Flagellatimonas centrodinii gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Nevskiaceae isolated from toxin-producing dinoflagellate Centrodinium punctatum.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped strain (R2A-3T) was isolated from the toxin-producing dinoflagellate Centrodinium punctatum and identified as a novel genus and new species based on a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The optimum conditions for growth of the strain were at 25 °C, pH 8.0 and in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes and 92 core genes sets revealed that strain R2A-3T belongs to the family Nevskiaceae in the class Gammaproteobacteria and represented an independent taxon separated from other genera. The 16S rRNA gene of strain R2A-3T showed the highest sequence similarity to Polycyclovorans algicola TG408T (95.2%), Fontimonas thermophila HA-01T (94.1%) and Sinimarinibacterium flocculans NH6-24T (93.2%), and less than 92.8 % similarity to other genera in the family Nevskiaceae. The genome length of strain R2A-3T was 3608892 bp with 65.2 mol% G+C content. Summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) was the major fatty acid (>10 %). Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine were detected as the major polar lipids. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. According to its phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic features, strain R2A-3T represents a new species in the new genus of the family Nevskiaceae. It is recommended to name it Flagellatimonas centrodinii gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is R2A-3T (=KCTC 82469T=GDMCC 1.2523T).

Zophobihabitans entericus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Orbaceae isolated from the gut of a superworm Zophobas morio.

A novel bacterial strain, designated IPMB12T, isolated from the gut of the superworm Zophobas morio in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, coccoid or rod-shaped and formed translucent colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 25-37 °C, pH 9-10, and with 0-2 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that strain IPMB12T is affiliated with genus in the the family Orbaceae in the class Gammaproteobacteria. Strain IPMB12T was most closely related to Gilliamella mensalis LMG 29880T with a 94.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain IPMB12T showed less than 71.6 % average nucleotide identity, less than 71.5 % average amino acid identity and less than 21.2 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization identity compared to the strains of related genera within the family Orbaceae. The major fatty acids of strain IPMB12T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 0 and C14 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one uncharacterized phosphoaminoglycolipid and one uncharacterized aminophospholipid. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. Genomic DNA G+C content of strain IPMB12T was 39.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain IPMB12T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Orbaceae, for which the name Zophobihabitans entericus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IPMB12T (=BCRC 80908T =LMG 32079T=KCTC 82347T=KACC 22323T).

Jinshanibacter allomyrinae sp. nov., isolated from larvae of Allomyrina dichotoma, proposal of Insectihabitans xujianqingii gen. nov., comb. nov. and emended descriptions of the genera Jinshanibacter, Limnobaculum and Pragia.

Taxonomic positions of four Gram-negative bacterial strains, which were isolated from larvae of two insects in Jeju, Republic of Korea, were determined by a polyphasic approach. Strains CWB-B4, CWB-B41 and CWB-B43 were recovered from larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, whereas strain BWR-B9T was from larvae of Allomyrina dichotoma. All the isolates grew at 10-37 °C, at pH 5.0-9.0 and in the presence of 4 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene phylogeny showed that the four isolates formed two distinct sublines within the order Enterobacteriales and closely associated with members of the genus Jinshanibacter. The first group represented by strain CWB-B4 formed a tight cluster with Jinshanibacter xujianqingii CF-1111T (99.3 % sequence similarity), whereas strain BWR-B9T was most closely related to Jinshanibacter zhutongyuii CF-458T (99.5 % sequence similarity). The 92 core gene analysis showed that the isolates belonged to the family Budviciaceae and supported the clustering shown in 16S rRNA gene phylogeny. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolates was 45.2 mol%. A combination of overall genomic relatedness and phenotypic distinctness supported that three isolates from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis are different strains of Jinshanibacter xujianqingii, whereas one isolate from Allomyrina dichotoma represents a new species of the genus Jinshanibacter. On the basis of results obtained here, Jinshanibacter allomyrinae sp. nov. (type strain BWR-B9T=KACC 22153T=NBRC 114879T) and Insectihabitans xujianqingii gen. nov., comb. nov. are proposed, with the emended descriptions of the genera Jinshanibacter, Limnobaculum and Pragia.

