Bacillus taeanensis sp. nov., a halophilic Gram-positive bacterium from a solar saltern in Korea

Optimization of Siderophore Production in Three Marine Bacterial Isolates along with Their Heavy-Metal Chelation and Seed Germination Potential Determination

Siderophores are low-molecular-weight and high-affinity molecules produced by bacteria under iron-limited conditions. Due to the low iron (III) (Fe+3) levels in surface waters in the marine environment, microbes produce a variety of siderophores. In the current study, halophilic bacteria Bacillus taeanensis SMI_1, Enterobacter sp., AABM_9, and Pseudomonas mendocina AMPPS_5 were isolated from marine surface water of Kalinga beach, Bay of Bengal (Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India) and were investigated for siderophore production using the Chrome Azurol S (CAS) assay. The effect of various production parameters was also studied. The optimum production of siderophores for SMI_1 was 93.57% siderophore units (SU) (after 48 h of incubation at 30 °C, pH 8, sucrose as carbon source, sodium nitrate as nitrogen source, 0.4% succinic acid), and for AABM_9, it was 87.18 %SU (after 36 h of incubation period at 30 °C, pH 8, in the presence of sucrose, ammonium sulfate, 0.4% succinic acid). The maximum production of siderophores for AMPPS_5 was 91.17 %SU (after 36 h of incubation at 35 °C, pH 8.5, glucose, ammonium sulfate, 0.4% citric acid). The bacterial isolates SMI_1, AABM_9, and AMPPS_5 showed siderophore production at low Fe+3 concentrations of 0.10 µM, 0.01 µM, and 0.01 µM, respectively. The SMI_1 (73.09 %SU) and AMPPS_5 (68.26 %SU) isolates showed siderophore production in the presence of Zn+2 (10 µM), whereas AABM_9 (50.4 %SU) exhibited siderophore production in the presence of Cu+2 (10 µM). Additionally, these bacterial isolates showed better heavy-metal chelation ability and rapid development in seed germination experiments. Based on these results, the isolates of marine-derived bacteria effectively produced the maximum amount of siderophores, which could be employed in a variety of industrial and environmental applications.

Cytobacillus pseudoceanisediminis sp. nov., A Novel Facultative Methylotrophic Bacterium with High Heavy Metal Resistance Isolated from the Deep Underground Saline Spring

In this study, we present the characterization of the BNO1^T bacterial strain isolated from the deep subsurface saline spring at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory INR RAS (Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia). The complete genome sequence of the strain BNO1^T is 5,347,902 bp, with a GC content 41 and 49%. The cell wall peptidoglycan contains meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major isoprenoid quinone is MK-7 and the polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids are anteiso-C_15:0 (23.34%), iso-C_15:0 (20.10%), C_16:0 (11.96%), iso-C_16:0 (10.88%), and anteiso-C_17:0 (10.79%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence clearly demarcated the strain as belonging to Cytobacillus genera. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, ANI (average nucleotide identity) and dDDH (digital DNA-DNA hybridization) assessments we propose to assign the strain BNO1^T and other related strains to new species and to name it Cytobacillus pseudoceanisediminis sp. nov. (The values of ANI and dDDH between BNO1^T and Cytobacillus oceanisediminis CGMCC 1.10115 ^T are 80.65% and 24.7%, respectively; values of ANI and dDDH between BNO1^T and Cytobacillus firmus NCTC 10335 ^T are 89% and 38%, respectively). Genomic analysis of strain BNO1^T revealed pathways for C1 compounds oxidation and two pathways for C1 compounds assimilation: serine and ribulose monophosphate pathways. In addition, strain BNO1^T contains a plasmid (342,541 bp) coding multiple genes involved in heavy metal ion balance. Moreover, heavy metal toxicity testing confirmed the high potential of the strain BNO1^T as a source of metal resistance genes and enzymes. The type strain is BNO1^T (= BIM B-1921 ^T = VKM B-3664 ^T).

