Polyphasic Investigation of Aliiroseovarius salicola sp. nov., Isolated from Seawater.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, short-rod-shaped, and chemo-organoheterotrophic bacterium, designated KMU-50T, was isolated from seawater gathered from Dadaepo Harbor in South Korea. The microorganism grew at 0-4.0% NaCl concentrations (w/v), pH 6.0-8.0, and 4-37 °C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic tree demonstrated that the strain KMU-50T is a novel member of the family Roseobacteraceae and were greatly related to Aliiroseovarius crassostreae CV919-312T with sequence similarity of 98.3%. C18:1 ω7c was the main fatty acid and ubiquinone-10 was the only isoprenoid quinone. The dominant polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid, and an unidentified lipid. The genome size of strain KMU-50T was 3.60 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 56.0%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and average amino acid identity (AAI) values between the genomes of strain KMU-50T and its closely related species were 76.0-81.2% and 62.2-81.5%, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) value of strain KMU-50T with the strain of A. crassostreae CV919-312T was 25.1%. The genome of the strain KMU-50T showed that it encoded many genes involved in the breakdown of bio-macromolecules, thus showing a high potential as a producer of industrially useful enzymes. Consequently, the strain is described as a new species in the genus Aliiroseovarius, for which the name Aliiroseovarius salicola sp. nov., is proposed with the type strain KMU-50T (= KCCM 90480T = NBRC 115482T).

Chelativorans salis sp. nov., a slightly halophilic bacterium isolated from an enrichment system with saline lake sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, and slightly halophilic alphaproteobacterium, designated strain EGI FJ00035T, was isolated from enrichment sediment samples of a saline lake in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, PR China. The taxonomic position of the isolate was determined using the polyphasic taxonomic and phylogenomic analyses. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain EGI FJ00035T formed a distinct clade with 'Chelativorans alearense' UJN715 and 'Chelativorans xinjiangense' lm93 with sequence similarities of 98.44 and 98.22 %, respectively, while sharing less than 96.7 % with other valid type strains. The novel isolate could be distinguished from other species of the genus Chelativorans by its distinct phenotypic, physiological, and genotypic characteristics. Optimal growth of strain EGI FJ00035T occurred on marine agar 2216 at pH 7.0 and 30 °C. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10, while the major fatty acids (>5 %) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, summed feature 8 (C17 : 1 ω6c and/or C17 : 1 ω7c), C16 : 0, C18 : 0, and iso-C17 : 0. The detected polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminophospholipids, unidentified glycolipids, and an unidentified lipid. Based on its genome sequence, the G+C content of strain EGI FJ00035T was 63.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain EGI FJ00035T against related members of the genus Chelativorans were below the thresholds for delineation of a novel species. According our polyphasic taxonomic data, strain EGI FJ00035T represents a new species of the genus Chelativorans, for which the name Chelativorans salis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel isolate is EGI FJ00035T (=KCTC 92251T=CGMCC 1.19480T).

Sphingomicrobium clamense sp. nov., Isolated from Sediment of Clam Island Beach in China.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated, aerobic, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterium with motility, designated B8T, was isolated from the sediment of Clam Island beach, Liaoning province, China. The optimum growth of strain B8T occurred at 35 oC, pH 7.0, and in the presence of 4.0-5.0% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain B8T formed a distinct lineage within the genus Sphingomicrobium and was closely related to Sphingomicrobium nitratireducens O-35T (98.3% sequence similarity), Sphingomicrobium aestuariivivum KCTC 42286T (96.9%), and Sphingomicrobium astaxanthinifaciens JCM 18551T (96.5%). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain B8T and closely related strains were lower than 21.0% and 78.0%, much lower than the cutoff values of 70.0% and 95.0%, respectively, for bacterial species delineation. The dominant respiratory quinone of strain B8T was ubiquinone-10. The major fatty acids were Sum In Feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), Sum In Feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C17:1ω6c, C18:1 2-OH, and C16:0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, glycolipids, and four unknown polar lipids. The DNA G + C content of strain B8T was 63.9%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain B8T is considered a new species of Sphingomicrobium, for which the name Sphingomicrobium clamense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B8T (= CGMCC 1.19486T = KCTC 92052T).

Azospirillum isscasi sp. nov., a bacterium isolated from rhizosphere soil of rice.

A Gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterium, designated C340-1T, was isolated and screened from paddy soil in Zhongshan County, Guangxi Province, PR China. This strain grew at 20-42 °C (optimum, 37 °C), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-1 %) on Reasoner's 2A medium. The strain could fix atmospheric nitrogen and acetylene reduction activity was recorded up to 120.26 nmol ethylene h-1 (mg protein)-1. Q-10 was the only isoprenoid quinone component; phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified polar lipid were the major polar lipids. Summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) were the primary cellular fatty acids. The genome of strain C340-1T was 6.18 Mb, and the G+C content was 69.0 mol%. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and 92 core genes showed that strain C340-1T was closely related to and clustered with the type strains Azospirillum brasilense JCM 1224T, Azospirillum argentinense Az39T, Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245T and Azospirillum formosense JCM 17639T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain C340-1T and the closely related type strains mentioned above were significantly lower than the threshold values for species classification (95-96 %, 95-96 % and 70 %, respectively). Based on phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic, physiological and biochemical data, we have reason to believe that C340-1T represents a new species of the genus Azospirillum, for which the name Azospirillum isscasi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is C340-1T(=CCTCC AB 2023105T=KCTC 8126T).

Tianweitania aestuarii sp. nov., isolated from a coastal dune, reclassification of Corticibacterium populi as Tianweitania populi comb. nov., and emended description of the genus Tianweitania.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated and coccoid or ovoid bacterial strain, BSSL-BM11T, was isolated from sand of coastal dunes along the Yellow Sea of the Korean peninsula. Strain BSSL-BM11T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the up-to-date bacterial core gene set and average amino acid identity (AAI) showed that strain BSSL-BM11T forms a cluster with the type strains of Tianweitania sediminis and Corticibacterium populi. Strain BSSL-BM11T showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.3 and 98.0 % to the type strains of T. sediminis and C. populi, respectively, and less than 96.4 % to the type strains of the other recognized species. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain BSSL-BM11T and the type strains of T. sediminis and C. populi were 77.0-84.8 % and 20.0-28.1 %, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene similarity, AAI, ANI and dDDH values between T. sediminis Z8T and C. populi KCTC 42249T were 98.0, 77.4, 76.7 and 20.1 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain BSSL-BM11T from genomic sequence data was 61.3 mol%. Strain BSSL-BM11T contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 0 and cyclo C19 : 0 ω8c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain BSSL-BM11T were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on the polyphasic data, it is proposed that C, populi be reclassified as a member of the genus Tianweitania. Phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain BSSL-BM11T is separated from T. sediminis and C. populi. On the basis of the data presented here, strain BSSL-BM11T (=KACC 21634T=NBRC 114503T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Tianweitania, for which the name Tianweitania aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed.

Marinomonas transparens sp. nov. and Marinomonas sargassi sp. nov., isolated from marine alga.

Two Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, strictly aerobic, motile bacteria with a single polar flagellum, designated strains C1424T and C2222T, were isolated from marine alga collected from the sea shore at Yantai, PR China. Strain C1424T grew at 4-37 °C and in the presence of 1-9 % (w/v) NaCl, while strain C2222T grew at 4-32 °C with 1-6 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and concatenated amino acid sequences of 120 ubiquitous single-copy proteins showed that both strains C1424T and C2222T belonged to the genus Marinomonas, showing highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of Marinomonas primoryensis (98.1 %) and Marinomonas dokdonensis (98.1 %), respectively. The major fatty acids of the two strains were C18 : 1 ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c, C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0, their predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, and their sole respiratory quinone was Q8. On the basis of polyphasic analyses, strains C1424T and C2222T are considered to represent two novel species within the genus Marinomonas, for which the names Marinomonas transparens sp. nov. and Marinomonas sargassi sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are C1424T (=KCTC 72119T=MCCC 1K03601T) and C2222T (=KCTC 72120T=MCCC 1K03602T), respectively.

Parasedimentitalea psychrophila sp. nov., a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from deep-sea sediment.

A novel bacterium, strain QS115T, was isolated from deep-sea sediment collected from the South China Sea at a depth of 1151 m. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that QS115T was most closely related to Parasedimentitalea marina W43T, with similarity of 98.21 %. Strain QS115T shared 82.39 % average nucleotide identity, 26.3 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization and 85.32 % average amino acid identity with P. marina W43T. Cells of strain QS115T were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and grew optimally at 10 °C, pH 7.5 and 2 % (w/v) NaCl. The principal fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/ω6c), the major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 and predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, glycophospholipid, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. Polyphasic analyses of physiological and phenotypic characteristics and genomic studies suggested that strain QS115T represents a novel species of the genus Parasedimentitalea, for which the name Parasedimentitalea psychrophila sp. nov. is proposed (type strain QS115T=MCCC 1K04395T=JCM 34219T).

