Arenibaculum pallidiluteum gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium in the family Azospirillaceae, isolated from desert soil, and reclassification of Skermanella xinjiangensis to a new genus Deserticella as Deserticella xinjiangensis comb. nov., and transfer of the genera Indioceanicola and Oleisolibacter from the family Rhodospirillaceae to the family Azospirillaceae.

A novel pale orange-coloured bacterium, designated strain SYSU D00532T, was isolated from sandy soil collected from the Gurbantunggut desert in Xinjiang, PR China. Cells of strain SYSU D00532T were found to be aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, motile and rod-shaped with a single polar or subpolar flagellum. Growth occurred at 15-45 °C (optimum, 28-37 °C, pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0-7.0) and with 0-1.5% NaCl (w/v; optimum, 0.5 %). The major polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. Unidentified aminolipids, unidentified polar lipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified phospholipid were also detected. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c), C16:0 and C19:0 cyclo ω8c. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.8 mol%. Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU D00532T belonged to the family Azospirillaceae and showed 93.4% (Desertibacter roseus 2622T), 93.2% (Skermanella xinjiangensis 10-1-101T), 93.2% ('Skermanella rubra' YIM 93097T) and 92.4% (Desertibacter xinjiangensis M71T) similarities. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain SYSU D00532T is proposed to represent a new species of a new genus, named Arenibaculum pallidiluteum gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Azospirillaceae. The type strain is SYSU D00532T (=KCTC 82269T=CGMCC 1.18631T=MCCC 1K04984T). We also propose the reclassification of Skermanella xinjiangensis to a new genus Deserticella as Deserticella xinjiangensis comb. nov., and the transfer of the genera Indioceanicola and Oleisolibacter from the family Rhodospirillaceae to the family Azospirillaceaewe based on the phylogenetic results.

Oleiliquidispirillum nitrogeniifigens gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Rhodospirillaceae isolated from oil reservoir water.

A novel Gram-staining-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium, designated strain 64-1T, was isolated from oil reservoir water collected from Liaohe oilfield, north-eastern China. Growth occurred at 15-55 °C and pH 6.0-10.0. The sole respiratory quinone was Q-10. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c /C18 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), an unidentified aminophospholipid (UAPL), an unidentified aminolipid (UAL) and two unidentified polar lipids (UPL). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 64-1T was 64.5 mol%. Strain 64-1T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Phaeospirillum chandramohanii JA145T (92.0 %) and Telmatospirillum siberiense 26-4b1T (91.8 %). In the phylogenetic trees, the strain constituted a sub-cluster within the family Rhodospirillaceae. Based on the results of morphological, physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic analysis, strain 64-1T represents a new species of a novel genus within the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Oleiliquidispirillum nitrogeniifigens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 64-1T (=CGMCC 1.16798T=LMG 31399T).

Ferrovibrio terrae sp. nov., isolated from soil.

Designated strain K5T was isolated from soil on Jeju Island. The bacterium was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-low activity, motile, short-rod shaped, opaque and formed white colonies that were circular, raised and had entire margins. Strain K5T was able to grow at 15-40 °C, pH 4-9 and at 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl concentration. Phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain K5T is closely related to Ferrovibrio soli A15T (98.9 % sequence similarity), Ferrovibrio denitrificans Sp-1T (98.7 %) and Ferrovibrio xuzhouensis LM-6T (97.4 %). The sole respiratory quinone was determined to be ubiquinone-10. The dominant fatty acids of strain K5T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c / C18 : 1ω6c, 29.8 %), C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (20.2 %) and C16 : 0 (24.4 %). DNA G+C content was 63.6 % and DNA-DNA relatedness between strain K5T and other three members of the genus Ferrovibrio ranged from 24 to 28 %. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and aminolipids. Moreover, polyphasic characterization revealed that strain K5T represents a novel species in the genus Ferrovibrio, for which the name Ferrovibrio terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K5T (=KCCM 43295T=LMG 30611T).