Bacillus salinus sp. nov., isolated from commercial solar salt

Two strains of Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, motile, spore-forming, rod-shaped, moderately halotolerant bacteria, designated as HMF5848^T and HME7618, were isolated from salt/brine and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. Growth of both yellow-coloured strains occurred in the presence of 1-9 % NaCl (w/v; optimum, 2-3 %), at 15-45 °C (optimum, 37 °C) and pH 6-9 (optimum, pH 7). The major fatty acids were iso-C_15 : 0, iso-C_16 : 0 and anteiso-C_15 : 0. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, four unidentified glycolipids, three unidentified phospholipids and two unidentified polar lipids. DNA G+C content was 37.4 mol%. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains HMF5848^T and HME7618 clustered with Bacillus luteolus YIM 93174^T. Strains HMF5848^T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Bacillus humi LMG 22167^T (96.1 %), Bacillus isabeliae CVS-8^T (96.0 %) and Bacillus luteolus YIM 93174^T (96.0 %). The values of in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity between strains HMF5848^T and B. humi DSM 16318^T were 25.8 and 69.7 %, respectively. On the basis of phylogenetic, physiological and chemotaxonomic properties, strain HMF5848^T represents a novel species, Bacillus salinus sp. nov. The type strain is HMF5848^T (=KCTC 43010^T=CECT 9695^T).

Bacillus marinisedimentorum sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment

A novel Gram-stain-positive, motile and facultatively anaerobic strain, designated NC2-31^T, was isolated from sediment from the coast of Weihai, PR China. Optimal growth occurred at 37 °C, pH 7.5 and with 2.0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. MK-7 was the major respiratory quinone. Meso-diaminopimelic acid was a diagnostic diamino acid in the peptidoglycan. The major polar lipids of NC2-31^T were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The genomic DNA G+C content of the strain was 46.3 mol%. The predominant cellular fatty acids (>10.0 %) of NC2-31^T were iso-C15 : 0 (18.9 %), anteiso-C15 : 0 (15.8 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) (15.3 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (10.3 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that NC2-31^T should be classified as representing a member of the genus Bacillus. Based on data from the current polyphasic study, NC2-31^T represents a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillusmarinisedimentorum sp. nov. is proposed with type strain NC2-31^T (=KCTC 33721^T=MCCC 1K01239^T).

Bacillus ciccensis sp. nov., isolated from maize (Zea mays L.) seeds

Two Gram-stain-positive bacterial strains, designated as 5L6^T and 6L6, isolated from seeds of hybrid maize (Zea mays L., Jingke 968) were investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells were aerobic, motile, endospore-forming and rod-shaped. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates were recognized as a species of the genus Bacillus, to which the five closest neighbours are Bacillus solani FJAT-18043^T (99.8 % similarity), Bacillus horneckiae DSM 23495^T (97.7 %), Bacillus eiseniae A1-2^T (97.4 %), Bacillus kochii WCC 4582^T (97.1 %) and Bacillus purgationiresistens DS22^T (97.0 %). The DNA G+C content of strain 5L6^T was 37.4 mol%. Its polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 1 ω7c alcohol. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ornithine, serine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and alanine while diaminopimelic acid could not be detected. Strains 5L6^T and 6L6 were clearly distinguished from the type strains of related validly named species using phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, fatty acid analysis, peptidoglycan analysis and comparison of a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics. The genotypic and phenotypic data show that strains 5L6^T and 6L6 represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillusciccensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5L6^T (=KCTC 33663^T=CICC 23855^T=DSM 104513^T).

Taxonomic description and genome sequence of Bacillus campisalis sp. nov., a member of the genus Bacillus isolated from a solar saltern

The taxonomic position of a Gram-stain positive bacterium isolated from a solar saltern sample collected from Kanyakumari, coastal region of the Bay of Bengal, India, was analysed by using a polyphasic approach. The isolated strain, designated SA2-6T, had phenotypic characteristics that matched those of the genus Bacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence (1493 bases) of the novel strain was compared with those of previously studied Bacillus type strains and confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Bacillus and was moderately closely related to the type strain of Bacillus foraminis at 97.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, followed by those of Bacillus thioparans (96.9 %), Bacillus subterraneus (96.8 %), Bacillus jeotgali (96.6 %), Bacillus selenatarsenatis (96.6 %) and Bacillus boroniphilus (96.6 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain SA2-6T differs from all other species of the genus Bacillus by at least 2.5 %. It contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, and iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as major fatty acids. Major lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Based on data from this polyphasic study, strain SA2-6T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus campisalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SA2-6T ( = MTCC 11848T = DSM 28801T). The draft genome of strain SA2-6T consisted of 5 183 363 bp with G+C content of 45.44 mol%, 5352 predicted coding sequences, 191 RNAs and 479 subsystems.

