Sinomonas cellulolyticus sp. nov., isolated from Loktak lake.

A novel cellulolytic strain JC656T was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Alisma plantago-aquatica of floating island (Phumdis) of Loktak lake, Manipur, India. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain JC656T and other Sinomonas type strains ranged between 98.5 and 97.3%, wherein strain JC656T exhibited the highest sequence similarity (98.5%) to Sinomonas notoginsengisoli KCTC 29237T. Colonies were yellow-colored and grew aerobically. Cells were gram-positive, rod-shaped and non-motile. The optimal growth of the strain JC656T occured at 28 °C and pH 7. Strain JC656T contained MK-9 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone and anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C17:0 as the major fatty acids. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and a glycolipid were the polar lipids. Strain JC656T contained lysine, alanine, glutamine, diaminopimelic acid (DAP) and two unidentified amino acids as characteristic cell wall amino acids. The genome size of strain JC656T was 3.9 Mb with a DNA G + C content of 69.9 mol %. For the affirmation of the strain's taxonomic status, a detailed phylogenomic study was done. Based on its phylogenetic position and morphological, physiological, and genomic features, strain JC656T represents a new species of the genus Sinomonas, for which we propose the name Sinomonas cellulolyticus sp. nov. The type strain JC656T = (KCTC 49339T = NBRC 114142T).

Gemmata algarum, a Novel Planctomycete Isolated from an Algal Mat, Displays Antimicrobial Activity.

Axenic cultures of two strains, JC673T and JC717, both belonging to the phylum Planctomycetota, were isolated from distinct geographical locations in India. Strain JC673T was obtained from algal mats of a wetland situated in the state of Kerala, India, while strain JC717 originated from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), state of Tamil Nadu, India. The two strains share 99.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and are most closely related to Gemmata obscuriglobus UQM 2246T (99.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity). The newly isolated strains are Gram-negative, grow aerobically and tolerate up to 4% (w/v) NaCl and a pH of up to 9.0. Cells are spherical and form pink-pigmented colonies. The respiratory quinone is MK-6. Major fatty acids are C18:0, C16:1ω5c and C16:0. Polar lipids include phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, several unidentified amino lipids, unidentified phospholipids, additional unidentified lipids, and an unidentified choline lipid. The polyamine spermidine is produced by the two strains. The strains have a genome size of about 8.2 Mb with a DNA G+C content of 67.6%. Solvent-based culture extracts of the isolates showed antimicrobial activity against three bacterial test strains. Their phylogenetic position along with differences in morphological, physiological, and genomic features support the classification as a new species of the genus Gemmata, for which we propose the name Gemmata algarum sp. nov. Strain JC673T (=KCTC 72851T = NBRC 114340T) and JC717 are the type and non-type strain of the new species, respectively.

Paludisphaera rhizosphaereae sp. nov., a new member of the family Isosphaeraceae, isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Erianthus ravennae.

Two axenic cultures of Planctomycetota were isolated from distinct geographical locations of India. Strain JC665T was isolated from a rhizosphere soil of Loktak lake, Manipur, whereas strain JC747 was isolated from a soil sediment at Pallikkara village, Kerala, India. The two closely related strains shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity (94.6%) with Paludisphaera borealis PX4T, while the 16S rRNA gene sequence identity between both strains was 100%. Both strains grow aerobically, stain Gram negative, colonies are light pink-coloured, cells are non-motile, spherical to oval-shaped and tolerate NaCl up to 2% (w/v). While strain JC665T grows well up to pH 9.0, strain JC747 grows only up to pH 8.0. The respiratory quinone in both strains is MK-6. C16:0, C18:1ω9c and C18:0 are the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified glycolipids, seven unidentified lipids and two unidentified phospholipids made up the polar lipid composition of both strains. Both strains have genome sizes of about 8.0 Mb and a DNA G + C content of 66.4 mol%. Both strains contain genes coding for enzymes putatively involved in the production of lycopene-related carotenoids. The phylogenetic position together with the results of the analysis of morphological, physiological and genomic features support the classification of strain JC665T as a new species of the genus Paludisphaera, for which we propose the name Paludisphaera rhizosphaerae sp. nov. Strain JC665T (= KCTC 72671 T = NBRC 114305 T) and JC747 are the type and non-type strain of the new species, respectively.

Aquisphaera insulae sp. nov., a new member in the family Isosphaeraceae, isolated from the floating island of Loktak lake and emended description of the genus Aquisphaera.

Strain JC669T was isolated from a floating island of Loktak lake, Manipur, India and shares the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence identity with Aquisphaera giovannonii OJF2T. The novel strain is aerobic, Gram negative, light pink-coloured, non-motile, NaCl intolerant and spherical to oval-shaped. It grows in the form of single cells or aggregates and possibly forms structures which appear like fruiting bodies. Strain JC669T grows well up to pH 9.0.The isolate produces MK-6 as respiratory quinone, C18:1ω9c, C16:0 and C18:0 as major fatty acids and phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified amino lipid, an unidentified choline lipid (UCL) and six additional unidentified lipids (UL1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) as polar lipids. Strain JC669T has a large genome size of 10.04 Mb and the genomic G + C content was 68.5 mol%. The genome contained all genes essential for lycopene related carotenoid biosynthesis. The polyphasic analysis of its phylogenetic position, morphological, physiological and genomic features supports the classification of strain JC669T as a novel species of the genus Aquisphaera, for which we propose the name Aquisphaera insulae sp. nov. Strain JC669T (= KCTC 72672T = NBRC 114306T) is the type strain of the novel species.