Alkanindiges hydrocarboniclasticus sp. nov. Isolated From Crude Oil Contaminated Sands and Emended Description of the Genus Alkanindiges.

The taxonomic position of strain H1T isolated from crude oil contaminated desert sands was determined. Strain H1T was Gram-stain-negative and cocci to short rod-shaped bacterium. It grew at 15-42ºC (optimum, 30-35ºC) and pH 6.5-8.8 (optimum, 7.0-7.5). No added NaCl was required for the growth. The isolate showed 98% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the Alkanindiges illinoisensis GTI MVAB Hex1T, 95.5% with Alkanindiges hongkongensis HKU9T and < 95.2% with other members of the family Moraxellaceae of the phylum Proteobacteria. C10:0, C10:0 -2OH, C12:0 -3OH, C16:0, C16:0 N alcohol and C16:1ω6c/C16:1ω7c were present as major (5%) fatty acids with minor (< 5%) amounts of C12:0, C14:0, C14:1ω5c and C18:1ω9c in strain H1T. It contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and unidentified two unidentified lipids. Distinct morphological, physiological, phylogenetic, and genomic differences from the previously described taxa support the classification of strain H1T as a representative of a novel species in the genus Alkanindiges for which the name Alkanindiges hydrocarboniclasticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H1T (= JCM 31550T = KEMB 2255-480T). Emended description of the genus Alkanindiges is also proposed based on additional characteristics.

Mucilaginibacter celer sp. nov. and Aquirhabdus parva gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from freshwater.

Two novel bacteria, designated HYN0043T and HYN0046T, were isolated from a freshwater lake in Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny indicated that strain HYN0043T belongs to the genus Mucilaginibacter of the family Sphingobacteriaceae because it showed highest sequence similarity to Mucilaginibacter oryzae (98.2 %). The average nucleotide identity between strain HYN0043T and M. oryzae was 83.5 %, which is clearly below the suggested threshold for species demarcation. Strain HYN0046T was found to belong to the family Moraxellaceae and shared highest sequence similarity with Agitococcus lubricus (93.8 %). The average amino acid identity values between strain HYN0046T and representative type strains of closely related genera (Alkanindiges, Agitococcus and Acinetobacter) were 53.1-60.7 %, implying the novelty of the isolate at the genus level. Phenotypic characteristics (physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic) also supported the taxonomic novelty of the two isolates. Thus, we suggest the following names to accommodate strains HYN0043T and HYN0046T: Mucilaginibacter celer sp. nov. (type strain HYN0043T=KACC 19184T=NBRC 112738T) in the family Spingobacteriaceae and phylum Bacteroidetes and Aquirhabdus parva gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain HYN0046T=KACC 19178T=NBRC 112739T) in the family Moraxellaceae and phylum Proteobacteria.

Amnimonas aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov., Isolated from a Freshwater River.

A gram-stain-negative and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain HR-ET, was isolated from a water sample of the Han River in South Korea. Cells were catalase-negative and oxidase-positive motile rods with a flagellum. The strain grew at 10-37 °C and pH 7-8 and in the presence of 0-2% (w/v) NaCl. Ubiquinone-8 and summed features 3 (comprising C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and 8 (comprising C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), C16:0, iso-C10:0 and C12:0 3-OH were identified as the major respiratory quinone and fatty acids (>5%), respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain HR-ET shared the highest similarities with Perlucidibaca piscinae IMCC 1704T (98.1%), Perlucidibaca aquatica BK296T (96.8%), Paraperlucidibaca baekdonensis RL-2T (95.8%) and Paraperlucidibaca wandonensis WT-RY4T (95.7%). However, strain HR-ET formed a phylogenetic lineage distinct from members of the family Moraxellaceae, and a taxonomic analysis by RDP Naïve Bayesian rRNA Classifier classified strain HR-ET as a new genus of the family Moraxellaceae. In addition, analyses based on rpoD, secA and gyrB gene sequences also showed that strain HR-ET formed a lineage distinct from those of the genera Perlucidibaca and Paraperlucidibaca. Average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain HR-ET and the type strains of P. piscinae and P. aquatica were very low with 80.1 and 23.6% and 75.7 and 21.2%, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 67.0 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain HR-ET represents a novel genus of the family Moraxellaceae, for which the name Amnimonas aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is HR-ET (=KACC 19408T=JCM 32266T).

