Actinocatenispora comari sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from aerial parts of Comarum salesowianum.

A novel actinomycete, designated NUM-2625T, was isolated as an endophytic bacterium in aerial parts of Comarum salesowianum, an endemic species in the Altai, Himalaya mountain chain area, collected from Khasagt Khairkhan Mountain in Mongolia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NUM-2625T showed the highest similarity to Actinocatenispora thailandica TT2-10T (99.4 %), Actinocatenispora sera KV-744T (99.3 %), and Actinocatenispora rupis CS5-AC17T (97.7 %). Chemotaxonomic properties of strain NUM-2625T were essentially consistent with those of the genus Actinocatenispora, such as the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan, MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6) as the major menaquinones, and iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0 3-OH, and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major fatty acids. Meanwhile, digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values revealed a low relatedness between strain NUM-2625T and the other type strains of the genus Actinocatenispora. In addition, strain NUM-2625T exhibited several phenotypic properties that could be used to distinguish it from its closest relatives. Based on the results of polyphasic analyses, strain NUM-2625T represents a novel species in the genus Actinocatenispora, for which the name Actinocatenispora comari sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NUM-2625T (=NBRC 114660T=TBRC 13496T).

Catellatospora sichuanensis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from soil.

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain H14505T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Hong Yuan, Sichuan, southwest PR China. The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were determined to be 15-35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 0-2 % (w/v; optimum without NaCl), respectively. The polar lipdis detected for strain H14505T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, glycolipid and four unidentified lipids. The predominant menaquinones of strain H14505T were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6), and the prevalent fatty acids (>10 %) were C18 : 1 ω9c, C17 : 1 ω8c, summed feature 5 (anteiso-C18 : 0/ C18 : 2 ω6,9c) and C16 : 0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences indicated that strain H14505T showed high similarity to Catellatospora vulcania NEAU-JM1T (99.0 %) and Catellatospora paridis NEAU-CL2T (99.0 %), and formed a monophyletic clade within the the genus Catellatospora in the phylogenetic trees. However, the average nucleotide indentity and DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain H14505T and closely related Catellatospora species showed that it belonged to a distinct species. Furthermore, the results of morphological, physiological and biochemical tests allowed further phenotypic differentiation of strain H14505T from its closest relatives. Thus, it is proposed that strain H14505T represents a novel species of the genus Catellatospora, for which the name Catellatospora sichuanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Catellatospora sichuanensis is H14505T (=JCM 32394T=CICC 11042T).

Micromonospora craniellae sp. nov., isolated from a marine sponge, and reclassification of Jishengella endophytica as Micromonospora endophytica comb. nov.

A novel marine actinomycete, designated LHW63014T, isolated from a marine sponge, Craniella species, collected in the South China Sea, was examined using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain LHW63014T showed highest similarities to Jishengella endophytica 202201T (98.9 %), Micromonospora olivasterospora DSM 43868T (98.7 %), Micromonospora maris AB-18-032T (98.6 %) and Micromonospora gifhornensis DSM 44337T (98.6 %). Phylogenetic analyses of the family Micromonosporaceae based on the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences indicated that strain LHW63014T and J. endophytica 202201T located within the genus Micromonospora. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics confirmed their affiliation to the genus Micromonospora. Based on phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and digital DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain LHW63014T could be distinguished from its closest taxa, representing a novel species of the genus Micromonospora, for which the name Micromonospora craniellae sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain LHW63014T (=DSM 106193T=CCTCC AA 2018012T). It is also proposed that J. endophytica be transferred to genus Micromonospora as Micromonospora endophytica comb. nov. (type strain 202201T =CGMCC 4.5597T=DSM 45430T).

Allorhizocola rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of Micromonosporaceae isolated from rhizosphere soil of the plant Calligonum mongolicum.

