Comparative genomics and proposal of Streptomyces radicis sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete from roots of plants in Thailand.

Strains DS1-2T and AZ1-7, which were isolated from roots of plants, were taxonomically characterized based on polyphasic taxonomic and taxogenomic approaches. Both strains were Gram-stain-positive and filamentous bacteria which contained LL-diaminopimelic acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan and glucose and ribose in whole-cell hydrolysates. MK-9(H6), MK-10(H6), MK-9(H8), MK-10(H8) and MK-10(H4) were major menaquinones; iso-C16:0 and iso-C16:1G were predominant cellular fatty acids; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside presented as major phospholipids; and the DNA G+C contents of 73.2 mol%. Strains DS1-2T and AZ1-7 showed 97.6-98.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 81.0-82.0 % ANIb, 84.8-85.3 % ANIm and 22.0-23.1 % digital DDH to their related type strains: S. specialis GW41-1564T and S. hoynatensis S1412T. Comparative genomics results of these strains and their related type strains also revealed the differences and distributions of key genes associated with stress responses, environmental variables, plant interactions and bioactive metabolites. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic data, strains DS1-2T and AZ1-7 could be assigned to the novel species within the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces radicis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DS1-2T (=JCM 32152T =KCTC 39738T =TISTR 2403T).

Actinomadura violacea sp. nov., a madurastatin A1-producing strain isolated from lichen in Thailand.

An actinomycete strain, LCR2-06T, isolated from a lichen sample on rock collected from Chiang Rai Province (Pong Phra Bat Waterfall), Thailand, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew at 25-45 °C, pH 6-11 and on International Streptomyces Project 2 agar plate with 5 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid in whole-cell hydrolysates. Rhamnose, ribose, xylose, madurose, glucose and galactose were detected as whole-cell sugar hydrolysates. Mycolic acids were absent. The N-acyl type of muramic acid was acetyl. The strain contained C16 : 0, TBSA 10-methyl C18 : 0 and 2-hydroxy C16 : 0 as the predominant fatty acids and MK-9(H6), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H8) as the major menaquinones. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and unidentified phospholipid. The draft genome of strain LCR2-06T was closely related to Actinomadura barringtoniae TBRC 7225T (99.2 %), Actinomadura nitritigenes NBRC 15918T (98.8 %), Actinomadura montaniterrae TISTR 2400T (98.5 %) and Actinomadura physcomitrii JCM 33455T (97.9 %). The draft genome of LCR2-06T was 11.1 Mb with 10 588 coding sequences with an average G+C content of 72.7 mol%. Results of genomic analysis revealed that the ANIb and ANIm values between strain LCR2-06T and A. montaniterrae TISTR 2400T were 90.0 and 92.0 %, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value was 43.9 % in comparison with the draft genome of A. montaniterrae TISTR 2400T. The strain produced an antibacterial compound active against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Kocuria rhizophila ATCC 9341. The results of taxonomic analysis suggested that strain LCR2-06T represented a novel species of the genus Actinomadura for which the name Actinomadura violacea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LCR2-06T (=JCM 33065T=KCTC 49547T=NBRC 114810T=LMG 32136T=TISTR 2935T).

Actinoplanes lichenicola sp. nov. and Actinoplanes ovalisporus sp. nov., isolated from lichen in Thailand.

Two actinobacteria, designated as strain LDG1-01T and LDG1-06T, were isolated from lichen samples collected in Thailand. Results of morphological characterization, chemotaxonomic studies and 16S rRNA gene analysis indicated that both strains were members of the genus Actinoplanes. MK-9(H4) was found as the major menaquinone. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol were observed as the polar lipids, but differences in minor unidentified polar lipids were found between the strains. Results of comparative genome analysis based on average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization calculations revealed that both strains showed values below 95 and 70 %, respectively, from each other and closely related Actinoplanes type strains. Based on data from this polyphasic study, strains LDG1-01T and LDG1-06T represent novel species of the genus Actinoplanes. The names proposed are Actinoplanes lichenicola sp. nov. (type strain, LDG1-01T (=JCM 33066T=TISTR 2982T) and Actinoplanes ovalisporus sp. nov. (type strain, LDG1-06T=JCM 33067T=TISTR 2983T).

Actinomadura decatromicini sp. nov., isolated from mountain soil in Thailand.

