Agromyces iriomotensis sp. nov. and Agromyces subtropicus sp. nov., isolated from soil.

Three novel Gram-stain-positive bacteria, designated IY07-20(T), IY07-56(T) and IY07-113, were isolated from soil samples from Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan, and their taxonomic positions were investigated by a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the three isolates were closely related to the members of the genus Agromyces, with similarity range of 95.6-98.7%. The isolates contained l-2,4-diaminobutylic acid, d-alanine, d-glutamic acid and glycine in their peptidoglycans. The predominant menaquinone was MK-12 and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The DNA G+C contents were 70.9-72.9 mol%. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of the isolates matched those described for members of the genus Agromyces. The results of phylogenetic analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization, along with differences in phenotypic characteristics between strains IY07-20(T), IY07-56(T) and IY07-113 and the species of the genus Agromyces with validly published names, indicate that the three isolates merit classification as representatives of two novel species of the genus Agromyces, for which the names Agromyces iriomotensis sp. nov. and Agromyces subtropica sp. nov. are proposed; the type strains are IY07-20(T) ( = NBRC 106452(T) = DSM 26155(T)) and IY07-56(T) ( = NBRC 106454(T) = DSM 26153(T)), respectively.

Variation and predicted structure of the flagellin gene in Actinoplanes species.

Members of the genus Actinoplanes are considered to be representative of motile actinomycetes. To infer the flagellar diversity of Actinoplanes species, novel degenerate primers were designed for the flagellin (fliC) gene. The fliC gene of 21 Actinoplanes strains was successfully amplified and classified into two groups based on whether they were large (type I) or small (type II). Comparison of the translated amino acid sequences revealed that this size difference could be attributed to large number of gaps located in the central variable region. However, the C- and N- terminal regions were conserved. Except for a region on the flagellum surface, structural predictions of type I and II flagellins revealed that the two flagellin types were strongly correlated with each other. Phylogenetic analysis of the 115-amino acid N-terminal sequences revealed that the Actinoplanes species formed three clusters, and type II flagellin gene containing three type strains were phylogenetically closely related each other.

Saccharopolyspora pathumthaniensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycetes isolated from termite guts (Speculitermes sp.).

Morphological and chemotaxonomic characterization of actinomycete strain S582 isolated from the gut of a termite (Speculitermes sp.) in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand, clearly demonstrated that this strain is a member of the genus Saccharopolyspora. 16S rDNA sequence analysis for the strain supported the assignment of the strain to the genus Saccharopolyspora. The similarity value of sequences between this strain and the closely related species Saccharopolyspora endophytica was 99.5%. The DNA G+C content was 70.2 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization results (53.3%) and some physiological and biochemical properties indicated that strain S582(T) was distinguished from the phylogenetically closest relatives. Based on these genotypic and phenotypic data, strain S582(T) should be a new species in the genus Saccharopolyspora and the name Saccharopolyspora pathumthaniensis sp. nov. is proposed for the strain. The type strain is S582(T) (=NBRC 104112(T) =BCC 28624(T)).

Actinomycetospora iriomotensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from a lichen sample.

An actinomycete strain, IR73-Li102(T), was isolated from a lichen sample obtained from Iriomote Island, Japan, and subsequently characterized using a polyphasic approach. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain IR73-Li102(T) had the highest sequence similarities with Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis YIM 0006(T) (98.3%), A. corticola 014-5(T) (98.1%) and A. rishiriensis RI109-Li102(T) (98.0%). However, DNA-DNA hybridization assays, as well as physiological and biochemical analyzes, showed that strain IR73-Li102(T) could be clearly differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relatives. The strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and arabinose and galactose were present in whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H(4)), and the diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acid was iso-C(16:0) (58%). The chemotaxonomic properties of strain IR73-Li102(T) were consistent with those shared by members of the genus Actinomycetospora. On the basis of the phenotypic features and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain IR73-Li102(T) (= NBRC 106365(T) = KCTC 19783(T)) represents a novel species of the genus Actinomycetospora, for which the name Actinomycetospora iriomotensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Descriptions of Actinoplanes ianthinogenes nom. rev. and Actinoplanes octamycinicus corrig. comb. nov., nom. rev.

