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A novel protease-producing actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-ZS1T, was isolated from the root of Perilla frutescens (Linn.) Britt collected from Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, PR China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that strain NEAU-ZS1T belonged to the genus Sphaerisporangium and was most closely related to ‘ Sphaerisporangium corydalis ’ NEAU-YHS15T (99.2%) and Sphaerisporangium cinnabarinum JCM 3291T (99.0%). Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that strain NEAU-ZS1T formed a monophyletic clade with ‘ S. corydalis ’ NEAU-YHS15T. The genome size was 9.3 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 70.3 mol%. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization, average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values between the genome sequence of strain NEAU-ZS1T and those of ‘ S. corydalis ’ NEAU-YHS15T (28.6, 83.9 and 79.1 %) and S. cinnabarinum JCM 3291T (18.5, 70.6 and 50.2 %) were below the recommended thresholds for species delineation. The strain formed spherical spore vesicles produced on the aerial hyphae. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell sugars were glucose and madurose. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H2). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω5c, 10-methy C17 : 0 and C17 : 1 ω7c. On the basis of the results of a polyphasic taxonomic study, it is concluded that strain NEAU-ZS1T represents a novel species of the genus Sphaerisporangium , for which the name Sphaerisporangium perillae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-ZS1T (=CCTCC AA 2021019T= JCM 35655T).

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-365T, was isolated from the root of Quercus variabilis collected from Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that strain NEAU-365T belonged to the genus Mumia but clearly differs from the currently recognized species Mumia zhuanghuii Z350T (99.31 %), Mumia xiangluensis NEAU-KD1T (98.82 %) and Mumia flava MUSC 201T (97.78 %). Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that strain NEAU-365T clustered with the type strains of the genus Mumia . The genome size was 4.1 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 71.2 mol%. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the genome sequence of strain NEAU-365T and those of M. zhuanghuii Z350T(27.5 and 84.0 %), M. xiangluensis NEAU-KD1T(23.4 and 80.9 %) and M. flava MUSC 201T(20.9 and 77.7 %) were below the recommended thresholds for species delineation. Cells were observed to be irregular cocci shaped. The cell wall contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell sugars were galactose and rhamnose. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipid and three unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinone was detected as MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C18 : 1 ω9c and 10-methyl C18 : 0. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic differences from members of the genus Mumia , a novel species, Mumia quercus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-365T (=CCTCC AA 2021033T=JCM 35005T).

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain p1410T, was isolated from the root of cattail pollen (Typha angustifolia L.) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The strain had morphological characteristics and chemotaxonomic properties identical to those of members of the genus Nonomuraea . It produced spiral chains of spores on aerial mycelium as well as forming a pseudosporangium. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, glucose, ribose and madurose. The menaquinones detected were MK-9(H2), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H0). The major fatty acids were 10-methyl C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unknown glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of the draft genome sequence, consisting of 11.4 Mbp, was 70.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain p1410T belongs to the genus Nonomuraea with the highest sequence similarity to Nonomuraea candida HMC10T (98.6 %), but phylogenetically clustered with Nonomuraea endophytica YIM 65601T (98.4 %) and Nonomuraea longicatena NRRL 15532T (98.3 %). Based on its phenotypic characteristics, DNA–DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity, the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea , for which the name Nonomuraea typhae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is p1410T (=CCTCC AA 2019044T=JCM 33461T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain 1H-SSA4T, was isolated from the head of an ant (Camponotus japonicus Mayr) and was found to produce angucyclinone antibiotics. A polyphasic approach was used to determine the taxonomic status of strain 1H-SSA4T. The DNA G+C content of the draft genome sequence, consisting of 11.4 Mbp, was 70.0 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain 1H-SSA4T belongs to the genus Streptomyces with the highest sequence similarity to Streptomyces hygroscopicus subsp. ossamyceticus NBRC 13983T (98.9 %), and phylogenetically clustered with this species, Streptomyces torulosus LMG 20305T (98.8 %), Streptomyces ipomoeae NBRC 13050T (98.5 %) and Streptomyces decoyicus NRRL 2666T (98.4 %). The morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of the strain were also consistent with those members of the genus Streptomyces . A combination of DNA–DNA hybridization experiments and phenotypic tests were carried out between strain 1H-SSA4T and the above-mentioned strains, which further clarified their relatedness and demonstrated that strain 1H-SSA4T could be distinguished from these strains. Therefore, the strain is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces capitiformicae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1H-SSA4T (=CGMCC 4.7403T=DSM 104537T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain 1H-SSA8T, was isolated from the head of an ant (Camponotus japonicus Mayr) and was found to produce amphotericin. A polyphasic approach was employed to determine the status of strain 1H-SSA8T. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics were consistent with those of members of the genus Streptomyces . The menaquinones detected were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The phospholipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain 1H-SSA8T belongs to the genus Streptomyces with high sequence similarity to Streptomyces ramulosus NRRL B-2714T (99.2 %). Two tree-making algorithms based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a phyletic line with Streptomyces himastatinicus ATCC 53653T (98.7 %). The MLSA utilizing partial sequences of the housekeeping genes (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and trpB) also supported the position. However, evolutionary distances were higher than the 0.007 MLSA evolutionary distance threshold proposed for species-level relatedness. Moreover, the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness and phenotypic differences allowed the novel isolate to be differentiated from its most closely related strain S. ramulosus NRRL B-2714T and strain S. himastatinicus ATCC 53653T. It is concluded that the organism can be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces amphotericinicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1H-SSA8T (=CGMCC 4.7350T=DSM 103128T).

