.5 %. The predominant fatty acids (>5 %) of strains AFRC7-2-1T and CFD7-4-2 were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C13 : 0, C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c). The quinone system of strains AFRC7-2-1T and CFD7-4-2 were quinone-8, menaquinone-6, menaquinone-7, and quinone-7. The predominant polar lipids of strain AFRC7-2-1T were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), one unidentified phospholipid (PL), and three minor unidentified lipids (Ls). The genomic DNA G+C contents of two strains were 47.2 mol%. In summary, the two strains represented a novel species of the genus Paraferrimonas, for which the name Paraferrimonas haliotis sp. nov. was proposed, with type strain AFRC7-2-1T (=MCCC 1A11748T=KCTC 52632T=NBRC 112785T) and strain CFD7-4-2 (=MCCC 1A11749=KCTC 52631=NBRC 112786).