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" Candidatus Nitrosocaldaceae" are globally distributed in neutral or slightly alkaline hot springs and geothermally heated soils. Despite their essential role in the nitrogen cycle in high-temperature ecosystems, they remain poorly understood because they have never been isolated in pure culture, and very few genomes are available. In the present study, a metagenomics approach was employed to obtain " Ca. Nitrosocaldaceae" metagenomic-assembled genomes (MAGs) from hot spring samples collected from India and China. Phylogenomic analysis placed these MAGs within " Ca. Nitrosocaldaceae." Average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity analysis suggested the new MAGs represent two novel species of " Candidatus Nitrosocaldus" and a novel genus, herein proposed as " Candidatus Nitrosothermus." Key genes responsible for chemolithotrophic ammonia oxidation and a thaumarchaeal 3HP/4HB cycle were detected in all MAGs. Furthermore, genes coding for urea degradation were only present in " Ca. Nitrosocaldus," while biosynthesis of the vitamins, biotin, cobalamin, and riboflavin were detected in almost all MAGs. Comparison of " Ca. Nitrosocaldales/Nitrosocaldaceae" with other AOA revealed 526 specific orthogroups. This included genes related to thermal adaptation (cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase), indicating their importance for life at high temperature. In addition, these MAGs acquired genes from members from archaea (Crenarchaeota) and bacteria (Firmicutes), mainly involved in metabolism and stress responses, which might play a role to allow this group to adapt to thermal habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica nanoparticles are generally mesoporous that are predominant in the sand and rocks. Silica nanoparticles have a wide range of applications in various fields such as medicine, waste management, effluent treatment and electronics. The present work has explored the synthesis of silica nanoparticles through acid and alkaline leaching method from Pedalium murex which is a common weed that is found in southern parts of Tamil Nadu. Silica nanoparticles (SiNps) and its functional groups were confirmed by EDX and FTIR analysis with their respective energy dispersion levels and wavenumbers. Size, shape and morphological features of SiNps were analysed by PSA, TEM and SAED analysis. Synthesised and characterized nanosilica was crosslinked over nylon-66 and cellulose nitrate membranes and were confirmed by FTIR analysis for their crosslinking with SiNps. Water retention activity of the crosslinked and non crosslinked membranes was analysed by contact angle measurement to ensure the receptability of the membranes to remove contaminants by the adsorption. The decolourisation efficiency of the crosslinked nylon 66 membrane was found as a potential source for the treatment with 65.5% colour reduction when compared with other membranes. A slight reduction of solid profiles and COD ranges were achieved for crosslinked membranes than non crosslinked membranes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All the authors report no any conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A Gram-positive, aerobic, nonmotile actinomycete strain designated DRQ-2(T) was isolated from the soil sample collected from lime-stone open pit mine from the Gulbarga region, Karnataka province, India. Strain DRQ-2(T) was identified as a member of the genus Nonomuraea by a polyphasic approach. Strain DRQ-2(T) could be differentiated from other members of the genus Nonomuraea on the basis of physiology and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of strain DRQ-2(T) showed highest sequence similarity to Nonomuraea muscovyensis DSM 45913(T) (99.1%), N. salmonea DSM 43678(T) (98.2%) and N. maheshkhaliensis JCM 13929(T) with 98.0%, respectively. Chemotaxonomic properties showing predominant menaquinones of MK-9 (H4), MK-9(H2) and MK-9(H6), major polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmono methyl ethanolamine (PME), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), hydroxy-PME (OH-PME), hydroxy PE (OH-PEE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipid and unknown phospholipid, fatty acids with major amounts of i-C16:0, ai-C15:0 and ai-C17:0 supported allocation of the strain to the genus Nonomuraea. Results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain DRQ-2(T) from closely related species. The genomic DNA G+C content of the organism was 72.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotypic and molecular characteristics, strain DRQ-2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name N. indica sp. nov. is proposed, with type strain DRQ-2(T) (=NCIM 5480(T)= CCTCC AA 209050(T)).

A Gram-stain-positive bacterium, designated strain NIO-1109(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample from Chorao Island, Goa, India. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and data from phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NIO-1109(T) was related to the genus Exiguobacterium . Strain NIO-1109(T) exhibited >98.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to Exiguobacterium indicum HHS 31(T) (99.5%) and Exiguobacterium acetylicum NCIMB 9889(T) (99.1%); the type strains of other species showed <98% similarity. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain NIO-1109(T) and E. acetylicum DSM 20416(T) and E. indicum LMG 23471(T) were less than 70% (33.0 ± 2.0 and 37 ± 3.2%, respectively). Strain NIO-1109(T) also differed from these two closely related species in a number of phenotypic traits. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain NIO-1109(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Exiguobacterium , for which the name Exiguobacterium enclense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NIO-1109(T) ( =NCIM 5457(T) =DSM 25128(T)  = CCTCC AB 2011124(T))., (© 2015 IUMS.)