Two Gram-stain-positive, aerobic actinomycete strains, designated NEAU-PCY-3T and NEAU-PCY-4, were isolated from rhizosphere soil of Urtica urens L. collected from Anshan, Liaoning Province, northeast PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the two strains exhibited 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with each other and that they were most closely to Longispora fulva DSM 45356T (98.7, 98.9 %) and Longispora albida JCM 11711T (97.1, 97.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains were located in the same lineage and formed a cluster with the genus Longispora. Both strains were observed to contain MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H6) as the predominant menaquinones. The cell wall peptidoglycan was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid, d-glutamic acid, glycine and l-alanine. Whole-cell hydrolysates mainly contained galactose, ribose and xylose. The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, several glycolipids and several unknown lipids. The major cellular fatty acids for strain NEAU-PCY-3T were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 1ω5c. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains NEAU-PCY-3T and NEAU-PCY-4 was 83.6±0.4 %, and the values between the two strains and their closest phylogenetic relatives, belonging to the genus Longispora, were well below 70 %, supporting that they represented a distinct genomic species. An array of phenotypic characteristics also differentiated the strains from their closely related species, the only two validly published Longispora species. On the basis of the genetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic properties, strains NEAU-PCY-3T and NEAU-PCY-4 were classified as representatives of a novel species of the genus Longispora, for which the name Longispora urticae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-PCY-3T (=DSM 105119T=CCTCC AA 2017017T).

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-GS50T, was isolated from soil collected from Mount Song and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the organism should be assigned to the genus Promicromonospora and that it forms a monophyletic clade with its closest relatives Promicromonospora umidemergens JCM 17975T (98.94 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Promicromonospora alba 1C-HV12T (98.82 %) and Promicromonospora kermanensis DSM45485T (98.68 %). Similarly, chemotaxonomic data including major menaquinones, fatty acid compositions and polar lipid profiles, also supported the placement of strain NEAU-GS50T in the genus Promicromonospora . However, DNA–DNA relatedness, physiological and biochemical data showed that strain NEAU-GS50T could be distinguished from its closest relatives. Therefore, strain NEAU-GS50T represents a novel species of the genus Promicromonospora , for which the name Promicromonospora soli sp. nov. is proposed, with strain NEAU-GS50T (CGMCC4.7398T=DSM 104515T) as the type strain.

