The genome sequence of Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar oryzae KACC10331, the bacterial blight pathogen of rice.

The nucleotide sequence was determined for the genome of Xanthomonas oryzae pathovar oryzae (Xoo) KACC10331, a bacterium that causes bacterial blight in rice (Oryza sativa L.). The genome is comprised of a single, 4 941 439 bp, circular chromosome that is G + C rich (63.7%). The genome includes 4637 open reading frames (ORFs) of which 3340 (72.0%) could be assigned putative function. Orthologs for 80% of the predicted Xoo genes were found in the previously reported X.axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) and X.campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) genomes, but 245 genes apparently specific to Xoo were identified. Xoo genes likely to be associated with pathogenesis include eight with similarity to Xanthomonas avirulence (avr) genes, a set of hypersensitive reaction and pathogenicity (hrp) genes, genes for exopolysaccharide production, and genes encoding extracellular plant cell wall-degrading enzymes. The presence of these genes provides insights into the interactions of this pathogen with its gramineous host.

Sensitive and specific detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri by PCR using pathovar specific primers based on hrpW gene sequences.

A sensitive and specific assay was developed to detect citrus bacterial canker caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, in leaves and fruits of citrus. Primers XACF and XACR from hrpW homologous to pectate lyase, modifying the structure of pectin in plants, were used to amplify a 561 bp DNA fragment. PCR technique was applied to detect the pathogen in naturally or artificially infected leaves of citrus. The PCR product was only produced from X. axonopodis pv. citri among 26 isolates of Xanthomonas strains, Escherichia coli (O157:H7), Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum, and other reference microbes.

Polyphasic taxonomy of Aspergillus fumigatus and related species.

The variability within Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius and related species was examined using macro-, micro-morphology, growth temperature regimes and extrolite patterns. In addition, DNA analyses including partial beta-tubulin, calmodulin and actin gene sequences were used. Detailed examination of strains, considered as A. fumigatus earlier, showed that they could be divided into four groups including A. fumigatus sensu stricto, A. lentulus and two new species. The intraspecific genetic variability within A. fumigatus sensu stricto was low, the sequence differences among 23 strains of the species was at most two bases in each partial beta-tubulin and calmodulin gene. However, intraspecific morphological diversity within the species was high and delineation of the species was equivocal. Therefore, beta-tubulin and calmodulin gene sequences could be critical determinants for the delineation of the A. fumigatus sensu stricto species. A. lentulus including isolates from clinical origin, Korean soil and from a dolphin clustered into an isolated group based on beta-tubulin, calmodulin and actin gene sequences, differing from A. fumigatus by morphological characters, growth temperature and extrolite profile. A. lentulus produces the extrolites auranthine, cyclopiazonic acid, a dimeric indole of unknown structure, neosartorin, some pyripyropens, terrein and some tryptoquivalins and tryptoquivalons. Two pair of isolates (CBS 117194, 117186 and 117520, 117519) clustered into separate groups from A. fumigatus and the other Aspergillus section Fumigati species, including the teleomorph Neosartorya, are proposed as two new species. A. fumigatiaffinis spec. nov. produces the extrolites auranthine, cycloechinulin, helvolic acid, neosartorin, palitantin, pyripyropens, tryptoquivalins and tryptoquivalons, and A. novofumigatus spec. nov. produces the extrolites cycloechinuline, helvolic acid, neosartorin, palitantin and terrein.

Fingerprinting of diverse genomes using PCR with universal rice primers generated from repetitive sequence of Korean weedy rice.

Twenty primers of 20 mer referred to universal rice primer (URP) were developed from a repetitive sequence of rice genome. URP-PCR protocol employed stringent PCR with high annealing temperature throughout the thermo-cycling reaction, giving high reproducibility. Under the PCR condition, each single URP primer produced characteristic fingerprints from diverse genomes containing 14 plants, 7 animals and 6 microbes, indicating its universal applicability. The generality of URP-PCR was demonstrated by applying it to 15 cultivars from five rice species, 23 isolates in four Alternaria species producing host-specific toxins on different host plants and 12 bacterial strains including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Blucella abortus. PCR approach using URP primers will be useful for studying DNA diversity of most eukaryotic or prokaryotic genomes, especially at inter- and intraspecies levels.

Growth inhibition of a phytopathogenic fungus, Colletotrichum species by acetic acid.