Alsobacter ponti sp. nov., a novel denitrification and sulfate reduction bacterium isolated from Pearl River sediment.

A Gram-staining negative, aerobic, motile, and short rods strain, designated SYSU M60028T, was isolated from a Pearl River sediment sample in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The isolate could be able to grow at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 25-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and in the presence of 0-2% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0% NaCl). The cellular polar lipids of this strain were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. The respiratory quinone of SYSU M60028T was found to be Q-10. The major fatty acids (> 5% of total) were summed feature 8, C16:0, and C18:1 ω7c 11-methy1. The genomic DNA G + C content was 69.9%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and core genes indicated that strain SYSU M60028T belonged to the genus Alsobacter and had the highest sequences similarities to Alsobacter metallidurans SK200a-9T (96.87%) and Alsobacter soli SH9T (96.87%). Based on the phenotypic, genotypic, and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU M0028T should be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Alsobacter, for which the name Alsobacter ponti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU M60028T (= CGMCC 1.19341T = KCTC 92046T).

Ruegeria spongiae sp. nov., isolated from Callyspongia elongata.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, polar flagellated, aerobic, light-yellow bacterium, designated as 2012CJ41-6T, was isolated from a sponge sample of Callyspongia elongata from Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si, Jeju-do, Republic of Korea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain 2012CJ41-6T clustered with species of the genus Ruegeria and appeared closely related to R. halocynthiae DSM 27839T (96.46 % similarity), R. denitrificans CECT 4357T (96.32 %), R. profundi ZGT108T (96.32 %), R. litorea CECT 7639T (96.32 %) and R. atlantica CECT 4292T (96.16 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between strain 2012CJ41-6T and the most closely related strain was 75.3 % and 19.6 %, indicating that 2012CJ41-6T represents a novel species of the genus Ruegeria. Growth occurred at 15-37 °C on marine medium in the presence of 0.5-10 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 5.5-8.5. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 60.80 mol%, and ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was the major respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c (summed feature 8). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid and five unidentified lipids. Physiological and biochemical characteristics indicated that strain 2012CJ41-6T represents a novel species of the genus Ruegeria, for which the name Ruegeria spongiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2012CJ41-6T (=KACC 22645T=LMG 32585T).

Defluviimonas sediminis sp. nov., isolated from mangrove sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic, motile and ovoid- to rod-shaped bacterium, designated as FT324T, was isolated from a surface mangrove sediment sample from Shenzhen, PR China. The taxonomic position of strain FT324T was determined by a combination of phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic analyses. Strain FT324T grew at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30-37 °C), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1 %). Its full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence was the most similar to Frigidibacter oleivorans XJ4T (97.4 %), followed by Defluviimonas denitrificans DSM 18921T (96.62 %), Pseudothioclava arenosa CAU 1312T (96.54 %) and Defluviimonas nitratireducens DL5-4T (96.47 %). The major fatty acids (>10 %) of FT324T were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (51.9 %) and summed feature 8(29.6 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. Its polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified lipid and two unidentified phospholipids. Its estimated genome size was 4 294 115 bp and the genomic DNA G+C content was 69.6 mol%. Based on its distinct phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain FT324T should represent a novel species of the genus Defluviimonas, for which the name Defluviimonas sediminis sp. nov. is proposed (=MCCC 1K07685T=KCTC 92477T).

Leisingera thetidis sp. nov., isolated from coastal water.

A Gram-strain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive and pinkish beige colony-forming bacterial strain designated as BMJM1T was isolated from a marine sample collected from coastal water near Tongyeong, Republic of Korea. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that BMJM1T represents a member of the genus Leisingera as it is closely related to Leisingera daeponensis KCTC 12794T (98.27%), Leisingera caerulea DSM 24564T (97.98%), Leisingera aquaemixtae KCTC 32538T (97.91%), Leisingera methylohalidivorans DSM 14336T (97.26%) and Leisingera aquimarina DSM 24565T (97.25%). Optimal growth occurred at 25-30°C, pH 7.0 and with 2% NaCl. Digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain BMJM1T and the closely related species of the genus Leisingera were below 40 and 90%, respectively, which are far below the thresholds to delineate a novel species. The predominant fatty acids (>10%) are summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c) (68.4%) and C14:1iso E (11.6%). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phospholipid. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-10. The DNA G+C content was 64.0%. On the basis of the results of the polyphasic taxonomic characterisation, BMJM1T represents a novel species of the genus Leisingera, for which the name is Leisingera thetidis sp. nov. is proposed, with that type strain BMJM1T (= KCTC 92110T = GDMCC 1.2992T).