Analysis of bacterial FAMEs using gas chromatography - vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy for the identification and discrimination of bacteria.

The identification of microorganisms is very important in different fields and alternative methods are necessary for a rapid and simple identification. The use of fatty acids for bacterial identification is gaining attention as phenotypic characteristics are reflective of the genotype and are more easily analyzed. In this work, gas chromatography-vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy (GC-VUV) was used to determine bacteria fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), to identify and discriminate different environmental bacteria based on their fatty acid profile. Microorganisms were grown in agar and their fatty acids extracted, saponified, and esterified before analysis. Unique FAME profiles were obtained for each microorganism mainly composed of branched, cyclopropane, hydroxy, saturated, and unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters. S. maltophilia showed a higher diversity of fatty acids while Bacillus species showed higher complexity in terms of branched-chain FAMEs, with several iso and anteiso forms. 12 different bacteria genera and 15 species were successfully differentiated based on their fatty acid profiles after performing PCA and cluster analysis. Some difficult to differentiate species, such as Bacillus sp., which are genetically very similar, were differentiated with the developed method.

Perlucidibaca aquatica sp. nov., isolated from fresh water.

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-pigmented, strictly aerobic and rod-shape bacterium, designated BK296T, was isolated from stream water originating from a limestone cave in Samcheok, Korea. Optimal growth of strain BK296T was observed at 30 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and without NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BK296T belonged to the genus Perlucidibaca, forming a robust clade with a member of the genus, and was most closely related to Perlucidibaca piscinae (97.8 %). The average nucleotide identity value between strain BK296T and Perlucidibacapiscinae IMCC1704T was 79.8 %, and the genome-to-genome distance was 17.5 % on mean. The G+C content of the DNA of strain BK296T was 55.7 mol%. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0, C12 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain BK296T (=KCTC 52162T=JCM 31377T) represents a novel species of the genus Perlucidibaca, for which the name Perlucidibaca aquatica sp. nov. is proposed.

Fluviicoccus keumensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from freshwater.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming and coccus-shaped bacterial strain, designated 4DR5T, was isolated from freshwater and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 6-9 (optimum pH 7) and in the presence of 0-0.4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0 %) on R2A agar. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain 4DR5T was assigned to the family Moraxellaceae of the class Gammaproteobacteria, and its closest related taxa were species of the genera Perlucidibaca (93.67 % sequence similarity), Agitococcus (93.07 %), Paraperlucidibaca (92.31-92.38 %), Alkanindiges (91.79 %) and Acinetobacter (90.24-91.23 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone detected in strain 4DR5T was Q-10. The major cellular fatty acids were a summed feature consisting of C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, one consisting of C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c, and C16 : 0. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The genomic DNA G+C content of the strain was 61.2 mol%. The phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and biochemical data not only supported the affiliation of strain 4DR5T to the family Moraxellaceae, but also separated it from other established genera within the family. Therefore, the novel isolate evidently represents a novel species of a new genus of Moraxellaceae, for which the name Fluviicoccus keumensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Fluviicoccus keumensis is 4DR5T ( = KCTC 32475T = JCM 19370T).

