Nocardioides houyundeii sp. nov., isolated from Tibetan antelope faeces

Two new members of the genus Sphingobacterium: Sphingobacterium zhuxiongii sp. nov. and Sphingobacterium luzhongxinii sp. nov

Four strains, designated dk4302T, dk4209, xlx-73T, and xlx-183, were isolated from Tibetan gazelle and red swamp crawfish collected from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Jiangxi Province, PR China. The strains were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, mucoid, and yellow-pigmented. Strains dk4302T and dk4209 grew at 10-40 °C and pH 6.0-9.0, while strains xlx-73T/xlx-183 grew at 15-40 °C and pH 6.0-10.0. Both strains exhibited growth in the presence of up to 3.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences and 652 core genes, respectively, revealed that the four strains formed two distinct clusters in the genus Sphingobacterium. Strains dk4302T and dk4209 formed a distinct clade with Sphingobacterium hotanense XH4T and Sphingobacterium humi D1T. The most closely related strains to xlx-73T and xlx-183 were Sphingobacterium nematocida M-SX103T. The DNA G+C contents were 38.9 and 39.8 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between dk4302T and S. humi D1T and S. hotanense XH4T were 19.2 and 21.8 % (19.0 and 21.6 % for strain dk4209), respectively. The corresponding average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were 74.3 and 78.1 % (74.4 and 78.3 % for strain dk4209), respectively. The dDDH values between xlx-73T (xlx-183) and S. nematocida M-SX103T was 24.6 % (25.7 %). The corresponding ANI value was 85.7 % (85.5 % for strain xlx-183). The major fatty acid and respiratory quinone of dk4302T and xlx-73T were iso-C15:0 and MK7. The polar lipids identified in all of the novel strains were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphoglycolipids, aminophospholipids, and phospholipids. A total of 61/190 (32.1 %) and 82/190 (43.2 %) carbon substrates were metabolized by strains dk4302T and xlx-73T in the Biolog MicroPlates, respectively. Based on the results from this polyphasic taxonomic study, two novel species in the genus Sphingobacteruim are proposed, namely Sphingobacteruim zhuxiongii sp. nov. (type strain dk4302T=CGMCC 1.16795T=JCM 33600T) and Sphingobacteruimluzhongxinii sp. nov. (type strain xlx-73T=GDMCC 1.1712T=JCM 33886T).

Nocardioides bizhenqiangii sp. nov. and Nocardioides renjunii sp. nov., isolated from soil and faeces of Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Two novel strain pairs (HM61T/HM23 and S-34T/S-58) were isolated from soil and the faeces of Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) collected at the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of PR China. All four new isolates were aerobic, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, and short rod-shaped bacteria. The results of phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length 16S rRNA genes and 283 core genomic genes indicated that the four strains were separated into two independent branches belonging to the genus Nocardioides. Strains HM61T and HM23 were most closely related to Nocardioides pelophilus THG T63T (98.58 and 98.65 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Strains S-34T and S-58 were most closely related to Nocardioides okcheonensis MMS20-HV4-12T (98.89 and 98.89 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The G+C contents of the genomic DNA of strains HM61T and S-34T were 70.6 and 72.5 mol%, respectively. Strains HM61T, S-34T and the type strains of closely related species in the analysis had average nucleotide identity values of 75.4-90.5 % as well as digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between 20.1 and 40.8 %, which clearly indicated that the four isolates represent two novel species within the genus Nocardioides. The chemotaxonomic characteristics of strains HM61T and S-34T were consistent with the genus Nocardioides. The major fatty acids of all four strains were iso-C16 : 0, C17 : 1  ω8c or C18 : 1  ω9c. For strains HM61T and S-34T, MK-8(H4) was the predominant respiratory quinone, ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan, and the polar lipids profiles were composed of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. Based on phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic data, we propose that strains HM61T and S-34T represent two novel species of the genus Nocardioides, respectively, with the names Nocardioides bizhenqiangii sp. nov. and Nocardioides renjunii sp. nov. The type strains are HM61T (=GDMCC 4.343T=JCM 36399T) and S-34T (=CGMCC 4.7664T=JCM 33792T).

Nocardioides cremeus sp. nov., Nocardioides abyssi sp. nov. and Nocardioides oceani sp. nov., three actinobacteria isolated from Western Pacific Ocean sediment

Three Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, short rod-shaped, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative actinomycete strains (SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T) were isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the Western Pacific Ocean. Cells of the three strains showed optimum growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0. Strains SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T could tolerate up to 10, 9 and 9 % (w/v) NaCl concentration and grow at pH 5.0-12.0, 5.0-11.0 and 5.0-11.0, respectively. Phylogenetic results based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the three isolates belonged to the genus Nocardioides and were identified as representing three novel species based on 78.0-93.1 % average nucleotide identity and 21.3-50.0 % DNA-DNA hybridization values with closely related reference strains. Strains SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Nocardioides salarius CL-Z59T (99.2 %), Nocardioides deserti SC8A-24T (99.2 %) and Nocardioides marmotae zg-579T (98.5 %), respectively. All three strains had MK-8(H4) as the respiratory quinone, iso-C16 : 0 as the major fatty acid, and phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan of all three isolates was ll-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA G+C contents of strains SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T were 71.1, 72.9 and 72.9 mol%, respectively. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, strains SOB44T, SOB72T and SOB77T clearly represent three novel taxa within the genus Nocardioides, for which the names Nocardioides cremeus sp. nov. (type strain SOB44T=JCM 35774T= MCCC M28400T), Nocardioides abyssi sp. nov. (type strain SOB72T=JCM 35775T=MCCC M28318T) and Nocardioides oceani sp. nov. (type strain SOB77T=JCM 35776T=MCCC M28544T) are proposed.

