Biofilms as Battlefield Armor for Bacteria against Antibiotics: Challenges and Combating Strategies.

Bacterial biofilms are formed by communities, which are encased in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Notably, bacteria in biofilms display a set of 'emergent properties' that vary considerably from free-living bacterial cells. Biofilms help bacteria to survive under multiple stressful conditions such as providing immunity against antibiotics. Apart from the provision of multi-layered defense for enabling poor antibiotic absorption and adaptive persistor cells, biofilms utilize their extracellular components, e.g., extracellular DNA (eDNA), chemical-like catalase, various genes and their regulators to combat antibiotics. The response of biofilms depends on the type of antibiotic that comes into contact with biofilms. For example, excessive production of eDNA exerts resistance against cell wall and DNA targeting antibiotics and the release of antagonist chemicals neutralizes cell membrane inhibitors, whereas the induction of protein and folic acid antibiotics inside cells is lowered by mutating genes and their regulators. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of biofilm-based resistance to various antibiotic classes in bacteria and genes responsible for biofilm development, and the key role of quorum sensing in developing biofilms and antibiotic resistance is also discussed. In this review, we also highlight new and modified techniques such as CRISPR/Cas, nanotechnology and bacteriophage therapy. These technologies might be useful to eliminate pathogens residing in biofilms by combating biofilm-induced antibiotic resistance and making this world free of antibiotic resistance.

Proposal to transfer Bacillus massiliigorillae to the genus Peribacillus as Peribacillus massiliigorillae comb. nov., and Bacillus sinesaloumensis to the genus Ferdinandcohnia as Ferdinandcohnia sinesaloumensis comb. nov.

The present study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of Bacillus massiliigorillae and Bacillus sinesaloumensis. The 16S rRNA gene sequences extracted from the Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T (FTOX00000000) and Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T (CAVL000000000) genomes showed 98.5 and 99.1% similarity with the type strains of Ferdinandcohnia humi and Peribacillus endoradicis, respectively. The amino acid identity (AAI) values of Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T were higher with Ferdinandcohnia members, while Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T with Peribacillus members. In phylogenomic and phylogenetic trees, Bacillus sinesaloumensis Marseille-P3516T and Bacillus massiliigorillae G2T clade with members of the genera Ferdinandcohnia and Peribacillus, respectively. Based on the above results, we propose to transfer Bacillus massiliigorillae to the genus Peribacillus as Peribacillus massiliigorillae comb. nov., and Bacillus sinesaloumensis to the genus Ferdinandcohnia as Ferdinandcohnia sinesaloumensis comb. nov.

Diversity, morphology, and molecular phylogeny of Diatrypaceae from southern China.

During an investigation of Diatrypaceae from southern China, 10 xylariales-like taxa have been collected. Morphological and multi-gene analyses confirmed that these taxa reside in Diatrypaceae and represent eight novel taxa and two new records belonging to six genera (viz., Allocryptovalsa, Diatrype, Diatrypella, Paraeutypella, Peroneutypa, and Vasilyeva gen. nov.). Vasilyeva gen. nov. was proposed to accommodate Vasilyeva cinnamomi sp. nov. Among the other collections, seven new species were introduced (viz., Diatrype camelliae-japonicae sp. nov., Diatrype rubi sp. nov., Diatrypella guiyangensis sp. nov., Diatrypella fatsiae-japonicae sp. nov., Paraeutypella subguizhouensis sp. nov., Peroneutypa hainanensis sp. nov., and Peroneutypa qianensis sp. nov.), while two were reported as new records from China (Allocryptovalsa rabenhorstii and Diatrype enteroxantha). For Diatrypaceae, the traditional taxonomic approach based on morphology may not be applicable.

Regulatory effect of moderate Jiang-flavour baijiu (Chinese liquor) dosage on organ function and gut microbiota in mice.