Oleisolibacter albus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from an oil-contaminated soil.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NAU-10T, was isolated from an oil-contaminated soil collected in PR China. Strain NAU-10T could grow at 10-42 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-9.0 (pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-2.5 % (w/v) NaCl (0.5 % in Luria-Bertani broth). The major fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c (38.6 %), C17 : 1 ω6c (9.8 %), C18 : 1 2-OH (9.1 %), summed feature 3 (8.7 %), C16 : 0 3-OH (7.2 %) and C16 : 0 (6.7 %). The major respiratory quinones were Q9 and Q10. The total polar lipids were lipid, aminolipid, phospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Strain NAU-10T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Rhodocista pekingensis 3-pT (95.9 %), Niveispirillum cyanobacteriorum TH16T (95.3 %) and Niveispirillum fermenti CC-LY736T (95.3 %), and constituted a sub-cluster within the family Rhodospirillaceae. The DNA G+C content of strain NAU-10T was 68.2 mol% based on its draft genome sequence. Genome annotation of strain NAU-10T predicted the presence of 4309 genes, of which 4237 are coding proteins and 72 are RNA genes. Based on its phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, as well as the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, it was concluded that strain NAU-10T represents a novel genus, for which the name Oleisolibacter gen. nov., is proposed. The type species of this genus is Oleisolibacter albus with the type strain NAU-10T (=KCTC 62417T=CCTCC AB 2018015T).

Algihabitans albus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a culture of the green alga Ulva prolifera.

A bacterial strain, designated HHTR 118T, was isolated from a culture of the green alga Ulvaprolifera obtained from offshore seawater of Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Cells of strain HHTR 118T were rod-shaped and motile with a single flagellum, and approximately 0.3-0.4 µm wide and 0.8-1.4 µm long. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, catalase-negative and oxidase-positive. Optimal growth was observed at 30 °C, at pH 8.0 and with 1 % (w/v) NaCl. Nitrate was not reduced. Sucrose, sodium citrate and l-leucine stimulated growth, but not lactose, fructose, xylose, d-mannose, glucose, raffinose, rhamnose, ornithine or lysine. The DNA G+C content of strain HHTR 118T calculated on the basis of the genome sequence was 64.9 mol% and the genome size is 4.6 Mbp. The major quinone was ubiquinone 10 and the predominant cellular fatty acids (>10 % of total fatty acids) were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified polar lipids. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, demonstrated that strain HHTR 118T was affiliated with the family Rhodospirillaceae. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence data as well as physiological and biochemical characteristics, we concluded that strain HHTR 118T represents a novel species of a novel genus. We propose the name of Algihabitans albus gen. nov., sp. nov. for this novel species. The type strain of the novel species is strain HHTR 118T (=KCTC 62395T=MCCC 1K03486T).

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) producing and oil degrading bacteria isolated from the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Sinking marine oil snow was found to be a major mechanism in the transport of spilled oil from the surface to the deep sea following the Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill. Marine snow formation is primarily facilitated by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are mainly composed of proteins and carbohydrates secreted by microorganisms. While numerous bacteria have been identified to degrade oil, there is a paucity of knowledge on bacteria that produce EPS in response to oil and Corexit exposure in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM). In this study, we isolated bacteria from surface water of the nGoM that grow on oil or Corexit dispersant. Among the 100 strains isolated, nine were identified to produce remarkable amounts of EPS. 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that six isolates (strains C1, C5, W10, W11, W14, W20) belong to the genus Alteromonas; the others were related to Thalassospira (C8), Aestuariibacter (C12), and Escherichia (W13a). The isolates preferably degraded alkanes (17-77%), over polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (0.90-23%). The EPS production was determined in the presence of a water accommodated fraction (WAF) of oil, a chemical enhanced WAF (CEWAF), Corexit, and control. The highest production of visible aggregates was found in Corexit followed by CEWAF, WAF, and control; indicating that Corexit generally enhanced EPS production. The addition of WAF and Corexit did not affect the carbohydrate content, but significantly increased the protein content of the EPS. On the average, WAF and CEWAF treatments had nine to ten times more proteins, and Corexit had five times higher than the control. Our results reveal that Alteromonas and Thalassospira, among the commonly reported bacteria following the DwH spill, produce protein rich EPS that could have crucial roles in oil degradation and marine snow formation. This study highlights the link between EPS production and bacterial oil-degrading capacity that should not be overlooked during spilled oil clearance.

