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

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

Description of Luteimonas pelagia sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment, and emended descriptions of Luteimonas aquatica, Luteimonas composti, Luteimonas mephitis, Lysobacter enzymogenes and Lysobacter panaciterrae.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CC-VAM-7T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected at Kending, Taiwan. The isolate grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C and in the presence of 4 % (w/v) NaCl. The most closely related strains in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were the type strains of Luteimonas huabeiensis (95.2 %) and Lysobacter defluvii (95.0 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CC-VAM-7T clustered with members of the genus Luteimonas. Strain CC-VAM-7T possessed C15 : 1ω5c, C16 : 1ω5c, iso-C11 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, iso-C11 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 9 (10-methyl C16 : 0 and/or iso-C17 : 1ω9c) as predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile contained major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine and moderate amounts of an unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.4 mol%. Ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) was the predominant respiratory quinone. According to its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, which were in line with those of other members of the genus Luteimonas, strain CC-VAM-7T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Luteimonas, for which the name Luteimonas pelagia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-VAM-7T ( = BCRC 80558T = JCM 18792T). In addition, we propose emended descriptions of Luteimonas aquaticaChou et al. 2008, Luteimonas compostiYoung et al. 2007, Luteimonas mephitisFinkmann et al. 2000, Lysobacter enzymogenesChristensen and Cook 1978 and Lysobacter panaciterraeTen et al. 2009.

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

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

Hanstruepera neustonica gen. nov., sp. nov., a zeaxanthin-producing member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from estuarine water, and emendation of Sediminibacter furfurosus Khan et al. 2007 emend. Kwon et al. 2014, Mangrovimonas yunxiaonensis Li et al. 2013, Antarcticimonas flava Yang et al. 2009 and Hoppeia youngheungensis Kwon et al. 2014.

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, yellowish-orange, flexirubin-positive, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming and non-gliding marine bacterium, designated strain CC-PY-50(T), was isolated from estuarine water off Pingtung, Taiwan. The strain produced zeaxanthin as a major carotenoid pigment, and showed highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Bizionia hallyeonensis T-y7(T) (93.9 %) followed by Corallibacter vietnamensis KMM 6217(T) (93.8 %), Geojedonia litorea YCS-16(T) (93.7 %) and other members of the family Flavobacteriaceae (<93.7 %). Strain CC-PY-50(T) established a distinct phyletic lineage associated with Mangrovimonas yunxiaonensis LYYY01(T) (93.1 % sequence similarity) with poor bootstrap support during neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses (37 % for each). The polar lipid profile of strain CC-PY-50(T) was determined to accommodate large numbers of unknown lipids including major amounts of three unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids, and moderate amounts of an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified lipid. In addition, phosphatidylethanolamine was also detected in significant amounts. The major (>5 % of total) fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c. The DNA G+C content was 37.1 mol% and menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on the phylogenetic evidence and several distinguishing phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-PY-50(T) is proposed to represent a novel genus and species of the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Hanstruepera neustonica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species Hanstruepera neustonica gen. nov., sp. nov. is CC-PY-50(T) ( = JCM 19743(T) = BCRC 80747(T)). Emended descriptions of the species Sediminibacter furfurosus, Mangrovimonas yunxiaonensis, Antarcticimonas flava and Hoppeia youngheungensis are also proposed.

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

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

Pseudomonas hussainii sp. nov., isolated from droppings of a seashore bird, and emended descriptions of Pseudomonas pohangensis, Pseudomonas benzenivorans and Pseudomonas segetis.

