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Pestalotioid fungi have been frequently studied with respect to their morphology, molecular phylogeny, and pathogenicity. Monochaetia is a pestalotioid genus that is morphologically characterized by 5-celled conidia with single apical and basal appendages. In the present study, fungal isolates were obtained from diseased leaves of Fagaceae hosts in China in 2016 to 2021 and identified based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA gene with the two flanking internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU) region, the translation elongation factor 1-α ( tef1 ) gene, and the β-tubulin ( tub2 ) gene. As a result, five new species are proposed here, namely, Monochaetia hanzhongensis, Monochaetia lithocarpi, Monochaetia lithocarpicola, Monochaetia quercicola, and Monochaetia shaanxiensis. In addition, pathogenicity tests for these five species and Monochaetia castaneae from Castanea mollissima were conducted with detached leaves of Chinese chestnut. Results demonstrated that only M. castaneae successfully infected the host C. mollissima and caused brown lesions. IMPORTANCE Monochaetia is a pestalotioid genus, with members that are commonly known as leaf pathogens or saprobes; some strains were isolated from air, in which case their natural substrate is so far unknown. Fagaceae represents an ecologically and economically important plant family that is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, including an important tree crop species, Castanea mollissima, which is widely cultivated in China. In the present study, diseased leaves of Fagaceae in China were investigated, and five new Monochaetia species were introduced based on morphology and phylogeny of combined ITS, LSU, tef1 , and tub2 loci. Additionally, six species of Monochaetia were inoculated onto healthy leaves of the crop host Castanea mollissima to test their pathogenicity. The present study provides significant data on the species diversity, taxonomy, and host range of Monochaetia and enhances our understanding of leaf diseases of Fagaceae hosts., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ophiopogon japonicus ( Asparagaceae ) is a perennial grass species which can be cultivated as an ornamental and medicinal plant. From April 2021 to September 2022, a serious leaf blight disease of O. japonicus was discovered in Rizhao City, Shandong Province, China. The initial disease symptoms were small yellow spots, finally developing as tip blight, often associated with many small, black, semi-immersed pycnidial conidiomata formed in lesions. To obtain isolates of the causal agent for this disease, samples were randomly collected from O. japonicus diseased leaves in Rizhao City. In total 97 Phyllosticta isolates were obtained from samples, and studied using morphological features and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses of a combined dataset using the internal transcribed spacers (ITS), the 28S large subunit of ribosomal RNA (LSU), and partial translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef ), actin ( act ) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( gapdh ) loci. Phylogenetically, these Phyllosticta isolates formed a clade in the P. concentrica species complex, and clustered with P. pilospora and P. spinarum . Morphologically, isolates in this clade differed from P. pilospora and P. spinarum by the size of conidiogenous cells and conidia, and the absence of an apical conidial appendage. As a result, these isolates were described as a novel species Phyllosticta rizhaoensis . Pathogenicity was confirmed using Koch's postulates, which showed that P. rizhaoensis could induce leaf blight symptoms on O. japonicus in China. Citation: Wang C-B, Wang T-T, Ma C-Y, Xue H, Li Y, Piao C-G, Jiang N (2023). Phyllosticta rizhaoensis sp. nov . causing leaf blight of Ophiopogon japonicus in China. Fungal Systematics and Evolution 11 : 43-50. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.11.03., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© 2023 Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute.)

Phyllosticta (Phyllostictaceae, Botryosphaeriales) includes plant pathogens, endophytes and saprobes, occurring on various hosts worldwide. During the present study, isolates associated with leaf spots were obtained from the hosts Quercusaliena and Viburnumodoratissimum , and identified based on morphological features and phylogenetic inference from the analyses of five loci (ITS, LSU, tef1 , act and gapdh ). Results supported the introduction of two novel species, namely Phyllostictaanhuiensis and P.guangdongensis . Phylogenetically, P.anhuiensis and P.guangdongensis formed two well-separated lineages in the P.concentrica and P.capitalensis species complexes, distinguishing from all presently accepted species in this genus by DNA sequence data. Morphologically, P.anhuiensis and P.guangdongensis have the typical structure of the genus Phyllosticta , and differed from their closely related species by the length of the conidial appendage., (Cheng-Bin Wang, Jing Yang, Yong Li, Han Xue, Chun-Gen Piao, Ning Jiang.)

Species of Diaporthe have been reported as plant endophytes, pathogens and saprobes on a wide range of plant hosts. Strains of Diaporthe were isolated from leaf spots of Smilaxglabra and dead culms of Xanthiumstrumarium in China, and identified based on morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses of combined internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), calmodulin ( cal ), histone H3 ( his3 ), translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef1 ) and β-tubulin ( tub2 ) loci. As a result, two new species named Diaportherizhaoensis and D.smilacicola are identified, described and illustrated in the present study., (Ya-Quan Zhu, Chun-Yan Ma, Han Xue, Chun-Gen Piao, Yong Li, Ning Jiang.)

Tubakiaceae represents a distinct lineage of Diaporthales, including its type genus Tubakia and nine additional known genera. Tubakiaceous species are commonly known as endophytes in leaves and twigs of many tree species, but can also be plant pathogens causing conspicuous leaf symptoms. In the present study, isolates were obtained from diseased leaves of Lithocarpusglaber collected in Guangdong Province, China. The identification was conducted based on morphology and phylogeny of combined loci of 28S nrRNA gene (LSU), internal transcribed spacer regions and intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS) of the nrDNA operon, translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef1 ) and beta tubulin ( tub2 ). As a result, a distinct clade in Tubakiaceae was revealed named Phaeotubakialithocarpicola gen. et sp. nov. , which was distinguished from the other tubakiaceous taxa by its dark brown conidiogenous cells and conidia., (Ning Jiang, Ya-Quan Zhu, Han Xue, Chun-Gen Piao, Yong Li.)

