Streptomyces specialis sp. nov.

A Gram-positive, non-endospore-forming bacterium (GW41-1564(T)) was isolated from soil. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GW41-1564(T) is a member of the genus Streptomyces, exhibiting highest similarities with Streptomyces hainanensis YIM 47672(T) (97.8 %) and Streptomyces cacaoi subsp. cacaoi NBRC 12748(T) (97.5 %). Strain GW41-1564(T) could be distinguished from any other Streptomyces species with validly published names by sequence similarity values less than 97.5 %. Strain GW41-1564(T) exhibited an unusual quinone system, with the predominant compounds MK-10(H(4)) and MK-10(H(6)) and smaller amounts of MK-9(H(4)) and MK-9(H(6)). The type strain of the most closely related species, S. hainanensis YIM 47672(T), also contained an unusual quinone system composed of MK-9(H(6)) and MK-9(H(8)) in addition to MK-9(H(4)) and MK-10(H(0)), whereas the type strain of the second most closely related species, S. cacaoi NBRC 12748(T), contained a quinone system, composed of MK-9(H(6)) and MK-9(H(8)), typical of Streptomyces. The polar lipid profile of GW41-1564(T) consisted of the predominant compound diphosphatidylglycerol, moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol and minor to trace amounts of two phosphatidylinositol mannosides and several unknown lipids, and the major fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0,) anteiso-C(17 : 1)omega9c and anteiso-C(17 : 0). The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed further phenotypic differentiation of strain GW41-1564(T) from the related species S. hainanensis. Strain GW41-1564(T) clearly merits species status, and we propose the name Streptomyces specialis sp. nov., with the type strain GW41-1564(T) (=DSM 41924(T) =CCM 7499(T)).

Identification of a bacterial strain isolated from the liver of a laboratory mouse as Microbacterium paraoxydans and emended description of the species Microbacterium paraoxydans Laffineur et al 2003.

A rod-shaped, Gram-positive bacterial strain, designated C57-33, was isolated from the liver of the laboratory mouse strain C57Bl/6J and characterised by a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity placed strain C57-33 in the genus Microbacterium with Microbacterium paraoxydans CF36(T) as the next relative (99.9% sequence similarity). Major fatty acids ai-C(15:0), i-C(16:0) and ai-C(17:0) and peptidoglycan type B2ß with ornithine as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid and glycolyl residues were in agreement with the description of Microbacterium paraoxydans. The quinone system of C57-33 (major menaquinones MK-12 and MK-11) and polar lipid profile (major polar lipids diphosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl glycerol and two unknown glycolipids) were in accordance with those of Microbacterium paraoxydans strains CF36(T), CF7 and CF40 which were analysed in this study as well. The results of biochemical/physiological characterisation, DNA-DNA hybridization, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry of cell extracts and comparison of protein patterns after SDS-PAGE demonstrated that our isolate C57-33 (= DSM 15461) is a strain of the species Microbacterium paraoxydans. Based on new characteristics such as quinone system, polar lipid profile and physiological traits analysed for strain C57-33, the type strain of Microbacterium paraoxydans and some additional strains an emended description of the species Microbacterium paraoxydans is provided.

Nocardia acidivorans sp. nov., isolated from soil of the island of Stromboli.

A Gram-positive, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain GW4-1778(T)) was isolated from soil of the Italian island of Stromboli. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain GW4-1778(T) is a member of the genus Nocardia, most closely related to Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis (GenBank accession no. DQ659914; 98.6 %), Nocardia nova (Z36930; 98.6 %), Nocardia niigatensis (AB092563; 98.4 %), Nocardia jiangxiensis (AY639902; 98.0 %), Nocardia uniformis (Z46752; 98.0 %) and Nocardia miyunensis (AY639901; 97.8 %). Strain GW4-1778(T) could be distinguished from any other established Nocardia species by sequence similarity values of less than 97.5 %. Strain GW4-1778(T) exhibited a quinone system with the predominant compound MK-8 (H(4), omega-cycl) (99.5 %) and traces of MK-8 (H(4)), characteristic for the genus Nocardia. The polar lipid profile of strain GW4-1778(T) consisted of the predominant compound diphosphatidylglycerol, moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, a unknown polar lipid and trace amounts of two unknown lipids and the major fatty acids were C(15 : 0), C(16 : 0), C(17 : 1)omega8c and 10-methyl C(17 : 0). The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain GW4-1778(T) from related species with 16S rRNA gene similarities of >97.5 %. Therefore, strain GW4-1778(T) merits species status, for which the name Nocardia acidivorans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain GW4-1778(T) (=CCUG 53410(T)=CIP 109315(T)=DSM 45049(T)).