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-QY3T, was isolated from the leaves of Sonchus oleraceus L. and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The organism formed single spores with smooth surface on substrate mycelia. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain had a close association with the genus Verrucosispora and shared the highest sequence similarity with Verrucosispora qiuiae RtIII47T (99.17 %), an association that was supported by a bootstrap value of 94 % in the neighbour-joining tree and also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Xiangella phaseoli NEAU-J5T (98.78 %), Jishengella endophytica 202201T (98.51 %), Micromonospora eburnea LK2-10T (98.28 %), Verrucosispora lutea YIM 013T (98.23 %) and Salinispora pacifica CNR-114T (98.23 %). Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequences supported the conclusion that strain NEAU-QY3T should be assigned to the genus Verrucosispora . However, the DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness values between strain NEAU-QY3T and V. qiuiae RtIII47T and V. lutea YIM 013T were below 70 %. With reference to phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic data and DNA–DNA hybridization results, strain NEAU-QY3T was readily distinguished from its most closely related strains and classified as a new species, for which the name Verrucosispora sonchi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-QY3T (=CGMCC 4.7312T=DSM 101530T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-gxj3T, was isolated from soybean root [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] collected from Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain NEAU-gxj3T showed highest similarity to those of Micromonospora equina Y22T (98.2 %) and Plantactinospora endophytica YIM 68255T (98.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and gyrB gene demonstrated that the isolate clustered with the members of the genus Plantactinospora. The chemotaxonomic properties of strain NEAU-gxj3Twere also consistent with those of members of the genus Plantactinospora. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and whole-cell sugars were xylose, glucose and galactose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H6), MK-9(H8), MK-10(H2) and MK-10(H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C15 : 0. A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization result and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that strain NEAU-gxj3Tcould be differentiated clearly from its closest phylogenetic relatives. Therefore, the strain is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Plantactinospora, for which the name Plantactinospora soyae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-gxj3T (=CGMCC 4.7221T=DSM 46832T).

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-ND5T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of corn (Zea mays L.) collected in Heilongjiang Province, north-east China, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-ND5T was a member of the genus Nonomuraea, with highest sequence similarities to Nonomuraea jabiensis A4036T (98.29 %), Nonomuraea rosea GW12687T (98.25 %), Nonomuraea candida HMC10T (98.22 %), Nonomuraea rhizophila YIM 67092T (98.04 %) and Nonomuraea kuesteri NRRL B-24325T (98.04 %). Similarities to other type strains of the genus Nonomuraea were lower than 98 %. Morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of strain NEAU-ND5T were also consistent with the description of the genus Nonomuraea. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell sugars were glucose, ribose and madurose. The phospholipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H0). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16:0 and 10-methyl C17:0. A combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain NEAU-ND5T was clearly distinguished from its closely related Nonomuraea species. Consequently, it is concluded that strain NEAU-ND5T represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea zeae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-ND5T (=CGMCC 4.7280T=DSM 100528T).

Two novel actinobacteria, designated strains NEAU-Jh1-4T and NEAU-Wp2-0T, were isolated from muddy soil collected from a riverbank in Jiaohe and a dandelion root collected from Harbin, respectively. A polyphasic study was carried out to establish the taxonomic positions of these two strains. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains NEAU-Jh1-4T and NEAU-Wp2-0T indicated that strain NEAU-Jh1-4T clustered with Streptosporangium nanhuense NEAU-NH11T (99.32 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Streptosporangium purpuratum CY-15110T (98.30 %) and Streptosporangium yunnanense CY-11007T (97.95 %) and strain NEAU-Wp2-0T clustered with ‘ Streptosporangium sonchi ’ NEAU-QS7 (99.39 %), ‘ Streptosporangium kronopolitis ’ NEAU-ML10 (99.26 %), ‘ Streptosporangium shengliense ’ NEAU-GH7 (98.85 %) and Streptosporangium longisporum DSM 43180T (98.69 %). Moreover, morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of the two isolates also confirmed their affiliation to the genus Streptosporangium . However, the low level of DNA–DNA hybridization and some phenotypic characteristics allowed the isolates to be differentiated from the most closely related species. Therefore, it is proposed that strains NEAU-Jh1-4T and NEAU-Wp2-0T represent two novel species of the genus Streptosporangium , for which the name Streptosporangium jiaoheense sp. nov. and Streptosporangium taraxaci sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are NEAU-Jh1-4T (=CGMCC 4.7213T=JCM 30348T) and NEAU-Wp2-0T (=CGMCC 4.7217T=JCM 30349T), respectively.