Fagaceae is a family of flowering plants widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, including deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. Species of Pestalotiopsis are well-known agents of leaf spot diseases, but targeted sampling on Fagaceae is still missing. To determine the diversity of Pestalotiopsis species associated with Fagaceae leaf spot in China, investigations were conducted in the main areas of Fagaceae distribution from 2016 to 2021. Diseased leaf tissues were collected, and fungal isolates were obtained from leaf spots. In the present study, 43 isolates of Pestalotiopsis were studied based on combined morphology and phylogeny. As a result, 10 new species were identified, viz. , Pestalotiopsis anhuiensis , P. castanopsidis , P. changjiangensis , P. cyclobalanopsidis , P. foliicola , P. guangxiensis , P. guizhouensis , P. lithocarpi , P. shaanxiensis , and P. silvicola , and six new host records were recognized. IMPORTANCE Pestalotiopsis is a common fungal genus inhabiting plant tissues as endophytes, pathogens, and saprophytes. Fagaceae is a plant family including many important tree species, such as Castanea mollissima and Quercus spp. In this study, diseased leaves of Fagaceae in China were investigated, and 16 Pestalotiopsis species were identified based on morphology and phylogeny of combined loci of internal transcribed spacers (ITS), the translation elongation factor 1-α ( tef1 ), and the beta-tubulin ( tub2 ) genes. Among these, 10 new species were found, and six new host records were revealed. Our study significantly updates the taxonomy of Pestalotiopsis and enhances our understanding of leaf diseases of Fagaceae hosts.

The species of Tubakia (Tubakiaceae, Diaporthales, Sordariomycetes) have often been reported as endophytes and pathogens on woody plants. During the investigation of Tubakia species from Fagaceae trees in China, 46 isolates were obtained from diseased leaves and seeds. The characterization of these isolates was based on the observation of morphological characters, the effect of temperature on mycelial growth rate, as well as the combined genes of ITS, tef1 and tub2. As a result, six species were identified: Tubakia americana, T. cyclobalanopsidis sp. nov., T. dryinoides, T. koreana, T. paradryinoides and T. quercicola sp. nov. Among these, T. koreana and T. paradryinoides were firstly discovered in China. Pathogenicity tests were conducted using the conidial suspension on young, excised leaves for these six species, which showed that they were mildly pathogenic to four Fagacece hosts: C. mollissima, Q. acutissima, Q. aliena var. acutiserrata and Q. variabilis.

Colletotrichum is an important plant pathogenic genus causing anthracnose on a wide range of host plants. During 2019 and 2021, Colletotrichum isolates were obtained during surveys of anthracnose on garden plants in China. Multi-gene phylogenetic analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh), chitin synthase 1 ( chs-1 ), actin (act) and beta-tubulin (tub2) sequences coupled with morphological evidence support the introduction of two novel species namely Colletotrichumchinense sp. nov. from Yuccagloriosa in Beijing and C.quercicola sp. nov. from Quercusvariabilis in Shaanxi Province. Phylogenetic inference revealed that two isolates of C.chinense belonged to the agaves species complex and were closely related to C.agaves , and differed from the other species within this species complex by shorter conidia and the host association. Molecular identification showed that two isolates of C.quercicola formed a highly supported lineage close to C.tanaceti in the destructivum species complex, which could be distinguished from C.tanaceti by straighter conidia. In pathogenicity tests, yellow spots and orange conidial masses displayed on the inoculated Y.gloriosa leaves and brown spots appeared on the inoculated Q.variabilis leaves. In addition, C.chinense and C.quercicola were re-isolated from spots of the tested leaves of Y.gloriosa and Q.variabilis ., (Cheng-Bin Wang, Ning Jiang, Han Xue, Chun-Gen Piao, Yong Li.)

Strain DKSPLA3 T , a novel Gram-negative, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive, non-spore-forming, aerobic, non-nitrogen-fixing, non-motile bacterium was isolated from Quercus variablis leaf, in Zunyi, Guizhou, China. Growth occurred at 4-37 °C (optimum 28 °C), pH 4.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and up to 4.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum under 2.0%, w/v). Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain DKSPLA3 T was a novel species in the genus Rhizobium, which was supported by average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values. The predominant fatty acids of strain DKSPLA3 T were C 16:0 , C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c and C 18:1 ω7c 11-methyl. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. Major polar lipids were diphosphatidyl glycerol (DPG), phosphatidyl glycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine (PME), phosphatidylcholine (PC), two unidentified phospholipids (PL) and nine unidentified lipids (L). The genomic G + C content was 64.47 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, DKSPLA3 T should be classified as a novel species in the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium quercicola sp. nov. (KCTC 82843 T  = CFCC 16,707T) is proposed., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Species of Arthrinium s. l. are usually known as endophytes, pathogens or saprobes occurring on various hosts and substrates and are characterised by globose to subglobose, sometimes irregular, dark brown and smooth-walled or finely verruculose conidia, always with a truncate basal scar. Currently, Arthrinium s. l. contains two phylogenetically distinct clades, namely, Apiospora and Arthrinium s. s. However, Arthriniumtrachycarpi and Ar.urticae have still not been properly classified. With new isolates from diseased leaves of Lithocarpusglaber collected in China, we propose the new Arthrinium -like genus Neoarthrinium in Amphisphaeriales. Based on the morphology and phylogeny of multiple loci, the new genus is established with the type species, N.lithocarpicola and three new combinations, N.moseri (syn. Wardomycesmoseri ), N.trachycarpi (syn. Ar.trachycarpi ) and N.urticae (syn. Ar.urticae ) are added to this genus., (Ning Jiang, Hermann Voglmayr, Chun-Yan Ma, Han Xue, Chun-Gen Piao, Yong Li.)