Sediminihaliea albiluteola gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Halieaceae, isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and facultatively aerobic bacterial strain, designated F7430T, was isolated from coastal sediment collected at Jingzi Wharf in Weihai, PR China. Cells of strain F7430T were 0.3-0.4 µm wide, 2.0-2.6 µm long, non-flagellated, non-motile and formed pale-beige colonies. Growth was observed at 4-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.0) and at NaCl concentrations of 1.0-10.0 % (w/v; optimum, 1.0 %). The sole respiratory quinone of strain F7430T was ubiquinone 8 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c / C18 : 1 ω6c; 60.7 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c; 30.2 %) and C15 : 0 iso (13.9 %). The polar lipids of strain F7430T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequences analyses indicated that this strain belonged to the family Halieaceae and had high sequence similarities to Parahaliea aestuarii JCM 51547T (95.3 %) and Halioglobus pacificus DSM 27932T (95.2 %) followed by 92.9-95.0 % sequence similarities to other type species within the aforementioned family. The rpoB gene sequences analyses indicated that the novel strain had the highest sequence similarities to Parahaliea aestuarii JCM 51547T (82.2 %) and Parahaliea mediterranea DSM 21924T (82.2 %) followed by 75.2-80.5 % sequence similarities to other type species within this family. Phylogenetic analyses showed that strain F7430T constituted a monophyletic branch clearly separated from the other genera of family Halieaceae. Whole-genome sequencing of strain F7430T revealed a 3.3 Mbp genome size with a DNA G+C content of 52.6 mol%. The genome encoded diverse metabolic pathways including the Entner-Doudoroff pathway, assimilatory sulphate reduction and biosynthesis of dTDP-l-rhamnose. Based on results from the current polyphasic study, strain F7430T is proposed to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Halieaceae, for which the name Sediminihaliea albiluteola gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is F7430T (=KCTC 72873T=MCCC 1H00420T).

Ostreibacterium oceani gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from oyster, and description of Ostreibacteriaceae fam. nov.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, non-gliding, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative bacterium, designated ML27T, was isolated from oyster homogenate in Rushan, Weihai, PR China. Growth occurred at 20-33 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 7.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.0) and in the presence of 1-6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain ML27T was 90.7 % similar to Suttonella ornithocola DSM 18249T, 89.2 % to Suttonella indologenes JCM 1478T and 88.2 % to Cardiobacterium hominis DSM 8339T; similarities to other species were less than 90 %. The average amino acid identity between strain ML27T, S. indologenes JCM 1478T, S. ornithocola DSM 18249T, C. hominis DSM 8339T and Dichelobacter nodosus ATCC 25549T were 46.23, 45.86, 45.54 and 45.84 %, respectively. Phylogenomic tree and phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a novel family-level clade in the order Cardiobacteriales. The sole respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-7 (Q-7). The dominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c; 46.3 %), C16 : 0 (17.8 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c; 13.5 %). The DNA G+C content of strain ML27T was 45.6 mol%. Polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified lipid. Comparative analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences, genomic distinctiveness and characterization indicated that strain ML27T represents a novel species of a new genus within a novel family of the order Cardiobacteriales, for which the name Ostreibacterium oceani gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Ostreibacterium oceani is ML27T (=MCCC 1H00372T=KCTC 72155T). In addition, a novel family, Ostreibacteriaceae fam. nov., is proposed to accommodate the genus Ostreibacterium.

Protein biomarker elucidation for the verification of biological agents in the taxonomic group of Gammaproteobacteria using tandem mass spectrometry.

Some pathogenic microbes can be used for nefarious applications and instigate population-based fear. In a bio-threat scenario, rapid and accurate methods to detect biological agents in a wide range of complex environmental and clinical matrices, is of paramount importance for the implementation of mitigation protocols and medical countermeasures. This study describes targeted and shot-gun tandem MS based approaches for the verification of biological agents from the environmental samples. The marker proteins and peptides were elucidated by an exhaustive literature mining, in silico analysis of prioritized proteins, and MS/MS analysis of abundant proteins from selected bacterial species. For the shot-gun methodology, tandem MS analysis of abundant peptides was carried from spiked samples. The validation experiments employing a combination of shot-gun tandem MS analysis and a targeted search reported here is a proof of concept to show the applicability of the methodology for the unambiguous verification of biological agents at sub-species level, even with limited fractionation of crude protein extracts from environmental samples.

