The host phylogeny determines viral infectivity and replication across Staphylococcus host species.

Virus host shifts, where a virus transmits to and infects a novel host species, are a major source of emerging infectious disease. Genetic similarity between eukaryotic host species has been shown to be an important determinant of the outcome of virus host shifts, but it is unclear if this is the case for prokaryotes where anti-virus defences can be transmitted by horizontal gene transfer and evolve rapidly. Here, we measure the susceptibility of 64 strains of Staphylococcaceae bacteria (48 strains of Staphylococcus aureus and 16 non-S. aureus species spanning 2 genera) to the bacteriophage ISP, which is currently under investigation for use in phage therapy. Using three methods-plaque assays, optical density (OD) assays, and quantitative (q)PCR-we find that the host phylogeny explains a large proportion of the variation in susceptibility to ISP across the host panel. These patterns were consistent in models of only S. aureus strains and models with a single representative from each Staphylococcaceae species, suggesting that these phylogenetic effects are conserved both within and among host species. We find positive correlations between susceptibility assessed using OD and qPCR and variable correlations between plaque assays and either OD or qPCR, suggesting that plaque assays alone may be inadequate to assess host range. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the phylogenetic relationships between bacterial hosts can generally be used to predict the susceptibility of bacterial strains to phage infection when the susceptibility of closely related hosts is known, although this approach produced large prediction errors in multiple strains where phylogeny was uninformative. Together, our results demonstrate the ability of bacterial host evolutionary relatedness to explain differences in susceptibility to phage infection, with implications for the development of ISP both as a phage therapy treatment and as an experimental system for the study of virus host shifts.

Macrococcus armenti sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from the skin and nasal cavities of healthy pigs and calves.

Gram-positive coccoid bacteria were isolated from the nasal cavities of pigs and calves as well as from axillar and inguinal skin regions of pigs. Phylogenetic analysis of seven strains based on complete genome, 16S rRNA, hsp60, dnaJ, rpoB and sodA gene sequences and MALDI-TOF MS profiles revealed that they belonged to the genus Macrococcus with the closest relatedness to Macrococcus canis, Macrococcus caseolyticus subsp. caseolyticus and Macrococcus caseolyticus subsp. hominis. DNA relatedness of the type strain JEK37T with the type strains of M. canis, M. caseolyticus subsp. caseolyticus and M. caseolyticus subsp. hominis was 23.4, 23.1 and 23.0 % by digital DNA-DNA hybridization and 80.39, 80.45 and 80.87 % by average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculations, confirming that they do not belong to the same species. The DNA G+C content of JEK37T was 35.65 mol%. The novel strains can be differentiated from M. canis KM 45013T by the ability to fermentate d-ribose and by the absence of DNAase production and haemolysis, from M. caseolyticus subsp. caseolyticus CCUG 15606T by the ability to fermentate sucrose and from both species by the inability to grow in 9 and 12% NaCl. They differ from M. caseolyiticus subsp. hominis by the presence of α-glucosidase. The most common fatty acids of JEK37T were C14 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c and C18 : 0. Known polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, aminoglycolipid, aminophospholipid, glycolipid and phospholipid. Cell-wall peptidoglycan of JEK37T was of type A3α l-Lys-Gly2-L-Ser-Gly (similar to A11.3) and the respiratory quinolone was menaquinone 6. Based on their genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, these strains represent a novel species of the genus Macrococcus, for which we propose the name Macrococcus armenti sp. nov. The type strain is JEK37T (=DSM 112712T=CCOS 1982T).

Unification of Abyssicoccus albus Jiang et al. 2016 and Auricoccus indicus Prakash et al. 2017 and the status of the genus Auricoccus Prakash et al. 2017.

Based on the high phylogenetic relatedness of Auricoccus indicus Prakash et al. 2017 and Abyssicoccus albus Jiang et al. 2016, it is proposed to unite them with retaining the latter name as having nomenclatural priority. As the result of the species unification, the genus Auricoccus name is proposed to consider as illegitimate in the boundaries determined by Rule 51a of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes.