Acetic, oxalic, malic, and citric acids significantly inhibited the growth of Colletotrichurm, gloeosporioides, a phytopathogenic fungus, and acetic acid showed the strongest inhibition with no growth at 50 mM. The growth inhibition by these organic acids was closely related with the inhibition of respiration, as tested using three species, C. gloeosporioides, C. coccodes, and C. dermatium. Optimum growth of C. gloeosporioides was observed around pH 6.0. The inhibition of growth by acetic acid accelerated along with a decrease in pH from 6.0 to 4.0, suggesting that the inhibition might be more enhanced by undissociated form of acetic acid. Despite of growth inhibition by acetic acid, the fungus was able to grow in a normal medium when acetic acid was eliminated, implying that the growth inhibition may be resulted from an acetic acid-mediated inhibition of respiration than a structural damage of cell. Catalase activity of the fungus increased in response to 0.1% hydrogen peroxide, but addition of this together with 30 mM acetic acid brought about a decrease in the activity. The fungus which showed no grow at 30 mM acetic acid or 0.5% hydrogen peroxide began to grow after the elimination of these. But the fungus added simultaneously by these two compounds did not grow at all despite the elimination of these. Thus, controlling of Colletotrichum might be developed using acetic acid which is generally less dangerous than chemical reagents.

Uliginosibacterium gangwonense gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a wetland, Yongneup, in Korea.

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, aerobic bacterial strain, designated 5YN10-9(T), was isolated from a wetland, Yongneup, of the Inje region, Korea. Cells were motile by means of one polar flagellum. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, strain 5YN10-9(T) was shown to be related to the genera Azoarcus, Azovibrio, Thauera and Zoogloea, showing moderate sequence similarities of 90.2-93.3, 92.7, 90.9-93.3 and 92.4-92.6% to members of these genera, respectively. Its distinct phylogenetic position and the low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values toward the closest related genera support the inclusion of this novel isolate in a new genus. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). The predominant cellular fatty acids were C(16:0) and summed feature 3 (comprising C(16:1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15:0) 2-OH). The DNA G+C content was 59.3 mol%. The results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses indicate that strain 5YN10-9(T) represents a novel species of a new genus within the family Rhodocyclaceae, class Betaproteobacteria, for which the name Uliginosibacterium gangwonense gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5YN10-9(T) (=KACC 11603(T)=DSM 18521(T)).

Chryseobacterium soli sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium jejuense sp. nov., isolated from soil samples from Jeju, Korea.

Two yellow-pigmented bacterial strains, JS6-6(T) and JS17-8(T), isolated from soil samples from Jeju, Republic of Korea, were studied to determine their taxonomic positions. The cells of the two bacteria were aerobic, Gram-negative, non-motile, straight rods. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that both isolates should be placed in the genus Chryseobacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae. Their 16S rRNA gene sequences showed similarities of 93.7-97.5 % to those of type strains of the genus Chryseobacterium. The values for DNA-DNA relatedness between both strains and type strains of closely related Chryseobacterium species were below 34 %. The fatty acids of the novel strains were similar to those of species of the genus Chryseobacterium. Both strains had MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinone. The DNA G+C contents of strains JS6-6(T) and JS17-8(T) were 39.9 and 41.4 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic evidence, together with the DNA-DNA relatedness values and phenotypic characteristics, indicated that strains JS6-6(T) and JS17-8(T) represent two novel species of the genus Chryseobacterium, for which the names Chryseobacterium soli sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium jejuense sp. nov., respectively, are proposed. The type strains of Chryseobacterium soli sp. nov. and Chryseobacterium jejuense sp. nov. are JS6-6(T) (=KACC 12502(T)=DSM 19298(T)) and JS17-8(T) (=KACC 12501(T)=DSM 19299(T)), respectively.

Phenylobacterium composti sp. nov., isolated from cotton waste compost in Korea.

A light-yellow-coloured bacterium, designated strain 4T-6(T), was isolated from cotton waste compost in Korea. Cells of the strain were strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, motile (by means of single polar flagella) and rod-shaped. Optimal growth occurred at 30 degrees C and at pH 7.0-8.0. The major fatty acids were 11-methyl C(18 : 1)omega7c (23.8 %), C(18 : 1)omega7c (23.2 %), C(16 : 0) (19.8 %) and C(17 : 0) (14.8 %). The DNA G+C content was 67.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 4T-6(T) was a member of the genus Phenylobacterium, showing the highest sequence similarities with those of 'Phenylobacterium zucineum' HLK1 (98.8 %) and Phenylobacterium lituiforme DSM 14363(T) (98.4 %). However, the values for DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 4T-6(T) and 'P. zucineum' HLK1 and P. lituiforme DSM 14363(T) were 45 and 43 %, respectively. Phylogenetic characteristics, physiological properties and DNA-DNA hybridization data indicate that strain 4T-6(T) represents a novel species of the genus Phenylobacterium, for which the name Phenylobacterium composti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4T-6(T) (=KACC 12597(T)=DSM 19425(T)).

