Thalassospira aquimaris sp. nov. and Winogradskyella marincola sp. nov. two marine bacteria isolated from an agar-degrading co-culture

Two novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, and non-motile strains, designated FZY0004T and YYF002T, were isolated from an agar-degrading co-culture, which was obtained from seawater of the intertidal zone of Yancheng City, the Yellow Sea of China. Strain FZY0004T optimally grew at 28 °C, pH 7.0, and 2-6% NaCl, while strain YYF002T optimally grew at 28 °C, pH 7.5, and 2-4% NaCl. Strain FZY0004T possessed Q-9 as the major respiratory quinone, and its major fatty acids (> 10%) were summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c), C16:0, and summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c). The polar lipids identified in strain FZY0004T were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and several unidentified phospholipids (PL) and lipids (L). On the other hand, strain YYF002T had MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinone and its major fatty acids consisted of iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, and iso-C15:0 3-OH. The polar lipids identified in strain YYF002T were aminolipid (AL), PE, and several unidentified lipids. Strain FZY0004T shared 99.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 90.1% average nucleotide identity (ANI) with T. povalilytica Zumi 95T, and strain YYF002T shared 99.2% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 88.2% ANI with W. poriferorum JCM 12885T. The genomic DNA G + C contents of strains FZY0004T and YYF002T were 54.5% and 33.5%, respectively. The phylogenetic, phenotypic, and physiological characteristics permitted the distinction of the two strains from their neighbors, and we thus propose the names Thalassospira aquimaris sp. nov. (type strain FZY0004T = JCM 35895T = MCCC 1K08380T) and Winogradskyella marincola sp. nov. (type strain YYF002T = JCM 35950T = MCCC 1K08382T).

Winogradskyella bathintestinalis sp. nov., isolated from the intestine of the deep-sea loosejaw dragonfish, Malacosteus niger

A novel bacterial strain, APC 3343T, was isolated from the intestine of a deep-sea loosejaw dragon fish, Malacosteus niger, caught at a depth of 1000 m in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Cells were aerobic, rod-shaped, yellow/orange-pigmented, non-motile and Gram-negative. Growth of strain APC 3343T was observed at 4-30 °C (optimum, 21-25 °C), pH 5.5-10 (optimum, pH 7-8) and 0.5-8 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-4 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain APC 3343T was most closely related to members of the genus Winogradskyella, with the most closely related type strains being Winogradskyella algae Kr9-9T (98.46 % identity), Winogradskyella damuponensis F081-2T (98.07 %), Winogradskyella eximia CECT 7946T (97.93 %), Winogradskyella litoriviva KMM 6491T (97.79 %) and Winogradskyella endarachnes HL2-2T (97.79 %). Major fatty acids (>10 % of total) were iso-C16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown aminolipids and eight unknown lipids. The draft genome sequence was 3.8 Mb in length with a G+C content of 33.43 mol%. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, strain APC 3343T is deemed to be a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, and for which the name Winogradskyella bathintestinalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of this species is APC 3343T (=DSM 115832T=NCIMB 15464T).

Winogradskyella vincentii sp. nov. and Winogradskyella alexanderae sp. nov., two novel bacteria isolated from intertidal sediment

Two novel Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic, chemoheterotrophic, non-motile and rod-shaped strains were isolated from intertidal sediment sampled at Xiaoshi Island, Weihai, PR China. Full sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA genes showed that the two strains were closely related to members of the genus Winogradskyella and the phylogenetic similarities to their closest relative, Winogradskyella aquimaris, were 96.7 and 95.8 %, respectively. The DNA G+C contents of strains 2Y89T and D23T were 33.3 and 35.1 mol%, respectively. The respiratory quinone detected in both strains was MK-6. The major fatty acids detected in strain 2Y89T were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 1G, and in strain D23T they were iso-C15 : 1G, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 03-OH. The principal polar lipids of strain 2Y89T mainly included phosphatidylethanolamine, aminoglycolipids, unidentified aminolipids, unidentified glycolipids and unidentified lipids; strain D23T was the same as strain 2Y89T except that it did not contain aminoglycolipids. Based on the phenotypic, chemical taxonomic, genotypic and phylogenetic features established in this study, we suggest that the new strains represent two novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the names Winogradskyella vincentii sp. nov. (type strain 2Y89T=MCCC 1H00477T=KCTC 92034T) and Winogradskyella alexanderae sp. nov. (type strain D23T=MCCC 1H00462T=KCTC 92023T) are proposed.

