Nibricoccus aquaticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new genus of the family Opitutaceae isolated from hyporheic freshwater.

A yellow-coloured, Gram-strain-negative, non-motile, cocci-shaped, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated HZ-65T, was isolated from hyporheic freshwater in the Republic of Korea. Strain HZ-65T grew at 15-37 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 0-0.5 % NaCl (w/v; optimum at 0 % NaCl). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain HZ-65T is a member of family Opitutaceae and is closely related to Opitutus terrae PB90-1T (94.0 % similarity), Cephaloticoccus primus CAG34T (93.0 %), and Cephaloticoccus capnophilus CV41T (92.7 %), while the similarities to other Opitutaceae-type strains were lower than 90.0 %. The DNA G+C content was 62.2 mol% and the quinone present was menaquinone-7. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C14 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, and iso-C16 : 0, representing 70 % of the total fatty acids. The major polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Analysis of the HZ-65T genome revealed the presence of 300 genes that are involved in carbohydrate-active enzymes, which indicates the metabolic potential to degrade polysaccharides. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genetic, and phylogenetic properties suggest that strain HZ-65T represents a novel species in a new genus within the family Opitutaceae, for which the name Nibricoccus aquaticus gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Nibricoccus aquaticus is HZ-65T (KACC 19333T=NBRC 112907T).

Companilactobacillus pabuli sp. nov., a lactic acid bacterium isolated from animal feed.

A Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, catalase-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped lactic acid bacterium strain, denoted as NFFJ11T and isolated from total mixed fermentation feed in the Republic of Korea, was characterized through polyphasic approaches, including sequence analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and housekeeping genes (rpoA and pheS), determination of average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization, fatty acid methyl ester analysis, and phenotypic characterization. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, rpoA and pheS gene sequences revealed that strain NFFJ11T belonged to the genus Companilactobacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NFFJ11T exhibited high similarity to Companilactobacillus formosensis S215T (99.66 %), Companilactobacillus farciminis Rv4 naT (99.53 %), Companilactobacillus crustorum LMG 23699T (99.19 %), Companilactobacillus futsaii YM 0097T (99.06 %), Companilactobacillus zhachilii HBUAS52074T (98.86 %) and Companilactobacillus heilongiiangensis S4-3T (98.66 %). However, average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values for these type strains were in the range of 79.90-92.93 % and 23.80-49.30 %, respectively, which offer evidence that strain NFFJ11T belongs to a novel species of the genus Companilactobacillus. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (l-Lys-d-Asp) and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35.7 mol%. The main fatty acids of strain NFFJ11T were C18 : 1 ω9c (43.3 %), C16 : 0 (20.1 %) and summed feature 7 (18.3 %; comprising any combination of C19 : 1 ω7c, C19 : 1 ω6c and C19 : 0 cyclo ω10c). Through polyphasic taxonomic analysis, it was observed that strain NFFJ11T represents a novel species belonging to the genus Companilactobacillus, for which the name Companilactobacillus pabuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NFFJ11T (= KACC 21771T= JCM 34088T).

Paucibacter aquatile sp. nov. isolated from freshwater of the Nakdong River, Republic of Korea.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped bacterial strain designated CR182T was isolated from freshwater of the Nakdong River, Republic of Korea. Optimal growth conditions for this novel strain were found to be: 25-30 °C, pH 6.5-8.5, and 3% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicates that the strain CR182T belongs to type strains of genus Paucibacter. Strain CR182T showed 98.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Paucibacter oligotrophus CHU3T and formed a robust phylogenetic clade with this species. The average nucleotide identity value between strain CR182T and P. oligotrophus CHU3T was 78.4% and the genome-to-genome distance was 22.2% on average. The genomic DNA G+C content calculated from the genome sequence was 66.3 mol%. Predominant cellular fatty acids of strain CR182T were summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) (31.2%) and C16:0 (16.0%). Its major respiratory quinine was ubiquinone Q-8. Its polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and two unidentified phospholipids. Its genomic DNA G+C content was 66.3%. Based on data obtained from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain CR182T represents a novel species belonging to genus Paucibacter, for which a name of P. aquatile sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CR182T (= KCCM 90284T = NBRC 113032T).