Phylogenetic analysis of 'Actinoplanes ianthinogenes' Coronelli et al. 1974 and 'Actinoplanes ianthinogenes subsp. octamycini' Gauze et al. 1979 based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing data revealed that these organisms form a clade in the family Micromonosporaceae. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of strains of these species were consistent with those of members of the genus Actinoplanes. Morphological, DNA-DNA hybridization, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data showed that 'A. ianthinogenes' and 'A. ianthinogenes subsp. octamycini' can be easily differentiated from each other and that they merit separate species status. On the basis of morphological, physiological, biochemical, chemotaxonomic and DNA-DNA hybridization data, it is concluded that 'A. ianthinogenes' and 'A. ianthinogenes subsp. octamycini' should be assigned the status of two novel species: Actinoplanes ianthinogenes nom. rev. (type strain NBRC 13996(T)=A/1668(T)=ATCC 21884(T)=BCRC 13611(T)=DSM 43864(T)=IMSNU 20032(T)=JCM 3249(T)=KCTC 9347(T)=KCTC 9592(T)=NCIMB 12639(T)=NRRL B-16720(T)) and Actinoplanes octamycinicus corrig. comb. nov., nom. rev. (type strain NBRC 14524(T)=INA 4041(T)=ATCC 43632(T)=JCM 9649(T)=KCTC 9593(T)), respectively.

Actinomycetospora rishiriensis sp. nov., isolated from a lichen.

An actinomycete, strain RI109-Li102(T), was isolated from a lichen sample obtained from Rishiri Island in Japan. Cells of strain RI109-Li102(T) were Gram-positive, aerobic and non-motile and formed bud-like spore chains. The isolate grew with 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 5-9 and at 10-30 °C (optimum 30 °C). The whole-cell hydrolysate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose and galactose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H(4)) and the diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 1) H. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain RI109-Li102(T) was most closely related to Actinomycetospora corticicola 014-5(T) (99.0 % rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis YIM 0006(T) (98.4 %). However, DNA-DNA hybridization assays, as well as physiological and biochemical analyses, showed that strain RI109-Li102(T) could be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relatives. It is proposed that strain RI109-Li102(T) ( = NBRC 106356(T) = KCTC 19782(T)) be classified as the type strain of a novel species, with the name Actinomycetospora rishiriensis sp. nov.

Description of Actinomycetospora chibensis sp. nov., Actinomycetospora chlora sp. nov., Actinomycetospora cinnamomea sp. nov., Actinomycetospora corticicola sp. nov., Actinomycetospora lutea sp. nov., Actinomycetospora straminea sp. nov. and Actinomycetospora succinea sp. nov. and emended description of the genus Actinomycetospora.

Eight actinomycete strains that form bud-like spore chains were isolated from various samples collected in Japan. Phylogenetically, the isolates formed a single clade with the type strain of Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis according to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, d-glutamic acid and d- and l- alanine in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, arabinose and galactose as characteristic sugars, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine as diagnostic phospholipids, MK-8(H(4)) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone, iso-C(16 : 0) as the major cellular fatty acid and DNA G+C contents of 72-74 mol%. Actinomycetospora chiangmaiensis, the type species of the genus Actinomycetospora, was also found to contain MK-8(H(4)) predominantly in our study, although it was earlier reported to contain MK-9(H(4)) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone. On the basis of the morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA-DNA hybridization data, we concluded that the isolates can be accommodated in the genus Actinomycetospora with emendation of the description of the genus and are assigned to the following seven novel species: Actinomycetospora chibensis sp. nov. (type strain TT04-21(T)  = NBRC 103694(T)  = KACC 14256(T)), Actinomycetospora chlora sp. nov. (type strain TT07I-57(T)  = NBRC 105900(T)  = KACC 14252(T)), Actinomycetospora cinnamomea sp. nov. (type strain IY07-53(T)  = NBRC 105527(T)  = KACC 14250(T)), Actinomycetospora corticicola sp. nov. (type strain 014-5(T)  = NBRC 103689(T)  = KACC 14253(T)), Actinomycetospora lutea sp. nov. (type strain TT00-04(T)  = NBRC 103690(T)  = KACC 14254(T)), Actinomycetospora straminea sp. nov. (type strain IY07-55(T)  = NBRC 105528(T)  = KACC 14251(T)) and Actinomycetospora succinea sp. nov. (type strain TT00-49(T)  = NBRC 103691(T)  = KACC 14255(T)).