Hundung Limestone habitat, Manipur, India is an unexplored site for microbial diversity studies. Using polyphasic taxonomy, a Streptomyces strain, MBRL 172(T), has been characterized. The strain was found to show highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Streptomyces coeruleofuscus NBRC 12757(T) (99.2 %). The DNA relatedness between MBRL 172(T) and S. coeruleofuscus NBRC 12757(T), and between MBRL 172(T) and Streptomyces nogalater NBRC 13445(T), were 36.8 ± 4.4 and 52.5 ± 2.7 %, respectively. Strain MBRL 172(T) was found to contain LL-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and glucose, mannose and xylose as the major sugars in whole cell hydrolysates. The polar lipids in the cell membrane were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositolmannoside. The predominant menaquinones detected were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The cellular fatty acids identified were mainly saturated fatty acids: anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and iso-C15:0. Based on differences in the biochemical and molecular characteristics from its closest relatives, the strain can be proposed to represent a novel taxon in the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces canchipurensis is proposed, with the type strain MBRL 172(T) (=JCM 17575(T) = KCTC 29105(T)).

An actinobacterial strain was isolated from a sediment sample from Chorao Island, in Goa province, India, and subjected to a taxonomic investigation. The isolate, designated NIO-1021(T), was a Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile and coccoid. Strain NIO-1021(T) was identified as a member of the genus Kocuria by a polyphasic approach. Strain NIO-1021(T) could be differentiated from other members of the genus Kocuria on the basis of physiology and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of strain NIO-1021(T) to the most closely related species, Kocuria marina KCTC 9943(T), was 98.6% with 19 nt differences). Furthermore, DNA-DNA hybridization analysis revealed that the novel strain had lower relatedness with the type strains of other members of the genus Kocuria. The strain formed a monophyletic clade with K. marina with 100% bootstrap values. The major phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified lipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7(H2). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The DNA G+C content of strain NIO-1021(T) was 60.5 mol%. Chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties of the strain were consistent with its classification as representing a member of the genus Kocuria. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotypic and molecular characteristics, strain NIO-1021(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Kocuria, for which the name Kocuria indica sp. nov. is proposed, with strain NIO-1021(T) ( = NCIM 5455(T) = DSM 25126(T) = CCTCC AB 2011129(T)) as the type strain.

Strain MBRL 34(T), isolated from a sample of limestone quarry located at Hundung, Manipur, India, was characterized by polyphasic taxonomy. The strain showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Micromonospora echinaurantica DSM 43904(T) (98.4 %), but formed a monophyletic clade with Micromonospora coerulea DSM 43143(T) (98.3 %) in the neighbour-joining tree. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments gave a DNA-DNA relatedness value of 53.1 % between MBRL 34(T) and M. coerulea DSM 43143(T). Strain MBRL 34(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose and glucose in the whole-cell hydrolysates along with small amounts of mannose, xylose, rhamnose and ribose. The major polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositolmannoside, along with an unknown lipid. MK-10(H6), MK-10(H2) MK-11(H4) and MK-10(H4) were the predominant menaquinones detected. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 73.5 %. Based on the taxonomic characteristics from a polyphasic study, strain MBRL 34(T) merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Micromonospora for which the name Micromonospora kangleipakensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is MBRL 34(T) ( = DSM 45612(T) = JCM 17696(T)).

A novel Gram-stain-positive bacterium, designated strain YIM M11385(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the South Bay, Little Andaman Island, India with a salinity of 35 p.p.m., pH 8.5. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM M11385(T) belongs to the genus Marininema, supported by a bootstrap value of 100 %. The taxonomic position of this organism was further established by using a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM M11385(T) grew optimally at 28 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain YIM M11385(T) and Marininema mesophilum SCSIO 10219(T) was 98.3 %. Strain YIM M11385(T) exhibited a quinone system with only MK-7, the polar lipid profile included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as major components, and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YIM M11385(T) and M. mesophilum SCSIO 10219(T) was 59.36 %. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic data, it is apparent that strain YIM M11385(T) represents a novel species of the genus Marininema, for which the name Marininema halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM M11385(T) ( = CCTCC AB 2012052(T) = DSM 45789(T)). In addition, we propose that the description of the genus Marininema should be further emended based on the results of the present study.

