Thalassococcus halodurans gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel halotolerant member of the Roseobacter clade isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria panicea at Friday Harbor, USA.

A Gram-negative, non-pigmented, ovoid-shaped, strictly aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive and highly halotolerant bacterial strain that was devoid of swimming and gliding motility, designated UST050418-052(T), was isolated from the surface of the marine sponge Halichondria panicea at Friday Harbor, WA, USA. Strain UST050418-052(T) required NaCl for growth and could tolerate salt concentrations of up to 18 %. The primary respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 and the DNA G+C content was 57.8 mol%. The predominant fatty acids were the saturated fatty acids 16 : 0 and 18 : 0 and the monounsaturated fatty acids 18 : 1 omega 7c and 18 : 1 omega 9c, altogether representing 82.9 % of the total. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed UST050418-052(T) in a distinct lineage within the Roseobacter clade in the family Rhodobacteraceae, with 95.0-95.8 % sequence similarity to members of the nearest genus Thalassobius. The DNA-DNA relatedness between UST050418-052(T) and Thalassobius gelatinovorus IAM 12617(T) was 9 %. Strain UST050418-052(T) could be differentiated from closely related members of the Roseobacter clade by a number of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics such as its distinct fatty acid profile, ability to reduce nitrate to nitrite and inability to utilize citrate, succinate, L-arginine and pyruvate. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic evidence presented in this study, we suggest that strain UST050418-052(T) represents a novel genus in the family Rhodobacteraceae. The name Thalassococcus halodurans gen. nov., sp. nov., is thus proposed. The type strain of Thalassococcus halodurans is UST050418-052(T) (=JCM 13833(T) =NRRL B-41465(T)).

Shewanella irciniae sp. nov., a novel member of the family Shewanellaceae, isolated from the marine sponge Ircinia dendroides in the Bay of Villefranche, Mediterranean Sea.

Strain UST040317-058(T), comprising non-pigmented, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative cells that are motile by means of single polar flagella, was isolated from the surface of a marine sponge (Ircinia dendroides) collected from the Mediterranean Sea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis placed the strain in a separate cluster with the recognized bacterium Shewanella algae IAM 14159(T), with which it showed a sequence similarity of 95.0 %. The sequence similarity between strain UST040317-058(T) and its other (six) closest relatives ranged from 91.6 to 93.8 %. Strain UST040317-058(T) showed oxidase, catalase and gelatinase activities. The typical respiratory quinones for shewanellas, menaquinone MK-7 and ubiquinones Q-7 and Q-8, were also detected. The predominant fatty acids in strain UST040317-058(T) were i15 : 0, 16 : 0, 17 : 1omega8c and summed feature 3 (comprising i15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1omega7c), altogether representing 56.9 % of the total. The DNA G+C content was 39.9 mol%. The strain could be differentiated from other Shewanella species by its inability to reduce nitrate or produce H(2)S and by 10-22 additional phenotypic characteristics. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic data presented in this study, strain UST040317-058(T) represents a novel species in the genus Shewanella, for which the name Shewanella irciniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UST040317-058(T) (=JCM 13528(T)=NRRL B-41466(T)).

Gillisia myxillae sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae, isolated from the marine sponge Myxilla incrustans.

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic bacterium (strain UST050418-085(T)) was isolated from the surface of a marine sponge, Myxilla incrustans, at Friday Harbor, WA, USA. The DNA G+C content of this strain was 34.6 mol%. The predominant fatty acids were i15 : 0, a15 : 0, i15 : 1, i16 : 0, i17 : 0 3-OH, 17 : 0 2-OH and summed feature 3, comprising i15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1omega7c (altogether representing 69.0 % of the total fatty acids). MK-6 was the only respiratory quinone detected. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the closest relatives of UST050418-085(T) were members of the genus Gillisia, with sequence similarities of 93.2-96.6 %. Strain UST050418-085(T) differed from its closest relatives by 11 to 18 phenotypic traits. Molecular evidence and phenotypic characteristics suggest that strain UST050418-085(T) represents a novel species within the genus Gillisia. The name Gillisia myxillae sp. nov. is proposed, with UST050418-085(T) (=JCM 13564(T)=NRRL B-41416(T)) [corrected] as the type strain.

Description of Fabibacter halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. and Roseivirga spongicola sp. nov., and reclassification of [Marinicola] seohaensis as Roseivirga seohaensis comb. nov.

