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Oomycete infection of various freshwater animals, including salmonid eggs, causes significant economic damage to aquaculture worldwide. In this study, we detected oomycetes in infected chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta eggs at two hatcheries in northern Japan, in the source water used for egg incubation, and in the air at the hatcheries to clarify the source(s) of oomycete transmission using a DNA molecular marker. Seven oomycete taxa, belonging to Saprolegniaceae and Pythiaceae, were detected from the infected eggs. From the source water used for egg incubation and the air at the hatcheries, nine oomycete taxa, including those found on infected eggs, were detected, suggesting that both water and air are potential sources of oomycete transmission. There is no report of airborne transmission of these oomycetes detected in this study so far. Regarding protection and sterilization against oomycete infection in aquaculture hatcheries, not only water used at hatcheries but also the air in hatcheries may need to be considered hereafter.

A taxonomic investigation using a polyphasic method was conducted to identify a novel marine flavobacterium, designated as DJ-13T, isolated from the hard coral Acropora sp. collected at Okinawa, Japan. Bacterial cells were Gram-stain-negative, yellow-colored, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile, and chemoorganoheterotrophic. The novel isolate grew at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–7%, pH 6.5–9.0, and 15–37 °C. A phylogenetic study on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain DJ-13T belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae and that it shared the greatest sequence similarity (95.9%) with Croceivirga lutea CSW06T. Strain DJ-13T comprised iso-C17:0 3-OH, iso-C15:0, and iso-C15:1 G as the main (> 10%) cellular fatty acids. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the only respiratory quinone. The assembled draft genome size of strain DJ-13T was 3.71 Mbp with G + C content of 38.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH), and average amino acid identity (AAI) values of DJ-13T and the species of the genus Croceivirga were found to be 74.9–75.5%, 13.4–14.7%, and 68.2–72.4%, respectively. Strain DJ-13T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, and five unidentified lipids as polar lipids. From the polyphasic taxonomic results presented, the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Croceivirga for which the name Croceivirga thetidis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of C. thetidis sp. nov. is DJ-13T (= KCTC 72790T = NBRC 114252T).

To elucidate the localization of oomycetes (water molds) and bacteria in a single egg of chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, eggs infected with oomycetes were examined by bright-field microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using oomycete universal and bacterial species-specific probes. Furthermore, DNA barcoding for oomycetes and bacteria was performed on the chorion and cytoplasm of the eggs using genomic DNA extracted from the sections of eggs used for FISH analyses. Using bright-field microscopy and SEM, it was shown that oomycete hyphae penetrated the chorion and invaded the cytoplasm of the eggs. Based on DNA barcoding, two oomycetes (Pythium monospermum and Pythium sp. SE-OP1), and three bacterial species (Flavobacterium plurextorum, Flavobacterium sp. SE-BF1 and Undibacterium pigrum) were predominantly detected in the infected eggs. FISH analyses indicated that localization of the oomycetes was not noticeable different between the chorion and cytoplasm of the eggs. In contrast, FISH analyses using bacterial species-specific probes demonstrated clear differences in their localization. Flavobacterium sp. SE-BF1 and U. pigrum were predominantly found inside the chorion and around the oomycete hyphae invading the cytoplasm, respectively. These results are the first to indicate the possibility that U. pigrum has a specific relationship with oomycetes and coordinately invades eggs with oomycetes. However, it seems that Flavobacterium sp. SE-BF1 invades by a mechanism different from that of U. pigrum. Although this study is preliminary and the interaction between oomycetes and U. pigrum associated with chum salmon egg infection needs to be elucidated in detail, this finding may provide new insights into the infection mechanism of bacteria in salmon eggs, which is a longstanding problem in salmon hatcheries.

A new antibiotic, designated mumiamicin, was isolated from the cultured broth of the rare actinomycete strain, Mumia sp. YSP-2-79, by Diaion HP-20, silica gel and ODS column chromatography, followed by HPLC purification. The chemical structure of mumiamicin was elucidated as a new furan fatty acid by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Mumiamicin showed antimicrobial activity and antioxidative activity.

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on a novel strain designated as 04OKA-3-121T, which was isolated from the hard coral Galaxea fascicularis L. collected at Akajima, Okinawa, Japan. These bacterial cells were observed to be pale-yellow, Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, chemoheterotrophic, non-spore forming, non-motile, and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel marine isolate is affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it shared the highest (93.6%) sequence similarity with Pseudozobellia thermophila KMM 3531T. The strain could be phenotypically differentiated from related members of the family Flavobacteriaceae. Major fatty acids of strain 04OKA-3-121T were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, and C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c. The DNA G + C content of the strain was determined to be 38.8 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone 6 (MK-6). Strain 04OKA-3-121T had phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, and eight unidentified lipids as polar lipids. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Coraliitalea coralii gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of C. coralii gen. nov., sp. nov. is 04OKA-3-121T (= KCTC 52378T = NBRC 112329T).