Chinese baijiu, an ancient fermented alcoholic beverage, contains ethanol and a variety of compounds. One of the most popular types of Chinese baijiu is Jiang-flavor baijiu. To investigate the effects of Jiang-flavor baijiu on organ function and gut microbiota, we developed a moderate drinking mouse model and studied its effects on the liver, kidney biomarkers, memory function, and gut microbiota. The results showed that ethanol caused more hepatic steatosis, liver and kidney damage, and memory impairment than Jiang-flavour baijiu consumption. Furthermore, Jiang-flavor baijiu altered the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of beneficial taxa such as Lactobacillus and Akkermansia, whereas ethanol increased the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Prevotella and Mucispirillum. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that moderate dose Jiang-flavor baijiu regulates gut microbiota and organ function and provide a theoretical foundation for future research on the positive health effects of particular varieties of Chinese baijiu.

Proposal to transfer Bacillus lacisalsi Dong et al. 2021 to the genus Alteribacter as Alteribacter lacisalsi comb. nov.

In the present study, the taxonomic position of Bacillus lacisalsi YSP-3T was evaluated using phylogenetic and genome-based comparison. B. lacisalsi YSP-3T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Alteribacter natronophilus M30T (98.4 %), followed by Alteribacter aurantiacus K1-5T (97.5 %) and Alteribacter populi FJAT-45347T (97.2 %). In phylogenetic (based on 16S rRNA gene sequences) and phylogenomic (based on 71 bacterial single-copy genes) trees, B. lacisalsi YSP-3T clustered with the members of the genus Alteribacter. The amino acid identity (AAI) values between B. lacisalsi YSP-3T and the members of the genus Alteribacter were >65 %, which is above the cut-off level (65-95 %) for genus delineation. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between B. lacisalsi YSP-3T and the members of the genus Alteribacter were <95 %, which is lower than the threshold value (95-96 %) for bacterial species delineation. The AAI value suggested that B. lacisalsi YSP-3T was a member of the genus Alteribacter while the ANIb value suggested it as a novel species of the genus Alteribacter. Based on the results, we propose to transfer Bacillus lacisalsi to the genus Alteribacter as Alteribacter lacisalsi comb. nov.

Cryptococcus neoformans MET5 Gene is not Essential for Virulence in the Silkworm Infection Model.

The involvement of the MET5 gene in virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans was examined using the silkworm Bombyx mori infection model. In the virulence assay, the met5Δ mutant showed virulence not significantly different from the wild-type strain, suggesting that the MET5 gene is not essential for full virulence of C. neoformans. The effect of silkworm hemolymph on the survival of the met5Δ mutant was also tested. The C. neoformans met5Δ strain incubated in the silkworm hemolymph for five days remained viable, suggesting that silkworm hemolymph supports survival of the met5Δ strain.

Proposal for transfer Bacillus alkalicola to the genus Evansella as Evansella alkalicola comb. nov.

The taxonomic position of Bacillus alkalicola was evaluated using phylogenetic and genome-based comparisons. In phylogenetic (based on 16S rRNA gene sequence) and phylogenomic (based on concatenation of protein-marker genes) trees, Bacillus alkalicola clade with the members of the genus Evansella. The amino acid identity (AAI) values suggested to reclassify Bacillus alkalicola as a member of the genus Evansella. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between Bacillus alkalicola and the members of the genus Evansella was lower than the threshold values for bacterial species delineation. Based on the results, we propose to transfer Bacillus alkalicola to the genus Evansella as Evansella alkalicola comb. nov. The type strain is Zby6T (=CGMCC 1.10368T=JCM 17098T=NBRC 107743T).

Morpho-molecular characterisation of Arecophila, with A.australis and A.clypeata sp. nov. and A.miscanthi comb. nov.

Three arecophila-like fungal samples were collected on dead culms of gramineous plants in China. Morphological studies of our new collections and the herbarium specimen of Arecophilagulubiicola (generic type) were conducted and the morphological affinity of our new collections with Arecophila was confirmed. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses using combined ITS, LSU, rpb2 and ß-tubulin data from our collections revealed the phylogeny of Cainiaceae. The monospecific genus Alishanica (type species Al.miscanthi), which had been accepted in Cainiaceae, is revisited and synonymised under Arecophila. Based on morphology and phylogeny, Arecophilaaustralis sp. nov. and A.clypeata sp. nov. are introduced as new species, while A.miscanthi is a new record for China. All the new collections are illustrated and described.

Overexpressing GRE3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae enables high ethanol production from different lignocellulose hydrolysates.