Deinococcus koreensis sp. nov., a gamma radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from river water.

A gamma radiation-resistant, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated SJW1-2T, was isolated from freshwater samples collected from the Seomjin River, Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain SJW1-2T was most closely related to Deinococcus metalli 1PNM-19T (94.3 % sequence similarity) and formed a robust phylogenetic clade with other species of the genus Deinococcus. The optimum growth pH and temperature for the isolate were pH 7.0-7.5 and 25 °C, respectively. Strain SJW1-2T exhibited high resistance to gamma radiation. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-8. The polar lipid profile consisted of different unidentified glycolipids, two unidentified lipids, two unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified phosphoglycolipid. The major peptidoglycan amino acids were alanine, d-glutamic acid, glycine and l-ornithine. The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) (25.2 %) and C16 : 0 (21.2 %), and the DNA G+C content was 69.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain SJW1-2T (=KACC 19332T=NBRC 112908T) represents a novel species of the genus Deinococcus, for which the name Deinococcus koreensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Martelella suaedae sp. nov. and Martelella limonii sp. nov., isolated from the root of halophytes.

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and endophytic bacterial strains, designated YC7033T and YC7034T, were isolated from the roots of halophytes (Suaeda maritime and Limonium tetragonum, respectively) inhabiting tidal flats of the Sacheon area, Korea. The phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the two strains were closely related to Martelella endophytica YC6887T, Martelella mangrovi BM9-1T, Martelella radicis BM5-7T and Martelella mediterranea DSM 17316T at 97.6-99.1 % similarity. Sequence similarities with the type strains of another closely related genus, Rhizobium, were lower than 95.0 %. Both strains contained ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the major respiratory quinone system. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA of strains YC7033T and YC7034T were 52.8 and 62.2 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acids of both strain YC7033T and strain YC7034T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, and biochemical and phenotypic characteristics, strains YC7033T and YC7034T represent two novel species of the genus Martelella, for which the names Martelella suaedae sp. nov. (type strain: YC7033T=KACC 17175T=NBRC 109440T) and Martelella limonii sp. nov. (type strain: YC7034T=KACC 17176T=NBRC 109441T) are proposed, respectively.

Gynuella sunshinyii gen. nov., sp. nov., an antifungal rhizobacterium isolated from a halophyte, Carex scabrifolia Steud.

An antifungal bacterial strain, designated YC6258(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere of a halophyte (Carex scabrifolia Steud.) growing in a tidal flat area of Namhae Island, Korea. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, moderately halophilic, rod-shaped and motile by a single polar flagellum. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YC6258(T) formed a phyletic lineage distinct from members of the most closely related genera, Saccharospirillum and Reinekea, with less than 91.2 % sequence similarities. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and Summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/ C16 : 1ω6c). The quinone system of strain YC6258(T) consisted mainly of ubiquinone Q-8. The polar lipid profile exhibited phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content was 48.9 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain YC6258(T) should be classified as a representative of a novel species in a novel genus for which the name Gynuella sunshinyii gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6258(T) (KCCM 43015(T) = NBRC 109345(T)).

Roseomonas oryzicola sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

A Gram-stain-negative, coccobacilli-shaped bacterium, designated YC6724T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of rice in Jinju, Korea. The taxonomy of strain YC6724T was studied using a polyphasic approach. Strain YC6724T grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.0-8.0. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that the strain was most closely related to Roseomonas soli 5N26T (98.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Roseomonas lacus THG33T(97.3 %) and Roseomonas terrae DS-48T (97.3 %). Sequence similarities with other species of the genus Roseomonas with validly published names were lower than 94.0 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain YC6724T formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the genus Roseomonas. Strain YC6724T had DNA-DNA relatedness values of 16.6 %, 44.0 % and 33.2 % with R. soli KACC 16376T, R. terrae KACC 12677T and R. lacus KACC 11678T, respectively. The predominant fatty acids of strain YC6724T were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1 2-OH. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol,diphosphatidylglycerol, an unknown aminolipid and two unknown lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.5 mol% and the major quinone was Q-10. Strain YC6724T contained spermidine as the major polyamine. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, it is clear that strain YC6724T represents a novel species of the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas oryzicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6724T (=KCTC 22478T=NBRC 109439T).