To identify the stomach contents of marine organisms, morphological observations are commonly conducted. However, the results obtained by this traditional method are frequently biased, as it is difficult to detect partially digested, soft-bodied organisms. To resolve this, recent studies have used DNA-based (DNA barcoding) analyses to examine the diet breadth of marine organisms. Here, we compared the prey richness of juvenile fishes using morphological observations and DNA-based analyses, with a focus on juvenile chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta. A higher number of prey taxa were successfully identified using DNA-based analyses than morphological observations. However, we also noticed several shortcomings of the DNA-based analyses, as reported in other diet-analysis studies that used molecular techniques. For example, the degree of digestion among prey taxa might have resulted in differential sensitivity to DNA detection. Additionally, several prey taxa could not be precisely identified, as the sequence data for some of the targeted organismal groups are unavailable in public gene databases. Remarkably, it is also possible that DNA-based analyses detected secondary prey, and therefore, the richness of prey taxa was likely overestimated. Thus, dietary analyses of juvenile fishes need to be carefully conducted, considering the respective advantages and disadvantages of DNA-based and morphological techniques.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, pale-yellow pigmented, rod-shaped, chemoheterotrophic bacterium, designated A6F-11(T), was isolated from a marine sponge collected in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the novel marine strain was affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it shared the highest (92.9 %) sequence similarity with Arenibacter palladensis LMG 21972(T). The strain could be differentiated phenotypically from related members of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The major fatty acids of strain A6F-11(T) were iso-C15:1 G, iso-C15:0, C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 34.7 mol%, and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel taxon in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Spongiimicrobium salis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of S. salis gen. nov., sp. nov. is A6F-11(T) (= KCTC 42753(T) = NBRC 111401(T)).

A novel marine flavobacterial species, designated 3KA7-17T, was isolated from the hard coral Acropora formosa D. collected in Japan. The strain was pale-orange pigmented, Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, coccus shaped, and non-motile. Preliminary analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed an affiliation with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, and it had the greatest sequence similarity (96.0%) to Seonamhaeicola algicola Gy8T. The DNA G + C content was 34.3 mol%. MK-6 was the major menaquinone, with iso-C15:1 H and/or C13:0 3-OH (24.3%), iso-C15:0 (19.5%), iso-C15:0 3-OH (14.2%), and iso-C17:0 3-OH (15.9%) as the main (> 10%) cellular fatty acids. The major polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, and two unidentified lipids. Based on distinct phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, the strain represents a novel species of the genus Seonamhaeicola, for which the name Seonamhaeicola acroporae sp. nov. is proposed and the type strain is 3KA7-17T (= KCTC 62713T = NBRC 113410T).

In the original version of this paper, the Chemotaxonomic Characteristics in the Results and Discussion section and legend of Table 2 given in the above paper are incorrect. These errors are corrected with this erratum.

A novel marine bacterium, designated 04OKA-3-218T, was isolated from the hard coral Galaxea fascicularis L. collected in Japan. The strain was dark-brown-pigmented, Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, curved-rod-shaped and non-motile. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed the affiliation of the isolate with members of the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, with the highest sequence similarity (95.2%) to Spongiibacterium pacificum SW169T. The DNA G+C content was 42.9 mol%; MK-6 was the major menaquinone; with iso-C17:0 3-OH (28.8%), iso-C15:0 (26.8%) and iso-C15:1 H and/or C13:0 3-OH (21.2%) as the main (> 10%) cellular fatty acids. The major polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified phosphoaminolipids and three unidentified lipids. On the basis of distinct phylogenetic and phenotypic evidences, the strain represents a novel species of the genus Spongiibacterium, for which the name Spongiibacterium fuscum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of S. fuscum sp. nov. is 04OKA-3-218T (= KCTC 62504T = NBRC 113248T).

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, chemoheterotrophic, pale-yellow pigmented, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated MN1-138(T), was isolated from water in the tidal zone at the estuary of Heita river, Iwate, Japan, using an in situ cultivation technique. Preliminary analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate is affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes, and the highest sequence similarities were found with the species Wenyingzhuangia heitensis H-MN17(T) (97.3%). The DNA-DNA relatedness between values between strains MN1-138(T) and W. heitensis H-MN17(T) was 34%. The DNA G+C content of strain MN1-138(T) was determined to be 33.1 mol%; MK-6 was identified as the major menaquinone; and the presence of iso-C15:0, iso-C15:0 3-OH, and iso-C17:0 3-OH as the major (10%) cellular fatty acids. A polar lipid profile was present consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified glycolipids, and two unidentified lipids. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Wenyingzhuangia for which the name Wenyingzhuangia aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of W. aestuarii sp. nov. is MN1-138(T) (=KCTC 42780(T) = NBRC 111505(T)).

A novel pale-yellow coloured bacterial strain, designated AM327(T), was isolated by using an in situ cultivation technique from seawater from the coastal zone around a shipyard located in Otsuchi Bay, Japan. The strain was found to be facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain negative, chemoheterotrophic, non-motile and rod-shaped. Preliminary analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate is affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it shows high sequence similarity (94.7 %) to Frondibacter aureus A5Q-67(T). The strain can be differentiated phenotypically from recognised members of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The DNA G+C content of strain AM327(T) was determined to be 36.2 mol%; MK-6 was identified as the major menaquinone; iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH were identified as the major (10 %) cellular fatty acids. The polar lipid profile was found to consist of phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminophospholipid, an unidentified glycolipid and two unidentified lipids. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, strain AM327(T) is considered to represent a novel genus for which the name Neptunitalea chrysea gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of N. chrysea is AM327(T) (=KCTC 32989(T) = NBRC 110019(T)).