The taxonomic position of an actinobacterium, designated CPCC 204380T, which was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of the plant Calligonum mongolicum collected from Xinjiang Province, China, was established using a polyphasic approach. Vegetative hyphae developed well and globose bodies formed from aged hyphae. Spore chains that differentiated from the vegetative hyphae contained non-motile rod-shaped spores. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and 3-hydroxydiaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic amino acids. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was glycolyl. Glucose, mannose, ribose and xylose were detected in whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinone was MK-10(H8), followed by MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω9c. The genomic G+C content was 64.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204380T should be placed in the family Micromonosporaceae, in which it formed a distinct lineage next to the genera Rhizocola, Catellatospora, Catelliglobosispora, Hamadaea and Allocatelliglobosispora. It shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Rhizocola hellebori K12-0602T (96.1 %), Catellatospora chokoriensis 2-25/1T (95.9 %), Catelliglobosispora koreensis DSM 44566T (95.9 %), Hamadaea tsunoensis DSM 44101T (95.3 %) and Allocatelliglobosispora scoriae Sco-B14 T (94.2 %), and less than 94.0 % sequence similarity with other validly described species. The combination of phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics supported the proposal of strain CPCC 204380T as representing a novel species of a new genus in the family Micromonosporaceae, for which the name Allorhizocola rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. CPCC 204380T (=DSM 102292T=KCTC 39746 T) is the type strain of the type species.

Actinoplanes deserti sp. nov., isolated from a desert soil sample.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain YIM CF22T, was isolated from a desert soil sample collected from Turpan in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, north-western China. The taxonomic position of the strain YIM CF22T is described based on a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM CF22T was found to form irregular sporangia on agar media. It contains meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The major menaquinone was identified as MK-9(H4); the polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified glycolipids. The whole cell sugars were found to be ribose, mannose, galactose, glucose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were found to be (> 5%) iso-C16:0 (43.5%), anteiso-C17:0 (10.2%), iso-C15:0 (7.1%), C17:1 ω8c (6.3%) and iso H-C16:1 (5.9%). The G+C content was determined to be 70.8%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain YIM CF22T showed high similarity (97.0%) to Actinoplanes rishiriensis NBRC 108556T. The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Verrucosispora sediminis CGMCC 4.3550T (96.9%) and Micromonospora tulbaghiae DSM 45142T (96.8%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YIM CF22T clusters with A. rishiriensis NBRC 108556T, Actinoplanes globisporus JCM 3186T and Actinoplanes rhizophilus NEAU-A-2T. Based on the differential phenotypic characteristics and the results of DNA-DNA relatedness and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain YIM CF22T represents a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the name Actinoplanes deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM CF22T (= KCTC 39543T = CCTCC AB2018113T).

Plantactinospora solaniradicis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from the root of a tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

A Gram-positive, non-motile actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-FJL1T, was isolated from tomato root (Solanum lycopersicum L.) collected from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, north China. The strain formed single spores with smooth surfaces from substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NEAU-FJL1T should be affiliated with the genus Plantactinospora and forms a distinct branch with its close neighbour Plantactinospora soyae NEAU-gxj3T (99.2% sequence similarity). The cell wall was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole cell sugars were identified as xylose, glucose, arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H4). The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol. The major fatty acids were identified as C15:0, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C17:0, C17:0 and iso-C15:0. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-FJL1T can be distinguished from its most closely related strain and classified as a new species, for which the name Plantactinospora solaniradicis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-FJL1T (= DSM 100596T = CGMCC 4.7284T).

Actinoplanes sediminis sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

An actinomycete strain M4I47T was isolated from sediment from Megas Gialos, Syros, Greece. The results of phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of M4I47T indicated that the highest similarity was with Actinoplanes atraurantiacus Y16T (98.9 %), Actinoplanes deccanensis IFO 13994T (98.8 %), Actinoplanes digitatis IFO 12512T (98.1 %) and Actinoplanes abujensis A4029T (98.0 %). The cell wall of the novel isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell sugars were xylose, arabinose and glucose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H2). The phospholipid profile comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and an unknown phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 71.5 mol%. Furthermore, a combination of DNA-DNA relatedness and some physiological and biochemical properties indicated that the novel strain could be readily distinguished from the most closely related species. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, M4I47T represents a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the name Actinoplanessediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M4I47T (=CCTCC AA 2016022T=DSM 100965T).