A strain of Streptomyces, MBRL 179(T), isolated from a sample from a Limestone quarry located at Hundung, Manipur, India, was characterized by polyphasic taxonomy. The strain formed a monophyletic clade with Streptomyces spinoverrucosus NBRC 14228(T) (16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.3 %) in the Neighbour-joining tree. DNA-DNA hybridization experiment gave a DNA-DNA relatedness value of 34.7 % between MBRL 179(T) and S. spinoverrucosus NBRC 14228(T). Strain MBRL 179(T) contained LL-diaminopimelic acid, xylose, glucose, and mannose in the whole cell-wall hydrolysates along with small amount of ribose. The major polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositolmannoside, with other unknown phospholipids and aminophospholipid. MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4) were the predominant menaquinones detected. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C16:0 (28.1 %), iso-C16:0 (20.3 %), C16:0 (9.4 %) and anteiso-C17:0 (8.3 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.1 %. Based on the polyphasic experiment results, the strain MBRL 179(T) merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces muensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is MBRL 179(T) (=JCM 17576(T) = KCTC 29124(T)).

Two actinomycete strains, designated YIM M11168(T) and YIM M11177, were isolated from marine sediment samples from Little Andaman, Indian Ocean, and their taxonomic position was determined by a polyphasic approach. The two Gram-positive, aerobic strains were observed to produce branched substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae but did not fragment, and no diffusible pigment was produced on the media tested. At maturity, spores were formed singly or in pairs on aerial hyphae and substrate mycelium, and occasionally the single ones were borne on long sporophores. The optimum growth was determined to occur at 28 °C, 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 7.0-8.0. Whole-cell hydrolysates of both strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the diagnostic sugars were determined to be galactose, glucose and arabinose. Their predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-9(H4). The polar lipids detected in the two strains were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown phosphoglycolipids. The major fatty acids (>10 %) identified were iso-C16:0, iso-C16:1 H, iso-C16:0, C17:1 ω6c for strain YIM M11168(T), iso-C16:0 and Summed Feature 3 for strain YIM M11177. The G + C contents of the genomic DNAs of both strains were determined to be 71.4 %. DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness values (78.4 ± 3.7 %) of these two isolates supported the conclusion that they belong to the same species. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic and genotypic data, it is concluded that the two isolates belong to a novel species of the genus Saccharomonospora of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. The name Saccharomonospora oceani sp. nov. (Type strain YIM M11168(T) = DSM 45700(T) = JCM 18128(T)) is proposed for the novel species.

A Gram-positive, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium strain NIO-1018(T) isolated from a mangrove sediment sample of the Chorao Island, Goa, India, was subjected to a detailed polyphasic taxonomic study. The strain designated as NIO-1018(T) matched with most of the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties of the genus Agromyces and represents a novel species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NIO-1018(T) fell within the cluster comprising species of the genus Agromyces, clustering with Agromyces soli (98.1 %), Agromyces flavus (97.9 %), Agromyces aurantiacus (97.7 %) and Agromyces ulmi (97.3 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-12, and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), iso-C(16:0), anteiso-C(17:0) and iso-C(15:0). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain NIO-1018(T) was 71.8 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain NIO-1018(T) represents a novel species of the genus Agromyces, for which the name Agromyces indicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NIO-1018 (=JCM 17573(T) = CCTCC AB2011122(T)).

A novel actinobacterium, designated MBRL 201(T), was isolated from a sample collected from a limestone quarry at Hundung, Manipur, India. The strain was characterized using polyphasic taxonomy. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MBRL 201(T) and other Streptomyces species showed sequence similarities ranging from 93.0 to 99.6 % and strain MBRL 201(T) showed closest similarities to Streptomyces virginiae NBRC 12827(T) (99.6 %) and Streptomyces cinnamonensis NBRC 15873(T) (99.6 %). The DNA relatedness between MBRL 201(T) and the type strains of S. virginiae NBRC 12827(T) and S. cinnamonensis NBRC 15873(T) were 44.5 and 35.6 % respectively. Strain MBRL 201(T) contained LL: -diaminopimelic acid (A(2)pm) as the diagnostic diamino acid, with glucose as the main sugar, while small amounts of galactose, glucose, mannose, rhamnose, ribose and xylose were also present in cell-wall hydrolysates. The major fatty acids identified were anteiso-C(15:0) (38.9 %), iso-C(15:0) (19.9 %) and anteiso-C(17:1) (14.7 %). The predominant menaquinones detected were MK-9(H(6)) and MK-9(H(8)), while the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositolmannosides, with other unknown phospholipids and lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.9 %. The phenotypic and genotypic data showed that strain MBRL 201(T) merits recognition as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces. It is proposed that the isolate should be classified in the genus Streptomyces as a novel species, Streptomyces manipurensis sp. nov. The type strain is MBRL 201(T) (=DSM 42029(T) = JCM 17351(T)).