Phylogenomic analyses of the Staphylococcaceae family suggest the reclassification of five species within the genus Staphylococcus as heterotypic synonyms, the promotion of five subspecies to novel species, the taxonomic reassignment of five Staphylococcus species to Mammaliicoccus gen. nov., and the formal assignment of Nosocomiicoccus to the family Staphylococcaceae.

Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of members of the family Staphylococcaceae showed the presence of para- and polyphyletic genera. This finding prompted a thorough investigation into the taxonomy of the Staphylococcaceae family by analysing their core genome phylogeny complemented with genome-based indices such as digital DNA-DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity. The resulting data suggested the following proposals: Auricoccus indicus was reduced in taxonomic rank as a later heterotypic synonym of Abyssicoccus albus; Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. jettensis as a later heterotypic synonym of Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. petrasii; the unification of Staphylococcus aureus subsp. anaerobius and Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus as Staphylococcus aureus; the unification of Staphylococcus carnosus subsp. utilis and Staphylococcus carnosus subsp. carnosus as Staphylococcus carnosus; the unification of Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. bovis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus as Staphylococcus saprophyticus; Staphylococcus succinis subsp. casei as the novel species Staphylococcus casei; Staphylococcus schleiferi subsp. coagulans as the novel species Staphylococcus coagulans; Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. croceilyticus as the novel species Staphylococcus croceilyticus; Staphylococcus petrasii subsp. pragensis as the novel species Staphylococcus pragensis; Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. urealyticus as the novel species Staphylococcus urealyticus; the reassignment of Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus fleurettii, Staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus stepanovicii and Staphylococcus vitulinus to the novel genus Mammaliicoccus with Mammaliicoccus sciuri as the type species; and the formal assignment of Nosocomiicoccus as a member of the family Staphylococcaceae.

Salinicoccus cyprini sp. nov., isolated from the gut of mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio var. specularis.

A novel orange to pink coloured bacterial strain designated as CT19T was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio var. specularis (Lacepède, 1803) collected from the Gobind Sagar reservoir at village Lathiani, Una, Himachal Pradesh, India. Cells of the strain were found to be aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile and non-spore-forming coccoids. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain was closely related to Salinicoccus hispanicus J-82T (=DSM 5352T; 97.4 %), followed by S. sesuvii CC-SPL15-2T (=DSM 23267T; 96.4 %), S. amylolyticus JC304T (=KCTC 33661T; 95.6 %) and S. roseus DSM 5351T (95.4 %). Identity with all other members of the genus were <94.5 %. The draft genome of strain CT19T was assembled to 2.4 Mbp with a G+C content of 47.9 mol%. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain CT19T and S. hispanicus J-82T were found to be 85.9 and 31.3% respectively which is far below the threshold for species delineation. Iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major cellular fatty acids of strain CT19T. Major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylgylcerol and an unidentified glycolipid. Respiratory quinone system was composed of menaquinone-6 and major cell wall amino acid was l-lysine. Based on phylogenomic, physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain CT19T represents a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus for which the name Salinicoccus cyprini sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CT19T (=KCTC 43022T =CCM 8886T=MCC 3834T).

Culturable symbionts associated with the reproductive and digestive tissues of the Neotropical brown stinkbug Euschistus heros.

