Nocardiopsis kunsanensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic actinomycete isolated from a saltern

Thalassomonas ganghwensis sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment

A Gram-negative, aerobic, halophilic bacterium, designated strain JC2041(T), was isolated from a sediment sample of getbol, the Korean tidal flat. Results of 16S rDNA sequence analyses indicated a moderate relationship to Thalassomonas viridans within the gamma-Proteobacteria (94.9 % similarity). Depending on the tree-making algorithm used, the isolate either formed a monophyletic clade with T. viridans or was recovered as a sister group of a class containing the genera Thalassomonas and Colwellia. Phenotypic features of the getbol isolate were similar to those of T. viridans, but several physiological and chemotaxonomic properties, including nitrate reduction, amylase, lecithinase, Tweenase and utilization of 13 carbon sources, distinguished strain JC2041(T) from T. viridans. The polyphasic data presented in this study indicate that the isolate should be classified as a novel species in the genus Thalassomonas. The name Thalassomonas ganghwensis sp. nov. is therefore proposed for the getbol isolate; the type strain is JC2041(T) (=IMSNU 14005(T)=KCTC 12041(T)=DSM 15355(T)).

Nocardiopsis aegyptia sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment

An actinomycete, strain SNG49(T), was isolated from marine sediment of Abu Qir Bay, on the western seashore of Alexandria, Egypt. The bacterium was aerobic and Gram-positive. It produced beige to light-yellow aerial mycelium, brown substrate mycelium and straight to flexuous hyphae, but no specific spore chains. 16S rDNA sequence analysis and chemotaxonomic markers were consistent with classification of strain SNG49(T) in the genus Nocardiopsis, i.e. meso-diaminopimelic acid; no diagnostic sugars; phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as polar lipids; menaquinones of the MK-10 series from MK-10(H(0)) to MK-10(H(8)); and iso/anteiso-branched and 10-methyl-branched fatty acids, the principal fatty acids being anteiso-17 : 0 and tuberculostearic acid. Nocardiopsis lucentensis and Nocardiopsis alba are the phylogenetic neighbours of strain SNG49(T), respectively showing 98.8 and 98.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity; however, moderate DNA-DNA reassociation values between these two species and strain SNG49(T) (44 and 60 %, respectively) showed that strain SNG49(T) could be clearly separated from them. These data, together with distinct physiological traits, led to the conclusion that this isolate represents a novel species within the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis aegyptia is proposed. The type strain is SNG49(T) (=DSM 44442(T)=NRRL B-24244(T)).

Nocardioides ganghwensis sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment

A strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped actinomycete strain, named JC2055T, was isolated from a sediment sample of getbol, the tidal flat of Korea. 16S rDNA analysis revealed that the getbol isolate belonged to the genus Nocardioides with the highest sequence similarity to Nocardioides aquiterrae GW-9T (95·5 %). The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4) and the predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-16 : 0 and 17 : 1ω8c. Tuberculostearic acid was absent. The G+C content of DNA was 72 mol%. Based on the morphological, physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomical data presented in this study, strain JC2055T can be readily differentiated from other validly named Nocardioides species. The name Nocardioides ganghwensis sp. nov. is proposed for the isolate. The type strain is JC2055T (=IMSNU 14028T=KCTC 9920T=JCM 12124T).

Kordia algicida gen. nov., sp. nov., an algicidal bacterium isolated from red tide

A bacterium (named OT-1T) that showed algicidal activity was isolated from sea water of Masan Bay, Korea, during an outbreak of red tide. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that the isolate formed a distinct phyletic lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae of the Cytophaga–Flavobacterium–Bacteroides group. No species with a validly published name showed ⩾93 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to strain OT-1T. The isolate had major amounts of iso-branched and 3-hydroxy iso-branched fatty acids and menaquinone 6 and a DNA G+C content of 34 mol%; these chemotaxonomic characters also supported the placement of the organism in the family Flavobacteriaceae. The strain was Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented, non-motile, non-gliding, flexirubin-negative, strictly aerobic, catalase-negative, oxidase-positive and halophilic. Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions were obligately required for growth. The strain utilized various sugars as sole carbon sources and degraded gelatin, skimmed milk and starch. Several phenotypic characters can be used to differentiate the test strain from phylogenetically related marine bacterial genera. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, it is proposed that strain OT-1T should be assigned to the family Flavobacteriaceae as Kordia algicida gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is OT-1T (=KCTC 8814PT=NBRC 1000336T).