Faucicola mancuniensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the human oropharynx.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile coccus, designated strain GVCNT2(T), was isolated from the tonsils of a healthy adult female. Cells were oxidase- and catalase-positive, positive for the production of esterase (C4), esterase lipase (C8) and leucine arylamidase, and weakly positive for naphthol-AS-BI-phosphohydrolase and alkaline phosphatase. Cells were also capable of hydrolysing DNA. Growth was observed at 20-37 °C and in the presence of up to 1.5% NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis of near full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain exhibited closest sequence similarity to Moraxella boevrei ATCC 700022(T) (94.68%) and an uncultured, unspeciated bacterial clone (strain S12-08; 99%). The major fatty acids were C18:1ω9c, C18 : 0, C16:0 and C16:1ω6c/C16:1ω7c. The DNA G+C content of strain GVCNT2(T) was 40.7 mol%. The major respiratory quinone identified was Q-8. Strain GVCNT2(T) exhibited a comparable phenotypic profile to other members of the genus Moraxella but could be distinguished based on its ability to produce acid (weakly) from d-glucose, melibiose, l-arabinose and rhamnose and on its ability to hydrolyse DNA. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic differences from other members of the family Moraxellaceae, strain GVCNT2(T) is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Faucicola mancuniensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Faucicola mancuniensis is GVCNT2(T) ( =DSM 28411(T) =NCIMB 14946(T)).

A new subgroup of the IS3 family and properties of its representative member ISPpy1.

Recently, we described a novel insertion element, ISPpy1, isolated from a permafrost strain of Psychrobacter maritimus. In this work, we demonstrated that ISPpy1 is a member of a novel subgroup of the IS3 family of insertion sequences (ISs) that was not identified and characterized previously. IS elements of this subgroup termed the ISPpy1 subgroup are broadly distributed among different taxa of Eubacteria, including Geobacteraceae, Chlorobiaceae, Desulfobacteraceae, Methylobacteriaceae, Nitrosomonadaceae and Cyanobacteria. While displaying characteristic features of the IS3-family elements, ISPpy1 subgroup elements exhibit some unusual features. In particular, most of them have longer terminal repeats with unconventional ends and frameshifting box with an atypical organization, and, unlike many other IS3-family elements, do not exhibit any distinct IS specificity. We studied the transposition and mutagenic properties of a representative member of this subgroup, ISPpy1 and showed that in contrast to the original P. maritimus host, in a heterologous host, Escherichia coli K-12, it is able to translocate with extremely high efficiency into the chromosome, either by itself or as a part of a composite transposon containing two ISPpy1 copies. The majority of transposants carry multiple chromosomal copies (up to 12) of ISPpy1. It was discovered that ISPpy1 is characterized by a marked mutagenic activity in E. coli: its chromosomal insertions generate various types of mutations, including auxotrophic, pleiotropic and rifampicin-resistance mutations. The distribution of IS elements of the novel subgroup among different bacteria, their role in the formation of composite transposons and the horizontal transfer of genes are examined and discussed.

Paraperlucidibaca wandonensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater, and emended description of the genus Paraperlucidibaca Oh et al. 2011.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated WT-RY4(T), was isolated from wood falls in the South Sea, South Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Strain WT-RY4(T) grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0-7.5 and in the absence of NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain WT-RY4(T) clustered with the type strain of Paraperlucidibaca baekdonensis with a bootstrap resampling value of 100 %. Strain WT-RY4(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.8 % and 96.3 % to Paraperlucidibaca baekdonensis RL-2(T) and Perlucidibaca piscinae IMCC 1704(T), respectively and less than 91.5 % to the type strains of other species used in the phylogenetic analysis. The DNA G+C content of strain WT-RY4(T) was 52.4 mol% and the mean DNA-DNA relatedness value with Paraperlucidibaca baekdonensis RL-2(T) was 25 %. Strain WT-RY4(T) contained Q-11 as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and C12 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain WT-RY4(T) was distinguishable from Paraperlucidibaca baekdonensis RL-2(T). On the basis of the data presented, strain WT-RY4(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paraperlucidibaca, for which the name Paraperlucidibaca wandonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WT-RY4(T) ( = KCTC 32216(T) = CCUG 63419(T)). An emended description of the genus Paraperlucidibaca is also provided.

[Taxonomical status of the psychrotolerant Antarctic microorganisms].

