Halioglobus sediminis sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment.

A novel aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain U0301T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample in Weihai, China. This strain grew optimally at 33 °C, pH 7.5 and in the presence of 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain U0301T shared pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.5, 95.4, 95.2 and 95.0 % to Parahaliea aestuarii S2-26T, Halioglobus pacificus KCTC 23430T, Halioglobus lutimaris HF004T and Halioglobus japonicus KCTC 23429T, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that U0301T formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with type strains of H. pacificus and H. japonicus. The percentage of conserved protein values of strain U0301T as compared with H. japonicus KCTC 23429Tand Parahalieamediterranea 7SM29T were 62.5 and 58.0 %, respectively. The ANI values of strain U0301T with H. japonicus KCTC 23429T and P. mediterranea 7SM29T were 78.2 and 75.3 %, respectively. Both metrics of genome comparison suggested that strain U0301T showed higher homology with the genus Halioglobus than the genus Parahaliea. The strain contained ubiquinone 8 as the sole respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and C17 : 1ω8c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content was 61.7 mol%. Considering the phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic data and phylogenetic analysis comprehensively, strain U0301T should represent a novel species of the genus Halioglobus, for which the name of Halioglobus sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is U0301T (=KCTC 62082T=MCCC 1H00234T).

Alteromonas sediminis sp. nov., isolated from sediment in a sea cucumber culture pond.

A novel strain, U0105T, was isolated from marine sediment of the coast of Weihai, China. The bacterium was aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-positive, rod-shaped and motile. Growth was observed at salinities of 1.0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum with 2.0-3.0 %), temperatures of 20-40 °C (optimum at 37 °C) and pH of 6.5-9.5 (optimum at pH 7.0-7.5). The isolate could not reduce nitrate to nitrite. It could hydrolyse starch and Tweens 20, 40 and 60, but not casein or cellulose. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain U0105T belonged to the genus Alteromonas, with highest sequence similarity to Alteromonas aestuariivivens KCTC 52655T (97.1 %). The average nucleotide identity value and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain U0105T and A. aestuariivivens KCTC 52655T were 69.2 % and 21.2 %, respectively. Strain U0105T was found to contain Q-8 as the sole menaquinone and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were identified as phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 45.3 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain U0105T represents a novel species of the genus Alteromonas, for which the name Alteromonas sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is U0105T (=KCTC 62080T=MCCC 1H00299T).

Aliidiomarina celeris sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, heterotrophic, facultative anaerobic, gliding and motile bacterium, approximately 0.6-0.9 µm wide and 1.5-2.6 µm long, designated F3105T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected along the coast of Rongcheng, China . The growth of strain F3105T occurred on media with 1.0-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0-3.0 %) and a pH of 6.5-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5) at 4-45 °C (optimum, 37 °C). The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and chemotaxonomic data revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Aliidiomarina, and is closely related to Aliidiomarina shirensis (95.9 % sequence similarity). The sole isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolate were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω9c and iso-C17 : 0, and its polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, two unidentified lipids and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The DNA G+C content of strain F3105T was 49.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic distinctiveness and phylogenetic divergence, strain F3105T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aliidiomarina, for which the name Aliidiomarinaceleris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F3105T (=MCCC 1H00223T=KCTC 52891T).

Winogradskyella tangerina sp. nov., a member of the Flavobacteriaceae isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (designated strain M1309T), with slow gliding motility, was isolated from marine sediment obtained off the coast of Weihai, PR China. The growth of M1309T was observed at 16-42 °C (optimum, 37 °C) and pH 6.5-8.0 (optimum, 7.0-7.5) in the presence of 2.0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0-3.0 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain represented a member of the genus Winogradskyella. M1309T exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, of 95.5 %, to Winogradskyella poriferorum JCM 12885T. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6) and the major fatty acids included iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1G and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminolipids, and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 36.1 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic distinctiveness and phylogenetic divergence, strain M1309T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella tangerina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M1309T (=KCTC 52896T=MCCC 1K03310T).