Symbionts are widely distributed in eukaryotes, and potentially affect the physiology, ecology and evolution of their host. Most insects harbour free-living bacteria in their haemocoel and gut lumen, intracellular-living bacteria in a range of tissues or bacteria in host-derived specialized cells. Stinkbugs, as do many arthropods, harbour extracellular bacteria in the gut that may affect the fitness of their host. This study identified the culturable symbionts associated with the ovaries, spermatheca, seminal vesicle and posterior midgut region (V4) of males and females of Euschistus heros (F.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Several culture media were used to isolate the bacteria associated with these structures. The selected colonies (morphotypes) were cultured in liquid medium, subjected to genomic DNA extraction, 16S rRNA gene amplification, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses. Morphotypes with distinct RFLP patterns were purified and sequenced, and the sequences obtained were used for putative identification and phylogenetic analysis. Comparison of the sequences with those available in the EzTaxon-e database and the use of a matrix of paired distances grouped the isolates in phylotypes belonging to the Phylum Proteobacteria. Proteobacteria was represented by γ-Proteobacteria phylotypes belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, while Firmicutes had Bacilli phylotypes distributed in Enterococcaceae and Staphylococcaceae. Some of the phylotypes identified were associated exclusively with single structures, such as ovaries, spermatheca and the V4 midgut region of males and females. All culturable bacteria associated with the seminal vesicle were also associated with other tissues.

Corticicoccus populi gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Staphylococcaceae, isolated from symptomatic bark of Populus × euramericana canker.

Two Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, bacterial strains were isolated from symptomatic bark tissue of Populus × euramericana canker. The isolates were able to grow between 10 and 37 °C, at pH 6-10 and with 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth at 28-30 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl The strains were found to be oxidase and catalase positive. The menaquinone of strain 26D10-3-4T was MK-7 and the peptidoglycan type A3α based on l-Lys-Gly3-?Ala. The polar lipid profiles of strain 26D10-3-4T showed diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified glycolipids, and the major fatty acids found were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 38.2 mol%. The two novel isolates shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Salinicoccus qingdaonensis ZXM223T (95.0 %). Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, these two strains represent a novel species of a new genus of the family Staphylococcaceae; the name Corticicoccus populi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is 26D10-3-4T (=CFCC 12725T=KCTC 33575T). An additional strain of the species is 9-4-1.

Macrococcus canis sp. nov., a skin bacterium associated with infections in dogs.

Gram-stain-positive cocci were isolated from miscellaneous sites of the skin of healthy dogs as well as from infection sites in dogs. The closest relative by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was Macrococcus caseolyticus with 99.7 % sequence identity, but compared with M. caseolyticus, the novel strains shared only 90.8 to 93.5 % DNA sequence identity with cpn60, dnaJ, rpoB and sodA partial genes, respectively. The novel strains also exhibited differential phenotypic characteristics from M. caseolyticus, and the majority displayed a visible haemolysis on sheep blood agar, while M. caseolyticus did not have any haemolytic activity. They generated different matrix-assisted laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS spectral profiles compared with the other species of the genus Macrococcus. Furthermore, strain KM 45013T shared only 53.7 % DNA-DNA relatedness with the type strain of M. caseolyticus, confirming that they do not belong to the same species. The DNA G+C content of strain KM 45013T was 36.9 mol%. The most abundant fatty acids were C14 : 0, C18 : 3ω6c (6, 9, 12) and C16 : 0 n alcohol. MK-6 was the menaquinone type of KM 45013T. Cell-wall structure analysis revealed that the peptidoglycan type was A3α l-Lys-Gly2-l-Ser. Based on genotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, we propose to classify these strains within a novel species of the genus Macrococcus for which the name Macrococcus canis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KM 45013T (=DSM 101690T=CCOS 969T=CCUG 68920T).

Salinicoccus amylolyticus sp. nov., isolated from a saltern.

A Gram-stain-positive coccus, strain JC304T, was isolated from a saltern of Nari along the Bhavnagar Coast, Gujarat, India. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and sequence comparison data indicated that JC304T represented a member of the genus Salinicoccus and was most closely related to Salinicoccus roseus 9T (99.6 %), Salinicoccus luteus YIM 70202T (97.0 %), Salinicoccus hispanicus J-82T (97.0 %) and the remaining species of the genus Salinicoccus (<97 %). Genome relatedness based on DNA-DNA hybridization of JC304T with the type strains of the most closely related species was less than 46 % and the ΔTmwas >5 °C indicating that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus. Independent and concatenated phylogenetic analysis of recA/fusA gene translated product showed a clear distinction of JC304T from its phylogenetic neighbors. Diphosphotidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid and three unidentified lipids (L1, L2 and L3) were the polar lipids of JC304T. Iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 were the major (>10 %) fatty acids in strain JC304T. The cell-wall amino acids were l-lysine and d-glycine. Hopanoids were not detected. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone (MK-6). The DNA G+C content of JC304T was 48 mol%. On the basis of physiological, genotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain JC304T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which the name Salinicoccusamylolyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC304T (=KCTC 33661T=LMG 28757T).