A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, beige-pigmented, non-motile, rod-shaped strain designated H-MN17(T) was isolated from seawater in Japan. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate was affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae within the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it showed highest sequence similarity (97.5 %) to Wenyingzhuangia marina D1(T). The hybridization values for DNA-DNA relatedness between the strains of H-MN17(T) and W. marina D1(T) were lower than 70 %, which is accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a novel species. The DNA G+C content of strain H-MN17(T) was 31.8 mol%; MK-6 was the major menaquinone; and anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and anteiso-C19:0 were identified as the major (10 %) cellular fatty acids. A complex polar lipid profile was present consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified lipids, three unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified aminolipids. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Wenyingzhuangia for which the name Wenyingzhuangia heitensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of W. heitensis sp. nov. is H-MN17(T) (=KCTC 42245(T) = NBRC 110601(T)).

A facultatively anaerobic, Gram-stain negative, golden-yellow pigmented, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain A5Q-67(T) was isolated from leaf litter collected at the mangrove estuary of Nakama River, Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed the novel isolate was affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it showed highest sequence similarity (94.2 %) to Imtechella halotolerans K1(T). The strain could be differentiated phenotypically from recognized members of the family Flavobacteriaceae. The major fatty acids of strain A5Q-67(T) were identified as iso-C17:0 3-OH, summed feature 1 (iso-C15:1 H and/or C13:0 3-OH) and iso-C15:0 as defined by the MIDI system. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 36.7 mol%, the major respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone 6 (MK-6) and a polar lipid profile was present consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified lipid. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel genus for which the name Frondibacter aureus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of F. aureus is A5Q-67(T) (=KCTC 32991(T) = NBRC 110021(T)).

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, pale-red-pigmented, non-motile, rod-shaped strain designated HG677(T) was isolated from a sediment sample collected at Nagasuka Fishery Harbor in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate was affiliated with the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it showed highest sequence similarity (97.2%) to Sunxiuqinia elliptica DQHS4(T). The hybridization values for DNA-DNA relatedness between the strains of HG677(T) and Sunxiuqinia elliptica DQHS4(T) were lower than 70%, which is accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a novel species. The DNA G+C content of strain HG677(T) was 47.5 mol%; MK-7 was the major menaquinone; and the presence of iso-C15：0 and iso-C17：0 3-OH as the major cellular fatty acids supported the identification of the novel isolate as a member of the genus Sunxiuqinia. A complex polar lipid profile was present consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid and four unidentified lipids. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel species for which the name Sunxiuqinia rutila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Sunxiuqinia rutila is HG677(T) (= KCTC 32434(T) = NBRC 109919(T)).

Two new cytotoxic dilactones, bisisorhizopodin (1) and isorhizopodin (2), together with known divalent actin depolymerizer rhizopodin (3), were isolated from the culture broth of a myxobacterium Myxococcus stipitatus. Spectroscopic analyses established that 1 and 2 are doubly and singly acyl-migrated isomers of 3, respectively, and comparison of their cytotoxicity revealed gradual decrease in the activity as the size of the ring contracted. Because the side chains of macrolide toxins uniformly block the contact between the actin protomers, the present result demonstrates substantial contribution of structurally diverse rings to the affinity of macrolide toxins for its target protein.

Bacterial strains YM16-303T and YM16-304T were isolated from a sample of seashore sand using a medium with an artificial seawater base. Both isolates grew slowly on marine agar, and were found to be Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid, glycine, alanine and hydroxyglutamic acid, and the acyl type of the muramic acid was glycolyl. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H8). The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains YM16-303T and YM16-304T were most similar to that of Ilumatobacter fluminis YM22-133T, and phylogenetic analyses also indicated that they belong to the genus Ilumatobacter . Ilumatobacter fluminis YM22-133T and strains YM16-303T and YM16-304T should be classified as distinct species in the genus Ilumatobacter , however, since the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between them was low and the major cellular fatty acids and some physiological properties were different. Moreover, average nucleotide identity and maximal unique exact matches index values also supported the conclusion that they represent different species. On the basis of the above analyses, two novel species, Ilumatobacter nonamiense sp. nov. (type strain YM16-303T = NBRC 109120T = KCTC 29139T) and Ilumatobacter coccineum sp. nov. (type strain YM16-304T = NBRC 103263T = KCTC 29153T), are proposed. The order Acidimicrobiales , which contains the genus Ilumatobacter , currently includes six genera and only six species, and they are phylogenetically very far from each other. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strains YM16-303T and YM16-304T clustered with closely related uncultured actinobacteria but not Ilumatobacter fluminis YM22-133T, suggesting that many uncultured bacteria related to these isolates exist in the environment. This is the first report on interspecies relationships in the order Acidimicrobiales .

