Algicella marina gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel marine bacterium isolated from a Pacific red alga.

A novel Gram-staining negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, and non-motile bacterium, designated strain 9Alg 56T, was isolated from the red alga Tichocarpus crinitus. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the novel strain within the family Rhodobacteraceae, the order Rhodobacterales, the class Alphaproteobacteria, the phylum Pseudomonadota. The nearest neighbors of the new strain were Pontivivens insulae KCTC 42458T, Oceanibium sediminis KCTC 62076T, Halovulum dunhuangense YYQ-30T and Monaibacterium marinum C7T with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 94.7, 94.4%, 93.1 and 92.7%, respectively. The AAI/ANI/dDDH values between 9Alg 56T and the five species of the closest genera (Pontivivens, Oceanibium, Halovulum, Monaibacterium, and 'Oceanomicrobium') were 58.63-63.91%/ 75.91-77.37%/ 19.3-20.4%. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 9Alg 56T were C18:1 ω7c, C18:0 and C14:0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine, and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain 9Alg 56T was 61.5 mol%. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Algicella marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 9Alg 56T (= KCTC 72005T = KMM 6775T).

Aureibaculum algae sp. nov. isolated from the Pacific red alga Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis.

A Gram stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-orange-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 10Alg 115T, was isolated from the red alga Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the novel strain within the family Flavobacteriaceae, phylum Bacteroidetes. The nearest neighbor of the new isolate was Aureibaculum marinum KCTC 62204T with sequence similarity of 98.1%. The average nucleotide similarity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the novel strain and Aureibaculum marinum KCTC 62204T were 80% and 22.3%, respectively. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 10Alg 115T were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, iso-C17:0 3-OH, iso-C16:0 3-OH and C15:0. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G + C content of the type strain calculated from the whole-genome sequence was 32.2 mol%. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel species of the of genus Aureibaculum, for which the name Aureibaculum algae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10Alg 115T (= KCTC 62086T = KMM 6764T).

Fatty Acids of Echinoderms: Diversity, Current Applications and Future Opportunities.

The phylum Echinodermata comprising the classes Asteroidea, Ophiuroidea, Echinoidea, Holothuroidea, and Crinodeia, is one of the important invertebrate groups. Members of this phylum live exclusively in marine habitats and are distributed in almost all depths and latitudes. Some of them, such as sea urchins and sea cucumbers, are commercially valuable and constitute a major fishery resource. Echinoderms are increasingly recognized as a unique source of various metabolites with a wide range of biological activities. The importance of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid, in human health has drawn attention to echinoderms as a promising source of essential fatty acids (FAs). Extensive information on the FAs of the phylum has been accumulated to date. The biosynthetic capabilities and feeding habits of echinoderms explain the findings of the unusual FAs in them. Certain common and unusual FAs may serve as chemotaxonomic markers of the classes. The main goal of the review was to gather the relevant information on the distribution of FAs among the echinoderm classes, describe the structures, distribution, biosynthetic pathways, and bioactivity, with an emphasis on the FAs specific for echinoderms. A large part of the review is devoted to the FAs derived from echinoderms that exhibit various biological activities promising for potential therapeutic applications.

Low light acclimation strategy of the brown macroalga Undaria pinnatifida: Significance of lipid and fatty acid remodeling for photosynthetic competence.

Brown macroalgae, being important components of benthic communities in temperate regions, are frequently subjected to light limitation. To extend our understanding of their low light acclimation strategies to the regulation of membrane lipid environment, photosynthetic characteristics, lipid class, fatty acid profiles and chloroplast ultrastructure were compared in Undaria pinnatifida (Phaeophyceae, Ochrophyta) after long-term exposure to low and moderate light intensities (LL, 100 and ML, 280 µmol photons · m-2 · s-1 ). We show that light limitation significantly increased PSII quantum efficiency and photosynthetic electron transport rate, enhanced pigment contents and concentration of thylakoid membranes in chloroplasts but decreased the distance between the thylakoid stacks. These physiological alterations at LL were accompanied by a selective remodeling of thylakoid membrane lipids driven by increases in monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) contents. Light limitation also induced active production of PG specific trans-Δ3 -hexadecenoic acid and accumulation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) mostly in PG and MGDG at the expense of the rise in 18:3n-3 and 20:5n-3, 18:4n-3, respectively. These changes in lipid and FA profiles are apparently responsible for supporting thylakoid biogenesis and efficient photosynthesis at light limitation, thus contributing to photoacclimation strategies in brown algae. The content of triacylglycerols (TAG) and the level of their PUFA were decreased at LL, suggesting the consumption of TAG as a source of PUFA and energy reserves. Thus, U. pinnatifida is able to successfully overcome periods of low irradiance through the effective light harvesting and utilization that are provided by high flexibility of lipid biosynthesis.