Description and genomic characterization of Nocardioides bruguierae sp. nov., isolated from Bruguiera gymnorhiza

Strains BSK12Z-3^T and BSK12Z-4, two Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming strains, were isolated from Shankou Mangrove Nature Reserve, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan of strain BSK12Z-3^T was LL-diaminopimelic acid and MK-8(H₄) was the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phospholipid (PL). The major fatty acids was iso-C_16:0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that the two strains fell within the genus Nocardioides, appearing most closely related to Nocardioides ginkgobilobae KCTC 39594^T (97.5-97.6 % sequence similarity) and Nocardioides marinus DSM 18248^T (97.4-97.6 %). Genome-based phylogenetic analysis confirmed that strains BSK12Z-3^T and BSK12Z-4 formed a distinct phylogenetic cluster within the genus Nocardioides. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values of strains BSK12Z-3^T, BSK12Z-4 with their most related species N. marinus DSM18248^T were within the ranges of 77.2-77.3 % and 21.3-21.4 %, respectively, clearly indicated that strains BSK12Z-3^T, BSK12Z-4 represented novel species. Strains BSK12Z-3^T and BSK12Z-4 exhibited 99.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The ANI and dDDH values between the two strains were 97.8 % and 81.1 %, respectively, suggesting that they belong to the same species. However, DNA fingerprinting discriminated that they were not from one clonal origin. Based on phylogenomic and phylogenetic analyses coupled with phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterizatons, strains BSK12Z-3^T and BSK12Z-4 could be classified as a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides bruguierae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is BSK12Z-3^T (=CGMCC 4.7709^T = JCM 34554^T).

Update on Novel Taxa and Revised Taxonomic Status of Bacteria Isolated from Nondomestic Animals Described in 2018 to 2021

Revisions and new additions to bacterial taxonomy can have a significant widespread impact on clinical practice, infectious disease epidemiology, veterinary microbiology laboratory operations, and wildlife conservation efforts. The expansion of genome sequencing technologies has revolutionized our knowledge of the microbiota of humans, animals, and insects. Here, we address novel taxonomy and nomenclature revisions of veterinary significance that impact bacteria isolated from nondomestic wildlife, with emphasis being placed on bacteria that are associated with disease in their hosts or were isolated from host animal species that are culturally significant, are a target of conservation efforts, or serve as reservoirs for human pathogens.

Morphological and genomic characteristics of two novel actinomycetes, Ornithinimicrobium sufpigmenti sp. nov. and Ornithinimicrobium faecis sp. nov. isolated from bat faeces (Rousettus leschenaultia and Taphozous perforates)

Four Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile, circle-shaped bacteria were isolated from the faeces of bats (Rousettus leschenaultia and Taphozous perforates) collected from Guangxi autonomous region (E106°49'20″, N22°20'54″) and Yunnan province (E102°04'39″, N25°09'10″) of South China. Strains HY006^T and HY008 shared highly 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to those of Ornithinimicrobium pratense W204^T (99.3%) and O. flavum CPCC 203535^T (97.3%), while the strains HY1745 and HY1793^T were closest to the type strains O. ciconiae H23M54^T (98.7%), O. cavernae CFH 30183^T (98.3%), and O. murale 01-Gi-040^T (98.1%). Furthermore, when compared to the other members of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values of the four novel strains were within the ranges of 19.6-33.7% and 70.6-87.4%, respectively, both of which were below the respective recommended cutoff values of 70.0% and 95-96%. Significantly, strain HY006^T was resistant to chloramphenicol and linezolid whereas strain HY1793^T was resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin (intermediately), and levofloxacin (intermediately). The main cellular fatty acids (>20.0%) of our isolates were iso-C_15:0 and iso-C_16:0. Strains HY006^T and HY1793^T contained ornithine as the diagnostic diamino acid, also along with the alanine, glycine and glutamic acid in their cell wall. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses, these four strains could be classified as two novel species of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the names Ornithinimicrobium sufpigmenti sp. nov. and Ornithinimicrobium faecis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are HY006^T (=CGMCC 1.16565^T =JCM 33397^T) and HY1793^T (=CGMCC 1.19143^T =JCM 34881^T), respectively.

Gordonia zhenghanii sp. nov. and Gordonia liuliyuniae sp. nov., isolated from bat faeces

Four mesophilic actinobacteria (HY002T, HY442, HY366T and HY285) isolated from the faeces of bats collected in southern China were found to be strictly aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped, oxidase-negative, Gram-stain-positive and catalase-positive. Strains HY002T and HY366T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and MK-9(H2) the sole respiratory quinone. Arabinose, galactose and ribose were detected in the whole-cell hydrolysates of both type strains. The main cellular fatty acids (> 10.0%) of all strains were C16 : 0, C18 : 1  ω9c, 10-methyl-C18 : 0 and summed feature 3. Strains HY002T and HY366T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidyl inositol mannosides as the major polar lipids. The phylogenetic/phylogenomic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequence comparison revealed that the four strains belong to the genus Gordonia , most closely related to G. neofelifaecis NRRL B-59395T(98.2–98.3% sequence similarity) on the EzBioCloud database. The G+C contents of strains HY002T and HY366T based on genomic DNA were 66.5 and 66.9%, respectively. The DNA–DNA relatedness values between the two types strains and members of the genus Gordonia were far below 70 % (18.6–23.1 %). All genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that the four strains are representatives of two novel separate species, for which the names Gordonia zhenghanii sp. nov. and Gordonia liuliyuniae sp. nov. are proposed, with HY002T (=CGMCC 4 7757T=JCM 34 878T) and HY366T (=CGMCC 1 19146T=JCM 34 879T) as the respective type strains.

Nocardioides ochotonae sp. nov., Nocardioides campestrisoli sp. nov. and Nocardioides pantholopis sp. nov., isolated from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Six Gram-stain-positive, aerobic and irregular-rod-shaped actinobacteria (ZJ1313^T, ZJ1307, MC1495^T, Y192, 603^T and X2025) were isolated from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China and were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic method. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the six new strains formed three distinct clusters within the genus Nocardioides, and strains ZJ1313^T and ZJ1307 were most closely related to N. solisilvae JCM 31492^T (16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, 98.0 %), MC1495^T and Y192 to N. houyundeii 78^T (98.5 %), and 603^T and X2025 to N. dokdonensis JCM 14815^T (97.6 %). The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of strains ZJ1313^T, MC1495^T and 603^T among each other and with type strains of their closest relatives were all below the 70 % cut-off point, but values within each pair of new strains were all higher than the threshold. The major fatty acids of these strains were iso-C_16 : 0, C_17 : 1  ω8c or C_18 : 1  ω9c. MK-8(H₄) was the predominant respiratory menaquinone and ʟʟ-2,6-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid. All the strains shared diphosphatidylglycerol (predominant), phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol as the common polar lipids, with minor difference in the types of unidentified phospholipids, glycolipids and lipids. The G+C contents based on genomic DNA of strains ZJ1313^T, MC1495^T and 603^T were 72.5, 72.1 and 73.2 mol%, respectively. The above results suggested that strain pairs ZJ1313^T/ZJ1307, MC1495^T/Y192 and 603^T/X2025 represent three new species of genus Nocardioides, for which the names Nocardioides ochotonae sp. nov. (ZJ1313^T=GDMCC 4.177^T=KCTC 49537^T=JCM 34185^T), Nocardioides campestrisoli sp. nov. (MC1495^T=GDMCC 4.176^T=KCTC 49536^T=JCM 34307^T) and Nocardioides pantholopis sp. nov. (603^T=CGMCC 4.7510^T=DSM 106494^T) are proposed accordingly.