Evolution in the Bacillaceae

The family Bacillaceae constitutes a phenotypically diverse and globally ubiquitous assemblage of bacteria. Investigation into how evolution has shaped, and continues to shape, this family has relied on several widely ranging approaches from classical taxonomy, ecological field studies, and evolution in soil microcosms to genomic-scale phylogenetics, laboratory, and directed evolution experiments. One unifying characteristic of the Bacillaceae , the endospore, poses unique challenges to answering questions regarding both the calculation of evolutionary rates and claims of extreme longevity in ancient environmental samples.

Bacillus oryzaecorticis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from rice husks

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, endospore-forming, moderately halophilic rod, designated strain R1T, was isolated from rice husks and subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain R1T produced spherical or ellipsoidal endospores at a subterminal position in swollen sporangia, and was catalase- and oxidase-positive. The isolate grew optimally at 37 °C and pH 6.0–7.0, and could grow in the presence of up to 9 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain R1T belongs to the genus Bacillus . The closest relatives of strain R1T were Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis NCIB 3610T, Bacillus aquimaris TF-12T, and Bacillus marisflavi TF-11T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 96.0 %, 98.4 %, and 98.7 %, respectively. DNA–DNA relatedness values between the isolate and the reference strains were ≤42±3 %. The predominant menaquinones were MK-5 (50 %) and MK-7 (50 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (48.6 %) and anteiso-C15 : 0 (20.6 %), and the cell-wall diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, it is concluded that strain R1T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus , for which we propose the name Bacillus oryzaecorticis sp. nov. The type strain is R1T ( = KACC 17217T = KCCM 90231T = JCM 19602T).

Pseudogracilibacillus auburnensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays

A Gram-positive-staining, aerobic, endospore-forming bacterium, strain P-207T, was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample in Auburn, AL, USA. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons, strain P-207T was grouped in the vicinity of representatives of the genera Virgibacillus , Ornithinibacillus , Cerasibacillus , Lentibacillus and Oceanobacillus , but could not be assigned clearly to any of these genera. The highest similarity was found to the sequence of Virgibacillus carmonensis LMG 20964T (94.4 %); however, the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of the type species of Virgibacillus , Virgibacillus pantothenticus , was only 92.9 %. The quinone system of strain P-207T consisted predominantly of menaquinone MK-7. The polar lipid profile exhibited the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine and moderate to minor amounts of several unidentified phospholipids, glycolipids and phosphoglycolipids, an aminophospholipid and an aminolipid. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid and the polyamine pattern contained predominantly spermidine and spermine. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 34 mol%. Because of the low sequence similarity of strain P-207T to all representatives of Virgibacillus , Ornithinibacillus , Cerasibacillus , Lentibacillus and Oceanobacillus , which was always <95 %, and its unique lipid pattern, we propose that strain P-207T represents a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Pseudogracilibacillus auburnensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Pseudogracilibacillus auburnensis is P-207T ( = CCM 8509T = LMG 28212T = CIP 110797T).

Bacillus songklensis sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped, motile, strictly aerobic bacterial strain, designated CAU 1033(T), was isolated from soil and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CAU 1033(T) formed a distinct lineage within the genus Bacillus and was most closely related to Bacillus drentensis KCTC 13025(T) (similarity 95.9 %). CAU 1033(T) contained MK-7 as the only isoprenoid quinone and iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The cell wall peptidoglycan of strain CAU 1033(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the major whole-cell sugars were arabinose, sucrose and ribose. The polar lipids were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, four unidentified aminophospholipids, an unidentified aminolipid, two unidentified glycolipids and another unidentified polar lipid. The DNA G+C content was 41.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic data and phylogenetic inference, strain CAU 1033(T) was classified as a representative of a novel species in the genus Bacillus for which the name Bacillus songklensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 1033(T) ( = KCTC 13881(T) = CCUG 61889(T)).

