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A Gram-stain-negative, tyrosine-metabolizing, non-motile, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped marine bacterium, designated strain CC-PW-75T, was isolated from the estuarine water off Pintung, Taiwan. Strain CC-PW-75T formed a distinct phyletic lineage associated with Gemmobacter species, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with G. megaterium CF17T and G. straminiformis CAM-8T (96.0% each) followed by G. aquatilis IFAM 1031T and G. nectariphilus AST4T (95.8% each). Analysis of the draft genome (3.76 Mbp) revealed the presence of genes encoding light-harvesting complexes, photosynthetic reaction centers and proteins involved in the metabolism of CO, CO2, HCO3‒ and H2S. However, bacteriochlorophyll a was not detected. Average nucleotide identity values between the genome sequence of CC-PW-75T and the related Gemmobacter species (n = 6) were estimated to be 72.8–76.3%. Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified lipid in major amounts, and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid in minor amounts. C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c, C18:0 and C18:1ω7c 11-methyl were identified to be major fatty acids. The DNA G + C content was 66.2 mol% (draft genome sequence). Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic evidence, CC-PW-75T is most likely a novel species of the genus Gemmobacter, affiliated to the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Gemmobacter aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-PW-75T (= JCM 19754T = BCRC 80759T). Also, we propose the reclassification of Cereibacter changlensis as Gemmobacter changlensis Chen et al. 2013 using the polyphasic data presented in this study.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (designed as strain CC-MHH0539T) isolated from the chopped tuber of taro (Colocasia esculanta) in Taiwan. Strain CC-MHH0539T was able to grow at 15–30 °C (optimum, 25 °C), at pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, 7.0) and with 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain CC-MHH0539T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingomonas laterariae LNB2T (96.8 %), Sphingobium boeckii 469T (96.5 %), Sphingomonas faucium E62-3T (96.4 %) and Sphingosinicella vermicomposti YC7378T (96.2 %) and

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a presumably novel bacterium, designated strain CC-YTH191T, isolated from a fermented meal in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-YTH191T were Gram-stain-negative aerobic rods, which grew at 15–40 °C (optimal 25–30 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimal 7.0) and 1–2 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 1 %). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-YTH191T appeared to belong to the genus Castellaniella , and was closely related to Castellaniella hirudinis (96.7 % similarity), Castellaniella ginsengisoli (96.7 %) and Castellaniella caeni (96.0 %), while with other related species it shared

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize an aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (designated strain CC-KL-3T) isolated from a hot spring. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes indicated that strain CC-KL-3T showed highest sequence similarity to Hydrogenophaga bisanensis (97.7 %) and Hydrogenophaga atypica (97.6 %) and lower sequence similarity to other species (less than 97.6 %). The levels of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain CC-KL-3T, H. bisanensis and H. atypica were estimated to be 13.0 and 8.7 % (the reciprocal value was 14.7 and 6.3 %). Strain CC-KL-3T was non-motile, without apparent flagella and able to grow between 15–42 °C (optimal 30 °С), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimal 7.0) and 0–2 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 0 %). The DNA G+C content was 61.4 mol% and the major quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-8). The polyamine profile revealed the predominance of 2-hydroxyputrescine and putrescine and the dominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 (28.9 %), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c (41.4 %) and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (11.9 %). These data corroborated the affiliation of strain CC-KL-3T to the genus Hydrogenophaga . Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits, and the results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-KL-3T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Hydrogenophaga , affiliated to the family Comamonadaceae , for which the name Hydrogenophaga aquatica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-KL-3T (=BCRC 80937T=JCM 31216T).

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a presumably novel bacterium, designated strain CC-YTH161T, isolated from an agarwood sample. Cells of strain CC-YTH161T were Gram-stain-positive aerobic rods, which grew at 20–40 °C, at pH 5.0–9.0 and with 0–5 % (w/v) NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-YTH161T appeared to belong to the genus Humibacter , and was closely related to Humibacter antri D7-27T (96.6 % similarity) and Humibacter ginsengiterrae DCY60T (96.2 %). The DNA G+C content was 67.0 mol% and the predominant quinone system was menaquinones (MK) 11 and 12. The major cellular fatty acids of the isolate were C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. The polar lipid profile comprised predominant amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol followed by two unidentified co-migrating glycolipids and phosphatidylglycerol in significant amounts. The diagnostic diamino acid was 2,4-diaminobutyric acid. All these features confirmed the placement of strain CC-YTH161T within the genus Humibacter . On the basis of evidence from this study, strain CC-YTH161T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Humibacter , for which the name Humibacter aquilariae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YTH161T (=BCRC 80936T=JCM 31199T).

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a novel bacterium, designated strain TPP412T, isolated from a paddy soil in Taiwan. Strain TPP412T was Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped, motile with a single polar flagellum and lacked bacteriochlorophyll. Growth was observed at 24–45 °C (optimal 25 °C), at pH 5.0–10.0 (optimal pH 7.0) and with 0–0.75 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain TPP412T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to members of the genera Rhodocyclus (94.1–94.5 %), Azospira (93.9–94.5 %) and Propionivibrio (93.4–94.4 %) and established a discrete taxonomic lineage in phylogenetic analysis. The major fatty acids found in strain TPP412T were C12 : 0, C12 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c and C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified lipid. The polyamine pattern showed a predominance of putrescine and a minor amount of spermidine. The DNA G+C content was 58.4 mol% and the predominant quinone system was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values (≤94.5%) and distinct phylogenetic clustering clearly distinguished strain TPP412T from other representatives of the family Rhodocyclaceae . Based on the discrete phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain TPP412T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Rhodocyclaceae , for which the name Oryzomicrobium terrae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Oryzomicrobium terrae is TPP412T (=BCRC 80905T=JCM 30814T).

A tyrosine-metabolizing, Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, curved-rod-shaped, motile (due to monopolar flagellum) marine bacterium, designated strain CC-PW-9T, was isolated from estuarine water off Pingtung, Taiwan. Strain CC-PW-9T not only shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Idiomarina representatives (96.4-93.4 %, n=26), but also formed a distinct phyletic lineage and coherent phylogenetic cluster associated with those species. Cells of strain CC-PW-9T grew with 6-12 % (w/v) NaCl, at 20-40 °C and at pH 6-9. It produced predominant amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, plus diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, two unidentified phospholipids, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid, two unidentified lipids and an unidentified aminolipid in moderate to trace amounts. Fatty acids such as iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 010-methyl (summed feature 9) were found in major amounts. The DNA G+C content was 51.1 mol%. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on evidence from this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain CC-PW-9T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Idiomarina, affiliated to the family Idiomarinaceae, for which the name Idiomarina tyrosinivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-PW-9T (=JCM 19757T=BCRC 80745T).