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-G9T, was isolated from the root of Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) collected from Harbin, Heilongjiang province, north China, and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. Key morphological and chemotaxonomic properties confirmed the affiliation of strain NEAU-G9T to the genus Streptomyces. Strain NEAU-G9T contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H8), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H4). The phospholipid profile contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0.16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies showed that strain NEAU-G9T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and exhibits the highest sequence similarity to Streptomyces yanglinensis JCM 13275T (97.75 %). However, phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain NEAU-G9T is most closely related to Streptomyces misakiensis JCM 4062T (97.12 % sequence similarity). A combination of DNA–DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics indicated that strain NEAU-G9T can be clearly distinguished from S. yanglinensis JCM 13275T and S. misakiensis JCM 4062T. Consequently, strain NEAU-G9T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces polygonati sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-G9T ( = CGMCC 4.7237T = DSM 100521T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain 1C-HV12T, was isolated from the cuticle of Camponotus japonicas Mayr and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the organism should be assigned to the genus Promicromonospora and that it forms a monophyletic clade with the closest relatives Promicromonospora umidemergens JCM 17975T(99.17 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Promicromonospora vindobonensis V45T (98.88 %) and Promicromonospora iranensis HM 792T (98.85 %). Moreover, morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of strain 1C-HV12T also confirmed the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Promicromonospora. The peptidoglycan hydrolysates contained alanine, glutamic acid and lysine, and whole-cell sugars were galactose, glucose, rhamnose and ribose. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The major menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H2). The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 71.6 mol%. However, the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness and some phenotypic characteristics allowed the isolate to be differentiated from closely related species. Therefore, it is concluded that strain 1C-HV12T represents a novel species of the genus Promicromonospora, for which the name Promicromonospora alba sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1C-HV12T ( = CGMCC 4.7283T = DSM 100490T).

A novel strain of actinobacteria, designated strain NEAU-ZJC8T, was isolated from a saline–alkaline soil collected from Heilongjiang Province, north-east China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Strain NEAU-ZJC8T exhibited morphological, cultural and chemotaxonomic features consistent with its classification as representing a member of the genus Streptomyces. Growth occurred at 16–35 °C, pH 5.0–11.0 and in the presence of 0–11 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. Whole-cell hydrolysates mainly contained glucose, galactose and ribose. Predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H8). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and two unidentified phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 72.7 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA sequences showed that strain NEAU-ZJC8T formed a distinct clade within the genus Streptomyces and was closely related to Streptomyces haliclonae DSM 41970T (98.56 % similarity) and Streptomyces marinus NBRC 105047T (97.96 % similarity). A combination of DNA–DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain NEAU-ZJC8T could be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives. Therefore, strain NEAU-ZJC8T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces daqingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-ZJC8T ( = CGMCC 4.7178T = JCM 30057T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-GQTH1-3T, was isolated from muddy soil collected from a stream in Qitaihe, Heilongjiang Province, north-east China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the organism should be assigned to the genus Sphaerisporangium and forms a stable clade with its closest relative Sphaerisporangium rubeum JCM 13067T (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Moreover, morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of strain NEAU-GQTH1-3T also confirmed the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Sphaerisporangium. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell sugars were glucose, galactose, madurose, mannose and ribose. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphoglycolipid, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The major menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H2). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and 10-methyl C17 : 0. Mycolic acids were absent. The DNA G+C content was 70.4 mol%. However, the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness and some phenotypic characteristics allowed the isolate to be differentiated from its closest relative. Therefore, it is concluded that strain NEAU-GQTH1-3T represents a novel species of the genus Sphaerisporangium, for which the name Sphaerisporangium aureirubrum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-GQTH1-3T ( = CGMCC 4.7199T = JCM 30346T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-B-8T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a peace lily (Spathi phyllum Kochii) collected from Heilongjiang province, north-east China. Key morphological and physiological characteristics as well as chemotaxonomic features of strain NEAU-B-8T were congruent with the description of the genus Actinomycetospora , such as the major fatty acids, the whole-cell hydrolysates, the predominant menaquinone and the phospholipid profile. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain NEAU-B-8T shared the highest sequence similarities with Actinomycetospora lutea JCM 17982T (99.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Actinomycetospora chlora TT07I-57T (98.4 %), Actinomycetospora straminea IY07-55T (98.3 %) and Actinomycetospora chibensis TT04-21T (98.2 %); similarities to type strains of other species of this genus were lower than 98 %. The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NEAU-B-8T formed a distinct branch with A. lutea JCM 17982T that was supported by a high bootstrap value of 97 % in the neighbour-joining tree and was also recovered with the maximum-likelihood algorithm. However, the DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NEAU-B-8T and A. lutea JCM 17982T was found to be 50.6±1.2 %. Meanwhile, strain NEAU-B-8T differs from other most closely related strains in phenotypic properties, such as maximum NaCl tolerance, hydrolysis of aesculin and decomposition of urea. On the basis of the morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and DNA–DNA hybridization data, we conclude that strain NEAU-B-8T represents a novel species of the genus Actinomycetospora , named Actinomycetospora rhizophila sp. nov. The type strain is NEAU-B-8T. ( = CGMCC 4.7134T = DSM 46673T).

