Salinimonas chungwhensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from a solar saltern in Korea

Draft Genome Sequence of Aestuariibacter halophilus Type Strain JC2043

Aestuariibacter halophilus strain JC2043, a Gram-negative gammaproteobacterium, is often used as a reference organism for assigning taxonomy within the family Alteromonadaceae. Isolates of this species have also been investigated for compound degradation (e.g., phthalates and oil) and biofilm association. Presented here is the draft genome sequence of A. halophilus strain JC2043.

Salinimonas marina sp. nov. Isolated from Jeju Island Marine Sediment

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, and strictly aerobic bacterium designated strain G2-b^T was isolated from the marine sediment around Jeju Island, South Korea. Strain G2-b^T was found to be catalase- and oxidase-positive, white-pigmented, motile with polar flagellum, and to grow optimally at 25 °C, pH 7.0 in the presence of 4% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain G2-b^T belongs to the genus Salinimonas and was closely related Salinimonas sediminis N102^T (96.7% sequence similarity), Salinimonas iocasae KX18D6^T (95.4%), Salinimonas lutimaris DPSR-4^T (94.7%), and Salinimonas chungwhensis BH030046^T (94.6%). Strain G2-b^T possessed ubiquinone 8 as the sole respiratory quinone, summed feature 3 and summed feature 8 as the major fatty acids, and phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The genome size and G + C content of the strain G2-b^T were determined to be 3,765,169 bp, and 49.7%, respectively, as a complete circular genome. Based on the genomic analyses (e.g., average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization), the strain G2-B^T likely represents a new species in the genus Salinimonas, for which we propose to name this novel bacterium Salinimonas marina sp. nov., and the type strain is designated G2-B^T (= KCTC 72817^T = VTCC 910110^T).

Description of three new Alteromonas species Alteromonas antoniana sp. nov., Alteromonas lipotrueae sp. nov. and Alteromonas lipotrueiana sp. nov. isolated from marine environments, and proposal for reclassification of the genus Salinimonas as Alteromonas

In the course of a bioprospective study of marine prokaryotes for cosmetic purposes, four strains, MD_567^T, MD_652^T, MD_674 and PS_109^T, were isolated that 16S rRNA gene affiliation indicated could represent three new species within the family Alteromonadaceae. A thorough phylogenetic, genomic and phenotypic taxonomic study confirmed that the isolates could be classified as three new taxa for which we propose the names Alteromonas antoniana sp. nov., Alteromonas lipotrueae sp. nov. and Alteromonas lipotrueiana sp. nov. In addition, the consistent monophyletic nature of the members of the genera Alteromonas and Salinimonas showed that both taxa should be unified, and therefore we also propose the reclassification of the genus Salinimonas within Alteromonas, as well as new combinations for the species of the former. As the specific epithets profundi and sediminis are already used for Alteromonas species, we created the nomina nova "Alteromonas alteriprofundi" nom. nov. and Alteromonas alterisediminis nom. nov. to accommodate the new names for "Salinimonas profundi" and Salinimonas sediminis. Whole genome comparisons also allowed us to detect the unexpected codification of aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradative compounds, such as benzoate and catechol, whose activity was then demonstrated phenotypically. Finally, the high genomic identity between the type strains of Alteromonas stellipolaris and Alteromonas addita indicated that the latter is a junior heterotypic synonym of Alteromonas stellipolaris.

Algibacillus agarilyticus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the surface of the red algae Gelidium amansii