Investigation of Sources, Diversity, and Variability of Bacterial Aerosols in Athens, Greece: A Pilot Study

We characterized the composition, diversity, and potential bacterial aerosol sources in Athens’ urban air by DNA barcoding (analysis of 16S rRNA genes) during three seasons in 2019. Air samples were collected using the recently developed Rutgers Electrostatic Passive Sampler (REPS). It is the first field application of REPS to study bacterial aerosol diversity. REPS samplers captured a sufficient amount of biological material to demonstrate the diversity of airborne bacteria and their variability over time. Overall, in the air of Athens, we detected 793 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), which were fully classified into the six distinct taxonomic categories (Phylum, Class, Order, etc.). These OTUs belonged to Phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Fusobacteria. We found a complex community of bacterial aerosols with several opportunistic or potential pathogens in Athens’ urban air. Referring to the available literature, we discuss the likely sources of observed airborne bacteria, including soil, plants, animals, and humans. Our results on bacterial diversity are comparable to earlier studies, even though the sampling sites are different or geographically distant. However, the exact functional and ecological role of bioaerosols and, even more importantly, their impact on public health and the ecosystem requires further air monitoring and analysis.

Mycolicibacterium baixiangningiae sp. nov. and Mycolicibacterium mengxianglii sp. nov., two new rapidly growing mycobacterial species

Four bacterial strains (LJ126^T/S18 and Z-34^T/S20) recovered from faecal samples of Tibetan antelopes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China were analysed using a polyphasic approach. All four isolates were aerobic, short rod-shaped, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive, acid-fast and fast-growing. Phylogenetic analyses based upon 16S rRNA and whole-genome sequences showed that the two pair of strains formed two distinct branches within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Mycolicibacterium. Strains LJ126^T/S18 and Z-34^T/S20 were most closely related to Mycolicibacterium austroafricanum CCUG 37667^T, Mycobacterium aurum NCTC 10437^T, Mycobacterium pyrenivorans DSM 44605^T, Mycobacterium monacense JCM 15658^T, Mycolicibacterium sarraceniae JCM 30395^T, Mycolicibacterium tokaiense JCM 6373^T and Mycobacterium murale JCM 13392^T, but readily distinguished from the known species by a combination of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic features and by low average nucleotide identity values (74.4-84.9 %). Consequently, the two strain pairs are considered to represent different novel species of Mycolicibacterium for which the names Mycolicibacterium baixiangningiae sp. nov. and Mycolicibacterium mengxianglii sp. nov. are proposed, with LJ126^T (=CGMCC 1.1992^T=KCTC 49535^T) and Z-34^T (=CGMCC 1.1993^T=DSM 106172^T) as the respective type strains.

Identification of Haloactinobacterium kanbiaonis sp. nov. and Ruania zhangjianzhongii sp. nov., two novel species of the family Ruaniaceae isolated from faeces of bats (Hipposideros spp.)

Two pairs of aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped strains (HY164^T/HY044, HY168^T/HY211) were isolated from bat faecal samples. Strains HY164^T and HY044 were motile with a polar flagellum, and had 16S rRNA gene similarity of 95.1-98.6 % to Haloactinobacterium album YIM 93306^T and Haloactinobacterium glacieicola T3246-1^T; strains HY168^T and HY211 were most similar to Ruania albidiflava DSM 18029^T (96.6 %). Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences revealed affiliation of strains HY164^T and HY168^T to the family Ruaniaceae, representing novel lineages in the genera Haloactinobacterium and Ruania, respectively, which was also supported by the results for average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH). For all isolates, the principal cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15 : 0 and iso-C_14 : 0. HY164^T and HY168^T had MK-8(H₄) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, several unidentified phospholipids and glycolipids as common polar lipids while the latter strain additionally contained one unidentified aminophospholipid and one unidentified phosphoglycolipid. Besides sharing alanine, glutamic acid and lysine with HY164^T, HY168^T additionally contained 2,4-diaminobutyric acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell sugars of HY164^T were ribose and rhamnose, while HY168^T only included the latter. The DNA G+C contents of HY164^T and HY168^T were 71.0 and 69.1 mol%, respectively. Combining the polyphasic taxonomic data, HY164^T (=CGMCC 4.7606^T=JCM 33464^T) is classified as representing a novel species of the genus Haloactinobacterium with the proposed name Haloactinobacterium kanbiaonis sp. nov., and HY168^T (=CGMCC 1.16970^T=JCM 33465^T) is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Ruania with the name Ruania zhangjianzhongii sp. nov.

Nocardioides dongkuii sp. nov. and Nocardioides lijunqiniae sp. nov., isolated from faeces of Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) and leaves of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), respectively, on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

In the present study, four bacterial strains, two (S-713^T and 406) isolated from faecal samples of Tibetan antelopes and the other two (S-531^T and 1598) from leaves of dandelion collected on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of PR China, were analysed using a polyphasic approach. All four isolates were aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, oxidase-negative, Gram-stain-positive and catalase-positive. According to four phylogenetic trees, strain pairs S-713^T/406 and S-531^T/1598 form two independent branches belonging to the genus Nocardioides, and are closest to Nocardioides lianchengensis, Nocardioides dokdonensis, Nocardioides salarius, Nocardioides marinisabuli, Nocardioides psychrotolerans and Nocardioides szechwanensis. Although sharing MK8-(H₄) as their major isoprenoid quinone, strains S-713^T and S-531^T contained C_18 : 1  ω9c (24.64 and 16.34 %) and iso-C_16 : 0 (9.74 and 29.38 %), respectively, as their main fatty acids, with remarkable differences in their biochemical profiles but only slight ones in their optimal growth conditions. The chromosomes of strains S-713^T and S-531^T were 4 207 844 bp (G+C content, 73.0 mol%) and 4 809 817 bp (G+C content, 72.5 mol%), respectively. Collectively, the two strain pairs represent two separate novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the names Nocardioides dongkuii sp. nov. and Nocardioides lijunqiniae sp. nov. are proposed, with S-713^T (=JCM 33698^T=CGMCC 4.7660^T) and S-531^T (=JCM 33468^T=CGMCC 4.7659^T) as the respective type strains.

