Description of Azoarcus nasutitermitis sp. nov. and Azoarcus rhizosphaerae sp. nov., two nitrogen-fixing species isolated from termite nest and rhizosphere of Ficus religiosa.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterise two presumably novel bacteria, designated strains CC-YHH838T and CC-YHH848T isolated from termite nest and rhizosphere of Ficus religiosa, respectively. These two nitrogen-fixing strains were observed to be Gram-staining-negative, aerobic rod, and colonies were yellowish in color. Growth of strains was observed at 20-37 °C, pH 7-8, and in the presence of 1-2% NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-YHH838T and CC-YHH848T associated with Thauera hydrothermalis (97.1% sequence identity), and formed a separate branch with Azoarcus indigens (95.4%), Aromatoleum aromaticum (96.2%), and lower sequence similarity to other species. The calculation of OrthoANI values pointed out strains CC-YHH838T and CC-YHH848T gave 78.9% and 79.8% compared to Thauera hydrothermalis, respectively. The major fatty acids (> 5%) were C16:0, C17:0 cyclo, C10:0 3-OH, C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c and C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c. The polar lipid profile comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified aminophospholipid and phospholipids; the predominant polyamines were putrescine and spermidine. The predominant respiratory system was ubiquinone (Q-8) and the DNA G + C contents were 61.4 ± 0.1 mol% and 60.2 ± 1.3 mol%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic and polyphasic comparisons, strains CC-YHH838T and CC-YHH848T are proposed to represent two novel species within the genus Azoarcus in the family Rhodocyclaceae, for which the name Azoarcus nasutitermitis sp. nov. (type strain CC-YHH838T = BCRC 81059T = JCM 32001T) and Azoarcus rhizosphaerae sp. nov. (type strain CC-YHH848T = BCRC 81060T = JCM 32002T) were proposed.

Description of Gemmobacter aestuarii sp. nov., isolated from estuarine surface water and reclassification of Cereibacter changlensis as Gemmobacter changlensis Chen et al. 2013.

A Gram-stain-negative, tyrosine-metabolizing, non-motile, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped marine bacterium, designated strain CC-PW-75T, was isolated from the estuarine water off Pintung, Taiwan. Strain CC-PW-75T formed a distinct phyletic lineage associated with Gemmobacter species, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with G. megaterium CF17T and G. straminiformis CAM-8T (96.0% each) followed by G. aquatilis IFAM 1031T and G. nectariphilus AST4T (95.8% each). Analysis of the draft genome (3.76 Mbp) revealed the presence of genes encoding light-harvesting complexes, photosynthetic reaction centers and proteins involved in the metabolism of CO, CO2, HCO3‒ and H2S. However, bacteriochlorophyll a was not detected. Average nucleotide identity values between the genome sequence of CC-PW-75T and the related Gemmobacter species (n = 6) were estimated to be 72.8-76.3%. Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid in major amounts, and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid in minor amounts. C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c, C18:0 and C18:1ω7c 11-methyl were identified to be major fatty acids. The DNA G + C content was 66.2 mol% (draft genome sequence). Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic evidence, CC-PW-75T is most likely a novel species of the genus Gemmobacter, affiliated to the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Gemmobacter aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-PW-75T (= JCM 19754T = BCRC 80759T). Also, we propose the reclassification of Cereibacter changlensis as Gemmobacter changlensis Chen et al. 2013 using the polyphasic data presented in this study.

Castellaniella fermenti sp. nov., isolated from a fermented meal.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a presumably novel bacterium, designated strain CC-YTH191T, isolated from a fermented meal in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-YTH191T were Gram-stain-negative aerobic rods, which grew at 15-40 °C (optimal 25-30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimal 7.0) and 1-2 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 1 %). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-YTH191T appeared to belong to the genus Castellaniella, and was closely related to Castellaniella hirudinis (96.7 % similarity), Castellaniella ginsengisoli (96.7 %) and Castellaniella caeni (96.0 %), while with other related species it shared <96.0 % similarity. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolate were C16 : 0, C17 : 0cyclo, C14 : 0 3OH/C16 : 1iso I and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. The polar lipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, three unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified aminophospholpid. Putrescine was the predominant polyamine followed by spermidine. The DNA G+C content was 62.2 mol% and the predominant quinone system was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). All these features confirmed the placement of the strain CC-YTH191T as a novel species within the genus Castellaniella, for which the name Castellaniella fermenti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YTH191T (=BCRC 81023T=JCM 31755T).