Proposal of Hymenobacter norwichensis sp. nov., classification of 'Taxeobacter ocellatus', 'Taxeobacter gelupurpurascens' and 'Taxeobacter chitinovorans' as Hymenobacter ocellatus sp. nov., Hymenobacter gelipurpurascens sp. nov. and Hymenobacter chitinivorans sp. nov., respectively, and emended description of the genus Hymenobacter Hirsch et al. 1999.

Two airborne bacterial isolates, NS/2 and NS/50(T), were examined in order to determine their taxonomic position. Their almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequences shared 95.9 % similarity. Sequence comparisons demonstrated that their next relatives are species of the genus Hymenobacter (93.6-95.7 % similarity) and the strains 'Taxeobacter chitinovorans' Txc1(T), 'Taxeobacter gelupurpurascens' Txg1(T) and 'Taxeobacter ocellatus' Myx 2105(T) (90.5-96.4 %). Phylogenetic calculations indicated that these five strains together with the three recognized Hymenobacter species form a separate line of descent within the family 'Flexibacteraceae'. Isolates NS/2 and NS/50(T), as well as 'Taxeobacter chitinovorans' Txc1(T), 'Taxeobacter gelupurpurascens' Txg1(T) and 'Taxeobacter ocellatus' Myx 2105(T), possessed the characteristics of the genus Hymenobacter, the quinone system menaquinone MK-7 and a polyamine pattern with the major polyamine being sym-homospermidine. Each of the five strains had complex, unique polar lipid profiles, with phosphatidylethanolamine and several unknown aminophospho-, amino-, phospho-, glyco- and polar lipids of which several compounds were also found in established Hymenobacter species. All the strains studied possessed fatty acids characteristic of Hymenobacter species, including major acids iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0), C(16 : 1)omega5c, summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c/iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH) and summed feature 4 (iso-C(17 : 1) I/anteiso-C(17 : 1) B). The five strains could be distinguished from each other and from the three established species of the genus Hymenobacter based on relatively low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (<97 %), unique polar lipids and differing fatty acid profiles and physiological characteristics. In conclusion, the description of four novel species of the genus Hymenobacter appears to be justified, for which the names Hymenobacter norwichensis sp. nov. (type strain NS/50(T)=LMG 21876(T)=DSM 15439(T)), Hymenobacter chitinivorans sp. nov. (type strain Txc1(T)=LMG 21951(T)=DSM 11115(T)), Hymenobacter gelipurpurascens sp. nov. (type strain Txg1(T)=LMG 21874(T)=DSM [corrected][11116(T)) and Hymenobacter ocellatus sp. nov. (type strain Myx 2105(T)=Txo1(T)=LMG 21873(T)=DSM 11117(T)) are proposed. For strain NS/2, a description only is provided without proposal of a name because its status as a novel species was not demonstrated unambiguously.

Intraspecific comparative analysis of the species Salinibacter ruber.

Salinibacter ruber is the first extremely halophilic member of the Bacteria domain of proven environmental relevance in hypersaline brines at or approaching NaCl saturation, that has been brought to pure culture. A collection of 17 strains isolated from five different geographical locations (Mallorca, Alicante, Ebro Delta, Canary Islands, and Peruvian Andes) were studied following the currently accepted taxonomic approach. Additionally, random amplification of genomic DNA led to the phenetic analysis of the intraspecific diversity. Altogether the taxonomic study indicated that S. ruber remained highly homogeneous beyond any geographical barrier. However, genomic fingerprints indicated that populations from different isolation sites could still be discriminated.

Nocardia tenerifensis sp. nov.