Agaribacter flavus sp. nov., isolated from red algae.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic, curved-rod bacterium, designated as strain 2p52T, was isolated from the marine algae Gracilaria blodgettii collected off the coast of Lingshui county, in Hainan province, China. Strain 2p52T grew at 15-42 °C (optimally at 30-33 °C), at pH 6.0-10.0 (7.5-8.0) and in the presence of 1.0-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl (2.0-3.0 %). The most closely related species was Agaribacter marinus (96.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequence of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that strain 2p52T belonged to the genus Agaribacter. The novel strain contained phophatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The predominant isoprenoid quinine was Q-8, and the DNA G+C content was 43.2 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0, and C18 : 1ω7c. The phenotypic and systematic comparative analyses indicated that the isolate is representative of a novel species of the genus Agaribacter, and the name Agaribacter flavus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2p52T (=KCTC 52473T=MCCC 1H00151T).

Robiginitalea sediminis sp. nov., isolated from a sea cucumber culture pond.

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-motile, orange and rod/coccoid-shaped bacterium, designated O458T, was isolated from sediment collected from a sea cucumber culture pond located in Rongcheng, Shandong province, China (122°14'E, 36°54'N). Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain O458T is a member of the genus Robiginitalea and is closely related to Robiginitalea biformata (95.7% sequence similarity) and Robiginitalea myxolifaciens (94.9%). Its DNA G+C content was 55.2 mol%. The strain grew at temperatures between 15 and 45 °C (optimum 33 °C), from pH 6.5 to 8.5 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5) and between 1.0 and 6.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.0%). Strain O458T was found to contain menaquinon-6 (MK-6) as the only respiratory quinone, iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and Summed feature 1 (iso-C15:1 H and/or iso-C13:0 3-OH) as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and four unidentified lipids (L1, L2, L3 and L4). On the basis of the results of the phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses it is suggested that strain O458T represents a novel species of the genus Robiginitalea, for which the name Robiginitalea sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is O458T (=KCTC 52898T=MCCC 1H00190T).

Seonamhaeicola marinus sp. nov., isolated from marine algae.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated and non-gliding bacterium, designated strain B011T, was isolated from marine algae Gracilaria blodgettii collected from the coast of Lingshui county, Hainan, China. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain B011T, Seonamhaeicola algicola (96.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Seonamhaeicola aphaedonensis (95.0 %) belonged to the same clade. Optimal growth occurred in the presence of 3.0 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 6.5-7.5 and at 28 °C. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C15 : 1 G (23.4 %) and iso-C15 : 0 (22.8 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one aminolipid and three unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain B011T was 33.9 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic analysis, strain B011T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Seonamhaeicola, for which the name Seonamhaeicolamarinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B011T (=MCCC 1H00146T=NBRC 112333T).

Brumimicrobium aurantiacum sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment.

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped and orange-coloured bacterium, designated N62T, was isolated from marine sediment of the coast of Weihai, PR China. Strain N62T was found to grow optimally at 28-30 °C, pH 7.0-7.5 and with 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The dominant cellular fatty acids of strain N62T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C17 : 1 3-OH. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6, and the DNA G+C content was 35.3 mol%. The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified glycolipid and three unidentified lipids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that N62T was a member of the family Crocinitomicaceae and had a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.8-97.2 % with recognized Brumimicrobium species. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic evidences, strain N62T represents a novel species of the genus Brumimicrobium, for which the name Brumimicrobium aurantiacum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N62T (=KCTC 42589T=MCCC 1H00117T).