Ferrimonas lipolytica sp. nov., a facultatively anaerobic bacterium isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, facultatively anaerobic rod-shaped bacterium with a polar flagellum, designated strain S7T was isolated from seawater sample collected at Uljin marina, in the East Sea of the Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain S7T was affiliated with members of genus Ferrimonas, showing the highest sequence similarities to the type strains Ferrimonas senticii P2S11T (95.7 %), Ferrimonas balearica PATT (95.7 %) and Ferrimonas pelagia CBA4601T (95.1 %). The genome was 4.13 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 49.4 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between S7T and F. senticii P2S11T and F. balearica PATT yielded ANI values of 71.9 and 70.7 %, and dDDH values of 15.1 and 13.9 %, respectively. The genome of S7T was predicted to encode triacylglycerol lipase, phospholipase A1/A2 and lysophospholipase as well as esterase involved in lipolytic processes. Growth was observed at 8-31 °C (optimum 27 °C), at pH 7-9 (optimum pH 7), and with 1-6 % NaCl (optimum 2 %). The respiratory quinones were MK-7 and Q-7 and the major fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω9c, C17 : 1ω8c, and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids, and three unidentified lipids. On the basis of the results of this polyphasic analysis, it was determined that the strain represents a novel species of the genus Ferrimonas, for which the name Ferrimonas lipolytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S7T (=KCTC 72490T=JCM 33793T).

Kineobactrum salinum sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

Strain M2T, isolated from marine sediment collected at Jeju Island, was an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, motile, rod-shaped bacterium that formed circular, raised, yellow colonies. Strain M2T grew at 15-42 °C, pH 5.5-9.0 and with 1-9 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain M2T was closely related to Kineobactrum sediminis F02T (98.0 % sequence similarity). Ubiquinone-8 was determined to be the sole respiratory quinone. Summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c/C16 : 1 ω7c) and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c) were identified as the predominant fatty acids. The DNA G+C content and digital DNA-DNA relatedness between strain M2T and K. sediminis F02T were 60.7 mol% and 19.5 %, respectively. Phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine were identified as the major polar lipids. Thus, polyphasic characterization revealed that strain M2T represents a novel species in the genus Kineobactrum, for which the name Kineobactrum salinum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M2T (=KCTC 72815T=VTCC 910108T).

Aliikangiella coralliicola sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from coral Porites lutea, and proposal of Pleioneaceae fam. nov. to accommodate Pleionea and Aliikangiella.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, non-endospore-forming, motile, and aerobic bacterial strain, M105T, was isolated from coral Porites lutea, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Global alignment based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that M105T shares the highest sequence identity of 94.5 % with Aliikangiella marina GYP-15T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and average amino acid identity (AAI) between M105T and A. marina GYP-15T was 69.8 and 71.6 %, respectively. On the basis of the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic, phylogenomic, and comparative genomic analyses, it is concluded that M105T should represent a novel species in the genus Aliikangiella, for which the name Aliikangiella coralliicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M105T (=MCCC 1K03773T= KCTC 72442T). Furthermore, the family Kangiellaceae was classified into two families on the basis of phylogenetic, phylogenomic, polar lipid profile and motility variations. The novel family Pleioneaceae fam. nov. is proposed to accommodate the genera Aliikangiella and Pleionea.

Ferrimonas sediminicola sp. nov. and Ferrimonas aestuarii sp. nov., Fe(III)-reducing bacteria isolated from marine environments.

Two Gram-stain-negative, Fe(III)-reducing, facultatively anaerobic, motile via a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated IMCC35001T and IMCC35002T, were isolated from tidal flat sediment and seawater, respectively. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that IMCC35001T and IMCC35002T shared 96.6 % sequence similarity and were most closely related to Ferrimonas futtsuensis FUT3661T (98.6 %) and Ferrimonas kyonanensis Asr22-7T (96.8 %), respectively. Draft genome sequences of IMCC35001T and IMCC35002T revealed 4.0 and 4.8 Mbp of genome size with 61.0 and 51.8 mol% of DNA G+C content, respectively. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains were 73.1 and 19.8 %, respectively, indicating that they are separate species. The two genomes showed ≤84.4 % ANI and ≤27.8 % dDDH to other species of the genus Ferrimonas, suggesting that the two strains each represent novel species. The two strains contained both menaquinone (MK-7) and ubiquinones (Q-7 and Q-8). Major fatty acids of strain IMCC35001T were iso-C15 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c, C17 : 1 ω8c and C16 : 0 and those of strain IMCC35002 T were C18 : 1 ω9c, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c). Major polar lipids in both strains were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipid, unidentified aminophospholipid and unidentified lipids. The two strains reduced Fe(III) citrate, Fe(III) oxyhydroxide, Mn(IV) oxide and sodium selenate but did not reduce sodium sulfate. They were also differentiated by several phenotypic characteristics. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, IMCC35001T and IMCC35002T were considered to represent each novel species in the genus Ferrimonas, for which the names Ferrimonas sediminicola sp. nov. (IMCC35001T=KACC 21161T=NBRC 113699T) and Ferrimonas aestuarii (IMCC35002T=KACC 21162T=NBRC 113700T) sp. nov. are proposed.