A Gram-positive, non-spore-forming bacterium (GW39-1573(T)) was isolated from soil of the Spanish island of Tenerife. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain GW39-1573(T) belonged to the genus Nocardia and was most closely related to Nocardia brasiliensis (98.0 %), Nocardia beijingensis (97.3 %), Nocardia transvalensis (97.5 %), Nocardia asteroides (97.2 %) and Nocardia farcinica (97.0 %). Strain GW39-1573(T) could be distinguished from all other validly described Nocardia species by sequence similarity values of less than 97 %. Chemotaxonomic data [major menaquinone: MK-8(H(4, omega-cycl)); major polar lipids: diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unknown glycolipid and an unknown phospholipid; major fatty acids: C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)omega9c and 10 methyl C(16 : 0)] and the presence of mycolic acids supported the affiliation of strain GW39-1573(T) to the genus NOCARDIA: The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain GW39-1573(T) from those related species that showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of greater than 97 %. Strain GW39-1573(T) merits species status, and the name Nocardia tenerifensis is proposed with the type strain GW39-1573(T) (=DSM 44704(T)=CIP 107929(T)).

Brachybacterium muris sp. nov., isolated from the liver of a laboratory mouse strain.

A coccoid- to ovoid-shaped, Gram-positive bacterial strain, designated C3H-21(T), was isolated from the liver of the laboratory mouse strain C3H/He and characterized by a polyphasic approach. The peptidoglycan type was variation A4gamma with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid and an interpeptide bridge of D-asp-D-Glu. The isolate contained menaquinone MK-7 (88 %) as the major component of the quinone system and minor amounts of menaquinone MK-8 (9 %) and menaquinone MK-6 (3 %). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified glycolipids and unidentified phospholipids. The fatty acid profile contained predominantly anteiso-C(15 : 0) and significant amounts of iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(14 : 0,) anteiso-C(17 : 0) and C(19 : 0). The polyamine pattern consisted of spermine and spermidine as the major compounds. Genomic fingerprints clearly distinguished strain C3H-21(T) from other Brachybacterium species. The isolate shared the highest 16S rDNA sequence similarities with members of the genus Brachybacterium, in particular Brachybacterium sacelli LMG 20345(T), Brachybacterium nesterenkovii DSM 9573(T), Brachybacterium rhamnosum LMG 19848(T), Brachybacterium alimentarium CNRZ 925(T) and Brachybacterium fresconis LMG 20336(T) (97.8-97.2 %). The results of biochemical/physiological characterization, chemotaxonomic characteristics and REP-PCR-generated fingerprints demonstrated that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Brachybacterium, for which the name Brachybacterium muris (type strain C3H-21(T)=DSM 15460(T)=CCM 7047(T)) [corrected] is proposed.

Sphingomonas aurantiaca sp. nov., Sphingomonas aerolata sp. nov. and Sphingomonas faeni sp. nov., air- and dustborne and Antarctic, orange-pigmented, psychrotolerant bacteria, and emended description of the genus Sphingomonas.

Seven psychrotolerant, Gram-negative bacterial strains, five dust- and airborne isolates (MA101b(T), MA306a, MA405/90, MA-olki(T) and NW12(T)) and two from the Antarctic (Ant 20 and M3C203B-B), were subjected to a polyphasic characterization to determine their taxonomic position. High 16S rDNA sequences similarities (99.3-100.0 %) demonstrated that they were closely related to each other. Phylogenetic evaluation of their 16S rDNA sequences revealed that they are members of the genus Sphingomonas sensu stricto, encompassing a separate branch within this genus. They shared 94.4-96.6 % 16S rDNA sequence similarity with species of this genus. All Sphingomonas-specific signature nucleotides were also detected. The presence of the major ubiquinone Q-10, sym-homospermidine as the predominant polyamine, Sphingomonadaceae-specific sphingoglycolipid in the polar lipid patterns and a fatty acid profile containing C(14 : 0) 2-OH and lacking 3-OH fatty acids were in agreement with identification of these strains as members of the genus Sphingomonas sensu stricto. Results from DNA-DNA hybridizations and comparison of protein patterns indicated that the seven strains are members of three distinct species. One species is represented by strains MA101b(T), MA306a and MA405/90, the second by strains NW12(T), Ant 20 and M3C203B-B and the third by one strain, MA-olki(T). Their distinction at the species level was also supported by results of biochemical characterization and partly supported by riboprints and genomic fingerprints. On the basis of these results, three novel species of the genus Sphingomonas are proposed: Sphingomonas aurantiaca sp. nov., consisting of strains MA101b(T) (=DSM 14748(T)=LMG 21377(T)), MA306a and MA405/90 (=DSM 14749=LMG 21378), Sphingomonas faeni sp. nov. MA-olki(T) (=DSM 14747(T)=LMG 21379(T)) and Sphingomonas aerolata sp. nov., represented by strains NW12(T) (=DSM 14746(T)=LMG 21376(T)), Ant 20 (=ICMP 13599) and M3C203B-B (=SMCC M3C203B-B).