The efficiently renewable bioethanol can help to alleviate energy crisis and environmental pollution. Genetically modified strains for efficient use of xylose and developing lignocellulosic hydrolysates play an essential role in facilitating cellulosic ethanol production. Here we present a promising strain GRE3OE via GRE3 overexpressed in a previously reported Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain WXY70. A comprehensive evaluation of the fermentation level of GRE3OE in alkaline-distilled sweet sorghum bagasse, sorghum straw and xylose mother liquor hydrolysate. Under simulated corn stover hydrolysate, GRE3OE produced 53.39 g/L ethanol within 48 h. GRE3OE produced about 0.498 g/g total sugar in sorghum straw hydrolysate solution. Moreover, GRE3OE consumed more xylose than WXY70 in the high-concentration xylose mother liquor. Taken together, GRE3OE could be a candidate strain for industrial ethanol development, which is due to its remarkable fermentation efficiency during different lignocellulosic hydrolysates.

A taxonomic study of Nemania from China, with six new species.

During an investigation of Xylariaceae from 2019 to 2020, isolates representing eight Nemania (Xylariacese) species were collected from Yunnan, Guizhou and Hainan Provinces in China. Morphological and multi-gene phylogenetic analyses, based on combined ITS, α-actin, rpb2 and ß-tubulin sequences, confirmed that six of them are new to science, viz. Nemaniacamelliae, N.changningensis, N.cyclobalanopsina, N.feicuiensis, N.lishuicola and N.rubi; one is a new record (N.caries) for China and one is a known species (N.diffusa). Morphological descriptions and illustrations of all species are detailed. In addition, the characteristics of Nemania are summarised and prevailing contradictions in generic concepts are discussed.

Azospirillum oleiclasticum sp. nov, a nitrogen-fixing and heavy oil degrading bacterium isolated from an oil production mixture of Yumen Oilfield.

Two nitrogen-fixing and heavy oil degrading strains, designated RWY-5-1-1T and ROY-1-1-2, were isolated from an oil production mixture from Yumen Oilfield in China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence showed they belong to Azospirillum and have less than 96.1 % pairwise similarity with each species in this genus. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between them and other type strains of Azospirillum species were less than 75.69 % and 22.0 %, respectively, both below the species delineation threshold. Pan-genomic analysis showed that the novel isolate RWY-5-1-1T shared 2145 core gene families with other type strains in Azospirillum, and the number of strain-specific gene families was 1623, almost two times more than the number known from other species. Furthermore, genes related to nitrogenase, hydrocarbon degradation and biosurfactant production were found in the isolates' genomes. Also, this strain was capable of reducing acetylene to ethylene at a rate of 22nmol ethylene h-1 (108 cells) and degrading heavy oil at a rate of 36.2 %. The major fatty acids and polar lipids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c), and phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylcholine. Furthermore, a combination of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genotypic data clearly indicated that strains RWY-5-1-1T and ROY-1-1-2 represent a novel species, for which the name Azospirillum oleiclasticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RWY-5-1-1T (=CGMCC 1.13426T =KCTC 72259 T). Azospirillum novel strains with the ability of heavy oil degradation associated with the promotion of plant growth has never been reported to date.

Bacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov., isolated from tepid spring.

A novel Bacillus strain, designated SYSU G01002T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from tepid spring in Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain SYSU G01002T shared the highest sequence identity with the type strain of Bacillus alkalitolerans (97.7%). Strain SYSU G01002T grew at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), at 28-55 °C (optimum, 45 °C) and in the presence of 0-2.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum in the absence of NaCl). It contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall diamino acid and MK-7 as isoprenoid quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 and C16:0. The polar were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G + C content was 38.0 mol %. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between SYSU G01002T and closely related members of the genus Bacillus were below the cut-off level recommended for interspecies identity. Based on the above results, strain SYSU G01002T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain, SYSU G01002T (= KCTC 43131T = CGMCC 1.17491T).