Indioceanicola profundi gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from Indian Ocean sediment.

A novel basophilic bacterial strain, designated as SCSIO 08040T, was recovered from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, vibrioid or spiral, light pink, 0.6-1.0 µm wide and 1.0-2.5 µm long. Growth occurred at 20-45 °C, pH 7-11 and <5 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 28-37 °C, pH 7 and 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. Catalase-, oxidase and urease-positive, nitrate reduction-negative. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that strain SCSIO 08040T had the highest similarity of 95.3 % to Rhodocista pekingensis 3-pT. Phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel isolate formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage in the family Rhodospirillaceae. The whole-cell hydrolysate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, mannose and xylose. The total cellular fatty acid profile was dominated by C18:1ω7c and C19:0cycloω8c. Q-10 was the predominant ubiquinone. The major phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 08040T was 66.82 mol%. Based on these polyphasic data, a new genus, Indioceanicola gen. nov., is proposed in the family Rhodospirillaceae with the type species Indioceanicola profundi sp. nov. and the type strain SCSIO 08040T (=DSM 105146T=CGMCC 1.15812T).

Ferrovibrio soli sp. nov., a novel cellulolytic bacterium isolated from stream bank soil.

Two isolates of bacterial strains A15T and A17 were isolated from stream bank soil in Kyonggi University. Cells were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, opaque, and cream coloured. Both strains hydrolysed CM-cellulose. Strains were able to grow at 20-42 °C, pH 5.5-10.0 and at 1.5 % NaCl concentration (w/v). Indole test was positive. Analyses of phylogenetic trees based on its 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain A15T formed a lineage within the family Rhodospirillaceae of the phylum Proteobacteria which was distinct from Ferrovibrio denitrificans S3T (98.4 % sequence similarity) and Ferrovibrio xuzhouensis LM-6T (97.4 %). The sole detected respiratory quinone was Q-10. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were C19 : 0 cycloω8c, C16 : 0, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C18 : 0cyclo and C12 : 0. The DNA G+C contents of strains A15T and A17 were 63.4 and 62.9 mol%, respectively. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain A15T and other two members of the genus Ferrovibrioranged from 25 to 37 %. The polyphasic characterization revealed strains A15T and A17 represent a novel species in the genus Ferrovibrio, for which the name Ferrovibriosoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A15T (=KEMB 9005-522T=KACC 19102T=NBRC 112682T).

Caenispirillum humi sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from the soil of Korean pine garden.

A novel bacterial strain MAH-8T was isolated from a soil sample of a Korean pine garden and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were Gram-staining negative, pinkish yellow colored, motile and vibrio-shaped. The strain was aerobic and catalase, oxidase positive, optimum growth temperature and pH were 28-30 °C and 7.0, respectively. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain MAH-8T belongs to the genus Caenispirillum and is most closely related to Caenispirillum bisanense KCTC 12839T (98.14%), Caenispirillum deserti KCTC 42064T (96.35%), and Caenispirillum salinarum JCM 17360T (95.76%). In DNA-DNA hybridization tests, the DNA relatedness between strain MAH-8T and its closest phylogenetic neighbor was below 45.0%. The DNA G + C content was 70.5 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. Flexirubin-type pigments were present and the major cellular fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c and C16:0. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and genotypic analysis in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain MAH-8T represented a novel species within the genus Caenispirillum, for which the name Caenispirillum humi, is proposed. The type strain is MAH-8T (= KACC 19294T = CGMCC 1.16224T). The NCBI GenBank Accession Number for the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MAH-8T is KY964275.

Inquilinus limosus in pulmonary disease: case report and review of the literature.

Inquilinus limosus is a slow growing, gram-negative, oxidase-positive, non-fermentative bacillus that is rarely isolated from clinical samples. When clinically identified, I. limosus is almost exclusively isolated from the respiratory tracts of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). We report the first case of I. limosus isolation from a pulmonary specimen in an individual without a diagnosis of CF. A review of the English-language literature has been made and shows 33 cases (excluding the present report) in which I. limosus was isolated from the respiratory tracts of patients. Our patient, at 60years of age, is more than two decades older than the any previously reported patient. Similar to previous reports, the I. limosus isolated from her lungs demonstrated intrinsic multidrug resistance. The pathogenicity, clinical relevance, and optimal therapeutic management of I. limosus remains largely unknown due to its infrequent recovery from clinical samples.