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, strictly aerobic, chemoheterotrophic, pale-yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain A6D-50T, was isolated from an ascidian collected at Kohama Island offshore Okinawa, Japan. Preliminary analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate was affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it showed highest sequence similarity (97.6 %) to Aureisphaera galaxeae 04OKA003-7T. The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain A6D-50T and A. galaxeae 04OKA003-7T was 23.6 %. The DNA G+C content of strain A6D-50T was 40.8 mol%, MK-6 was the only menaquinone, and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) were the major (>10 %) cellular fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified lipid. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Aureisphaera for which the name Aureisphaera salina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A6D-50T (= KCTC 42975T=NBRC 111827T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, orange-colored, rod-shaped, chemoheterotrophic bacterium, designated HG732T, was isolated from marine sediment in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the novel marine strain was affiliated with the family Flavobacteriaceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it shared the highest (94.1 %) sequence similarity with Kriegella aquimaris KMM 3665T. The strain could be differentiated phenotypically from related members of the family Flavobacteriaceae. Major fatty acids of strain HG732T were iso-C15:1 G, iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentidied aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was determined to be 35.2 mol%, and the major respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone 6 (MK-6). From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the strain is considered to represent a novel genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Aurantibacter crassamenti gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of A. crassamenti gen. nov., sp. nov. is HG732T (= KCTC 52207T = NBRC 112211T).

A strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, orange-pigmented, rod-shaped, non-motile and chemoheterotrophic bacteria representing a new genus and species, designated YM8-076T, was isolated from lake water collected at a harbor on Lake Notoro, Hokkaido, Japan. Preliminary analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate could be affiliated with the family Saprospiraceae of the phylum Bacteroidetes and that it showed highest sequence similarity (88.5%) to Haliscomenobacter hydrossis ATCC 27775T. The strain could be differentiated phenotypically from recognized members of the family Saprospiraceae. The G+C content of DNA was 53.7 mol%, MK-7 was the major menaquinone and iso-C15：0, iso-C15：1 and iso-C17：0 3-OH were the major cellular fatty acids. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic studies, it was concluded that strain YM8-076T represents a new genus and species of the family Saprospiraceae. We propose the name Portibacter lacus gen. nov., sp. nov. for this strain; its type strain is YM8-076T (=KCTC 23747T=NBRC 108769T).

Three Gram-stain-positive actinobacterial strains, designated YM24-125T, YM05-1041T and YM12-102T, were isolated from marine environments. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that they belonged to the suborder Micrococcineae and were most closely related to members of the genus Demequina with 95.0–98.4 % sequence similarities. Cells of strains YM05-1041T and YM12-102T were rod-shaped, similar to members of the genus Demequina, while cells of strain YM24-125T were cocci to short ovoid rods. All strains grew in the absence of NaCl, but tolerated up to 15 % NaCl. The major menaquinone was demethylmenaquinone DMK-9 (H4) and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidyglycerol. All strains contained straight-chain, iso-branched and anteiso-branched saturated fatty acids. The DNA G+C contents were 65.3–67.3 mol%. The peptidoglycans of strains YM05-1041T and YM12-102T were the A4β type with ornithine while that of strain YM24-125T contained ornithine and lysine as diamino acids. Phylogenetic analyses and differences in physiological and biochemical characteristics indicated that these three isolates represent novel species within the genus Demequina, for which the names Demequina globuliformis sp. nov. (with YM24-125T = NBRC 106266T = KCTC 19747T = MBIC 08349T as the type strain), Demequina oxidasica sp. nov. (with YM05-1041T = NBRC 106264T = KCTC 19746T = MBIC 08346T as the type strain) and Demequina aurantiaca sp. nov. (with YM12-102T = NBRC 106265T = KCTC 19745T = MBIC 08347T as the type strain) are proposed. Based on differences in the quinone system, the presence of demethylmenaquinone DMK-9(H4) and the pattern of 16S rRNA signatures, the three novel strains and current members of the genus Demequina represent a unique family within the suborder Micrococcineae. Therefore, the family Demequinaceae fam. nov. is also proposed.

A strictly aerobic, gram-negative, non-motile, reddish-pink pigmented, rod-shaped strain designated N5EA6-3A2BT, was isolated from an unidentified marine sponge by use of a bait-streaked agar technique. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate represented a distinct and deep evolutionary lineage of descent in the family Flammeovirgaceae within the phylum Bacteroidetes and clustered with as yet uncultured bacteria. The most closely related established species was Roseivirga spongicola UST030701-084T (89% sequence similarity) in the family of Flammeovirgaceae. The strain could be differentiated phenotypically and physiologically from recognized members of the family Flammeovirgaceae. The G+C content of DNA was 43 mol%, the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7) and iso-C15:0, C16:1ω5c and iso-C17:0 3-OH were the major fatty acids. From the distinct phylogenetic position and combination of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, the name Porifericola rhodea gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Porifericola rhodea is N5EA6-3A2BT (=MBIC08357T = NBRC 107748T).