Verrucosispora endophytica sp. nov., isolated from the root of wild orchid (Grosourdya appendiculata (Blume) Rchb.f.).

A novel endophytic filamentous bacterium strain A-T 7972T, was isolated from wild orchid Grosourdya appendiculata (Blume) Rchb.f. collected in Thailand. The bacterium developed single non-motile spores with warty surface on substrate mycelia. The taxonomic position was described using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain A-T 7972T belonged to the genus Verrucosispora and shared the highest sequence similarity with V. lutea YIM 013T (98.71 %) and V. gifhornensis DSM 44337T (98.53 %). The values of DNA-DNA relatedness that distinguished this novel strain from its closest species were below 70 %. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were mannose, ribose, glucose and xylose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The predominant fatty acids were branched fatty acids iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The diagnostic phospholipids profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.5 mol%. Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characteristics, the new isolate A-T 7972T (=BCC 50981T=TBRC 6031T=NBRC 112512T) is proposed to be the type strain of novel species, Verrucosispora endophytica sp. nov.

Longispora urticae sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of Urtica urens L., and emended descriptions of the species Longisporaalbida and Longisporafulva.

Two Gram-stain-positive, aerobic actinomycete strains, designated NEAU-PCY-3T and NEAU-PCY-4, were isolated from rhizosphere soil of Urtica urens L. collected from Anshan, Liaoning Province, northeast PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the two strains exhibited 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other and that they were most closely to Longispora fulva DSM 45356T (98.7, 98.9 %) and Longispora albida JCM 11711T (97.1, 97.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains were located in the same lineage and formed a cluster with the genus Longispora. Both strains were observed to contain MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H6) as the predominant menaquinones. The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid, d-glutamic acid, glycine and l-alanine. Whole-cell hydrolysates mainly contained galactose, ribose and xylose. The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, several glycolipids and several unknown lipids. The major cellular fatty acids for strain NEAU-PCY-3T were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 1ω5c. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains NEAU-PCY-3T and NEAU-PCY-4 was 83.6±0.4 %, and the values between the two strains and their closest phylogenetic relatives, belonging to the genus Longispora, were well below 70 %, supporting that they represented a distinct genomic species. An array of phenotypic characteristics also differentiated the strains from their closely related species, the only two validly published Longispora species. On the basis of the genetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic properties, strains NEAU-PCY-3T and NEAU-PCY-4 were classified as representatives of a novel species of the genus Longispora, for which the name Longispora urticae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-PCY-3T (=DSM 105119T=CCTCC AA 2017017T).

Virgisporangium myanmarense sp. nov., a novel motile actinomycete isolated from an anthill soil in Myanmar.

An actinomycete strain, designated MM04-1133T, was isolated from an anthill soil sample collected in Bagan, Myanmar. To establish the taxonomic status of this strain, the isolate was subjected to a polyphasic approach. Strain MM04-1133T was Gram-staining positive, aerobic, motile and formed long and narrow sporangia directly above the surface of the substrate mycelium. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the strain contained 3-OH-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose, glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose and xylose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The diagnostic phospholipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The G+C content of the DNA was 69.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain MM04-1133T clustered within the genus Virgisporangium, with the sequence exhibiting highest similarity (98.5% identity) with Virgisporangium ochraceum NBRC 16418T. The strain grew in the presence of 0-1% (w/v) NaCl, at pH 5-8 and at 20-40 °C, with optimal growth at 30-37 °C. Based on phylogenetic analysis and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, we propose classifying this isolate as a novel species of the genus Virgisporangium, to be designated as Virgisporangium myanmarense sp. nov. The type strain is MM04-1133T (=NBRC 112733T=VTCC 910008T).

Verrucosispora sonchi sp. nov., a novel endophytic actinobacterium isolated from the leaves of common sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.).