The aerobic chemoorganotrophic bacteria, dominating in soils and phytocenosis of the Antarctic Region, on combination of morphological and biochemical properties belong to several taxons of Bacteria domain. Gram-negative strains 3189, 3415 (fam. Halomonadaceae, Halomonas sp.) and 3088, 3468, 3469 (fam. Moraxellaceae, Psychrobacter sp.) belong to phylum Proteobacteria, to class Gammaproteobacteria. Gram-negative strains 3294 3392 (Rhizobiales, fam. Methylobacteriaceae, Methylobacterium sp.) relate to class Alphaproteobacteria of this phylum. Gram-positive strains 3179, 3275, 3470, 3471 (fam. Microbacteriaceae, Cryobacterium sp.), 3054, 3058, 3411 (fam. Corynebacteriaceae, Corynebacterium sp.) and 3194, 3398 (fam. Micrococcaceae, Micrococcus sp.) relate to phylum Actinobacteria, class Actinobacteria. Thus, the psychrophilic and psychrotolerant Antarctic bacteria (aerobic chemoorganotrophic) isolated from phytocenosis and soils of polar region are characterized by wide taxonomic variety.

Genus Enhydrobacter Staley et al. 1987 should be recognized as a member of the family Rhodospirillaceae within the class Alphaproteobacteria.

The genus Enhydrobacter, first reported as a member of the family Vibrionaceae, has been placed in the family Moraxellaceae, but as a genus incertae sedis in Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology 2nd edition. During our taxonomic investigation of Enhydrobacter-like organisms, we observed that the 16S rRNA sequences of E. aerosaccus-type strain versions NCIMB 12535(T) , ATCC 27094( T) and CCUG 58314(T) were very different from the accessible data (accession no. AJ550856). Phylogenetic analysis of our 16S rRNA sequence data revealed that these organisms were located within the family Rhodospirillaceae. The genera Inquilinus, Oceanibaculum, Skermanella and Nisaea were closely related (sequence similarities were 88.3~87.0%), but Enhydrobacter could be distinguished from these genera by growth characteristics, fatty acid profiles (C(19:0) cyclo ω8c; 38.4% C(18:1) ω7c; 32.2%, and C(16:0) ; 8.9% were major components), in being non-flagellated, and differing in enzymatic activities, including trypsin and ß-glucosidase. From these data, we conclude that the genus Enhydrobacter should be recognized as an independent genus of the family Rhodospirillaceae within the class Alphaproteobacteria.

Paraperlucidibaca baekdonensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from seawater.

A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strain, RL-2(T), was isolated from seawater of the East Sea in Korea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain RL-2(T) grew optimally at pH 7.5-8.0, at 20 °C and in the absence of NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain RL-2(T) forms a cluster with Perlucidibaca piscinae IMCC1704(T) and various uncultured and unidentified gammaproteobacteria. Strain RL-2(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 96.1 % to Perlucidibaca piscinae IMCC1704(T) and 93.7-99.7 % to the uncultured bacterial clones belonging to the cluster and an unidentified gammaproteobacterium. The fatty acid profile of strain RL-2(T) was similar to that of Perlucidibaca piscinae IMCC1704(T), but the predominant ubiquinone type (Q-11) of strain RL-2(T) was different from that (Q-8) of Perlucidibaca piscinae IMCC1704(T). The DNA G+C content of strain RL-2(T) was 61.3 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain RL-2(T) is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Moraxellaceae, for which the name Paraperlucidibaca baekdonensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Paraperlucidibaca baekdonensis is RL-2(T) ( = KCTC 23145(T)  = CCUG 59307(T)).

Enterobacteriaceae and pseudomonadaceae on the dorsum of the human tongue.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Moraxellaceae and Xanthomonadaceae on the posterior dorsum of the human tongue with the presence of tongue coating, gender, age, smoking habit and denture use. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bacteria were isolated from the posterior tongue dorsum of 100 individuals in MacConkey agar medium and were identified by the API 20E system (Biolab-Mérieux). RESULTS: 43% of the individuals, presented the target microorganisms on the tongue dorsum, with greater prevalence among individuals between 40 and 50 years of age (p = 0.001) and non-smokers (p=0.0485). CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae was observed on the tongue dorsum of the individuals evaluated. There was no correlation between these species and the presence and thickness of tongue coating, gender and presence of dentures.