Jannaschia pohangensis sp. nov., isolated from seashore sand in Korea.

A Gram-negative, aerobic bacterium, H1-M8(T), was isolated from seashore sand in Korea and then characterized using a polyphasic approach. Cells were short rods (0.7-1.0 x 1.5-2.0 microm) and were motile (each cell having at least one flagellum). Colonies were light-brown, non-pigmented, circular and convex with clear margins. Growth of the strain was observed at 5-35 degrees C, pH 6.0-9.0 and NaCl concentrations up to 8.4 % (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed a clear affiliation between the novel strain and members of the genus Jannaschia. The sequence similarities between H1-M8(T) and type strains of the genus Jannaschia ranged from 97.0 to 97.8 %. However, DNA-DNA hybridizations between the isolate and type strains of other related species produced low values (21-38 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 18 : 1omega7c (68.2 %) and 18 : 0 (10.5 %). The G+C content of the DNA was 63.6 mol%. On the basis of physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic traits and data from the comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis, strain H1-M8(T) represents a novel species of the genus Jannaschia, for which the name Jannaschia pohangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H1-M8(T) (=KACC 11609(T) =DSM 19073(T)).

Nevskia soli sp. nov., isolated from soil cultivated with Korean ginseng.

A Gram-negative bacterium, designated strain GR15-1(T), was isolated from a field cultivated with Korean ginseng. Cells were strictly aerobic, motile with multipolar flagella and rod-shaped. The strain grew optimally at 25-28 degrees C and pH 6.0-7.0. The predominant fatty acids of strain GR15-1(T) were C(18 : 1)omega7c, C(16 : 0) and summed feature 2 (C(14 : 0) 3-OH and/or iso-C(16 : 1) I). The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 8. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 63.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain GR15-1(T) formed a phyletic cluster with Nevskia ramosa Soe1(T), with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.8 %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic features, strain GR15-1(T) represents a novel species within the genus Nevskia, for which the name Nevskia soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GR15-1(T) (=KACC 11703(T) =DSM 19509(T)).

Massilia aerilata sp. nov., isolated from an air sample.

A novel aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile bacterium, designated strain 5516S-11(T), was isolated from air samples collected in the Suwon region of the Republic of Korea. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the organism belongs to the genus Massilia; the highest sequence similarity (97.2 %) was found with respect to Massilia aurea DSM 18055(T). Cells of strain 5516S-11(T) contained ubiquinone Q-8 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone and possessed summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c/iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH; 35.2 %), C(16 : 0) (30.6 %) and C(18 : 1)omega7c (11.7 %) as the major fatty acids. DNA-DNA hybridization revealed 32 % relatedness between strain 5516S-11(T) and M. aurea DSM 18055(T). The G+C content of the DNA of strain 5516S-11(T) was 68.9 mol%. It is clear from the genotypic and phenotypic data presented that strain 5516S-11(T) represents a novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the name Massilia aerilata sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5516S-11(T) (=KACC 12505(T) =DSM 19289(T)).

Kaistia soli sp. nov., isolated from a wetland in Korea.

A bacterial strain, 5YN9-8(T), was isolated from a peat layer in Yongneup, Republic of Korea. It was strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, non-motile, short rod- or coccus-shaped and produced ivory-pigmented colonies. Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses indicated a close relationship between this isolate and Kaistia granuli Ko04(T) (97.2 % similarity) and Kaistia adipata Chj404(T) (96.2 % similarity), members of the order Rhizobiales within the Alphaproteobacteria. Predominant cellular fatty acids of strain 5YN9-8(T) were C(18 : 1)omega7c, C(18 : 0), C(19 : 0)omega8c cyclo and C(16 : 0). The DNA G+C content was 67.0 mol%. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data accumulated in this study revealed that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Kaistia, for which the name Kaistia soli sp. nov. is proposed; strain 5YN9-8(T) (=KACC 12605(T) =DSM 19436(T)) is the type strain.