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-QY3T, was isolated from the leaves of Sonchus oleraceus L. and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The organism formed single spores with smooth surface on substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain had a close association with the genus Verrucosispora and shared the highest sequence similarity with Verrucosispora qiuiae RtIII47T (99.17 %), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 94 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Xiangella phaseoli NEAU-J5T (98.78 %), Jishengella endophytica 202201T (98.51 %), Micromonospora eburnea LK2-10T (98.28 %), Verrucosispora lutea YIM 013T (98.23 %) and Salinispora pacifica CNR-114T (98.23 %). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequences supported the conclusion that strain NEAU-QY3T should be assigned to the genus Verrucosispora. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain NEAU-QY3T and V. qiuiae RtIII47T and V. lutea YIM 013T were below 70 %. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-QY3T was readily distinguished from its most closely related strains and classified as a new species, for which the name Verrucosispora sonchi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-QY3T (=CGMCC 4.7312T=DSM 101530T).

Actinoplanes subglobosus sp. nov., isolated from mixed deciduous forest soil.

A novel filamentous bacterial strain, A-T 5400T, which developed subglobose sporangia at the end of sporangiophores on substrate mycelia, was isolated from mixed deciduous forest soil collected in Thailand. The taxonomic position of this micro-organism was described using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain A-T 5400T belonged to the genus Actinoplanes and was most closely related to 'Actinoplanes hulinensis' NEAU-M9 (98.82 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Actinoplanes philippinensis NBRC 13878T (98.75 %). The DNA-DNA relatedness values that distinguished the novel strain from the closest species were below 70 %. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The whole-cell sugars were ribose, galactose, glucose and xylose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The predominant cellular fatty acids were unsaturated fatty acids C16 : 1, branched fatty acids iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71 mol%. Following evidence from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic studies, the new isolate is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes named Actinoplanes subglobosus sp. nov. The type strain is A-T 5400T (=BCC 42734T=TBRC 5832T=NBRC 109645T).

Actinorhabdospora filicis gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Micromonosporaceae.

The actinomycete strains K12-0408T and K12-0792 were isolated on CM-cellulose agar from rhizosphere soil of a pteridophytic plant collected in Tokyo prefecture, Japan. Their taxonomic positions were determined using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains K12-0408T and K12-0792 were positioned within the family Micromonosporaceae. The strains formed extensively branched aerial and substrate mycelia. Long chains of cylindrical spores with smooth surfaces were formed on aerial hyphae. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and galactose, glucose, mannose and ribose were detected in whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H6). The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 2-OH. The DNA G+C contents of strains K12-0408T and K12-0792 were 69.6 and 69.7 mol%, respectively. Based on data from the present polyphasic taxonomic study, strains K12-0408T and K12-0792 represent a novel genus, for which the name Actinorhabdospora gen. nov. is proposed, with strain K12-0408T (=NBRC 111897T=TBRC 5327T) as the type strain of the type species, Actinorhabdosporafilicis sp. nov.

Dactylosporangium solaniradicis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from a root of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-FJL2(T), was isolated from a tomato root (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and characterised using a polyphasic approach. Morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of strain NEAU-FJL2(T) are consistent with the description of the genus Dactylosporangium. Finger-shaped sporangia were observed to form on short sporangiophores branching from the substrate hyphae. The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso- and 3-hydroxy-diaminopimelic acids; arabinose, mannose, rhamnose and xylose were found as whole-cell sugars. The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The predominant menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H6). The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C16:0, C16:1 ω7c and iso-C15:0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain NEAU-FJL2(T) belongs to the genus Dactylosporangium, with Dactylosporangium sucinum JCM 19831(T) (99.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Dactylosporangium darangshiense JCM 17441(T) (99.2 %), Dactylosporangium fulvum JCM 5631(T) (98.9 %) and Dactylosporangium roseum JCM 3364(T) (98.8 %) as the nearest phylogenetic relatives. However, a combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain NEAU-FJL2(T) can be distinguished from them. Consequently, it is proposed that strain NEAU-FJL2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Dactylosporangium, for which the name Dactylosporangium solaniradicis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-FJL2(T) (=CGMCC 4.7302(T) = DSM 100814(T)).