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a novel marine bacterial strain, designated LS-811T, isolated from seawater of the South China Sea (Taiwan). Cells of strain LS-811Twere Gram-staining negative, aerobic and rod-shaped with polar flagella. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain LS-811T showed highest sequence similarity to Actibacterium mucosum (96.5 %) and Actibacterium atlanticum (95.6 %), and lower sequence similarity (96.0 %) to members of all other related genera. Strain LS-811Twas able to grow at 15-40 °C and pH 5.0-9.0. The quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10), and the DNA G+C content was 60.1 mol%. The major fatty acids (5 %) found in strain LS-811T were C18 : 0, C10 : 0 3-OH, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. The major polar lipid profile consisted of glycolipids, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified aminolipid. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain LS-811T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Actibacterium, for which the name Actibacterium ureilyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LS-811T (=BCRC 80823T=JCM 30681T).

We reported for the first time that GaOOH nanorods, which were prepared using a facile chemical precipitation method, may display noticeable photocatalytic activities toward methanol oxidation under light illumination, a significant revelation for demonstrating their use as the anode photocatalyst in the half-cell reaction of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The GaOOH nanorods were further decorated with Au nanoparticles to endow them with increasingly pronounced charge separation, which conduced to a remarkable enhancement in the photocatalytic performance. Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy was employed to depict the charge transfer event across the interface of GaOOH/Au, from which a correlation between photocatalytic efficiency and interfacial charge dynamics was realized. By incorporating GaOOH nanorods into the traditional Pt-catalyzed half-cell reaction, a 12.7% increase in anodic current generation can be attained under light illumination, demonstrating the promising potential of GaOOH as a practical anode photocatalyst in DFMCs. A further enhancement in methanol oxidation current up to 70.8% can be achieved by employing Au-decorated GaOOH nanorods, which was attributed to the efficient charge carrier transfer rendered by the Au decoration. The current study delivers both fundamental and practical importance as it broadens the scope of electrocatalysts for fuel cells, specifically by introducing a new class of highly efficient photocatalysts for promoting electrochemical reactions.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a novel nitrogen-fixing bacterial strain, designated CC-HIH038T, isolated from cultivated soil in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-HIH038T were Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic and spiral-shaped, with motility provided by a single polar flagellum. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain CC-HIH038T showed highest sequence similarity to Azospirillum doebereinerae (98.0 %), Azospirillum thiophilum (97.5 %), Azospirillum rugosum (97.4 %) and Azospirillum zeae (97.2 %) and lower sequence similarity (

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CC-VAM-7T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected at Kending, Taiwan. The isolate grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C and in the presence of 4 % (w/v) NaCl. The most closely related strains in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were the type strains of Luteimonas huabeiensis (95.2 %) and Lysobacter defluvii (95.0 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CC-VAM-7T clustered with members of the genus Luteimonas. Strain CC-VAM-7T possessed C15 : 1ω5c, C16 : 1ω5c, iso-C11 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, iso-C11 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 9 (10-methyl C16 : 0 and/or iso-C17 : 1ω9c) as predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile contained major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine and moderate amounts of an unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.4 mol%. Ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) was the predominant respiratory quinone. According to its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, which were in line with those of other members of the genus Luteimonas, strain CC-VAM-7T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Luteimonas, for which the name Luteimonas pelagia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-VAM-7T ( = BCRC 80558T = JCM 18792T). In addition, we propose emended descriptions of Luteimonas aquatica Chou et al. 2008 , Luteimonas composti Young et al. 2007 , Luteimonas mephitis Finkmann et al. 2000 , Lysobacter enzymogenes Christensen and Cook 1978 and Lysobacter panaciterrae Ten et al. 2009 .

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterise two presumably novel bacteria, designated strains CC-YHH838T and CC-YHH848T isolated from termite nest and rhizosphere of Ficus religiosa, respectively. These two nitrogen-fixing strains were observed to be Gram-staining-negative, aerobic rod, and colonies were yellowish in color. Growth of strains was observed at 20–37 °C, pH 7–8, and in the presence of 1–2% NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-YHH838T and CC-YHH848T associated with Thauera hydrothermalis (97.1% sequence identity), and formed a separate branch with Azoarcus indigens (95.4%), Aromatoleum aromaticum (96.2%), and lower sequence similarity to other species. The calculation of OrthoANI values pointed out strains CC-YHH838T and CC-YHH848T gave 78.9% and 79.8% compared to Thauera hydrothermalis, respectively. The major fatty acids (> 5%) were C16:0, C17:0 cyclo, C10:0 3-OH, C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c and C18:1ω7c/C18:1ω6c. The polar lipid profile comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and unidentified aminophospholipid and phospholipids; the predominant polyamines were putrescine and spermidine. The predominant respiratory system was ubiquinone (Q-8) and the DNA G + C contents were 61.4 ± 0.1 mol% and 60.2 ± 1.3 mol%, respectively. Based on the phylogenetic and polyphasic comparisons, strains CC-YHH838T and CC-YHH848T are proposed to represent two novel species within the genus Azoarcus in the family Rhodocyclaceae, for which the name Azoarcus nasutitermitis sp. nov. (type strain CC-YHH838T = BCRC 81059T = JCM 32001T) and Azoarcus rhizosphaerae sp. nov. (type strain CC-YHH848T = BCRC 81060T = JCM 32002T) were proposed.