In this study, the taxonomic position of an actinobacterium, strain YIM M 10931(T), which was isolated from a mangrove sediment sample collected in Dugong Creek, Little Andaman, India, was determined by a polyphasic approach. This gram-positive, aerobic strain produced branched substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae, which differentiated into short, hooked or spiral spore chains. The organism contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole cell sugars consisted of mannose, ribose, glucose, galactose and madurose. The cellular fatty acid profile mainly consisted of iso-C(16 : 0), 10-methyl C(18 : 0) and C(16 : 0). The quinone system was predominantly composed of MK-9(H(8)) (45.5 %) and MK-9(H(6)) (39 %). The phospholipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol and two unknown phospholipids. The organism showed a combination of morphological and chemotaxonomic properties typical of members of the genus Actinomadura. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis based on a 16S rRNA gene sequence generated from the strain identified its closest relatives as Actinomadura cremea DSM 43676(T) (98.4 % sequence similarity), Actinomadura rifamycini DSM 43936(T) (97.4 %) and Actinomadura apis IM17-1(T) (96.9 %). It was obvious from the resulting phylogenetic trees that strain YIM M 10931(T) belongs to a distinct subclade within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Actinomadura. DNA-DNA hybridizations of strain YIM M 10931(T) with A. cremea DSM 43676(T) and A. rifamycini DSM 43936(T) were performed and further confirmed that the isolate represents a separate genomic species. Based on the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics presented, it is proposed that strain YIM M 10931(T) represents a novel species within the genus Actinomadura, for which the name Actinomadura sediminis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is YIM M 10931(T) ( = CCTCC AA 2010009(T) = DSM 45500(T)).

A Gram-negative, non-motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive, aerobic bacterium designated as NII-0918(T) was isolated from soil sample in Western ghat forest, India. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NII-0918(T) belongs to the subclass α-Proteobacteria, being related to the genus Paracoccus, and sharing highest sequence similarity with Paracoccus chinensis NBRC 104937(T) (99.4%), Paracoccus marinus NBRC 100640(T) (97.3%), Paracoccus koreensis Ch05(T) (97.1%) and Paracoccus kondratievae GB(T) (97.0%). Other members of Paracoccus showed below 97.0% similarity. The DNA-DNA hybridization values between these four strains and NII-0918(T) were 44.7, 28, 32 and 41%, respectively. The major fatty acids of strain NII-0918(T) were summed feature 7 (C18:1 ω7c/ω 9t/ω 12t) (83.0%) and C18:0 (12.5%). Ubiquinone Q-10 was detected as the major respiratory quinone. The G+C content of genomic DNA of NII-0918(T) was 66.6 mol%. On the basis of physiological, morphological, chemotaxonomical and DNA-DNA hybridization data, it is proposed that strain NII-0918(T) should be placed as a novel species, for which we propose Paracoccus niistensis sp. nov. The type strain is NII-0918(T) (CCTCC AA 209055(T) = NCIM 5340(T) = KCTC 22789(T)).

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strain, NII-0905(T) [corrected], that was motile by gliding was isolated from soil of a dense forest collected from the Western Ghats of India and its taxonomic position was established. Strain NII-0905(T) [corrected] contained MK-7 as the major menaquinone and anteiso-C(17 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0) as the major cellular fatty acids. The DNA G+C content of strain NII-0905(T) [corrected] was 51.47 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of strain NII-0905(T) [corrected] in the genus Pontibacter and strain NII-0905(T) [corrected] exhibited 93.9-96.3 % 16S rRNA sequence similarity with type strains of species of the genus Pontibacter. On the basis of genotypic and phenotypic evidence, strain NII-0905(T) [corrected] is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pontibacter, for which the name Pontibacter niistensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NII-0905(T) [corrected](=NCIM 5339(T) =CCTCC AA 209057(T)).