Sphingomonas caeni sp. nov., a phenolic acid-degrading bacterium isolated from activated sludge.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, polar flagellated or stalked and non-spore-forming bacterium, designated LB-2T, was isolated from activated sludge. Growth was observed at 20-30 °C (optimum 28 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and salinity of 0-0.5% (w/v; optimum 0.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain LB-2T belongs to the genus Sphingomonas and showed the highest sequence similarity (96.7%) and less than 96.7% similarities to other type strains. The genome size of strain LB-2T was 4.10 Mb, with 66.8 mol% G + C content. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strains LB-2T and S. canadensis FWC47T were 77.8% and 21%, respectively. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C16:0. The major polar lipids were aminolipid, glycolipid, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, four unidentified lipids, glycophospholipid, phosphatidylethanolamine and diphosphatidylglycerol. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major polyamine was sym-homospermidine. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidences, strain LB-2T represents a novel species in the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LB-2T (GDMCC 1.3630T = NBRC 115,102T).

Ramlibacter paludis sp. nov., isolated from wetland.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, aerobic and white-coloured bacterium (designated XY19T) was isolated from a soil sample of wetland from Godeok Ecological Park, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain XY19T clustered with species of the genus Ramlibacter and appeared closely related to R. ginsenosidimutans DSM 23480T (98.42 %), R. alkalitolerans JCM 32081T (97.68 %) and R. monticola JCM 31918T (97.66 %). The average nucleotide identity between strain XY19T and three strains (R. ginsenosidimutans DSM 23480T, R. alkalitolerans JCM 32081T and R. monticola JCM 31918T) were 80.7, 81.1 and 81.4 %. And the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) calculated between strain XY19T and each of the three strains (R. ginsenosidimutans DSM 23480T, R. alkalitolerans JCM 32081T and R. monticola JCM 31918T) were 24.1, 24.4 and 24.5 %. ANI value and dDDH results were a novel species of the genus Ramlibacter. Growth occurs at 10-37 °C on R2A medium in the pressence of 0-1 % NaCl (w/v) and at pH 6.0-8.5. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.7 mol%, and ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the major respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c (summed feature 3), C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo and C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c (summed feature 8). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified lipids and unidentified aminophospholipid. Physiological and biochemical characteristics indicated that strain XY19T represents a novel species of the genus Ramlibacter, for which the name Ramlibacter paludis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XY19T (= KACC 22220T = LMG 32190T).

Opacimonas viscosa gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from phycosphere.

A novel strain of a member of the family Alteromonadaceae was isolated from the phycosphere of a diatom and designated as LMIT007T. LMIT007T could form milk-white, opaque, circular and smooth colonies on 2216E marine agar. LMIT007T cells were around 1.0-1.8 µm long, 0.8-1.8 µm wide, round or oval shaped and had polar flagella but were non-motile. Optimum conditions for growth were 25 °C, pH 7.0 and 6 % (w/v) NaCl. The results of 16S rRNA gene-based analysis indicated that LMIT007T had the highest similarity with the type strains Aestuaribacter halophilus JC2043T (95.95 %), Alteromonas lipolytica JW12T (95.60 %) and Alteromonas halophila KCTC 22164T (94.21 %). Furthermore, the results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and of phylogenomic analysis indicated that LMIT007T could be clustered into the family Alteromonadaceae but formed a separate branch. The genome size of the strain was 2.95 Mbp and the DNA G+C content was 41.6 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of orthologous genes between LMIT007T and species of other closely related genera within the family Alteromonadaceae ranged from 66.9 to 69.2 %, and the average amino acid identity (AAI) values ranged from 60.0 to 65.7 %. The main respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c / C16 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile contain phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, two phospholipid and an unknown polar lipid. On the basis of the results of the polyphasic analysis, strain LMIT007T is suggested to represent a novel genus and species within the family Alteromonadaceae, for which the name Opacimonas viscosa gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LMIT007T (=MCCC 1K08161T=KCTC 92597T).