Three yellow-colored strains, NC2-4-308 T , NC3-4-326 and NA3-4-109, were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of Larix gmelinii in Nanwenghe Nature Reserve, Great Khingan, China. These strains were oxidase- and catalase-positive and Gram-staining-negative. The cells were non-motile short rods that were aerobic and non-spore-forming. Growth occurred at pH values of 5.0-8.0 and at 0-4% (w/v) NaCl. The three strains were resistant to low temperature and grew at 2-35 °C. The principal fatty acids (> 5%) were summed feature 9, iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 17:0 and anteiso-C 15:0 . The predominant quinone was ubiquinone-8. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids and three unidentified aminophospholipids. The DNA G + C content of the type species was 64.0 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities among the three strains are more than 99.9%, indicating they belong to the same species. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, whole-genome sequences, the low ANI (74.2-75.5%) and dDDH (19.3-20.1%) hybridization values enabled differentiation of strains NC2-4-308 T , NC3-4-326 and NA3-4-109 from the members of related genera. The combined data from the morphological, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic tests indicate the three strains as a novel genus and a novel species in the family Rhodanobacteraceae. Therefore, we propose a novel genus with the name Pinirhizobacter soli gen. nov., sp. nov., for which the type strain is NC2-4-308 T (= CFCC 14693 T  = KCTC 72394 T )., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Diaporthe ( Diaporthaceae , Diaporthales ) is a common fungal genus inhabiting plant tissues as endophytes, pathogens and saprobes. Some species are reported from tree branches associated with canker diseases. In the present study, Diaporthe samples were collected from Alnusglutinosa , Fraxinusexcelsior and Quercusrobur in Utrecht, the Netherlands. They were identified to species based on a polyphasic approach including morphology, pure culture characters, and phylogenetic analyses of a combined matrix of partial ITS, cal , his3 , tef1 and tub2 gene regions. As a result, four species (viz.  Diaporthepseudoalnea sp. nov. from Alnusglutinosa , Diaporthesilvicola sp. nov. from Fraxinusexcelsior , D.foeniculacea and D.rudis from Quercusrobur ) were revealed from tree branches in the Netherlands. Diaporthepseudoalnea differs from D.eres (syn. D.alnea ) by its longer conidiophores. Diaporthesilvicola is distinguished from D.fraxinicola and D.fraxini-angustifoliae by larger alpha conidia., (Ning Jiang, Hermann Voglmayr, Chun-Gen Piao, Yong Li.)

Gnomoniopsis ( Gnomoniaceae , Diaporthales ) is a well-classified genus inhabiting leaves, branches and fruits of the hosts in three plant families, namely Fagaceae , Onagraceae and Rosaceae . In the present study, eighteen Gnomoniopsis isolates were obtained from diseased leaves of Fagaceae hosts collected from Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Henan, Jiangxi and Shaanxi provinces in China. Morphology from the cultures and phylogeny based on the 5.8S nuclear ribosomal DNA gene with the two flanking internally transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the translation elongation factor 1-alpha ( tef1 ) and the beta-tubulin ( tub2 ) genes were employed to identify these isolates. As a result, seven species were revealed, viz. Gnomoniopsis   castanopsidis , G.   fagacearum , G . guangdongensis , G.   hainanensis , G . rossmaniae and G . silvicola spp. nov, as well as a known species G. daii . In addition, G. daii was firstly reported on the host Quercus   aliena .

L3-3HA T , a Gram-negative-staining, facultatively anaerobic, motile bacterial strain, was isolated from the symptomatic bark of Salix matsudana canker in China. 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that the novel strain shares the highest sequence similarity with Brenneria goodwinii FRB141 T (95.5%). In phylogenetic trees based on four housekeeping genes (gyrB, rpoB, atpD, and infB) and the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the novel strain formed a separate branch from the five genera of the family Pectobacteriaceae (Lonsdalea, Brenneria, Dickeya, Pectobacterium, and Sodalis), suggesting that the novel strain should belong to a novel species of a novel genus within the family Pectobacteriaceae. The result was also supported by phylogenomics, amino acid identity and average nucleotide identity. The major fatty acids were C 14:0 , C 16:0 , C 17:0 cyclo, and C 19:0 cyclo ɷ8c. Genome analysis showed that the novel strain has a large genome (5.89 Mb) with 5,052 coding genes, including 181 virulence genes by searching the pathogen-host interactions database (PHI-base), indicating that the novel strain is a potential pathogen of plants and animals. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the L3-3HA T strain represents a novel species of a novel genus in the Pectobacteriaceae family, for which the name Affinibrenneria salicis gen nov. sp. nov. is proposed. The strain type is L3-3HA T (= CFCC 15588 T  = LMG 31209 T )., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, motile with polar flagella and pale-orange bacterium, designated strain 122213-3 T , was isolated from air, collected at the foot of the Xiangshan Mountain, located in Beijing, PR China. Optimal growth occurred at 28 °C, at pH 7 and in the presence of 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that 122213-3 T clustered with species of the genus Noviherbaspirillum and formed a distinct sublineage, showing highest similarities to Noviherbaspirillum malthae CC-AFH3 T (96.88 %), Noviherbaspirillum massiliense JC206 T (95.78 %) and Noviherbaspirillum aurantiacum SUEMI08 T (95.78 %). The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω 6 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 7 c ), summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 18 : 1  ω 6 c ) and C 16 : 0 . The predominant quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8). The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified polar lipids. The polyamine pattern showed the presence of putrescine as the major polyamine, with minor amounts of 2-hydroxyputrescine. The DNA G+C content was 60.1 mol%. The phylogenetic analysis and physiological and biochemical data showed that strain 122213-3 T should be classified as representing a novel species in the genus Noviherbaspirillum , for which the name Noviherbaspirillum aerium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of N. aerium is 122213-3 T (=CFCC 14286 T =LMG 30131 T ).