A novel actinomycete strain, DAS-139T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Gulbarga, Karnataka Province, India. The isolate was characterized by white to grey aerial mycelium. Long spore chains were found on the aerial mycelium and the aerial mycelium was composed of non-motile spores with hairy surfaces. The cell wall of strain DAS-139T contained ll-diaminopimelic acid isomer as the diagnostic diaminoacid indicating that the cell wall was of chemotype-I. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) (76 %), MK-9(H4) (14 %) and MK-9(H8) (10 %). Phosphatidylethanolamine was the diagnostic phospholipid. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, the novel strain was identified as a member of the genus Streptomyces. The novel strain grew optimally at 28 degrees C and pH 9.0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 71.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the novel isolate had 99.4 % sequence similarity with Streptomyces scabiei ATCC 49173T and 99.2 % similarity with Streptomyces diastachromogenes ATCC 12309T. Furthermore, DNA-DNA hybridization with these two Streptomyces species showed 36.0 and 43.0 % relatedness, respectively. Based on these observations, strain DAS-139T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces deccanensis sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain DAS-139T (=KCTC 19241T=CCTCC AA 207004T).

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic actinomycete strain, designated YIM 90502(T), was isolated from a sample of muddy soil collected from Gulbarga, Karnataka Province, India, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomical analysis. The isolate grew optimally at 28 degrees C and in the presence of 10 % (w/v) NaCl. The isolate was characterized chemotaxonomically as having meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and galactose and arabinose as whole-cell sugars. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H(4)), while MK-8(H(4)) was found in smaller amounts. The phospholipids were phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0) (49.2 %) and C(17 : 1)omega6c (9.1 %). The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 71.8 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate fell within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the genus Saccharomonospora. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain YIM 90502(T) and the type strains of Saccharomonospora species ranged from 92.42 % (with Saccharomonospora xinjiangensis CCTCC AA 97021(T)) to 97.45 % (with Saccharomonospora azurea KCTC 9693(T)). Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YIM 90502(T) and S. azurea KCTC 9693(T), Saccharomonospora halophila DSM 44411(T) and Saccharomonospora paurometabolica DSM 44619(T) were 46.0, 41.0 and 42.5 %, respectively. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, strain YIM 90502(T) was classified in the genus Saccharomonospora as a member of a novel species, for which the name Saccharomonospora saliphila sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM 90502(T) (=KCTC 19234(T) =DSM 45087(T)) as the type strain.

A Gram-positive, nonmotile, moderately halophilic, alkali and thermotolerant strain designated DAS 165(T), was isolated from a dry land soil sample from the Gulbarga region, Karnataka province, India. The isolate produced yellow substrate mycelia and gray aerial mycelia on most tested media. Strain DAS 165(T) showed growth in the presence of 5 to 7% NaCl and at 45 degrees C. The DNA G + C content was 69.7%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis together with these characteristics consistently assigned strain DAS 165(T) to the genus Streptomyces. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DAS 165(T) was most closely related to S. tendae ATCC 19812(T) (D 63873) with a sequence similarity of 99.6% (three nucleotide differences out of 1,517). Strain DAS 165(T) formed a distinct clade based on analysis of the almost complete sequence and 120-nucleotide variable gamma region of the 16S rRNA gene. Despite the high sequence similarity, strain DAS 165(T) was phenotypically different from S. tendae ATCC 19812(T). DNA-DNA hybridization between these strains was 47% showing that strain DAS 165(T) is a distinct genomic species. Phenetic and genetic results support the classification of strain DAS 165(T) as a new species, for which the name S. tritolerans is proposed, with strain DAS 165(T) as the type strain (=DSM 41899(T )= CCTCCAA 206013(T)).

During the course of screening for industrially important microorganisms, an alkali-tolerant and thermotolerant actinomycete, strain DAS 131T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Gulbarga region, Karnataka province, India. The strain was characterized by a polyphasic approach that showed that it belonged to the genus Streptomyces. Growth was observed over a wide pH range (pH 6-12) and at 45 degrees C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain DAS 131T was deposited in the GenBank database under the accession number DQ317411. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DAS 131T was most closely related to Streptomyces venezuelae ISP 5230T (AY999739) with a sequence similarity of 99.5% (8 nucleotide differences out of 1,477). Despite this very high sequence similarity, strain DAS 131T was phenetically distinct from S. venezuelae. The DNA relatedness between these strains was 54%, indicating that strain DAS 131T is a distinct genomic species. On the basis of phenetic and genetic analyses, strain DAS 131T is classified as a new species in the genus Streptomyces, for which we propose the name Streptomyces gulbargensis sp. nov.