A novel yellow-pigmented, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated strain CC-MF41T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of maize (Zea mays) collected in Wufeng District, Taichung, Taiwan. Strain CC-MF41T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.5, 97.3, 97.2 and 97.1 % to Leucobacter chironomi MM2LBT (and ‘Leucobacter kyeonggiensis’ F3-P9 and ‘L. humi’ Re-6, the names of which have not been validly published), Leucobacter tardus K70/01T, L. komagatae IFO 15245T and ‘Leucobacter margaritiformis’ A23. However, CC-MF41T and ‘L. margaritiformis’ A23 formed a loosely bound phylogenetic lineage (with a low bootstrap value) associated with species of the genus Leucobacter. In DNA–DNA reassociation experiments, the relatedness of strain CC-MF41T to L. chironomi DSM 19883T was 57.1 % (reciprocal value 29.1 %). The DNA G+C content of strain CC-MF41T was 72.1 mol% and the cell-wall peptidoglycan contained 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, alanine, glycine, glutamic acid and threonine. The major menaquinone was MK-11 and the predominant fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-MF41T contained major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol followed by an unidentified glycolipid, phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown phospholipid. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-MF41T represents a novel species of Leucobacter, for which the name Leucobacter zeae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-MF41T ( = BCRC 80515T = LMG 27265T).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod or spiral-shaped diazotrophic bacterium (designated strain CC-LY788T), was isolated from agricultural soil in Taiwan. Strain CC-LY788T was able to grow at 25–40 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and tolerated NaCl to 2.0% (w/v). Positive for nitrogen fixation with the activity recorded as 6.5 nmol ethylene h− 1. Strain CC-LY788T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Azospirillum picis DSM 19922T (97.2%) and Azospirillum rugosum DSM 19657T (97.1%) and lower sequence similarities ( Azospirillum. According to the DNA–DNA hybridization, the relatedness values of strain CC-LY788T with A. picis DSM 19922T and A. rugosum DSM 19657T were 51.1 ± 5.5% and 46.8 ± 2.1%, respectively. Strain CC-LY788T was positive for the rapid identification of the genus-specific primer set. The respiratory quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10) and the DNA G+C content was 69.8 mol%. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-LY788T were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 2-OH, C14 : 0 3-OH/C16 : 1 iso I (summed feature 2), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3), C18 : 0 ante/C18 : 2ω6,9c (summed feature 5) and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-LY788T represents a novel species of the genus Azospirillum, for which the name Azospirillum soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-LY788T ( = BCRC 80569T = JCM 18820T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated marine bacterium, designated strain LS-861T, was isolated from seawater of the South China Sea (Taiwan). Strain LS-861T grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl. The novel strain shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (91.5 % each) with ‘Nitratireductor shengliensis’ CGMCC 1.12519 and Hoeflea halophila JG120-1T and lower sequence similarity ( T within the clade that accommodated members of the family Phyllobacteriaceae. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 1ω10c, C18 : 0 3-OH and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. The polar lipid profile was relatively simple as compared with other representatives of Phyllobacteriaceae, by having major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified glycolipid, and moderate amounts of three unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content was 61.2 mol%. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The data in general and phylogenetic and polar lipid data in particular clearly distinguish the novel strain from related species at the genus level. Thus, strain LS-861T is suggested to represent a novel species of a new genus of the family Phyllobacteriaceae, for which the name Thalassocola ureilytica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Thalassocola ureilytica is LS-861T ( = BCRC 80818T = JCM 30682T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, yellow-pigment-producing bacterium (designated strain CC-CZW007T) was isolated from seafood samples (sea urchins) at Penghu Island in Taiwan. Strain CC-CZW007Tgrew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl. The novel strain shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity toVitellibacter vladivostokensisJCM 11732T(96.8 %),Vitellibacter soesokkakensisKCTC 32536T(96.4 %),Vitellibacter nionensisKCTC 32420T(95.8 %) andVitellibacter aestuariiJCM 15496T(95.6 %) and lower sequence similarity to members of other genera. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-CZW007Twith respect to other species of the genusVitellibacter. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0and iso-C17 : 03-OH. The polar lipid profile was composed of major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified lipids and aminolipids; a moderate amount of aminophospholipid was also detected. The DNA G+C content was 34.7 mol%. The predominant quinone system was menaquinone (MK-6). On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence presented here, strain CC-CZW007Tis proposed to represent a novel species within the genusVitellibacter, for which the nameVitellibacter echinoideorumsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CZW007T( = BCRC 80886T = JCM 30378T).

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, yellowish-orange, flexirubin-positive, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming and non-gliding marine bacterium, designated strain CC-PY-50T, was isolated from estuarine water off Pingtung, Taiwan. The strain produced zeaxanthin as a major carotenoid pigment, and showed highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Bizionia hallyeonensis T-y7T (93.9 %) followed by Corallibacter vietnamensis KMM 6217T (93.8 %), Geojedonia litorea YCS-16T (93.7 %) and other members of the family Flavobacteriaceae (T established a distinct phyletic lineage associated with Mangrovimonas yunxiaonensis LYYY01T (93.1 % sequence similarity) with poor bootstrap support during neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analyses (37 % for each). The polar lipid profile of strain CC-PY-50T was determined to accommodate large numbers of unknown lipids including major amounts of three unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids, and moderate amounts of an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified lipid. In addition, phosphatidylethanolamine was also detected in significant amounts. The major (>5 % of total) fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c. The DNA G+C content was 37.1 mol% and menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on the phylogenetic evidence and several distinguishing phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-PY-50T is proposed to represent a novel genus and species of the family Flavobacteriaceae , for which the name Hanstruepera neustonica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species Hanstruepera neustonica gen. nov., sp. nov. is CC-PY-50T ( = JCM 19743T = BCRC 80747T). Emended descriptions of the species Sediminibacter furfurosus , Mangrovimonas yunxiaonensis , Antarcticimonas flava and Hoppeia youngheungensis are also proposed.

A novel, Gram-staining-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic and motile bacterium, designated strain CC-SKC2(T), was isolated from the root tumor of a green bell pepper (Capsicum annuum var. grossum) plant in Taiwan. Cells were positive for oxidase and catalase activities and exhibited growth at 25-37 °C, pH 4.0-9.0 and tolerated NaCl concentrations up to 4.0 % (w/v). Strain CC-SKC2(T) is able to trigger nodulation in soybean (Glycine max Merr.), but not in Capsicum annuum var. grossum, red bean (Vigna angularis), sesbania (Sesbania roxburghii Merr.) or alfalfa (Medicago varia Martin.). The novel strain shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Rhizobium rhizoryzae KCTC 23652(T) and Rhizobium straminoryzae CC-LY845(T) (both 97.5 %) followed by Rhizobium lemnae L6-16(T) (97.3 %), Rhizobium pseudoryzae KCTC 23294(T) (97.1 %), and Rhizobium paknamense NBRC 109338(T) (97.0 %), whereas other Rhizobium species shared96.7 % similarity. The DNA-DNA relatedness values of strain CC-SKC2(T) with R. rhizoryzae KCTC 23652(T), R. pseudoryzae KCTC 23294(T) and R. paknamense NBRC 109338(T) were 11.4, 17.2 and 17.0 %, respectively (reciprocal values were 11.1, 28.3 and 24.0 %, respectively). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, atpD and recA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-SKC2(T) with respect to other Rhizobium species. The major fatty acids in strain CC-SKC2(T) were C16:0, C19:0 cyclo ω8c, C14:0 3-OH and/or C16:1 iso I and C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c. The polyamine pattern showed predominance of spermidine and moderate amounts of sym-homospermidine. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10) and the DNA G+C content was 60.5 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidence presented here, strain CC-SKC2(T) is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium capsici sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-SKC2(T) (=BCRC 80699(T) = JCM 19535(T)).

A Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming rod (designated strain CC-LY275T) was isolated from a pesticide wastewater sample. The isolate grew at a temperature 20–45 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and tolerated NaCl 6 % (w/v). The most closely related strains in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were Bacillus horneckiae (97.1 %) and Bacillus oceanisediminis (96.8 %), respectively. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.9 mol%. Strain CC-LY275T was determined to possess iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as predominant fatty acids. The major polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid; menaquinone (MK-7) was the predominant respiratory quinone. According to the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, the name Bacillus formosensis sp. nov. (type strain CC-LY275T = BCRC 80443T = JCM 18448T) is proposed.

A polyphasic approach was used to characterize a presumably novel bacterium, designated strain CC-KYC063T, isolated from a compost sample collected at a greenhouse facility within Taiwan. Strain CC-KYC063T was Gram-stain-negative and aerobic, able to grow at 15-37 °C (optimal 30 °C), at pH 7.0-9.0 (optimal pH 7.0) and with 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CC-KYC063T showed highest similarity to Olivibacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 060T (96.2 %) and Olivibacter terrae Jip13T (95.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 43.0 mol% and the predominant quinone system was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The polyamine pattern showed a predominance of sym-homospermidine. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-KYC063T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c. Based on the distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CC-KYC063T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Olivibacter, for which the name Olivibacter composti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-KYC063T (=BCRC 80939T=JCM 31198T).

A Gram-staining-negative, non-pigmented, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, non-motile bacterium, devoid of bacteriochlorophyll, designated strain CC-AMW-ET, was isolated from surface seawater off the coast at Kending, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMW-ET shared 95.7 and 93.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively, with the type strains of the type species of the genera Donghicola ( Donghicola eburneus SW-277T) and Roseovarius ( Roseovarius tolerans EL-172T). The predominant (>75 % of the total) fatty acid was summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6c and/or C18 : 1ω7c). The polar lipid profile included major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminolipid. In addition, moderate amounts of an unidentified lipid and trace amounts of an unidentified phospholipid were detected. The DNA G+C content was 67.9 mol%. Ubiquinone Q-10 was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on its phylogenetic distinctiveness and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics (in particular its polar lipid pattern), we conclude that strain CC-AMW-ET represents a novel genus and species of the family Rhodobacteraceae , for which the name Youngimonas vesicularis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Youngimonas vesicularis is CC-AMW-ET ( = JCM 18819T = BCRC 80549T). In addition, an emended description of the genus Donghicola Yoon et al. 2007 and the reclassification of Donghicola xiamenensis Tan et al. 2009 as Pseudodonghicola xiamenensis gen. nov., comb. nov. (type strain Y-2T = MCCC 1A00107T = LMG 24574T = CGMCC 1.7081T) are proposed.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, DDT-resistant bacterium, designated strain CC-ALB-2T, was isolated from the Arabidopsis thaliana rhizosphere. Strain CC-ALB-2T was able to grow at 25–37 °C, at pH 5.0–8.0, with 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl and tolerate up to 200 mg l−1 DDT. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain CC-ALB-2T showed highest sequence similarity to Novosphingobium stygium KCTC 2891T (97.1 %) and Novosphingobium soli DSM 22821T (96.8 %), and lower levels of similarity ( Novosphingobium . The major fatty acid profile consisted of C14 : 0 2-OH (13.1 %), C16 : 0 (10.0 %), C15 : 0 iso 3-OH (5.8 %), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3, 24.7 %) and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8, 42.4 %). The polar lipid profile constitutes sphingoglycolipid, glycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. The polyamine pattern showed a predominance of spermidine as the major polyamine. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10). The DNA G+C content was 68.9±0.1 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-ALB-2T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Novosphingobium for which the name Novosphingobium arabidopsis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-ALB-2T ( = BCRC 80571T = JCM 18896T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming and gliding marine bacterium, designated strain CC-AMZ-304T, was isolated from coastal surface seawater near Taichung harbour, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMZ-304T predominantly synthesized zeaxanthin and thus formed yellow colonies on marine agar. The novel strain showed an unstable phylogenetic position, although sharing high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.9–94.9, 95.7 and 95.1–93.9 % with Gaetbulibacter species (n = 4), Aestuariibaculum suncheonense SC17T and Bizionia species (n = 7), respectively. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMZ-304T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified lipids, one unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified glycolipid. The major (>5 % of the total) fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and C15 : 1ω5c. The DNA G+C content was 36.0 mol%. Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone and the major polyamine was triamine sym-homospermidine. Phylogenetic distinctiveness, unique polar lipid composition, presence of significant amounts of branched hydroxyl fatty acids (iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH) and a low amount of anteiso-C15 : 0, and several additional distinguishing biochemical features clearly discriminated strain CC-AMZ-304T from the type species of the genera Aestuariibaculum and Gaetbulibacter . Thus, based on data from the present polyphasic study, strain CC-AMZ-304T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Flavobacteriaceae , for which the name Aquibacter zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of Aquibacter zeaxanthinifaciens is CC-AMZ-304T ( = JCM 18557T = BCRC 80463T). Emended descriptions of the genera Aestuariibaculum and Gaetbulibacter are also proposed.

Two Gram-staining-negative, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, non-flagellated and non-spore-forming amylolytic marine bacterial strains, designated CC-AMZ-30MTand CC-AMZ-30NT, were isolated from coastal surface seawater in Taiwan. Strain CC-AMZ-30MTshared pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 95.8, 95.0 and Sphingomicrobium lutaoenseCC-TBT-3T,Sphingomicrobium astaxanthinifaciensCC-AMO-30BTand other sphingomonads, respectively. Strain CC-AMZ-30NTshared 97.0, 96.7, 95.0 and T,Sphingomicrobium lutaoenseCC-TBT-3T,Sphingomicrobium astaxanthinifaciensCC-AMO-30BTand other sphingomonads, respectively. The common polar lipids of the two strains include a signature glycolipid (GL2), diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingoglycolipid in major amounts besides moderate-to-trace amounts of an unidentified aminolipid and several unidentified glycolipids. Both strains contained C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c, C16 : 0and C18 : 12-OH as major (>5 % of the total) fatty acids. Strains CC-AMZ-30MTand CC-AMZ-30NThad DNA G+C contents of 64.2 and 65.2 mol%, respectively. The major polyamine was spermidine in strain CC-AMZ-30MTand triaminesym-homospermidine in strain CC-AMZ-30NT. Both strains contained ubiquinone Q-10 as the predominant respiratory quinone. Differential phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic evidence including the presence of characteristic GL2, C18 : 12-OH and several other phenotypic features supported the classification of strains CC-AMZ-30MTand CC-AMZ-30NTas two novel species of the genusSphingomicrobium, for which we propose the namesSphingomicrobium marinumsp. nov. andSphingomicrobium flavumsp. nov., respectively; corresponding type strains areSphingomicrobium marinumCC-AMZ-30MT( = JCM 18554T = BCRC 80466T) andSphingomicrobium flavumCC-AMZ-30NT( = JCM 18555T = BCRC 80467T). An emended description of the genusSphingomicrobiumis also proposed.