Wenzhouxiangella limi sp. nov., isolated from a salt lake.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, gliding and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated strain C33T, was isolated from Yuncheng Salt Lake, Shanxi, PR China. Strain C33T grows optimally at 37 °C, pH 7.5 and 5.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells of strain C33T are 0.3-0.5 µm wide and 1.0-2.0 µm long, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. The major cellular fatty acids are iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The sole respiratory quinone is Q-8. The major polar lipids include phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified glycolipid and four unidentified lipids. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicate that strain C33T has the highest similarities to Wenzhouxiangella marina KCTC 42284T (97.4 %), Wenzhouxiangella sediminis XDB06T (96.5 %) and 'Wenzhouxiangella salilacus' MCCC 1K03442T (95.2 %). The percentage of conserved proteins and average amino acid identity values between strain C33T and its close related species are higher than the threshold for dividing genera, the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values are well below the threshold limits for species delineation. The genomic DNA G+C content is 63.7 mol%. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain C33T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Wenzhouxiangella, for which the name Wenzhouxiangella limi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C33T (=MCCC 1H00413T=KCTC 72874T).

Steel slag amendment impacts on soil microbial communities and activities of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

With the increase in iron/steel production, the higher volume of by-products (slag) generated necessitates its efficient recycling. Because the Linz-Donawitz (LD) slag is rich in silicon (Si) and other fertilizer components, we aim to evaluate the impact of the LD slag amendment on soil quality (by measuring soil physicochemical and biological properties), plant nutrient uptake, and strengthens correlations between nutrient uptake and soil bacterial communities. We used 16 S rRNA illumine sequencing to study soil bacterial community and APIZYM assay to study soil enzymes involved in C, N, and P cycling. The LD slag was applied at 2 Mg ha-1 to Japonica and Indica rice cultivated under flooded conditions. The LD slag amendment significantly improved soil pH, plant photosynthesis, soil nutrient availability, and the crop yield, irrespective of cultivars. It significantly increased N, P, and Si uptake of rice straw. The slag amendment enhanced soil microbial biomass, soil enzyme activities and enriched certain bacterial taxa featuring copiotrophic lifestyles and having the potential role for ecosystem services provided to the benefit of the plant. The study evidenced that the short-term LD slag amendment in rice cropping systems is useful to improve soil physicochemical and biological status, and the crop yield.

Characterization of six clinical isolates of Chimaeribacter gen. nov., a novel genus related to the Yersiniaceae family and the three species Chimaeribacter arupi sp. nov., Chimaeribacter coloradensis sp. nov, and Chimaeribacter californicus sp. nov.

Eight genetically related, Gram-negative bacterial strains, isolated from clinical specimens between 2012 and 2016, were submitted to arup Laboratories for species identification. The lack of species- or genus-level matches in curated 16S rRNA gene databases prompted us to undertake the polyphasic characterization of these so far undescribed organisms. Six isolates available for additional testing were oxidase negative, catalase positive, pleomorphic, Gram-negative rods displaying temperature-dependent motility and producing yellow-pigmented colonies with three distinct morphotypes: medium-sized shiny, large mucoid and agar-pitting. Biochemical reactions and sugar fermentation patterns were most similar to members of the genus Serratia. Fatty acid profiles were highly similar across all six organisms, with the major components being: C16 : 0; C17 : 0 cyclo; C14 : 0 3-OH/iso-C16 : 1 I; C18 : 1 ω7c; and C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c. Whole-genome comparisons and multi locus sequence analysis (using the coding genes atpD, rpoB, gyrB and infB) suggest that the strains here described constitute three individual species within a novel genus related to the family Yersiniaceae. We propose for this novel taxon the name Chimaeribacter gen. nov., referring to the presentation of multiple characteristics typical of distinct Enterobacterales genera within a single organism. Four isolates are representative of a single species: Chimaeribacter arupi sp. nov (2016-Iso1, 2016-Iso2, type strain 2016-Iso3T=DSM 110101T=ATCC TSD-180T and 2013-Iso5). The remaining two isolates constitute the novel species Chimaeribacter coloradensis sp. nov. (type strain 2016-Iso4T=DSM 110102T=ATCC TSD-182T) and Chimaeribacter californicus sp. nov. (type strain 2015-Iso6T=DSM 110100T=ATCC TSD-181T). Our work provides the first formal characterization of the genus Chimaeribacter and forms the basis to study its taxonomic diversity.