A novel actinomycete strain CYP1-5T was isolated from the mountain soil sample collected from Chaiyaphum province, Thailand and its taxonomic position was clarified by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The chemotaxonomic properties of strain CYP1-5T were consistent within the genus Actinomadura. Cell-wall peptidoglycan of this strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. Galactose, madurose, and ribose were presented as the diagnostic sugars in whole-cell hydrolysates. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H6). Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0 and C16:0. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylinositol mannoside were observed as predominant phospholipids. Based on the results of phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain CYP1-5T was constituent with the genus Actinomadura and was closely related to Actinomadura syzygii GKU157T (99.5%) and Actinomadura chibensis IFM 10266T (= JCM 14158T) (98.2%). The draft genome size of strain CYP1-5T was 9.30 Mb with 72.2 mol% of G + C content. Strain CYP1-5T showed ANIb values of 94.9% with A. syzygii GKU157T and 93.2% with A. chibensis JCM 14158T. Phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and genome data support that strain CYP1-5T could be discriminated from its closest relatives, representing a novel species of the genus Actinomadura, for which the name Actinomadura decatromicini sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CYP1-5T (= JCM 16996T = KCTC 19916T = TISTR 2901T).

Nocardia terrae sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from soil in Thailand.

A novel actinomycete strain ET3-3T isolated from soil collected from Chachoengsao province, Thailand was taxonomic evaluated using a polyphasic approach. Chemotaxonomic analysis indicated that meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Mycolic acids were present. Ribose, arabinose, and galactose were detected in its whole-cell hydrolysates. The strain comprised C16:0 and TBSA 10-methyl C18:0 as the main fatty acids and MK-8(H4ω-cycl) as the predominant menaquinone. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylethanolamine, and diphosphatidylglycerol. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain ET3-3T was closely related to Nocardia seriolae JCM 30082T (99.2%), Nocardia yunnanensis JCM 30082T (98.4%), and Nocardia concava JCM 12351T (98.2%). The draft genome of ET3-3T was 9.31 Mb with 8826 coding sequences with an average G + C content of 68.0%. The comparison of the draft genome of strain ET3-3T and N. seriolae NBRC 15557T showed the ANIb, ANIm and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of 86.3%, 88.5% and 32.9%, respectively. The results of the taxonomic analysis suggested that strain ET3-3T represented a novel species of the genus Nocardia for which the name Nocardia terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ET3-3T (= JCM 33776T = TISTR 2837T).

Nocardia aurantiaca sp. nov., isolated from soil in Thailand.

A novel actinomycete strain, CT2-14T, belonging to the genus Nocardia, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Phichit Province, Thailand. The taxonomic position of the strain was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew at 15-40 °C (optimum, 28-37 °C), pH 6-11 (optimum, pH 6-8) and on an International Streptomyces Project 2 with 4 % (w/v) NaCl agar plate. Meso-diaminopimelic acid was detected in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Ribose, arabinose and galactose were detected in its whole-cell hydrolysates. Mycolic acids were present. The strain contained C16 : 0, summed feature 3, C17 : 0 10-methyl and C18 : 1 ω9c as the major fatty acids and MK-8(H4ω-cycl) as the major menaquinone. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. Strain CT2-14T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene similarity to Nocardia veterana JCM 11307T (98.4 %), Nocardia africana JCM 11438T (98.2 %) and Nocardia kruczakiae JCM 13032T (98.0 %). The draft genome of strain CT2-14T was 7.37 Mb with 6685 coding sequences with an average G+C content of 67.9 mol %. Based on the phylogenomic tree analysis, the strain was closely related to Nocardia niigatensis NBRC 100131T. On the basis of polyphasic and genome analyses, strain CT2-14T represented a novel species of the genus Nocardia for which the name Nocardia aurantiaca sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CT2-14T (=JCM 33775T=TISTR 2838T).

Streptomyces mimosae sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the root of Mimosa pudica in Thailand.

An endophytic actinomycete, strain 3MP-10T, isolated from the root of Mimosa pudica was taxonomically studied based upon polyphasic approaches. This strain formed spiral spore chains on aerial mycelia. ll-Diaminopimelic acid, glucose and ribose were found in the whole-cell hydrolysates. It belonged to the genus Streptomyces and was closely related to Streptomyces zhaozhouensis DSM 42101T (98.9 %) and Streptomyces sedi JCM 16909T (98.6 %) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis results. The major menaquinones were MK-10(H8), MK-10(H6) and MK-9(H8). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The detected phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Strain 3MP-10T had a genome size of 7.2 Mb with a genome G+C content of 73.4 mol%. Results of in silico genome-based similarity analysis revealed ANIb values of 84.94 and 84.77 %, ANIm values of 88.01 and 87.92 %, and dDDH values of 29.9 and 29.6 % when compared with S. zhaozhouensis DSM 42101T and S. sedi JCM 16909T, respectively. Based on the polyphasic approach, digital DNA-DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity, we propose that the novel actinomycete represents a novel species, Streptomyces mimosae, with type strain 3MP-10T (=JCM 33328T=TISTR 2646T).