A Gram-positive, non-motile, coccoid- to rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated strain YM18-15T, was isolated from sea sand and studied using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain YM18-15Tgrew under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The cell-wall peptidoglycan type was A4βand ornithine was the diagnostic diamino acid. The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown phospholipid, MK-8(H4) was the major menaquinone and the predominant fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 74.2 mol%. High 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (96.3–97.3 %) were found with the sequences of the type strains of the three genera of the familyBeutenbergiaceae. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YM18-15Tformed a clade withSerinibacter salmoneus,Salana multivoransandBeutenbergia cavernae. Strain YM18-15Tdiffered from these three type strains in chemotaxonomic characteristics and in 16S rRNA gene signature nucleotides. Based on genetic and chemotaxonomic evidence, it is suggested that strain YM18-15Trepresents a novel species of a new genus within the familyBeutenbergiaceae, for which the nameMiniimonas arenaegen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is YM18-15T(=NBRC 106267T=KCTC 19750T=MBIC 08348T).

We investigated microorganisms associated with a deep-sea sponge, Characella sp. (Pachastrellidae) collected at a hydrothermal vent site (686 m depth) in the Sumisu Caldera, Ogasawara Island chain, Japan, and with two sponges, Pachastrella sp. (Pachastrellidae) and an unidentified Poecilosclerida sponge, collected at an oil seep (572 m depth) in the Gulf of Mexico, using polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) directed at bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences. In the PCR-DGGE profiles, we detected a single clearly dominant band in each of the Characella sp. and the unidentified Poecilosclerida sponge. BLAST search of their sequences showed that they were most similar (>99% identity) to those of the gammaproteobacterial thioautotrophic symbionts of deep-sea bivalves from hydrothermal vents, Bathymodiolus spp. Phylogenetic analysis of the near-full length sequences of the 16S rRNA genes cloned from the unidentified Poecilosclerida sponge and Characella sp. confirmed that they were closely related to thioautotrophic symbionts. Although associations between sponges and methanotrophic bacteria have been reported previously, this is the first report of a possible stable association between sponges and thioautotrophic bacteria. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10126-009-9253-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

While screening for antioxidative carotenoids from marine bacteria, we isolated and identified sarcinaxanthin and its glucosylated compounds (sarcinaxanthin monoglucoside and sarcinaxanthin diglucoside) from a moderately halophilic bacterium-Micrococcus yunnanensis strain AOY-1. In the singlet oxygen ((¹O₂) quenching model, the IC(50) values of the antioxidative activities of these carotenoids were as follows: sarcinaxanthin , 57 µM; sarcinaxanthin monoglucoside, 54 µM; and sarcinaxanthin diglucoside, 74 µM. In addition, the complete proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) assignments of sarcinaxanthin monoglucoside pentaacetate and sarcinaxanthin diglucoside octaacetate, and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (FAB-MS/MS) analyses of sarcinaxanthin and sarcinaxanthin monoglucoside are reported for the first time.

Three Gram-negative, pale-pink-pigmented, spherical, chemoheterotrophic bacteria were isolated from seawater and a dystrophic leaf in the Republic of Palau. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel isolates YM31-114(T), YM31-066(T) and YM31-067 shared approximately 97-100% sequence similarity with members of the genus Cerasicoccus of the family Puniceicoccaceae within the phylum 'Verrucomicrobia.' The hybridization values for DNA-DNA relatedness between the novel isolates and Cerasicoccus arenae YM26-026(T) were less than 70%, which is accepted as a phylogenetic definition of a species. beta-Lactam antibiotic susceptibility test and amino acid analysis of cell-wall hydrolysates revealed that the novel isolates did not contain muramic acid or diaminopimelic acid in their cell walls, suggesting that these strains lack peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C contents of the three strains were 55-56 mol%; MK-7 was the major menaquinone. The presence of C14:0 and C18:1omega9c as the major cellular fatty acids supported the identification of the novel isolates as members of the genus Cerasicoccus. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence, it was concluded that these strains should be classified as representing two novel, separate species in the genus Cerasicoccus within the phylum 'Verrucomicrobia,' for which the names Cerasicoccus maritimus sp. nov. (type strain YM31-114(T)=MBIC24844(T)) and Cerasicoccus frondis sp. nov. (type strain YM31-066(T)=MBIC24796(T)) are proposed. Proposal for designation of the Verrucomicrobia phyl. nov., nom. rev. is also presented.

Two heterotrophic, agarolytic bacteria were isolated from marine environments. A 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed the isolates (designated strains J42-3A(T) and 04OZ-AS15-7A) to be positioned in a separate lineage within the genus Psychromonas. Members of the genus Psychromonas are recognized as being psychrophilic or psychrotolerant, whereas none of the currently established Psychromonas species is known to be agarolytic. The DNA G+C contents of the isolates were about 42 mol% and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 16 : 1omega7c and 16 : 0. Based on the results of the phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses and DNA-DNA hybridization data, the isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Psychromonas agarivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is J42-3A(T) (=NBRC 104585(T)=KCTC 22285(T)).

Two marine heterotrophic bacteria, A5K-61(T) and A5K-106(T), were isolated from marine animals. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis data showed that the isolates were affiliated with the genus Thalassomonas; highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values were found with Thalassomonas viridans DSM 13754(T) (97.5 and 98.1 %, respectively). DNA-DNA hybridization values of strains A5K-61(T) and A5K-106(T) with T. viridans DSM 13754(T) (22.2-49.1 %) were clearly below 70 %, the generally accepted limit for species delineation. The isolates produced a brown diffusible pigment. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 1)omega7c and C(16 : 0). Based on DNA-DNA hybridization data, some biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison, the isolates represent two novel species of the genus Thalassomonas, for which the names Thalassomonas actiniarum sp. nov. (type strain A5K-106(T) =MBIC08328(T) =NCIMB 14418(T) =NBRC 104231(T)) and Thalassomonas haliotis sp. nov. (type strain A5K-61(T) =MBIC08329(T) =NCIMB 14417(T) =NBRC 104232(T)) are proposed.