Fictibacillus phosphorivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. and proposal to reclassify Bacillus arsenicus, Bacillus barbaricus, Bacillus macauensis, Bacillus nanhaiensis, Bacillus rigui, Bacillus solisalsi and Bacillus gelatini in the genus Fictibacillus

A Gram-positive-staining, aerobic, endospore-forming bacterium (Ca7(T)) was isolated from a bioreactor showing extensive phosphorus removal. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain Ca7(T) was grouped in the genus Bacillus, most closely related to Bacillus nanhaiensis JSM 082006(T) (100 %), Bacillus barbaricus V2-BIII-A2(T) (99.2 %) and Bacillus arsenicus Con a/3(T) (97.7 %). Moderate 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities were found to the type strains of the species Bacillus gelatini and Bacillus rigui (96.4 %), Bacillus macauensis (95.1 %) and Bacillus solisalsi (96.1 %). All these species were grouped into a monophyletic cluster and showed very low sequence similarities (<94 %) to the type species of the genus Bacillus, Bacillus subtilis. The quinone system of strain Ca7(T) consists predominantly of menaquinone MK-7. The polar lipid profile exhibited the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. In addition, minor compounds of an unidentified phospholipid and an aminophospholipid were detected. No glycolipids were found in strain Ca7(T), which was consistent with the lipid profiles of B. nanhaiensis, B. barbaricus, B. arsenicus, B. rigui, B. solisalsi, B. macauensis and B. gelatini, but in contrast to B. subtilis. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid and the polyamine pattern contained predominantly spermidine and spermine. The major fatty acids, which were iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0, supported the grouping of strain Ca7(T) in the family Bacillaceae. The strain showed DNA-DNA similarities of 48 % (reciprocal 47 %) to B. nanhaiensis DSM 23009(T), 31 % (reciprocal 36 %) to B. barbaricus V2-BIII-A2(T) and 29 % (reciprocal 39 %) to B. arsenicus DSM 15822(T), respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that strain Ca7(T) is a representative of a novel species, which can be differentiated from its closest relatives by physiological and biochemical tests. Because of the low sequence similarity of strain Ca7(T) to B. subtilis, which was shared by B. nanhaiensis, B. barbaricus, B. arsenicus, B. gelatini, B. rigui, B. solisalsi and B. macauensis, and their unique lipid patterns, we propose that strain Ca7(T) represents a novel species in a novel genus for which the name Fictibacillus phosphorivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Ca7(T) (= CCM 8426(T) = LMG 27063(T)). In addition we propose the reclassification of B. nanhaiensis, B. barbaricus, B. arsenicus, B. rigui, B. macauensis, B. solisalsi and B. gelatini as Fictibacillus nanhaiensis comb. nov., Fictibacillus barbaricus comb. nov., Fictibacillus arsenicus comb. nov., Fictibacillus rigui comb. nov., Fictibacillus macauensis comb. nov., Fictibacillus solisalsi comb. nov. and Fictibacillus gelatini comb. nov., respectively [type strains JSM 082006(T) (= DSM 23009(T) = KCTC 13712(T)), V2-BIII-A2(T) ( = CCM 4982(T) = DSM 14730(T)), Con a/3(T) ( = MTCC 4380(T) = DSM 15822(T) = JCM 12167(T)), WPCB074(T) ( = KCTC 13278(T) = JCM 16348(T)), ZFHKF-1(T) ( = JCM 13285(T) = DSM 17262(T)), YC1(T) ( = KCTC 13181(T) = CGMCC 1.6854(T)) and LMG 21881(T) ( = DSM 15866(T)), respectively].

Alteribacillus bidgolensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from a hypersaline lake, and reclassification of Bacillus persepolensis as Alteribacillus persepolensis comb. nov