Characterization of isolates of members of the genus Actinomyces from Marmota himalayana: description of Actinomyces faecalis sp. nov., Actinomyces respiraculi sp. nov., and Actinomyces trachealis sp. nov

Six novel strains (ZJ34^T, ZJ561, ZJ750^T, ZJ1629, zg-993^T and zg-987) isolated from faeces and respiratory tracts of Marmota himalayana from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of PR China were characterized comprehensively. The results of analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences indicated that the six strains represent three novel species of the genus Actinomyces, and are closely related to Actinomyces urogenitalis DSM 15434^T (16S rRNA gene sequences similarities, 94.9-98.7 %), Actinomyces weissii CCUG 61299^T (95.6-96.6 %), Actinomyces bovis CCTCC AB2010168^T (95.7 %) and Actinomyces bowdenii DSM 15435^T (95.2-96.4 %), with values of digital DNA-DNA hybridization less than 30.1 % when compared with their closest relatives but higher than 70 % within each pair of novel strains (ZJ34^T/ZJ561, ZJ750^T/ZJ1629 and zg-993^T/zg-987). All the novel strains had C_18 : 1 ω9c and C_16 : 0 as the two most abundant major fatty acids. MK-9(H₄) or MK-8(H₄) was the sole or predominant respiratory quinone of strains ZJ34^T, ZJ750^T and zg-993^T and their polar lipid profiles differed, but all had diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidyl inositol mannoside as major components. ZJ750^T shared identical peptidoglycan amino acid profile with ZJ34^T (alanine, glutamic acid, lysine and ornithine) and the same whole-cell sugar composition with zg-993^T (glucose, rhamnose and ribose). Strain zg-993^T contained alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine and lysine in the peptidoglycan, and the only sugar in ZJ34^T was ribose. The DNA G+C contents of the novel strains were within the range of 65.8-70.1 mol%. On the basis of the results from the aforementioned analyses, the six novel strains were classified as representing three novel species of genus Actinomyces, for which the names Actinomyces faecalis sp. nov. [type strain ZJ34^T (=GDMCC 1.1952^T=JCM 34355^T)], Actinomyces respiraculi sp. nov. [type strain ZJ750^T (=GDMCC 1.1950^T=JCM 34356^T)] and Actinomyces trachealis sp. nov. [type strain zg-993^T (=GDMCC 1.1956^T=JCM 34357^T)] were proposed, respectively.

Microbacterium chengjingii sp. nov. and Microbacterium fandaimingii sp. nov., isolated from bat faeces of Hipposideros and Rousettus species

Four aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped bacteria (HY60^T, HY54, HY82^T and HY89) were isolated from bat faeces of Hipposideros and Rousettus species collected in PR China. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the four novel strains formed two separate but adjacent subclades close to Microbacterium agarici CGMCC 1.12260^T (97.6-97.7 % similarity), Microbacterium humi JCM 18706^T (97.3-97.5 %) and Microbacterium lindanitolerans JCM 30493^T (97.3-97.4 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was 98.3 % between strains HY60^T and HY82^T, and identical within strain pairs HY60^T/HY54 and HY82^T/HY89. The DNA G+C contents of strains HY60^T and HY82^T were 61.9 and 63.3 mol%, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between each novel strain and their closest relatives were all below the 70 % and 95-96 % thresholds for species delimitation, respectively. All four novel strains contained anteiso-C_{15 : 0}, anteiso-C_{17 : 0}, iso-C_{16 : 0} and iso-C_{15 : 0} as the main fatty acids, MK-11 and MK-12 as the major respiratory quinones, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified glycolipid as the predominant polar lipids. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was of B type and contained alanine, glutamate, glycine and ornithine. The acyl type of the muramic acid was glycolyl. The whole-cell sugars were rhamnose and ribose. Based on the foregoing polyphasic analyses, it was concluded that the four uncharacterized strains represented two novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the names Microbacterium chengjingii sp. nov. [type strain HY60^T (=CGMCC 1.17468^T=GDMCC 1.1951^T=KACC 22102^T)] and Microbacterium fandaimingii sp. nov. [type strain HY82^T (=CGMCC 1.17469^T=GDMCC 1.1949^T=KACC 22101^T)] are proposed, respectively.

Corynebacterium lizhenjunii sp. nov., isolated from the respiratory tract of Marmota himalayana, and Corynebacterium qintianiae sp. nov., isolated from the lung tissue of Pseudois nayaur

Four Gram-stain-positive, non-motile and asporous bacilli (strains ZJ-599^T, ZJ-621, MC1420^T and MC1482), isolated from animal tissue and environmental samples collected on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, PR China, were taxonomically characterized. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses, the closest relatives of strains ZJ-599^T and ZJ-621 were Corynebacterium endometrii LMM-1653^T (97.5 %), Corynebacterium phocae M408/89/1^T (96.5 %) and Corynebacterium flavescens OJ8^T (96.3 %), whereas strains MC1420^T and MC1482 were closest to Corynebacterium sanguinis CCUG 58655^T (98.9 %), Corynebacterium mycetoides DSM 20632^T (98.4 %) and Corynebacterium lipophiloflavum DSM 44291^T (97.9 %). The results of rpoB gene sequence similarity analysis indicated that C. phocae M408/89/1^T and C. sanguinis CCUG 58655^T were closest to strains ZJ-599^T/ZJ-621 (83.5 %) and MC1420^T/MC1482 (91.8 %), respectively. The two novel type strains shared a similarity of 95.2 % in 16S rRNA and 81.3 % in rpoB gene sequences. The TAP-PCR DNA fingerprint and MALDI-TOF MS spectrum patterns clearly differentiated the novel isolates within and between each pair of strains. Strain ZJ-599^T had 21.9-22.4 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) scores with C. endometrii LMM-1653^T, C. phocae M408/89/1^T and C. flavescens OJ8^T, and 72.3-72.9 % of average nucleotide identity (ANI) with them. Similarly, strain MC1420^T had 22.9-23.7 % dDDH values with C. sanguinis CCUG 58655^T, C. mycetoides DSM 20632^T and C. lipophiloflavum DSM 44291^T, and 80.4-81.3 % ANI scores with them. Strain ZJ-599^T had a 23.1 % dDDH value and 70.5 % ANI score with strain MC1420^T, both below the corresponding thresholds for species delineation. Strains ZJ-599^T and MC1420^T both contain mycolic acids and have MK-8(H₂) and MK-9(H₂) as the predominant respiratory quinones, meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, and C_18 : 1  ω9c as the main fatty acid. C_17 : 1  ω8c and C_15 : 1  ω8c were predominant in strain ZJ-599^T in contrast to C_17 : 1  ω7c being predominant in strain MC1420^T. The main polar lipids in strain ZJ-599^T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and one unidentified glycolipid, while strain MC1420^T had diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and one unidentified lipid as the major components. Since the two pairs of novel strains (ZJ-599^T/ZJ-621, MC1420^T/MC1482) distinctly differ from each other and from their nearest relatives, two novel species of the genus Corynebacterium are proposed, namely Corynebacterium lizhenjunii (type strain ZJ-599^T=GDMCC 1.1779^T=JCM 34341^T) and Corynebacterium qintianiae (type strain MC1420^T=GDMCC 1.1783^T=JCM 34340^T), respectively.