Jeotgalicoccus schoeneichii sp. nov. isolated from exhaust air of a pig barn.

A Gram-staining-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, coccus (strain 140805-STR-02T) was isolated from exhaust air of a pig barn on Columbia Blood Agar Base (Oxoid) supplemented with 5 % defibrinated horse blood, Streptococcus selective supplement and 0.5 mg erythromycin l-1. The strains shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Jeotgalicoccus pinnipedialis (98.6 %) but only a maximum of 94 % sequence similarity to all other species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus. DNA-DNA hybridisation values between strain 140805-STR-02T and J. pinnipedialis CIP 107946T were 60.3 % (reciprocal, 51.2 %). The quinone system of 140805-STR-02T contained predominantly menaquinone MK-7 and minor amounts of MK-6. The polar lipid profile of strain 140805-STR-02T contained the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol and four unidentified lipids present in minor to moderate amounts. In the polyamine pattern spermidine and spermine were predominant. The fatty acid profile comprising iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as major fatty acids, and was in congruence with those reported for other species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus and thus supported the affiliation of strain 140805-STR-02T to this genus. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 140805-STR-02T from the most closely related species. Strain 140805-STR-02T represents a novel species, for which the names Jeotgalicoccus schoeneichii sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 140805-STR-02T (=LMG 29445T=CCM 8667T).

Abyssicoccus albus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Staphylococcaceae isolated from marine sediment of the Indian Ocean.

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, asporogenous, coccoid shaped bacterium, designated YIM M12140(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YIM M12140(T) forms a separate clade within the family Staphylococcaceae. Strain YIM M12140(T) shares high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Macrococcus brunensis DSM 19358(T) (92.9 %). The isolate was found to grow at 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-3 %), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and temperature 5-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid and two unidentified polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids of the strain were identified as anteiso-C15:0, -C17:0, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C19:0 and C20:0. The respiratory menaquinones were found to be MK-6 (94 %) and MK-7 (6 %). The cell wall amino acids were found to contain Lys, Ala, Glu, Gly, Asp, Ser and Thr. Whole cell sugars were identified as mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose and xylose. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain YIM M12140(T) was determined to be 42.4 mol %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic data and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain YIM M12140(T) represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Staphylococcaceae, for which the name Abyssicoccus albus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM M12140(T) (= DSM 29158(T) = CCTCC AB 2014213(T)).

Taxonomic description and genome sequence of Salinicoccus sediminis sp. nov., a halotolerant bacterium isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-staining-positive, coccoid, halotolerant bacterial strain, designated SV-16T, was isolated from marine sediment and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain exhibited phenotypic properties that included chemotaxonomic characteristics consistent with its classification in the genus Salinicoccus. Growth occurred at temperatures in the range 25-37 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 7.0-11.0 (optimum pH 8.0) and at NaCl concentrations of up to 25.0% (optimum 15.0%). The highest level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was with Salinicoccus carnicancri CrmT (98.6%) followed by Salinicoccus halodurans W24T (96.6%). The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The draft genome of strain SV-16T consisted of 2,591,284 bp with a DNA G+C content of 48.7 mol%. On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and genotypic distinctiveness of strain SV-16T, it should be classified within a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, for which the name Salinicoccus sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SV-16T ( = MTCC 11832T = DSM 28797T).

Aliicoccus persicus gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic member of the Firmicutes isolated from a hypersaline lake.