A novel Gram-stain-positive, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain P4BT, was isolated from water of the hypersaline Aran-Bidgol lake in Iran and characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain P4BT were non-motile rods producing ellipsoidal endospores at a central position in non-swollen sporangia. Strain P4BT was strictly aerobic and catalase- and oxidase-positive. It was able to grow at NaCl concentrations of 0.5–12.5 % (w/v), with optimum growth occurring at 5–7.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The optimum temperature and pH for growth were 35 °C and pH 7.0. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain P4BT was shown to belong to the phylum Firmicutes and shared highest similarity with Bacillus persepolensis HS136T (97.1 %) and Bacillus salarius BH169T (95.1 %). However, it shared only 91.3 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis DSM 10T, indicating that strain P4BT might not be a member of the genus Bacillus . The DNA G+C content of this new isolate was 38.9 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low level of relatedness between strain P4BT and B. persepolensis HS136T (6 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain P4BT were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0, as for B. persepolensis HS136T but in contrast to B. salarius DSM 16461T and B. subtilis subsp. subtilis DSM 10T. Its polar lipid pattern consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, an aminoglycolipid and an unknown phospholipid. This polar lipid profile was similar to that obtained for B. persepolensis DSM 21632T but different from those of B. salarius DSM 16461T and B. subtilis subsp. subtilis DSM 10T. The isoprenoid quinones were MK-7 (88 %) and MK-8 (2 %). The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. All these features indicate placement of strain P4BT within the Firmicutes , closely related to B. persepolensis but with features clearly distinct from those of the genus Bacillus and other related genera. On the basis of these data, strain P4BT is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Alteribacillus bidgolensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Alteribacillus bidgolensis is P4BT ( = CCM 7963T = CECT 7998T = DSM 25260T = IBRC-M 10614T = KCTC 13821T). It is also suggested to transfer B. persepolensis to this new genus, as Alteribacillus persepolensis comb. nov. The type strain of Alteribacillus persepolensis is HS136T ( = CCM 7595T = DSM 21632T = JCM 15720T = LMG 25222T).

Bacillus xiaoxiensis sp. nov., a slightly halophilic bacterium isolated from non-saline forest soil

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, endospore-forming, motile, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 081004T, was isolated from non-saline forest soil in Xiaoxi National Natural Reserve, China. Growth occurred with 0.5–20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2–4 %), at pH 6.0–10.5 (optimum pH 8.0) and at 5–40 °C (optimum 25–30 °C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. Strain JSM 081004T contained MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 081004T was 40.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 081004T should be assigned to the genus Bacillus and was most closely related to the type strains of Bacillus lehensis (sequence similarity 97.8 %), Bacillus oshimensis (97.8 %) and Bacillus patagoniensis (97.3 %). Phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data all support the proposal of strain JSM 081004T as a representative of a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus xiaoxiensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is JSM 081004T ( = CCTCC AA 208057T  = DSM 21943T).

Bacillus graminis sp. nov., an endophyte isolated from a coastal dune plant

A Gram-stain-positive endophytic bacterium, designated strain YC6957T, was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of a halophyte (Elymus mollis Trin.) inhabiting coastal tidal flats of Namhae Island, located on the southern coast of Korea, and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Cells were facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming rods to coccoid rods, motile by a single flagellum. Strain YC6957T was catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and able to grow in the presence of 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 4–5 % (w/v) NaCl. Growth occurred at 15–45 °C (optimal growth at 30–35 °C) and pH 6.0–8.5 (optimal growth at pH 7.0–8.0). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 (11.3 %), iso-C15 : 0 (19.2 %) and anteiso-C15 : 0 (36.4 %). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was 41.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Bacillus. Strain YC6957T exhibited high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to its closest neighbours, Bacillus ruris LMG 22866T (96.14 %), Bacillus lentus NCIMB 8773T (95.97 %) and Bacillus galactosidilyticus LMG 17892T (95.91 %), and less than 95.84 % similarity to all other type strains in the genus Bacillus. On the basis of the phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical data, it is suggested that strain YC6957T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus graminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YC6957T ( = KACC 13779T  = DSM 22162T).

Bacillus iranensis sp. nov., a moderate halophile from a hypersaline lake

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic rod, designated X5BT, was isolated from saline mud of the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran. Strain X5BT was a strictly aerobic, motile bacterium that produced ellipsoidal endospores at a central-subterminal position in non-swollen sporangia. The isolate grew at pH 7.0-10.0 (optimum pH 7.5), at 25-45 °C (optimum 35 °C) and with 2.5-15 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5-7.5 %). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain X5BT belonged to the genus Bacillus and showed highest similarity with Bacillus persepolensis HS136T (95.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Bacillus salarius BH169T (95.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 42.4 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0 and the polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, three phospholipids and two glycolipids. The diamino acid found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid and the isoprenoid quinones were MK-7 (92 %), MK-6 (6 %) and MK-5 (2 %). On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data, a novel species of the genus Bacillus is proposed, with the name Bacillus iranensis sp. nov. The type strain is X5BT (=IBRC 10446T=DSM 23995T).