Nitrospirillum irinus sp. nov., a diazotrophic bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Iris and emended description of the genus Nitrospirillum.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a novel nitrogen-fixing bacterial strain, designated YC6995(T), isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Iris ensata var. spontanea (Makino) Nakai inhabiting a wetland located at an altitude of 960 m on Jiri Mountain, Korea. Strain YC6995(T) cells were Gram-negative, and rod-shaped, with motility provided by a single polar flagellum. Optimal growth conditions were 30 °C and pH 7.0. The major fatty acids of strain YC6995(T) were C18:1 ω7c, C18:1 2-OH and C16:0 3-OH. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 64.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed strain YC6995(T) to form a phyletic lineage with Nitrospirillum amazonense DSM 2787(T) with a high sequence similarity (97.2 %), but it displayed low sequence similarity with other remotely related genera, including Azospirillum (<93 %), Rhodocista (93.1-93.4 %), and Skermanella (91.2-93.3 %) in the family Alphaproteobacteria. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic evidences, strain YC6995(T) represents a novel species within the genus Nitrospirillum, for which the name Nitrospirillum irinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6995(T) (= KACC 13777(T) = DSM 22198(T)). An emended description of the genus Nitrospirillum is also proposed.

Labrenzia suaedae sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from a halophyte, and emended description of the genus Labrenzia.

An endophytic, Gram-staining-negative bacterium was isolated from sterilized roots of a plant, Suaeda maritima, growing on tidal flats. Cells of the strain were motile by means of a single polar flagellum and colonies were pigmented light brown. Strain YC6927(T) was able to grow at 15-37 °C (optimum at 28-30 °C) and at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum at pH 7.0-8.0). The strain was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0-9.0 % (w/v), with optimum growth at 0-5.0 % NaCl. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain was a member of the genus Labrenzia, exhibiting the highest similarity to Labrenzia marina mano18(T) (97.6 % sequence similarity). Strain YC6927(T) produced light-brown carotenoid pigments. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YC6927(T) and closely related strains was between 8.2±1.8 and 20.3±1.5 %. Strain YC6927(T) contained summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C14 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids, confirming the affiliation of the strain with the genus Labrenzia. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, an unknown aminolipid, an unknown phospholipid and five unknown lipids. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, physiological and biochemical characterization and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain YC6927(T) should be assigned to a novel species of the genus Labrenzia, for which the name Labrenzia suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6927(T) ( = KACC 13772(T) = DSM 22153(T)). An emended description of the genus Labrenzia is also proposed.

The Description and Analysis of the Complete Genome of Dermacoccus barathri FBCC-B549 Strain.

Dermacoccus barathri is the first reported pathogen within the Dermacoccus genus to cause a catheter-related bloodstream infection, which occurred in 2015. In this study, the complete genome assembly of Dermacoccus barathri was constructed, and the complete genome of Dermacoccus barathri FBCC-B549 consists of a single chromosome (3,137,745 bp) without plasmids. The constructed genome of D. barathri was compared with those of two closely related species within the Dermacoccus genus. D. barathri exhibited a pattern similar to Dermacoccus abyssi in terms of gene clusters and synteny analysis. Contrary to previous studies, biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) analysis for predicting secondary metabolites revealed the presence of the LAP biosynthesis pathway in the complete genome of D. barathri, predicting the potential synthesis of the secondary metabolite plantazolicin. Furthermore, an analysis to investigate the potential pathogenicity of D. barathri did not reveal any antibiotic resistance genes; however, nine virulence factors were identified in the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB). According to these matching results in the VFDB, despite identifying a few factors involved in biofilm formation, further research is required to determine the actual impact of D. barathri on pathogenicity. The complete genome of D. barathri is expected to serve as a valuable resource for future studies on D. barathri, which currently lack sufficient genomic sequence information.

Mucilaginibacter gynuensis sp. nov., isolated from rotten wood.

A Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain designated YC7003(T), was isolated from a piece of rotten wood collected at Jinju, Korea. The taxonomic position of the strain was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The strain was catalase- and oxidase-positive, grew at 4-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0). The major cellular fatty acids were C(16:1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH (summed feature 3), iso-C(15:0) and C(16 : 1)ω5c and the major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The total genomic DNA G+C content was 49.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YC7003(T) belonged to the genus Mucilaginibacter in the family Sphingobacteriaceae with 94.4-97.2% sequence similarities with type strains of species of the genus Mucilaginibacter. The most closely related species was Mucilaginibacter mallensis MP1X4(T) (97.2%). The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain YC7003(T) and M. mallensis MP1X4(T) was 21.7 ± 3.3%. Based on these data, strain YC7003(T) represents a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter gynuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC7003(T) ( =KACC 15532(T) =JCM 17705(T)).

Martelella endophytica sp. nov., an antifungal bacterium associated with a halophyte.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming endophytic bacterium, designated strain YC6887(T), was isolated from a root sample of a halophyte, Rosa rugosa, collected from a tidal flat area of Namhae Island, located at the southern end of Korea. Strain YC6887(T) was found to exhibit inhibitory activity against oomycete plant pathogens. The cells were non-motile and aerobic rods. The strain was able to grow at 4-40 °C (optimum 28-30 °C) and at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0-8.5). Strain YC6887(T) was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0-9 % (w/v) with optimum growth at 4-5 % (w/v) NaCl, but NaCl is not essential for growth. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain was a member of the genus Martelella, a member of order Rhizobiales, exhibiting highest similarity with Martelella mediterranea (98.6 %). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YC6887(T) and M. mediterranea MACL11(T) was 19.8 ± 6.8. Chemotaxonomically, strain YC6887(T) contained C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (28.0 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (17.9 %) as predominant fatty acids, confirming the affiliation of strain YC6887(T) with the genus Martelella. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the DNA G+C content was 62.1 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, physiological and biochemical characterization and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain YC6887(T) should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Martelella, for which the name Martelella endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6887(T) ( = KCCM 43011(T) = NBRC 109149(T)).

Mucilaginibacter jinjuensis sp. nov., with xylan-degrading activity.

A gram-negative, rod-shaped, pale-orange-pigmented bacterial strain with xylan-degrading activity designated YC7004(T) was isolated from a rotten-wood sample collected at Jinju, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew optimally on R2A medium at 30 °C and at pH 6. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK7 and major fatty acids were summed feature 3, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 1ω9c and C16 : 1ω5c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain belongs to the genus Mucilaginibacter in the family Sphingobacteriaceae. The most closely related species were Mucilaginibacter daejeonensis (95.5 %), Mucilaginibacter frigoritolerans (94.6 %) and Mucilaginibacter mallensis (94.0 %). Based on the phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data analyses, strain YC7004(T) represents a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter with the proposed name of Mucilaginibacter jinjuensis sp. nov. The type strain is YC7004(T) ( = KACC 16571(T) = NBRC 108856(T)).

Hoeflea suaedae sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from the root of the halophyte Suaeda maritima.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain YC6898(T), was isolated from the surface-sterilized root of a halophyte (Suaeda maritima) inhabiting tidal flat of Namhae Island, Korea. Strain YC6898(T) grew optimally at 30-37 °C and pH 6.5-7.5. The strain inhibited mycelial growth of Pythium ultimum and Phytophthora capsici. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YC6898(T) belongs to the genus Hoeflea in the family Phyllobacteriaceae. Its closest relatives were Hoeflea alexandrii AM1V30(T) (96.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Hoeflea anabaenae WH2K(T) (95.7%), Hoeflea phototrophica DFL-43(T) (95.5%) and Hoeflea marina LMG 128(T) (94.8%). Strain YC6898(T) contained Q-10 as the major ubiquinone. The major fatty acids of strain YC6898(T) were C18:1ω7c (61.1%), C16:0 (11.9%), 11-methyl C18:1ω7c (9.6%) and C19:0 cyclo ω8c (8.0%). The polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unknown lipids and an unknown glycolipid. The total genomic DNA G+C content was 53.7 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain YC6898(T) represents a novel species of the genus Hoeflea, for which the name Hoeflea suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6898(T) (=KACC 14911(T)=NBRC 107700(T)).

Amorphus suaedae sp. nov., isolated from the root of a tidal flat plant, Suaeda maritima.