Polaribacter staleyi sp. nov., a polysaccharide-degrading marine bacterium isolated from the red alga Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 10Alg 139T, was isolated from the Pacific red alga Ahnfeltiato buchiensis. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain belonged to the genus Polaribacter, a member of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the phylum Bacteroidetes, with highest sequence similarity to Polaribacter butkevichii KMM 3938T (99.3 %) and 93.3-98.6 % to other recognized Polaribacter species. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 10Alg 139T were iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15:0, iso-C13 : 0, C15 : 0 and C15 : 1ω6c. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. The main respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6. The DNA G+C content of the type strain is 31.8 mol%. The new isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Polaribacter were readily distinguished based on a number of phenotypic characteristics. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the isolate from alga represents a novel species of the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribacterstaleyi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10Alg 139T (=KCTC 52773T=KMM 6729T).

Aquimarina algiphila sp. nov., a chitin degrading bacterium isolated from the red alga Tichocarpus crinitus.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-orange pigmented flavobacterium, designated strain 9Alg 151T, was isolated from the Pacific red alga Tichocarpus crinitus. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain fell into the genus Aquimarina of the family Flavobacteriaceae with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity range of 94.2-98.2 % to the recognized species of the genus. Strain 9Alg 151T grew in the presence of 0.5-5 % NaCl and at 5-34 °C, and hydrolysed aesculin, agar, gelatin, starch, Tween 40, DNA and chitin. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω8c and summed feature 3. The polar lipid profile comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The genomic DNA G+C content was 32.6 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data, and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, strain 9Alg 151T represents a novel species of the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina algiphila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 9Alg 151T (=KCTC 23622T=KMM 6462T).

Olleya algicola sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the green alga Ulva fenestrata.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 3Alg 18T, was isolated from the Pacific green alga Ulva fenestrata. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel strain was affiliated to the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, being most closely related to the type strains of recognized species of the genus Olleya, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.9-99.3 %. Strain 3Alg 18T grew in the presence of 0.5-5 % (w/v) NaCl and at 4-37 °C, and hydrolysed aesculin, casein, gelatin, starch and Tweens 20, 40 and 80. The prevalent fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16:0 2-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 3, iso-C16 : 0 3-OH, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-6. The genomic DNA G+C content was 34.6 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data, and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, strain 3Alg 18T represents a novel species of the genus Olleya, for which the name Olleya algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3Alg 18T (=KCTC 22024T=KMM 6133T).

Amylibacter ulvae sp. nov., a new alphaproteobacterium isolated from the Pacific green alga Ulva fenestrata.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated strain 6Alg 255(T), was isolated from the green alga Ulva fenestrata. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the novel strain affiliated to the family Rhodobacteraceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria being most closely related to Amylibacter marinus LMG 28364(T) with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.2 %. Strain 6Alg 255(T) grew with 0.5-6.0 % NaCl and at 4-33 °C, hydrolysed aesculin, casein, gelatin and urea. The DNA G + C content was 50.4 mol%. The prevalent fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c and C16:0. The polar lipid profile was characterized by the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and unidentified aminolipid. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The significant molecular distinctiveness between the novel isolate and its nearest neighbour was strongly supported by the differences in physiological and biochemical tests. Therefore, strain 6Alg 255(T) represents a novel species of the genus Amylibacter, for which the name Amylibacter ulvae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 6Alg 255(T) (=KCTC 32465(T) = KMM 6515(T)).

Lacinutrix cladophorae sp. nov., a flavobacterium isolated from the green alga Cladophora stimpsonii, transfer of Flavirhabdus iliipiscaria Shakeela et al. 2015 to the genus Lacinutrix as Lacinutrix iliipiscaria comb. nov. and emended description of the genus Lacinutrix.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 7Alg 4T, was isolated from the green alga Cladophora stimpsonii. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel strain was affiliated to the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, and was most closely related to the recognized species of the genera Lacinutrixand Flavirhabdus, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.1-98.1 and 97.0 %, respectively. Strain 7Alg 4T grew in the presence of 1-5 % NaCl and at 4-32 °C, and hydrolysed aesculin, gelatin, starch and Tween 80. The prevalent fatty acids were iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile was characterized by the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The DNA G+C content was 31.9 mol%. On the basis of the differences in 16S rRNA gene sequences, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, it is suggested that strain 7Alg 4T represents a novel species of the genus Lacinutrix, for which the name Lacinutrixcladophorae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 7Alg 4T (=KCTC 23036T=KMM 6381T). Reclassification of Flavirhabdus iliipiscaria as Lacinutrix iliipiscaria comb. nov. and an emend of the genus Lacinutrix are also proposed.