A novel Gram-staining-positive, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain A76(T), was isolated from a brine sample of the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran. Cells were strictly aerobic, coccus-shaped, non-motile, non-sporulating, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strain A76(T) grew between pH 7.0 and 10.0 (optimal growth at pH 8.0), between 20 and 45 °C (optimal growth at 35 °C) and at salinities of 0.5 to 12.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth at 7.5%, w/v, NaCl). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain A76(T) was shown to belong to the phylum Firmicutes with sequence similarities of 94.1, 93.1 and 91.1%, to the type species of the genera Jeotgalicoccus, Salinicoccus and Nosocomiicoccus, respectively. The DNA G+C content of this new isolate was 38.8 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain A76(T) were anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0), and its polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, a glycolipid, an unknown lipid and two unknown phospholipids. The isoprenoid quinones were MK-6 (94%), MK-5 (3%) and MK-7 (3%). The amino acid constituents of the cell wall were Lys, Asp, Gly, Glu and Ala. The physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic differences between strain A76(T) and type strains of taxa with validly published names suggest that this strain represents a novel species in a novel genus within the family Staphylococcaceae, for which the name Aliicoccus persicus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Aliicoccus persicus is strain A76(T) ( = CECT 8508(T) = DSM 28306(T) = IBRC-M 10081(T)).

Salinicoccus halitifaciens sp. nov., a novel bacterium participating in halite formation.

Strain JC90(T) was isolated from a soda lake in Lonar, India. Strain JC90(T) maintains its external pH to 8.5 and participates in halite formation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain JC90(T) was found to belong to the genus Salinicoccus and is most closely related to "Salinicoccus kekensis" K164(T) (99.3 %), Salinicoccus alkaliphilus T8(T) (98.4 %) and other members of the genus Salinicoccus (<96.5 %). However Strain JC90(T) is <36 % related (based on DNA-DNA hybridization) with the type strains of "S. kekensis" K164(T) and S. alkaliphilus T8(T). The DNA G+C content of strain JC90(T) was determined to be 46 mol %. The cell-wall amino acids were identified as lysine and glycine. Polar lipids were found to include diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid and unidentified lipids (L1,2). Major hopanoids of strain JC90(T) were determined to be bacterial hopane derivatives (BHD1,2), diplopterol, diploptene and two unidentified hopanoids (UH1,2). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was identified as menaquinone (MK-6). Anteiso-C15:0 was determined to be the predominant fatty acid and significant proportions of iso-C14:0, C14:0, iso-C15:0, C16:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0, anteiso-C17:0 and C18:02OH were also detected. The results of physiological and biochemical tests support the molecular evidence and allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain JC90(T) from all other members of the genus Salinicoccus. Strain JC90(T) is therefore considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Salinicoccus halitifaciens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JC90(T) (=KCTC 13894(T) =DSM 25286(T)).

Technological and safety characteristics of Staphylococcaceae isolated from Spanish traditional dry-cured sausages.

The aim of this study was to determine the technological properties (nitrate reductase, proteolytic and lipolytic activities; and the ability to grow at the temperature and pH values of fermenting sausage, and at high NaCl concentrations) and safety characteristics (amino acid decarboxylase and enterotoxigenic activities) of 38 strains of Staphylococcaceae (11 of Staphylococcus epidermidis, 15 of Staphylococcus equorum, 5 of Staphylococcus pasteuri and 7 of Staphylococcus saprophyticus) isolated from Androlla and Botillo, two Spanish traditional sausages, in order to evaluate their suitability as potential starter cultures in the manufacture of these sausages. Most strains were able to grow at 10 °C, in the presence of 10% and 15% NaCl and at pH values of 5.5 and 5.0, except for S. equorum strains, growth of which was reduced at these pH values. The proteolytic activity assessed by the agar plate method showed that 89.5% and 52.6% of the strains were able to hydrolyze sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins, respectively. These results were not confirmed by electrophoretic assays as only 47.2% of the strains changed the SDS-PAGE profile of actin, myosin and/or sarcoplasmic protein extracts. The assessment of the lipolytic activity by titration showed that only 21.0% of the strains can hydrolyze pork fat to any extent; whereas the profiles of the freed fatty acids were different in the different strains. Most of the strains showed decarboxylase activity against histidine, lysine, ornithine and tyrosine, but the quantities of biogenic amines produced were in most cases <25 ppm and <5 ppm for putrescine and cadaverine, respectively. Only four strains (10.5%), of S. epidermidis, produced enterotoxin C.