Marinibaculum pumilum gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile and rod-shaped strain, designed H2T, was isolated from the Western Pacific Ocean, and subjected to a taxonomic investigation using a polyphasic approach. Strain H2T grew at 15-40 °C and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum 37 °C and pH 6.5), and with 1-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) and the major fatty acids identified were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 0 and 11-methyl-C18 : 1ω7c. The polar lipids of strain H2T consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, one unknown phospholipid, one unknown glycolipid and three unidentified aminolipids. The DNA G+C content was 75.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain H2T formed a distinct clade belong to the family Rhodospirillaceae within the Alphaproteobacteria. On the basis of morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, together with the results of phylogenetic analysis, strain H2T represents a novel species in a new genus in the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Marinibaculumpumilum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is H2T(=MCCC 1K02279T=KCTC 42964T).

Thalassospira indica sp. nov., isolated from deep seawater.

A taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach was carried out on strain PB8BT, which was isolated from the deep water of the Indian Ocean. Cells of the bacterium were Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, curved rods and motile. Growth was observed at salinities of 0-15 % and at temperatures of 10-41°C. The isolate could reduce nitrate to nitrite and degrade Tween 80, but not degrade gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain PB8BT belonged to the genus Thalassospira, with the highest sequence similarity to the closely related type strain Thalassospira tepidiphila 1-1BT (99.7 %), followed by Thalassospira profundimaris WP0211T (99.6 %). Multilocus sequence analysis demonstrated low similarities of 94.1 and 93.7 % between strain PB8BT and the two reference type strains. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain PB8BT and the two above-mentioned type strains were, respectively, 56.3 and 55.3 %. The principal fatty acids of strain PB8BT were C18 : 1ω6c/C18 : 1ω7c, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 54.9 mol%. The quinone was determined to be Q-10 (100 %). Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and several unidentified phospholipids and lipids were present. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain PB8BT represents a novel species within the genus Thalassospira, for which the name Thalassospira indica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the novel species is PB8BT (=MCCC 1A01103T=LMG 29620T).

Dongia soli sp. nov., isolated from soil from Dokdo, Korea.

A Gram-stain negative, white-pigmented bacterial strain, designated D78(T), was isolated from soil obtained from Dokdo in Korea. The strain was observed to be aerobic, asporogenous and rod-shaped. The strain was observed to grow at 15-40 °C (optimum 37 °C), at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetically, the strain was found to be closely related to members of the genus Dongia and showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Dongia mobilis LM22(T) and Dongia rigui 04SU4-P(T) of 94.6 and 94.4 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:0, C19:0 cyclo ω8c and summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c). Q-10 was identified as the only ubiquinone. The polar lipids profile was found to contain phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was found to be 54.7 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic data, strain D78(T) represents a novel species in the genus Dongia, for which the name Dongia soli sp. nov. (=KACC 13941(T) =LMG 29193(T)) is proposed.

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

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

Description of Thalassospira lohafexi sp. nov., isolated from Southern Ocean, Antarctica.