Long-Term Stability of Bacterial Associations in a Microcosm of Ostreococcus tauri (Chlorophyta, Mamiellophyceae)

Phytoplankton-bacteria interactions rule over carbon fixation in the sunlit ocean, yet only a handful of phytoplanktonic-bacteria interactions have been experimentally characterized. In this study, we investigated the effect of three bacterial strains isolated from a long-term microcosm experiment with one Ostreococcus strain (Chlorophyta, Mamiellophyceae). We provided evidence that two Roseovarius strains (Alphaproteobacteria) had a beneficial effect on the long-term survival of the microalgae whereas one Winogradskyella strain (Flavobacteriia) led to the collapse of the microalga culture. Co-cultivation of the beneficial and the antagonistic strains also led to the loss of the microalga cells. Metagenomic analysis of the microcosm is consistent with vitamin B12 synthesis by the Roseovarius strains and unveiled two additional species affiliated to Balneola (Balneolia) and Muricauda (Flavobacteriia), which represent less than 4% of the reads, whereas Roseovarius and Winogradskyella recruit 57 and 39% of the reads, respectively. These results suggest that the low-frequency bacterial species may antagonize the algicidal effect of Winogradskyella in the microbiome of Ostreococcus tauri and thus stabilize the microalga persistence in the microcosm. Altogether, these results open novel perspectives into long-term stability of phytoplankton cultures.

Winogradskyella marina sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped (0.3-0.6 × 0.9-2.2 µm), facultatively aerobic, non-motile and yellow-coloured bacterium, designated strain F6397^T, was isolated from a marine sediment in Weihai, PR China. Growth of strain F6397^T occurred at 4-37 °C (optimum, 30-33 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, 7.5) and in the presence of 1-12% (optimum, 3.0%) (w/v) NaCl. Strain F6397^T showed oxidase- and catalase-positive activities. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain was assigned to the genus Winogradskyella. Strain F6397^T exhibited 95.5-98.1% sequence similarities to recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) scores with Winogradskyella ludwigii HL116^T, Winogradskyella litoriviva KMM 6491 ^T and Winogradskyella thalassocola KMM 3907 ^T were 80.1, 78.9 and 82.6%, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) scores were 23.5, 22.9 and 25.7%, respectively. The genomic DNA G + C content was 33.5 mol%. Strain F6397^T contained iso-C_15:0, iso-C_15:1G, iso-C_15:0 3-OH and iso-C_17:0 3-OH as the predominant fatty acid and MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipid profiles contained phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain F6397^T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella marina sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F6397^T (= KCTC 82422 ^T = MCCC 1H00438^T).

Cultivable Winogradskyella species are genomically distinct from the sympatric abundant candidate species

Winogradskyella is a genus within the phylum Bacteroidetes with a clear marine origin. Most members of this genus have been found associated with marine animals and algae, but also with inorganic surfaces such as sand. In this study, we analyzed genomes of eleven species recently isolated from surface seawater samples from the North Sea during a single spring algae bloom. Corresponding metagenomes yielded a single Candidatus species for this genus. All species in culture, with the exception of W. ursingii, affiliated with a Winogradskyella lineage characterized by large genomes (~4.3 ± 0.4 Mb), with high complexity in their carbohydrate and protein degradation genes. Specifically, the polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) were diverse within each individual strain, indicating large substrate versatility. Although present in the North Sea, the abundances of these strains were at, or below, the detection limit of the metagenomes. In contrast, the single species, classified as Candidatus W. atlantica, to which all North Sea MAGs belonged, affiliated with a lineage in which the cultivated representatives showed small genomes of ~3.0-3.5 Mb, with the MAGs having ~2.3 Mb. In Ca. W. atlantica, genome streamlining has apparently resulted in the loss of biosynthesis pathways for several amino acids including arginine, methionine, leucine and valine, and the PUL loci were reduced to a single one for utilizing laminarin. This as-yet uncultivated species seems to capitalize on sporadically abundant substrates that are released by algae blooms, mainly laminarin. We also suggest that this streamlined genome might be responsible for the lack of growth on plates for this Candidatus species, in contrast to growth of the less abundant but coexisting members of the genus.

