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Strain Az39 T of Azospirillum is a diazotrophic plant growth-promoting bacterium isolated in 1982 from the roots of wheat plants growing in Marcos Juárez, Córdoba, Argentina. It produces indole-3-acetic acid in the presence of l-tryptophan as a precursor, grows at 20-38 °C (optimal 38 °C), and the cells are curved or spiral-shaped, with diameters ranging from 0.5-0.9 to 1.8-2.2 µm. They contain C 16 : 0 , C 18 : 0 and C 18 : 1  ω 7 c / ω 6 c as the main fatty acids. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence confirmed that this strain belongs to the genus Azospirillum , showing a close relationship with Azospirillum baldaniorum Sp245 T , Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 T and Azospirillum formosense CC-Nfb-7 T . Housekeeping gene analysis revealed that Az39 T , together with five strains of the genus (Az19, REC3, BR 11975, MTCC4035 and MTCC4036), form a cluster apart from A. baldaniorum Sp245 T , A. brasilense Sp7 T and A. formosense CC-Nfb-7 T . Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between Az39 T and the aforementioned type strains revealed values below 96 %, the circumscription limit for the species delineation (ANI: 95.3, 94.1 and 94.0 %; dDDH: 62.9, 56.3 and 55.6 %). Furthermore, a phylogeny evaluation of the core proteome, including 809 common shared proteins, showed an independent grouping of Az39 T , Az19, REC3, BR 11975, MTCC4035 and MTCC4036. The G+C content in the genomic DNA of these six strains varied from 68.3 to 68.5 %. Based on the combined phylogenetic, genomic and phenotypic characterization presented here, we consider that strain Az39 T , along with strains Az19, REC3, BR 11975, MTCC4035 and MTCC4036, are members of a new Azospirillum species, for which the name Azospirillum argentinense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Az39 T (=LBPCV39 T =BR 148428 T =CCCT 22.01 T ).

Strain TLA-22 T , isolated from a cold spring in Taiwan, was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-accumulating, motile by means of a single polar flagellum, rod-shaped and formed bright yellow colonies. Optimal growth occurred at 20-25 °C, pH 6-6.5, and in the presence of 0.5 % NaCl. The major fatty acids of TLA-22 T were C 18 : 1 ω7 c and C 17 : 1 ω6 c . The predominant hydroxy fatty acids were C 15 : 0 2-OH and C 14 : 0 2-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids. TLA-22 T contained spermidine as the major polyamine and putrescine as the minor component. The only isoprenoid quinone was Q-10. The genomic DNA G+C content of TLA-22 T was 63.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters indicated that TLA-22 T was a mem,ber of a phylogenetic lineage including members of the genus Sphingobium . TLA-22 T was most closely related to Sphingobium aromaticiconvertens RW16 T , with a 97.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. TLA-22 T showed 74.8-75.7 % average nucleotide identity and 20.1-22.0 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other species of the genus Sphingobium . On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain TLA-22 T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Sphingobium , for which the name Sphingobium algorifonticola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TLA-22 T (=BCRC 81097 T =LMG 30309 T =KCTC 62189 T ).

A taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach was carried out on strain PB8BT, which was isolated from the deep water of the Indian Ocean. Cells of the bacterium were Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, curved rods and motile. Growth was observed at salinities of 0-15 % and at temperatures of 10-41°C. The isolate could reduce nitrate to nitrite and degrade Tween 80, but not degrade gelatin. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain PB8BT belonged to the genus Thalassospira, with the highest sequence similarity to the closely related type strain Thalassospira tepidiphila 1-1BT (99.7 %), followed by Thalassospira profundimaris WP0211T (99.6 %). Multilocus sequence analysis demonstrated low similarities of 94.1 and 93.7 % between strain PB8BT and the two reference type strains. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain PB8BT and the two above-mentioned type strains were, respectively, 56.3 and 55.3 %. The principal fatty acids of strain PB8BT were C18 : 1ω6c/C18 : 1ω7c, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 54.9 mol%. The quinone was determined to be Q-10 (100 %). Phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and several unidentified phospholipids and lipids were present. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain PB8BT represents a novel species within the genus Thalassospira, for which the name Thalassospira indica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the novel species is PB8BT (=MCCC 1A01103T=LMG 29620T).

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and aerobic bacterial strain, designated CHL1T, was isolated from a sludge sample collected from a sewage treatment tank of an agricultural chemical factory. The strain grew at salinities of 0.5-5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.5 %). Growth occurred at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and 5-40 °C (optimum 28-30 °C). The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 70.4 mol%. Q-10 was detected as the respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c and C16 : 0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified aminophospholipids. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CHL1T formed a distinct clade with Albibacter methylovorans DSM 22840T and Methylopila helvetica DM9T within the family Methylocystaceae. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics, the strain merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of a new genus within the family Methylocystaceae, for which the name Chenggangzhangella methanolivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is CHL1T (=KCTC 42661T=CCTCC AB 2015175T). In addition, the species Methylopila helveticaDoronina et al. (2000) is proposed to be transferred to the genus Albibacter as Albibacterhelveticus comb. nov. (type strain DM9T=CIP 106788=VKM B-2189) on the basis of the phylogenetic analysis. An emended description of the genus Albibacter is also provided.

An alginate lyase-producing bacterium, designated AlyHP32(T), was isolated from the gut of sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) obtained from the South Sea, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain AlyHP32(T) were Gram-reaction-negative and motile with a single polar flagellum. The strain grew with 1-6 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-4 %) and at 4-30 °C (optimum 15-25 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and five housekeeping genes (atpA, pyrH, recA, rpoA and rpoD) revealed that strain AlyHP32(T) belonged to the genus Vibrio and formed a compact clade with the Vibrio splendidus group. However, DNA-DNA hybridization and fingerprints using the repetitive primers BOX and REP indicated that strain AlyHP32(T) was distinct from closely related species of the genus Vibrio. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c) and C16:0. The DNA G+C content was 44.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. Based on genotypic, phenotypic and DNA-DNA hybridization analysis, strain AlyHP32(T) represents a novel species of the genus Vibrio; the name Vibrio hemicentroti sp. nov. (type strain AlyHP32(T) = KCTC 32085(T) = DSM 26178(T)) is proposed for this novel taxon.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped strain designated PG04(T) was isolated from the rhizosphere of watermelon plants cultivated in Beijing, China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on the new isolate. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, isolate PG04(T) belonged clearly to the genus Hansschlegelia and was most closely related to Hansschlegelia zhihuaiae (97.3 % similarity to the type strain). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10) and the polar lipid profile was composed of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c (41.3 %), C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (30.6 %) and C16 : 0 (19.1 %). The G+C content of the DNA was about 64.4 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed 34.4 % relatedness between strain PG04(T) and H. zhihuaiae DSM 18984(T). The results of physiological and biochemical tests and differences in fatty acid profiles allowed clear phenotypic differentiation of strain PG04(T) from the most closely related species in the genus, H. zhihuaiae. Strain PG04(T) therefore represents a novel species within the genus Hansschlegelia, for which the name Hansschlegelia beijingensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain PG04(T) ( = DSM 25481(T) = ACCC 05759(T)).

A novel Gram-staining-negative, moderately halophilic and strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain 112(T), was isolated from a tidal flat at Taean, Korea. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive ovoids to rods and did not produce bacteriochlorophyll a. Optimum growth of strain 112(T) was observed at 30 °C, at pH 6.5-7.5 and in the presence of 2-4 % (w/v) NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c) and C16 : 0 and Q-10 was detected as the predominant ubiquinone. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 112(T) was 58.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 112(T) formed a phyletic lineage within the genus Roseovarius of the class Alphaproteobacteria. Strain 112(T) was most closely related to Roseovarius mucosus DFL-24(T), with 96.52 % similarity. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain 112(T) represents a novel species of the genus Roseovarius, for which the name Roseovarius lutimaris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 112(T) ( = KACC 16185(T) = JCM 17743(T)).