Lysinibacillus antri sp. nov., isolated from cave soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, motile, rod-shaped and endospore-forming strain, SYSU K30002T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-west China. SYSU K30002T grew at 28-40 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum in the absence of NaCl). The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (Lys-Asp). The cell-wall sugars of SYSU K30002T were ribose, galactose and mannose, and MK-7 was the menaquinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c alcohol and iso-C16 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified phospholipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.1 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSU K30002T and its closest relatives were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) for species delineation. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genome comparisons, strain SYSU K30002T represents a novel species of the genus Lysinibacillus, for which the name Lysinibacillusantri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K30002T (=KCTC 33955T=CGMCC 1.13504T).

Lysinibacillus cavernae sp. nov., isolated from cave soil.

A Gram-staining positive, motile, rod-shaped and subterminal endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain SYSU K30005T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Libo county, Guizhou province, south-western China. Strain SYSU K30005T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Lysinibacillus fusiformis (98.6%) and Lysinibacillus sphaericus (98.2%). In phylogenetic tree, strain SYSU K30005T clade with the members of the genus Lysinibacillus. Based on the phylogenetic and 16S gene sequence result, strain SYSU K30005T was affiliated to the genus Lysinibacillus. The growth of SYSU K30005T was observed at 15-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-4% (w/v) NaCl (optimum in 3.5% NaCl). Cell wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (Lys-Asp). The cell-wall sugars of SYSU K30005T were ribose, galactose and mannose and MK-7 was the only quinone. The fatty acids (> 5% of total fatty acids) were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and iso-C17:0. The polar lipids profile included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatideylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G + C content was 37.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSU K30005T and its closest relatives were below the cut-off level (95-96%) for species delineation. The results support the conclusion that strain SYSU K30005T represents a novel species of the genus Lysinibacillus, for which we proposed the name Lysinibacillus cavernae sp. nov. The type strain is SYSU K30005T (= KCTC 43130T = CGMCC 1.17492T).

Vulcaniibacterium gelatinicum sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

The present study aimed to determine the taxonomic positions of strains designated R-5-52-3T, R-5-33-5-1-2, R-5-48-2 and R-5-51-4 isolated from hot spring water samples. Cells of these strains were Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped. The strains shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Vulcaniibacterium thermophilum KCTC 32020T (95.1%). Growth occurred at 28-55 °C, at pH 6-8 and with up to 3 % (w/v) NaCl. DNA fingerprinting, biochemical, phylogenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses suggested that R-5-52-3T, R-5-33-5-1-2, R-5-48-2 and R-5-51-4 were different strains but belonged to the same species. Hence, R-5-52-3T was chosen for further analysis and R-5-33-5-1-2, R-5-48-2 and R-5-51-4 were considered as additional strains of this species. R-5-52-3T possessed Q-8 as the only quinone and iso-C15:0, iso-C11:0, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 as major fatty acids. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified polar lipids and two unidentified phospholipids. The genomic G+C content was 71.6 mol%. Heat shock proteins (e.g. Hsp20, GroEL, DnaK and Clp ATPases) were noted in the R-5-52-3T genome, which could suggest its protection in the hot spring environment. Pan-genome analysis showed the number of singleton gene clusters among Vulcaniibacterium members varied. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between R-5-52-3T, Vulcaniibacterium tengchongense YIM 77520T and V. thermophilum KCTC 32020T were 80.1-85.8 %, which were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) recommended as the ANI criterion for interspecies identity. Thus, based on the above results, strain R-5-52-3T represents a novel species of the genus Vulcaniibacterium, for which the name Vulcaniibacterium gelatinicum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R-5-52-3T (=KCTC 72061T=CGMCC 1.16678T).

Pseudomonas Saliphila sp. nov., a Bacterium Isolated from Oil-Well Production Water in Qinghai Oilfield of China.