Micro-indentation and HF etching were explored as micro-fabrication techniques applied to glass surfaces. The effects of the aluminosilicate glass composition and of the etching conditions on the etching rate were investigated. It was found that the etching rate increased with increasing the ratio of Al2O3 to SiO2 in the aluminosilicate glass. Etching parameters, such as pH, concentration and temperature of HF acid, had effects on etching rate. However, the effects of these parameters were much smaller at indented area than at non-indented area. The results indicated that the etching rate difference between the two areas, which is one of the key factors in the micro-fabrication technique, could be controlled with these parameters. And the phenomena can be well explained in terms of etching and leaching mechanism of aluminosilicate glass.

Two strains of marine, heterotrophic, alkaliphilic bacteria, designated A3F-7(T) and ssthio04PA2-7c, were isolated from hard coral and marine sand, respectively, collected in the Republic of Palau. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were related to members of the genus Moritella. However, the sequence similarities between the isolates and the type strains of the Moritella species were less than 93 %. The G+C contents of the isolates were around 57 mol%, the major respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 16 : 1omega7c, 16 : 0, 18 : 1omega7c and 14 : 0. On the basis of the phylogenetic data, phenotypic characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strains A3F-7(T) and ssthio04PA2-7c represent a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Paramoritella alkaliphila gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Paramoritella alkaliphila is A3F-7(T) (=MBIC06429(T) =DSM 19956(T)).

Methyl Glucosyl-3,4-dehydro-apo-8′-lycopenoate, a Novel Antioxidative Glyco-C 30 -carotenoic Acid Produced by a Marine Bacterium Planococcus maritimus

Four bacterial strains, 04HE-4-40, A4I-9, A4I-21 and AK15-027(T), were isolated from Heita Bay off Kamaishi in Japan. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolates were placed as a new lineage within the genus Psychromonas. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between the isolates and type strains of recognized Psychromonas species were less than 97 %. The DNA G+C contents of the isolates were about 38 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-8, and the predominant cellular fatty acids were 16 : 1omega7c and 16 : 0. The isolates were able to grow at 30 degrees C, unlike other Psychromonas species. Based on the results of the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics and DNA-DNA hybridization data, the isolates represent a novel species, for which the name Psychromonas heitensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is AK15-027(T) (=MBIC 06898(T)=NCIMB 14416(T)).

In order to improve the new micro-fabrication technology using micro-indentation and wet etching, in which the etching rate drastically decrease at the indented area and consequently micro-structure can be formed on the glass surface, the effect of the applying load on the etching rate change was investigated. The extent of the etching rate change was found to be almost constant irrespective of the amount of the applying load. Therefore, the height of the structure could be controlled simply by the etching depth as far as the densified portion remains beneath the glass surface. And some example micro-patterns were fabricated in this process. Various kinds of indentation methods were employed, including scanning a pointed tool under a load and wet abrasive blast. The patterns can be freely drawn by the use of numerical control (NC) machine. Mold pattern can be also applied, which enables drawing many lines simultaneously. In every method, the heights of the patterns were confirmed to be very uniform. This new type of the micro-fabrication method was referred to as “SMIL (Stress Masked Image Lithography)”.

Ariakemicins A (1) and B (2), unusual linear hybrid polyketide-nonribosomal peptide antibiotics, were discovered from the fermentation extract of the marine gliding bacterium Rapidithrix sp. These metabolites were positional isomers with regard to a double bond and chromatographically inseparable, rendering the structure study on a mixture basis. The ariakemicins were composed of threonine, two omega-amino-(omega-3)-methyl carboxylic acids with diene or triene units, and delta-isovanilloylbutyric acid. The antibiotics selectively inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria.

Eight strains, 002-165T, 002-079T, B0021T, Hojyo2, RB603B, RB677T, 002-074T and RB678, isolated from the environment of food-processing factories in Japan, were characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolates were Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic, non-spore-forming rods. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of these isolates included the presence of C18 : 1omega7c as the major cellular fatty acid and ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. The DNA G+C content was 67.1-71.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA and DNA gyrase B subunit (gyrB) nucleotide sequence confirmed that the eight strains belonged to the Methylobacterium clade. Moreover, a DNA-DNA hybridization analysis showed that the eight isolates represented five novel species. On the basis of their phenotypic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, the isolates represent five novel species within the genus Methylobacterium, for which the names Methylobacterium persicinum sp. nov. (type strain 002-165T =DSM 19562T =NBRC 103628T =NCIMB 14378T), Methylobacterium komagatae sp. nov. (type strain 002-079T =DSM 19563T =NBRC 103627T =NCIMB 14377T), Methylobacterium brachiatum sp. nov. (type strain B0021T =DSM 19569T =NBRC 103629T =NCIMB 14379T), Methylobacterium tardum sp. nov. (type strain RB677T =DSM 19566T =NBRC 103632T =NCIMB 14380T) and Methylobacterium gregans sp. nov. (type strain 002-074T =DSM 19564T =NBRC 103626T =NCIMB 14376T) are proposed.