A novel bacterial strain, YC6899(T), was isolated from the root of Suaedae maritima growing on a tidal flat of Namhae Island, Korea. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, slightly halophilic and heterotrophic. Strain YC6899(T) grew optimally at a salinity of 2-4 %, at 25-37 °C and at pH 6.5-8.0. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain YC6899(T) was closely related to Amorphus orientalis YIM D10(T) (96.1 % similarity) and Amorphus coralli RS.Sph.026(T) (95.9 %). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminolipids, an unknown aminophospholipid, an unknown aminoglycolipid, unknown glycolipids and unknown lipids. The major fatty acids of strain YC6899(T) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C18 : 1ω7c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.3 mol%. Strain YC6899(T) contained ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the major respiratory quinone system. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain YC6899(T) represents a novel species within the genus Amorphus, for which the name Amorphus suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6899(T) ( = KACC 14912(T) = NBRC 107845(T)).

Rhizobium halophytocola sp. nov., isolated from the root of a coastal dune plant.

During a study of endophytic bacteria from coastal dune plants, a bacterial strain, designated YC6881(T), was isolated from the root of Rosa rugosa collected from the coastal dune areas of Namhae Island, Korea. The bacterium was found to be Gram-staining-negative, motile, halophilic and heterotrophic with a single polar flagellum. Strain YC6881(T) grew at temperatures of 4-37 °C (optimum, 28-32 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0), and at NaCl concentrations in the range of 0-7.5% (w/v) (optimum, 4-5% NaCl). Strain YC6881(T) was catalase- and oxidase-positive and negative for nitrate reduction. According to phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain YC6881(T) belonged to the genus Rhizobium and showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.9% to Rhizobium rosettiformans, followed by Rhizobium borbori (96.3%), Rhizobium radiobacter (96.1%), Rhizobium daejeonense (95.9%), Rhizobium larrymoorei (95.6%) and Rhizobium giardinii (95.4%). Phylogenetic analysis of strain YC6881(T) by recA, atpD, glnII and 16S-23S intergenic spacer (IGS) sequences all confirmed the phylogenetic arrangements obtained by using 16S rRNA gene sequences. Cross-nodulation tests showed that strain YC6881(T) was a symbiotic bacterium that nodulated Vigna unguiculata and Pisum sativum. The major components of the cellular fatty acids were C(18:1)ω7c (53.7%), C(19:0) cyclo ω8c (12.6%) and C(12:0) (8.1%). The DNA G+C content was 52.8 mol%. Phenotypic and physiological tests with respect to carbon source utilization, antibiotic resistance, growth conditions, phylogenetic analyses of housekeeping genes recA, atpD and glnII, and fatty acid composition could be used to discriminate strain YC6881(T) from other species of the genus Rhizobium in the same sublineage. Based on the results obtained in this study, strain YC6881(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium halophytocola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6881(T) ( = KACC 13775(T) = DSM 21600(T)).

Chitinophaga oryziterrae sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

A novel bacterial strain, YC7001(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rice collected at Jinju, Korea, and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain YC7001(T) were Gram-negative-staining, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped, aerobic, heterotrophic and non-motile. Strain YC7001(T) grew optimally at 25-30 °C, pH 5.0-8.0 and degraded gelatin, cellulose and chitin. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YC7001(T) belonged to the genus Chitinophaga in the family Chitinophagaceae. The most closely related species were Chitinophaga sancti NBRC 15057(T) (96.9%), Chitinophaga ginsengisoli Gsoil 052(T) (95.9%), Chitinophaga pinensis DSM 2588(T) (95.7%), Chitinophaga filiformis IFO 15056(T) (95.7%) and Chitinophaga niabensis JS13-10(T) (95.0%). The DNA-DNA relatedness value of strain YC7001(T) with C. sancti NBRC 15057(T) was 15.2 ± 0.6%. Strain YC7001(T) contained MK-7 as the major menaquinone and homospermidine as the major polyamine. The major fatty acids of strain YC7001(T) were C(15:0) iso, C(16:1)ω5c and C(17:0) iso 3-OH. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminolipids and unknown lipids. The total genomic DNA G+C content was 41.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain YC7001(T) represents a novel species of the genus Chitinophaga, in the family Chitinophagaceae, for which the name Chitinophaga oryziterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC7001(T) ( = KACC 14533(T) = JCM 16595(T)).