A novel, Gram-staining-negative, non-flagellated, oval or short-rod-shaped, strictly aerobic and non-spore-forming marine bacterium, designated strain CC-AMW-CT, was isolated from coastal surface seawater in Kending County, Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-AMW-CT displayed unusual morphology and formed colourless or beige colonies on marine agar. The isolate shared pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.2 and 97.1 % with Shimia marina BCRC 80068T and Shimia isoporae BCRC 80085T, respectively, and established a discrete phyletic lineage closely associated with the members of the genus Shimia . DNA–DNA hybridization values indicated Shimia . The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMW-CT comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, two unidentified aminolipids, four unidentified lipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8; 75.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 61.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and the major polyamine was cadaverine. The chemotaxonomic evidence, including extraordinary amounts of C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c, major polar lipids, polyamine, quinone and DNA G+C contents of CC-AMW-CT, was in line with that of the members of the genus Shimia . Thus, strain CC-AMW-CT should be classified as a novel species of the genus Shimia , for which the name Shimia biformata sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-AMW-CT ( = JCM 18818T = BCRC 80548T). An emended description of the genus Shimia is also proposed.

An aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium with polar flagella, strain CC-AFH3T, was isolated from an oil-contaminated site located in Kaohsiung county, Taiwan. Strain CC-AFH3T grew at 20–40 °C, pH 5.0–10.0 and T showed the greatest degree of similarity to Herbaspirillum soli SUEMI10T (96.5 %), H. aurantiacum SUEMI08T (96.3 %), H. canariense SUEMI03T (96.0 %), H. psychrotolerans PB1T (95.4 %) and members of other Herbaspirillum species (94.1–95.2 %), and lower similarity to members of other genera ( Herbaspirillum as an independent lineage. The major fatty acids in strain CC-AFH3T were C10 : 0 3-OH, C12 : 0, C14 : 0 2-OH, C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C17 : 0 cyclo, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. The major polar lipids of strain CC-AFH3T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. The predominant quinone was ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) and the DNA G+C content was 63.4 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis in combination with physiological and chemotaxonomic data, strain CC-AFH3T represents a novel species in a new genus, for which we propose the name Noviherbaspirillum malthae gen. nov., sp. nov.; the type strain of Noviherbaspirillum malthae is CC-AFH3T ( = BCRC 80516T = JCM 18414T). We also propose the reclassification of Herbaspirillum soli , Herbaspirillum aurantiacum , Herbaspirillum canariense and ‘Herbaspirillum psychrotolerans’ as Noviherbaspirillum soli comb. nov. (type strain SUEMI10T = LMG 26149T = CECT 7840T), Noviherbaspirillum aurantiacum comb. nov. (type strain SUEMI08T = LMG 26150T = CECT 7839T), Noviherbaspirillum canariense comb. nov. (type strain SUEMI03T = LMG 26151T = CECT 7838T) and Noviherbaspirillum psychrotolerans comb. nov. (type strain PB1T = DSM 26001T = LMG 27282T), respectively. An emended description of Herbaspirillum seropedicae is also presented.

A novel Gram-reaction-negative, yellow-pigmented, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium designated strain CC-YHH031T was isolated from an agricultural soil collected at Chiayi County, Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CC-YHH031T formed a discrete monophyletic lineage in the family Xanthomonadaceae , sharing high pairwise sequence similarity of 93.5–95.2 and 94.8 % with species of the genus Dokdonella (94.9 % similarity to the type strain of the type species) and Aquimonas voraii GPTSA 20T, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CC-YHH031T was 68.6±0.7 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. Spermidine was the principal polyamine, with minor amounts of putrescine. Major fatty acids (>5 % of total fatty acids) were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3), iso-C17 : 1ω9c, iso-C14 : 0, iso-C11 : 0 and iso-C11 : 0 3-OH. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-YHH031T included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminophospholipids (APL1–2) and four unidentified phospholipids (PL1–4). Strain CC-YHH031T was distinguished particularly from the type species of the genus Dokdonella ( Dokdonella koreensis ) by the presence of major amounts of iso-C14 : 0 and summed feature 3 and minor amounts of iso-C17 : 0 and by the complete absence of anteiso-C17 : 0, the presence of PL1–3 and APL1–2, the absence of APL3 and the presence of putrescine in the former. On the basis of distinguishing genotypic and phenotypic evidence, strain CC-YHH031T is proposed to represent a novel genus and species within the family Xanthomonadaceae , for which the name Chiayiivirga flava gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Chiayiivirga flava is CC-YHH031T ( = BCRC 80273T = DSM 24163T).

A taxonomic study was carried out on a novel aerobic bacterial strain, designated CC-CY503T, isolated from food-waste compost in Taiwan. Cells were Gram-stain-negative short rods, motile by means of a monopolar flagellum. Strain CC-CY503T was able to grow at 20–50 °C and pH 6.0–10.0 and to tolerate Pseudomonas , with Pseudomonas pertucinogena ATCC 190T as the closest neighbour, sharing a sequence similarity of 97.9 %. The DNA–DNA relatedness value of strain CC-CY503T with P. pertucinogena ATCC 190T was 37.8±2.3 %. The phylogenetic trees reconstructed based on gyrB and rpoB gene sequences supported the classification of strain CC-CY503T as a novel member of the genus Pseudomonas . The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-9) and the DNA G+C content was 63.1±0.4 mol%. The major fatty acids were C12 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c and summed features 3 and 8 consisting of C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, respectively. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. On the basis of its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-CY503T ( = BCRC 80437T = JCM 18415T) is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas , for which the name Pseudomonas formosensis sp. nov. is proposed.