A gram-negative, aerobic, obligatory halophilic, curved-to-spiral rod-shaped, uni- or bi-polar flagellated motile bacterium 139Z-12(T) was isolated from water samples collected from Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica as part of the Indo-German iron fertilization experiment "LOHAFEX." The bacterium was positive for catalase, oxidase, and gelatinase, with C18:1ω7c (20.1 %), C16:0 (7.3 %), C16:1ω7c (28.9 %), and C12:0 (19.0 %) as the predominant fatty acids, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine as major lipids and Q-10 as the major respiratory quinone. DNA G + C content (mol%) of strain 139Z-12(T) was 53.0. Both BLAST and EzTaxon identified strain 139Z-12(T) as affiliated species of the genus Thalassospira with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 97.9 to 99.9 %. Based on above characteristics, strain 139Z-12(T) was assigned to the genus Thalassospira. Since strain 139Z-12(T) shared a DNA-DNA similarity of <70.0 % with members of the genus Thalassospira, 139Z-12(T) was identified as a novel species of the genus and named as Thalassospira lohafexi sp. nov. In addition to this, strain 139Z-12(T), based on REP-PCR, delineated at a similarity coefficient of <0.67 from other species of the genus Thalassospira and also exhibited a MLSA distance of <95.5 %, a value less than the interspecies distance determined previously for the genus Thalassospira, further supporting the species status. In addition, species rank was further confirmed by other polyphasic characteristics. The type strain of Thalassospira lohafexi sp. nov. is 139Z-12(T) (KCTC 32347(T) = LMG 27449(T) = MCC 2233(T) = NBRC 110402(T)).

Description of Niveispirillum fermenti gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a fermentor in Taiwan, transfer of Azospirillum irakense (1989) as Niveispirillum irakense comb. nov., and reclassification of Azospirillum amazonense (1983) as Nitrospirillum amazonense gen. nov.

A taxonomic study was carried out on a novel aerobic bacterial strain (designated CC-LY736(T)) isolated from a fermentor in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-LY736(T) were Gram-stain negative, spiral-shaped and motile by means of a monopolar flagellum. Strain CC-LY736(T) shared the greatest degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Azospirillum irakense DSM 11586(T) (97.2 %), Rhodocista centenaria JCM 21060(T) (96.3 %) and Rhodocista pekingensis JCM 11669(T) (96.1 %). The major fatty acids were C16:0, C16:1 ω5c, C19:0 cyclo ω8c, C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, C16:0 3-OH and C18:1 2-OH. The predominant polar lipids included phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine and two unidentified glycolipids. The common major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and predominant polyamines were sym-homospermidine and putrescine. The DNA G+C content of strain CC-LY736(T) was 67.6 ± 0.1 mol %. During phylogenetic analysis, strain CC-LY736(T) formed a unique phyletic lineage associated with Rhodocista species. However, the combination of genetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological data clearly indicated that strain CC-LY736(T) was a novel representative of the family Rhodospirillaceae. Based on the polyphasic comparison, the name Niveispirillum fermenti gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of the type species is CC-LY736(T) (= BCRC 80504(T) = LMG 27263(T)). In addition, the reclassifications of Azospirillum irakense as Niveispirillum irakense comb. nov. (type strain KBC1(T) = ATCC 51182(T) = BCRC 15764(T) = CIP 103311(T)), and Azospirillum amazonense as Nitrospirillum amazonense gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain Am14(T) = ATCC 35119(T) = BCRC 14279(T) = DSM 3787(T)) are proposed based on the polyphasic taxonomic data obtained in this study.

Lacibacterium aquatile gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Rhodospirillaceae isolated from a freshwater lake.

A bacterial strain designated LTC-2(T) was isolated from a freshwater lake in Taiwan and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strain LTC-2(T) were Gram-reaction-negative, facultatively anaerobic, poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating, motile by means of a monopolar flagellum, non-spore-forming, slightly curved rods surrounded by a thick capsule and formed creamy white colonies. Growth occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum, 20-30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and with 0-1.0 % NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10 and the DNA G+C content was 58.5 mol%. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, two uncharacterized phospholipids and two uncharacterized aminophospholipids. The major polyamines were putrescine, homospermidine and spermidine. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain LTC-2(T) forms a distinct lineage with respect to closely related genera in the family Rhodospirillaceae, most closely related to the genera Elstera and Dongia, and the levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to the type species of related genera were less than 94 %. On the basis of the genotypic and phenotypic data, strain LTC-2(T) represents a novel genus and species of the family Rhodospirillaceae, for which the name Lacibacterium aquatile gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LTC-2(T) ( = BCRC 80445(T) = LMG 26999(T) = KCTC 32017(T)).

Phaeospirillum tilakii sp. nov., a phototrophic alphaproteobacterium isolated from aquatic sediments.