A bacterial strain THG-B283(T), which has β-glucosidase activity, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, aerobic, motile with one polar flagellum and rod-shaped. The strain was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain THG-B283(T) grew optimally at around pH 7.0, at 25-28 °C and in the absence of NaCl on R2A agar. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain THG-B283(T) belongs to the family Sphingomonadaceae and is closely related to Sphingomonas melonis DAPP-PG 224(T) (98.2 %), S. aquatilis JSS7(T) (98.1 %), S. insulae DS-28(T) (97.6 %), S. mali IFO 15500(T) (97.1 %) and S. pruni IFO 15498(T) (97.0 %). Strain THG-B283(T) contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. The major fatty acids included summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C18 : 1ω7c, C14 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 72.2 mol%. The major component in the polyamine pattern was sym-homospermidine. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid, unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified phospholipid and unidentified lipids. Genomic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain THG-B283(T) to the genus Sphingomonas. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-B283(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbours was below 23 %. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strain THG-B283(T) represents a novel species of genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas kyungheensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-B283(T) ( = KACC 16224(T) = LMG 26582(T)).

Four strains (08HL01032(T), 09HG994, 10HP82-6 and 10HL1960) were isolated from water of air-conditioning systems of various cooling towers in Guangzhou city, China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative coccobacilli without flagella, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, showing no reduction of nitrate, no hydrolysis of urea and no production of H2S. Growth was characteristically enhanced in the presence of l-cysteine, which was consistent with the properties of members of the genus Francisella. The quinone system was composed of ubiquinone Q-8 with minor amounts of Q-9. The polar lipid profile consisted of the predominant lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified phospholipids (PL2, PL3), an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid (GL2). The polyamine pattern consisted of the major compounds spermidine, cadaverine and spermine. The major cellular fatty acids were C10 : 0, C14 : 0, C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and C18 : 1 3-OH. A draft whole-genome sequence of the proposed type strain 08HL01032(T) was generated. Comparative sequence analysis of the complete 16S and 23S rRNA genes confirmed affiliation to the genus Francisella, with 95 % sequence identity to the closest relatives in the database, the type strains of Francisella philomiragia and Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis. Full-length deduced amino acid sequences of various housekeeping genes, recA, gyrB, groEL, dnaK, rpoA, rpoB, rpoD, rpoH, fopA and sdhA, exhibited similarities of 67-92 % to strains of other species of the genus Francisella. Strains 08HL01032(T), 09HG994, 10HP82-6 and 10HL1960 exhibited highly similar pan-genome PCR profiles. Both the phenotypic and molecular data support the conclusion that the four strains belong to the genus Francisella but exhibit considerable divergence from all recognized Francisella species. Therefore, we propose the name Francisella guangzhouensis sp. nov., with the type strain 08HL01032(T) ( = CCUG 60119(T) = NCTC 13503(T)).

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, oxidase-positive, non-spore-forming, non-motile bacterium (B1315(T)) was isolated from the placenta of a sheep with abortion. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses the strain was assigned to the Brucella-Ochrobactrum-Paenochrobactrum-Pseudochrobactrum group with 94.5-94.8 %, 94.3-96.1 %, 95.0-95.1 %, and 95.9-96.1 % sequence similarities to type strains of species of the four genera, respectively. Phylogenetic trees indicated a close relationship to the type strains of Ochrobactrum gallinifaecis and Ochrobactrum oryzae (95.9 and 96.1 % sequence similarity, respectively). Chemotaxonomic data confirmed the allocation of strain B1315(T) to the family Brucellaceae (quinone system: ubiquinone Q-10 and major fatty acids: C18 : 1ω7c and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c). The polar lipid profile contained the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and the unidentified but unique phospholipid PL7. The polyamine pattern of strain B1315(T) contained the major polyamines spermidine and putrescine. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene and recA sequence phylogeny and chemotaxonomic data strain B1315(T) was clearly different from the genera Brucella, Ochrobactrum, Paenochrobactrum and Pseudochrobactrum. On the basis of these data we propose the novel genus Falsochrobactrum gen. nov. with the type species Falsochrobactrum ovis sp. nov. with the type strain B1315(T) ( = CCM 8460(T) = LMG 27356(T.)) The taxonomic allocation of O. gallinifaecis, which grouped inconsistently together with strain B1315(T) on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data, but shows the chemotaxonomic features of the genus Ochrobactrum, remains to be clarified.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain P-50-3(T), was isolated from seawater of the Pacific. The strain grew at 10-40 °C (optimum at 30 °C) and with 0-12 % (w/v, optimum 2 %) NaCl. It reduced nitrate to nitrite but did not hydrolyse gelatin, starch or Tween 80. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain P-50-3(T) clustered tightly with the genus Albimonas and shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (94.3 %) with the type strain of Albimonas donghaensis. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 0, 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. Polar lipids included phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), two unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified lipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain P-50-3(T) was 69.0 mol%. On the basis of the data obtained in this polyphasic study, strain P-50-3(T) represents a novel species within the genus Albimonas, for which the name Albimonas pacifica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Albimonas pacifica is P-50-3(T) ( = KACC 16527(T) = CGMCC 1.11030(T)). An emended description of the genus Albimonas Lim et al. 2008 is also proposed.

A novel bacterial strain, YC6899(T), was isolated from the root of Suaedae maritima growing on a tidal flat of Namhae Island, Korea. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, slightly halophilic and heterotrophic. Strain YC6899(T) grew optimally at a salinity of 2-4 %, at 25-37 °C and at pH 6.5-8.0. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain YC6899(T) was closely related to Amorphus orientalis YIM D10(T) (96.1 % similarity) and Amorphus coralli RS.Sph.026(T) (95.9 %). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unknown aminolipids, an unknown aminophospholipid, an unknown aminoglycolipid, unknown glycolipids and unknown lipids. The major fatty acids of strain YC6899(T) were C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C18 : 1ω7c. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.3 mol%. Strain YC6899(T) contained ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the major respiratory quinone system. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain YC6899(T) represents a novel species within the genus Amorphus, for which the name Amorphus suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6899(T) ( = KACC 14912(T) = NBRC 107845(T)).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, spiral or rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, diazotrophic bacterium (strain CC-LY743(T)) was isolated from a fermentative tank in Taiwan. Strain CC-LY743(T) was able to grow at 20-37 °C and pH 6.0-8.0 and tolerated up to 3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. It was positive for nitrogen fixation, with activity of 10.6 nmol ethylene h(-1). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain CC-LY743(T) showed highest similarity to Azospirillum picis DSM 19922(T) (96.1 %), Azospirillum oryzae JCM 21588(T) (96.0 %) and Azospirillum rugosum DSM 19657(T) (96.0 %) and lower similarity (<96.0 %) to all other Azospirillum species. Highest nifH gene sequence similarities were obtained with Azospirillum brasilense BCRC 12270(T) (92.0 %), Azospirillum formosense BCRC 80273(T) (92.3 %) and A. rugosum DSM 19657(T) (91.8 %). It was positive in the rapid identification by a genus-specific primer set. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10) and the DNA G+C content was 69.6±0.1 mol%. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-LY743(T) were n-C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C14 : 0 3-OH/C16 : 1 iso I, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-LY743(T) is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Azospirillum for which the name Azospirillum fermentarium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-LY743(T) ( = BCRC 80505(T) = JCM 18688(T) = LMG 27264(T)).