Winogradskyella ouciana sp. nov., isolated from the hadal seawater of the Mariana Trench

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, long-rod shaped with no flagellum and yellow-pigmented bacterium designated strain ZXX205^T, was isolated from the hadal seawater at the depth of 7500 m in the Mariana Trench, Pacific Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain ZXX205^T within the genus Winogradskyella and strain ZXX205^T was most closely related to Winogradskyella flava KCTC 52348^T and Winogradskyella echinorum KCTC 22026^T with 96.9 % and 96.6 % sequence similarity, respectively. The sequence similarities to all other type strains were 96.3 % or less, and to the type strain Winogradskyella thalassocola LMG 22492^T was 94.1 %. Growth occurred in the presence of 0-9.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3.0 %), at 4-45 °C (optimum 28 °C) and pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.5). The sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The dominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) of strain ZXX205^T were iso-C_15 : 0, iso-C_15 : 1 G, iso-C_16 : 0 3-OH and iso-C_16 : 0. The polar lipids profile contained predominantly phosphatidylethanolamine, four glycolipids, four unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 35.5 %. The DNA-DNA relatedness (DDH) values between strain ZXX205^T and the most closely related species Winogradskyella flava and Winogradskyella echinorum were 21.1 and 20.4 %, respectively. Based on polyphasic taxonomic analysis, strain ZXX205^T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Winogradskyella of the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Winogradskyella ouciana is proposed. The type strain is ZXX205^T (=MCCC 1K03851^T=JCM 33665^T).

Winogradskyella endarachnes sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the brown alga Endarachne binghamiae

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated and motile by gliding bacterium HL2-2T, was isolated from the surface of the brown alga Endarachne binghamiae in China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that this strain was affiliated with the genus Winogradskyella in the family Flavobacteriaceae and presented great similarity with the type strain Winogradskyella litoriviva KMM 6491T (97.9 % sequence similarity). The whole genome of strain HL2-2T comprised 3.6 Mbp with a G+C content of 31.9 mol%. The average nucleotide identity between strain HL2-2T and Winogradskyella litoriviva KMM 6491T was 83.7 %. Growth of the isolated strain was observed from 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH ranged from 5.5 to 8.0 (optimum, pH 6.0) and in the presence of 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-2 %). The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total) were C16 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and the predominant menaquinone was MK-6. The combined phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic analysis show that the strain HL2-2T represents a novel species belonging to the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella endarachnes sp. nov. is proposed, and which the type strain is HL2-2T (=CICC 24857T=KCTC 72882T).

Taxonomic study of nine new Winogradskyella species occurring in the shallow waters of Helgoland Roads, North Sea. Proposal of Winogradskyella schleiferi sp. nov., Winogradskyella costae sp. nov., Winogradskyella helgolandensis sp. nov., Winogradskyella vidalii sp. nov., Winogradskyella forsetii sp. nov., Winogradskyella ludwigii sp. nov., Winogradskyella ursingii sp. nov., Winogradskyella wichelsiae sp. nov., and Candidatus "Winogradskyella atlantica" sp. nov

Evaluation of bacterial succession with cultivation-dependent strategies during a spring phytoplankton bloom in the North Sea led to the isolation of 41 strains that affiliated with the genus Winogradskyella. Fifteen of the strains were selected for a taxonomic study after discarding clonal cultures. A thorough phylogenetic, genomic and phenotypic analysis of the isolates indicated that they represented eight new species that coexisted in North Sea waters. Molecular data revealed the existence of an as yet uncultivated novel species recurrently binned from the North Sea metagenomes. The metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of this new Winogradskyella were used to classify it as a new Candidatus species. This study represented a new example of the use of the tandem approach of whole cell mass spectrometry linked to 16S rRNA gene sequencing in order to facilitate the discovery of new taxa by high-throughput cultivation, which increases the probability of finding more than a single isolate for new species. In addition, we demonstrated the reasons for classifying MAGs representing recurrently retrieved heterotrophic species that evade cultivation even after an important high-throughput effort. The taxonomic study resulted in the classification of eight new species and one new Candidatus species of the genus Winogradskyella for which we propose the names W. schleiferi sp. nov., W. costae sp. nov., W. helgolandensis sp. nov., W. vidalii sp. nov., W. forsetii sp. nov., W. ludwigii sp. nov., W. ursingii sp. nov., W. wichelsiae sp. nov., and Candidatus "W. atlantica" sp. nov.