Nocardiopsis alkaliphila sp. nov., a novel alkaliphilic actinomycete isolated from desert soil in Egypt

An alkaliphilic actinomycete strain, designated YIM 80379T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the eastern desert of Egypt and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. The strain produced substrate and aerial mycelia on different media, with an optimum pH for growth of 9.5-10 and scarce or no growth at pH 7. Strain YIM 80379T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, no diagnostic sugars, type PIII phospholipids and MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8) as the predominant menaquinones. All of these characters assign isolate YIM 80379T consistently to the genus Nocardiopsis. This was confirmed by 16S rDNA analysis. It can be differentiated from all Nocardiopsis species with validly published names by phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization results. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, a novel species, Nocardiopsis alkaliphila sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of the species is YIM 80379T (=CCTCC AA001031T=DSM 44657T).

Aestuariibacter salexigens gen. nov., sp. nov. and Aestuariibacter halophilus sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment, and emended description of Alteromonas macleodii

Two strictly aerobic, halophilic strains of the γ-Proteobacteria, designated JC2042T and JC2043T, were obtained from a sediment sample of getbol, the Korean tidal flat. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence studies revealed that the test strains were related most closely to the type strains of the genera Alteromonas (93·5–95·5 %) and Glaciecola (91·1–93·3 %). Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that strains JC2042T and JC2043T formed a distinct monophyletic clade within the family Alteromonadaceae and clustered distantly with the genera Alteromonas and Glaciecola. Physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data also indicated that the two getbol isolates were significantly different from members of these two genera and others with validly published names. Cells were rod-shaped and motile with a polar flagellum. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q8. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω7c and a mixture of C16 : 1 ω7c and iso-C15 : 0 2-OH. DNA G+C contents were 48–54 mol%. On the basis of this polyphasic study, Aestuariibacter gen. nov. is proposed with two novel species, Aestuariibacter salexigens sp. nov. (type strain, JC2042T=IMSNU 14006T=KCTC 12042T=DSM 15300T) and Aestuariibacter halophilus sp. nov. (type strain, JC2043T=IMSNU 14007T=KCTC 12043T=DSM 15266T). Aestuariibacter salexigens is the type species of the genus. In addition, an emended description of Alteromonas macleodii is proposed.

Hongiella mannitolivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., Hongiella halophila sp. nov. and Hongiella ornithinivorans sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediment

Three marine strains of the Cytophaga–Flavobacterium–Bacteroides group, designated JC2050T, JC2051T and JC2052T, were obtained from a single sediment sample of getbol, the Korean tidal flat. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence studies revealed that the test strains were not closely related to any validly published genera and that these strains were only distantly related to the genus Cyclobacterium (88·7–91·2 %). Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the three getbol isolates formed a distinct monophyletic clade within the family Cytophagaceae. Physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data also indicated that these three getbol isolates differed significantly from members of other genera and were sufficiently different from each other to be recognized as separate species. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, a new genus, Hongiella gen. nov., is proposed, with three novel species, Hongiella mannitolivorans sp. nov. (type strain JC2050T=IMSNU 14012T=DSM 15301T), Hongiella halophila sp. nov. (type strain JC2051T=IMSNU 14013T=DSM 15292T) and Hongiella ornithinivorans sp. nov. (type strain JC2052T=IMSNU 14014T=DSM 15282T). Hongiella mannitolivorans is the type species of the genus.

Transfer of Hongia koreensis Lee et al. 2000 to the genus Kribbella Park et al. 1999 as Kribbella koreensis comb. nov

The taxonomic status of Hongia koreensis was investigated by molecular systematic methods. On the basis of 16S rDNA phylogeny, H. koreensis was closely associated with Kribbella flavida and Kribbella sandramycini and formed a monophyletic clade with these species. These three taxa shared over 98% 16S rDNA sequence similarity and many chemotaxonomic properties, which strongly indicates that they belong to the same genus. DNA-DNA pairing was employed to elucidate the genomic relatedness among these taxa. H. koreensis represented a distinct genomic species that can be differentiated from members of the genus Kribbella. Physiological characteristics and phospholipid and cellular fatty acid compositions can be also used to separate H. koreensis from species of the genus Kribbella. On the basis of data presented in this and earlier studies, it is proposed that H. koreensis Lee et al. 2000 should be transferred to the genus Kribbella Park et al. 1999 as Kribbella koreensis comb. nov.