Polaribacter tangerinus sp. nov., isolated from sediment in a sea cucumber culture pond.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped, and orange-pigmented bacterial strain, designated WS2-14T, was isolated from sediment collected from a sea cucumber culture pond located in Rongcheng, Shandong province, PR China (122° 14' E, 36° 54' N). Strain WS2-14T grew optimally at 28 °C and pH 7.0-7.5, and was able to tolerate salt concentrations of 0.5-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain WS2-14T was characterized chemotaxonomically as possessing menaquinone-6 (MK-6) as the major respiratory quinone, as well as iso-C13 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 as the predominant fatty acids. The DNA G+C content of strain WS2-14T was 31.2 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain WS2-14T was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Polaribacter and was closely related to Polaribacter haliotis, Polaribacter atrinae and Polaribacter sejongensis with 97.7, 97.4 and 97.0 % sequence similarities, respectively. On the basis of its phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, as well as phylogenetic analyses, strain WS2-14T was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Polaribacter, for which the name Polaribactertangerinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WS2-14T (=KCTC 52275T=MCCC 1H00163T).

Crocinitomix algicola sp. nov., isolated from Gracilaria blodgettii.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 0182T, was isolated from Gracilaria blodgettii, an algae of phylum Rhodophyta collected from coast of Lingshui county, Hainan, China (110° 03' 44.2'' E, 18° 24' 29.8'' N). The strain grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 7.0-7.5 and in the presence of 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells of strain 0182T were approximately 0.9-2.5 µm in length and 0.2-0.4 µm in width. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphoaminolipid, glycolipid, two unknown aminolipids and four unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content was approximately 35.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 0182T was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Crocinitomix and was closely related to Crocinitomix catalasitica with 94.6 % sequence similarity. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic evidence, strain 0182T is thought to represent a novel species of the genus Crocinitomix, for which the name Crocinitomix algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 0182T (=KCTC 42868T =MCCC 1H00128T).

Confluentibacter citreus sp. nov., isolated from lake sediment, and emended description of the genus Confluentibacter.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-gliding, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated XJNYT, was isolated from Sayram Lake (44° 30' 30.41″ N 81° 12' 39.55″ E), Xinjiang Province, north-west China, and was characterized taxonomically by a polyphasic study. Strain XJNYT grew at salinities of 0-4 % (w/v) and temperatures of 4-37 °C. The pH range for growth was 6.5-8.5. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain XJNYT belonged to the genus Confluentibacter and was closely related to the type strain of Confluentibacter lentus with 97.8 % similarity. The DNA G+C content was 34.5 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C17 : 0 2-OH and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and the polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. On the basis of morphological, physiological and molecular properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain XJNYT represents a novel species within the genus Confluentibacter, for which the name Confluentibactercitreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XJNYT (=KCTC 52638T=MCCC 1H00183T).

Aquimarina rubra sp. nov., isolated from sediment of a sea cucumber culture pond.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, red-pigmented, facultatively anaerobic bacterium, designated SS2-9T, was isolated from sediment collected from a sea cucumber culture pond located in Rongcheng, Shandong province, China. Cells of strain SS2-9T were approximately 0.3-0.5 µm in width and 1.5-6.0 µm in length. The strain was able to grow at 10-37 °C, at pH 6.5-8.5 and in the presence of 0.5-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl. It grew optimally at 28 °C and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content was 34.5 mol% and the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The predominant cellular fatty acids were C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SS2-9T was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Aquimarina and was closely related to Aquimarina amphilecti 92VT (97.29 % similarity). On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain SS2-9T was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aquimarina, for which the name Aquimarina rubra sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SS2-9T (=KCTC 52274T=MCCC 1H00142T).

Algoriphagus resistens sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

Strain NH1T, a pink-pigmented, facultatively anaerobic, heterotrophic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, Gram-stain-negative marine bacterium, was isolated from marine sediment on the coast of Weihai, China. Cells of strain NH1T were rod-shaped, 0.8-2.0 µm in length and 0.5-1.0 µm in width. The strain was able to grow at 13-37 °C, pH 5.5-8.5, in the presence of 0.0-8.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Optimal growth was observed at 28 °C, with 3.0 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 6.5-7.0. Nitrate was reduced. The G+C content of the DNA was 41.9 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the main cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (33.6 %) comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c, and iso-C15:0 (19.2%). The major polar lipids in strain NH1T were phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified lipids, phospholipid and aminolipids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain NH1T was highly related to the type strains of Algoriphagus antarcticus (97.87 % 16SrRNA gene sequence similarity) and Algoriphagus ratkowskyi (97.56 %). On basis of the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain NH1T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Algoriphagus, for which the name Algoriphagus resistens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NH1T (=MCCC 1H00140T=KCTC 52228T).