Bacillus nanhaiisediminis sp. nov., an alkalitolerant member of Bacillus rRNA group 6

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NH3T, was isolated from a sediment sample from the South China Sea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The isolate grew optimally at 37 °C and pH 9. Strain NH3T had cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The cellular fatty acid profile included significant amounts of iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain NH3T was 40.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain NH3T was a member of rRNA group 6 of the genus Bacillus, which includes alkalitolerant, alkaliphilic and halotolerant species. The closest phylogenetic relatives were Bacillus akibai 1139T (96.82 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), B. pseudofirmus DSM 8715T (96.76 %), B. okhensis Kh10-101T (96.76 %) and B. alkalidiazotrophicus MS 6T (96.47 %). Strain NH3T could be distinguished from these phylogenetically close neighbours based on a number of phenotypic properties. On the basis of phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic data, we conclude that strain NH3T ( = CGMCC 1.10116T  = JCM 16507T) merits classification as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Bacillus nanhaiisediminis sp. nov. is proposed.

Bacillus nanhaiensis sp. nov., isolated from an oyster

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, endospore-forming, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 082006T, was isolated from an oyster collected from Naozhou Island in the South China Sea. The isolate grew in 0–18 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5–4.0 %), at pH 6.0–10.5 (optimum, pH 8.0) and at 15–45 °C (optimum, 30 °C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and C16 : 0. Strain JSM 082006T contained MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 082006T should be assigned to the genus Bacillus and that it was most closely related to the type strains of Bacillus barbaricus (sequence similarity 99.1 %) and Bacillus arsenicus (97.5 %), followed by those of Bacillus rigui (96.6 %) and Bacillus solisalsi (96.1 %). Phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data support the view that strain JSM 082006T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is JSM 082006T ( = DSM 23009T  = KCTC 13712T).

Bacillus oceanisediminis sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment

A Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming, rod-shaped and aerobic bacterium was isolated from a sediment sample from the South Sea in China. The isolate, designated H2T, grew at 4–45 °C (optimum 37 °C) and pH 6–10 (optimum pH 7.0). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 and the polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown aminophospholipid. The major fatty acid was iso-C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain H2T was 44.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a monophyletic clade with Bacillus firmus IAM 12464T. DNA–DNA relatedness between the isolate and B. firmus ATCC 14575T was low (27.5 %). Strain H2T also had a phenotypic profile that readily distinguished it from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. It is evident from the combination of genotypic and phenotypic data that the organism should be classified in a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus oceanisediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H2T (=CGMCC 1.10115T =JCM 16506T).

Bacillus hunanensis sp. nov., a slightly halophilic bacterium isolated from non-saline forest soil

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, endospore-forming, motile, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 081003(T), was isolated from non-saline forest soil in Hunan Province, China. Growth occurred with 0.5-15% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-4%) at pH 6.5-10.5 (optimum pH 7.5-8.5) and at 5-40 °C (optimum 30 °C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C14:0. Strain JSM 081003(T) contained MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain JSM 081003(T) was 40.9 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 081003(T) should be assigned to the genus Bacillus, and was related most closely to the type strains of Bacillus lehensis (sequence similarity 99.6%), Bacillus oshimensis (99.4%) and Bacillus patagoniensis (96.6%); lower than 96.0% sequence similarity was observed with other Bacillus species. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the view that strain JSM 081003(T) represents a new species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 081003(T) (= DSM 23008(T) = KCTC 13711(T)).

Phylogenetic relationships between Bacillus species and related genera inferred from 16s rDNA sequences

Neighbor-joining, maximum-parsimony, minimum-evolution, maximum-likelihood and Bayesian trees constructed based on 16S rDNA sequences of 181 type strains of Bacillus species and related taxa manifested nine phylogenetic groups. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Bacillus was not a monophyletic group. B. subtilis was in Group 1. Group 4, 6 and 8 respectively consisted of thermophiles, halophilic or halotolerant bacilli and alkaliphilic bacilli. Group 2, 4 and 8 consisting of Bacillus species and related genera demonstrated that the current taxonomic system did not agree well with the 16S rDNA evolutionary trees. The position of Caryophanaceae and Planococcaceae in Group 2 suggested that they might be transferred into Bacillaceae, and the heterogeneity of Group 2 implied that some Bacillus species in it might belong to several new genera. Group 9 was mainly comprised of the genera (excluding Bacillus) of Bacillaceae, so some Bacillus species in Group 9: B. salarius, B. qingdaonensis and B. thermcloacae might not belong to Bacillus. Four Bacillus species, B. schlegelii, B. tusciae, B. edaphicus and B. mucilaginosus were clearly placed outside the nine groups.