Sphingomonas colocasiae sp. nov., isolated from taro (Colocasia esculanta).

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (designed as strain CC-MHH0539T) isolated from the chopped tuber of taro (Colocasia esculanta) in Taiwan. Strain CC-MHH0539T was able to grow at 15-30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, 7.0) and with 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain CC-MHH0539T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingomonas laterariae LNB2T (96.8 %), Sphingobium boeckii 469T (96.5 %), Sphingomonas faucium E62-3T (96.4 %) and Sphingosinicella vermicomposti YC7378T (96.2 %) and <96.1 % similarity to other sphingomonads. Strain CC-MHH0539T was found to cluster mainly with the clade that accommodated members of the genus Sphingomonas. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c, C14 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, two sphingoglycolipids and two unidentified phospholipids were detected in strain CC-MHH0539T. The DNA G+C content was 69.5 mol%. The respiratory quinone system and predominant polyamine was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10) and sym-homospermidine, respectively, which is in line with Sphingomonas representatives. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits, strain CC-MHH0539T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas colocasiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-MHH0539T (=BCRC 80933T=JCM 31229T).

Hydrogenophaga aquatica sp. nov., isolated from a hot spring.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize an aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (designated strain CC-KL-3T) isolated from a hot spring. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes indicated that strain CC-KL-3T showed highest sequence similarity to Hydrogenophaga bisanensis (97.7 %) and Hydrogenophaga atypica (97.6 %) and lower sequence similarity to other species (less than 97.6 %). The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain CC-KL-3T, H. bisanensis and H. atypica were estimated to be 13.0 and 8.7 % (the reciprocal value was 14.7 and 6.3 %). Strain CC-KL-3T was non-motile, without apparent flagella and able to grow between 15-42 °C (optimal 30 °Ð¡), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimal 7.0) and 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 0 %). The DNA G+C content was 61.4 mol% and the major quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-8). The polyamine profile revealed the predominance of 2-hydroxyputrescine and putrescine and the dominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 (28.9 %), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c (41.4 %) and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (11.9 %). These data corroborated the affiliation of strain CC-KL-3T to the genus Hydrogenophaga. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits, and the results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-KL-3T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Hydrogenophaga, affiliated to the family Comamonadaceae, for which the name Hydrogenophaga aquatica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-KL-3T (=BCRC 80937T=JCM 31216T).

Filimonas aquilariae sp. nov., isolated from agarwood chips.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a Gram-staining negative bacterium (designated strain CC-YHH650T) isolated from agarwood chips. Strain CC-YHH650T was aerobic and rod-shaped, able to grow at 15-37 °C (optimal 30 °Ð¡), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimal 7.0) and 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA genes revealed that strain CC-YHH650T shared highest sequence similarities with Filimonas lacunae (97.5 %), F. zeae (97.4 %), F. endophytica (97.3 %) and F. aurantiibacter (93.0 %), and lower sequence similarity with other genera (less than 93.0 %). The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain CC-YTH209T, F. lacunae, F. endophytica and F. zeae were estimated to be 18.3, 6.1, 24.7 % (the reciprocal values were 9.8, 8.8, 18.3 %). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminophospholipids, three unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 46.6 mol% and the predominant quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The major polyamine was sym-homospermidine. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-YHH650T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Filimonas, for which the name Filimonas aquilariae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YHH650T (=BCRC 80935T=JCM 31197T).

Olivibacter composti sp. nov., isolated from compost collected at a greenhouse.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a presumably novel bacterium, designated strain CC-KYC063T, isolated from a compost sample collected at a greenhouse facility within Taiwan. Strain CC-KYC063T was Gram-stain-negative and aerobic, able to grow at 15-37 °C (optimal 30 °C), at pH 7.0-9.0 (optimal pH 7.0) and with 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CC-KYC063T showed highest similarity to Olivibacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 060T (96.2 %) and Olivibacter terrae Jip13T (95.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 43.0 mol% and the predominant quinone system was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The polyamine pattern showed a predominance of sym-homospermidine. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-KYC063T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-KYC063T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Olivibacter, for which the name Olivibacter composti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-KYC063T (=BCRC 80939T=JCM 31198T).