Algoriphagus marinus sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment and emended description of the genus Algoriphagus.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic coccobacilli approximately 0.4-0.5×0.5-1.1 µm, non-motile, orange-pigmented bacterial strain, designated am2T, was isolated from the coastal area of Weihai, PR China (121° 57' E, 37° 29' N). The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were 4-40 °C, pH 6.5-8.5 and 0.0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that am2T was phylogenetically related to members of the genus Algoriphagus and was closely related to Algoriphagus boritolerans, Algoriphagus namhaensis and Algoriphagus antarcticus with 96.4, 96.2 and 95.8 % sequence similarities, respectively. The quinone system contained menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant component. The dominant fatty acids were iso-C17 : 1ω9c,iso-C16 : 1H and iso-C15 : 0. The major polar lipids consisted of one phospholipid, phosphatidylethanolamine and six unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content was 40.6 mol%. On the basis of morphological, physiological and molecular properties as well as on phylogenetic distinctiveness, am2T should be placed into the genus Algoriphagus as a novel species, for which the name Algoriphagus marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is am2T (=KCTC 52549T=MCCC 1H00178T).

Marinobacter salexigens sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.

A novel bacterium, designated as strain HJR7T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the coastal area of Weihai, China (121° 57' E, 37° 29' N). Cells were Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were determined as 4-40 °C, pH 6.5-9.5 and 0.5-15.0 % (w/v), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HJR7T belongs to the genus Marinobacter in the family Alteromonadaceae. The most closely related species were Marinobacter aromaticivorans (97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Marinobacter maritimus (97.3 % similarity). Ubiquinone 9 (Q-9) was the only respiratory quinone detected in strain HJR7T. The major fatty acids of strain HJR7T were C12 : 0, C16 : 0, C16 : 0 N alcohol, C18 : 1ω9c and C18 : 3ω6, 9, 12c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and an unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content of strain HJR7T was 53.7 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, genotypic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain HJR7T represents a novel species within the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter salexigens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HJR7T (=KCTC 52545T=MCCC 1H00176T).

Colwellia agarivorans sp. nov., an agar-digesting marine bacterium isolated from coastal seawater.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, yellowish and agar-digesting marine bacterium, designated strain QM50T, was isolated from coastal seawater in an aquaculture site near Qingdao, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate represented a member of the genus Colwellia and exhibited the highest sequence similarity (97.4 %) to Colwellia aestuarii SMK-10T. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values based on draft genome sequences between strain QM50T and C. aestuarii KCTC 12480T showed a relatedness of 72.0 % (ANIb) and 85.1 % (ANIm). Cells of strain QM50T were approximately 0.3-0.6×0.8-2.5 µm in size and motile by means of a polar flagellum. Growth occurred in the presence of 1.0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0-3.0 %), at pH 6.5-8.5 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 4-37 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C). Strain QM50T was found to contain ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) as the predominant ubiquinone and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c as the main cellular fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol were found to be major polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain QM50T was determined to be 35.7 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic data, strain QM50T represents a novel species of the genus Colwellia, for which the name Colwellia agarivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is QM50T (=KCTC 52273T=MCCC 1H00143T).

Genomic Analysis and Characterization of Pseudotabrizicola formosa sp. nov., a Novel Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacterium, Isolated from Sayram Lake Water.