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

A novel, pale yellow-coloured, Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated as strain CC-YY411T, was isolated from the food-waste compost and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-YY411T exhibited the highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium thermophilum JCM 17858T (94.6 %) while sharing 94.1 to 89.7 % similarities with other Sphingobacterium species. Novel strain established a discrete phylogenetic lineage within the clade that accommodated validly established members of the genus Sphingobacterium . The polar lipid profile of strain CC-YY411T contained major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and two unidentified aminolipids besides accommodating trace amounts of a sphingolipid, two phospholipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain CC-YY411T was 34.5 mol%. The major and minor respiratory quinones were MK-7 (89.1 %) and MK-6 (10.9 %), respectively. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (24.0 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (11.9 %), iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (6.9 %), C15 : 1ω5c (5.5 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) (32.0 %). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-YY411T represents a novel species of Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium cibi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YY411T (=BCRC 80430T=JCM 18407T). Amended species descriptions of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum (Holmes et al. 1982) Yabuuchi et al. 1983 and Sphingobacterium thermophilum Yabe et al. 2013 are also proposed based on new data obtained in this study.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CC-VAM-7

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, flexirubin-producing bacterium, designated strain CC-CZW010T, was isolated from the edible sea urchinTripneustes gratillain Penghu Island, Taiwan. The isolate grew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. The most closely related strains in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity wereChryseobacterium taihuenseNBRC 108747T(97.6 %) andChryseobacterium aquaticumKCTC 12483T(96.7 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-CZW010Twith respect to other species of the genusChryseobacterium. Strain CC-CZW010Tpossessed iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 03-OH, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 9 (comprising C16 : 010-methyl/iso-C17 : 1ω9c) as predominant fatty acids. The major polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified lipids and five aminolipids. The polyamine pattern contained the major compoundsym-homospermidine. Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the predominant respiratory quinone, and the G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.4 mol%. According to distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-CZW010Trepresents a novel species of the genusChryseobacterium, for which the nameChryseobacterium echinoideorumsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CZW010T( = BCRC 80786T = JCM 30470T).

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming bacterium (designated strain CC-Bw-5T) was isolated from chopped tomato stems. The isolate grew at 20–40 °C, pH 6.0–8.0 and tolerated 6 % (w/v) NaCl. The most closely related strains in terms of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity wereBacillus isabeliae(95.3 %) andBacillus oleronius(95.3 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 37.2 ± 3.6 mol%. Strain CC-Bw-5Twas determined to possess C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0and iso-C16 : 0as predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of predominant amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, and moderate-to-trace amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified glycolipids, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified phosphoglycolipid. The cell-wall peptidoglycan containedmeso-diaminopimelic acid; menaquinone (MK-7) was the predominant respiratory quinone. According to distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-Bw-5Tis proposed to represent a novel species within the genusBacillusfor which the nameBacillus lycopersicisp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-Bw-5T( = BCRC 80623T = JCM 19140T).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, yellow-pigment-producing bacterium, (designated strain CC-CZW004T), was isolated from seafood samples (sea urchins) at Penghu Island in Taiwan. Strain CC-CZW004Tgrew optimally at pH 7.0 and 30 °C in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by strain CC-CZW004Twith respect to other members of the genusNocardioides. The novel strain shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities toNocardioides daejeonensisJCM 16922T(96.4 %),Nocardioides pacificusJCM 19260T(96.3 %), andMarmoricola scoriaeJCM 17444T(96.2 %). The major fatty acids of strain CC-CZW004Tconsisted of C17:0, C16:1ω5c, C17:1ω8c`, iso-C16:0and C19:1ω11c/C19:1ω9c(summed feature 6). The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell wall wasll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipid profile was composed of major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and aminophospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 73.3 mol%. The predominant quinone system was menaquinone (MK-8). On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidences presented here, strain CC-CZW004Trepresents a novel species of the genusNocardioides, for which the nameNocardioides echinoideorumsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-CZW004T( = BCRC 16974T = JCM 30276T).

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-spore-forming bacterium, CC-Bw-6(T) was isolated from chopped tomato stems. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain CC-Bw-6(T) showed its affiliation with the genus Lysobacter within the class Gammaproteobacteria. Strain CC-Bw-6(T) was found to be most closely related to Lysobacter panaciterrae KCTC 12601(T) (97.0%) and Lysobacter daecheongensis KCTC 12600(T) (96.8%), and showed lower similarity (

A Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, motile cellulolytic bacterium, designated strain CC-AMH-0T, was isolated from surface seashore water of Hualien, Taiwan and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-AMH-0T exhibited enzymatic saccharification of cellulose and active growth particularly during log-phase under nutrient-limited conditions, whereas enhanced saccharification was found in the declining growth phase under copiotrophic conditions. The novel strain shared high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Mesorhizobium loti USDA 3471T (96.2 %), Phyllobacterium myrsinacearum IAM 13584T (95.9 %), Hoeflea marina LMG 128T (94.0 %) and other Phyllobacteriaceae members. However, phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA, atpD and recA gene sequences clearly distinguished strain CC-AMH-0T from other representatives of related genera. In addition, strain CC-AMH-0T was distinguished from the above mentioned species by significantly lacking phosphatidylcholine besides accommodating major amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol; moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine and trace amounts of an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified phosphoglycolipid. Strain CC-AMH-0T possessed C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c (summed feature 8) as predominant fatty acids, 63.3 mol% DNA G+C content and ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) as the sole respiratory quinone. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic evidences, strain CC-AMH-0T is proposed to represent a novel genus and species of the family Phyllobacteriaceae, for which the name Oricola cellulosilytica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is CC-AMH-0T (=JCM 19534T =BCRC 80694T). Emended descriptions of M. loti and P. myrsinacearum are also proposed.