Nocardioides iriomotensis sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from forest soil.

An actinomycete strain, designated IR27-S3(T), was isolated from a forest soil sample collected from Iriomote Island, Okinawa, Japan. Cells of the isolate were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-sporulating, non-motile coccoids or short rods. The strain grew in the presence of 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 6-8 and at 12-37 °C, with optimum growth at 30 °C. Chemotaxonomically, the strain contained LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown phospholipid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0, C17:1 cis-9, C15:0 and iso-C15:0. The DNA G+C content was 73.7 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain IR27-S3(T) was closely related to Nocardioides mesophilus MSL-22(T) (98.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Marmoricola bigeumensis MSL-05(T) (97.2 %) and Nocardioides jensenii DSM 20641(T) (96.5 %). On the basis of fatty acid analysis, phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic data, the isolate should be classified in a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides iriomotensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IR27-S3(T) ( = NBRC 105384(T)  = KACC 14926(T)).

Herbidospora sakaeratensis sp. nov., isolated from soil, and reclassification of Streptosporangium claviforme as a later synonym of Herbidospora cretacea.

An actinomycete strain, DMKUA 205(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve in Nakhonratchasima Province, Thailand. The novel strain produced short chains of non-motile spores on the tips of long sporophores branching from the vegetative hyphae. The morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of this new isolate corresponded to those of members of the genus Herbidospora. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain was closely related to members of the genus Herbidospora. Phenotypic properties and DNA-DNA relatedness values differentiated the new strain from its closest phylogenetic relatives Herbidospora yilanensis 0351M-12(T) (35-54 % DNA-DNA relatedness) and Herbidospora daliensis 0385M-1(T) (58-65 % relatedness). On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain DMKUA 205(T) could be clearly distinguished from the type strains of H. yilanensis and H. daliensis. Therefore, strain DMKUA 205(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Herbidospora sakaeratensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain DMKUA 205(T) ( = BCC 11662(T) = NBRC 102641(T)). In addition, the DNA-DNA hybridization results from this study revealed that Streptosporangium claviforme is a later synonym of Herbidospora cretacea.

Nocardiopsis nikkonensis sp. nov., isolated from a compost sample.

An actinomycete strain, designated YU1183-22(T), was isolated from a compost sample collected in Nikko, Japan. The isolate formed white aerial mycelium with relatively long aerial hyphae showing chains of arthrospores. Strain YU1183-22(T) grew with 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 6-11 and at 10-37 °C (optimum 30 °C). Strain YU1183-22(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and no diagnostic sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H(10)) and MK-10(H(8)). The polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0) and tuberculostearic acid. The G+C content of the DNA was 72.3 mol%. Chemotaxonomic and morphological characterization clearly demonstrated that strain YU1183-22(T) belonged to the genus Nocardiopsis. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate was closely related to Nocardiopsis salina YIM 90010(T) (98.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Nocardiopsis xinjiangensis YIM 90004(T) (97.9 %) and Nocardiopsis kunsanensis HA-9(T) (97.3 %). However, DNA-DNA relatedness as well as physiological and biochemical analyses showed that strain YU1183-22(T) could be differentiated from its closest phylogenetic relatives. It is proposed that this strain be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, with the name Nocardiopsis nikkonensis sp. nov. The type strain is YU1183-22(T) (=NBRC 102170(T) =KCTC 19666(T)).