The gut of the Western honeybee, Apis mellifera, is colonized by a characteristic set of bacteria. Two distinct gammaproteobacteria are consistent members of this unique microbial community, and one has recently been described in a new genus and species with the name Gilliamella apicola. Here, we present the isolation and characterization of PEB0191(T), a strain belonging to the second gammaproteobacterial species present in the honeybee gut microbiota, formerly referred to as 'Gammaproteobacterium-2'. Cells of strain PEB0191(T) were mesophilic and had a mean length of around 2 µm, and optimal growth was achieved under anaerobic conditions. Growth was not obtained under aerobic conditions and was reduced in a microaerophilic environment. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain PEB0191(T) belongs to the family Orbaceae, and its closest relatives, with around 95 % sequence similarity, are species of the genera Orbus and Gilliamella. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that PEB0191(T) is more closely related to the genus Orbus than to the genus Gilliamella. In accordance with its evolutionary relationship, further similarities between strain PEB0191(T) and other members of the family Orbaceae were revealed based on the respiratory quinone type (ubiquinone 8), the fatty acid profile and the DNA G+C content. Interestingly, like strains of the genus Gilliamella, PEB0191(T) exhibited a high level of resistance to oxytetracycline. The similar levels of sequence divergence from the genera Gilliamella and Orbus and its uncertain phylogenetic position within the family Orbaceae indicate that strain PEB0191(T) represents a novel species of a new genus, with the proposed name Frischella perrara gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Frischella perrara is PEB0191(T) ( = NCIMB 14821(T) = ATCC BAA-2450(T)).

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming and aerobic bacterial strain, designated HL-25(T), was isolated and characterized in a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate constituted a distinct branch within the genus Sphingobium, showing the highest level of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingobium vulgare HU1-GD12(T) (96.6 %). The major fatty acids (>10%) of strain HL-25(T) were C(18:1)ω7c, C(16:0), summed feature 3 (comprising C(16:1)ω7c and/or C(16:1)ω6c) and C(18:0). The major cellular hydroxy fatty acid was C(14:0) 2-OH. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10 and the DNA G+C content was 63.8 mol%. The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an uncharacterized glycolipid, an uncharacterized aminophospholipid and four uncharacterized phospholipids. The polyamine pattern of strain HL-25(T) contained spermidine and putrescine. On the basis of these genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, strain HL-25(T) represents a novel species in the genus Sphingobium, for which the name Sphingobium sufflavum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HL-25(T) ( =BCRC 80413(T) =KCTC 23953(T)).

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, flagellated and non-spore-forming marine bacterium designated strain CC-AMO-30B(T) was isolated from coastal surface seawater, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMO-30B(T) synthesized astaxanthin [40 µg (g dry weight)(-1)] and formed reddish-orange-coloured colonies on marine agar (Difco 2216). The strain showed highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingomicrobium lutaoense CC-TBT-3(T) (96.4%) followed by other members of the family Sphingomonadaceae (<94%) and established a discrete phyletic lineage associated with the former. The polar lipid profile constituted a remarkable number of unidentified glycolipids (GL1-8), in addition to diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid and two unidentified lipids (L1-2). The major fatty acids (>5% of total fatty acids) were C(18:1)ω7c/C(18:1)ω6c (summed feature 8), C(16:1)ω7c/C(16:1)ω6c (summed feature 3), C(18:1) 2-OH, methyl C(18:1)ω7c, C(17:1)ω6c and C(16 : 0). DNA G+C content was 70.6%; major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10; predominant polyamine was the triamine sym-homospermidine. Chemotaxonomic evidence including characteristic glycolipid profile, presence of significant amounts of C(18:1) 2-OH and absence of typical hydroxylated fatty acids such as C(14:0) 2-OH, C(15:0) 2-OH and C(16:0) 2-OH in considerable amounts, accompanied by phylogenetic distinctiveness and several other phenotypic features support the classification of strain CC-AMO-30B(T) as a representative of a novel species within the genus Sphingomicrobium for which the name Sphingomicrobium astaxanthinifaciens sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is CC-AMO-30B(T) ( =JCM 18551(T) =BCRC 80465(T)).

Two strains (NYNU 121010(T) and NYNU 121032) of a novel basidiomycetous yeast species belonging to the genus Sympodiomycopsis were isolated from insect frass collected from trunks of a pagoda tree (Sophora japonica L.) in Yantai, Shandong province, east China. The sequence analyses of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region indicated that the closest relatives were Sympodiomycopsis kandeliae FIRDI 007(T), Sympodiomycopsis paphiopedili CBS 7429(T) and Sympodiomycopsis sp. S6A. The D1/D2 sequences of the novel strains differed by 12 nt substitutions (2%) from the type strain of S. kandeliae, and by 13 nt substitutions (2.2%) from the type strain of S. paphiopedili and from Sympodiomycopsis sp. S6A. The novel strains differed from closely related species by more than 4.6% substitutions in the ITS region. The novel strains can also be distinguished from S. kandeliae and S. paphiopedili on the basis of a number of morphological and physiological characteristics and represent a novel species in the genus Sympodiomycopsis, for which the name Sympodiomycopsis yantaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NYNU 121010(T) ( =CICC 32998(T) = CBS 12813(T)). The Mycobank deposit number is MB 804119.

Two stalked, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive rod-shaped isolates, VKM B-1508 ( = CB 258) and FWC47(T), were analysed using a polyphasic approach. While the morphology and the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain VKM B-1508 were 100% identical to the ones of Sphingomonas leidyi DSM 4733(T), the morphology of FWC47(T) was different, and the closest recognized species were Sphingomonas oligophenolica S213(T) ( = DSM 17107(T)) and Sphingomonas leidyi DSM 4733(T) with 97.2% and 97.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively. DNA-DNA hybridization studies supported the differentiation of strain FWC47(T) from S. oligophenolica and S. leidyi. Strain FWC47(T) grew optimally at 28-30 °C, and pH 6.0-8.0. The major respiratory quinone was Q10 and the major polyamine was sym-homospermidine. The major fatty acids were C(17:1)ω6c and C(18:1)ω7c and C(15:0) 2-OH was the major 2-hydroxy fatty acid. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyldimethylethylamine and unidentified sphingoglycolipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain FWC47(T) was 67.1 mol%. Strain FWC47(T) differed from S. leidyi by its ability to assimilate l-alanine, maltose and sucrose, by the presence of β-galactosidase and α-chymotrypsin, and the lack of valine arylamidase and β-glucosidase activities. Contrary to S. leidyi, FWC47(T) did not reduce nitrate and could not use fructose, acetate and N-acetyl-glusosamine. In the genus Sphingomonas, the dimorphic life cycle involving a prosthecate sessile and a flagellated swarmer cell was hitherto only known from Sphingomonas leidyi. Therefore, strain FWC47(T) represents an additional distinct prosthecate species in this genus for which the name Sphingomonas canadensis is proposed. The type strain is FWC47(T) ( =LMG 27141(T) =CCUG 62982(T)).