Nonomuraea phyllanthi sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from the leaf of Phyllanthus amarus.

A novel actinomycete, strain PA1-10T, isolated from the leaf of Phyllanthus amarus collected from Bangkok, Thailand, was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. This strain contained the characteristics consistent with those of members of the genus Nonomuraea. It formed short rugose spore chain on aerial mycelium. The diamino acid in cell wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Galactose, glucose, madurose, mannose, and ribose were found in whole-cell hydrolysates. Predominant menaquinones were MK-9 (H2), MK-9 (H4), and MK-9 (H6). Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0 and C17:0 10-methyl. Phospholipid profiles were composed of phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM), lyso-phosphatidylethanolamine (lyso-PE), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), methylphosphatidylethanolamine (PME), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). The G + C content of DNA was 71.2 mol%. Strain PA1-10T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Nonomuraea candida JCM 15928T (98.35%) and shared the same node with Nonomuraea maritima JCM 18321T in the phylogenetic tree analysis. Based on the phenotypic characteristics, DNA-DNA relatedness, and average nucleotide identity (ANI), the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea phyllanthi is proposed. The type strain is PA1-10T (= JCM 33073T = NBRC 112774T = TISTR 2497T).

Streptomyces bauhiniae sp. nov., isolated from tree bark of Bauhinia variegata Linn. in Thailand.

A novel actinomycete strain, Bv016T, belonging to the genus Streptomyces, was isolated from the bark of tree, Bauhinia variegata Linn., collected in Thailand. The taxonomic position of the strain was characterized by using a polyphasic approach. ll-Diaminopimelic acid, glucose, mannose, ribose and galactose were detected in its whole-cell hydrolysates. The N-acyl type of muramic acid was acetyl. The strain contained anteiso-C15  :  0, iso-C16  :  0, iso-C15  :  0 and iso-C14  :  0 as the major fatty acids and MK-9(H8), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H4) as the major menaquinones. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The strain was closely related to Streptomyces griseoluteus JCM 4041T (98.4 %), Streptomyces seoulensis JCM 10116T (98.4 %) and Streptomyces recifensis JCM 4408T (98.2 %). The draft genome of Bv016T was 6.74 Mb with 5949 coding sequences with an average G+C content of 71.7 mol%. The ANIb and ANIm values of strain Bv016T were 94.1 and 95.2 %, respectively, and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization value was 60.6 % in comparison with the draft genome of S. griseoluteus JCM 4765T. The results of the taxonomic analysis suggested that strain Bv016T represented a novel species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces bauhiniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Bv016T (=JCM 33208T=TISTR 2645T).

Microbispora catharanthi sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinomycete isolated from the root of Catharanthus roseus.

Strain CR1-09T, an actinomycete isolated from the root of Catharanthus roseus, was taxonomically studied based upon polyphasic approaches. The isolate formed a pair of ovular to circular, smooth-surfaced spores on short sporophores alternately branched from aerial mycelia. It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in cell wall peptidoglycans. The major menaquinones were MK-9 (H4) and MK-9 (H2). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. The polar lipids profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyl phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, and unidentified ninhydrin positive phosphoglycolipids. Strain CR1-09T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Microbispora tritici DSM 104650T (99.5 %). Based on the polyphasic approach, DNA-DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity (ANI), the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Microbispora, for which the name Microbispora catharanthi is proposed. The type strain is strain CR1-09T (=JCM 30045T=TISTR 2273T).

Micromonospora musae sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from roots of Musa species.

Two novel actinobacterial strains, MS1-9T and NGC1-4, were isolated from roots of Musa (ABB) cv. 'Kluai Namwa', collected from Chachoengsao province, and Musa (ABB) cv. 'Kluai Chang', from Suphan Buri province, Thailand, respectively. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene (98.0 to 98.9% similarity), gyrase subunit B (gyrB) gene and whole-genome sequences emphasised that the strains MS1-9T and NGC1-4 showed closely related with Micromonospora peucetia DSM 43363T, M. krabiensis JCM 12869T and M. avicenniae DSM 45758T, respectively. Strains MS1-9T and NGC1-4 contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan. Whole-cell sugars were glucose, xylose, mannose, and ribose. The acyl type of peptidoglycan was glycolyl. MK-10(H6), MK-9(H6), and MK-10(H8) were presented as the major menaquinones. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol were detected as predominant phospholipid profiles. The major cellular fatty acids consisted of iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C17:0 and C17:0. The DNA G+C content of strains MS1-9T and NGC1-4 were 72.2 and 72.3mol%, respectively. Draft genome sequences indicated by ANI values and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation analysis asserted that the strains MS1-9T and NGC1-4 should be represented as a novel species within the genus Micromonospora for which the name Micromonospora musae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MS1-9T (=JCM 32149T=TISTR 2659T).