Agromyces laixinhei sp. nov. isolated from bat feces in China

Three rod-shaped, Gram-stain-positive, and catalase-positive, phenotypically closely related isolates (HY052T, HY050, and HY045) were obtained from fecal samples collected from bats in Guangxi province and Chongqing city of China. Circular, smooth, light-yellow colonies appeared on brain heart infusion plate after 24-48 h incubation at 28°C. The optimal pH for growth was between 6.0 and 7.5. Based on 16S rRNA, the three isolates were phylogenetically related to Agromyces terreus DS-10T, Agromyces aureus AR33T, Agromyces salentinus 20-5T, Agromyces allii UMS-62T, Agromyces lapidis CD55T, and Agromyces italicus CD1T. Moreover, based on 296 core genes, the phylogenomic tree indicated that the three isolates clustered together, closest to Agromyces cerinus VKM Ac-1340T and Agromyces fucosus VKM Ac-1345T but separated distantly from other Agromyces species. The average nucleotide identity values between strain HY052T and other Agromyces species ranged from 79.3% to 87.9%, lower than the 95-96% threshold. Furthermore, the genome of strain HY052T contains a circular chromosome of 3,437,203 bp with G + C content of 69.0 mol%. Main fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and unidentified glycolipids. Rhamnose, ribose, and glucose were the primary cell wall sugars. The major peptidoglycan amino acids included alanine, glutamic acid, glycine, and 2,4-diaminobutyric acid. An additional remarkable difference from other Agromyces species is that MK-12 was the sole menaquinone in strain HY052T. Based on results from the polyphasic characterizations performed in this study, our isolates are proposed to be members of a novel species in genus Agromyces, named Agromyces laixinhei. The type strain is HY052T (= CGMCC 1.17175T = JCM 33695T).

Nocardioides luti sp. nov., belonging to the family Nocardioidaceae isolated from kaolinite, exhibiting the biosynthesis potential of alkylresorcinol

A novel Gram-staining-positive, short rod-shaped, non-motile, and non-pigmented actinobacterial strain (KIGAM211^T) was isolated from kaolinite, a soft white clay mineral, collected from Sancheong in the Republic of Korea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain KIGAM211^T was determined to belong to the genus Nocardioides and was most closely related to N. ungokensis UKS-03^T (97.5% similarity). Cells could grow between 4 and 35 °C (optimum 30 °C), 0-3% (w/v) NaCl concentration (optimum 0%) and pH 5.5-8.5 (optimum 7.0) on R2A agar. Morphological appearance of colonies was cream-white, arranged singly or in groups. Biochemical characterization of strain KAGAM211^T indicated that it could hydrolyze casein, gelatin, Tweens 40 and tyrosine. Furthermore, the strain was positive for both oxidase and catalase activity. Strain KIGAM211^T was characterized chemotaxonomically by MK-8 (H₄) as the predominant menaquinone and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) as the major polar lipids. Major fatty acids were iso-C_16:0 and C_18:1 ω9c. The Ortholog average nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH) values between strain KIGAM211T and its most closely related strains of the Nocardioides genus were < 82% and < 24%, respectively, suggesting that strain KIGAM211^T represent a novel species. The whole genome size of KIGAM211^T was 4.52 Mb, comprising a total of 4,294 genes with DNA G + C content of 72.3 mol%. The genome of strain KIGAM211^T also comprises the biosynthetic gene cluster for alkylresorcinol as secondary metabolite. The results of physiological, taxonomical, phylogenetic, and whole genome analyses allowed for differentiation of strain KIGAM211^T from the recognized Nocardioides species. Therefore, strain KIGAM211^T is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Nocardioides luti sp. nov. (type strain KIGAM211^T = KCTC 49364^T = JCM 33859^T) is proposed.

Acinetobacter lanii sp. nov., Acinetobacter shaoyimingii sp. nov. and Acinetobacter wanghuae sp. nov., isolated from faeces of Equus kiang

Six aerobic, non-motile, non-haemolytic, Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-negative strains (185^T, 187, 323-1^T, 194, dk386^T and dk771) were recovered from different faecal samples of Equus kiang on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In the 16S rRNA gene sequences, one strain pair, 185^T/187, shared highest similarity to Acinetobacter equi 114^T (97.9 %), and the other two (323-1^T/194 and dk771^T/dk386) to Acinetobacter harbinensis CGMCC 1.12528^T (98.6 and 97.0 %, respectively). Phylogenomic tree analysis showed that these six strains formed three separate clades in the genus Acinetobacter. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of each pair of the isolates with all members of the genus Acinetobacter were far below 70 %. The main cellular fatty acids of all six strains were C_18 : 1  ω9c, C_16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1  ω7c/C_16 : 1  ω6c). Q-9 was the predominant respiratory quinone for strains 185^T, 323-1^T and dk386^T. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. Based on the genotypic, phenotypic and biochemical analyses, these six strains represent three novel species of the genus Acinetobacter, for which the names Acinetobacter lanii sp. nov., Acinetobacter shaoyimingii sp. nov. and Acinetobacter wanghuae sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are 185^T (=CGMCC 1.13636^T=JCM 33607^T), 323-1^T (=CGMCC 1.13940^T=JCM 33608^T) and dk386^T (=CGMCC 1.16589^T=JCM 33592^T), respectively.