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain CBA4601(T), was isolated from a seawater sample obtained off the coast of Jeju Island, Korea. The organism grew in the presence of 0-4% (w/v) NaCl and at 20-35 °C and pH 7.0-9.0, with optimal growth in 2% NaCl, and at 25 °C and pH 8.0. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CBA4601(T) was related to the genus Ferrimonas within the class Gammaproteobacteria. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain CBA4601(T) and Ferrimonas marina A4D-4(T), the most closely related species, was 96.9%. The G+C content of the genomic DNA from strain CBA4601(T) was 54.2 mol%, and the isoprenoid quinones menaquinone 7 (MK-7), ubiquinone 7 (Q-7) and ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) were detected. The major fatty acids were C(17:1)ω8c, C(18:1)ω9c and C(16:0), and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified ninhydrin-positive phospholipid. On the basis of this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain CBA4601(T) represents a novel species of the genus Ferrimonas, for which the name Ferrimonas pelagia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CBA4601(T) ( =KACC 16695(T) =KCTC 32029(T) =JCM 18401(T)).

A novel Gram-reaction-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium designated strain CC-YHH031(T) was isolated from an agricultural soil collected at Chiayi County, Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CC-YHH031(T) formed a discrete monophyletic lineage in the family Xanthomonadaceae, sharing high pairwise sequence similarity of 93.5-95.2 and 94.8% with species of the genus Dokdonella (94.9% similarity to the type strain of the type species) and Aquimonas voraii GPTSA 20(T), respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CC-YHH031(T) was 68.6 ± 0.7 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. Spermidine was the principal polyamine, with minor amounts of putrescine. Major fatty acids (>5% of total fatty acids) were iso-C(16:00, iso-C(15:0), C(16:1)ω7c and/or C(16:1)ω6c (summed feature 3), iso-C(17:1)ω9c, iso-C(14:0), iso-C(11:0) and iso-C(11:0) 3-OH. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-YHH031(T) included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminophospholipids (APL1-2) and four unidentified phospholipids (PL1-4). Strain CC-YHH031(T) was distinguished particularly from the type species of the genus Dokdonella (Dokdonella koreensis) by the presence of major amounts of iso-C(14:0) and summed feature 3 and minor amounts of iso-C(17:0) and by the complete absence of anteiso-C(17:0), the presence of PL1-3 and APL1-2, the absence of APL3 and the presence of putrescine in the former. On the basis of distinguishing genotypic and phenotypic evidence, strain CC-YHH031(T) is proposed to represent a novel genus and species within the family Xanthomonadaceae, for which the name Chiayiivirga flava gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Chiayiivirga flava is CC-YHH031(T) ( =BCRC 80274(T) =DSM 24163(T)).

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from the skin of the medical leech Hirudo verbana and studied for its taxonomic allocation. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to other strains showed that the strain was closely related to species of the genus Kaistia. Kaistia geumhonensis was shown to be the most closely related species (96.8%), followed by Kaistia soli (96.6%) and Kaistia dalseonensis (96.2%). All other species of the genus Kaistia showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities <96%. Chemotaxonomic data for strain E94(T) (major ubiquinone: Q-10; major polar lipids: diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, unknown phospholipids, aminolipids and aminophospholipids; and major fatty acids: C(18:1)ω7c, C(19:0)ω8c cylco, C(16:0) and C(18:0)) supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Kaistia. Phenotypic differentiation of strain E94(T) from all species of the genus Kaistia was possible using different physiological characters. Strain E94(T) represents a novel species of the genus Kaistia, for which the name Kaistia hirudinis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain E94(T) ( = LMG 26925(T) =CIP 110381(T) =CCM 8401(T)).

A novel psychrotolerant, Gram-negative, shiny white, curved-rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic bacterium PB1(T) was isolated from a soil sample collected from a glacier forefield of the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. Isolate PB1(T) has catalase and low urease activity and hydrolyses gelatin and starch. Strain PB1(T) is able to grow between -5 °C and 30 °C with optimum growth at 14-20 °C. Glycerol, dl-arabinose, d-xylose, d-galactose, d-fructose, d-lyxose, d-fucose and potassium gluconate are used as sole carbon sources. The major quinone is ubiquinone Q-8. The major fatty acids (>10%) for PB1(T) are C(16:0) (19.1%), C(16:1)ω7cis (44.6%) and C(18:1)ω7cis (16.2%). The major polyamines are putrescine [54.9 µmol (g dry weight)(-1)] and 2-hydroxy putrescine [18.5 µmol (g dry weight)(-1)]. DNA G+C content is 62.5 mol%. Strain PB1(T) is phylogenetically related to species of the genus Herbaspirillum, with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Herbaspirillum canariense (97.3%), Herbaspirillum aurantiacum (97.2%), Herbaspirillum soli (97.2%) and Herbaspirillum frisingense (97.0%). The DNA-DNA relatedness values were below 30% between PB1(T) and the type strains of Herbaspirillum canariense, Herbaspirillum aurantiacum and Herbaspirillum soli. The different geographical origin of strain PB1(T) from its closest phylogenetic relatives resulted in different phenotypic and genotypic specifications, whereby strain PB(T) represents a novel species of the genus Herbaspirillum, for which the name Herbaspirillum psychrotolerans is proposed. The type strain is PB1(T) (DSM 26001(T) =LMG 27282(T)).

A taxonomic study was carried out on a novel aerobic bacterial strain, designated CC-CY503(T), isolated from food-waste compost in Taiwan. Cells were Gram-stain-negative short rods, motile by means of a monopolar flagellum. Strain CC-CY503(T) was able to grow at 20-50 °C and pH 6.0-10.0 and to tolerate <6% NaCl (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that this bacterium belonged to the genus Pseudomonas, with Pseudomonas pertucinogena ATCC 190(T) as the closest neighbour, sharing a sequence similarity of 97.9%. The DNA-DNA relatedness value of strain CC-CY503(T) with P. pertucinogena ATCC 190(T) was 37.8 ± 2.3%. The phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on gyrB and rpoB gene sequences supported the classification of strain CC-CY503(T) as a novel member of the genus Pseudomonas. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-9) and the DNA G+C content was 63.1 ± 0.4 mol%. The major fatty acids were C(12:0), C(16:0), C(17:0) cyclo, C(19:0) cyclo ω8c and summed features 3 and 8 consisting of C(16:1)ω7c/C(16:1)ω6c and C(18:1)ω7c/C(18:1)ω6c, respectively. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. On the basis of its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-CY503(T) ( =BCRC 80437(T) =JCM 18415(T)) is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas formosensis sp. nov. is proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium (strain 107-E2(T)) was isolated from freshwater samples containing microbial mats collected at a lake in Skarvsnes, Antarctica (temporary lake name, Lake Tanago Ike). Strain 107-E2(T) grew between 5 and 25 °C, with an optimum of 23 °C. Moreover, colony formation was observed on agar media even at -5 °C. The pH range for growth was between 6.0 and 9.0, with an optimum of pH 7.0-8.0. The range of NaCl concentration for growth was between 0.0 and 0.5% (w/v), with an optimum of 0.0%. No growth was observed in media containing organic compounds at high concentrations, which indicated that strain 107-E2(T) was an oligotroph. In the late stationary phase, strain 107-E2(T) produced a dark brown water-soluble pigment. Esterase, amylase and protease production was observed. Antimicrobial-lytic activities for Gram-negative bacteria and yeast were observed. Ubiquinone-8 was the major respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C(17:1)ω9c and iso-C(15:1) at 5. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 66.1 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 107-E2(T) belonged to the genus Lysobacter, and low DNA-DNA relatedness values with closely related species distinguished strain 107-E2(T) from recognized species of the genus Lysobacter. The phylogenetic situation and physiological characteristics indicated that strain 107-E2(T) should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Lysobacter, for which the name Lysobacter oligotrophicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 107-E2(T) ( =JCM 18257(T) =ATCC BAA-2438(T)).

Pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic bacteria, strains 87e(T) and 99b(T), were isolated from the bryophytes Haplocladium microphyllum and Brachythecium plumosum, respectively. The cells of both strains were Gram-reaction-negative, motile, non-spore-forming rods. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strains 87e(T) and 99b(T) were found to be related to Methylobacterium organophilum ATCC 27886(T) (97.1% and 97.7%, respectively). Strains 87e(T) and 99b(T) showed highest 16S rRNA gene similarity to Methylobacterium gnaphalii 23e(T) (98.3 and 99.0%, respectively). The phylogenetic similarities to all other species of the genus Methylobacterium with validly published names were less than 97%. Major cellular fatty acids of both strains were C(18:1)ω7c and C(18:0). The results of DNA-DNA hybridization, phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and cpn60 gene sequences, fatty acid profiles, whole-cell matrix-assisted, laser-desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) analysis, and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strains 87e(T) and 99b(T) from their phylogenetically closest relatives. We propose that strains 87e(T) and 99b(T) represent novel species within the genus Methylobacterium, for which the names Methylobacterium haplocladii sp. nov. (type strain 87e(T) =DSM 24195(T) =NBRC 107714(T)) and Methylobacterium brachythecii sp. nov. (type strain 99b(T) =DSM 24105(T) =NBRC 107710(T)) are proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated KIS14-15(T), was isolated from forest soil of Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea in Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Strain KIS14-15(T) grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 6.0-7.0 and without NaCl. In the neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain KIS14-15(T) formed a cluster with the strains of Reyranella massiliensis with a bootstrap resampling value of 100%. Strain KIS14-15(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.0% to R. massiliensis 521(T) and of less than 89% to the type strains of other taxa. The mean level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain KIS14-15(T) and R. massiliensis KACC 16548(T) was 21% (reciprocal, 24%). The predominant ubiquinone found in strain KIS14-15(T) and R. massiliensis KACC 16548(T) was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The predominant fatty acids of strain KIS14-15(T) and R. massiliensis KACC 16548(T) were C(18:1)ω7c, C(18:1) 2-OH and 11-methyl C(18:1)ω7c. Total polar lipids of strain KIS14-15(T) were phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid and one unknown lipid. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain KIS14-15(T) is distinguishable from R. massiliensis. On the basis of the data presented, strain KIS14-15(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Reyranella, for which the name Reyranella soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KIS14-15(T) ( = KACC 13034(T) =NBRC 108950(T)).

A yellow-coloured bacterial strain, designated HB2(T), isolated from stratum water was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain was a member of the genus Luteimonas, its three closest neighbours being Luteimonas aquatica BCRC 17731(T) (97.5% similarity), Luteimonas marina JCM 12488(T) (97.3%) and Luteimonas aestuarii DSM 19680(T) (96.9%). Strain HB2(T) could clearly be distinguished from these type strains based on phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, fatty acid composition and a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics. It is evident from the genotypic and phenotypic data that strain HB2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Luteimonas, for which the name Luteimonas huabeiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HB2(T) ( =DSM 26429(T) =CICC 11005s(T)).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and coccoid, ovoid or rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated P-MA1-7(T), was isolated from a sea squirt (Halocynthia roretzi) collected from the South Sea, Korea. Strain P-MA1-7(T) grew optimally at 25 °C, at pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 2-3% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain P-MA1-7(T) fell within the cluster comprising the type strains of four species of the genus Litoreibacter, exhibiting 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 97.0-98.5% to these four type strains and less than 95.9% sequence similarity to the strains of the other species examined. Strain P-MA1-7(T) contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C(18:1)ω7c as the predominant fatty acid. The major polar lipids of strain P-MA1-7(T) were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain P-MA1-7(T) was 58.3 mol% and DNA-DNA relatedness values of strain P-MA1-7(T) with the type strains of the four species of the genus Litoreibacter were in the range of 8-21%. The differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain P-MA1-7(T) was separate from other species of the genus Litoreibacter. On the basis of these data, strain P-MA1-7(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Litoreibacter, for which the name Litoreibacter halocynthiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P-MA1-7(T) ( =KCTC 32213(T) =CCUG 63416(T)).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, heterotrophic bacterium, designated 306(T), was isolated from near-surface (109 cm below the sea floor) sediments of the Gulf of Lions, in the Mediterranean Sea. Strain 306(T) grew at temperatures between 4 and 32 °C (optimum 17-22 °C), from pH 6.5 to 9.0 (optimum 8.0-9.0) and between 0.5 and 6.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2.0%). Its DNA G+C content was 58.8 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the novel isolate belongs to the class Alphaproteobacteria and is related to the genus Phaeobacter. It shares 98.7% 16S rRNA sequence identity with Phaeobacter arcticus, its closest phylogenetic relative. It contained Q-10 as the only respiratory quinone, C(18:1)ω7c and C(16:0) as major fatty acids (>5%) and phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified lipids and an aminolipid as polar lipids. The chemotaxonomic data are consistent with the affiliation of strain 306(T) to the genus Phaeobacter. Results of physiological experiments, biochemical tests and DNA-DNA hybridizations (with P. arcticus) indicate that strain 306(T) is genetically and phenotypically distinct from the five species of the genus Phaeobacter with validly published names. Strain 306(T) therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Phaeobacter leonis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 306(T) ( =DSM 25627(T) =CIP 110369(T) =UBOCC 3187(T)).

Two novel violet-pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile bacteria, designated strains M4-16(T) and M4-9, were isolated from sediment from an Arctic glacier. The predominant fatty acids of both strains were C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3), C16 : 0, C14 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8) and both strains contained ubiquinone-8 as the respiratory quinone. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified aminolipid. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strains M4-16(T) and M4-9 were members of the genus Iodobacter and closely related to Iodobacter fluviatilis ATCC 33051(T) with pairwise sequence similarity of 98.9 %. The DNA-DNA relatedness between strains M4-9 and M4-16(T) was 92.5 %, while strains M4-9 and M4-16(T) had DNA-DNA relatedness values of 21.5 and 18.2 %, respectively, with Iodobacter fluviatilis JCM 9044(T). The RAPD-PCR banding patterns of strains M4-9 and M4-16(T) were similar but differed from that of Iodobacter fluviatilis JCM 9044(T). Based on data from the current polyphasic study, strains M4-16(T) and M4-9 represent a novel species of the genus Iodobacter, for which the name Iodobacter arcticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Iodobacter arcticus is M4-16(T) ( = CIP 1103011(T) = MTCC 11351(T)).

The taxonomic status of two aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, orange-reddish pigmented, motile, rod-shaped bacteria, designated KMM 9415(T) and KMM 9416, isolated from a deep surface-sediment sample from the Sea of Japan, was defined. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strains KMM 9415(T) and KMM 9416 revealed their affiliation to the genus Devosia with a high sequence similarity of 98.5 % to both Devosia psychrophila DSM 22950(T) and Devosia glacialis LMG 26051(T). The novel strains were characterized by the predominance of the fatty acid C18 : 1ω7c followed by C16 : 1 and C16 : 0. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10 and the polar lipids comprised phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid and unknown glycolipids. The DNA-DNA hybridization value of 88 % between the novel strains KMM 9415(T) and KMM 9416 confirmed their assignment to the same species. The values of DNA relatedness determined for strain KMM 9415(T) and the closely related strains D. psychrophila DSM 22950(T) and D. glacialis LMG 26051(T) were 21 % and 23 %, respectively. Based on distinctive phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA-DNA relatedness, it can be concluded that the novel strains KMM 9415(T) and KMM 9416 represent a novel species within the genus Devosia, for which the name Devosia submarina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is the strain KMM 9415(T) (= NRIC 0884(T) = JCM 18935(T)).