Bulbimidazoles A-C, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Alkanoyl Imidazoles from a Marine Gammaproteobacterium Microbulbifer Species.

Three new alkanoyl imidazoles, designated bulbimidazoles A-C (1-3), were found from the culture extract of the gammaproteobacterium Microbulbifer sp. DC3-6 isolated from a stony coral of the genus Tubastraea. The absolute configuration of the anteiso-methyl substitution in 1 was established to be a mixture of (R)- and (S)-configurations in a ratio of 9:91 by applying the Ohrui-Akasaka method. Compounds 1-3 displayed unique broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and -negative bacteria and fungi with MICs ranging from 0.78 to 12.5 µg/mL. They also exhibited cytotoxicity toward P388 murine leukemia cells with IC50 in the micromolar range.

Some Gammaproteobacteria are enriched within CD14+ macrophages from intestinal lamina propria of Crohn's disease patients versus mucus.

Crohn's disease causes chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and its pathogenesis remains unclear. In the intestine of Crohn's disease patients, CD14+CD11+CD163low macrophages contribute to inflammation through the induction of Th17 cells and production of inflammatory cytokines; the CD14+CD11c+163high fraction is anti-inflammatory through the production of IL-10 in normal cases. In this report, the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing method was used to identify bacteria that are specifically present in intestinal CD14+CD11c+ macrophages of Crohn's disease patients. Bacteria present in intestinal CD14+CD11c+ macrophages and mucus of Crohn's disease patients were separated into different clusters in principal coordinates analysis. There was a statistically significant increase in the relative composition of CD14+CD11c+ macrophages from mucus in two phyla (Proteobacteria [p = 0.01] and Actinobacteria [p = 0.02]) and two families (Moraxellaceae [p < 0.001] and Pseudomonadaceae [p = 0.01]). In addition, OTU-1: Acinetobacter and OTU-8: Pseudomonadaceae tended to concentrate in the CD14+CD11c+CD163low subset, whereas OTU-10: Proteus, OTU-15: Collinsella tended to concentrate more in the CD14+CD11c+CD163high subset than the other subset and mucus.

Halioglobus maricola sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, non-flagellated, chemoheterotrophic bacterium, designated IMCC14385T, was isolated from surface seawater of the East Sea, Republic of Korea. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that IMCC14385T represented a member of the genus Halioglobus sharing 94.6-97.8 % similarities with species of the genus. Whole-genome sequencing of IMCC14385T revealed a genome size of 4.3 Mbp and DNA G+C content of 56.7 mol%. The genome of IMCC14385T shared an average nucleotide identity of 76.6 % and digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 21.6 % with the genome of Halioglobus japonicus KCTC 23429T. The genome encoded the complete poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate biosynthesis pathway. The strain contained summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) and C17 : 1 ω8c as the predominant cellular fatty acids as well as ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the respiratory quinone. The polar lipids detected in the strain were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, five unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid and four unidentified lipids. On the basis of taxonomic data obtained in this study, it is suggested that IMCC14385T represents a novel species of the genus Halioglobus, for which the name Halioglobus maricola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMCC14385T (=KCTC 72520T=NBRC 114072T).

Parahaliea maris sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater and emended description of the genus Parahaliea.

A Gram-stain-negative strictly aerobic, short-rod-shaped, and non-motile bacterial strain designated HSLHS9T was isolated from surface seawater collected from the South China Sea. Strain HSLHS9T could grow at 15-41°C (optimum 28°C), at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum 6.0-7.0), and in 0-7% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-3%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HSLHS9T shared high identities with the closely related Parahaliea aestuarii S2-26T (98.6%) and Parahaliea mediterranea 7SM29T (97.8%) and formed a distinct lineage within the genus Parahaliea. Wholegenome sequencing of strain HSLHS9T revealed the size of 4.8 Mbp and DNA G + C content of 61.8 mol%. Strain HSLHS9T shared the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of 22.4% and 23.0%, and the average nucleotide identities of 79.7% and 79.9%, respectively, with the two type strains above. The predominant cellular fatty acids of the strain were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω6c and/or C18:1ω7c), summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c), C17:1ω8c, and C16:0. The sole isoprenoid quinone was identified as Q-8. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, aminolipid, and two glycolipids. Based on taxonomic data obtained in this study, it is suggested that strain HSLHS9T represents a novel species of the genus Parahaliea, for which the name Parahaliea maris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HSLHS9T (= MCCC 1A06717T = KCTC 52307T). An emended description of the genus Parahaliea is also provided.