A novel, Gram-stain negative, strictly aerobic, oval or rod-shaped, red-pigmented, non-spore-forming xylanolytic bacterial strain, designated CC-PR-82T, was isolated from surface seawater of Pingtung coast, Taiwan, and characterized by polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-PR-82T shared highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Algoriphagus mannitolivorans IMSNU 14012T (97.0 %) followed by ‘A. boseongensis’ BS-R1T (96.5 %) and A. olei CC-Hsuan-617T (95.6 %), whereas other (n = 26) Algoriphapus species shared 95.6–92.6 % sequence similarities. The novel strain further established a distinct phyletic lineage tightly associated with Algoriphagus species. The DNA–DNA hybridization value obtained between CC-PR-82T and A. mannitolivorans DSM 15301T was 29.0 % (33.4 % reciprocal using A. mannitolivorans DSM 15301T probe). The major (>5 % of total) fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, C16:1 ω6c and/or C16:1 ω7c, iso-C16:0, iso-C17:1 ω9c and/or C16:0 10-methyl, anteiso-C15:0 and C17:1 ω6c. Polar lipids included major amounts of an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified lipid; moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and an unidentified aminolipid; trace amounts of an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified lipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 42.3 mol%. Menaquinone-7 was the sole respiratory quinone. Based on the polyphasic characteristics, that are in line with those of Algoriphagus species, in addition to distinguishing phylogenetic and phenotypic features, strain CC-PR-82T appears to represent a novel species of the genus Algoriphagus, for which the name Algoriphagus taiwanensis sp. nov. (type strain CC-PR-82T = JCM 19755T = BCRC 80746T) is proposed. In addition, emended descriptions of the species A. mannitolivorans, A. aquatilis, A. olei and A. ratkowskyi are also proposed.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CC-LY845T, was isolated from the surface of rice straw in Taiwan. Cells were non-motile, and no flagellum was detected. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain was phylogenetically related to species of the genus Rhizobium , with closest similarity to Rhizobium pseudoryzae KCTC 23294T (97.6 %), R. rhizoryzae KCTC 23652T (97.0 %) and R. oryzae LMG 24253T (96.7 %); other species showed lower levels of similarity (T and R. pseudoryzae KCTC 23294T was 34.8±3.1 % (reciprocal value 39.2±2.2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the housekeeping atpD and recA genes showed that the novel strain could be distinguished from R. pseudoryzae KCTC 23294T (92.7 and 91.5 %, respectively) and other species of the genus Rhizobium . The temperature range for growth was 25–42 °C, the pH range was 5.0–9.0 and NaCl concentrations up to 4.0 % (w/v) were tolerated. Strain CC-LY845T did not form nodules on four different legumes, and the nodD and nifH genes were not detected by PCR. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c). The polyamine pattern of strain CC-LY845T showed spermidine and putrescine as major polyamines. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10). The DNA G+C content was 68.3±2.4 mol%. Base on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-LY845T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Rhizobium , for which the name Rhizobium straminoryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain CC-LY845T ( = BCRC 80698T = JCM 19536T).

A taxonomic study was carried out on a novel aerobic bacterial strain (designated CC-LY736(T)) isolated from a fermentor in Taiwan. Cells of strain CC-LY736(T) were Gram-stain negative, spiral-shaped and motile by means of a monopolar flagellum. Strain CC-LY736(T) shared the greatest degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Azospirillum irakense DSM 11586(T) (97.2 %), Rhodocista centenaria JCM 21060(T) (96.3 %) and Rhodocista pekingensis JCM 11669(T) (96.1 %). The major fatty acids were C16:0, C16:1 ω5c, C19:0 cyclo ω8c, C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c, C16:0 3-OH and C18:1 2-OH. The predominant polar lipids included phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine and two unidentified glycolipids. The common major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10 and predominant polyamines were sym-homospermidine and putrescine. The DNA G+C content of strain CC-LY736(T) was 67.6 ± 0.1 mol %. During phylogenetic analysis, strain CC-LY736(T) formed a unique phyletic lineage associated with Rhodocista species. However, the combination of genetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological data clearly indicated that strain CC-LY736(T) was a novel representative of the family Rhodospirillaceae. Based on the polyphasic comparison, the name Niveispirillum fermenti gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of the type species is CC-LY736(T) (= BCRC 80504(T) = LMG 27263(T)). In addition, the reclassifications of Azospirillum irakense as Niveispirillum irakense comb. nov. (type strain KBC1(T) = ATCC 51182(T) = BCRC 15764(T) = CIP 103311(T)), and Azospirillum amazonense as Nitrospirillum amazonense gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain Am14(T) = ATCC 35119(T) = BCRC 14279(T) = DSM 3787(T)) are proposed based on the polyphasic taxonomic data obtained in this study.

A Gram-staining-negative, orange-pigmented, strictly aerobic, carotenoid-producing, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming bacterium, motile by gliding, designated strain CC-AMO-30DT, was isolated from surface seawater collected near Taichung harbour, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMO-30DT shared pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 94.8, 93.7 and 92.5 % with the type strains of the type species of the genera Joostella , Pustulibacterium and Galbibacter , respectively, and formed a distinct monophyletic lineage in phylogenetic trees. The major fatty acids (≥5 % of total) were iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified lipids, two unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The major polyamine was the triamine sym-homospermidine. The DNA G+C content was 47.1 mol% and the predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Based on the phylogenetic distinctiveness and distinguishing phenotypic characteristics, strain CC-AMO-30DT represents a novel genus and species of the family Flavobacteriaceae , for which the name Robertkochia marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of the type species Robertkochia marina is CC-AMO-30DT ( = JCM 18552T = BCRC 80469T). Emended descriptions of the genera Joostella and Galbibacter are also proposed.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (strain CC-ALB-1T) was isolated from the rhizosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana. Strain CC-ALB-1T was able to grow at 20–30 °C, pH 5.0–8.0 and with up to 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain CC-ALB-1T had the highest sequence similarity to Chitinophaga ginsengisegetis Gsoil 040T (96.9 %) and Chitinophaga niastensis JS16-4T (96.7 %); lower levels of similarity ( Chitinophaga . The fatty acid profile consisted of iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C15 : 1ω5c, C16 : 1ω5c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c). The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and five unidentified lipids. The predominant quinone system was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The DNA G+C content was 53.4±0.4 mol%. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-ALB-1T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Chitinophaga , for which the name Chitinophaga taiwanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-ALB-1T ( = BCRC 80570T = JCM 18895T).

A yellow-pigmented, Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-spore-forming, lipolytic and gliding marine bacterium designated strain CC-AMWY-103BTwas isolated from surface seawater collected at Kending, Taiwan. The strain shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 89.4 % withOwenweeksia hongkongensisJCM 12287TandBrumimicrobium mesophilumYH207T, and established a distinct phyletic lineage associated with the members of the familyCryomorphaceae. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-AMWY-103BTconsisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, ten unidentified lipids and four unidentified aminolipids. The major fatty acids (>5 % of the total) were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1G, C15 : 1ω5c, iso-C17 : 03-OH and C15 : 1ω8c. The DNA G+C content was 44.2±0.3 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and the major polyamine was spermidine. Based on its genetic, phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-AMWY-103BTis proposed to represent a distinct member of the familyCryomorphaceae, for which the nameLuteibaculum oceanigen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain ofLuteibaculum oceaniis CC-AMWY-103BT( = JCM 18817T = BCRC 80551T). An emended description of the genusOwenweeksiais also proposed.