Thalassospira australica sp. nov. isolated from sea water.

Two Gram-negative, non-pigmented, motile bacteria were isolated from a sea water sample collected at St. Kilda Beach, Port Philip Bay, Victoria, Australia. The two strains were found to grow between 4 and 40 °C, pH 5-10 and tolerate up to 10 % NaCl. A phylogenetic study, based on a 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains NP 3b2(T) and H 94 belong to the genus Thalassospira. The sequence similarity of the 16S rRNA gene between the two new isolates is 99.8 % and between these strains and all validly named Thalassospira species was found to be in the range of 95-99.4 %. The DNA-DNA relatedness between the two strains was found to be 80.2 %, while relatedness with other validly named species of the genus Thalassospira was between 53 and 65 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and the in silico genome-to-genome distance (GGD) between the two bacteria and T. profundimaris WP0211(T), T. xiamenensis M-5(T), 'T. permensis' NBRC 106175(T) and T. lucentensis QMT2(T) was 76-82 % and 21-25 %, respectively. The results of phylogenetic and genomic analysis, together with physiological and biochemical properties, indicated that the two strains represent a new species of the genus Thalassospira. Based on these data, a new species, Thalassospira australica, is proposed with strain NP 3b2(T) (=KMM 6365(T) = JCM 31222(T)) as the type strain.

Lutibacter holmesii sp. nov., a marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius, and emended description of the genus Lutibacter.

Seven Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, pale-yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped and non-motile strains were isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius collected from Troitsa Bay, Sea of Japan. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these isolates were affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae. The novel isolates showed 99.9-100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to each other and were closely related to the type strains of the recognized members of the genus Lutibacter with sequence similarities of 95.8-98.4 %. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35-36 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness among the sea urchin isolates was 95-99 % and between strain KMM 6277T and its most closely related type strains, Lutibacter agarilyticus KCTC 23842T and Lutibacter litoralis JCM 13034T, was 38 and 27 %, respectively. The prevalent fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1 ω7c fatty acids), iso-C15 : 1 and C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile was composed of the phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid and one unknown lipid. The main respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-6.The results of phylogenetic, phenotypic and genotypic analyses indicated that the novel strains represent a novel species within the genus Lutibacter, for which the name Lutibacter holmesii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6277T ( = CCUG 62221T = LMG 26737T).

Winogradskyella litoriviva sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, moderately halophilic and gliding bacterium, designated KMM 6491T, was isolated from coastal seawater collected from Troitsa Bay, the Sea of Japan. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain KMM 6491T was a member of the genus Winogradskyella, with 94.5­97.9 % sequence similarity to recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella. The DNA G+C content of strain KMM 6491T was 31.3 mol% and DNA­DNA relatedness values with the type strains of Winogradskyella echinorum, Winogradskyella damuponensis, Winogradskyella eximia and Winogradskyella pulchriflava were in range of 10­26 %. Strain KMM 6491T contained menaquinone 6 (MK-6) as the single quinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c) anteiso-C15 : 0, as the prevalent fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain KMM 6491T were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and two unknown lipids. Strain KMM 6491T was able to grow with 0.5­7 % NaCl and at 4­34 °C. The novel strain decomposed gelatin and starch and produced acid from d-glucose, maltose, mannose, rhamnose, sucrose, fructose and glycerol. On the basis of the results of the phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses it is suggested that strain KMM 6491T represents a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella litoriviva sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6491T ( = KCTC 23972T = LMG 26984T).

Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae sp. nov., a new marine polysaccharide-degrading bacterium isolated from a Pacific red alga.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile by gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain 10Alg 130(T), that displayed the ability to destroy polysaccharides of red and brown algae, was isolated from the red alga Ahnfeltia tobuchiensis. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the novel strain within the genus Flavobacterium, the type genus of the family Flavobacteriaceae, the phylum Bacteroidetes, with sequence similarities of 96.2 and 95.7 % to Flavobacterium jumunjiense KCTC 23618(T) and Flavobacterium ponti CCUG 58402(T), and 95.3-92.5 % to other recognized Flavobacterium species. The prevalent fatty acids of strain 10Alg 130(T) were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:0 3-OH, iso-C17:0 3-OH, C15:0 and iso-C17:1ω9c. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and three unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 34.3 mol%. The new isolate and the type strains of recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium could strongly be distinguished by a number of phenotypic characteristics. A combination of the genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the algal isolate represents a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10Alg 130(T) (=KCTC 32467(T) = KMM 6686(T)).