Bacillus marmarensis sp. nov., an alkaliphilic, protease-producing bacterium isolated from mushroom compost

A Gram-stain-positive, obligately alkaliphilic bacterium designated strain GMBE 72(T) was isolated from mushroom compost from Yalova, located in the Marmara region of Turkey. Cells were aerobic, straight rods and they formed subterminal to terminal ellipsoidal endospores. The isolate was catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and motile and contained a type A1gamma peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid. The strain grew at pH 8.0-12.5. The major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C(15 : 0). The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that strain GMBE 72(T) belonged to the genus Bacillus and exhibited 98.2 % sequence similarity to Bacillus pseudofirmus DSM 8715(T). DNA-DNA reassociation was 56 % between GMBE 72(T) and B. pseudofirmus DSM 8715(T). According to our polyphasic characterization, strain GMBE 72(T) represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus marmarensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GMBE 72(T) (=DSM 21297(T) =JCM 15719(T)).

Bacillus aurantiacus sp. nov., an alkaliphilic and moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from Hungarian soda lakes

Three alkaliphilic and moderately halophilic strains designated K1-5T, K1-10 and B1-1, characterized by optimal growth at pH 9.0-10.0 and at 3-7 % (w/v) NaCl, were isolated from extremely shallow, alkaline soda lakes located in Hungary. Cells of the strains are Gram-positive, straight rods and form a central to subterminal, ellipsoidal endospore. The isolates are strictly aerobic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and contain a peptidoglycan of type A1 gamma based on meso-diaminopimelic acid. In strain K1-5T, menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is the predominant isoprenoid quinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 is the major cellular fatty acid. The DNA G+C content of strain K1-5T is 42.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strains exhibit levels of sequence similarity of less than 95.8 % to known Bacillus species. According to the polyphasic characterization, the strains represent a novel species, for which the name Bacillus aurantiacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is K1-5T (=DSM 18675T =CCM 7447T =NCAIM B002265T).

Salsuginibacillus kocurii gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium from soda-lake sediment

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, alkali-tolerant, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain CH9dT, was isolated from the sediment of Lake Chagannor in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The cells were rod-shaped and motile. Isolate CH9dT grew at pH 5.8–10.0 (optimally at pH 8.5), at salinities of 3–20 % (w/v) marine salts (optimally at 10.0 %, w/v) and between 20 and 50 °C (optimally at 37 °C). The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the major respiratory isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain CH9dT were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0 and its polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unknown phospholipids. The G+C content of the DNA was 44.7 mol%. Strain CH9dT exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of only 91 % with respect to Thalassobacillus devorans DSM 16966T and showed values below 91 % with respect to members of the genera Bacillus, Halobacillus and Marinococcus. Strain CH9dT could be clearly differentiated from its closest phylogenetic neighbours on the basis of several phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, data from the polyphasic study support the placement of strain CH9dT in a novel genus and species, for which the name Salsuginibacillus kocurii gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CH9dT (=CCM 7365T=CECT 7154T=CGMCC 1.6287T=DSM 18087T).

Bacillus chagannorensis sp. nov., a moderate halophile from a soda lake in Inner Mongolia, China

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, spore-forming bacterium, designated strain CG-15T, was isolated from a soda lake, Lake Chagannor, in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China. The cells were found to be motile short rods with ellipsoidal, terminal and deforming endospores. Strain CG-15T, a facultatively anaerobic bacterium, grew at pH 5.8–11.0 (optimally at pH 8.5), at 6–40 °C (optimally at 37 °C) and at salinities of 3–20 % (w/v) total salts (optimally at 7 % w/v). On the basis of the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain CG-15T was shown to belong to the genus Bacillus (phylum Firmicutes), showing the greatest phylogenetic similarity with respect to Bacillus saliphilus (96.0 %). The DNA G+C content of the novel isolate was found to be 53.8 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain CG-15T were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0, and its polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and three different unidentified phospholipids. The analysis of the quinones showed that MK-7 was the major menaquinone. The peptidoglycan type was A1γ, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. On the basis of the data from this polyphasic study, strain CG-15T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus chagannorensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CG-15T (=CCM 7371T=CECT 7153T=CGMCC 1.6292T=DSM 18086T).