Ten pale-pink- and pale-yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped, chemoheterotrophic bacteria designated strains YM20-087T, YM21-151, MN1-741T, YM27-120T, YM26-010T, YM24-184, YM20-122, A4T-83T, A5J-41-2T and A5J-40 were isolated from various marine environments and were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these isolates belonged to the phylum 'Verrucomicrobia' (subdivision 1) and represented three independent lineages that were distinct from species of genera of the family Verrucomicrobiaceae with validly published names. The cell-wall peptidoglycan of these strains contained muramic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. Strains MN1-741T, YM27-120T, YM26-010T, YM24-184 and YM20-122 produced pinkish carotenoid pigments. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence, it was concluded that these strains should be classified within three new genera, Persicirhabdus gen. nov. (with one species, the type species Persicirhabdus sediminis sp. nov.), Roseibacillus gen. nov. (with three species; type species Roseibacillus ishigakijimensis sp. nov.) and Luteolibacter gen. nov. (with two species; type species Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis sp. nov.), of the family Verrucomicrobiaceae within the phylum 'Verrucomicrobia'. The names Persicirhabdus sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain YM20-087T =MBIC08313T =KCTC 22039T), Roseibacillus ishigakijimensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain MN1-741T =MBIC08315T =KCTC 12986T), Roseibacillus ponti sp. nov. (type strain YM27-120T =MBIC08316T =KCTC 12987T), Roseibacillus persicicus sp. nov. (type strain YM26-010T =MBIC08317T =KCTC 12988T), Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain A4T-83T =MBIC08322T =KCTC 22041T) and Luteolibacter algae sp. nov. (type strain A5J-41-2T =MBIC08320T =KCTC 22040T) are therefore proposed. Emended descriptions of the class Verrucomicrobiae, the order Verrucomicrobiales and the family Verrucomicrobiaceae are also presented.

Two strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, gliding, apricot- to pale-orange-pigmented, rod-shaped bacteria, strains YM11-185T and YM11-159, were isolated from marine sediments in the Republic of Palau. Preliminary analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolates could be affiliated with the family 'Flammeovirgaceae' of the phylum Bacteroidetes. Strains YM11-185T and YM11-159 shared 100 % sequence similarity and showed less than 90 % similarity to cultivated representatives of the family 'Flammeovirgaceae'. The novel isolates are phenotypically and physiologically different from strains described previously. The G+C content of DNA was 27.8-27.9 mol%, MK-7 was the major menaquinone and iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 1 omega 7c were the major fatty acids. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic studies, it was concluded that strains YM11-185T and YM11-159 represent a novel species in a new genus of the family 'Flammeovirgaceae', for which the name Limibacter armeniacum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Limibacter armeniacum is YM11-185T (=MBIC08286T =KCTC 22132T).

As a result of screening for terpenoids produced by marine-derived Streptomyces sp. MS239, two new terpenoids named 5-dimethylallylindole-3-carboxylic acid and A80915G-8''-acid were isolated and their structures were determined mainly by NMR analyses.

The taxonomic positions of three novel strains isolated from soil, driftwood and sediment samples collected in Japan were investigated based on the results of chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. The strains that we examined were Gram-positive, catalase-positive bacteria with L-ornithine as a diagnostic diamino acid of peptidoglycan. The acyl type of peptidoglycan was N-glycolyl. The major menaquinones were MK-11, -12, -13 and/or -14. Mycolic acids were not detected. The G+C content of the DNA was 68 to 70 mol%. These morphological and chemotaxonomical characters and comparative 16S rDNA analysis of the three isolated strains revealed that they belong to the genus Microbacterium. DNA-DNA relatedness data revealed that the three isolates are three new species of the genus Microbacterium. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, the isolates should be classified as novel species of the genus Microbacterium: Microbacterium awajiense sp. nov., Microbacterium fluvii sp. nov. and Microbacterium pygmaeum sp. nov. with the type strains YM13-414T (=MBIC08276T, DSM 18907T), YSL3-15T (=MBIC08277T, DSM 18908T) and KV-490T (=NRRL B-24469T, NBRC 101800T), respectively.

An obligately aerobic, spherical, non-motile, pale-yellow pigmented bacterium was isolated from a piece of leaf of seagrass,Enhalus acoroides(L.f.) Royle, grown in Okinawa, Japan and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate N5FB36-5Tshared approximately 96–98 % sequence similarity with the species of the genusPelagicoccusof the familyPuniceicoccaceaewithin the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’. The DNA–DNA relatedness values of strain N5FB36-5TwithPelagicoccus mobilis02PA-Ca-133TandPelagicoccus albusYM14-201Twere below 70 %, which is accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a novel species.β-Lactam antibiotic susceptibility test and amino acid analysis of the cell wall hydrolysates indicated the absence of muramic acid and diaminopimelic acid in the cell walls, which suggested that this strain lacks an ordinary Gram-negative type of peptidoglycan in the cell wall. The DNA G+C content of strain N5FB36-5Twas 51.6 mol%; MK-7 was the major menaquinone; and the presence of C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω7cand anteiso-C15 : 0as the major cellular fatty acids supported the identification of the novel isolate as a member of the genusPelagicoccus. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic data, it was concluded that this strain should be classified as a novel species of the genusPelagicoccus, for which the namePelagicoccus croceussp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is N5FB36-5T(=MBIC08282T=KCTC 12903T).