Ruficoccus amylovorans gen. nov., sp. nov., an amylolytic and nitrate-reducing diazotroph of the family Puniceicoccaceae.

A novel amylolytic, nitrate-reducing and diazotrophic bacterium, designated strain CC-MHH0563T, isolated from a fermenter was assessed for its taxonomic status using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain CC-MHH0563T were Gram-staining-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, mesophilic and aerobic cocci, which produced reddish nondiffusible pigments. Growth was observed at 15-37 °C (optimal 25 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimal pH 7.0) and salinity of 0-3 % (w/v). Strain CC-MHH0563T showed highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to members of the genera Cerasicoccus(89.3-89.5 %), Coraliomargarita (87.8 %), Pelagicoccus(85.8-86.4 %) and Puniceicoccus (87.9 %), and established a discrete taxonomic lineage during phylogenetic analysis. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-MHH0563T were C14 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 0, C18 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unknown aminolipids and two unknown aminophospholipids. The polyamine pattern showed a predominance of spermidine and a minor amount of cadaverine. The DNA G+C content was 57.4 mol% and the predominant quinone system was menaquinone-7. The low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values (<90.0 %) and a distinct phylogenetic clustering clearly distinguished strain CC-MHH0563T from other representatives of the family Puniceicoccaceae. Based on the discrete phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with the results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-MHH0563T is considered to represent a novel genus and species of the family Puniceicoccaceae, for which the name Ruficoccus amylovorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is CC-MHH0563T (=BCRC 80918T=JCM 31066T).

Humibacter aquilariae sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from an agarwood chip.

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a presumably novel bacterium, designated strain CC-YTH161T, isolated from an agarwood sample. Cells of strain CC-YTH161T were Gram-stain-positive aerobic rods, which grew at 20-40 °C, at pH 5.0-9.0 and with 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-YTH161T appeared to belong to the genus Humibacter, and was closely related to Humibacter antri D7-27T (96.6 % similarity) and Humibacter ginsengiterrae DCY60T (96.2 %). The DNA G+C content was 67.0 mol% and the predominant quinone system was menaquinones (MK) 11 and 12. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolate were C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. The polar lipid profile comprised predominant amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol followed by two unidentified co-migrating glycolipids and phosphatidylglycerol in significant amounts. The diagnostic diamino acid was 2,4-diaminobutyric acid. All these features confirmed the placement of strain CC-YTH161T within the genus Humibacter. On the basis of evidence from this study, strain CC-YTH161T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Humibacter, for which the name Humibacter aquilariae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YTH161T (=BCRC 80936T=JCM 31199T).

Oryzomicrobium terrae gen. nov., sp. nov., of the family Rhodocyclaceae isolated from paddy soil.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a novel bacterium, designated strain TPP412T, isolated from a paddy soil in Taiwan. Strain TPP412T was Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped, motile with a single polar flagellum and lacked bacteriochlorophyll. Growth was observed at 24-45 °C (optimal 25 °C), at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimal pH 7.0) and with 0-0.75 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain TPP412T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to members of the genera Rhodocyclus (94.1-94.5 %), Azospira (93.9-94.5 %) and Propionivibrio (93.4-94.4 %) and established a discrete taxonomic lineage in phylogenetic analysis. The major fatty acids found in strain TPP412T were C12 : 0, C12 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified lipid. The polyamine pattern showed a predominance of putrescine and a minor amount of spermidine. The DNA G+C content was 58.4 mol% and the predominant quinone system was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values (≤94.5%) and distinct phylogenetic clustering clearly distinguished strain TPP412T from other representatives of the family Rhodocyclaceae. Based on the discrete phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain TPP412T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodocyclaceae, for which the name Oryzomicrobium terrae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Oryzomicrobium terrae is TPP412T (=BCRC 80905T=JCM 30814T).

Idiomarina tyrosinivorans sp. nov., isolated from estuarine surface water.