Polaromonas jejuensis sp. nov., isolated from soil in Korea.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterial strain, designated JS12-13(T), was isolated from soil from Halla Mountain on Jeju Island, Korea. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain JS12-13(T) revealed that it was a member of the genus Polaromonas, sharing 96.9-98.4 % sequence similarity with type strains of the genus Polaromonas and being most closely related to Polaromonas aquatica CIP 108776(T). The major fatty acids of strain JS12-13(T) were summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH; 38.3 %), C(16 : 0) (28.4 %), C(17 : 0) cyclo (15.9 %) and C(18 : 1)omega7c (9.1 %). The major quinone found was ubiquinone-8. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain JS12-13(T) was 63.7 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain JS12-13(T) represents a novel species of the genus Polaromonas, for which the name Polaromonas jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JS12-13(T) (=KACC 12508(T) =DSM 19351(T)).

Methylobacterium iners sp. nov. and Methylobacterium aerolatum sp. nov., isolated from air samples in Korea.

Two bacterial strains isolated from air samples, 5317S-33(T) and 5413S-11(T), were characterized by determining their phenotypic characteristics, cellular fatty acid profiles and phylogenetic positions based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that these isolates belonged to the genus Methylobacterium. Strain 5317S-33(T) was most closely related to Methylobacterium adhaesivum AR27(T) (97.9% sequence similarity). Strain 5413S-11(T) was most closely related to Methylobacterium fujisawaense DSM 5686(T) (97.3% sequence similarity), Methylobacterium oryzae CBMB20(T) (97.1% similarity) and Methylobacterium radiotolerans JCM 2831(T) (97.0% similarity). Cells of both strains were strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, motile and rod-shaped. The major fatty acid was C(18:1)omega7c. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA were 68.0 mol% for strain 5317S-33(T) and 73.2 mol% for strain 5413S-11(T). According to DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain 5317S-33(T) showed a level of DNA-DNA relatedness of 33 % with M. adhaesivum DSM 17169(T), and strain 5413S-11(T) showed low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness (<35%) with M. fujisawaense DSM 5686(T), M. oryzae CBMB20(T) and M. radiotolerans DSM 1819(T). On the basis of this polyphasic analysis, it was concluded that strains 5317S-33(T) and 5413S-11(T) represent two novel species within the genus Methylobacterium, for which the names Methylobacterium iners sp. nov. (type strain 5317S-33(T) =KACC 11765(T) =DSM 19015(T)) and Methylobacterium aerolatum sp. nov. (type strain 5413S-11(T) =KACC 11766(T) =DSM 19013(T)) are proposed.

Roseomonas aerilata sp. nov., isolated from an air sample.

A polyphasic study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of a pink-coloured, Gram-negative bacterium isolated from air in the Suwon region of Korea. The novel strain, 5420S-30(T), grew in the temperature range of 5-35 degrees C (optimum 30 degrees C) and pH range of 5-9 (optimum pH 6-7). Growth did not occur in the presence of as little as 1 % (w/v) NaCl. It contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. The major fatty acids were C(18 : 1)omega7c, summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c/iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH) and C(16 : 0) (together representing 77.7 % of the total). The DNA G+C content was 72.1 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain 5420S-30(T) and members of the genus Roseomonas were in the range 91.6-95.1 %, with the highest sequence similarities (95.1 and 94.5 %, respectively) to Roseomonas aquatica TR53(T) and Roseomonas gilardii ATCC 49956(T). On the basis of its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain 5420S-30(T) represents a novel species of the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas aerilata sp. nov. is proposed, with 5420S-30(T) (=KACC 12521(T) =DSM 19363(T)) as the type strain.

Burkholderia soli sp. nov., isolated from soil cultivated with Korean ginseng.

A polyphasic study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from soil cultivated with Korean ginseng in the Eumseong region of Korea. The novel strain, GP25-8(T), grew optimally at pH 6-7, 28 degrees C and 0-1 % NaCl (w/v). The major fatty acids were C(18 : 1)omega7c, summed feature 3 (C(16 : 1)omega7c/C(15 : 0) iso 2-OH) and C(16 : 0) (together representing 71.2 % of the total). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain GP25-8(T) and members of the genus Burkholderia ranged from 94.7 to 97.4 %, indicating that this novel strain was phylogenetically related to members of that genus. The novel strain showed the highest sequence similarities to Burkholderia caryophylli ATCC 25418(T) (97.4 %) and Burkholderia phenazinium LMG 2247(T) (97.2 %); the levels of DNA-DNA hybridization with these strains were 28 and 12 %, respectively. These results support the conclusion that strain GP25-8(T) represents a novel species within the genus Burkholderia, for which the name Burkholderia soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GP25-8(T) (=KACC 11589(T)=DSM 18235(T)).