Two strains (JA492(T) and JA590) of spiral-shaped, anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative, motile, purple non-sulfur bacteria were isolated from aquatic sediments from a bird sanctuary and a stream, respectively, and were characterized by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids (rhodopin, lycopene, hydroxylycopene glucoside and dihydroxylycopene diglucoside) were present as photosynthetic pigments. Intracellular photosynthetic membranes were of the stacked type. The major fatty acids were C(18 : 1)ω7c, C(16 : 0) and summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)ω6c and/or C(16 : 1)ω7c) in both strains. Ubiquinones and menaquinones were present as major quinone components. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains JA492(T) and JA590 were 63.8 and 61.5 mol%, respectively. Both strains were closely related (mean DNA-DNA hybridization >70 %). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains clustered with species of the genus Phaeospirillum of the family Rhodospirillaceae, class Alphaproteobacteria. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, both strains showed highest sequence similarity with Phaeospirillum oryzae JA317(T) (97.2-97.4 %), Phaeospirillum molischianum DSM 120(T) (96.5-96.7 %), Phaeospirillum fulvum DSM 113(T) (96.7-96.9 %) and Phaeospirillum chandramohanii JA145(T) (96.5-96.7 %). DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JA492(T) and its closest relative in the genus Phaeospirillum was less than 42 %. It is evident from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular genetic data that strain JA492(T) represents a novel species of the genus Phaeospirillum, for which the name Phaeospirillum tilakii sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is JA492(T) ( = NBRC 107650(T) = KCTC 15012(T)).

Phaeospirillum oryzae sp. nov., a spheroplast-forming, phototrophic alphaproteobacterium from a paddy soil.

Two strains (JA317(T) and JA559) of spiral shaped, spheroplast-forming, anaerobic, gram-negative, motile purple non-sulfur bacteria were isolated from rhizosphere soils of paddy and were characterized by a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids, rhodopin, lycopene and rhodopin glucoside, were present as photosynthetic pigments. Intracellular photosynthetic membranes were of stacked type. The major fatty acids were C(18 : 1)ω7c, C(16 : 0) and C(16 : 1)ω6c/C(16 : 1)ω7c in both strains. The genomic DNA G+C content was 63.3±0.8 mol%. The two strains were closely related (mean DNA-DNA hybridization >85 %). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains clustered with the species of the genus Phaeospirillum, which belongs to the family Rhodospirillaceae within the class Alphaproteobacteria. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strains JA317(T) and JA559 showed highest sequence similarity with the type strains of Phaeospirillum chandramohanii (98.2 %), Phaeospirillum molischianum (97.4 %) and Phaeospirillum fulvum (97.1 %) of the family Rhodospirillaceae. Strain JA317(T) can be clearly distinguished from P. chandramohanii with respect to spheroplast formation and several other morphological and physiological properties. DNA-DNA relatedness of strain JA317(T) with its closest relatives of the genus Phaeospirillum was less than 55 %. It is evident from the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular genetic evidence that strain JA317(T) represents a novel species of the genus Phaeospirillum, for which the name Phaeospirillum oryzae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of the species is JA317(T) ( = NBRC 104938(T)  = KCTC 5704(T)).

Inquilinus ginsengisoli sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field.

A Gram-reaction-negative, chemo-organotrophic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium (strain Gsoil 080(T)) was isolated from soil collected in a ginseng field in Pocheon Province, South Korea, and was investigated by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Gsoil 080(T) was related most closely to Inquilinus limosus strains AU0476(T) and AU1979 (98.9 % similarity to both). Strain Gsoil 080(T) shared ≤91.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strains of other recognized species examined. The genus Inquilinus belongs to the family Rhodospirillaceae in the order Rhodospirillales, class Alphaproteobacteria. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 7 (C(18 : 1)ω9c/ω12t/ω7c) and C(19 : 0) cyclo ω8c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain Gsoil 080(T) was 69.9 mol%. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain Gsoil 080(T) and I. limosus LMG 20952(T) was 12 %. The results of genotypic analyses in combination with chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that strain Gsoil 080(T) represents a novel species of the genus Inquilinus, for which the name Inquilinus ginsengisoli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gsoil 080(T) (=KCTC 12574(T) =LMG 23638(T)).