Aerobic anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (AAPB) are a kind of heterotrophic prokaryote that can use bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) for photosynthesis without oxygen production and they are widely distributed in aquatic environments, including oceans, lakes, and rivers. A novel aerobic anoxygenic photosynthetic bacterium strain XJSPT was isolated during a study of water microbial diversity in Sayram Lake, Xinjiang Province, China. Strain XJSPT was found to grow optimally at 33 °C, pH 7.5 with 1.0% (w/v) NaCl, and to produce bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and concatenated alignment sequences of 120 ubiquitous single-copy proteins both supported that strain XJSPT belonged to the genus Pseudotabrizicola. Both average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values were below the species delineation threshold. The primary polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown lipid, and one unidentified phospholipid. Based on the results of polyphasic analyses performed in this study, strain XJSPT represents a new member of the genus Pseudotabrizicola, for which the name Pseudotabrizicola formosa sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XJSPT (=KCTC 52636T = MCCC 1H00184T = SDUM 107003T). Comparative genomic analysis showed that four species of the genus Pseudotabrizicola shared 2570 core genes and possessed a complete anoxygenic photosystem II.

Digestive Tract Morphology and Gut Microbiota Jointly Determine an Efficient Digestive Strategy in Subterranean Rodents: Plateau Zokor.

Rodents' lifestyles vary in different environments, and to adapt to various lifestyles specific digestion strategies have been developed. Among these strategies, the morphology of the digestive tracts and the gut microbiota are considered to play the most important roles in such adaptations. However, how subterranean rodents adapt to extreme environments through regulating gut microbial diversity and morphology of the digestive tract has yet to be fully studied. Here, we conducted the comparisons of the gastrointestinal morphology, food intake, food assimilation, food digestibility and gut microbiota of plateau zokor Eospalax baileyi in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and laboratory rats Rattus norvegicus to further understand the survival strategy in a typical subterranean rodent species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Our results revealed that plateau zokor evolved an efficient foraging strategy with low food intake, high food digestibility, and ultimately achieved a similar amount of food assimilation to laboratory rats. The length and weight of the digestive tract of the plateau zokor was significantly higher than the laboratory rat. Particularly, the weight and length of the large intestine and cecum in plateau zokor is three times greater than that of the laboratory rat. Microbiome analysis showed that genus (i.e., Prevotella, Oscillospira, CF231, Ruminococcus and Bacteroides), which are usually associated with cellulose degradation, were significantly enriched in laboratory rats, compared to plateau zokor. However, prediction of metagenomic function revealed that both plateau zokor and laboratory rats shared the same functions in carbohydrate metabolism and energy metabolism. The higher digestibility of crude fiber in plateau zokor was mainly driven by the sizes of cecum and cecum tract, as well as those gut microbiota which associated with cellulose degradation. Altogether, our results highlight that both gut microbiota and the morphology of the digestive tract are vital to the digestion in wild rodents.

Alteromonas flava sp. nov. and Alteromonas facilis sp. nov., two novel copper tolerating bacteria isolated from a sea cucumber culture pond in China.

Two bacterial strains, P0211T and P0213T, were isolated from a sea cucumber culture pond in China. The strains were able to resist high copper levels. These two strains were characterized at the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic level. They were completely different colors, but the 16S rRNA genes showed 99.30% similarity. Phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and five housekeeping genes (dnaK, sucC, rpoB, gyrB, and rpoD) supported the inclusion of these strains within the genus Alteromonas, and the two isolated strains formed a group separated from the closest species Alteromonas aestuariivivens KCTC 52655T. Genomic analyses, including average nucleotide identity (ANIb and ANIm), DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH), and the percentage of conserved proteins (POCP), clearly separated strains P0211T and P0213T from the other species within the genus Alteromonas with values below the thresholds for species delineation. The chemotaxonomic features (including fatty acid and polar lipid analysis) of strains P0211T and P0213T also confirmed their differentiation from the related taxa. The results demonstrated that strains P0211T and P0213T represented two novel species in the genus Alteromonas, for which we propose the names Alteromonas flava sp. nov., type strain P0211T (=KCTC 62078T=MCCC 1H00242T), and Alteromonas facilis sp. nov., type strain P0213T (=KCTC 62079T=MCCC 1H00243T).