Two Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterial strains that are motile by a monopolar flagellum, designated CC-AMH-11(T) and CC-AMHZ-5, were isolated from droppings of a seashore bird off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan. The strains showed 99.7% mutual pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, while exhibiting <96.2% sequence similarity to strains of other species of the genus Pseudomonas (95.7-95.9% similarity with type species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa LMG 1242T), and formed a distinct co-phyletic lineage in the phylogenetic trees. The common major fatty acids (>5% of the total) were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8), C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c (summed feature 3), C16 : 0 and C12 : 0. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, an unidentified lipid and an unidentified phospholipid were detected as common polar lipids. The DNA G+C contents of strains CC-AMH-11(T) and CC-AMHZ-5 were 61.1 and 61.6 mol%, respectively. The common major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 9 (Q-9), and the predominant polyamine was putrescine. The DNA-DNA hybridization obtained between the two strains was 79.0% (reciprocal value 89.4% using CC-AMHZ-5 DNA as the probe). The very high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and DNA-DNA relatedness and the poorly distinguishable phenotypic features witnessed between CC-AMH-11(T) and CC-AMHZ-5 suggested unambiguously that they are two distinct strains of a single genomic species. However, the strains also showed several genotypic and phenotypic characteristics that distinguished them from other closely related species of Pseudomonas. Thus, the strains are proposed to represent a novel species of Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas hussainii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-AMH-11(T) ( = JCM 19513(T) = BCRC 80696(T)); a second strain of the same species is CC-AMHZ-5 ( = JCM 19512 = BCRC 80697). In addition, emended descriptions of the species Pseudomonas pohangensis, Pseudomonas benzenivorans and Pseudomonas segetis are also proposed.

Gramella oceani sp. nov., a zeaxanthin-producing bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from marine sediment.

A Gram-staining-negative, yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic, zeaxanthin-producing, rod-shaped, non-endospore-forming, appendaged bacterial strain that exhibits gliding motility, designated CC-AMSZ-T(T), was isolated from marine sediment off coastal Kending, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMSZ-T(T) shared 94.9% and 96.7-94.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Gramella echinicola KMM 6050(T) and other species of the genus Gramella, respectively, and formed a distinct phyletic lineage in phylogenetic trees. The major (≥5% of the total) fatty acids were C(16 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0), C(16 : 1)ω6c and/or C(16 : 1)ω7c and iso-C(17 : 1)ω9c and/or C(16 : 0) 10-methyl. Phosphatidylethanolamine, six unidentified lipids and three unidentified aminolipids were the polar lipid components. The DNA G+C content was 38.6 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Based on the phylogenetic distinctiveness and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics, strain CC-AMSZ-T(T) represents a novel species of the genus Gramella, for which the name Gramella oceani sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-AMSZ-T(T) ( = JCM 18809(T) = BCRC 80547(T)).

Cribrihabitans neustonicus sp. nov., isolated from coastal surface seawater, and emended description of the genus Cribrihabitans Chen et al. 2014.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod- or oval-shaped, motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain CC-AMHB-3(T), was isolated from coastal surface seawater off Hualien, Taiwan. The novel strain showed high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Ruegeria mobilis NBRC 101030(T) (96.5%), Ruegeria scottomollicae LMG 24367(T) (96.4%), Phaeobacter aquaemixtae SSK6-1(T) (96.2%), Phaeobacter daeponensis TF-218(T) (96.2%), Cribrihabitans marinus CZ-AM5(T) (96.1%) and other species of the family Rhodobacteraceae (≤ 95.9%). However, strain CC-AMHB-3(T) formed a distinct phyletic lineage associated with C. marinus CZ-AM5(T) during phylogenetic analyses. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMHB-3(T) included major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine; moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified lipid; and trace amounts of an unidentified lipid and an unidentified phospholipid, which was qualitatively almost in line with that of C. marinus CZ-AM5(T) but remarkably distinct as compared with the type species of the genera Ruegeria (Ruegeria atlantica JCM 21234(T)) and Phaeobacter (Phaeobacter gallaeciensis JCM 21319(T)). In line with the fatty acid profile of C. marinus CZ-AM5(T), the major (>5% of total) fatty acids of strain CC-AMHB-3(T) were C(18:1)ω7c and/or C(18:1)ω6c (summed feature 8), 11-methyl C(18:1)ω7c and C(16:0). The DNA G+C content was 66.7 mol%. Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was the sole respiratory quinone. Thus, based on the results of the polyphasic study presented here, strain CC-AMHB-3(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Cribrihabitans, for which the name Cribrihabitans neustonicus sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is CC-AMHB-3(T) ( = JCM 19537(T) =BCRC 80695(T)). In addition, an emended description of the genus Cribrihabitans is also proposed.