A novel Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, coccoid and agar-hydrolysing bacterium, designated RQJ05^T, was isolated from the marine red algae Gelidium amansii collected from the coastal area of Rizhao, PR China. Cells of strain RQJ05^T were approximately 0.8-1.0×1.3-3.0 µm in size and motile by means of a polar flagellum. Growth occurred at 4-33 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), pH 7.0-8.5 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.0) and in the presence of 1.0-7.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2.0-3.0 %). Strain RQJ05^T showed oxidase-positive and catalase-negative activities. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain RQJ05^T formed a phylogenetic lineage with members of the family Alteromonadaceae and exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 92.6, 91.3, 90.2 and 90.1 % to Catenovulum maritimum Q1^T, Catenovulum agarivorans YM01^T, Paraphotobacterium marinum NSCS20N07D^T and Algicola sagamiensis B-10-31^T, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids of strain RQJ05^T were summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω7c and/or C_16 : 1  ω6c), C_16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C_18 : 1  ω7c and/or C_18 : 1  ω6c). The major polar lipids of strain RQJ05^T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and two aminophospholipids. Strain RQJ05^T contained Q-8 as the major respiratory quinone. The genomic DNA G+C content was 39.0 mol%. On the basis of genotypic, phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, strain RQJ05^T is presented as a representative of a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Algibacillus agarilyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RQJ05^T (=KCTC 62846^T=MCCC 1H00352^T).

Complete genome sequence of a piezophilic bacterium Salinimonas sediminis N102T, isolated from deep-sea sediment of the New Britain Trench

Salinimonas sediminis N102^T is a cold-adapted, slightly halophilic piezophile isolated from deep-sea sediment (4700 m) of the New Britain Trench. In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of S. sediminis N102^T, which is comprised of 4,440,293 base pairs with a mean G + C content of 48.2 mol%. The complete genome harbors 3851 predicted protein-coding genes, 70 tRNA genes and 15 rRNA genes. Abundant genes in the genome were predicted to be linked to bacterial deep-sea lifestyle. The complete genome sequence of S. sediminis N102^T provides insights into the microbial adaptation strategies to the deep-sea environment.

Ningiella ruwaisensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family Alteromonadaceae isolated from marine water of the Arabian Gulf

Strain B66^T was isolated from a marine water sample collected at Al Ruwais, located on the northern tip of Qatar. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic and short- rod-shaped with a polar flagellum. The isolate was able to grow at 15-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 5-11 (optimum, pH 6.5-8) and with 0-6 % NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain B66^T was affiliated with the family Alteromonadaceae, sharing the highest sequence similarities to the genera Alteromonas (93.7-95.4 %), Aestuariibacter (94.0-95.1 %), Agaribacter (93.3-93.7 %), Glaciecola (92.0-93.7 %), Marisendiminitalea (93.2-93.3 %) and Planctobacterium (92.9 %). In the phylogenetic trees, strain B66^T demonstrated the novel organism formed a distinct lineage closely associated with Aestuariibacter and Planctobacterium. Major fatty acids were C_16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω7c/C_16 : 1  ω6c/iso-C_15 : 0 2-OH and iso-C_15 : 0 3-OH. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 and the major polar lipids are phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content derived from the genome was 43.2 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and genomic data, strain B66^T is considered to represent a novel species and genus for which the name Ningiella ruwaisensis gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is B66^T (=QCC B003/17^T=LMG 30288 ^T=CCUG 70703^T).

Salinimonas iocasae sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from a polychaete tube in a hydrothermal field

A moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain KX18D6T, was isolated from the tube of the polychaete Paralvinella hessleri collected from a hydrothermal field located in the Okinawa Trough. Strain KX18D6T was Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, facultatively anaerobic, motile, oxidase- and catalase-positive, and grew optimally at 30–35 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 3–5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain KX18D6T grouped with the members of the genus Salinimonas , including Salinimonas chungwhensis BH030046T (97.7 % sequence similarity), Salinimonas lutimaris DPSR-4T (97.2 %) and Salinimonas sediminis N102T (96.4 %). Genome sequencing of strain KX18D6T revealed a genome size of 4.16 Mb and a DNA G+C content of 47.3 mol%. Genomic average nucleotide identity (orthoANI) values of strain KX18D6T with S. chungwhensis DSM 16280T, S. lutimaris KCTC 23464T and S. sediminis N102T were 76.2, 73.1 and 73.2 %, respectively, while the in silico DNA–DNA hybridization (GGDC) values for strain KX18D6T with these strains were 25.3, 17.7 and 18.0 %, respectively. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c), C16 : 0 and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 8, and the predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. On the basis of comparative analysis of phylogenetic, phylogenomic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain KX18D6T (=KCTC 72464T=MCCC 1K03884T) is clearly distinguishable from the type strains of species of the genus Salinimonas and is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Salinimonas , for which the name Salinimonas iocasae sp. nov. is proposed.