Angustibacter luteus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from subarctic forest soil.

An actinobacterial strain was isolated from subarctic forest soil, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The cell-wall peptidoglycan comprised meso-diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid. MK-9(H4) was the predominant isoprenoid quinone, and iso-C17:0, iso-C15:0 and C16:0 were detected as the major cellular fatty acids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this organism was related to members of the suborders Kineosporiineae and Micrococcineae. The phenotypic properties readily differentiated this organism from the phylogenetic neighbours. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic evidence, the strain is assigned to a novel species of a novel genus: Angustibacter luteus gen. nov., sp. nov. with type strain TT07R-79(T) (=NBRC 105387(T) =KACC 14249(T)).

Amycolatopsis helveola sp. nov. and Amycolatopsis pigmentata sp. nov., isolated from soil.

Three short spore chain-forming actinomycete strains were isolated from soil samples collected from subtropical islands in Japan. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of these strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-A(2)pm), glutamic acid and alanine. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-9(H(4)), iso-C(16 : 0) and 2-OH iso-C(16 : 0) were the major cellular fatty acids and phosphatidylethanolamine was a component of the polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 67-69 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strains consistently formed a monophyletic cluster with Amycolatopsis taiwanensis. On the basis this polyphasic taxonomical study, it is proposed that the two new isolates represent two novel species: Amycolatopsis helveola (type strain TT00-43(T)=NBRC 103394(T)=KCTC 19329(T)) and Amycolatopsis pigmentata (type strain TT99-32(T)=NBRC 103392(T)=KCTC 19330(T)).

Microbispora siamensis sp. nov., a thermotolerant actinomycete isolated from soil.

An actinomycete, strain DMKUA 245(T), isolated from soil, was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed longitudinally paired spores on the tips of short sporophores that branched alternately from aerial hyphae. The morphological and chemotaxonomic properties clearly demonstrated that the new isolate belonged to the genus Microbispora. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis supported the assignment of the novel strain to the genus Microbispora. The gene sequence similarity values between the novel strain and the closely related species Microbispora corallina, Microbispora rosea subsp. rosea, Microbispora rosea subsp. aerata and Microbispora amethystogenes were 98.4 %, 97.4 %, 97.0 % and 96.9 %, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization values and some physiological and biochemical properties indicated that strain DMKUA 245(T) could be distinguished from its phylogenetically closest relatives. Based on these genotypic and phenotypic data, strain DMKUA 245(T) represents a novel species in the genus Microbispora for which the name Microbispora siamensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain DMKUA 245(T) (=BCC 14407(T)=NBRC 104113(T)). In addition, DNA-DNA relatedness values in reciprocal hybridization experiments showed that M. amethystogenes was a separate genomic species from M. rosea subsp. rosea. A combination of genotypic and phenotypic data supported the classification of M. amethystogenes as a separate species.

Georgenia thermotolerans sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from forest soil.

A Gram-positive bacterium strain, designated TT02-04T, was isolated from a forest soil sample in Iriomote Island, Japan, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. The peptidoglycan type of this organism was found to be A4alpha and lysine was the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The only menaquinone was MK-8(H4), and the major fatty acid was anteiso-C15:0. Galactose was detected as the cell-wall sugar. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The DNA G+C content was 73.0 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies indicated that strain TT02-04T was closely related to the type strains of Georgenia ruanii (99.0%) and Georgenia muralis (97.7%). However, DNA-DNA hybridization results and phenotypic characteristics revealed that the strain differed from the currently recognized species of the genus Georgenia. Therefore, strain TT02-04T represents a novel species of the genus Georgenia, for which the name Georgenia thermotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TT02-04T (=NBRC 104148T=DSM 21501T).