Enterobacteriaceae and pseudomonadaceae on the dorsum of the human tongue

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to correlate the presence of Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Moraxellaceae and Xanthomonadaceae on the posterior dorsum of the human tongue with the presence of tongue coating, gender, age, smoking habit and denture use. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bacteria were isolated from the posterior tongue dorsum of 100 individuals in MacConkey agar medium and were identified by the API 20E system (Biolab-Mérieux). RESULTS: 43 percent of the individuals, presented the target microorganisms on the tongue dorsum, with greater prevalence among individuals between 40 and 50 years of age (p = 0.001) and non-smokers (p=0.0485). CONCLUSIONS: A higher prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonadaceae was observed on the tongue dorsum of the individuals evaluated. There was no correlation between these species and the presence and thickness of tongue coating, gender and presence of dentures.

[Novel halotolerant bacterium from cryopeg in permafrost: description of Psychrobacter muriicola sp. nov].

A novel halotolerant psychrotrophic gram-negative bacterium, strain 2pS, was isolated from lenses of water brine in Arctic permafrost (cryopeg). The optimal growth of the new strain was observed at 16-18 degrees C; the maximal and minimal growth temperatures were 37 degrees C and -2 degrees C, respectively. The pH growth range was 5.8 to 8.5 (optimum 6.5-7.5) and the range of medium salinity was 0 to 100 g/l (optimum 3-8 g/l NaCl). The strain 2pS did not produce acid from carbohydrates and utilized acetate, yeast extract, pyruvate, glutarate, fumarate, caproate, heptanoate, butyrate, malate, DL-lactate, citrate, L-proline, L-tyrosine, butanol, and dulcitol as the sole carbon and energy sources. The major fatty acids of the cell wall at optimal growth temperature were C18:1(omega 7) and C18:1(omega 9). The G + C DNA content was 46.0 mol.%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the studied strain was the closest (97% similarity) to Psychrobacter nivimaris DSM 16093T, a halotolerant psychrotrophic bacterium isolated from the Arctic sea's ice. Genotypic and phenotypic differences of the new bacterium from closely related species lead to the conclusion that strain 2pS belongs to a novel species of the genus Psychrobacter: Psychrobacter muriicola sp. nov.

Perlucidibaca piscinae gen. nov., sp. nov., a freshwater bacterium belonging to the family Moraxellaceae.

A freshwater bacterium, designated IMCC1704(T), was isolated from a eutrophic pond. The strain was Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative, chemoheterotrophic and facultatively aerobic with cells that were motile rods with a single polar flagellum. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analyses, the novel strain was most closely related to the genera Alkanindiges (91.7%), Acinetobacter (89.0-91.2%), Moraxella (87.9-90.1%), Psychrobacter (87.2-89.5%) and Enhydrobacter (87.8%). Phylogenetic trees generated using 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel isolate belonged to the family Moraxellaceae of the class Gammaproteobacteria and formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the family. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 63.1 mol% and the predominant constituents of the cellular fatty acids were C(16:1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH (21.2%), C(18:1)omega7c (12.8%) and C(12:0) 3-OH (12.3%). These chemotaxonomic properties, together with several phenotypic characteristics, differentiated the novel strain from other members of the family Moraxellaceae. From the taxonomic data, which revealed the distant relationship of the new strain to the related genera, the strain should be classified as a novel genus and species in the family Moraxellaceae, for which the name Perlucidibaca piscinae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Perlucidibaca piscinae sp. nov. is IMCC1704(T) (=KCCM 42363(T)=NBRC 102354(T)).

Alkanindiges hongkongensis sp. nov. A novel Alkanindiges species isolated from a patient with parotid abscess.