A tyrosine-metabolizing, Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, curved-rod-shaped, motile (due to monopolar flagellum) marine bacterium, designated strain CC-PW-9T, was isolated from estuarine water off Pingtung, Taiwan. Strain CC-PW-9T not only shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Idiomarina representatives (96.4-93.4 %, n=26), but also formed a distinct phyletic lineage and coherent phylogenetic cluster associated with those species. Cells of strain CC-PW-9T grew with 6-12 % (w/v) NaCl, at 20-40 °C and at pH 6-9. It produced predominant amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, plus diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, two unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid, two unidentified lipids and an unidentified aminolipid in moderate to trace amounts. Fatty acids such as iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 010-methyl (summed feature 9) were found in major amounts. The DNA G+C content was 51.1 mol%. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on evidence from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain CC-PW-9T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Idiomarina, affiliated to the family Idiomarinaceae, for which the name Idiomarina tyrosinivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-PW-9T (=JCM 19757T=BCRC 80745T).

Sphingobacterium cibi sp. nov., isolated from the food-waste compost and emended descriptions of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum (Holmes et al. 1982) Yabuuchi et al. 1983 and Sphingobacteriumthermophilum Yabe et al. 2013.

A novel, pale yellow-coloured, Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated as strain CC-YY411T, was isolated from the food-waste compost and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-YY411T exhibited the highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium thermophilum JCM 17858T (94.6 %) while sharing 94.1 to 89.7 % similarities with other Sphingobacterium species. Novel strain established a discrete phylogenetic lineage within the clade that accommodated validly established members of the genus Sphingobacterium. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-YY411T contained major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and two unidentified aminolipids besides accommodating trace amounts of a sphingolipid, two phospholipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain CC-YY411T was 34.5 mol%. The major and minor respiratory quinones were MK-7 (89.1 %) and MK-6 (10.9 %), respectively. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (24.0 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (11.9 %), iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (6.9 %), C15 : 1ω5c (5.5 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) (32.0 %). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-YY411T represents a novel species of Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumcibi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YY411T (=BCRC 80430T=JCM 18407T). Amended species descriptions of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum(Holmes et al. 1982) Yabuuchi et al. 1983 and Sphingobacterium thermophilum Yabe et al. 2013 are also proposed based on new data obtained in this study.

Actibacterium ureilyticum sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a novel marine bacterial strain, designated LS-811T, isolated from seawater of the South China Sea (Taiwan). Cells of strain LS-811Twere Gram-staining negative, aerobic and rod-shaped with polar flagella. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain LS-811T showed highest sequence similarity to Actibacterium mucosum (96.5 %) and Actibacterium atlanticum (95.6 %), and lower sequence similarity (<96.0 %) to members of all other related genera. Strain LS-811Twas able to grow at 15-40 °C and pH 5.0-9.0. The quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10), and the DNA G+C content was 60.1 mol%. The major fatty acids (>5 %) found in strain LS-811T were C18 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. The major polar lipid profile consisted of glycolipids, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified aminolipid. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain LS-811T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Actibacterium, for which the name Actibacterium ureilyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LS-811T (=BCRC 80823T=JCM 30681T).

Azospirillum agricola sp. nov., a nitrogen-fixing species isolated from cultivated soil.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a novel nitrogen-fixing bacterial strain, designated CC-HIH038T, isolated from cultivated soil in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-HIH038T were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic and spiral-shaped, with motility provided by a single polar flagellum. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain CC-HIH038T showed highest sequence similarity to Azospirillum doebereinerae (98.0 %), Azospirillum thiophilum (97.5 %), Azospirillum rugosum (97.4 %) and Azospirillum zeae (97.2 %) and lower sequence similarity ( < 97.0 %) to all other species of the genus Azospirillum. According to DNA-DNA association, the relatedness values of strain CC-HIH038T with A. doebereinerae, A. thiophilum, A. rugosum and A. zeae were 51.8 %, 41.2 %, 56.5 % and 37.5 %, respectively. Strain CC-HIH038T was able to grow at 20-37 °C and pH 7.0-8.0. Strain CC-HIH038T gave positive amplification for dinitrogen reductase (nifH gene); the activity was recorded as 8.4 nmol ethylene h- 1. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone Q-10 and the DNA G+C content was 68.8 mol%. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-HIH038T were C16 : 0, iso-C18 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH, C14 : 0 3-OH/iso-C16 : 1 and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-HIH038T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Azospirillum, for which the name Azospirillum agricola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-HIH038T ( = BCRC 80909T = JCM 30827T).