Promicromonospora vindobonensis sp. nov. and Promicromonospora aerolata sp. nov., isolated from the air in the medieval 'Virgilkapelle' in Vienna.

Two airborne bacterial isolates designated V45(T) and V54A(T) were characterized in order to determine their taxonomic position. 16S rDNA sequence analysis showed that the two isolates shared 98.1 % sequence similarity. Highest sequence similarities (98.0-98.5 %) were found to Promicromonospora citrea DSM 43110(T) and Promicromonospora sukumoe IFO 14650(T). Detection of a quinone system with the predominant compound MK-9(H(4)), a polar lipid pattern containing phosphatidylglycerol, a fatty acid profile with the predominant acids C(15 : 0) iso and C(15 : 0) anteiso and the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid L-lysine supported the assignment of the novel isolates to the genus PROMICROMONOSPORA: The two isolates could be distinguished from P. sukumoe by the presence of glycine in the peptidoglycan, and the detection of the cell-wall sugar galactose differentiates them from the two established species of the genus PROMICROMONOSPORA: Each of the two isolates displayed a unique biochemical profile. Results from DNA-DNA hybridizations clearly demonstrated that V45(T) and V54A(T) represent separate species. Based on these data, it is proposed that V45(T) (=IFO 16525(T)=CCM 7044(T)) and V54A(T) (=IFO 16526(T) =CCM 7043(T)) be classified as the type strains of two novel Promicromonospora species, for which the names Promicromonospora vindobonensis sp. nov. and Promicromonospora aerolata sp. nov. are proposed.

PCR-based genetic evidence for occurrence of Helicobacter pylori and novel Helicobacter species in the canine gastric mucosa.

The canine gastric mucosa is known to be a habitat for various Helicobacter species. So far, five Helicobacter species have been described from the canine gastric mucosa, but histological studies have demonstrated a greater variety. In order to gain more information on diversity of canine gastric mucosa colonising helicobacters, biopsy samples of four pet dogs were examined by DNA-based techniques. PCR with a primer pair binding specifically to the 16S rDNA of the species of the genus Helicobacter and generating a fragment of approximately 400 bp indicated the presence of Helicobacter strains in the stomachs of the four dogs. PCR products were cloned into Escherichia coli DH10B and PCR-re-amplified 16S rDNA fragments were subjected to amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) employing restriction enzyme HhaI. Restriction profiles indicated the presence of at least two different Helicobacter species in two dogs. Partial sequences of 16S rDNA of six clones were compared with sequences available in the EMBL data bank. Two sequences obtained from different dogs were identical with the corresponding sequences of Helicobacter pylori strains. Three sequences showed highest but moderate similarity values to H. pylori (96.6-98.0%) and one sequence to Helicobacter salomonis (97.3%). In contrast to previous reports our data implicate that the gastric mucosa of dogs may be colonised by strains of H. pylori or a very closely related species but they also confirm indications for the presence of so far uncultivated species of Helicobacter.

Bacillus barbaricus sp. nov., isolated from an experimental wall painting.

In a project concerning bacterial colonization of experimental wall paintings, a large number of isolates have been acquired with high similarities in their whole-cell protein patterns obtained after SDS-PAGE. Of this group, four strains, designated V2-BIII-A2(T), V2-BI-A9, V2-BI-04 and V2-BII-A8, were chosen for further characterization. Banding patterns obtained after ERIC-PCR were barely distinguishable among these four strains, indicating their affiliation within a single species. The isolates also displayed nearly identical biochemical and physiological features. The chemotaxonomic characteristics, including polar lipids, quinone systems, cell-wall diamino acid composition and fatty acid profiles, were in good agreement with those of numerous previously described Bacillus species. 16S rDNA analysis of strain V2-BIII-A2(T) showed that this bacterium belongs to the genus Bacillus, with highest sequence similarities to Bacillus megaterium (94.6%), Bacillus flexus (94.4%) and the alkaliphilic Bacillus cohnii (94.2%). Based on almost identical biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic traits, ERIC-PCR-generated genomic fingerprints and comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis, it is demonstrated that the four isolates represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus barbaricus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is V2-BIII-A2(T) (= CCM 4982(T) = DSM 14730(T)).