Saliniradius amylolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from solar saltern sediment

A novel non-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, motile by means of a polar flagellum, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated HMF8227^T, was isolated from solar saltern sediment sampled at Shinan, Republic of Korea. The isolate was able to grow at 15-42 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 6-8 (pH 7) and with 0.5-12 % NaCl (2-5 %). Strain HMF8227^T was positive for hydrolysis of starch and dextrin. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain HMF8227^T was affiliated with the family Alteromonadaceae, sharing the highest sequence similarities to the genera Salinimonas (93.0-94.4 %), Aestuariibacter (92.0-94.2 %), Alteromonas (92.0-93.6 %) and Lacimicrobium (93.6 %). In the phylogenetic trees, strain HMF8227^T formed an independent clade with Lacimicrobium alkaliphilum X13M-12^T. The major fatty acids were C_16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1 ω7c and/or C_16 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C_18 : 1 ω7c and/or C_18 : 1 ω6c). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The major polar lipids are phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified glycolipids. The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 52.1 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic characterizations, strain HMF8227^T represents a novel species and genus within the family Alteromonadaceae, for which the name Saliniradius amylolyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain being HMF8227^T (=KCTC 62462^T =NBRC 113230^T).

Hydrocarboniclastica marina gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium isolated from an in situ enriched hydrocarbon-degrading consortium in sea sediment

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strain, Soil36-7^T, was isolated from an in situ enriched hydrocarbon-degrading consortium in South China Sea sediment. Strain Soil36-7^T grew at 4-40 °C (optimum 28-32 °C), at pH 5-10 (pH 7-8) and in the presence of 1-12 % (w/v) NaCl (3-6 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and a genome-based approach using UBCGs (up-to-date bacterial core genes) showed Soil36-7^T formed a distinct branching lineage within the family Alteromonadaceae. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was 92.9, 92.1 and >88.3 % between strain Soil36-7^T and the type species of the genera Marinobacter, Tamilnaduibacter and the other genera of the family Alteromonadaceae, respectively. The major fatty acids in Soil36-7^T were C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω6/7c, C16 : 0 10-methyl, C18 : 1ω7c, C12 : 0 and C18 : 0. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-9, with a minor amount of Q-10 (3.5 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and various unidentified glycolipids, phospholipids, aminophospholipids and other polar lipids. The DNA G+C content was 57.9 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic, genomic, phenotypic and chemotaxanomic characteristics, strain Soil36-7^T could be classified as representing a novel species of a new genus within the family Alteromonadaceae, for which the name Hydrocarboniclastica marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is Soil36-7^T (=MCCC 1A12105^T=KCTC 62334^T).

Alteromonas indica Lin et al. 2018 is a later heterotypic synonym of Salinimonas sediminis Cao et al. 2018

Alteromonas indica IO390401^T was compared with Salinimonas sediminis N102^T to examine the taxonomic relationship between the two type strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of A. indica IO390401^T shared high similarity (99.9 %) with that of S. sediminis N102^T. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains formed a tight cluster within the genus Salinimonas. Whole genomic comparison between the two strains revealed an average nucleotide identity of 99.2 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate of 92.6 %, strongly indicating that the two strains represented a single species. In addition, neither strain displayed any striking difference in metabolic, physiological or chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, we propose Alteromonas indica as a later heterotypic synonym of Salinimonas sediminis.