Winogradskyella algae sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the brown alga

An aerobic, Gram-negative, yellow-pigmented non-motile rod-shaped bacterium Kr9-9T was isolated from a brown alga specimen collected near the Kuril Islands. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis strain Kr9-9T was assigned to the genus Winogradskyella, and its close phylogenetic neighbors were found to be Winogradskyella damuponensis KCTC 23552T, Winogradskyella sediminis LMG 28075T, and Winogradskyella rapida CCUG 59098T showing high similarities of 98.1%, 97.5%, and 97.1%, respectively. It contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 3-OH followed by iso-C15:1 as the major fatty acids. Polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminolipids and an unidentified lipid. The DNA C+C content was 32.3 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and distinctive phenotypic characteristics, strain Kr9-9T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella algae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is strain Kr9-9T (= KMM 8180T = KACC 19709T).

Winogradskyella flava sp. nov., isolated from the brown alga, Sargassum fulvellum

An aerobic, gliding and yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain SFD31T, was isolated from brown alga collected from the South Sea, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. The neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SFD31T forms an independent lineage within the genus Winogradskyella. Strain SFD31T was related distantly to Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211T (97.9 %, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Winogradskyellalitoriviva KMM 6491T (97.4 %), Winogradskyellapulchriflava EM106T (97.2 %) and Winogradskyellaeckloniae EC29T (96.9 %). The major fatty acids of strain SFD31T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and unknown 13.565. The only isoprenoid quinone of the isolate was menaquinone 6. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain SFD31T was 36.0 mol%. Phenotypic characteristics distinguished strain SFD31T from the related species of the genus Winogradskyella. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, a novel species, Winogradskyella flava sp. nov., is proposed for strain SFD31T (=KCTC 52348T=JCM 31798T).

Winogradskyella litoriviva sp. nov., isolated from coastal seawater

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, moderately halophilic and gliding bacterium, designated KMM 6491T, was isolated from coastal seawater collected from Troitsa Bay, the Sea of Japan. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain KMM 6491T was a member of the genus Winogradskyella, with 94.5–97.9 % sequence similarity to recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella. The DNA G+C content of strain KMM 6491T was 31.3 mol% and DNA–DNA relatedness values with the type strains of Winogradskyella echinorum, Winogradskyella damuponensis, Winogradskyella eximia and Winogradskyella pulchriflava were in range of 10–26 %. Strain KMM 6491T contained menaquinone 6 (MK-6) as the single quinone and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c) anteiso-C15 : 0, as the prevalent fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain KMM 6491T were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and two unknown lipids. Strain KMM 6491T was able to grow with 0.5–7 % NaCl and at 4–34 °C. The novel strain decomposed gelatin and starch and produced acid from d-glucose, maltose, mannose, rhamnose, sucrose, fructose and glycerol. On the basis of the results of the phylogenetic and phenotypic analyses it is suggested that strain KMM 6491T represents a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella litoriviva sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 6491T ( = KCTC 23972T = LMG 26984T).

Winogradskyella crassostreae sp. nov., isolated from an oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

A Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated TYO-19T, was isolated from an oyster collected from the South Sea in South Korea, and was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain TYO-19T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 1.0–2.0  % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TYO-19T belonged to the genus Winogradskyella, clustering coherently with the type strain of Winogradskyella epiphytica. Strain TYO-19T exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of 99.7  % to W. epiphytica KMM 3906T and 94.2–96.9  % to the type strains of other species of the genus Winogradskyella. Strain TYO-19T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15[hairsp] :[hairsp] 1 G, iso-C17[hairsp] :[hairsp] 0 3-OH, iso-C15[hairsp] :[hairsp] 0 and anteiso-C15[hairsp] :[hairsp] 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain TYO-19T were phosphatidylethanolamine and one unidentified lipid. The DNA G+C content was 39.0 mol% and the mean DNA–DNA relatedness value with the type strain of W. epiphytica was 59 ± 4.3  %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain TYO-19T is separated from recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella. On the basis of the data presented, strain TYO-19T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella crassostreae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TYO-19T  ( = KCTC 42462T = NBRC 110924T).