Bacillus graminis sp. nov., an endophyte isolated from a coastal dune plant.

A Gram-stain-positive endophytic bacterium, designated strain YC6957(T), was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of a halophyte (Elymus mollis Trin.) inhabiting coastal tidal flats of Namhae Island, located on the southern coast of Korea, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells were facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming rods to coccoid rods, motile by a single flagellum. Strain YC6957(T) was catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and able to grow in the presence of 0-8 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 4-5 % (w/v) NaCl. Growth occurred at 15-45 °C (optimal growth at 30-35 °C) and pH 6.0-8.5 (optimal growth at pH 7.0-8.0). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 0) (11.3 %), iso-C(15 : 0) (19.2 %) and anteiso-C(15 : 0) (36.4 %). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was 41.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Bacillus. Strain YC6957(T) exhibited high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to its closest neighbours, Bacillus ruris LMG 22866(T) (96.14 %), Bacillus lentus NCIMB 8773(T) (95.97 %) and Bacillus galactosidilyticus LMG 17892(T) (95.91 %), and less than 95.84 % similarity to all other type strains in the genus Bacillus. On the basis of the phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical data, it is suggested that strain YC6957(T) represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus graminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6957(T) ( = KACC 13779(T)  = DSM 22162(T)).

Haloferula luteola sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from the root of a halophyte, Rosa rugosa, and emended description of the genus Haloferula.

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, endophytic bacterium, strain YC6886(T), was isolated from the root of a halophyte, Rosa rugosa, which inhabits coastal areas of Namhae Island off the southern coast of Korea. Cells were non-motile, obligately aerobic rods and formed pale-yellow colonies. The isolate grew at 4-32 °C (optimum 25-28 °C) and at pH 6.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.5) and grew optimally with 2-3 % (w/v) NaCl, but NaCl was not an absolute requirement for growth. Strain YC6886(T) produced yellow carotenoid pigments. Strain YC6886(T) exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Haloferula sargassicola MN1-1037(T) (97.4 %). Sequence similarities between strain YC6886(T) and other members of the genus Haloferula were 93.9-94.7 %. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YC6886(T) and H. sargassicola KCTC 22202(T) and Haloferula rosea KCTC 22201(T) was 27 and 15 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were iso-C(14 : 0), C(16 : 0) and C(16 : 1)ω9c and minor components were C(14 : 0), C(18 : 0) and anteiso-C(15 : 0). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 9 and the DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. The polar lipid profile was composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown phospholipid and an unknown phosphoglycolipid. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, DNA-DNA hybridization and phylogenetic analysis, strain YC6886(T) represents a novel species in the genus Haloferula, for which the name Haloferula luteola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6886(T) ( = KCTC 22447(T)  = DSM 21608(T)). An emended description of the genus Haloferula is also presented.

Nocardioides caricicola sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from a halophyte, Carex scabrifolia Steud.

A Gram-staining-positive, coccoid to rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain YC6903(T), was isolated from a halophytic plant (Carex scabrifolia Steud.) collected from sand dunes at Namhae Island, Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain YC6903(T) grew optimally at 30 °C and at pH 8.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YC6903(T) belongs to the genus Nocardioides in the family Nocardioidaceae. Strain YC6903(T) was related most closely to Nocardioides pyridinolyticus OS4(T) (97.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Nocardioides dokdonensis FR1436(T) (96.6 %), Nocardioides aquiterrae GW-9(T) (96.6 %) and Nocardioides hankookensis DS-30(T) (96.6 %). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained LL-diaminopimelic acid and MK-8(H(4)) was the major respiratory quinone. The mean (±SD) level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YC6903(T) and N. pyridinolyticus OS4(T) was 53.5±5.5 %. The predominant cellular fatty acid of strain YC6903(T) was iso-C(16 : 0) (28.9 %). The DNA G+C content was 71.7 mol%. Phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic data indicated that strain YC6903(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides caricicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6903(T) (=KACC 13778(T) =DSM 22177(T)).