Zooshikella ganghwensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from tidal flat sediments

Two red pigment-producing bacterial strains with a metallic green sheen were isolated from a sediment sample of getbol, the Korean tidal flat. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that these isolates represent a phyletic lineage within the gamma-Proteobacteria that is distantly related to the genus Hahella. No bacterial species with validly published names showed > or = 92% 16S rRNA similarity with the getbol isolates. The strains were gram-negative, chemo-organotrophic, aerobic and required NaCl (1-7%) for growth. They produced pigments with maximum absorption at 540 nm, which indicated the presence of prodigiosin, a well-known red pigment previously detected in Serratia marcescens. The major isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-9. The predominant cellular fatty acids were saturated and monounsaturated straight-chain fatty acids. The DNA G + C contents ranged from 40 to 42 mol%. The combination of physiological, biochemical and chemotaxonomic data clearly separated the test strains from other phylogenetically related genera in the gamma-Proteobacteria. On the basis of polyphasic evidence from this study, it is proposed that the two getbol isolates should be classified in a novel genus, Zooshikella gen. nov., as Zooshikella ganghwensis sp. nov.

Nocardiopsis xinjiangensis sp. nov., a halophilic actinomycete isolated from a saline soil sample in China

An actinomycete strain (YIM 90004T) was isolated from a saline soil sample from the Xinjiang Province, People's Republic of China. The strain displayed abundant aerial and substrate mycelia, and short spore chains were borne on the aerial mycelium. The spore chains were composed of non-motile, smooth-surfaced, rod-shaped spores. The cell wall of strain YIM 90004T contained mainly meso-diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid (cell wall type III). Glucose, ribose, galactose, xylose and arabinose were the whole-cell sugars of the strain. The predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol; MK-10(H2) and MK-10(H4) were the predominant menaquinones. The DNA G + C content of strain YIM 90004T was 74.3 mol%. Chemotaxonomic properties and 16S rDNA analysis placed strain YIM 90004T in the genus Nocardiopsis. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses and DNA-DNA hybridization results, strain YIM 90004T (= CCRC 16285T = CCTCC AA99004T = DSM 44589T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis xinjiangensis is proposed.

Isolation of toxigenic Nocardiopsis strains from indoor environments and description of two new Nocardiopsis Species, N. exhalans sp. nov. and N. umidischolae sp. nov

Nocardiopsis strains were isolated from water-damaged indoor environments. Two strains (N. alba subsp. alba 704a and a strain representing a novel species, ES10.1) as well as strains of N. prasina, N. lucentensis, and N. tropica produced methanol-soluble toxins that paralyzed the motility of boar spermatozoa at <30 microg of crude extract (dry weight) x ml(-1). N. prasina, N. lucentensis, N. tropica, and strain ES10.1 caused cessation of motility by dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential, Deltapsi, of the boar spermatozoa. Indoor strain 704a produced a substance that destroyed cell membrane barrier function and depleted the sperm cells of ATP. Indoor strain 64/93 was antagonistic towards Corynebacterium renale. Two indoor Nocardiopsis strains were xerotolerant, and all five utilized a wide range of substrates. This combined with the production of toxic substances suggests good survival and potential hazard to human health in water-damaged indoor environments. Two new species, Nocardiopsis exhalans sp. nov. (ES10.1T) and Nocardiopsis umidischolae sp. nov. (66/93T), are proposed based on morphology, chemotaxonomic and physiological characters, phylogenetic analysis, and DNA-DNA reassociations.

Cell wall teichoic acids: structural diversity, species specificity in the genusNocardiopsis, and chemotaxonomic perspective

Data on the structures of cell wall teichoic acids, the anionic carbohydrate-containing polymers, found in many Gram-positive bacteria have been summarized and the polymers of the actinomycete genus Nocardiopsis have been considered from the taxonomic standpoint. The structures of these polymers or their combinations have been demonstrated to be indicative of each of seven Nocardiopsis species and two subspecies, verified by the DNA-DNA relatedness data, and to correlate well with the grouping of the organisms based on 16S rDNA sequences. As each of the intrageneric taxa discussed is definable by the composition of teichoic acids, the polymers are considered to be valuable taxonomic markers for the Nocardiopsis species and subspecies. The (13)C NMR spectra of the polymers, data on the products of their chemical degradation, and distinguishing constituents of whole cell walls derived from teichoic acids are discussed, which are useful for identification of certain polymers and members of the genus Nocardiopsis at the species and subspecies level in microbiological practice.