Neptunicella marina gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from surface seawater

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, short rod-shaped bacterium with a single polar flagellum, designated strain S27-2^T, was isolated from surface seawater from the Indian Ocean. Growth was observed in 0-12.0 % (w/v) NaCl with an optimum of 0.5-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl, pH 6.0-9.0 with an optimum of pH 7.0, and growth temperature of 10-41 °C with an optimum of 25-37 °C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S27-2^T belonged to the family Alteromonadaceae and formed a distinct lineage with the type strain of Pseudobowmanella zhangzhouensis. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain S27-2^T and members of related genera included in the trees ranged from 86.7 to 93.8 %. Strain S27-2^T contained Q-8 as the predominant ubiquinone. The principal fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0 (22.1 %), C16 : 1ω7c/ω6c (22.7 %) and C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c (20.1 %). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid and two unknown lipids. The G+C content of strain S27-2^T was 43.7 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic taxonomic evidence presented in this study, strain S27-2^T should be classified as a novel species in a new genus within the family Alteromonadaceae, for which the name Neptunicella marina gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain S27-2^T (= KCTC52335^T=MCCC 1A02149^T).

Tamilnaduibacter salinus gen. nov., sp. nov., a halotolerant gammaproteobacterium within the family Alteromonadaceae, isolated from a salt pan in Tamilnadu, India

Two novel Gram-stain-negative, slow-growing, halotolerant strains with rod-shaped cells, designated as strains Mi-7T and Mi-8, which formed pin-point colonies on halophilic media were isolated during a study into the microbial diversity of a salt pan in the state of Tamilnadu, India. Both the strains had an obligate requirement for 1 % (w/v) NaCl for growth and were halotolerant, growing at NaCl concentrations of up to 20 % (w/v) in media. The strains, however, showed an inability to utilize the majority of substrates tested as sole carbon sources for growth and in fermentation reactions. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed their closest phylogenetic neighbours to be members of the genus Marinobacter, with whom they showed the highest sequence similarity of 93.6 % and even less with the type strain of the type species, Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus DSM 8798T (91.1 %). Similarities with other genera within the family Alteromonadaceae were below 91.0 %. However, the two strains were very closely related to each other with 99.9 % sequence similarity, and DNA–DNA hybridization analyses confirmed their placement in the same species. The DNA G+C content of both strains was 65 mol%. Using the polyphasic taxonomic data obtained from this study, strains Mi-7T and Mi-8 represent two strains of the same species of a novel genus for which the name Tamilnaduibacter salinus gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed; the type strain of the novel species is Mi-7T ( = MTCC 12009T = DSM 28688T).

Catenovulum maritimus sp. nov., a novel agarolytic gammaproteobacterium isolated from the marine alga Porphyra yezoensis Ueda (AST58-103), and emended description of the genus Catenovulum

A novel agarolytic, Gram-stain negative, heterotrophic, facultatively anaerobic and pale-white pigmented bacterial strain, designated Q1(T), was isolated from the marine alga Porphyra yezoensis Ueda (AST58-103) collected from the coastal area of Weihai, China. The cells are motile by means of peritrichous flagella. The isolate requires NaCl for growth, while seawater is not necessary, and growth occurs optimally at about 30-33 °C, in 1-3 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7-7.5. Strain Q1(T) shows oxidase-positive and catalase-negative activities, and possesses the ability to hydrolyse starch and alginate, but not cellulose, gelatin, urea or Tween-80. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain Q1(T) is affiliated with the family Alteromonadaceae within the class Gammaproteobacteria. The isolate, strain Q1(T), is most closely related to Catenovulum agarivorans YM01(T) (94.85 %), with less than 91.2 % sequence similarity to other close relatives with validly published names. The draft genome sequence of strain Q1(T) consists of 62 contigs (>200 bp) of 4,548,270 bp. The genomes of Q1(T) and YM01(T) have an ANI value of 70.7 %, and the POCP value between the two genomes is 64.4 %. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain Q1(T) is 37.9 mol% as calculated from the draft genome sequence. The main isoprenoid quinone is ubiquinone-8. The predominant cellular fatty acids are summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH), C16:0 and C18:1 ω7c. The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Based on data from a polyphasic chemotaxonomic, physiological and biochemical study, strain Q1(T) should be classified as a novel species of the genus Catenovulum, for which the name Catenovulum maritimus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Q1(T) (=CICC 10836(T)=DSM 28813(T)).