Flavimarina pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov., a new marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae, and emended descriptions of the genus Leeuwenhoekiella, Leeuwenhoekiella aequorea and Leeuwenhoekiella marinoflava.

A facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped and yellow pigmented bacterium, designated strain IDSW-73(T), was isolated from a seawater sample and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel strain formed a distinct phyletic line in the family Flavobacteriaceae and is most closely related to the members of the genus Leeuwenhoekiella, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 91.4-92.6 %. Strain IDSW-73(T) was found to be able to grow with 0-12 % NaCl and at 4-33 °C; and was able to hydrolyse gelatin, starch and Tweens 20, 40 and 80. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 42.2 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids were identified as branched-chain saturated and unsaturated and straight-chain unsaturated fatty acids such as iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1, iso-C17:1 ω9c, C15:1 ω6c, iso-C15:0 3-OH, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (as defined by MIDI), comprising iso-C15:0 2-OH and/or C16:1 ω7c. The polar lipids found were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and one unknown lipid. The major respiratory quinone was identified as MK-6. The significant molecular distinctiveness between the novel isolate and its nearest neighbours were strongly supported by notable differences in physiological and biochemical tests. Therefore, strain IDSW-73(T) is considered to represent a novel genus and species within the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Flavimarina pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IDSW-73(T) (=KCTC 32466(T) = KMM 6759(T)). Emended descriptions of the recognized species of the genus Leeuwenhoekiella are also proposed.

Effect of the prolonged high-fat diet on the fatty acid metabolism in rat blood and liver.

BACKGROUND: Contradictory data on consequences of prolonged high-fat diet requires a detailed study of the influence of nutritional high-fat load mechanisms on the peculiarity of lipid metabolism in blood and liver. The present study was undertaken to investigate the fatty acid composition of polar and neutral lipids of the blood plasma, erythrocytes and liver in Wistar rats under the conditions of a prolonged high-fat diet. METHODS: The study was conducted on 60 adult white male Wistar rats. The animals were fed on a high-fat diet consisted of the beef fat and cholesterol (19% and 2% of the total diet, respectively) up to 180 days. The fatty acid composition of the polar and neutral lipids of plasma, erythrocytes and liver were analyzed by the gas chromatography. Statistical data processing was performed by the methods of descriptive statistics with Statistica 6.0. RESULTS: The prolonged unbalanced diet rich in cholesterol and saturated fatty acids resulted in compensatory biosynthesis of the fatty acids in the rat's liver, the inhibition of synthesis of apoproteins and lipoproteins, disruption of the active transport of fatty acids to tissue cells. This launched the accumulation of 20:4n-6, 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, and 22:6n-3 in the liver and blood plasma and deficiency of 18:2n-6, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 in the erythrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Adaptive adjustment of lipid metabolism un0064er conditions of the high-fat diet induced inhibition of the formation of lipoproteins (VLDL cholesterol) in the liver, compensatory synthesis of 18:1n-9, 20:5n-3, and 20:3n-6 with primary esterification of PUFA n-3 series to neutral lipids.

Lipids and fatty acids of nudibranch mollusks: potential sources of bioactive compounds.

The molecular diversity of chemical compounds found in marine animals offers a good chance for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds of unique structures and diverse biological activities. Nudibranch mollusks, which are not protected by a shell and produce chemicals for various ecological uses, including defense against predators, have attracted great interest for their lipid composition. Lipid analysis of eight nudibranch species revealed dominant phospholipids, sterols and monoalkyldiacylglycerols. Among polar lipids, 1-alkenyl-2-acyl glycerophospholipids (plasmalogens) and ceramide-aminoethyl phosphonates were found in the mollusks. The fatty acid compositions of the nudibranchs differed greatly from those of other marine gastropods and exhibited a wide diversity: very long chain fatty acids known as demospongic acids, a series of non-methylene-interrupted fatty acids, including unusual 21:2∆7,13, and an abundance of various odd and branched fatty acids typical of bacteria. Symbiotic bacteria revealed in some species of nudibranchs participate presumably in the production of some compounds serving as a chemical defense for the mollusks. The unique fatty acid composition of the nudibranchs is determined by food supply, inherent biosynthetic activities and intracellular symbiotic microorganisms. The potential of nudibranchs as a source of biologically active lipids and fatty acids is also discussed.