Salinicoccus qingdaonensis sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater during a bloom of green algae.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, white-pigmented, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic coccus, designated strain ZXM223(T), was isolated from a seawater sample collected from the coast of Qingdao, PR China, during a green algal bloom. It grew at pH 6.0-10.5 and 0-25.0% (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at pH 8.5 and 3.0% (w/v) NaCl. Growth occurred at 16-42 °C (optimum at 28 °C). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0) and iso-C(15:0). Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the major respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids and two unknown glycolipids. The peptidoglycan type was L-Lys-Gly(5-6.) The genomic DNA G+C content was 43.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain ZXM223(T) within the genus Salinicoccus, with sequence similarity of 92.2-97.1% between ZXM223(T) and the type strains of this genus. The closest relatives were Salinicoccus kunmingensis YIM Y15(T), 'S. salitudinis' YIM-C678 and S. alkaliphilus T8(T). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain ZXM223(T) and S. kunmingensis CGMCC 1.6302(T) and 'S. salitudinis' CGMCC 1.6299 (=YIM-C678) was 37±3 and 30±2%, respectively. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics and low DNA-DNA relatedness support the proposal of a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, Salinicoccus qingdaonensis sp. nov., with the type strain ZXM223(T) (=LMG 24855(T) =CGMCC 1.8895(T)).

Jeotgalicoccus coquinae sp. nov. and Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus sp. nov., isolated from poultry houses.

Two Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming cocci (strains MK-7(T) and MPA-33(T)) were isolated from poultry houses. Strain MK-7(T) was isolated on marine broth agar from coquina, a food supplement for female ducks used in a duck-fattening farm. Strain MPA-33(T) was isolated from the air of a turkey house on TSA after filter sampling. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, both strains were shown to belong to the genus Jeotgalicoccus; MK-7(T) was most closely related to Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus YKJ-115(T) (99.3 % similarity) and MPA-33(T) was most closely related to Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans YKJ-101(T) (98.8 %). The quinone system of MK-7(T) was composed of equal amounts of menaquinones MK-7 and MK-6 and that of MPA-33(T) contained 76 % MK-7 and 24 % MK-6. The polar lipid profile of strain MK-7(T) consisted of the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol and six unidentified lipids present in minor to moderate amounts. In strain MPA-33(T), diphosphatidylglycerol was the single predominant lipid, whereas phosphatidylglycerol was detected in moderate amounts. In addition, one unidentified phospholipid and four unidentified lipids were detected. Fatty acid profiles with iso-15 : 0 and anteiso-15 : 0 as major fatty acids supported the affiliation of the strains to the genus Jeotgalicoccus. The results of physiological and biochemical tests as well as DNA-DNA hybridizations allowed clear phenotypic differentiation of strains MK-7(T) and MPA-33(T) from the most closely related species. Strains MK-7(T) and MPA-33(T) therefore represent novel species, for which the names Jeotgalicoccus coquinae sp. nov. (type strain MK-7(T) =DSM 22419(T) =CCM 7682(T) =CCUG 57956(T)) and Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus sp. nov. (type strain MPA-33(T) =DSM 22420(T) =CCM 7679(T) =CCUG 57953(T)) are proposed.

Jeotgalicoccus halophilus sp. nov., isolated from salt lakes.