A bacterium was isolated from the abscess pus of a 72-year-old patient with Warthin's tumor and parotid abscess. The cells were aerobic, non-motile, Gram-negative but difficult to be destained, non-sporulating, coccobacillus. The bacterium grew poorly on sheep blood agar and MacConkey agar as non-hemolytic colonies of 0.5 mm in diameter after 24h of incubation at 37 degrees C in ambient air. Growth was enhanced by Tween 80. It produces catalase but not cytochrome oxidase. Sequencing of the cloned 16S rRNA PCR products of the bacterium revealed three different 16S rRNA gene sequences, with 12 - 31 bp differences among them. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the bacterium is closely related to Alkanindiges illinoisensis, with 5.0 - 5.9% differences between the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the bacterium and that of A. illinoisensis. Tryptophan auxotrophic strain of Acinetobacter trpE27 transformed with DNA extracted from the bacterium was unable to grow on tryptophan deficient medium, indicating that the bacterium was not a strain of Acinetobacter. The G+C content of the bacterium (mean +/-SD) was 46.9+4.3%. A new species, Alkanindiges hongkongensis sp. nov., is proposed, for which HKU9T is the type strain. Isolates with "small colonies" that are apparently Acinetobacter-like species should be carefully identified. Growth enhancement with aliphatic hydrocarbons should be looked for and 16S rRNA gene sequencing performed in order to find more potential cases of Alkanindiges infections, as well as to define the epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and outcome of infections associated with this genus.

Psychrobacter nivimaris sp. nov., a heterotrophic bacterium attached to organic particles isolated from the South Atlantic (Antarctica).

An aggregate-attached bacterium, strain 88/2-7, was isolated from samples of the Southern Ocean and investigated in a polyphasic approach. The novel marine isolate is an aerobic, Gram-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, non-motile short rod and grows in form of cream-colored colonies. Growth was observed at 5-35 degrees C. The bacterium tolerated concentrations of 0-13% (w/v) NaCl and utilized a relatively restricted spectrum of carbon sources. The analysis of the fatty acids revealed 18:1 cis 9 (18:1omega9c) as main fatty acid. The G+C content of the DNA was approximately 42 mol%. The sequence of the 16S rDNA assigned strain 88/2-7 to the gamma-subclass of Proteobacteria with a similarity of 99.65% to Psychrobacter proteolyticus (DSM 13887T). A DNA-DNA-hybridization study showed only 26.8% renaturation to the respective strain. Based on the morphological, physiological and molecular properties of the new isolate, the name Psychrobacter nivimaris sp. nov. (type strain 88/2-7T) is proposed.

Psychrobacter okhotskensis sp. nov., a lipase-producing facultative psychrophile isolated from the coast of the Okhotsk Sea.

A facultatively psychrophilic bacterium, strain MD17(T), which hydrolyses lipids at 5 degrees C, was isolated from the Monbetsu coast of the Okhotsk Sea in Hokkaido, Japan, when ice carried by the cold current came to the area. The isolate is an aerobic, non-motile coccobacillus that reduces nitrate to nitrite and hydrolyses Tweens 20, 40, 60 and 80, but not gelatin, DNA or alginic acid. The isolate grows at 0 degrees C, but not at temperatures higher than 36 degrees C; its optimum growth temperature is 25 degrees C. It grows in the presence of 0-10 % NaCl. Its major isoprenoid quinone is ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and its DNA G+C content is 46.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain MD17(T) is closely related to Psychrobacter glacincola DSM 12194(T) (99.0 % similarity) and Psychrobacter immobilis DSM 7229(T) (98.7 % similarity). DNA-DNA hybridization revealed 45.9 % relatedness between strain MD17(T) and P. immobilis ATCC 43116(T) and 33.4 % between strain MD17(T) and P. glacincola ATCC 700754(T). Based on physiological and biochemical characteristics, phylogenetic position (as determined by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis) and DNA-DNA relatedness, it is concluded that the isolate should be designated as a novel species, for which the name Psychrobacter okhotskensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MD17(T) (=NCIMB 13931(T)=JCM 11840(T)).

Alkanindiges illinoisensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an obligately hydrocarbonoclastic, aerobic squalane-degrading bacterium isolated from oilfield soils.

An alkane-degrading bacterium, designated GTI MVAB Hex1(T), was isolated from chronically crude oil-contaminated soil from an oilfield in southern Illinois. The isolate grew very weakly or not at all in minimal or rich media without hydrocarbons. Straight-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as hexadecane and heptadecane, greatly stimulated growth; shorter-chain (