A Gram-staining-negative, non-spore-forming endophytic bacterium, designated strain YC6887(T), was isolated from a root sample of a halophyte, Rosa rugosa, collected from a tidal flat area of Namhae Island, located at the southern end of Korea. Strain YC6887(T) was found to exhibit inhibitory activity against oomycete plant pathogens. The cells were non-motile and aerobic rods. The strain was able to grow at 4-40 °C (optimum 28-30 °C) and at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0-8.5). Strain YC6887(T) was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0-9 % (w/v) with optimum growth at 4-5 % (w/v) NaCl, but NaCl is not essential for growth. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain was a member of the genus Martelella, a member of order Rhizobiales, exhibiting highest similarity with Martelella mediterranea (98.6 %). The DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YC6887(T) and M. mediterranea MACL11(T) was 19.8 ± 6.8. Chemotaxonomically, strain YC6887(T) contained C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (28.0 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (17.9 %) as predominant fatty acids, confirming the affiliation of strain YC6887(T) with the genus Martelella. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the DNA G+C content was 62.1 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, physiological and biochemical characterization and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain YC6887(T) should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Martelella, for which the name Martelella endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6887(T) ( = KCCM 43011(T) = NBRC 109149(T)).

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain DLFJ1-1(T), which was isolated from an oil-degrading bacterial consortium, enriched by the surface seawater from around the Dalian Peninsula. The isolate was Gram-reaction-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, short-rod-shaped and non-motile. Growth was observed at salinities from 0.5 to 15 % and at temperatures from 4 to 37 °C; the strain was unable to degrade gelatin or to reduce nitrate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain DLFJ1-1(T) belonged to the genus Thioclava, with the highest sequence similarity (96.4 %) to Thioclava pacifica TL 2(T), while the similarities to other species examined were all below 95.0 %. The principal fatty acids were C19 : 0ω8c cyclo and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c). The major quinone of strain DLFJ1-1(T) was Q10. The major polar lipids of strain DLFJ1-1(T) were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 62.5 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain DLFJ1-1(T) represents a novel species of the genus Thioclava, for which the name Thioclava dalianensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain DLFJ1-1(T) ( = CGMCC 1.12325(T) = LMG 27290(T) = MCCC 1A03957(T)). An emended description of the genus Thioclava is also proposed.

A reddish-orange-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, facultatively methylotrophic strain, N4211(T), isolated from arid soil, collected from Abuja, Nigeria, was analysed by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, showed that strain N4211(T) belonged to the genus Methylobacterium. Strain N4211(T) was most closely related to Methylobacterium aquaticum GR16(T) (98.56 %), Methylobacterium platani PMB02(T) (97.95 %) and Methylobacterium variabile GR3(T) (97.2 %), and the phylogenetic similarities to all other species of the genus Methylobacterium with validly published names were less than 97.0 %. The major ubiquinones detected were Q-10. The major fatty acids were summed feature 7 (C18 : 1 cis11/t9/t6). The DNA G+C content was 67.3 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness of strain N4211(T) and the most closely related strains M. aquaticum DSM 16371(T) and M. platani KCTC 12901(T) were 60.0 and 48.2 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and DNA-DNA hybridization data, strain N4211(T) is assigned to a novel species of the genus Methylobacterium for which the name Methylobacterium tarhaniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N4211(T)( = KCTC 23615(T) = DSM 25844(T)).

A novel Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated BS14(T), was isolated from a marine tidal flat of the South Sea in Korea. Colonies were opaque, white, smooth and circular on marine agar. Cells were moderately halophilic, non-motile rods showing catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain BS14(T) was observed at 5-40 °C (optimum: 30 °C), pH 6.5-9.5 (optimum: 7.0-7.5) and 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum: 1-1.5 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.6 mol%. Strain BS14(T) contained ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the sole respiratory quinone and summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C18 : 0 3-OH, C10 : 0 3-OH and C18 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipid pattern comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified polar lipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain BS14(T) formed a tight phylogenetic lineage with Defluviimonas denitrificans D9-3(T) with a bootstrap value of 100 %. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain BS14(T) and D. denitrificans D9-3(T) was 97.4 % and their DNA-DNA relatedness was 19.1 ± 3.6 %. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic studies, strain BS14(T) represents a novel species of the genus Defluviimonas, for which the name Defluviimonas aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BS14(T) (= KACC 16442(T) = JCM 18630(T)). An emended description of the genus Defluviimonas Foesel et al. 2011 is also proposed.

A reddish-brown bacterium, designated strain JA318(T), was purified from a photoheterotrophic enrichment culture obtained from the rhizosphere soil of paddy. Cells of strain JA318(T) are spiral shaped, Gram-stain-negative and motile by means of amphitrichous flagella. Strain JA318(T) has no NaCl requirement for growth but can tolerate up to 1.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Internal photosynthetic membranes are present as lamellar stacks. Photoorganoheterotrophy is the only growth mode observed. Strain JA318(T) contains bacteriochlorophyll a, lycopene and rhodopin as major carotenoids. Thiamine, niacin and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) are required as growth factors. Major fatty acids are C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. Ubiquinone-8 and rhodoquinone-8 are the observed quinones. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid are the major polar lipids in strain JA318(T). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain JA318(T) clustered with species of the genus Rhodospirillum which belongs to the class Alphaproteobacteria. The highest sequence similarity of strain JA318(T) was found with Rhodospirillum sulfurexigens JA143(T) (99.9 %). The DNA-DNA reassociation values of strain JA318(T) with Rsp. sulfurexigens JA143(T) and Rhodospirillum photometricum DSM 122(T) were 52 ± 2 % and 45 ± 1 %, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JA318(T) was 60.2 mol%. Based on the morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomical and molecular evidence, strain JA318(T) is significantly different from the type strains of species of the genus Rhodospirillum, of the family Rhodospirillaceae, and it is proposed that the strain be classified as a representative of a novel species for which the name Rhodospirillum oryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JA318(T) (= KCTC 5960(T) = NBRC 107573(T)).

A Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, motile, spiral, straight-to-slightly curved rod-shaped and nitrogen-fixing strain, designated SgZ-5(T), was isolated from a microbial fuel cell (MFC) and was characterized by means of a polyphasic approach. Growth occurred with 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1 %) and at pH 5.5-8.5 (optimum pH 7.2) and at 25-37 °C (optimum 30 °C) in nutrient broth (NB). The strain had the ability to grow under anaerobic conditions via the oxidation of various organic compounds coupled to the reduction of anthraquione-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS). Chemotaxonomic characteristics (main ubiquinone Q-10, major fatty acid C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c and DNA G+C content 67.7 mol%) were similar to those of members of the genus Azospirillum. According to the results of phylogenetic analyses, strain SgZ-5(T) belonged to the genus Azospirillum within the family Rhodospirillaceae of the class Alphaproteobacteria, and was related most closely to the type strains of Azospirillum lipoferum, Azospirillum thiophilum and Azospirillum oryzae (98.0, 97.6 and 97.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). DNA-DNA pairing studies showed that the unidentified organism displayed reassociation values of 36.7 ± 3.7, 24.1 ± 2.2 and 22.3 ± 2.4 % to the type strains of A. lipoferum, A. thiophilum and A. oryzae, respectively. Similarities between nifH gene sequences of strain SgZ-5(T) and members of the genus Azospirillum ranged from 94.0 to 97.0 %. A combination of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genotypic data clearly indicated that strain SgZ-5(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Azospirillum humicireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SgZ-5(T) ( = CCTCC AB 2012021(T) = KACC 16605(T)).