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile bacterial strain, TPQG1-4 T , was isolated from the leaf of Cyclobalanopsis patelliformis with spot disease. The isolate was investigated using the polyphasic taxonomic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analyzing revealed that the novel strain shares the highest sequence similarity with Stenotrophomonas lactitubi M15 T (99.6%), Stenotrophomonas indicatrix WS40 T (99.4%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia IAM 12423 T (99.2%) and Stenotrophomonas pavanii LMG 25348 T (99.0%). In phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the novel strain branched independently from other species of Stenotrophomonas. Average nucleotide identity values between the novel isolate and S. lactitubi M15 T , S. indicatrix WS40 T , S. maltophilia IAM 12423 T , S. pavanii LMG 25348 T , and Pseudomonas geniculata ATCC 19374 T were 87.2%, 87.3%, 86.3%, 88.0%, and 81.3%, respectively, suggesting the isolate was a novel species of the genus Stenotrophomonas. The DNA G + C content of TPQG1-4 T is 67.1 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C 15:0 (25.4%) and anteiso-C 15:0 (17.0%). The polar lipids of TPQG1-4 T included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, amino phospholipid and phospholipid. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the strain represents a novel species in the genus Stenotrophomonas, for which the name Stenotrophomonas cyclobalanopsidis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TPQG1-4 T (= CFCC 15341 T  = LMG 31208 T ).

A grey pink colored bacterium, strain t3-1-3 T , was isolated from the air at the foot of the Xiangshan Mountain in Beijing, China. The cells are aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming, motile and coccoid-rod shaped (0.9-1.2 × 1.9-2.1 μm). Strain t3-1-3 T was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative and this strain grew at 4-42°C (optimum 28°C), a pH of 4.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and under 0-2% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0-1% NaCl). A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain t3-1-3 T was closely related to Azohydromonas riparia UCM-11 T (97.4% similarity), followed by Azohydromonas australica G1-2 T (96.8%) and Azohydromonas ureilytica UCM-80 T (96.7%). The genome of strain t3-1-3 T contains 6,895 predicted protein-encoding genes, 8 rRNA genes, 62 tRNA genes and one sRNA gene, as well as five potential biosynthetic gene clusters, including clusters of genes coding for non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), bacteriocin and arylpolyene and two clusters of genes for terpene. The predominant cellular fatty acids (> 10.0% of the total) in strain t3-1-3 T were summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7c and/or C 16:1 ω6c, 37.8%), summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c, 29.7%) and C 16:0 (17.3%). Strain t3-1-3 T contained ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) as the predominant respiratory quinone. The polar lipids of strain t3-1-3 T comprised phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), phosphatidyl glycerol (PG), diphosphatidyl glycerol (DPG), an unidentified glycolipid (GL), an unidentified aminophospholipid (APL), two unidentified phospholipid (PL1-2) and five unidentified lipid (L1-5). The DNA G + C content of the type strain is 70.3%. The broader range of growth temperature, assimilation of malic acid and trisodium citrate, presence of C 18:3 ω6c and an unidentified glycolipid and absence of C 12:0 2-OH and C 16:0 iso differentiate strain t3-1-3 T from related species. Based on the taxonomic data presented in this study, we suggest that strain t3-1-3 T represents a novel species within the genus Azohydromonas, for which the name Azohydromonas aeria sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Azohydromonas aeria is t3-1-3 T (= CFCC 13393 T = LMG 30135 T ).

One Gram-negative aerobic bacterial strain was isolated from the bark tissue of Populus × euramericana  and investigated using a polyphasic approach including 16S rRNA gene sequencing and both phenotypic and chemotaxonomic assays. The 16S rRNA gene and housekeeping gene phylogenies suggest that the novel isolate is different from the other genera of the family Alcaligenaceae. The G+C content, major fatty acids, physiological and biochemical data supported the distinctiveness of the novel strain from reference species. The major fatty acids detected in the novel isolate were C 16 : 1 ω7 c and/or C 16 : 1 ω6 c , C 16 : 0 , C 14 : 0 3OH and/or C 16 : 1 isoI and C 18 : 1 ω7 c . The phospholipid profile of strain d3-2-2 T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, aminophospholipid and an unidentified lipid. The quinone of the novel isolate was Q-8. Therefore, based on the data, the strain constitutes a novel species of a novel genus within the family Alcaligenaceae , for which the name Corticimicrobacter populi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3d-2-2 T (=CFCC 11891 T =KCTC 52807 T ).