A novel endophytic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-LZS-5T, was isolated from the leaf of candelabra aloe (Aloe arborescens Mill) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain NEAU-LZS-5T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and exhibited 99.51 and 97.37 % similarity to Streptomyces sedi YIM 65188T and Streptomyces specialis GW41-1564T, respectively, whereas low similarity values (T from all other species of the genus Streptomyces with validly published names. Two tree-making algorithms also supported the position that strain NEAU-LZS-5T formed a distinct clade with Streptomyces sedi YIM 65188T and Streptomyces specialis GW41-1564T. However, levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain NEAU-LZS-5T and Streptomyces sedi YIM 65188T and Streptomyces specialis GW41-1564T were 45.59 and 31.90 %, respectively. A comparative study between strain NEAU-LZS-5T and the type strains of closest related species of the genus Streptomyces revealed that it differed from them in morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. Therefore, strain NEAU-LZS-5T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces zhaozhouensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-LZS-5T ( = CGMCC 4.7095T = DSM 42101T).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-dht8T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rehmannia (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. The organism was found to have morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the genus Nonomuraea . The G+C content of the DNA was 68.47 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain NEAU-dht8T was most closely related to Nonomuraea maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14T (99.31 %), Nonomuraea kuesteri GW 14-1925T (98.77 %), Nonomuraea coxensis JCM 13931T (98.71 %), Nonomuraea wenchangensis 210417T (98.44 %), Nonomuraea bangladeshensis 5-10-10T (98.36 %) and Nonomuraea salmonea DSM 43678T (98.0 %); similarities to other species of the genus Nonomuraea were lower than 98 %. Two tree-making algorithms based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a phyletic line with its closest neighbour N. maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14T. However, the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness allowed the novel isolate to be differentiated from N. maheshkhaliensis 16-5-14T. Strain NEAU-dht8T could also be differentiated from other species of the genus Nonomuraea showing high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98–98.77 %) by morphological and physiological characteristics. Thus, strain NEAU-dht8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea , for which the name Nonomuraea fuscirosea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-dht8T ( = CGMCC 4.7104T = DSM 45880T).

A Gram-positive, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU 119T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of a fig tree and was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed branching, non-fragmenting vegetative hyphae and produced black pigment on yeast extract/malt extract (ISP medium 2). The G+C content of the DNA was 76.6 mol%. The organism had chemotaxonomic characteristics typical of the genus Actinoalloteichus and was closely related to the type strains of Actinoalloteichus cyanogriseus, Actinoalloteichus spitiensis and Actinoalloteichus hymeniacidonis, currently the only three recognized species of the genus Actinoalloteichus, sharing 16S rRNA gene similarities of 96.4, 96.6 and 98.1 %, respectively. However, the results of DNA–DNA hybridization studies demonstrated that the novel strain showed only 46.8 % relatedness with the type strain of A. hymeniacidonis. In addition, a set of phenotypic characteristics also readily distinguished strain NEAU 119T from the type strains of recognized species of the genus Actinoalloteichus. According to the above data, it is proposed that strain NEAU 119T represents a novel species, Actinoalloteichus nanshanensis sp. nov. The type strain of Actinoalloteichus nanshanensis is NEAU 119T ( = CGMCC 4.5714T = NBRC 106685T).