Aquibacter zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov., a zeaxanthin-producing bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from surface seawater, and emended descriptions of the genera Aestuariibaculum and Gaetbulibacter.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming and gliding marine bacterium, designated strain CC-AMZ-304(T), was isolated from coastal surface seawater near Taichung harbour, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMZ-304(T) predominantly synthesized zeaxanthin and thus formed yellow colonies on marine agar. The novel strain showed an unstable phylogenetic position, although sharing high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.9-94.9, 95.7 and 95.1-93.9 % with Gaetbulibacter species (n = 4), Aestuariibaculum suncheonense SC17(T) and Bizionia species (n = 7), respectively. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMZ-304(T) consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified lipids, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified glycolipid. The major (>5 % of the total) fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and C15 : 1ω5c. The DNA G+C content was 36.0 mol%. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone and the major polyamine was triamine sym-homospermidine. Phylogenetic distinctiveness, unique polar lipid composition, presence of significant amounts of branched hydroxyl fatty acids (iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH) and a low amount of anteiso-C15 : 0, and several additional distinguishing biochemical features clearly discriminated strain CC-AMZ-304(T) from the type species of the genera Aestuariibaculum and Gaetbulibacter. Thus, based on data from the present polyphasic study, strain CC-AMZ-304(T) is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Aquibacter zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of Aquibacter zeaxanthinifaciens is CC-AMZ-304(T) ( = JCM 18557(T) = BCRC 80463(T)). Emended descriptions of the genera Aestuariibaculum and Gaetbulibacter are also proposed.

Robertkochia marina gen. nov., sp. nov., of the family Flavobacteriaceae, isolated from surface seawater, and emended descriptions of the genera Joostella and Galbibacter.

A Gram-staining-negative, orange-pigmented, strictly aerobic, carotenoid-producing, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming bacterium, motile by gliding, designated strain CC-AMO-30D(T), was isolated from surface seawater collected near Taichung harbour, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMO-30D(T) shared pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 94.8, 93.7 and 92.5% with the type strains of the type species of the genera Joostella, Pustulibacterium and Galbibacter, respectively, and formed a distinct monophyletic lineage in phylogenetic trees. The major fatty acids (≥ 5% of total) were iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified lipids, two unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The major polyamine was the triamine sym-homospermidine. The DNA G+C content was 47.1 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Based on the phylogenetic distinctiveness and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics, strain CC-AMO-30D(T) represents a novel genus and species of the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Robertkochia marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of the type species Robertkochia marina is CC-AMO-30D(T) ( = JCM 18552(T) = BCRC 80469(T)). Emended descriptions of the genera Joostella and Galbibacter are also proposed.

Youngimonas vesicularis gen. nov., sp. nov., of the family Rhodobacteraceae, isolated from surface seawater, reclassification of Donghicola xiamenensis Tan et al. 2009 as Pseudodonghicola xiamenensis gen. nov., comb. nov. and emended description of the genus Donghicola Yoon et al. 2007.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-pigmented, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, non-motile bacterium, devoid of bacteriochlorophyll, designated strain CC-AMW-E(T), was isolated from surface seawater off the coast at Kending, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMW-E(T) shared 95.7 and 93.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively, with the type strains of the type species of the genera Donghicola (Donghicola eburneus SW-277(T)) and Roseovarius (Roseovarius tolerans EL-172(T)). The predominant (>75% of the total) fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C(18 : 1)ω6c and/or C(18 : 1)ω7c). The polar lipid profile included major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. In addition, moderate amounts of an unidentified lipid and trace amounts of an unidentified phospholipid were detected. The DNA G+C content was 67.9 mol%. Ubiquinone Q-10 was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on its phylogenetic distinctiveness and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics (in particular its polar lipid pattern), we conclude that strain CC-AMW-E(T) represents a novel genus and species of the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Youngimonas vesicularis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Youngimonas vesicularis is CC-AMW-E(T) ( = JCM 18819(T) = BCRC 80549(T)). In addition, an emended description of the genus Donghicola Yoon et al. 2007 and the reclassification of Donghicola xiamenensis Tan et al. 2009 as Pseudodonghicola xiamenensis gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain Y-2(T) = MCCC 1A00107(T) = LMG 24574(T) = CGMCC 1.7081(T)) are proposed.

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

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

Gramella planctonica sp. nov., a zeaxanthin-producing bacterium isolated from surface seawater, and emended descriptions of Gramella aestuarii and Gramella echinicola.

A Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, zeaxanthin-producing, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterial strain which is motile by gliding, designated CC-AMWZ-3(T), was isolated from surface seawater off coastal Kending, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMWZ-3(T) was found to share 93.3 % and 96.0-92.4 % pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Gramella echinicola KMM 6050(T) and other Gramella species, respectively, and formed distinct phyletic lineage during phylogenetic analysis. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c and iso-C17:1 ω9c and/or C16:0 10-methyl. Polar lipids were found to include phosphatidylethanolamine, six unidentified lipids and three unidentified aminolipids. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 40.6 mol%. Menaquinone-6 was the sole respiratory quinone identified and triamine-sym-homospermidine was the predominant polyamine. Based on the polyphasic characteristics that are in line with those of Gramella species, in addition to distinguishing phylogenetic and phenotypic features, strain CC-AMWZ-3(T) appears to represent a novel species of the genus Gramella, for which the name Gramella planctonica sp. nov. (type strain CC-AMWZ-3(T) = JCM 18807(T) = BCRC 80553(T)) is proposed. In addition, emended descriptions of the species Gramella aestuarii and Gramella echinicola are also proposed.

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.

Kordia aquimaris sp. nov., a zeaxanthin-producing member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from surface seawater, and emended description of the genus Kordia.

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming and gliding marine bacterium designated strain CC-AMZ-301(T) was isolated from coastal surface seawater near Taichung harbour, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMZ-301(T) predominantly synthesized zeaxanthin and thus formed yellow colonies on marine agar. The novel strain showed high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Kordia periserrulae IMCC1412(T) (95.0 %), K. algicida KCTC 8814P(T) (94.4 %) and K. antarctica IMCC3317(T) (94.2 %), and formed a phylogenetic lineage tightly associated with species of the genus Kordia. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMZ-301(T) consisted of three unidentified lipids, three unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids (>5 % of total) were iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or 10-methyl C16 : 0). The DNA G+C content was 36.4 mol%. Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major polyamine was the triamine sym-homospermidine. Based on evidence from the present polyphasic study, strain CC-AMZ-301(T) is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Kordia, for which the name Kordia aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is CC-AMZ-301(T) ( = JCM 18556(T) = BCRC 80464(T)). An emended description of the genus Kordia is also proposed.

Sphingomicrobium marinum sp. nov. and Sphingomicrobium flavum sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater, and emended description of the genus Sphingomicrobium.

Two Gram-staining-negative, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated and non-spore-forming amylolytic marine bacterial strains, designated CC-AMZ-30M(T) and CC-AMZ-30N(T), were isolated from coastal surface seawater in Taiwan. Strain CC-AMZ-30M(T) shared pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.8, 95.0 and <94.0 % to Sphingomicrobium lutaoense CC-TBT-3(T), Sphingomicrobium astaxanthinifaciens CC-AMO-30B(T) and other sphingomonads, respectively. Strain CC-AMZ-30N(T) shared 97.0, 96.7, 95.0 and <95.1 % similarities to strain CC-AMZ-30M(T), Sphingomicrobium lutaoense CC-TBT-3(T), Sphingomicrobium astaxanthinifaciens CC-AMO-30B(T) and other sphingomonads, respectively. The common polar lipids of the two strains include a signature glycolipid (GL2), diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingoglycolipid in major amounts besides moderate-to-trace amounts of an unidentified aminolipid and several unidentified glycolipids. Both strains contained C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0 and C18 : 1 2-OH as major (>5 % of the total) fatty acids. Strains CC-AMZ-30M(T) and CC-AMZ-30N(T) had DNA G+C contents of 64.2 and 65.2 mol%, respectively. The major polyamine was spermidine in strain CC-AMZ-30M(T) and triamine sym-homospermidine in strain CC-AMZ-30N(T). Both strains contained ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone. Differential phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic evidence including the presence of characteristic GL2, C18 : 1 2-OH and several other phenotypic features supported the classification of strains CC-AMZ-30M(T) and CC-AMZ-30N(T) as two novel species of the genus Sphingomicrobium, for which we propose the names Sphingomicrobium marinum sp. nov. and Sphingomicrobium flavum sp. nov., respectively; corresponding type strains are Sphingomicrobium marinum CC-AMZ-30M(T) ( = JCM 18554(T) = BCRC 80466(T)) and Sphingomicrobium flavum CC-AMZ-30N(T) ( = JCM 18555(T) = BCRC 80467(T)). An emended description of the genus Sphingomicrobium is also proposed.