A Gram-staining positive facultative anaerobic, non-motile strain, sk1b4 T , was isolated from canker of symptomatic bark tissue of a Populus × euramericana. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain sk1b4 T shared the highest similarity with Arcanobacterium phocisimile (94.1%). Within the phylogenetic tree, the novel isolate formed a distinct branch from Actinobaculum, Arcanobacterium, and Trueperella. The percentage of conserved proteins calculated from genomic sequence indicated a low level of relatedness between the novel strain and its phylogenetic neighbors. Growth of the novel strain occurred at temperatures between 10 and 41°C, and within a pH range of 6.0-9.0; optimal growth occurred at 30°C and at pH 6.0-9.0. Growth also occurred within a NaCl concentration of 1%-5% (w/v). The major fatty acids of the strain were C 14:0 , C 16:0 , and C 18:1 ω9c , and major polar lipids were glycolipid, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phospholipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylglycerol. Respiratory quinone was absent. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, we propose that the novel isolate should be classified as a novel species in a new genus: Ancrocorticia populi gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is sk1b4 T (=CFCC 14564 T = KCTC 39919 T )., (© 2019 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

One Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-motile bacterial strain, 2c-3 T , was isolated from symptomatic canker bark tissue of Populus × euramericana. It was studied by the genome sequence-derived average nucleotide identity (ANI), phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and phenotypic characteristics. 16S rRNA gene data revealed that the novel isolate shares the greatest sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium populi 7Y-4 T (97.0 %). The ANI values between the novel isolate and S. populi 7Y-4 T was 81.19 %, lower than the proposed species boundary ANI cut-off (95-96 %). The major fatty acids are iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipids of the novel isolate included phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipid, aminophospholipid and unknown lipids (L1-10). The menaquinone of the novel isolate was MK-7. The DNA G+C content was 41.96 mol %. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the isolate represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium corticibacter is proposed. The type strain is 2c-3 T (=CFCC 11898 T =KCTC 52798 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile bacterial strain, shQ-4 T , was isolated from a pear tree in Henan Province, China. The strain grew at 10-41 °C, at pH 4.0-8.0 and in the presence of 1-3 % (w/v) NaCl. It shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.66 %) with Herbaspirillum chlorophenolicum CPW301 T . The phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain shQ-4 T formed a distinct branch next to reference species in the genus Herbaspirillum. The profile of major polar lipids of strain shQ-4 T contained phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and an unidentified aminophospholipid (APL). The major respiratory quinone was Q-8. The major fatty acids of this strain were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c), C17 : 0 cyclo and C18 : 0. Strain shQ-4 T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Herbaspirillum, with the proposed name Herbaspirillum piri sp. nov. The type strain is shQ-4 T (=CFCC 14641 T =KCTC 52804 T ).

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, yellow-pigmented and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated B093034 T , was isolated from air at the foot of Xiangshan mountain, located in Beijing, China. Cells of strain B093034 T were oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. Growth was observed at 4-41 °C, at pH 4.5-10.0 and at 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl. The isolate contained Q-10 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0 and C14 : 02-OH as the major fatty acids, sym-homospermidine as the major polyamine, and sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, two unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified polar lipids as the polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 67.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain B093034 T grouped with members of the genus Sphingomonas and was closely related to Sphingomonas sanguinis IFO 13937 T (96.49 % similarity), Sphingomonas pseudosanguinis G1-2 T (96.37 %), Sphingomonas ginsenosidimutansGsoil 1429 T (95.99 %) and Sphingomonas endophytica YIM 65583 T (95.78 %). On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented here, strain B093034 T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonasaeria sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B093034 T (=CFCC 13949 T =LMG 30133 T ).

Two novel bacterial strains (4M3-2 T and 10-107-7) were isolated from poplar tree bark. The strains were Gram-stain-negative facultative aerobes, and produced short rods that were motile because of polar flagella. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicating that the two novel strains are related to species of the genus Aureimonas and Aurantimonas. The two novel strains shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Aureimonasfrigidaquae CW5 7Y-4 T (97.1 %) and Aureimonasaltamirensis DSM 21988 T (96.6 %)o. The lipids of the novel strain contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol. The presence of a distinct glycolipid (sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol) is an important chemotaxonomic feature used to distinguish between species of the genera, Aurantimonas and Aureimonas. Additionally, the DNA-DNA hybridization results indicated that the two novel strains represent a novel taxon distinct from Aureimonas frigidaquae. The results of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, as well as the physiological and biochemical characteristics imply that the two novel strains should be assigned to a novel species, with the proposed name Aureimonas populi sp. nov. The type strain is 4M3-2 T (=CFCC 11187 T =KCTC 42087 T ).

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-motile bacterial strain, 23D10-4-9 T , was isolated from symptomatic canker bark tissue of Populus × euramericana. The isolate grew between 4 and 35 °C, with optimal growth occurring at 25 °C. The species was positive for catalase and negative for oxidase activity. Nitrate was not reduced to nitrite. It showed activities toward β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Citrate was not utilized. Acid was produced from d-glucose. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The main polar lipid profiles of the novel isolate included phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipids and seven unknown lipids. The predominant menaquinone of the novel isolate was MK-7. The DNA G+C content was 40.6 mol%. 16S rRNA gene data revealed that the novel isolate shares the greatest sequence similarity with Sphingobacterium populi 7Y-4 T (96.1 %). Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the isolate represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumcorticis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 23D10-4-9 T (=CFCC 12640 T =KCTC 42248 T ).

Two Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile bacterial strains isolated from symptomatic bark of Populus × euramericana canker in China were investigated using a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, multilocus sequence analysis, and biochemical and physiological assays. 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that these strains belonged to the genus Brenneria, family Pectobacteriaceae, and had the highest sequence similarity with Brenneria populi CFCC 11963T (98 %). DNA-DNA hybridization experiments revealed DNA-DNA relatedness values of 72.1-78.2 % between the new isolates and strains of B. populi, revealing that these strains belonged to the same species. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multilocus sequence analysis suggested that the two novel strains and those of B. populi are phylogenetically closely related but form two clearly separated subgroups. Based on the data, the two novel isolates represent a subspecies of B. populi for which the name B. populi subsp. brevivirga subsp. nov. is proposed with D8-10-4-5T (=CFCC 11935T=KCTC 42841T) as the type strain, with the automatic creation of B. populi subsp. populi subsp. nov. (type strain D9-5T=CFCC 11963T=KCTC 42088T).