Plantactinosporasoyae sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from soybean root [Glycine max (L.) Merr].

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-gxj3T, was isolated from soybean root [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] collected from Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NEAU-gxj3T showed highest similarity to those of Micromonospora equina Y22T (98.2 %) and Plantactinospora endophytica YIM 68255T (98.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and gyrB gene demonstrated that the isolate clustered with the members of the genus Plantactinospora. The chemotaxonomic properties of strain NEAU-gxj3Twere also consistent with those of members of the genus Plantactinospora. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and whole-cell sugars were xylose, glucose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H6), MK-9(H8), MK-10(H2) and MK-10(H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C15 : 0. A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization result and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that strain NEAU-gxj3Tcould be differentiated clearly from its closest phylogenetic relatives. Therefore, the strain is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Plantactinospora, for which the name Plantactinospora soyae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-gxj3T (=CGMCC 4.7221T=DSM 46832T).

Hamadaea flava sp. nov., isolated from a soil sample and emended description of the genus Hamadaea.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic and non-motile actinobacterial strain, designated YIM C0533T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Shiling county, Yunnan province, south-west China. The isolate grew at 15-37 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and in the presence of 0-3% (w/v) NaCl. The whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, xylose, galactose, mannose, ribose, arabinose, glucose and rhamnose. The acyl type of muramic acid was glycolyl. The polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unidentified phospholipid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0, 10-methyl C17:0 and iso-C15 : 0.MK-9(H6) was the predominant menaquinone. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 69.4 mol%. These chemotaxonomic data and the morphological properties were consistent with those of the genus Hamadaea. The strain showed highest sequence similarities to Hamadaea tsunoensis CGMCC 4.1403T on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and was found to form a coherent cluster in the neighbour-joining tree. The DNA-DNA hybridization experiment indicated that the DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain YIM C0533T and H. tsunoensis CGMCC 4.1403T was 34.4±1.3 %. In addition, the results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed the isolate to be differentiated phenotypically from H. tsunoensis CGMCC 4.1403T. On the basis of data from this polyphasic study, strain YIM C0533T is characterized as a novel species of the genus Hamadaea, for which the name Hamadaea flava sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM C0533T (=CPCC 204160T=KCTC 39591T=CGMCC 4.7289T). An emended description of the genus Hamadaea is also provided.

Actinoplanes lichenis sp. nov., isolated from lichen.

A novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, strain LDG1-22T, for which we propose the name Actinoplanes lichenis sp. nov., was isolated from a lichen sample collected from tree bark in Thailand. The taxonomic position of the species has been described based on a polyphasic approach. Strain LDG1-22T produced irregular sporangia on agar media. It contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H4); the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and phosphatidylglycerol. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained ribose, glucose, mannose and small amounts of arabinose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (31.2 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (14.2 %). Mycolic acids were absent. The G+C content was 73.6 %. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain LDG1-22T showed highest similarity (98.8 %) to Actinoplanes friuliensis DSM 45797T and it clustered with Actinoplanes nipponensis JCM 3264T and Actinoplanes missouriensis JCM 3121T in phylogenetic tree analysis. On the basis of the phenotypic characteristics and DNA-DNA relatedness, strain LDG1-22T could be distinguished from related species of the genus Actinoplanes and so represents a novel species of this genus. The type strain of Actinoplanes lichenis sp. nov. is LDG1-22T ( = JCM 30485T = TISTR 2343T = PCU 344T).

Catellatospora vulcania sp. nov. and Catellatospora paridis sp. nov., two novel actinobacteria isolated from volcanic sediment and the rhizosphere of Paris polyphylla.