Transfer of Actinomadura spadix Nonomura and Ohara 1971 to Actinoallomurus spadix gen. nov., comb. nov., and description of Actinoallomurus amamiensis sp. nov., Actinoallomurus caesius sp. nov., Actinoallomurus coprocola sp. nov., Actinoallomurus fulvus sp. nov., Actinoallomurus iriomotensis sp. nov., Actinoallomurus luridus sp. nov., Actinoallomurus purpureus sp. nov. and Actinoallomurus yoronensis sp. nov.

Ten actinomycete strains that form chains of spiral or looped spores were isolated from soil and dung samples in Japan. They contained D- and L-lysine, meso-diaminopimelic acid (A2pm), D-glutamic acid and D- and L-alanine in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, madurose as a characteristic whole-cell sugar, MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8) as the major isoprenoid quinones and iso-C16:0 as the major cellular fatty acid and showed genomic DNA G+C contents of 69-74 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolated actinomycete strains consistently formed a monophyletic cluster with Actinomadura spadix NBRC 14099T and a separate line of descent in the phylogenetic cluster of the family Thermomonosporaceae. Actinomadura spadix NBRC 14099T also contained D- and L-lysine in addition to meso-A2pm. This genetic and phenotypic evidence revealed that the actinomycete strains could be clearly differentiated from the other members of the family Thermomonosporaceae and that they warranted separate genus status. We conclude that Actinomadura spadix should be assigned the status of the type species of a new genus as Actinoallomurus spadix gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain NBRC 14099T=ATCC 27298T=BCRC 13386T=CBS 261.72T=CIP 105479T=DSM 43459T=JCM 3146T=KCTC 9252T=NCIMB 11118T=NRRL B-16128T). Further, we conclude that the ten new isolates should be assigned to the novel species Actinoallomurus amamiensis sp. nov. (type strain TT00-28T=NBRC 103682T=KCTC 19537T), Actinoallomurus caesius sp. nov. (type strain A3015T=NBRC 103678T=KCTC 19535T), Actinoallomurus coprocola sp. nov. (type strain TT04-09T=NBRC 103688T=KCTC 19542T), Actinoallomurus fulvus sp. nov. (type strain TT99-66T=NBRC 103680T=KCTC 19536T), Actinoallomurus iriomotensis sp. nov. (type strain TT02-47T=NBRC 103685T=KCTC 19539T), Actinoallomurus luridus sp. nov. (type strain TT02-15T=NBRC 103683T=KCTC 19538T), Actinoallomurus purpureus sp. nov. (type strain TTN02-30T=NBRC 103687T=KCTC 19541T) and Actinoallomurus yoronensis sp. nov. (type strain TTN02-22T=NBRC 103686T=KCTC 19540T).

Reclassification of Streptomyces caeruleus as a synonym of Actinoalloteichus cyanogriseus and reclassification of Streptomyces spheroides and Streptomyces laceyi as later synonyms of Streptomyces niveus.

Previous studies have proposed that Streptomyces caeruleus is an earlier heterotypic synonym for Streptomyces niveus and Streptomyces spheroides. In this study, phylogenetic analysis of the almost complete 16S rRNA gene sequences of the Streptomyces caeruleus type strains NBRC 13344(T), JCM 4014(T) and NRRL B-2194(T) revealed that S. caeruleus was closely related to Actinoalloteichus cyanogriseus and not to S. niveus, S. spheroides or any other species of the genus Streptomyces. Moreover, the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid was found to be meso-diaminopimelic acid in S. caeruleus and DNA-DNA hybridization studies revealed that S. caeruleus NBRC 13344(T) was a member of the same species as A. cyanogriseus NBRC 14455(T). Based on these chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, it is proposed that Streptomyces caeruleus (Baldacci 1944) Pridham et al. 1958 be reclassified as a heterotypic synonym of Actinalloteichus cyanogriseus Tamura et al. 2000. Furthermore, based on phylogenetic, morphological and MALDI-TOF MS analyses, it is proposed that the species Streptomyces laceyi Manfio et al. 2004 and Streptomyces spheroides Wallick et al. 1956 are reclassified as later heterotypic synonyms of Streptomyces niveus Smith et al. 1956.