Strain 011410T, isolated from air at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain, Beijing, China, was Gram-reaction-negative, facultatively anaerobic, oval-shaped, motile with two flagella and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Growth of strain 011410T was observed at 4-41 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 4.5-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and at salinities of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 011410T was a member of the genus Paracoccus and was related most closely to Paracoccus aestuarii B7T (96.62 % similarity) and Paracoccus sediminis CMB17T (96.48 % similarity). The major fatty acid was identified as C18 : 1ω7c, with smaller amounts of C18 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 2 (C14 : 0 3-OH and/or iso-C16 : 1 I). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10), with Q-9 as a minor component. Polar lipid analysis indicated the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unknown phosphoglycolipid, five unknown phospholipids, one unknown aminolipid, one unknown glycolipid and two unknown polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 63.5 mol%. On the basis of the data from this polyphasic characterization, strain 011410T represents a novel species, for which the name Paracoccus aerius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 011410T (=CFCC 14285T=KCTC 42845T).

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow-pigmented, ovoid to rod-shaped, strictly aerobic bacterial strain, designated 100921-2T, was isolated from air at the foot of Xiangshan Mountain. Phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis of the organism revealed that the isolate belongs to the genus Altererythrobacter. Strain 100921-2T showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (96.01-94.70 %) to other type strains of the genus Altererythrobacter, with the highest similarity to Altererythrobactermarensis MSW-14T. Growth of strain 100921-2T was observed at 4-50 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 4.5-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at salinities of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0-0.5 %). The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c (27.8 %), C17 : 1ω6c (23.1 %), 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c(11.9 %), summed feature 3 (9.1 %) and C15 : 0 2-OH (7.9 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). Polar lipid analysis indicated the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unknown phospholipids, five unknown polar lipids and two unknown glycolipids. The DNA G+C content of the type strain was 67.5 mol%. On the basis of the data from the polyphasic characterization, strain 100921-2T represents a novel species, for which the name Altererythrobacter aerius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 100921-2T (=CFCC 14287T=KCTC 42844T).

Two Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, motile, slimy, glossy bacterial strains were isolated from bark tissue of Populus×euramericana. The bacteria grew at 10-37 °C, pH 5-10, with optimal growth at 28-30 °C, pH 6.0-8.0. Both strains grew with 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. In the maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree, the two isolates formed a distinct branch within the family Phyllobacteriaceae, and they were not closely related to any of the genera within the family Phyllobacteriaceae. The two novel isolates werepositive for oxidase andcatalase activity. The polar lipids profile revealed diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phospholipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and five unknown lipids. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 56.4 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, the two strains represent a novel species belonging to a novel genus of the family Phyllobacteriaceae, for which the name Corticibacterium populi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is 16B10-2-7 T (=CFCC 12884 T =KCTC 42249 T ).

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive bacterial strain, designated 06C10-3-11T, was isolated from the symptomatic bark of a Populus × euramericana canker. Growth occurred at 10-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6-11 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0), 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-1 %) and in the presence of 20 mM Cr (VI). The major fatty acids (≥10 %) of the novel strain were identified as anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C16:0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipid, glycolipid and two unknown lipids. The strain contained the respiratory quinone MK-10 (71 %) as a major component and MK-11 (29 %) in lesser amounts. The cell wall amino acids were 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, alanine, glutamic acid and glycine. The genomic DNA G+C content of the type strain was 69.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, indicated that strain 06C10-3-11T belongs to the genus Leucobacter, showing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Leucobacter celer NAL101T (96.19 %), 'Leucobacter kyeonggiensis' F3-P9T (96.18 %), Leucobacter denitrificans M1T8B10T (96.10 %) and Leucobacter aridicollis CIP 108388T (96.06 %). The DNA G+C content of strain 06C10-3-11T was 69.8 mol%. Based on the molecular data and physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain 06C10-3-11T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Leucobacter, for which the name Leucobacterpopuli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 06C10-3-11T (= CFCC 12199T = KCTC 39685T).

Five Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strains were isolated from cankers of Populus x euramericana collected from different locations in Puyang city, Henan Province, China. The five strains were characterized by nutritional and physiological testing and DNA sequence analysis. Haemolysis was not observed on agar media supplemented with sheep erythrocytes. The strains could be distinguished from members of most species of the genus Acinetobacter by their inability to assimilate L-arginine and benzoate. The five strains formed a single branch in phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoB individual gene sequence analysis,indicating that they all belonged to a single taxon within the genus Acinetobacter. DNA-DNA hybridization results indicated that the five isolates represented to a single species that was separate from Acinetobacter puyangensis. On the basis of the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the five strains are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter populi sp. nov. is proposed. The typestrain of A. populi sp. nov. is PBJ7T (CFCC 11170T=KCTC 42272T).