A novel Gram-negative, non-motile, facultative anaerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain LEN33(T), was isolated from the intestinal tract of a butterfly (Mycalesis gotama). Strain LEN33(T) grew optimally at 37 °C in the presence of 1 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 9. The novel strain was oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. The major cellular fatty acids were C14 : 0, C16 : 0 and cyclo-C17 : 0. Strain LEN33(T) contained two unidentified lipids, three unidentified amino-phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain LEN33(T) was most closely related to Gibbsiella quercinecans FRB 97(T) and Gibbsiella dentisursi NUM 1720(T), with 98.7 % similarities. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments indicated less than 40.7 ± 2 % relatedness to the closest phylogenetic species, G. quercinecans FRB 97(T). The G+C content of genomic DNA was 58.7 mol%. Phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic analysis indicated that strain LEN33(T) represents a novel species within the genus Gibbsiella, for which the name Gibbsiella papilionis is proposed. The type strain is referred to as LEN33(T) ( = KACC 16707(T) = JCM 18389(T)). An emended description of the genus Gibbsiella is also proposed.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium with a single polar flagellum, designated CC-OPY-1(T), was isolated from an oil-contaminated site in Taiwan. CC-OPY-1(T) produces siderophores, and can grow at temperatures of 25-37 °C and pH 5.0-9.0 and tolerate <5 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of CC-OPY-1(T) showed high pairwise sequence similarity to Pseudomonas alcaligenes BCRC 11893(T) (97.1 %), Pseudomonas. alcaliphila DSM 17744(T) (97.1 %), Pseudomonas tuomuerensis JCM 14085(T) (97.1 %), Pseudomonas toyotomiensis JCM 15604(T) (96.9 %) and lower sequence similarity to remaining species of the genus Pseudomonas. The phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on gyrB and rpoB gene sequences supported the classification of CC-OPY-1(T) as a novel member of the genus Pseudomonas. The predominant quinone system of strain CC-OPY-1T was ubiquinone (Q-9) and the DNA G+C content was 68.4 ± 0.3 mol%. The major fatty acids were C12 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo and summed features 3 and 8 consisting of C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, respectively. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and two unknown phospholipids (PL1-2). Due to distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, CC-OPY-1(T) is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas for which the name Pseudomonas sagittaria sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-OPY-1(T) ( = BCRC 80399(T) = JCM 18195(T)).

A rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non-motile, aerobic and non-endospore forming bacterium, designated strain DD-13(T), was isolated from the mangrove ecosystem of Goa, India. Strain DD-13(T) degraded polysaccharides such as agar, alginate, chitin, cellulose, laminarin, pectin, pullulan, starch, carrageenan, xylan and β-glucan. The optimum pH and temperature for growth was 7 and 36 °C, respectively. The strain grew optimally in the presence of 3 % NaCl (w/v). The DNA G+C content was 61.4 mol%. The predominant fatty acid of strain DD-13(T) was iso-C15 : 0. Ubiquinone-8 was detected as the major respiratory lipoquinone. Phylogenetic studies based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that strain DD-13(T) formed a coherent cluster with species of the genus Microbulbifer. Strain DD-13(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity levels of 98.9-97.1 % with Microbulbifer hydrolyticus IRE-31(T), Microbulbifer salipaludis JCM 11542(T), Microbulbifer agarilyticus JAMB A3(T), Microbulbifer celer KCTC 12973(T) and Microbulbifer elongatus DSM 6810(T). However, the level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain DD-13(T) and the five type strains of these species of the genus Microbulbifer were in the range of 26-33 %. Additionally, strain DD-13(T) demonstrates several phenotypic differences from these type strains of species of the genus Microbulbifer. Thus strain DD-13(T) represents a novel species of the genus Microbulbifer, for which the name Microbulbifer mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain DD-13(T) ( = KCTC 23483(T) = JCM 17729(T)).

A Gram-negative, non-motile, pale-yellow, rod-shaped bacterial strain, PL-41(T), was isolated from Populus euphratica forest soil at the ancient Khiyik River valley in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. Strain PL-41(T) grew optimally at 30 °C and pH 7.0-8.0. The major quinone was Q-10. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain PL-41(T) were summed feature 8 (comprising C18 : 1ω7c and C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. Polar lipids of strain PL-41(T) include two unidentified aminophospholipids (APL1, 2), two unidentified phospholipids (PL1, 2), phosphatidylcholine and three unidentified lipids (L1-3). Strain PL-41(T) showed 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.0-97.5 % to the type strains of recognized species of the genus Rhizobium. Phylogenetic analysis of strain PL-41(T) based on the sequences of housekeeping genes recA and atpD confirmed (similarities are less than 90 %) its position as a distinct species of the genus Rhizobium. The DNA G+C content was 57.8 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain PL-41(T) and the type strains of Rhizobium huautlense S02(T), Rhizobium alkalisoli CCBAU 01393(T), Rhizobium vignae CCBAU 05176(T) and Rhizobium loessense CCBAU 7190B(T) were 33.4, 22.6, 25.5 and 45.1 %, respectively, indicating that strain PL-41(T) was distinct from them genetically. Strain PL-41(T) also can be differentiated from these four phylogenetically related species of the genus Rhizobium by various phenotypic properties. On the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogenetic distinctiveness and genetic data, strain PL-41(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium tarimense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PL-41(T) ( = CCTCC AB 2011011(T) = NRRL B-59556(T)).

A cream-coloured, Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile moderately thermophilic, rod-to-irregular-shaped bacterium, CC-GIMAT-2(T), was isolated from a coastal hot spring of Green Island (Lutao), located off Taituang, Taiwan, on marine agar 2216. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and subsequent comparisons showed that it was placed into the genus Ruegeria with 97.4 % similarity to Ruegeria lacuscaerulensis ITI-1157(T), and a lower sequence similarity to all other species of the genus Ruegeria. Reconstruction of phylogenetic trees indicated that strain CC-GIMAT-2(T) clustered within the genus Ruegeria. Robust tree topology for the genus Ruegeria including the new strain was only obtained by including all Rhodobacteraceae type strains but not if the analysis was limited to few selected taxa. The quinone system contained exclusively ubiquinone Q-10 and the fatty acid profile consisted mainly of C18 : 1ω7c, 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c and C12 : 0 3-OH. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminolipid. Other lipids were detected in moderate to minor amounts. The characteristic feature of the polyamine pattern was the predominant triamine spermidine. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and of the chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain CC-GIMAT-2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Ruegeria, for which the name Ruegeria intermedia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-GIMAT-2(T) ( = CCUG 59209(T) = LMG 25539(T) = CCM 7758(T)).