Aeromicrobium chenweiae sp. nov. and Aeromicrobium yanjiei sp. nov., isolated from Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) and plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae), respectively

Four novel strains (592^T, S592, MF47^T and SMF47) were isolated from Tibetan antelopes (Pantholops hodgsonii) and plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae), respectively. The cells were aerobic, non-motile, Gram-stain- and catalase-positive, rod-shaped bacteria. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the four strains showed highest similarities to Aeromicrobium fastidiosum DSM 10552^T (98.1, 98.6, 98.7 and 98.7 %, respectively), and the phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequences indicated that strains 592^T and MF47^T represent two novel species. The four isolates produced acid from l-rhamnose, d-xylose and cellobiose, but were unable to reduce nitrate. The DNA G+C contents of strains 592^T and MF47^T were 70.3 and 69.8 mol%, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains 592^T and MF47^T was 32.6 %, lower than the threshold of 70 %, indicating they belong to different species. The four strains' genomes displayed less than 24.6 % DNA-DNA relatedness with all available genomes of the genus Aeromicrobium in the NCBI database, including Aeromicrobium fastidiosum NBRC 14897^T and Aeromicrobium ginsengisoli JCM 14732^T. The major fatty acids of the four strains were C_18 : 1  ω9c and C_18 : 0 10-methyl, and the main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The predominant respiratory quinones were MK-9(H₄) and MK-8(H₄). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. Based on these genotypic, phenotypic and biochemical analyses, it is proposed that the four unidentified bacteria be classified as two novel species, Aeromicrobium chenweiae sp. nov. and Aeromicrobium yanjiei sp. nov. The type strains are 592^T (=CGMCC1.16526^T=DSM 106289^T) and MF47^T (=CGMCC 1.17444^T=JCM 33790^T), respectively.

Actinomyces wuliandei sp. nov., Corynebacterium liangguodongii sp. nov., Corynebacterium yudongzhengii sp. nov. and Oceanobacillus zhaokaii sp. nov., isolated from faeces of Tibetan antelope in the Qinghai-Tibet plateau of China

Eight Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped bacterial strains were isolated from faeces of Tibetan antelopes on the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau of China. Genomic sequence analysis showed that the strains belong to the genera Actinomyces (strains 299^T and 340), Corynebacterium (strains 2184^T, 2185, 2183^T and 2189) and Oceanobacillus (strains 160^T and 143), respectively, with a percentage of similarity for the 16S rRNA gene under the species threshold of 98.7 % except for strains 160^T and 143 with Oceanobacillus arenosus CAU 1183^T (98.8 %). The genome sizes (and genomic G+C contents) were 3.1 Mb (49.4 %), 2.5 Mb (64.9 %), 2.4 Mb (66.1 %) and 4.1 Mb (37.1 %) for the type strains 299^T, 2183^T, 2184^T and 160^T, respectively. Two sets of the overall genome relatedness index values between our isolates and their corresponding closely related species were under species thresholds (95 % for average nucleotide identity, and 70 % for digital DNA-DNA hybridization). These results, together with deeper genotypic, genomic, phenotypic and biochemical analyses, indicate that these eight isolates should be classified as representing four novel species. Strain 299^T (=CGMCC 1.16320^T=JCM 33611^T) is proposed as representing Actinomyces wuliandei sp. nov.; strain 2184^T (=CGMCC 1.16417^T=DSM 106203^T) is proposed as representing Corynebacterium liangguodongii sp. nov.; strain 2183^T (=CGMCC 1.16416^T=DSM 106264^T) is proposed as representing Corynebacterium yudongzhengii sp. nov.; and strain 160^T (=CGMCC 1.16367^T=DSM 106186^T) is proposed as representing Oceanobacillus zhaokaii sp. nov.

Nocardioides jishulii sp. nov.,isolated from faeces of Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata)

Two novel Gram-stain-positive, irregular rod-shaped bacterial strains, dk3136^T and dk3543, were isolated from the faeces of Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of PR China. The cells were aerobic, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive. Colonies were yellowish, circular without any observable aerial mycelium after culturing at 28 ℃ for 3 days on brain-heart infusion (BHI) agar with 5 % sheep blood. The cells grew optimally at 28 °C, pH 7.5 and with 1 % (w/v) NaCl on BHI agar supplemented with 5 % sheep blood. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that their nearest phylogenetic relative was Nocardioides solisilvae Ka25^T (97.9 % similarity). The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic/phylogenomic analyses illustrated that N. solisilvae Ka25^T, Nocardioides gilvus XZ17^T, Nocardioides houyundeii 78^T and Nocardioides daphniae D287^T were their nearest phylogenetic neighbours. The DNA G+C contents of strains dk3136^T and dk3543 were 70.3 mol% and 70.4 mol%, respectively. Their genomes exhibit lower than threshold (95-96 %) average nucleotide identity to known species of the genus Nocardioides. ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid and MK-8(H₄) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The two strains had C_18 : 1 ω9c, iso-C_16 : 0 and C_17 : 1 ω8c as the major fatty acids, and rhamnose and galactose as the main whole-cell sugars. On the basis of the results of our genotypic, phenotypic and biochemical analyses, we conclude that strains dk3136^T and dk3543 represent a novel species in genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides jishulii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is dk3136^T (=CGMCC 4.7570^T=JCM 33496^T=KCTC 49314^T).

Luteimonas chenhongjianii, a novel species isolated from rectal contents of Tibetan Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae)

Two Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, bright-yellow-pigmented and rod-shaped bacteria (strains 100069 and 100111^T) with a single polar flagellum were isolated from the rectal contents of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae). Based on the results of nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses, strains 100069 and 100111^T belong to the genus Luteimonas, and are closest to Luteimonas rhizosphaerae 4-12^T (98.02 % similarity), Luteimonas aestuarii B9^T (97.8 %) and Luteimonas terrae THG-MD21^T (97.74 %). The DNA G+C contents of these two isolates were 68.30 mol% and 68.29 mol%, respectively. The highest average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between strain 100111^T and its closely related species was 83.34 %, well below the threshold of 95-96 %. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_11 : 0, iso-C_15 : 0 and iso-C_17 : 1  ω9. Polar lipid content was dominated by diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified lipid. Ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) was the predominant respiratory quinone. These two isolates grew optimally at 35-37 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and with 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The results of ANI analysis and other characteristics obtained from our polyphasic study showed that strains 100069 and 100111^T represent a novel species in genus Luteimonas, for which the name Luteimonas chenhongjianii sp. nov. (type strain 100111^T=DSM 104077^T=CGMCC 1.16429^T) is proposed.