Winogradskyella eckloniae sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the brown alga Ecklonia cava

A novel bacterial strain, designated EC29(T), was isolated from the brown alga Ecklonia cava collected on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain EC29(T) were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile by gliding. Growth was observed at 10-30 °C (optimum, 20-25 °C), at pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in the presence of 1-5% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Winogradskyella. Strain EC29(T) exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, of 96.5-97.8%, to the type strains of Winogradskyella pulchriflava EM106(T), Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211(T) and Winogradskyella ulvae KMM 6390(T). Strain EC29(T) exhibited < 27% DNA-DNA relatedness with Winogradskyella pulchriflava EM106(T) and Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211(T). The predominant fatty acids of strain EC29(T) were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G, C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH and anteiso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 31.1 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). Based on a polyphasic study, strain EC29(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella eckloniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is EC29(T) ( = KCTC 32172(T) = JCM 18703(T)).

Winogradskyella wandonensis sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat

A Gram-stain-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated WD-2-2T, was isolated from a tidal flat of Wando, an island of South Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Strain WD-2-2T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–8.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain WD-2-2T belonged to the genus Winogradskyella , clustering coherently with the type strain of Winogradskyella litorisediminis . Strain WD-2-2T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.4 % to W. litorisediminis DPS-8T and 94.5–96.6 % to the type strains of the other species of the genus Winogradskyella . Strain WD-2-2T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids detected in strain WD-2-2T were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and one unidentified aminolipid. The DNA G+C content was 36.4 mol%, and DNA–DNA relatedness with W. litorisediminis DPS-8T was 13 %. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain WD-2-2T is separate from recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella . On the basis of the data presented, strain WD-2-2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella , for which the name Winogradskyella wandonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WD-2-2T ( = KCTC 32579T = CECT 8445T).

Winogradskyella pulchriflava sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment

A taxonomic study was conducted on strain EM106T, isolated from a sediment sample of the East Sea, Republic of Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain EM106T belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae and is most closely related to Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211T and Winogradskyella ulvae KMM 6390T (97.8 and 97.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain EM106T was 33.3 mol%, and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The polar lipids of EM106T were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. DNA–DNA relatedness data indicated that strain EM106T represented a distinct species, separate from W. echinorum KMM 6211T and W. ulvae KMM 6390T. Strain EM106T possessed iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C16 : 0 3-OH as the major cellular fatty acids. The isolate was Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, short rod-shaped and motile by gliding. The strain grew at 10–35 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 6.5–9.0 (optimum, 7.5), and with 0.5–5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5–1 % NaCl). The overall physiological features of strain EM106T were very similar to those of W. echinorum KMM 6211T but only strain EM106T had nitrate reductase activity. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain EM106T is proposed to represent a novel species, Winogradskyella pulchriflava. The type strain is EM106T( = KCTC 23858T = NCAIM B 02481T).

Winogradskyella psychrotolerans sp. nov., a marine bacterium of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from Arctic sediment

A novel Gram-negative, rod–coccus shaped, non-motile, strain, RS-3T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the marine transect of Kongsfjorden, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Arctic. Colonies and broth cultures were yellowish in colour due to the presence of carotenoids. Strain RS-3T was positive for oxidase, aesculinase, caseinase, gelatinase and urease activities and negative for amylase, catalase, lipase, lysine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase, DNase and β-galactosidase activities. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (18.0), anteiso-C15 : 0 (16.8), iso-C15 : 1 G (14.2), anteiso-C15 : 1 A (6.0) and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (6.8). Strain RS-3T contained MK-6 (72.42 %) and MK-7 (27.58 %) as the major respiratory quinones and phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids make up the polar lipid composition. The DNA G+C content of strain RS-3T was 34.7±1.2 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that Winogradskyella pacifica and Winogradskyella thalassocola are the most closely related species with sequence similarities to the type strains of these species of 98.5 and 97.7 %, respectively. However, DNA–DNA hybridization with Winogradskyella pacifica KCTC 22997T and Winogradskyella thalassocola DSM 15363T showed a relatedness of 22 and 42.5 % with respect to strain RS-3T. Based on the DNA–DNA hybridization values, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic inference, strain RS-3T is proposed as a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella , for which the name Winogradskyella psychrotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Winogradskyella psychrotolerans sp. nov. is RS-3T ( = CIP 110154T = NBRC 106169T). An emended description of the genus Winogradskyella is provided.