Four novel bacterial strains belonging to the genus Kurthia were isolated from the surface of a weevil of the family Curculionidae (strain 10y-14T), and from bark samples of hybrid poplar, Populus × euramericana (strains 6-3, 2-5 and 06C10-3-14), in Puyang, Henan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) data showed that the four strains form a distinct cluster in the genus Kurthia, indicating that they all belong to a single taxon within the genus. DNA-DNA hybridization levels between strain 10y-4T and Kurthia huakuii LAM0618T and Kurthia massiliensis DSM 24639T were 58.31 and 53.92 %, respectively. This indicates that the four novel strains represent a species distinct from these two closely related species. The DNA G+C content of the novel strains was 42.1-42.6 %. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0.The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown phospholipid and unidentified aminophospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-7 (90 %) and MK-6 (10 %). The major cell-wall amino acids were lysine, alanine, glutamic acid and glycine. On the basis of the MLSA and 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analyses, DNA-DNA reassociation values, DNA base composition, and biochemical and phenotypic characteristics, the four strains are considered to represent a novel species within the genus Kurthia, for which the name Kurthia populi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 10y-14T ( = CFCC 11600T = KCTC 33522T).

Three novel endophytic strains, designated 17B10-2-12T, 26C10-4-4 and D13-10-4-9, were isolated from the bark of Populus euramericana in Heze, Shandong Province, China. They were Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, non-motile, short-rod-shaped, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. A phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the three novel strains clustered with members of the family Comamonadaceae and formed a distinct branch. The isolates shared 100 % similarities among themselves and had the highest sequence similarity with Xenophilus azovorans DSM 13620T (95.2 %) and Xenophilus arseniciresistens YW8T (95.0 %), and less than 95.0 % sequence similarities with members of other species. Their major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three unknown aminophospholipids. The predominant quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The DNA G+C content was 69.5–70.0 mol%. Based on data from a polyphasic taxonomy study, the three strains represent a novel species of a novel genus of the family Comamonadaceae, for which the name Corticibacter populi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 17B10-2-12T ( = CFCC 12099T = KCTC 42091T).

A Gram-stain negative, Neisser-stain negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, slimy, glossy bacterial strain with single or clustered coccoid cells and white colony colour, designated as 2-bin(T), was isolated from cankered bark tissue of Populus × euramericana. The strain was found to grow at 15-40 °C and pH 5-10, with an optimum of 30 °C and pH 8.0. The strain was found to be negative with respect to catalase and positive for oxidase activity, nitrate reduction and Voges-Proskauer reaction. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Lampropedia, having sequence similarity of 96.24 % with Lampropedia hyalina ATCC11041(T). DNA-DNA relatedness of strain 2-bin(T) with L. hyalina JCM 21380(T) was 26.7 ± 4.6 %. The DNA G+C content of strain 2-bin(T) was determined to be 57 % and the major cellular fatty acids were identified as C16:0, C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c and C18:1 ω7c. The polar lipid profile of strain 2-bin(T) was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, a glycolipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, a phospholipid, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and three unidentified lipids (L1, L2, L3). Based on molecular data and physiological and biochemical characteristics, strain 2-bin(T) is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Lampropedia, for which the name Lampropedia puyangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2-bin(T) (= CFCC 10925(T) = KCTC 32235(T)).

Five non-spore-forming, aerobic and Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains, 10-107-8(T), 1C-4, NHI3_6, 4107_1_2, and 3D-3, were isolated from Populus × euramericana bark collected in Puyang City, Henan Province, PR China. The isolates grew at 15-40 °C and pH 5-10. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 30 °C and pH 8.0, respectively. Chemotaxonomic features included MK-10 and MK-11 as major menaquinones (type strain); predominating iso- and anteiso-branched cellular fatty acids; diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids (type strain); ornithine as the principal diamino acid of the cell-wall peptidoglycan (type strain); glycolyl type as cell-wall acyl type; and DNA G+C content of 66.8-67.6 mol%. These features were consistent with classification in the genus Microbacterium . Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence data indicated that the five isolates belonged to the genus Microbacterium and were closely related to Microbacterium halotolerans . A high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.97% to M. halotolerans YIM 70130(T) was observed. The five isolates showed less than 96.20% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the other species of the genus Microbacterium with validly published names. DNA-DNA relatedness of the five isolates with M. halotolerans JCM 13013(T) ranged from 35.62% to 44.36%. Considering the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and the physiological and biochemical characteristics, we propose that the five strains should be assigned to a novel species of the genus Microbacterium . The name proposed for the five strains is Microbacterium populi sp. nov., and the type strain is 10-107-8(T) ( =CFCC 11275(T) =KCTC 29152(T))., (© 2015 IUMS.)

Five Gran-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, bacterial strains were isolated from symptomatic bark tissue of Populus×euramericana canker. Strains grew at 4-41 °C, pH 4-10 and 0-6 % (w/v) salinity. They were positive with respect to catalase activity and negative for oxidase activity, nitrate reduction and the Voges-Proskauer reaction. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these five poplar isolates belong to the genus Brenneria, having highest sequence similarity of 95.98 % with Brenneria goodwinii LMG 26270(T). These five isolates formed a single cluster based on multilocus sequence analysis, indicating that they all belong to a single taxon within the genus Brenneria, which was confirmed by DNA-DNA hybridization. The DNA G+C content was 54.9-55.7 mol%, and the main fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c, C17 : 0 cyclo and C16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH. Based on these results, we describe a novel species of the genus Brenneria with the proposed name Brenneria populi sp. nov. The type strain is D9-5(T) ( = CFCC 11963(T) = KCTC 42088(T))., (© 2015 IUMS.)