Shimia biformata sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater, and emended description of the genus Shimia Choi and Cho 2006.

A novel, Gram-staining-negative, non-flagellated, oval or short-rod-shaped, strictly aerobic and non-spore-forming marine bacterium, designated strain CC-AMW-C(T), was isolated from coastal surface seawater in Kending County, Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-AMW-C(T) displayed unusual morphology and formed colourless or beige colonies on marine agar. The isolate shared pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.2 and 97.1 % with Shimia marina BCRC 80068(T) and Shimia isoporae BCRC 80085(T), respectively, and established a discrete phyletic lineage closely associated with the members of the genus Shimia. DNA-DNA hybridization values indicated <18.2 % genomic relatedness with species of the genus Shimia. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMW-C(T) comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified aminolipids, four unidentified lipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8; 75.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 61.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and the major polyamine was cadaverine. The chemotaxonomic evidence, including extraordinary amounts of C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c, major polar lipids, polyamine, quinone and DNA G+C contents of CC-AMW-C(T), was in line with that of the members of the genus Shimia. Thus, strain CC-AMW-C(T) should be classified as a novel species of the genus Shimia, for which the name Shimia biformata sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-AMW-C(T) ( = JCM 18818(T) = BCRC 80548(T)). An emended description of the genus Shimia is also proposed.

Luteibaculum oceani gen. nov., sp. nov., a carotenoid-producing, lipolytic bacterium isolated from surface seawater, and emended description of the genus Owenweeksia Lau et al. 2005.

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming, lipolytic and gliding marine bacterium designated strain CC-AMWY-103B(T) was isolated from surface seawater collected at Kending, Taiwan. The strain shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 89.4% with Owenweeksia hongkongensis JCM 12287(T) and Brumimicrobium mesophilum YH207(T), and established a distinct phyletic lineage associated with the members of the family Cryomorphaceae. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMWY-103B(T) consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, ten unidentified lipids and four unidentified aminolipids. The major fatty acids (>5% of the total) were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, C15 : 1ω5c, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C15 : 1ω8c. The DNA G+C content was 44.2 ± 0.3 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and the major polyamine was spermidine. Based on its genetic, phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-AMWY-103B(T) is proposed to represent a distinct member of the family Cryomorphaceae, for which the name Luteibaculum oceani gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of Luteibaculum oceani is CC-AMWY-103B(T) ( = JCM 18817(T) = BCRC 80551(T)). An emended description of the genus Owenweeksia is also proposed.

Chiayiivirga flava gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium of the family Xanthomonadaceae isolated from an agricultural soil, and emended description of the genus Dokdonella.

A novel Gram-reaction-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium designated strain CC-YHH031(T) was isolated from an agricultural soil collected at Chiayi County, Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CC-YHH031(T) formed a discrete monophyletic lineage in the family Xanthomonadaceae, sharing high pairwise sequence similarity of 93.5-95.2 and 94.8% with species of the genus Dokdonella (94.9% similarity to the type strain of the type species) and Aquimonas voraii GPTSA 20(T), respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CC-YHH031(T) was 68.6 ± 0.7 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. Spermidine was the principal polyamine, with minor amounts of putrescine. Major fatty acids (>5% of total fatty acids) were iso-C(16:00, iso-C(15:0), C(16:1)ω7c and/or C(16:1)ω6c (summed feature 3), iso-C(17:1)ω9c, iso-C(14:0), iso-C(11:0) and iso-C(11:0) 3-OH. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-YHH031(T) included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminophospholipids (APL1-2) and four unidentified phospholipids (PL1-4). Strain CC-YHH031(T) was distinguished particularly from the type species of the genus Dokdonella (Dokdonella koreensis) by the presence of major amounts of iso-C(14:0) and summed feature 3 and minor amounts of iso-C(17:0) and by the complete absence of anteiso-C(17:0), the presence of PL1-3 and APL1-2, the absence of APL3 and the presence of putrescine in the former. On the basis of distinguishing genotypic and phenotypic evidence, strain CC-YHH031(T) is proposed to represent a novel genus and species within the family Xanthomonadaceae, for which the name Chiayiivirga flava gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Chiayiivirga flava is CC-YHH031(T) ( =BCRC 80274(T) =DSM 24163(T)).