A Gram-negative, aerobic, cream-pigmented, non-motile, non-spore-forming straight rod, strain MOLA115(T), was isolated from a coastal water sample from the Mediterranean Sea. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain MOLA115(T) was shown to belong to the Gammaproteobacteria, adjacent to members of the genera Marinicella, Arenicella and Kangiella, sharing less than 89 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with strains of all recognized species within the Gammaproteobacteria. The only isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-8. Polar lipids in strain MOLA115(T) included phosphatidylethanolamine, an aminolipid, phosphatidylglycerol and an aminophospholipid. Fatty acid analysis revealed iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c to be the dominant components. The DNA G+C content was 44.5 mol%. Based upon the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, we propose that strain MOLA115(T) should be considered to represent a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Pleionea mediterranea gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Pleionea mediterranea is MOLA115(T) ( = CIP 110343(T) = DSM 25350(T)).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, strain SC13E-S71(T), was isolated from tuff, volcanic rock, where the Roman catacombs of Saint Callixtus in Rome, Italy, was excavated. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SC13E-S71(T) belongs to the genus Sphingopyxis, and that it shows the greatest sequence similarity with Sphingopyxis chilensis DSM 14889(T) (98.72 %), Sphingopyxis taejonensis DSM 15583(T) (98.65 %), Sphingopyxis ginsengisoli LMG 23390(T) (98.16 %), Sphingopyxis panaciterrae KCTC 12580(T) (98.09 %), Sphingopyxis alaskensis DSM 13593(T) (98.09 %), Sphingopyxis witflariensis DSM 14551(T) (98.09 %), Sphingopyxis bauzanensis DSM 22271(T) (98.02 %), Sphingopyxis granuli KCTC 12209(T) (97.73 %), Sphingopyxis macrogoltabida KACC 10927(T) (97.49 %), Sphingopyxis ummariensis DSM 24316(T) (97.37 %) and Sphingopyxis panaciterrulae KCTC 22112(T) (97.09 %). The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C14 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-10. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid. These chemotaxonomic data are common to members of the genus Sphingopyxis. However, a polyphasic approach using physiological tests, DNA base ratios, DNA-DNA hybridization and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that the isolate SC13E-S71(T) belongs to a novel species within the genus Sphingopyxis, for which the name Sphingopyxis italica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SC13E-S71(T) ( = DSM 25229(T) = CECT 8016(T)).

Two novel siderophore-producing strains designated CC-CFT023(T) and CC-CFT034(T), isolated from a rusty iron plate, are characterized in this study. Cells of both strains were catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strain CC-CFT023(T) showed a high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Aureimonas altamirensis LMG 23375(T) (96.0 %), whereas, strain CC-CFT034(T) shared a maximum similarity to Aureimonas ureilytica DSM 18598(T) (95.8 %). The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10) and the DNA G+C contents of CC-CFT023(T) and CC-CFT034(T) were 69.5 mol% and 67.7 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acids of these strains were C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C18 : 1 2-OH and summed features 3 and 8, consisting of C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, respectively. Polar lipid profiles of both of these isolates include diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and most importantly sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), which is one of the typical molecular features reported to delineate the members of the genus Aureimonas from their closest relatives, species of the genus Aurantimonas. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strains CC-CFT023(T) and CC-CFT034(T) represent two novel species within the genus Aureimonas, for which the names Aureimonas ferruginea sp. nov. (type strain CC-CFT023(T) = BCRC 80439(T) = JCM 18444(T)) and Aureimonas rubiginis sp. nov. (type strain CC-CFT034(T) = BCRC 80440(T) = JCM 18445(T)) are proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, curved, rod-shaped bacterium, H-E3-2(T), was isolated from a water sample taken from Daechung Reservoir, Republic of Korea, during the late-blooming period of cyanobacteria. Strain H-E3-2(T) was motile with a single polar flagellum or non-motile (stalked cell). Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed the isolate had a clear affiliation with the class Alphaproteobacteria and was most closely related to Caulobacter fusiformis ATCC 15257(T) and Caulobacter mirabilis LMG 24261(T), showing 97.6 and 97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively, and 95.3-96.3 % similarity to all other species of the genus Caulobacter. The predominant ubiquinone was Q-10. The major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c) and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain H-E3-2(T) was 64.7 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain H-E3-2(T) with C. fusiformis ATCC 15257(T) and C. mirabilis LMG 24261(T) were 21.2 and 19.7 %, respectively. Thus, based on the results of polyphasic analysis, it is proposed that strain H-E3-2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Caulobacter, for which the name Caulobacter daechungensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H-E3-2(T) ( = KCTC 32211(T) = JCM 18689(T)).

A novel Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped strain, H1(T), was isolated from activated sludge by micromanipulation. No close relatives among cultured bacterial isolates were found; phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain H1(T) forms a deep single branch in the family Rhodospirillaceae. Cells of strain H1(T) were slightly curved to straight rods (1.2-1.4 × 1.5-1.7 µm) and motile by a single polar flagellum. Strain H1(T) was able to grow in the presence of 0-4 % NaCl and grew optimally at 37 °C and pH 6.0-7.0. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that strain H1(T) possessed Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone and C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content of strain H1(T) was 65.1 mol%. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, and phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, indicate that strain H1(T) should represent a novel genus and species of the family Rhodospirillaceae. The name Taonella mepensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Taonella mepensis is H1(T) ( = CICC 10529(T) = CCTCC AB 2012861(T) = KACC 16940(T)).

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative rod, designated FNE08-86(T), was isolated from subsurface water of the humic-matter-rich and almost-neutral north-east basin of the experimentally divided bog lake Grosse Fuchskuhle (Brandenburg, Germany). Analysis of the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Novosphingobium rosa IAM 14222(T) (96.3 %). Sequence similarities with all other members of the genus Novosphingobium species were <96 %, but phylogenetic tree construction clearly showed the placement of strain FNE08-86(T) within the genus Novosphingobium. The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0, and only a single 2-hydroxy fatty acid, C14 : 0 2-OH, was detected. The polar lipid profile revealed phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine as major compounds, with smaller amounts of sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and several unidentified lipids. In the quinone system ubiquinone Q-10 was predominant and in the polyamine pattern spermidine was predominant. Characterization by genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analysis indicated that strain FNE08-86(T) represents a novel species of the genus Novosphingobium, for which we propose the name Novosphingobium aquaticum sp. nov. (type strain FNE08-86(T) = DSM 25088(T) = CCM 7983(T)).

Two Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria, designated strains SW104(T) and X07, were isolated from a seawater sample collected from the Indian Ocean. The strains grew at a temperature range of 12-50 °C (optimum, 35-37 °C), and at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5). The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain SW104(T) were iso-C15 : 0 (41.2 %), iso-C17 : 1ω9c (15.2 %) and iso-C17 : 0 (11.1 %). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains SW104(T) and X07 were 49.8 and 49.5 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the new isolates were related to members of the genus Idiomarina, showing the highest similarity with Idiomarina taiwanensis PIT1(T) and Idiomarina maritima 908087(T) (96.1 and 95.9 %, respectively). On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, it is proposed that strains SW104(T) and X07 should be described as representatives of a novel species of the genus Idiomarina, for which the name Idiomarina indica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SW104(T) ( = CGMCC 1.10824(T) = JCM 18138(T)).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped and light-yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated DS15(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from a hexachlorocyclohexane dumpsite in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Strain DS15(T) showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingopyxis panaciterrulae DCY34(T) (98.7%) and Sphingopyxis soli BL03(T) (98.0%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain DS15(T) and species of genus Sphingopyxis with validly published names ranged from 92.5% to 98.7%. The DNA G+C content of strain DS15(T) was 67.5 mol%. The chemotaxonomic markers in strain DS15(T) were consistent with its classification in the genus Sphingopyxis, i.e. Q-10 as the major ubiquinone and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω9c), C17:1ω6c, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c), C14:0 2-OH, C15:0 2-OH, C16:0 and C17:1ω8c as the predominant fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain DS15(T) were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and sphingoglycolipids (SGL) and spermidine was detected as the major polyamine. Phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analysis support the conclusion that strain DS15(T) represents a novel species within the genus Sphingopyxis, for which the name Sphingopyxis indica is proposed. The type strain is DS15(T) (=MTCC 9455(T)=CCM 7542(T)=MCC 2023(T)).