Micromonospora radicis sp. nov., isolated from roots of Azadirachta indica var. siamensis Valenton, and reclassification of Jishengella zingiberis as Micromonospora zingiberis comb. nov.

A novel endophytic actinomycete strain AZ1-13T was isolated from roots of Azadirachta indica, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of strain AZ1-13T and its closest species, Jishegella zingiberis PLAI1-1T and Micromonospora endophytica 202201T, were 99.7 and 99.2 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of the family Micromonosporaceae based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated strains AZ1-13T and J. zingiberis PLAI1-1Tare located within the genus Micromonospora. The approximate genome size of the strain was 5.96 Mb with 71.9 mol% of G+C content. The strain AZ1-13T exhibited ANIb values of 87.4 % with J. zingiberis PLAI1-1T and 85.1 % with M. endophytica 202201T. Chemotaxonomic characteristics of strain AZ1-13T were consistent within the genus Micromonospora: cell-wall peptidoglycan of the strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid; glucose, mannose, ribose and xylose are presented as the whole-cell sugars; the predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6); major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, 10-methyl C17 : 0, C17 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω8c; diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol were detected as distinguished phospholipids. Based on phenotypic properties, phylogeny and genomic data, the strain AZ1-13T could be distinguished from its closest neighbours, representing a novel species of the genus Micromonospora, for which the name Micromonospora radicis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AZ1-13T (=KCTC 39786T=NBRC 112324T=JCM 32147T = TISTR 2404T). This study also proposed that J. zingiberisis transferred to the genus Micromonospora as Micromonospora zingiberis comb. nov. (type strain PLAI1-1T=TBRC 7644T=NBRC 113144T=JCM 32592T).

Micromonospora caldifontis sp. nov., isolated from hot spring soil.

A single spore forming actinomycete, designated strain HSS6-8T, was isolated from a sample of hot spring soil. The strain had the chemotaxonomic properties consistent with its classification in the genus Micromonospora. The strain was found to have meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The acyl type of the cell-wall muramic acid was glycolyl. The reducing sugars in the cell hydrolysates were glucose, arabinose, xylose, ribose, mannose, galactose and rhamnose. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphoglycolipid. The major menaquinones were MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H4). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.5 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain HSS6-8T was closely related to Micromonospora nigra DSM 43818T (98.2 %), Micromonospora eburnea DSM 44814T (98.2 %) and Micromonospora spongicola S3-1T (98.1 %). The physiological and DNA-DNA hybridization data allowed the differentiation of strain HSS6-8T from its related species. Thus, the strain represents a novel species of the genus Micromonospora, for which the name Micromonospora caldifontis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HSS6-8T (=TBRC 8927T=JCM 17126T).

Micromonospora azadirachtae sp. nov., isolated from roots of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. var. siamensis Valeton.

A Gram-stain positive actinomycete, strain AZ1-19T, isolated from roots of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. var. siamensis Valeton, collected from Chachoengsao province, Thailand, was characterised taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. Strain AZ1-19T was found to have characteristics consistent with those of members of the genus Micromonospora. The cell wall peptidoglycan of the strain was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant phospholipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. The characteristic whole-cell sugars were identified as glucose, xylose, galactose and mannose. The major menaquinones were found to be MK-9(H6), MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8), and the major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C16:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain AZ1-19T is closely related to Micromonospora costi CS1-12T (98.75% similarity), Micromonospora avicenniae 268506T (98.75%), Micromonospora haikouensis 232617T (98.68%) and Micromonospora siamensis TT2-4T (98.61%), whilst the corresponding phylogenetic analysis based on partial gyrase subunit B (gyrB) gene sequences indicated that strain AZ1-19T forms a clade with M. avicenniae 268506T with a high bootstrap value. The DNA G + C content was determined to be 69.8 mol%. Moreover, a combination of DNA-DNA relatedness values and some phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties indicated that the strain could be distinguished from closely related species. Therefore, it is considered that strain AZ1-19T represents a novel Micromonospora species for which the name Micromonospora azadirachtae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AZ1-19T (= KCTC 39941T = NBRC 112784T = JCM 32148T = TISTR 2559T).