Towards a standardized format for the description of a novel species (of an established genus): Ochrobactrum gallinifaecis sp. nov.

A format for the description of single novel species is proposed, which should facilitate the reviewing process by assisting the provision of data in a standardized form. The abstract must be short and concise, highlighting phylogenetic position, morphology and chemotaxonomy for genus affiliation, the genotypic and phenotypic basis for species differentiation, and the name and deposition numbers from two public culture collections in different countries for the type strain: A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (Iso 196(T)) was isolated from chicken faeces. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain Iso 196(T) was shown to belong to the alpha-2 subclass of the Proteobacteria related to Ochrobactrum tritici (95.6%), Ochrobactrum grignonense (95.0%) and Ochrobactrum anthropi (94.6%), and the phylogenetic distance from any validly described species within the genus Brucella was less than 95%. Chemotaxonomic data (major ubiquinone - Q-10; major polyamines - spermidine and putrescine; major polar lipids - phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine; major fatty acids - C(18 : 1)omega7c and C(19 : 0) cyclo omega8c) supported the affiliation of strain Iso 196(T) to the genus Ochrobactrum. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain Iso 196(T) from the four validly published Ochrobactrum species. Iso 196(T) therefore represents a new species, for which the name Ochrobactrum gallinifaecis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Iso 196(T) (= DSM 15295(T) = CIP 107753(T)).

Psychrobacter faecalis sp. nov., a new species from a bioaerosol originating from pigeon faeces.

The taxonomy of strain Iso-46T isolated from a bioaerosol generated by cleaning of a pigeon faeces contaminated room was investigated in a polyphasic approach. The beige pigmented Gram-negative, oxidase-negative organism contained a quinone system with mainly ubiquinone Q-8, and the polar lipid profile was composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol, beside some hitherto uncharacterized phospholipids. Major polyamines were spermidine and putrescine and also small amounts of cadaverine. The analysis of the fatty acids revealed 3-OH 12:0 and 3-OH 14:0 (within summed feature 3) as hydroxylated fatty acids. These chemotaxonomic characteristics suggest that the strain belongs to the gamma-subclass of the Proteobacteria namely into the genus Psychrobacter. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene supported the allocation into the genus Psychrobacter, but showing similarities to all described species of this genus lower than 97%. Iso-46T was able to grow on MacConkey agar and other high nutrient containing media within a temperature range of 4 degrees C to 36 degrees C. On the basis of nutritional and further physiological features, a clear differentiation from all other Psychrobacter species was possible. For these reasons it is proposed to create a new species with the name Psychrobacter faecalis sp. nov.

Classification of three airborne bacteria and proposal of Hymenobacter aerophilus sp. nov.

Three aerobic, gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, red-pigmented, airborne bacteria (I/26-Cor1T, I/32A-Cor1 and I/74-Cor2) collected in the Museo Correr (Venice, Italy) were investigated to determine their taxonomic status by analysing their biochemical, physiological and chemotaxonomic features and the G+C content of genomic DNA and by comparing their genomic fingerprints. Additionally, the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain I/26-Cor1T was analysed. The three strains were nearly identical in their morphological, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties. The strains contained a menaquinone system with the predominant menaquinone MK-7 and a fatty acid profile with C15:0 anteiso, C15:0 iso and C16:1 predominant. Phosphatidylethanolamine and several unidentified lipids were detected in the polar lipid profiles. The polyamine pattern consisted of sym-homospermidine as the major compound. meso-Diaminopimelic acid was found as the characteristic cell-wall diamino acid. The DNA base composition of the three strains ranged from 60 to 63 mol% G+C. Phylogenetically, strain I/26-Cor1T was most closely related to Hymenobacter actinosclerus (95.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Physiological and genomic characteristics indicated that the two strains I/26-Cor1T and I/32A-Cor1 are representatives of the same species. The phylogenetic distance to any validly described taxon as indicated by 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities demonstrates that I/26-Cor1T and I/32A-Cor1 represent a novel species, for which the name Hymenobacter aerophilus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain I/26-Cor1T (= DSM 13606T = LMG 19657T). I/32A-Cor1 (= DSM 13607 = LMG 19658) is another strain of the species Hymenobacter aerophilus. Since the taxonomic status of strain I/74-Cor2 within the genus Hymenobacter was not determined unambiguously, it is designated Hymenobacter sp. I/74-Cor2 (= DSM 13611 = LMG 19659).