Strain 16W4-4-3 T was isolated from the oil-well production water in Qinghai Oilfield, China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, catalase- and oxidase-positive, facultatively anaerobic and motile by single polar flagellum. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strain 16W4-4-3 T showed the highest similarities with Pseudomonas profundi M5T (98.8%), P. pelagia CL-AP6T (98.0%), P. salina XCD-X85T (97.7%), and P. sabulinigri J64T (97.5%). The phylogenetic trees based on multilocus sequence analyses with concatenating 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoD and rpoB genes suggested that this strain should be affiliated to the genus Pseudomonas but remotely related from other species. In addition, whole genome analyses revealed that the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values and average nucleotide identities of strain 16W4-4-3 T against its close relatives were all below 28.8% and 86.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the isolate had totally different whole cell protein profile as compared to those of other species. Major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and C17:0cyclo. Major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone (Q-9), and major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G + C content was 58.5 mol%. Therefore, phenotypic, phylogenetic, genomic, chemotaxonomic, and proteomic traits showed that the isolate represented a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, the name Pseudomonas saliphila sp. nov. is proposed. Type strain is 16W4-4-3 T (= CGMCC 1.13350 T = KCTC 72619 T).

Description of Paenibacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov., isolated from a tepid spring.

China is a hotspot for hot springs and during microbial diversity analysis of Tengchong hot spring, Yunnan province, south-west PR China, two strains designated SYSU G01001T and SY-13 were isolated. SYSU G01001T and SY-13 were Gram-stain-positive, motile and spore-forming. Colonies were white, circular, raised and punctiform. SYSU G01001T and SY-13 grew at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 8.0) and at 23-37 °C (optimum 28 °C). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between SYSU G01001T and SY-13 was 99.6 % but these strains shared low sequence similarity with Paenibacillus azotifigens (97.5 %) indicating that they represented a novel species. On the basis of the results, SYSU G01001T was selected for further investigations and SY-13 was considered to represent a second strain of the species. The cell wall peptidoglycan of SYSU G01001T was meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 was the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), two unidentified aminolipids (AL), two unidentified amino phospholipids (APL), an unidentified phospholipid (PL) and an unidentified polar lipid (L). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 53.9 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANIb and ANIm) values between SYSU G01001T and Paenibacillus azotifigens LMG 29963T were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) recommended as the average nucleotide identity (ANI) criterion for interspecies identity. On the basis of the above results strain SYSU G01001T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU G01001T (=KCTC 33952T=CGMCC 1.13870T).

Description of Paenibacillus antri sp. nov. and Paenibacillus mesophilus sp. nov., isolated from cave soil.

Two Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming strains, SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T, were isolated from cave soil sampled in Xingyi County, Guizhou Province, south-west PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence results indicated that strains SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T had highest sequence similarities to Paenibacillus thermoaerophilus DSM 26310T (93.2 %) and Paenibacillus haemerocallicola KCTC 33185T (97.8 %), respectively. Optimum growth for both strains occurred at pH 7.0 and 37 °C. Both strains contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in their cell-wall peptidoglycan and MK-7 was the only isoprenoid quinone detected. The polar lipid profile of strain SYSU K30004T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminophospholipids, an unidentified glycolipid, unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified polar lipids. The polar lipid profile of strain SYSU K30003T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acids (>5 %) of strain SYSU K30003T were anteiso-C15:0, C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, while those of strain SYSU K30004T were anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16:0 and iso-C17 : 0. The genome G+C contents of strains SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T were 59.0 and 53.6 mol%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity values between strains SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T and other closely related Paenibacillus members were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) for species identification. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genome analyses, strains SYSU K30003T and SYSU K30004T represent two novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the names Paenibacillus antri sp. nov. and Paenibacillus mesophilus sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are SYSU K30003T (=KCTC 33956T=CGMCC 1.13505T) and SYSU K30004T (=KCTC 33957T=CGMCC 1.13872T).

Bacillus antri sp. nov., isolated from cave soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming strain, SYSU K30001T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a cave in Xingyi county, Guizhou province, south-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU K30001T belonged to the genus Bacillus, with the highest sequence similarity to the type strain of Bacillus panaciterrae (98.1 %). Growth occurred at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), at 28-55 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum in the absence of NaCl). Strain SYSU K30001T contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and MK-7 as the only isoprenoid quinone present. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified glycolipid. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω10c, anteiso-C14 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The genome G+C content was 39.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSU K30001T and B. panaciterrae DSM 19096T were 72.1 % (ANIb) and 83.1 % (ANIm), which were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) for species delineation. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular characterizations, strain SYSU K30001T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus antri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU K30001T (=KCTC 33954T=CGMCC 1.13871T).