Identification and genomic analysis of Pseudosulfitobacter koreense sp. nov. isolated from toxin-producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum.

The bacterial strain AP-MA-4T isolated from the marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium pacificum (KCTC AG60911), was subjected to a taxonomic analysis. Cells of strain AP-MA-4T were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, optimum growth at 20 °C, pH 7.0, in the presence of 5% (w/v) NaCl. Strain AP-MA-4T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Pseudosulfitobacter pseudonitzschiae DSM 26824T (98.5%), followed by Ascidiaceihabitans donghaensis RSS1-M3T (96.3%), Pseudoseohaeicola caenipelagi BS-W13T (95.7%), and Sulfitobacter pontiacus CHLG 10T (95.3%). Based on 16S rRNA phylogeny, strain AP-MA-4T is phylogenetically closely related to Pseudosulfitobacter pseudonitzschiae (type species of Pseudosulfitobacter) and could be distinguished from the type species based on their phenotypic properties. The genome length of strain AP-MA-4T was 3.48 Mbp with a 62.9% G + C content. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain AP-MA-4 T and its closely related type strains were 72.2-83.3 and 18.2-27.6%, respectively. Summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c) was identified the major fatty acids (> 10%). Phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phospholipid (PL) were demonstrated as the major polar lipids. The major respiratory quinone is ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). Based on genotypic and phenotypic features, strain AP-MA-4T (= KCTC 92289T = GDMCC 1.3585T) represents a new Pseudosulfitobacter species, in which the name Pseudosulfitobacter koreense sp. nov. is proposed.

Antarcticirhabdus aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from Antarctic gravel soil.

Strain R10T was isolated from a gravel soil sample obtained from Deception Island, Antarctica. The isolate was a Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium, and its colonies were orange yellow in colour. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain R10T belonged to the family Aurantimonadaceae and shared highest sequence similarity with Jiella aquimaris LZB041T (96.3 % sequence similarity), Aurantimonas aggregata R14M6T (96.0 %) and Aureimonas frigidaquae JCM 14755T (96.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain R10T affiliated with members of the family Aurantimonadaceae and represented an independent lineage. Growth occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum, 28-32 °C), up to 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %) and pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). The major respiratory quinone of strain R10T was Q-10. Its major fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile of strain R10T comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unknown phospholipids and two unknown aminophospholipids. The genome of strain R10T was 5.92 Mbp with a G+C content of 69.1 % based on total genome calculations. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between R10T and other related species of the family Aurantimonadaceae were found to be low (ANIm <87.0 %, ANIb <75.0 % and OrthoANIu <77.0 %). Furthermore, digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average amino acid identity (AAI) values between strain R10T and the closely related species ranged from 19.5-20.6% and from 60.6-64.0 %, respectively. Based on the results of our phylogenetic, phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, it is concluded that strain R10T represents a novel genus and species of the family Aurantimonadaceae, for which the name Antarcticirhabdus aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R10T (=KCTC 72466T=CGMCC 1.17155T).

Tsuneonella litorea sp. nov., a novel carotenoid-producing bacterium isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and pleomorphic bacterium designated as YG55T was isolated from a coastal sediment sample. Growth was found to occur at 10-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 8) and in 0-6 % NaCl (optimum, 1 %). The results of 16S rRNA gene-based analysis showed that strain YG55T was related to the members of the genus Tsuneonella and shared the highest identity of 99.4 % with Tsuneonella dongtanensis GDMCC 1.2307T, followed by Tsuneonella troitsensis JCM 17037T (98.4 %). The phylogenomic results indicated that strain YG55T formed an independent branch distinct from the reference type strains. The 22.7 and 21.8 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values and 83.0 and 81.8 % average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain YG55T and the two relatives were below the species definition thresholds of 70 % (dDDH) and 95-96 % (ANI), indicating that the strain represents a novel genospecies. The results of chemotaxonomic characterization indicated that the major cellular fatty acids of strain YG55T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω6c and/or C18 : 1 ω7c), C14 : 0 2OH and C16 : 0; the main polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid; the respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The genomic size and DNA G+C contents were 3.03 Mbp and 66.98 %. The strain contained carotenoid biosynthesis genes and could produce carotenoids. Based on its genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, strain YG55T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Tsuneonella, for which the name Tsuneonella litorea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YG55T (=GDMCC 1.2590 T=KCTC 82812T).