Winogradskyella litorisediminis sp. nov., isolated from coastal sediment

A Gram-staining-negative, non-flagellated, non-gliding, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated DPS-8T, was isolated from coastal sediment of Geoje island in the South Sea, South Korea, and subjected to a polyphasic study. Strain DPS-8T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl. A neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DPS-8T joined the clade comprising the type strains of Winogradskyella species with a high bootstrap resampling value of 93.5 %. Phylogenetic trees constructed using maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony algorithms revealed that strain DPS-8T belonged to the genus Winogradskyella . Strain DPS-8T exhibited 94.1–96.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of species of the genus Winogradskyella . Strain DPS-8T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain DPS-8T were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain DPS-8T was 34.7 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with its phylogenetic distinctiveness, revealed that strain DPS-8T is separate from recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella . On the basis of the data presented, strain DPS-8T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella , for which the name Winogradskyella litorisediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DPS-8T ( = KCTC 32110T = CCUG 62215T).

Winogradskyella damuponensis sp. nov., isolated from seawater

A novel bacterium, designated F081-2T, isolated from seawater from Damupo beach in Pohang, Korea, was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells were yellow-pigmented, strictly aerobic, motile by gliding, Gram-negative-staining and rod-shaped. The temperature, pH and NaCl ranges for growth were 4–35 °C, pH 5.5–9.5 and 1.0–5.0 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain F081-2T belonged to a distinct lineage in the genus Winogradskyella of the family Flavobacteriaceae , sharing 93.7–98.1 % similarity with recognized members of the genus. Low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness values were found between strain F081-2T and Winogradskyella eximia KCTC 12219T (61.1 %), Winogradskyella thalassocola KCTC 12221T (47.0 %), Winogradskyella echinorum KCTC 22026T (39.3 %), Winogradskyella rapida CCUG 56098T (34.3 %) and Winogradskyella arenosi JCM 17633T (33.4 %). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (25.3 %), iso-C15 : 1 G (14.6 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (9.3 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (7.8 %) and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (7.6 %). The polar lipid profile was composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid and six unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 and the DNA G+C content of the strain was 32.3 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, strain F081-2T represents a novel species within the genus Winogradskyella , for which the name Winogradskyella damuponensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F081-2T ( = KCTC 23552T = JCM 17633T).

Winogradskyella jejuensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from a brown alga Carpopeltis affinis

A Gram-negative, orange-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain CP32(T) was isolated from a brown alga Carpopeltis affinis collected on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The isolate grew at 10-37°C (optimum 25°C) and at pH 6.5-9.5 (optimum pH 7.0). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate showed much similarity with the type strains of recognized species of the genus Winogradskyella (94.0-96.6%). The most closely related species were Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211(T), Winogradskyella ulvae KMM 6390(T), Winogradskyella thalassocola KMM 3907(T), Winogradskyella poriferorum UST030701-295(T), and Winogradskyella eximia KMM 3944(T). The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6) and the predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15:1) G (24.8%), iso-C(15:0) (23.4%), and iso-C(17:0) 3-OH (11.6 %). The DNA G+C content was 33.3 mol%. The polar lipid profile was composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, two aminolipids, and five unknown lipids. On the basis of phenotypic features, and the result of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CP32(T) (=KCTC 23835(T) =JCM 18454(T)) represents a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Neiella marina gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A novel strain, designated J221(T), was isolated from the intestine of a sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, collected from earthen ponds in Qingdao, China. The strain was Gram-negative, oxidase-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped and motile by means of one to several polar flagella. Growth of strain J221(T) was observed at temperatures between 10 and 40 °C with optimum growth between 25 and 28 °C. The pH range for growth was 5.0-9.0 with optimum growth at pH 7.5-8.0. The dominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, 29.04 %), C16 : 0 (28.93 %) and C18 : 1ω7c (26.15 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Diphosphatidylglycerol, an unknown aminolipid and an unknown aminophospholipid were present in moderate to minor amounts in the polar lipid profile. Strain J221(T) had Q-8 as the major respiratory quinone. The DNA G+C content of strain J221(T) was 46.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain J221(T) is a member of the Gammaproteobacteria. It formed a distinct phyletic line with less than 91 % sequence similarity to any species within previously recognized genera. On the basis of this polyphasic taxonomic study, strain J221(T) should be classified as a representative of a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Neiella marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Neiella marina is J221(T) ( = CGMCC 1.10130(T) = NRRL B-51319(T)).