The responses of cadmium phytotoxicity in rice and the microbial community in contaminated paddy soils for the application of different long-term N fertilizers.

An eight-year field trial was conducted to investigate the effects of four different N fertilization treatments of urea (CO(NH2)2, the control), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), and ammonium hydrogen phosphate [(NH4)2HPO4]) on cadmium (Cd) phytotoxicity in rice and soil microbial communities in a Cd-contaminated paddy of southern China. The results demonstrate that the different N treatments exerted different effects: the application of (NH4)2HPO4 and (NH4)2SO4 significantly increased rice grain yield and decreased soil-extractable Cd content when compared with those of the control, while NH4Cl had a converse effect. Expression of genes related to Cd uptake (IRT and NRAPM genes) and transport (HMA genes) by roots may be responsible for Cd phytotoxicity in rice grown in the different N fertilization treatments. Our results further demonstrate that N fertilization had stronger effects on soil bacterial communities than fungal communities. The bacterial and fungal keystone species were identified by phylogenetic molecular ecological network (pMEN) analysis and mainly fell into the categories of Gammaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria for the bacterial species and Ascomycota for the fungal species; all of these keystone species were highly enriched in the (NH4)2HPO4 treatment. Soil pH and soil available-Cd content emerged as the major determinants of microbial network connectors. These results could provide effective fertilizing strategies for alleviating Cd phytotoxicity in rice and enhance the understanding of its underlying microbial mechanisms.

Mixta tenebrionis sp. nov., isolated from the gut of the plastic-eating mealworm Tenebrio molitor L.

A bacterial strain, BIT-26T, was isolated from the gut of plastic-eating mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. The taxonomic position of this new isolate was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile rods with peritrichous flagella. The 16S rRNA gene sequence (1412 bp) of strain BIT-26T showed the highest similarity (97.4 %) to Erwinia piriflorinigrans CFBP 5888T, followed by Citrobacter sedlakii NBRC 105722T (97.3 %), Mixta calida LMG 25383T (97.3 %), Cronobacter muytjensii ATCC 51329T (97.2 %) and Mixta theicola QC88-366 T (97.2 %). The results of phylogenetic analyses, based on the 16S rRNA gene and concatenated sequences of four housekeeping genes (atpD, gyrB, infB and rpoB), placed strain BIT-26T within the genus Mixta of the family Erwiniaceae. This affiliation was also supported by the chemotaxonomic data. Strain BIT-26T had similar predominant fatty acids, including C12 : 0, C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, to species of the genus Mixta. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity calculations plus physiological and biochemical tests allowed the genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain BIT-26T from other species of the genus Mixta with validly published names. Therefore, strain BIT-26T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Mixta tenebrionis sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is BIT-26T (=CGMCC 1.17041T=KCTC 72449T).

Phytobacter palmae sp. nov., a novel endophytic, N2 fixing, plant growth promoting Gammaproteobacterium isolated from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.).

A novel strain S29T with high nitrogen fixing ability was isolated from surface-sterilized leaf tissues of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) growing in Science Park II, Singapore. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene analysis and multilocus sequence typing with the rpoB, gyrB, infB and atpD genes, strain S29T was a member of the genus Phytobacter, with Phytobacter ursingii ATCC 27989T and Phytobacter diazotrophicus LS 8T as its closest relatives. Unique biochemical features that differentiated strain S29T from its closest relatives were the ability to utilize melibiose, α-cyclodextrin, glycogen, adonital, d-arabitol, m-inositol and xylitol. The major fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 0, C16 : 1 ω5c and summed feature 2 containing C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c. The polar fatty acid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid and aminolipids. The draft genome of strain S29T comprised 5, 284, 330 bp with a G + C content of 52.6 %. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain S29T and the phylogenetically related Enterobacterales species were lower than 95 % and 70 %, respectively. Thus, the polyphasic evidences generated through the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic methods confirmed that strain S29T represents a novel species of the genus Phytobacter, for which we propose the name Phytobacter palmae sp. nov. with the type strain of S29T (=DSM 27342T=KACC 17598T).