Two novel actinobacteria, designated strains NEAU-JM1(T) and NEAU-CL2(T), were isolated from volcanic sediment and the rhizosphere soil of Paris polyphylla, respectively, collected from Jiling and Heilongjiang Province, China. A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic positions of these strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the two novel isolates exhibit 99.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NEAU-JM1(T) showed it to be closely related to Catellatospora methionotrophica JCM 7543(T) (99.4 % sequence similarity), Catellatospora coxensis DSM 44901(T) (99.4 %), Catellatospora citrea DSM 44097(T) (99.3 %) and Catellatospora chokoriensis JCM 12950(T) (99.2 %), and that of strain NEAU-CL2(T) to C. citrea DSM 44097(T) (99.4 %), C. methionotrophica JCM 7543(T) (99.3 %), C. chokoriensis JCM 12950(T) (99.3 %) and C. coxensis DSM 44901(T) (99.2 %). However, the DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains NEAU-JM1(T) and NEAU-CL2(T) was 62.2 %, and the values between the two strains and their close phylogenetic relatives were also below 70 %. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA-DNA hybridization results, the two strains can be distinguished from each other and their close phylogenetic relatives. Thus, strains NEAU-JM1(T) and NEAU-CL2(T) can be concluded to represent two novel species of the genus Catellatospora, for which the names Catellatospora vulcania sp. nov. and Catellatospora paridis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are NEAU-JM1(T) (=CGMCC 4.7174(T) = JCM 30054(T)) and NEAU-CL2(T) (=CGMCC 4.7236(T) = DSM 100519(T)), respectively.

Phytomonospora cypria sp. nov., isolated from soil.

A Gram-stain positive actinobacterial strain, designated KT1403(T), was isolated from a soil sample, collected from Karpaz, Magusa, Northern Cyprus, and characterised using a polyphasic approach. Morphological characteristics and chemotaxonomic data indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Phytomonospora. The cell wall of the novel strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and galactose, glucose and mannose as the major sugars in whole cell hydrolysates. The polar lipids in the cell membrane were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified aminophospholipid and three unidentified glycolipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H4). The major fatty acids were found to be iso C15:0 , anteiso C15:0 and anteiso C17:0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain KT1403(T) belongs to the genus Phytomonospora with a sequence similarity of 99.73 % with Phytomonospora endophytica, the type species of the genus. DNA-DNA hybridization further differentiated strain KT1403(T) from its near phylogenetic neighbour, P. endophytica DSM 45386(T) (29.0 ± 2.2 % DNA relatedness). Therefore, it is proposed that strain KT1403(T) represents a novel species of the genus Phytomonospora, for which the name Phytomonospora cypria sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KT1403(T) (=KCTC 29479(T) = DSM 46767(T)).

Actinoplanes rhizophilus sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from the rhizosphere of Sansevieria trifasciata Prain.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-A-2T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Sansevieria trifasciata Prain collected from Heilongjiang province, north-east China. The taxonomic status of this organism was established using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed irregular sporangia containing motile spores on the substrate mycelium. The whole-cell sugars were xylose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H10), MK-9(H2), MK-10(H2) and MK-10(H4). The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, three unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified glycolipid. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-A-2T belongs to the genus Actinoplanes with the highest sequence similarities to Actinoplanes globisporus NBRC 13912T (97.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Actinoplanes ferrugineus IMSNU 22125T (97.5 %), Actinoplanes toevensis MN07-A0368T (97.2 %) and Actinoplanes rishiriensis NBRC 108556T (97.2 %); similarities to type strains of other species of this genus were < 97 %. Two tree-making algorithms showed that strain NEAU-A-2T formed a distinct clade with A. globisporus NBRC 13912T and A. rishiriensis NBRC 108556T. However, low DNA-DNA relatedness values allowed the isolate to be differentiated from the above-mentioned two species of the genus Actinoplanes. Moreover, strain NEAU-A-2T could also be distinguished from the most closely related species by morphological and physiological characteristics. Therefore, in conclusion, isolate NEAU-A-2T represents a novel species of the genus Actinoplanes, for which the name Actinoplanes rhizophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-A-2T ( = CGMCC 4.7133T = DSM 46672T).