Limimaricola litoreus sp. nov., isolated from intertidal sand of the Yellow Sea.

A novel species of the genus Limimaricola, designated ASW11-118T, was isolated from an intertidal sand sample of the Yellow Sea, PR China. Growth of strain ASW11-118T occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 5.5-8.5 (optimum, pH 7.5) and with 0.5-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.5%). Strain ASW11-118T has the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Limimaricola cinnabarinus LL-001T (98.8%) and 98.6 % to Limimaricola hongkongensis DSM 17492T. Phylogenetic analysis based on genomic sequences indicated that strain ASW11-118T belongs to the genus Limimaricola. The genome size of strain ASW11-118T was 3.8 Mb and DNA G+C content was 67.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain ASW11-118T and other members of the genus Limimaricola were below 86.6 and 31.3 %, respectively. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. The predominant cellular fatty acid was C18 : 1 ω7c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and one unknown aminolipid. On the basis of the data presented, strain ASW11-118T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Limimaricola, for which the name Limimaricola litoreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ASW11-118T (=MCCC 1K05581T=KCTC 82494T).

Qipengyuania spongiae sp. nov., isolated from marine sponge Cinachyrella kuekenthali.

A novel bacterial strain, designated as PHS-Z21T, was isolated from the marine sponge Cinachyrella kuekenthali collected from PG Dave's Rock, Philippines. Cells of PHS-Z21T are Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, pale-yellow-pigmented, short rods. PHS-Z21T is able to grow at 10-40 ℃ (optimum, 30 ℃), pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 8.5) and with 3-9 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 4 %). Its 16S rRNA gene sequence shows 98.6 % similarity to Qipengyuania nanhaisediminis CGMCC 1.7715T, 98.5 % similarity to Qipengyuania vulgaris 022-2-10T and 98.4 % similarity to Qipengyuania flava SW-46T, respectively. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences reveals that PHS-Z21T is clustered with Q. flava SW-46T. The total genome of PHS-Z21T is approximately 2 932 896 bp in size with a DNA G+C content of 64.7 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values among PHS-Z21T and other type strains are 70.0-77.3 % (ANIb), 83.3-86.8 % (ANIm) and 13.0-26.9 % (dDDH), respectively. The dDDH and ANI values are below the standard cutoff criteria for delineating bacterial species. Percentage of conserved proteins (POCP) values between the genome of strain PHS-Z21T and those of members of the genera Qipengyuania, Erythrobacter, Altererythrobacter and Alteriqipengyuania were 62.0-74.5 %, 55.8-63.2 %, 60.7-66.9 % and 63.9-66.8%, respectively, while the AAI values were 68.4-74.3 %, 63.8-65.9 %, 66.3-68.3 % and 64.7-66.9%, respectively. The major fatty acids of PHS-Z21T are composed of summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C18 : 1ω7c 11-methyl, C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids of PHS-Z21T mainly consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and glycophospholipid. The respiratory lipoquinone was identified as Q-10. On the basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain PHS-Z21T represents a novel species of the genus Qipengyuania, for which the name Qipengyuania spongiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PHS-Z21T (=MCCC 1K07849T=KCTC 92590T).

Chelativorans petroleitrophicus sp. nov., a paraffin oil-degrading bacterium isolated from a mixture of oil-based drill cuttings and paddy soil.

We isolated a paraffin oil-degrading bacterial strain from a mixture of oil-based drill cutting and paddy soil, and characterized the strain using a polyphasic approach. The Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming strain (SCAU 2101T) grew optimally at 50 °C, pH 7.0 and 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain represented a distinct clade in the genus Chelativorans, neighbouring Chelativorans intermedius LMG 28482T (97.1 %). The genome size and DNA G+C content of the strain were 3 969 430 bp and 63.1 mol%, respectively. Whole genome based phylogenomic analyses showed that the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain SCAU 2101T and C. intermedius LMG 28482T were 77.5 and 21.2 %, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The dominant fatty acids were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (50.6 %), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c; 22.5 %) and C18 : 0 (13.8 %). The polar lipids of the strain included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and diphosphatidylglycerol. Based on the results, strain SCAU 2101T was considered to represent a novel species in the genus Chelativorans, for which the name Chelativorans petroleitrophicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCAU 2101T (= CCTCC AB 2021125T=KCTC 92067T).