Nocardioides dongxiaopingii sp. nov., isolated from leaves of Lamiophlomis rotata on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Two novel Gram-stain-positive, irregular rod-shaped actinomycetes, S-1144^T and 4053, were isolated from leaves of Lamiophlomis rotata on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, PR China. Cells were aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Colonies on Reasoner's 2A agar were light yellow, circular, shiny, smooth and convex after 2 days of incubation. The isolates grew optimally at 25 °C, pH 7.5 and with 0 % (w/v) NaCl. The results of polyphasic analyses indicated that strain S-1144^T belonged to the genus Nocardioides and its close phylogenetic neighbours (16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) were Nocardioides litoris DSM 103718^T (98.4 %), Nocardioides rubriscoriae DSM 23986^T (98.2%) and Nocardioides plantarum DSM 11054^T (97.8 %). The genome of strain S-1144^T showed less than 70 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization and < 95-96 % average nucleotide identity values to the above reference strains. The DNA G+C content of strain S-1144^T was 73.5 mol%. MK-8(H₄) was the predominant respiratory quinone (96.0 %) and llLL-2,6-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The polar lipid profile of strain S-1144^T consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified phospholipids, one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified lipid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C_16 : 0, C_17 : 1  ω8c, C_17 : 0 and C_18 : 1  ω9c. On the basis of obtained data, strain S-1144^T represented a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides dongxiaopingii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-1144^T (=CGMCC 4.7568^T=JCM 33469^T).

Microbacterium wangchenii sp. nov., isolated from faeces of Tibetan gazelles (Procapra picticaudata) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Two strains of Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming, non-motile, rod-shaped bacteria (designated dk512^T and dk508) were isolated from the faeces of Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) collected from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strains showed the highest identity to Microbacterium saccharophilum K-1^T (98.0 and 97.9 % similarity, respectively). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that dk512^T and dk508 were members of the genus Microbacterium, and most closely related to strains Microbacterium mitrae M4-8^T and Microbacterium hatanonis FCC-01^T. The strains grew optimally on brain-heart infusion (BHI) agar with 5.0 % (v/v) sheep blood at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and with 1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The genome of type strain dk512^T was 3.8 Mb with a G+C content of 70.6 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain dk512^T and previously characterized Microbacterium species were <95 and <70 %, respectively. In strain dk512^T, the detected primary cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C_15 : 0 and anteiso-C_17 : 0, the main respiratory quinones were MK-9 (37.9 %) and MK-10 (35.7 %), and the polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and three unidentified glycolipids. The major cell-wall sugars were rhamnose, ribose and galactose. Alanine, glutamic acid, glycine and ornithine were in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Based on phenotypic data and phylogenetic inference, these two strains represent a novel species of the genus Microbacterium, named here as Microbacterium wangchenii sp. nov, where dk512^T is designated the type strain (=CGMCC 1.16590^T=JCM 33494^T=KCTC 49313^T).

Paracoccus liaowanqingii sp. nov., isolated from Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii)

Two strains, designated 2251^T and 3058, that were aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, coccoid or short rod-shaped bacilli, have recently been isolated from Tibetan antelopes on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results of phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains 2251^T and 3058 represent a new species within the genus Paracoccus and are most similar to 'Paracoccus gahaiensis' CUG00006^T (98.9 and 99.3 %), Paracoccus nototheniae I-41R45^T (98.3 and 98.7 %) and Paracoccus hibiscisoli THG-T2.31^T (97.6 and 97.8 %). Results of genomic sequence-based phylogenomic analysis agreed with those from 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Optimal growth was achieved at pH 7.0-7.5 and 28 °C with marine medium. Cells contained C_18 : 1 ω7c as the major cellular fatty acid and ubiquinone-10 as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipid, glycolipid and an unidentified lipid. The cell-wall peptidoglycan amino acids were meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid; the major cell-wall sugar was galactose. The G+C content of strain 2251^T was 66.5 mol%. Both strains (2251^T and 3058) had DNA-DNA relatedness values less than 50 % with all available genomes of the genus Paracoccus in the ncbi database. Differential genotypic inferences, together with phenotypic and biochemical characteristics, demonstrated that strains 2251^T and 3058 should be classified as a novel species of the genus Paracoccus, for which the name Paracoccus liaowanqingii sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is 2251^T (=CGMCC 1.16490^T=DSM 106269^T).

Apibacter raozihei sp. nov. isolated from bat feces of Hipposideros and Taphozous spp

Strains HY041^T and HY039 were oxidase- and Gram-stain-negative, catalase-positive, rod-shaped, non-motile, and facultatively anaerobic bacteria. They were isolated from the feces of bats of the Hipposideros and Taphozous spp. collected from Chongqing City and Guangxi province (PR China), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and 463 core genes indicated that HY041^T and HY039 represent members of the genus Apibacter, forming a clade with Apibacter adventoris wkB301^T (95.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Apibacter mensalis R-53146^T (94.0 %). In silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of our isolates with the most closely related species were lower than the 70 % and 95-96 % threshold, respectively, in contrast to values above these two thresholds (isDDH value: 89.1 %; ANI value: 98.5 %) between strains HY041^T and HY039. The novel isolates could grow on nutrient and MacConkey agar. HY041^T and HY039 could produce β-galactosidase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and utilize d-adonitol, d-mannose, gentiobiose, glucose and salicin. The major fatty acids (>10.0 %) of HY041^T were iso-C_17 : 0 3OH, iso-C_15 : 0, C_16 : 0, summed feature 9 (C_16 : 0 10-methyl and/or iso-C_17 : 1ω9c) and C_16 : 0 3OH. Polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipid, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the sole respiratory quinone. On the basis of all analyses so far, strains HY041^T and HY039 represent a novel species of the genus Apibacter, for which the name Apibacter raozihei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HY041^T (=CGMCC 1.16567^T=JCM 33423^T) with a genomic DNA G+C content of 32.2 mol%.