Four witches'-broom diseases associated with Arachis hypogaea (peanut), Crotalaria pallida, Tephrosia purpurea, and Cleome viscosa were observed in Hainan Province, China during field surveys in 2004, 2005, and 2007. In previously reported studies, we identified these four phytoplasmas as members of subgroup 16SrII-A, and discovered that their 16S rRNA gene sequences were 99.9-100% identical to one another. In this study, we performed extensive phylogenetic analyses to elucidate relationships among them. We analyzed sequences of the 16S rRNA gene and rplV-rpsC, rpoB, gyrB, dnaK, dnaJ, recA, and secY combined sequence data from two strains each of the four phytoplasmas from Hainan province, as well as strains of peanut witches'-broom from Taiwan (PnWB-TW), "Candidatus Phytoplasma australiense", "Ca. Phytoplasma mali AT", aster yellows witches'-broom phytoplasma AYWB, and onion yellows phytoplasma OY-M. In the 16S rRNA phylogenetic tree, the eight Hainan strains form a clade with PnWB-TW. Analysis of the seven concatenated gene regions indicated that the four phytoplasmas collected from Hainan province cluster most closely with one another, but are closely related to PnWB-TW. The results of field survey and phylogenetic analysis indicated that Cr. pallida, T. purpurea, and Cl. viscosa may be natural plant hosts of peanut witches'-broom phytoplasma., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strains, 2BJ1(T) and 2C-3-1, were isolated from canker bark of Populus × euramericana collected from different locations in Puyang City, Henan Province, China. The two strains were characterized using nutritional and physiological testing and DNA sequence analysis. They were found to produce acid from d-glucose. Haemolysis was not observed on agar medium supplemented with sheep erythrocytes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, rpoB and gyrB gene sequences revealed that the strains formed a distinct cluster with 100 % bootstrap support within the genus Acinetobacter in all phylogenetic trees. The phenotypic characteristics most useful for the differentiation of the two strains from other species of the genus Acinetobacter were their ability to grow at 41 °C and to assimilate malonate, phenylacetate and trigonelline. Based on phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the two strains are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter qingfengensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2BJ1(T) ( = CFCC 10890(T) = KCTC 32225(T)).

Two Gram-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped strains, BQ4-1(T) and NHI3-2, isolated respectively from the healthy and diseased part of Populus ×euramericana canker bark, were characterized using a polyphasic approach. Chemotaxonomic characterization supported the inclusion of the two strains in the genus Acinetobacter, with genomic DNA G+C contents (42.5-43 mol%) within the range observed for this genus (38-47 mol%) and 9-octadecenoic acid (C18 : 1ω9c, 39.87 %), hexadecanoic acid (C16 : 0, 11.26 %) and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c, 18.90 %) as major fatty acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, rpoB and gyrB gene sequences revealed that strains BQ4-1(T) and NHI3 did not cluster with any species with validly published names, and formed a distinct cluster with 99-100 % bootstrap support on three phylogenetic trees within the genus Acinetobacter. Acid was not produced from d-glucose, and haemolysis was not observed on agar media supplemented with sheep erythrocytes. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the two strains are considered to represent a novel species of the genus Acinetobacter, for which the name Acinetobacter puyangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BQ4-1(T) (= CFCC 10780(T) = JCM 18011(T)).

Atractylodis macrocephalae is an important Chinese herbal medicine plant and its rhizome is of high medicinal value. In recent years, a severe decline in yield has been observed in Bozhou City (China's largest A. macrocephalae producing area), Anhui Province, China. A survey for plant-parasitic nematodes was conducted in this area from June to September 2011. Stunted plants displayed chlorotic or necrotic lower leaves near the ground part by the growth reduction; examination of the roots of stunted plants revealed the presence of galls typical of infestation by root knot nematode. Root nodules were found on the tap and lateral roots caused the fleshy tap root deformity. The incidence of diseased plants was estimated to be 45%, and yield loss was quantified as 43.5%. Nematodes were extracted from the root samples as previously described (4) and identified by morphology, enzyme analysis, and molecular characterization. Morphology of the female perineal patterns and measurements of the second-stage juveniles (J2s) matched those of the original description of Meloidogyne arenaria. Enzyme analysis of the esterase (Est) phenotype was also typical of the AII phenotype in M. arenaria (2). DNA was extracted according to a modified protocol (1), and the rDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS1_5.8S_ITS2) region was amplified with universal primers V5367 (5'-TTGATTACGTCCCTGCCCTTT-3') and 26S (5'-TTTCACTCGCCGTTACTAAGG-3'). PCR yielded a fragment of 764 bp and the purified product was sequenced by Sanger's dideoxy chain termination method (ABI3730). Sequences were identical to that of M. arenaria in GenBank (Accession No. AF387092) (3). Amplification of the D2/D3 fragments of the 28S RNA with universal primers D2A (5'-ACAAGTACCGTGAGGGAAAGTTG-3') and D3B (5'-TCGGAAGGAACCAGCTACTA-3') yielded a PCR fragment of 758 bp. These sequences were also identical to that of M. arenaria in GenBank (Accession No. AF435803). For further confirmation, amplification of the IGS region with universal primers 5S (5'-TTAACTTGCCAGATCGGACG-3') and 18S (5'-TCTAATGAGGGAACCAGCTACTA-3') yielded a PCR fragment of 713 bp. These sequences were 99.64% homologous to that of M. arenaria (GenBank Accession No. MAU42342). To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. arenaria species on A. macrocephalae in China. The fleshy tap root of A. macrocephalae is the main edible part of the plant, and the damage caused by root knot nematode will potentially reduce the yield and quality of this herb. References: (1) J. L. Cenis et al. Phytopathology 83:76, 1993. (2) P. R. Esbenshade and A. C. Triantaphyllou. J. Nematol. 17:6, 1985. (3) T. C. Vrain et al. Appl Nematol. 15:563, 1992. (4) L. F. Wang et al. Forest Res. 14:484, 2001.