Pseudobowmanella zhangzhouensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the surface freshwater of the Jiulong River in China

A strain, JS7-9(T), which was isolated from the surface freshwater of the Jiulong River, China, was subjected to taxonomic study. The bacterium was Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped and motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JS7-9(T) is affiliated to the family Alteromonadaceae, showing 90.5-94.2 % of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the genera Bowmanella (94.0-94.2 %), Aestuariibacter (93.0-93.5 %), Glaciecola (91.0-93.1 %), Alteromonas (90.5-93.1 %) and Salinimonas (90.6-91.8 %). The major fatty acids were identified as C16:0, Sum In Feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c/ω6c), Sum In Feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c/ω6c) and C17:1 ω8c, and Q-8 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain JS7-9(T) is considered to represent a novel species of a novel genus of the family Alteromonadaceae, for which the name Pseudobowmanella zhangzhouensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain JS7-9(T) (=MCCC 1A00758(T) = KCTC 42143(T)).

Catenovulum agarivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., a peritrichously flagellated, chain-forming, agar-hydrolysing gammaproteobacterium from seawater

A novel Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, agar-hydrolysing bacterium, designated YM01T, was isolated from seawater samples collected from the Yellow Sea (coastal region of Qingdao, PR China). Cells were rod-shaped, peritrichously flagellated and formed long chains end-to-end. The isolate had an absolute requirement for Na+ ions, but not seawater, for growth and grew optimally at about 28 °C, in 2 % NaCl and at pH 8.0–9.0. The isolate could not be cultured in marine broth 2216, but grew well on marine agar 2216. YM01T was able to hydrolyse cellulose, starch, aesculin and Tween 80, but not egg yolk, gelatin, urea or casein. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that this isolate was unique, showing only 88.4–91.0 % sequence similarity to its closest neighbours, including members of the genera Glaciecola (88.4–91.0 %), Alteromonas (88.7–89.6 %), Aestuariibacter (89.3–90.4 %), Salinimonas (89.0 %), Bowmanella (90.1–90.3 %) and Agarivorans (88.5–89.9 %). Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that strain YM01T formed a distinct clade closely related to species of the family Alteromonadaceae within the group of Alteromonas-like gammaproteobacteria. It contained menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant isoprenoid quinone and C16 : 0 (38.3 %), C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (29.0 %), C18 : 1ω7c (9.3 %) and C10 : 0 3-OH (8.2 %) as major cellular fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an aminophospholipid were the major phospholipid constituents. The DNA G+C content was 44.8 mol%. Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain YM01T is considered to represent a novel species in a new genus in the Gammaproteobacteria, for which the name Catenovulum agarivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain of Catenovulum agarivorans is YM01T ( = CGMCC 1.10245T  = DSM 23111T  = JCM 16580T).

Marinobacter oulmenensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from brine of a salt concentrator

A Gram-negative, aerobic, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated Set74(T), was isolated from brine of a salt concentrator at Ain Oulmene, Algeria. The strain grew optimally at 37-40 °C, at pH 6.5-7.0 and with 5-7.5 % (w/v) NaCl and used various organic compounds as sole carbon, nitrogen and energy sources. Ubiquinone 9 (Q-9) was the major lipoquinone. The main cellular fatty acids were C₁₆:₀, C₁₈:₁ω9c, summed feature 7 (ECL 18.846; C₁₉:₀ cyclo ω10c and/or C₁₉:₁ω6c), C₁₂:₀ 3-OH, C₁₆:₁ω9c, C₁₈:₀ and C₁₂:₀. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 57.4 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain Set74(T) was a member of the genus Marinobacter. The closest relatives of strain Set74(T) were Marinobacter santoriniensis NKSG1(T) (97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Marinobacter koreensis DD-M3(T) (97.4 %). DNA-DNA relatedness between strain Set74(T) and M. santoriniensis DSM 21262(T) and M. koreensis DSM 17924(T) was 45 and 37 %, respectively. On the basis of the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic features, a novel species, Marinobacter oulmenensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is Set74(T) ( = CECT 7499(T)  = DSM 22359(T)).