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (designated strain CC-G9AT), motile by a polar-flagellum, was isolated from a hot spring water sample in Taiwan. Strain CC-G9ATcould grow at 20–42 °C, pH 6.0–10.0 and tolerate up to 7 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain CC-G9ATshowed pairwise sequence similarity toPseudomonas mendocinaLMG 1223T(97.7 %),Pseudomonas alcaligenesATCC 14909T(97.8 %),Pseudomonas alcaliphilaDSM 17744T(97.8 %),Pseudomonas toyotomiensisJCM 15604T(97.6 %),Pseudomonas oleovoranssubsp.lubricantisDSM 21016T(97.6 %) andPseudomonas argentinensisBCRC 17807T(97.5 %), and lower sequence similarity to other species of the genusPseudomonas. According to DNA–DNA association analysis, the relatedness of strain CC-G9ATtoP. mendocinaBCRC 10458T,P. alcaliphilaDSM 17744T,P. alcaligenesBCRC 11893T,P. oleovoranssubsp.lubricantisDSM 21016T,P. argentinensisBCRC 17807TandP. oleovoranssubsp.oleovoransBCRC 11902 was 55.1±3.1, 13.7±1.5, 14.1±1.8, 58.5±1.1, 28.9±2.0 and 28.6±1.8 %, respectively. The evolutionary trees reconstructed based on 16S rRNA,gyrBandrpoBgene sequences revealed varying phylogenetic neighbourhoods of strain CC-G9ATwith regard to the most closely related type strains. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-9) and the DNA G+C content was 64.3±1.3 mol%. The major fatty acids were C10 : 03-OH, C12 : 0,C12 : 03-OH, C16 : 0and summed features 3 and 8 consisting of C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6cand C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, respectively. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. According to distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-G9ATis proposed to represent a novel species within the genusPseudomonasfor which the namePseudomonas guguanensissp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-G9AT( = BCRC 80438T = JCM 18416T).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, spiral or rod-shaped, non-spore-forming, diazotrophic bacterium (strain CC-LY743T) was isolated from a fermentative tank in Taiwan. Strain CC-LY743T was able to grow at 20–37 °C and pH 6.0–8.0 and tolerated up to 3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. It was positive for nitrogen fixation, with activity of 10.6 nmol ethylene h−1. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain CC-LY743T showed highest similarity to Azospirillum picis DSM 19922T (96.1 %), Azospirillum oryzae JCM 21588T (96.0 %) and Azospirillum rugosum DSM 19657T (96.0 %) and lower similarity ( Azospirillum species. Highest nifH gene sequence similarities were obtained with Azospirillum brasilense BCRC 12270T (92.0 %), Azospirillum formosense BCRC 80273T (92.3 %) and A. rugosum DSM 19657T (91.8 %). It was positive in the rapid identification by a genus-specific primer set. The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10) and the DNA G+C content was 69.6±0.1 mol%. The major fatty acids found in strain CC-LY743T were n-C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C14 : 0 3-OH/C16 : 1 iso I, C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-LY743T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Azospirillum for which the name Azospirillum fermentarium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-LY743T ( = BCRC 80505T = JCM 18688T = LMG 27264T).

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, flagellated and non-spore-forming marine bacterium designated strain CC-AMO-30BT was isolated from coastal surface seawater, Taiwan. Strain CC-AMO-30BT synthesized astaxanthin [40 µg (g dry weight)−1] and formed reddish-orange-coloured colonies on marine agar (Difco 2216). The strain showed highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingomicrobium lutaoense CC-TBT-3T (96.4 %) followed by other members of the family Sphingomonadaceae (5 % of total fatty acids) were C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c (summed feature 8), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3), C18 : 1 2-OH, methyl C18 : 1ω7c, C17 : 1ω6c and C16 : 0. DNA G+C content was 70.6 %; major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-10; predominant polyamine was the triamine sym-homospermidine. Chemotaxonomic evidence including characteristic glycolipid profile, presence of significant amounts of C18 : 1 2-OH and absence of typical hydroxylated fatty acids such as C14 : 0 2-OH, C15 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 0 2-OH in considerable amounts, accompanied by phylogenetic distinctiveness and several other phenotypic features support the classification of strain CC-AMO-30BT as a representative of a novel species within the genus Sphingomicrobium for which the name Sphingomicrobium astaxanthinifaciens sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is CC-AMO-30BT ( = JCM 18551T = BCRC 80465T).

A Gram-positive, spore-forming, aerobic, rod-shaped, xylanolytic bacterium designated strain CC-Alfalfa-35T was isolated from the rhizosphere of Medicago sativa L. in Taiwan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain CC-Alfalfa-35T was affiliated to the genus Cohnella . Strain CC-Alfalfa-35T shared 95.3 % pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of the type species of the genus Cohnella ( Cohnella thermotolerans DSM 17683T) besides showing a similarity of 97.4–93.6 % with other recognized species of the genus Cohnella . The DNA–DNA hybridization value between CC-Alfalfa-35T and Cohnella thailandensis KCTC 22296T was 37.7 %±1.7 % (reciprocal value, 55.7 %±3.0 %). Predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile constituted diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified aminophospholipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the DNA G+C content was 58.3 mol%. Strain CC-Alfalfa-35T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the major diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Based on the polar lipid and fatty acid profiles, which were in line with those of C. thermotolerans DSM 17683T, coupled with additional distinguishing genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain CC-Alfalfa-35T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Cohnella , for which the name Cohnella formosensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-Alfalfa-35T ( = JCM 18405T = BCRC 80428T).

Two novel siderophore-producing strains designated CC-CFT023T and CC-CFT034T, isolated from a rusty iron plate, are characterized in this study. Cells of both strains were catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strain CC-CFT023T showed a high pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Aureimonas altamirensis LMG 23375T (96.0 %), whereas, strain CC-CFT034T shared a maximum similarity to Aureimonas ureilytica DSM 18598T (95.8 %). The predominant quinone system was ubiquinone (Q-10) and the DNA G+C contents of CC-CFT023T and CC-CFT034T were 69.5 mol% and 67.7 mol%, respectively. The major fatty acids of these strains were C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, C18 : 1 2-OH and summed features 3 and 8, consisting of C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c and C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6c, respectively. Polar lipid profiles of both of these isolates include diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and most importantly sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG), which is one of the typical molecular features reported to delineate the members of the genus Aureimonas from their closest relatives, species of the genus Aurantimonas . Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strains CC-CFT023T and CC-CFT034T represent two novel species within the genus Aureimonas , for which the names Aureimonas ferruginea sp. nov. (type strain CC-CFT023T = BCRC 80439T = JCM 18444T) and Aureimonas rubiginis sp. nov. (type strain CC-CFT034T = BCRC 80440T = JCM 18445T) are proposed.