Bacterial strains UST030701-097T and UST030701-084T were isolated from a marine sponge in the Bahamas. Both strains were pink-pigmented, Gram-negative, strictly aerobic and chemo-organotrophic. Cells of strain UST030701-097T were short, curved rods with fast-gliding motility, whereas those of strain UST030701-084T were straight rods with a less rapid gliding motion. The two strains had MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone and did not produce flexirubin-type pigments. The DNA G+C contents of strains UST030701-097T and UST030701-084T were 42.5 and 43.7 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains belonged to the family 'Flexibacteraceae' of the phylum Bacteroidetes. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains UST030701-097T and UST030701-084T was 95.0 %; their closest relative was [Marinicola] seohaensis, with 93.3 % and 96.0 % sequence similarity, respectively. Phylogenetic tree topology indicated that the two strains belonged to the same lineage, but were on separate branches. Whilst strain UST030701-084T and [Marinicola] seohaensis were found on one branch, strain UST030701-097T was in another branch that had no species with validly published names. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic data obtained in the present study, we propose that strain UST030701-097T represents a novel genus and that strain UST030701-084T represents a novel species in the phylum Bacteroidetes. The genus Fabibacter gen. nov. is proposed, with strain UST030701-097T (=NRRL B-41220T=JCM 13334T) as the type strain of the type species, Fabibacter halotolerans sp. nov. Strain UST030701-084T (=NRRL B-41219T=JCM 13337T) is proposed as the type strain of Roseivirga spongicola sp. nov. In an earlier study, it was suggested that the genus Marinicola is a later heterotypic synonym of the genus Roseivirga. However, a formal proposal to reclassify [Marinicola] seohaensis, the only member of the genus Marinicola, has not yet been made. The results of phylogenetic analyses in this study support the reclassification of [Marinicola] seohaensis as Roseivirga seohaensis comb. nov.

Stenothermobacter spongiae gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from a marine sponge in the Bahamas, and emended description of Nonlabens tegetincola.

A bacterial strain, UST030701-156T, was isolated from a marine sponge in the Bahamas. Strain UST030701-156T was orange-pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped with tapered ends, slowly motile by gliding and strictly aerobic. The predominant fatty acids were a15 : 0, i15 : 0, i15 : 0 3-OH, i17 : 0 3-OH, i17 : 1omega9c and summed feature 3, comprising i15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1omega7c. MK-6 was the only respiratory quinone. Flexirubin-type pigments were not produced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed UST030701-156T within a distinct lineage in the family Flavobacteriaceae, with 93.3 % sequence similarity to the nearest neighbour, Nonlabens tegetincola. The DNA G+C content of UST030701-156T was 41.0 mol% and was much higher than that of N. tegetincola (33.6 mol%). Strain UST030701-156T can be distinguished from other members of the Flavobacteriaceae by means of a number of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics. It is proposed, therefore, that UST030701-156T represents a novel taxon designated Stenothermobacter spongiae gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is UST030701-156T (= NRRL B-41138T = JCM 13191T). Carbon-source utilization by N. tegetincola was re-examined and an emended description is therefore included.

Nonlabens tegetincola gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from a microbial mat in a subtropical estuary.

An orange-pigmented, Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic bacterium (UST030701-324T) was isolated from a microbial mat in an estuary in the Bahamas. The DNA G+C content was 33.6 mol%. Predominant fatty acids were i15 : 0, i16 : 0, i17 : 0 3-OH, and summed feature 3, comprising i15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1omega7c. MK-6 was the only respiratory quinone. Flexirubin-type pigments were not produced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed UST030701-324T in a distinct lineage in the family Flavobacteriaceae with less than 90.7 % sequence similarity to the members of the nearest genus, Psychroflexus. UST030701-324T can be distinguished from other members of Flavobacteriaceae by a number of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics. It is thus proposed that UST030701-324T represents a novel taxon designated Nonlabens tegetincola gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is UST030701-324T (=NRRL B-41136T=JCM 12886T).

Gramella portivictoriae sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from marine sediment.

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, slowly gliding, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic bacterium (UST040801-001T) was isolated from marine sediment. The DNA G+C content was 39.9 mol%. The predominant fatty acids were a15 : 0, i15 : 0, i15 : 0 3-OH, i17 : 1omega9c, i17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3, comprising i15 : 0 2-OH and/or 16 : 1omega7c (altogether representing 76.2 % of the total). MK-6 was the only respiratory quinone. Flexirubin-type pigments were not produced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that Gramella echinicola KMM 6050T (the only species in the genus) was the closest relative of UST040801-001T, sharing 98.0 % sequence similarity. The DNA-DNA relatedness between UST040801-001T and Gramella echinicola KMM 6050T was 13 %. Strain UST040801-001T can be distinguished from G. echinicola by means of 11 phenotypic traits. The results of molecular and phenotypic analyses suggested that UST040801-001T represents a novel species of Gramella. The name Gramella portivictoriae sp. nov. is proposed for this bacterium, with UST040801-001T (=NRRL B-41137T [corrected] =JCM 13192T) as the type strain.