Aliagarivorans marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. and Aliagarivorans taiwanensis sp. nov., facultatively anaerobic marine bacteria capable of agar degradation

Two agarolytic strains of Gram-negative, heterotrophic, facultatively anaerobic, marine bacteria, designated AAM1T and AAT1T, were isolated from seawater samples collected in the shallow coastal region of An-Ping Harbour, Tainan, Taiwan. Cells grown in broth cultures were straight rods that were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The two isolates required NaCl for growth and grew optimally at about 25-30 degrees C, in 2-4% NaCl and at pH 8. They grew aerobically and could achieve anaerobic growth by fermenting D-glucose or other sugars. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-8 (79.8-92.0%) and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1omega7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH; 26.4-35.6%), C18:1omega7c (27.1-31.4%) and C16:0 (14.8-16.3%) in the two strains. Strains AAM1T and AAT1T had DNA G+C contents of 52.9 and 52.4 mol%, respectively. The two strains had a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.6% and shared 84.9-92.4% sequence similarity with the type strains of Agarivorans albus (91.2-92.4%), eight Alteromonas species (84.9-87.1%), two Aestuariibacter species (86.0-87.0%), Bowmanella denitrificans (86.1-86.7%), eight Glaciecola species (85.0-87.9%) and Salinimonas chungwhensis (85.9-86.1%). Despite their high sequence similarity, strains AAM1T and AAT1T had a DNA-DNA relatedness value of only 4.5%. The data obtained from these polyphasic taxonomic studies revealed that the two agarolytic isolates could be classified as representatives of two novel species in a new genus, Aliagarivorans gen. nov., with Aliagarivorans marinus sp. nov. [type strain is AAM1T (=BCRC 17888T=JCM 15522T)] as the type species and Aliagarivorans taiwanensis sp. nov. [type strain is AAT1T (=BCRC 17889T=JCM 15537T)] as a second species.

Bowmanella denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov., a denitrifying bacterium isolated from seawater from An-Ping Harbour, Taiwan

A heterotrophic, non-fermentative, denitrifying isolate, designated strain BD1T, was obtained from a seawater sample collected in the shallow coastal region of An-Ping Harbour, Tainan, Taiwan. The cells of strain BD1T were Gram-negative. Cells grown in broth cultures were curved rods that were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. Growth occurred between 10 and 40 °C, with an optimum at 30–35 °C. Strain BD1T grew in NaCl levels of 0–10 %, with better growth occurring at 1–3 %. It grew aerobically and could achieve anaerobic growth by adopting a denitrifying metabolism with nitrate or nitrous oxide as the terminal electron acceptor. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C15 : 0 iso 2-OH). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine (56.6 %) and phosphatidylglycerol (43.4 %). The isoprenoid quinones were Q-8 (81.5 %), Q-9 (11.1 %) and Q-10 (7.4 %). The DNA G+C content was 50.0 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BD1T formed a distinct lineage in the Gammaproteobacteria and that it exhibited the highest level of sequence similarity with species of the genera Alteromonas (92.8–93.7 %), Aestuariibacter (93.0 %), Glaciecola (90.4–92.7 %) and Salinimonas (91.8 %). Strain BD1T was distinguishable from species of these genera by the presence of Q-9 and Q-10. Phenotypically, strain BD1T was also distinguishable from species of these genera in that it did not require NaCl for growth and was capable of denitrification. On the basis of the polyphasic data from this study, the isolate represents a novel species within a novel genus, for which the name Bowmanella denitrificans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Bowmanella denitrificans is BD1T (=BCRC 17491T=JCM 13378T).