Reclassification of Streptomyces flavidofuscus as a synonym of Nocardiopsis dassonvillei subsp. dassonvillei.

During the course of quality control studies of the collection of the NITE Biological Resource Center (NBRC), phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences of actinomycetes revealed that Streptomyces flavidofuscus NBRC 15404(T) formed a cluster with Nocardiopsis dassonvillei and Nocardiopsis synnemataformans. Strain NBRC 15404(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as a cell-wall diamino acid and DNA-DNA hybridization studies also showed that S. flavidofuscus NBRC 15404(T) was a close relative of N. dassonvillei subsp. dassonvillei NBRC 14626(T). Based on chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genetic analysis of the type strain, Streptomyces flavidofuscus should be reclassified as a later heterotypic synonym of Nocardiopsis dassonvillei subsp. dassonvillei.

Catenulispora subtropica sp. nov. and Catenulispora yoronensis sp. nov.

Three strains of actinomycetes that formed spore chains were isolated from a paddy field and forest soil and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization study. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. The major isoprenoid quinones were MK-9(H(8)) and MK-9(H(6)), and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these organisms belonged in a monophyletic cluster with members of the genus Catenulispora. According to the physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data, the novel organisms could be differentiated from recognized members of the genus Catenulispora. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic data, the three strains are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Catenulispora, for which the names Catenulispora subtropica sp. nov. for strains TT 99-48(T) (type strain; =NBRC 103395(T)=KCTC 19328(T)) and TT 01-19 (=NBRC 103396), and Catenulispora yoronensis sp. nov. (type strain TT N02-20(T)=NBRC 103397(T)=KCTC 19327(T)) are proposed. An emended description of the genus Catenulispora is given.

Classification of 'Streptomyces tenebrarius' Higgins and Kastner as Streptoalloteichus tenebrarius nom. rev., comb. nov., and emended description of the genus Streptoalloteichus.

Phylogenetic analysis of 'Streptomyces tenebrarius' NBRC 16177 on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that this organism was related to Streptoalloteichus hindustanus. It possessed glutamic acid, alanine and meso-diaminopimelic acid as cell-wall amino acids, galactose, mannose and glucose as whole-cell sugars and the menaquinones MK-10(H(6)), MK-10(H(4)), MK-9(H(6)) and MK-9(H(4)). The chemotaxonomic characteristics of this strain were consistent with those of the genus Streptoalloteichus. DNA-DNA hybridization, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data revealed that 'Streptomyces tenebrarius' can be easily differentiated from the other member of the genus Streptoalloteichus and that it merits separate species status. The phenotypic and genetic evidence reveals that 'Streptomyces tenebrarius' represents a novel species of the genus Streptoalloteichus; the name Streptoalloteichus tenebrarius (ex Higgins and Kastner) nom. rev., comb. nov. is proposed for this species. The type strain is NBRC 16177(T) (=ATCC 17920(T) =DSM 40477(T) =JCM 4838(T) =NRRL B-12390(T) =ISP 5477(T)).

Catenulispora rubra sp. nov., an acidophilic actinomycete isolated from forest soil.

In the course of screening novel secondary metabolites, an acidophilic actinomycete strain, designated Aac-30(T), was isolated from forest soil and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization study. It grew well on media in which the pH ranged from 4 to 6, but not on medium with pH adjusted to 7. It possessed ll-diaminopimelic acid and glycine in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8) as major isoprenoid quinones, iso-C(16 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0) as major cellular fatty acids, and phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as polar lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the organism belonged to the family Catenulisporaceae and consistently formed a monophyletic cluster with members of the genus Catenulispora. Physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data revealed that this novel organism could be readily differentiated from recognized members of the genus Catenulispora and that it merits separate species status. Based on the phenotypic and genetic evidence presented, strain Aac-30(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Catenulispora, for which the name Catenulispora rubra sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Aac-30(T) (=NBRC 101179(T)=DSM 44948(T)).