Streptomyces venetus sp. nov., an actinomycete with a blue aerial mycelium.

A Gram-positive bacterium, designated CMU-AB225T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of an oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). The strain exhibited a blue aerial spore mass and a light cream to moderate yellow substrate mycelium and formed chains of spiny spores. Whole-cell hydrolysates consisted of ll-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, ribose, mannose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The polar lipids profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, four unidentified lipids, two unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified glycolipid. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 69.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CMU-AB225T was a member of the genus Streptomyces and formed a distinct phyletic line which was most closely related to Streptomyces koyangensis JCM 14915T, Streptomyces misionensis JCM 4497T and Streptomyces aurantiogriseus JCM 4346T. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) using five housekeeping genes (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and trpB) showed that the MLSA distances of strain CMU-AB225T to phylogenetically related species were greater than the 0.007 threshold. Moreover, the low values of DNA-DNA relatedness and phenotypic differences, especially a blue aerial mycelium, enabled strain CMU-AB225T to be distinguished from its closely related species. It is thus proposed that strain CMU-AB225T represents a novel species, namely Streptomyces venetus sp. nov. The type strain is CMU-AB225T (=JCM 31290T=TBRC 2001T).

Mycobacterial biomaterials and resources for researchers.

There are many resources available to mycobacterial researchers, including culture collections around the world that distribute biomaterials to the general scientific community, genomic and clinical databases, and powerful bioinformatics tools. However, many of these resources may be unknown to the research community. This review article aims to summarize and publicize many of these resources, thus strengthening the quality and reproducibility of mycobacterial research by providing the scientific community access to authenticated and quality-controlled biomaterials and a wealth of information, analytical tools and research opportunities.

Amycolatopsis oliviviridis sp. nov., a novel polylactic acid-bioplastic-degrading actinomycete isolated from paddy soil.

A novel bioplastic-degrading actinomycete, strain SCM_MK2-4T, was isolated from paddy soil in Thailand. The 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain SCM_MK2-4T belonged to the genus Amycolatopsis, with the highest sequence similarity to Amycolatopsisazurea JCM 3275T (99.4 %), and was phylogenetically clustered with this strain along with Amycolatopsislurida JCM 3141T (99.3 %), A. japonica DSM 44213T (99.2 %), A. decaplanina DSM 44594T (99.0 %), A. roodepoortensis M29T (98.9 %), A. keratiniphilasubsp. nogabecina DSM 44586T (98.8 %), A. keratiniphilasubsp. keratiniphila DSM 44409T (98.5 %), A. orientalis DSM 40040T (98.4 %) and A. regifaucium GY080T (98.3 %). A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results ranging from 42.8±3.2 to 66.2±1.4 % with the type strains of A. azurea and A. lurida and some different phenotypic characteristics indicated that the strain could be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the strain were shown to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose, galactose, glucose, ribose, mannose, rhamnose and xylose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major cellular fatty acid profile consisted of iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2OH) and C16 : 0. The polar lipid composition of the strain consisted of phosphatidyl-N-methylethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminophospholipids, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified glycolipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.2 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses, DNA-DNA hybridization experimentation and the phenotypic characteristics, it was concluded that strain SCM_MK2-4T represents a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis, for which the name Amycolatopsis oliviviridis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCM_MK2-4T (=TBRC 7186T=JCM 32134T).

Pseudonocardia thailandensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from a subterranean termite nest.

A novel Gram-stain-positive bacterium designated CMU-NKS-70T was isolated from a subterranean termite nest and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain exhibited branching, pinkish-cream aerial mycelium and cream-brown substrate mycelium, and formed chains of rod-like spores. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated that strain CMU-NKS-70T belonged to the genus Pseudonocardia, showing high similarity with Pseudonocardia oroxyli D10T (98.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Pseudonocardia xishanensis YIM 63638T (98.9 %) and Pseudonocardia kujensis A4038T (98.5 %). However, DNA-DNA relatedness values between strains CMU-NKS-70T and the closest phylogenetically related species ranged from 40.5±2.9 to 48.6±0.7 %. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain CMU-NKS-70T consisted of meso-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, ribose and rhamnose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and 10-methyl C16 : 0. The polar lipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, three unidentified glycolipids and two unidentified phospholipids. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 71.9 mol%. The physiological and biochemical properties also supported the phenotypic distinction of strain CMU-NKS-70T from its closely related species. On the basis of evidence from this study using a polyphasic approach, strain CMU-NKS-70T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia for which the name Pseudonocardia thailandensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CMU-NKS-70T (=JCM 31292T=TBRC 2000T).