A facultatively anaerobic, moderately alkaliphilic, Gram-positive, spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, Shu-P-Ggiii25-2T, was isolated from lake sediment in Shizuoka, Japan, and was characterized taxonomically using a polyphasic approach. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the novel isolate clustered with the type strain of Amphibacillus xylanus and it exhibited sequence similarities of 94.9–95.6 % to the type strains of species of the genus Amphibacillus. Isoprenoid quinones and oxidase and catalase activities were not detected for strain Shu-P-Ggiii25-2T. The DNA G+C content was 42.3 mol%, the cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. On the basis of phylogenetic position and phenotypic properties, strain Shu-P-Ggiii25-2T represents a novel species of the genus Amphibacillus, for which the name Amphibacillus sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Shu-P-Ggiii25-2T (=MBIC08269T=IAM 15428T=KCTC 13120T). An emended description of the genus Amphibacillus is also given.

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, coccoid or rod-shaped, chemoheterotrophic bacteria designated strains YM21-132T and YM27-005T were isolated from marine animals, and were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic examination. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two isolates belong to the genus Rubritalea of the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’ (subdivision 1). The novel isolates shared approximately 97–98 % sequence similarity with each other and showed 93–97 % similarity with Rubritalea species of the family Verrucomicrobiaceae. The level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strains YM21-132T and YM27-005T was less than 70 %, which is accepted as the phylogenetic definition of a species. Both strains produced reddish carotenoid pigments and squalene. The cell wall peptidoglycan of both strains contained muramic acid and meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C contents of the genomic DNA were 48.0 mol% (strain YM21-132T) and 50.3 mol% (strain YM27-005T). The presence of MK-8 and MK-9 as the major isoprenoid quinones, and iso-C14 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 1 ω7c as the major cellular fatty acids supported the identification of the two novel strains as members of the genus Rubritalea. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic studies, it was concluded that these strains should be classified as representing two novel, separate species in the genus Rubritalea within the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’, for which the names Rubritalea spongiae sp. nov. (type strain YM21-132T=MBIC08281T=KCTC 12906T) and Rubritalea tangerina sp. nov. (type strain YM27-005T=MBIC08282T=KCTC 12907T) are proposed.

TheBacillus subtilisgroup comprises eight closely related species that are indistinguishable from one another by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Therefore, thegyrBgene, which encodes the subunit B protein of DNA gyrase, was selected as an alternative phylogenetic marker. To determine whethergyrBgene sequence analysis could be used for phylogenetic analysis and species identification of members of theB. subtilisgroup, the congruence ofgyrBgrouping with both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and DNA–DNA hybridization data was evaluated. Ranges ofgyrBnucleotide and translated amino acid sequence similarities among the eight type strains were 75.4–95.0 % and 88.5–99.2 %, respectively, whereas 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities were 98.1–99.8 %. Results showed thatgyrBgene sequences provide higher resolution than 16S rRNA gene sequences. The classification achieved bygyrBsequence analysis was in agreement with results obtained with DNA–DNA hybridization. It is concluded that thegyrBgene may be an efficient alternative target for identification and taxonomic analysis of members of theB. subtilisgroup.

Five Gram-negative, white-pigmented, spherical, chemoheterotrophic bacteria were isolated from seawater from Japan and the Republic of Palau by use of an in situ cultivation technique. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the five novel isolates, 02PA-Ca-133T, YM14-201T, H-MN57T, H-MN48 and MN1-156, were closely affiliated to members of subdivision 4 within the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’. The novel isolates shared 96–100 % sequence similarity with each other and showed less than 90 % similarity with the cultivated strains of subdivision 4. DNA–DNA relatedness values between strains 02PA-Ca-133T, YM14-201T and H-MN57T were less than 70 %; the value commonly accepted as the threshold for the phylogenetic definition of a species. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and amino acid analysis of cell-wall hydrolysates indicated that the novel isolates did not contain muramic acid or diaminopimelic acid in their cell walls, suggesting that these strains lack peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C contents of the five strains were 51–57 mol%. The major menaquinone was MK-7 and C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c and anteiso-C15 : 0 were the major fatty acids. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence, it is concluded that these strains should be classified as representing a new genus and three novel species in subdivision 4 of the phylum ‘Verrucomicrobia’, for which the names Pelagicoccus mobilis gen. nov., sp. nov. [type strain 02PA-Ca-133T (=MBIC08004T=IAM 15422T=KCTC 13126T)], Pelagicoccus albus sp. nov. [type strain YM14-201T (=MBIC08272T=IAM 15421T=KCTC 13124T)] and Pelagicoccus litoralis sp. nov. [type strain H-MN57T (=MBIC08273T=IAM 15423T=KCTC 13125T)] are proposed.