Winogradskyella poriferorum sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from a sponge in the Bahamas.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (designated strain UST030701-295(T)) with fast gliding motility was isolated from the surface of the sponge Lissodendoryx isodictyalis in the Bahamas. Colonies of UST030701-295(T) were yellow in colour, 2-4 mm in diameter, convex with a smooth surface and entire margins. UST030701-295(T) was heterotrophic, strictly aerobic and required NaCl for growth (1.0-4.0%). Growth was observed at pH 6.0-10.0 and at 12-44 degrees C. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed UST030701-295(T) within the genus Winogradskyella of the family Flavobacteriaceae, sharing 94.7-95.8% similarity with the three recognized members of the genus. The G+C content of the DNA was 32.8 mol% and the predominant fatty acids were iso-C(15:1), iso-C(15:0), iso-C(15:0) 2-OH, iso-C(15:0) 3-OH, iso-C(16:0) 3-OH, C(16:1)omega7 and iso-C(17:0) 3-OH (together representing 75.4% of the total); these data supported the affiliation of UST030701-295(T) to the genus Winogradskyella. UST030701-295(T) differed from the three recognized species of Winogradskyella in 7-17 traits. Molecular evidence together with phenotypic characteristics suggests that UST030701-295(T) represents a novel species within the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella poriferorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UST030701-295(T) (=NRRL B-41101(T)=JCM 12885(T)).

Pseudoalteromonas spongiae sp. nov., a novel member of the gamma-Proteobacteria isolated from the sponge Mycale adhaerens in Hong Kong waters.

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped bacterium (UST010723-006(T)) was isolated from the surface of the sponge Mycale adhaerens in Hong Kong waters. Cells of UST010723-006(T) did not have flagella and were non-motile. Colonies were pale orange in colour, 2-4 mm in diameter, convex with a smooth surface and an entire translucent margin. Gas bubbles were observed in the colonies and also in the agar matrix underneath and adjacent to the colonies. UST010723-006(T) was heterotrophic, strictly aerobic and required NaCl for growth (2.0-6.0%). It grew at pH 5.0-10.0 and between 12 and 44 degrees C. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed UST010723-006(T) within the genus Pseudoalteromonas of the gamma-subclass of the Proteobacteria. The DNA G+C content is 40.6 mol% and the dominant fatty acids were 12:0 3-OH, 14:0, 15:0 iso 2-OH, 16:0, 16:1omega7, 17:1omega8 and 18:1omega7 (altogether representing 75.9% of the total). These data supported the affiliation of UST010723-006(T) to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. The closest relatives were Pseudoalteromonas luteviolacea, P. phenolica, P. rubra and P. ruthenica with similarity values ranging from 95.4 to 96.8%. UST010723-006(T) differed from these closest relatives by 9-19 traits. Molecular evidence, together with phenotypic characteristics, suggests that UST010723-006(T) constitutes a novel species within the genus Pseudoalteromonas. The name Pseudoalteromonas spongiae sp. nov. is proposed for this bacterium. The type strain is UST010723-006(T) (=NRRL B-41100(T)=JCM 12884(T)).

Loktanella hongkongensis sp. nov., a novel member of the alpha-Proteobacteria originating from marine biofilms in Hong Kong waters.

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped bacterium (UST950701-009P(T)) was isolated from a marine biofilm in Hong Kong waters. Colonies are pink in colour, convex with a smooth surface and entire edge. Brown diffusible pigment is produced. Whitish colonies, with otherwise identical morphology, emerge from every culture upon ageing. The white colonies can be maintained as separate cultures (UST950701-009W) without turning pink. UST950701-009P(T) and UST950701-009W have identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and similar G+C (65.9-66.2 mol%) and fatty acid (86.22-88.52 % 18 : 1omega7c) contents. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence places UST950701-009P(T) within the Rhodobacter group of the alpha-subclass of the Proteobacteria. The nearest neighbours belong to the genus Loktanella, with similarity values ranging from 94.5 to 95.5 %. Data on G+C and fatty acid contents support the affiliation to the genus Loktanella. UST950701-009P(T) and -009W are heterotrophic, strictly aerobic and require NaCl for growth (2.0-14.0 %). Both grow in pH 5.0-10.0 and at 8-44 degrees C. Both are positive in oxidase, catalase and beta-galactosidase tests, but they differ in the pattern of carbohydrate oxidation and assimilation. Molecular evidence together with phenotypic characteristics shows that UST950701-009P(T) constitutes a novel species within the genus Loktanella. The name Loktanella hongkongensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is UST950701-009P(T) (=NRRL B-41039(T)=JCM 12479(T)) and a morphovar is UST950701-009W (=NRRL B-41040=JCM 12480).