Arenimonas donghaensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from seashore sand.

A Gram-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain HO3-R19(T), which was isolated from seashore sand in Pohang city, Korea, was characterized on the basis of a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain HO3-R19(T) represents a new lineage within the Gammaproteobacteria; sequence similarities between strain HO3-R19(T) and members of other related genera were less than 93.5 %. Strain HO3-R19(T) was also distinguished from related genera based on differences in several phenotypic characteristics. Cells were straight or slightly curved rods and formed white colonies on R2A agar. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8), and predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(17 : 1)omega9c. The DNA G+C content of strain HO3-R19(T) was 65.0 mol%. Based on physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis, strain HO3-R19(T) is considered to represent a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Arenimonas donghaensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Arenimonas donghaensis is HO3-R19(T) (=KACC 11381(T)=DSM 18148(T)).

Sphingobacterium composti sp. nov., isolated from cotton-waste composts.

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile bacterial strain designated 4M24(T) was isolated from cotton-waste compost. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 4M24(T) revealed that it is a member of the genus Sphingobacterium, sharing 88.5-94.5 % sequence similarity with type strains of the genus Sphingobacterium and being most closely related to Sphingobacterium daejeonense TR6-04(T) (94.5 % sequence similarity) and Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299(T) (92.2 % similarity). The major fatty acids of strain 4M24(T) grown on trypticase soy agar medium were summed feature 3 (iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C(16 : 1)omega7c; 37.5 %), iso-C(15 : 0) (29.5 %) and iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH (19.7 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain 4M24(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium composti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 4M24(T) (=KACC 11313(T)=DSM 18850(T)).

Flavobacterium terrae sp. nov. and Flavobacterium cucumis sp. nov., isolated from greenhouse soil.

Two bacterial strains, R2A1-13(T) and R2A45-3(T), were isolated from greenhouse soils in Korea. The cells of both strains were Gram-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed the isolates in the genus Flavobacterium within the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strain R2A1-13(T) was found to be related to Flavobacterium columnare IAM 14301(T), Flavobacterium saliperosum CGMCC1.3801(T) and Flavobacterium croceum EMB47(T), with sequence similarities of 96.8, 95.0 and 94.6 %, respectively. Strain R2A45-3(T) was found to be related to F. croceum EMB47(T) and Flavobacterium aquatile ATCC 11947(T), with sequence similarities of 94.7 and 94.6 %, respectively. Both strains contained iso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(16 : 0) as the main fatty acids and contained a menaquinone with six isoprene units (MK-6) as the major isoprenoid quinone. The G+C contents of the DNA from strains R2A1-13(T) and R2A45-3(T) were 34 and 38 mol%, respectively. A polyphasic taxonomic study revealed that these strains belong to two novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the names Flavobacterium terrae sp. nov. and Flavobacterium cucumis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains of F. terrae sp. nov. and F. cucumis sp. nov. are R2A1-13(T) (=KACC 11731(T)=DSM 18829(T)) and R2A45-3(T) (=KACC 11732(T)=DSM 18830(T)), respectively.

Niabella aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a greenhouse soil in Korea.

An orange-coloured bacterial strain, designated R2A15-11(T), was isolated from greenhouse soil. The strain was found to be strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, non-spore-forming and non-flagellated. The cells were short rods (0.7-0.9x1.0-1.5 mum) and produced flexirubin. Growth of the strain was observed at 10-35 degrees C, pH 5.0-8.0 and 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 1) G, iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C(16 : 1)omega7c). The genomic DNA G+C content was 45.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain R2A15-11(T) revealed a clear affiliation with the phylum Bacteroidetes, and the highest levels of sequence similarity were found with respect to Terrimonas ferruginea ATCC 13524(T) (91.5 %), Terrimonas lutea DY(T) (90.2 %), Niastella yeongjuensis GR20-13(T) (89.9 %) and Niastella koreensis GR20-10(T) (89.7 %). On the basis of the polyphasic evidence from this study, strain R2A15-11(T) represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Niabella aurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Niabella aurantiaca is R2A15-11(T) (=KACC 11698(T)=DSM 17617(T)).