Arenicella chitinivorans sp. nov., a gammaproteobacterium isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain, designated KMM 6208(T), was isolated from a sea urchin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that this novel isolate was affiliated to the class Gammaproteobacteria and formed a robust cluster with Arenicella xantha KMM 3895(T) with 98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain KMM 6208(T) grew in the presence of 0.5-5 % NaCl and at a temperature range of 4-38 °C. The isolate was oxidase-positive and hydrolysed aesculin, casein, chitin, gelatin, starch and Tweens 40 and 80. The prevalent fatty acids of strain KMM 6208(T) were C16 : 1ω7c, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C18 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminophospholipid, and the major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The DNA G+C content of strain KMM 6208(T) was 46.3 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness value of strain KMM 6208(T) with Arenicella xantha KMM 3895(T) was 5 %. Molecular data in a combination with phenotypic findings strongly suggest inclusion of this novel strain in the genus Arenicella as a representative of a novel species for which the name Arenicella chitinivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6208(T) ( = KCTC 12711(T) = LMG 26983(T)).

Litorimonas cladophorae sp. nov., a new alphaproteobacterium isolated from the Pacific green alga Cladophora stimpsoni, and emended descriptions of the genus Litorimonas and Litorimonas taeaensis.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped and red-orange pigmented bacterium, designated strain KMM 6395(T), was isolated from the green alga Cladophora stimpsoni and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the novel strain affiliated to the family Hyphomonadaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria being most closely related to the type strain of the single species of the genus Litorimonas, Litorimonas taeanensis G5(T), with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.8 %. Strain KMM 6395(T) grew with 1-5 % NaCl and at 4-35 °C, hydrolysed starch and Tween 80. The DNA G+C content was 48.7 mol%. The prevalent fatty acids were C18:1 ω7c, C19:1 ω8c and C18:1 ω7c 10-methyl. The polar lipid profile was characterized by the presence of phosphatidylglycerol, monoglycosyldiglyceride, glucuronopyranosyldiglyceride and an unidentified glycolipid. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. The significant molecular distinctiveness between the novel isolate and its nearest neighbour, L. taeanensis G5(T), were strongly supported by the differences in physiological and biochemical tests. Therefore, strain KMM 6395(T) represents a novel species of the genus Litorimonas, for which the name Litorimonas cladophorae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6395(T) (=KCTC 23968(T) = LMG 26985(T)). The emended descriptions of the genus Litorimonas and L. taeaensis are also provided.

Echinimonas agarilytica gen. nov., sp. nov., a new gammaproteobacterium isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius.

A novel Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic and motile bacterial strain, designated KMM 6351(T), was isolated from the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the strain formed a distinct phyletic line in the class Gammaproteobacteria and was most closely related to the genera Aliivibrio, Photobacterium and Vibrio. Strain KMM 6351(T) grows at 4-40 °C and with 0.5-12 % NaCl and decomposes aesculin, agar, gelatin, starch, chitin and DNA. The DNA G+C content of the strain was determined to be 46.1 mol%. The prevalent fatty acids were found to be C(16:0), C(18:1) ω7c, C(12:0) 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C(16:1) ω7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH fatty acids). The major polar lipids were determined to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. The predominant ubiquinone was found to be Q-8. The results of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses clearly indicated that the novel strain should be assigned to a new genus and species within the class γ-Proteobacteria for which the name Echinimonas agarilytica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6351(T) (=KCTC 22996(T) = LMG 25420(T)).

Alteromonas australica sp. nov., isolated from the Tasman Sea.

A non-pigmented, motile, Gram-negative bacterium designated H 17(T) was isolated from a seawater sample collected in Port Phillip Bay (the Tasman Sea, Pacific Ocean). The new organism displayed optimal growth between 4 and 37 °C, was found to be neutrophilic and slightly halophilic, tolerating salt water environments up to 10 % NaCl. Strain H 17(T) was found to be able to degrade starch and Tween 80 but unable to degrade gelatin or agar. Phosphatidylglycerol (27.7 %) and phosphatidylethanolamine (72.3 %) were found to be the only associated phospholipids. The major fatty acids identified are typical for the genus Alteromonas and include C16:0, C16:1ω7, C17:1ω8 and C18:1ω7. The G+C content of the DNA was found to be 43.4 mol%. A phylogenetic study, based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and Multilocus Phylogenetic Analysis, clearly indicated that strain H 17(T) belongs to the genus Alteromonas. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain H 17(T) and the validly named Alteromonas species was between 30.7 and 46.4 mol%. Based on these results, a new species, Alteromonas australica, is proposed. The type strain is H 17(T) (= KMM 6016(T) = CIP 109921(T)).