Two slightly halophilic bacterial strains, C1-52(T) and YD-9, were isolated from Daban and Aiding salt lakes in Xinjiang, China, respectively. The isolates were gram-positive, non-endospore-forming, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic cocci. Colonies were pale yellow, and a light pink, diffusible pigment was produced after a few additional days of incubation. The isolates grew optimally with 2-3 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7.5 and at 30-35 °C. The peptidoglycan type was L-Lys-Gly(3-4)-L-Ala(Gly). The menaquinones were MK-7 (83.2 %) and MK-6 (16.8 %). The major fatty acids (>10 %) were anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). The DNA G+C content of strains C1-52(T) and YD-9 was 41.2 and 41.0 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains C1-52(T) and YD-9 were closely related to Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus YKJ-115(T) (98.0 and 97.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively), followed by Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans YKJ-101(T) (97.1 and 96.8 %). Strains C1-52(T) and YD-9 shared, respectively, 20 and 11 % DNA-DNA relatedness with J. halotolerans JCM 11198(T) and 8 and 13 % with J. psychrophilus JCM 11199(T). DNA-DNA relatedness between the isolates was 91 %. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strains C1-52(T) and YD-9 belonged to the same species, which should be placed in the genus Jeotgalicoccus as a novel species. The name Jeotgalicoccus halophilus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain C1-52(T) ( = CGMCC 1.8911(T)  = NBRC 105788(T)).

Salinicoccus sesuvii sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Sesuvium portulacastrum.

A Gram-staining-positive coccus, designated CC-SPL15-2(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere of Sesuvium portulacastrum. By 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, it was shown that strain CC-SPL15-2(T) belonged to the genus Salinicoccus. The isolate was most closely related to Salinicoccus hispanicus DSM 5352(T) (98.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Salinicoccus roseus DSM 5351(T) (96.7 %); similarities to all other members of the genus Salinicoccus were <96.5 %. In accordance with characteristics of the genus Salinicoccus, the quinone system was mainly composed of menaquinone MK-6. The polar lipid profile exhibited the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid. In the polyamine pattern, spermidine was the predominant compound. The fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0), which supported the affiliation of strain CC-SPL15-2(T) to the genus Salinicoccus. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain CC-SPL15-2(T) and S. hispanicus CCUG 43288(T) was 42 and 32 % (reciprocal analysis). From these data as well as from physiological and biochemical tests, a clear differentiation of strain CC-SPL15-2(T) from S. hispanicus and other members of the genus Salinicoccus was possible. We propose that strain CC-SPL15-2(T) be assigned to a novel species, with the name Salinicoccus sesuvii sp. nov. The type strain is CC-SPL15-2(T) ( = DSM 23267(T)  = CCM 7756(T)).

Jeotgalicoccus nanhaiensis sp. nov., isolated from intertidal sediment, and emended description of the genus Jeotgalicoccus.

A novel non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, Gram-positive-staining coccus, strain JSM 077023(T), was isolated from an intertidal sediment sample collected from Naozhou Island in the South China Sea, China. Growth occurred in the presence of 0.5-25 % (w/v) NaCl [optimum, 2-5 % (w/v) NaCl] and at pH 5.5-10.5 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and at 4-45 °C (optimum, 30-35 °C). The major amino acid constituents of the cell wall were alanine, glycine and lysine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0. The strain contained MK-7 and MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinones and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid as the polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 077023(T) was 41.3 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 077023(T) should be assigned to the genus Jeotgalicoccus and was most closely related to the type strains of Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans (sequence similarity 99.0 %) and Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus (99.0 %), followed by Jeotgalicoccus coquinae (98.6 %) and Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus (97.4 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of less than 97 % were observed with other species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JSM 077023(T) and the type strains of J. halotolerans, J. aerolatus, J. coquinae and J. psychrophilus ranged from 36.8 to 22.7 %. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the suggestion that strain JSM 077023(T) represents a novel species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus, for which the name Jeotgalicoccus nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 077023(T) ( = DSM 23006(T) = KCTC 13714(T)). An emended description of the genus Jeotgalicoccus is also presented.