Nocardioides vastitatis sp. nov., isolated from Taklamakan desert soil

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain 21Sc5-5^T, was isolated from a soil sample collected in the Taklamakan desert in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, PR China and investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain 21Sc5-5^T grew at 10-37 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that strain 21Sc5-5^T formed a distinct lineage within the genus Nocardioides and had the highest similarity to Nocardioides albidus THG-S11.7^T (97.30 %), followed by Nocardioides kongjuensis A2-4^T (97.22 %), Nocardioides nitrophenolicus NSP 41^T (97.15 %) and Nocardioides caeni MN8^T (97.15 %). The results of chemotaxonomic analyses showed that the isolate possessed ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan and MK-8(H₄) as the predominant menaquinone. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C_16 : 0 and 10-methyl C_18 : 0. The genome length of strain 21Sc5-5^T was 4.67 Mb containing 372 contigs and with a DNA G+C content of 70.4 mol%. On the basis of data from phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strain 21Sc5-5^T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides vastitatis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 21Sc5-5^T (=JCM 33365^T=CGMCC 4.7608^T).

Actinomyces qiguomingii sp. nov., isolated from the Pantholops hodgsonii

Two previously undescribed, Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped strains, 410^T and 553, were isolated from faeces of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) from the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau, PR China. The optimum growth conditions of the two novel strains were 1 % (w/v) NaCl, 37 °C and pH 7. The end products from glucose fermentation included ethanol and lactic acid. Based on results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison and phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses, strains 410^T and 553 were classified into the genus Actinomyces, and were closely related to Actinomyces ruminicola (97.6 %), Actinomyces oricola (93.5 %) and Actinomyces dentalis (90.8 %). The genomic G+C content of strain 410^T was 67.4 mol%. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 410^T and each of the closely related species were under 70 %. The respiratory quinones were MK-10 (68 %) and MK-9 (32 %). The main cellular fatty acids of the isolates were C_16 : 0, followed by C_18 : 1 ω9c. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol-mannoside. The whole-cell sugars contained rhamnose, ribose and glucose. The diagnostic amino acids of cell-wall peptidoglycan included alanine, glutamic acid, lysine and ornithine. The results of biochemical, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses revealed that the two novel strains represent a novel species of genus Actinomyces, for which the name Actinomyces qiguomingii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 410^T (=CGMCC 1.16361^T= DSM 106201^T).

Nocardioides yefusunii sp. nov., isolated from Equus kiang (Tibetan wild ass) faeces

Two Gram-stain-positive, irregular rod-shaped (0.2-0.5×1.3-2.5 um) strains, HY056^T and HY057, were isolated from the faeces of Equus kiang (the largest of the wild asses) collected at different regions from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of PR China. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that strains HY056^T and HY057 belong to the genus Nocardioides by sharing a similarity ranging from 96.3 to 97.0 % in the 16S rRNA gene sequence and forming a distinct cluster with Nocardioides daphniae JCM 16608^T, Nocardioides houyundeii 78^T, Nocardioides solisilvae Ka25^T and Nocardioides gilvus XZ17^T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of strain HY056^T was 96.9 % with strain HY057, but less than 30.0 % with the above four closest relatives. MK-8(H₄) was the predominant (91.6 %) respiratory quinone. The cell wall contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phospholipid. The predominant fatty acids (>10.0 %) were C_18 : 1ω9c and iso-C_16:0. The DNA G+C contents of strains HY056^T and HY057 were 68.9 and 69.1 mol%, respectively. β-Glucosidase expression was positive, and acid was produced from d-fructose. Strain HY056^T (=CGMCC 4.7563^T=JCM 33399^T) is assigned as the type strain of a novel species within the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioidesyefusunii sp. nov is proposed.

Fudania jinshanensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from faeces of the Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii) in China

Two hitherto unknown bacteria (strains 313^T and 352) were recovered from the faeces of Tibetan antelopes on the Tibet-Qinghai Plateau, PR China. Cells were rod-shaped and Gram-stain-positive. The optimal growth conditions were at 37 °C and pH 7. The isolates were closely related to Actinotignum sanguinis (92.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Arcanobacterium haemolyticum (92.5 %), Actinotignum schaalii (92.4 %), Actinobaculum massiliense (92.2 %) and Flaviflexus huanghaiensis (91.6 %). Phylogenetic analyses showed that strains 313^T and 352 clustered independently in the vicinity of the genera Actinotignum, Actinobaculum and Flaviflexus, but could not be classified clearly as a member of any of these genera. Phylogenomic analysis also indicated that strains 313^T and 352 formed an independent branch in the family Actinomycetaceae. The major cellular fatty acids of the strains were C_16 : 0 and C_18 : 1ω9c. The polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and five unidentified components. The peptidoglycan contained lysine, alanine and glutamic acid. The respiratory quinone was absent. The whole-cell sugars included glucose and rhamnose. The DNA G+C content of strain 313^T was 60.6 mol%. Based on the low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, its taxonomic position in the phylogenetic and phylogenomic trees and its unique lipid pattern, we propose that strains 313^T and 352 represent members of a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Fudania jinshanensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 313^T (=CGMCC 4.7453^T=DSM 106216^T).

Neisseria weixii sp. nov., isolated from rectal contents of Tibetan Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae)

Three independent isolates (10022^T, 10 009 and 10011) of a novel catalase-positive, Gram-stain-negative coccus in the genus Neisseria were obtained from the rectal contents of plateau pika on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, PR China. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, our newly identified organisms were most closely related to Neisseria iguanae, Neisseria flavescens and Neisseria perflava with similarities ranging from 98.02 to 98.45 %, followed by seven other species in the genus Neisseria. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and rplF genes showed that our three novel isolates group with members of the genus Neisseria. Results of the average nucleotide identity (ANI) analysis confirmed that our isolates are of the same species, and the ANI values between type strain 10022^T and other Neisseria species are 74.12-85.06 %, lower than the threshold range of 95-96 %. The major cellular fatty acids for our novel species are C16 : 0 and C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c, which along with their phenotypic characteristics can distinguish our isolates from other Neisseria species. On the basis of polyphasic analyses, our isolates are proposed to represent a novel species in genus Neisseria, with the name Neisseria weixii sp. nov. The type strain is 10022^T (=DSM 103441^T=CGMCC 1.15732^T).