Vitellibacter echinoideorum sp. nov., isolated from a sea urchin (Tripneustes gratilla).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, yellow-pigment-producing bacterium (designated strain CC-CZW007(T)) was isolated from seafood samples (sea urchins) at Penghu Island in Taiwan. Strain CC-CZW007(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C in the presence of 3% (w/v) NaCl. The novel strain shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Vitellibacter vladivostokensis JCM 11732(T) (96.8%), Vitellibacter soesokkakensis KCTC 32536(T) (96.4%), Vitellibacter nionensis KCTC 32420(T) (95.8%) and Vitellibacter aestuarii JCM 15496(T) (95.6%) and lower sequence similarity to members of other genera. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-CZW007(T) with respect to other species of the genus Vitellibacter. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile was composed of major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified lipids and aminolipids; a moderate amount of aminophospholipid was also detected. The DNA G + C content was 34.7 mol%. The predominant quinone system was menaquinone (MK-6). On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence presented here, strain CC-CZW007(T) is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Vitellibacter, for which the name Vitellibacter echinoideorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CZW007(T) ( = BCRC 80886(T) = JCM 30378(T)).

Nocardioides echinoideorum sp. nov., isolated from sea urchins (Tripneustes gratilla).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, yellow-pigment-producing bacterium, (designated strain CC-CZW004T), was isolated from seafood samples (sea urchins) at Penghu Island in Taiwan. Strain CC-CZW004T grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-CZW004T with respect to other members of the genus Nocardioides. The novel strain shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Nocardioides daejeonensis JCM 16922T (96.4 %), Nocardioides pacificus JCM 19260T (96.3 %), and Marmoricola scoriae JCM 17444T (96.2 %). The major fatty acids of strain CC-CZW004T consisted of C17:0, C16:1ω5c, C17:1ω8c`, iso-C16:0 and C19:1ω11c/C19:1ω9c (summed feature 6). The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall was ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipid profile was composed of major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and aminophospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 73.3 mol%. The predominant quinone system was menaquinone (MK-8). On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidences presented here, strain CC-CZW004T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides echinoideorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CZW004T ( = BCRC 16974T = JCM 30276T).

Rhizobium capsici sp. nov., isolated from root tumor of a green bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. grossum) plant.

A novel, Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic and motile bacterium, designated strain CC-SKC2(T), was isolated from the root tumor of a green bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. grossum) plant in Taiwan. Cells were positive for oxidase and catalase activities and exhibited growth at 25-37 °C, pH 4.0-9.0 and tolerated NaCl concentrations up to 4.0 % (w/v). Strain CC-SKC2(T) is able to trigger nodulation in soybean (Glycine max Merr.), but not in Capsicum annuum var. grossum, red bean (Vigna angularis), sesbania (Sesbania roxburghii Merr.) or alfalfa (Medicago varia Martin.). The novel strain shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Rhizobium rhizoryzae KCTC 23652(T) and Rhizobium straminoryzae CC-LY845(T) (both 97.5 %) followed by Rhizobium lemnae L6-16(T) (97.3 %), Rhizobium pseudoryzae KCTC 23294(T) (97.1 %), and Rhizobium paknamense NBRC 109338(T) (97.0 %), whereas other Rhizobium species shared <96.7 % similarity. The DNA-DNA relatedness values of strain CC-SKC2(T) with R. rhizoryzae KCTC 23652(T), R. pseudoryzae KCTC 23294(T) and R. paknamense NBRC 109338(T) were 11.4, 17.2 and 17.0 %, respectively (reciprocal values were 11.1, 28.3 and 24.0 %, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, atpD and recA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-SKC2(T) with respect to other Rhizobium species. The major fatty acids in strain CC-SKC2(T) were C16:0, C19:0 cyclo ω8c, C14:0 3-OH and/or C16:1 iso I and C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c. The polyamine pattern showed predominance of spermidine and moderate amounts of sym-homospermidine. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10) and the DNA G+C content was 60.5 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence presented here, strain CC-SKC2(T) is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium capsici sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-SKC2(T) (=BCRC 80699(T) = JCM 19535(T)).

Oricola cellulosilytica gen. nov., sp. nov., a cellulose-degrading bacterium of the family Phyllobacteriaceae isolated from surface seashore water, and emended descriptions of Mesorhizobium loti and Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum.

A Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, motile cellulolytic bacterium, designated strain CC-AMH-0(T), was isolated from surface seashore water of Hualien, Taiwan and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-AMH-0(T) exhibited enzymatic saccharification of cellulose and active growth particularly during log-phase under nutrient-limited conditions, whereas enhanced saccharification was found in the declining growth phase under copiotrophic conditions. The novel strain shared high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Mesorhizobium loti USDA 3471(T) (96.2 %), Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum IAM 13584(T) (95.9 %), Hoeflea marina LMG 128(T) (94.0 %) and other Phyllobacteriaceae members. However, phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, atpD and recA gene sequences clearly distinguished strain CC-AMH-0(T) from other representatives of related genera. In addition, strain CC-AMH-0(T) was distinguished from the above mentioned species by significantly lacking phosphatidylcholine besides accommodating major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol; moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine and trace amounts of an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified phosphoglycolipid. Strain CC-AMH-0(T) possessed C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c (summed feature 8) as predominant fatty acids, 63.3 mol% DNA G+C content and ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the sole respiratory quinone. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidences, strain CC-AMH-0(T) is proposed to represent a novel genus and species of the family Phyllobacteriaceae, for which the name Oricola cellulosilytica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is CC-AMH-0(T) (=JCM 19534(T) =BCRC 80694(T)). Emended descriptions of M. loti and P. myrsinacearum are also proposed.

Paenibacillus medicaginis sp. nov. a chitinolytic endophyte isolated from a root nodule of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).

A Gram-stain-variable, short-rod-shaped, endospore-forming, strictly aerobic, non-motile, chitinolytic and endophytic bacterium, designated strain CC-Alfalfa-19T, exhibiting unusual bipolar appendages was isolated from a root nodule of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Taiwan and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-Alfalfa-19T was found to be most closely related to Paenibacillus puldeungensis CAU 9324T (95.2 %), whereas other species of the genus Paenibacillus shared ≤ 95.0 % sequence similarity. The phylogenetic analysis revealed a distinct phyletic lineage established by strain CC-Alfalfa-19T with respect to other species of the genus Paenibacillus. Fatty acids comprised predominantly anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Menaquinone 7 (MK-7) was identified as the sole respiratory quinone and the genomic DNA G+C content was 42.7 mol%. Polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified lipid. The diagnostic diamino acid found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic evidence that was in line with the genus Paenibacillus and additional distinguishing characteristics, strain CC-Alfalfa-19T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Paenibacillus medicaginis sp. nov. (type strain CC-Alfalfa-19T = BCRC 80441T = JCM 18446T) is proposed.

Description of Algoriphagus taiwanensis sp. nov., a xylanolytic bacterium isolated from surface seawater, and emended descriptions of Algoriphagus mannitolivorans, Algoriphagus olei, Algoriphagus aquatilis and Algoriphagus ratkowskyi.

A novel, Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, oval or rod-shaped, red-pigmented, non-spore-forming xylanolytic bacterial strain, designated CC-PR-82(T), was isolated from surface seawater of Pingtung coast, Taiwan, and characterized by polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-PR-82(T) shared highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Algoriphagus mannitolivorans IMSNU 14012(T) (97.0 %) followed by 'A. boseongensis' BS-R1(T) (96.5 %) and A. olei CC-Hsuan-617(T) (95.6 %), whereas other (n = 26) Algoriphapus species shared 95.6-92.6 % sequence similarities. The novel strain further established a distinct phyletic lineage tightly associated with Algoriphagus species. The DNA-DNA hybridization value obtained between CC-PR-82(T) and A. mannitolivorans DSM 15301(T) was 29.0 % (33.4 % reciprocal using A. mannitolivorans DSM 15301(T) probe). The major (>5 % of total) fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c, iso-C16:0, iso-C17:1 ω9c and/or C16:0 10-methyl, anteiso-C15:0 and C17:1 ω6c. Polar lipids included major amounts of an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid; moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and an unidentified aminolipid; trace amounts of an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified lipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 42.3 mol%. Menaquinone-7 was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on the polyphasic characteristics, that are in line with those of Algoriphagus species, in addition to distinguishing phylogenetic and phenotypic features, strain CC-PR-82(T) appears to represent a novel species of the genus Algoriphagus, for which the name Algoriphagus taiwanensis sp. nov. (type strain CC-PR-82(T) = JCM 19755(T) = BCRC 80746(T)) is proposed. In addition, emended descriptions of the species A. mannitolivorans, A. aquatilis, A. olei and A. ratkowskyi are also proposed.