Winogradskyella aquimaris sp. nov., isolated from seawater

A Gram-negative, non-flagellated, motile by gliding, aerobic rod, designated DPG-24T, was isolated from seawater of Geoje Island in the South Sea, Korea. Strain DPG-24T grew optimally at 30–37 °C, at pH 7.0–7.5 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DPG-24T belonged to the genus Winogradskyella and clustered with Winogradskyella poriferorum UST030701-295T and Winogradskyella exilis 022-2-26T. Strain DPG-24T exhibited 97.6 and 95.8 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with W. poriferorum UST030701-295T and W. exilis 022-2-26T, respectively, and 92.4–95.7 % with other members of the genus Winogradskyella . Strain DPG-24T contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C15 : 1 G, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 36.7 mol%. DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and W. poriferorum JCM 12885T was 10.8 %. The differential phenotypic properties and phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness enabled strain DPG-24T to be differentiated from recognized members of the genus Winogradskyella . On the basis of the data presented, strain DPG-24T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella , for which the name Winogradskyella aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is DPG-24T ( = KCTC 23502T  = CCUG 60798T).

Postechiella marina gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from seawater

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, yellow-pigmented bacterium, designated strain M091(T), was isolated from seawater at Damupo beach in Pohang, Republic of Korea, and investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The novel strain grew optimally at 25 °C, pH 7.0-8.0, and in the presence of 3% (w/v) NaCl. In a phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M091(T) formed a lineage within the family Flavobacteriaceae that was distinct from the most closely related genera of Flaviramulus (95.1% sequence similarity), Algibacter (94.9-93.9%), Mariniflexile (94.8-94.2%), Winogradskyella (94.8-93.2%), Lacinutrix (94.7-93.8%) and Tamlana (94.7-92.9%). The polar lipid profile of the novel strain comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids, one unidentified phospholipid and seven unidentified lipids. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15:0) (20.5%), iso-C(17:0) 3-OH (15.4%), iso-C(15:0) 3-OH (12.4%), C(15:0) (10.9%) and iso-C(15:1) G (9.9%). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain M091(T) was 34.4 mol% and the major respiratory quinone was MK-6. Based on phenotypic and genotypic data, strain M091(T) represents a new genus and novel species in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Postechiella marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is M091(T) (=KCTC 23537(T)=JCM 17630(T)).

Winogradskyella ulvae sp. nov., an epiphyte of a Pacific seaweed, and emended descriptions of the genus Winogradskyella and Winogradskyella thalassocola, Winogradskyella echinorum, Winogradskyella exilis and Winogradskyella eximia

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, slightly halophilic bacterium that was motile by gliding, designated KMM 6390(T), was isolated from the coastal green alga Ulva fenestrata collected from the Sea of Japan. A comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain KMM 6390(T) was a member of the genus Winogradskyella, with Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211(T) as its closest relative (97.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between the isolate and other members of the genus Winogradskyella were 95.4-96.7%. DNA-DNA relatedness between the isolate and W. echinorum KMM 6211(T) was 27%. Strain KMM 6390(T) was able to grow with 0.5-4.0% NaCl and at 4-37 °C. The isolate decomposed casein, gelatin, starch and DNA and produced acid from galactose, D-glucose, lactose and maltose. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15:0), iso-C(15:1), anteiso-C(15:0) and C(15:0). The polar lipid profile comprised phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown aminolipids. The DNA G+C content was 34.2 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic investigations, strain KMM 6390(T) represents a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella ulvae sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is KMM 6390(T) (=KCTC 23626(T)=LMG 26444(T)). Emended descriptions of the genus Winogradskyella and of W. thalassocola, W. echinorum, W. exilis and W. eximia are also provided.

Winogradskyella lutea sp. nov., isolated from seawater, and emended description of the genus Winogradskyella

A novel Gram-negative, orange-pigmented, rod-shaped, strictly aerobic, gliding, oxidase- and catalase-positive bacterial strain, A73T, was isolated from seawater collected off Jeju, South Korea. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between A73T and type strains of Winogradskyella species with validly published names ranged from 94.1 to 96.2 %. The dominant fatty acids of strain A73T were iso-C15 : 1 G (19.1 %), iso-C15 : 0 (13.3 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (10.0 %) and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (7.2 %). The DNA G+C content of strain A73T was 36.0 mol% and its major respiratory quinone was MK-6. On the basis of combined data from phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses, strain A73T represents a novel species of the genus Winogradskyella, for which the name Winogradskyella lutea sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A73T ( = KCTC 23237T  = DSM 22624T). An emended description of the genus Winogradskyella is also provided.