Pseudomonas moraviensis sp. nov. and Pseudomonas vranovensis sp. nov., soil bacteria isolated on nitroaromatic compounds, and emended description of Pseudomonas asplenii

Two strains of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from soil by selective enrichment with nitroaromatics were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the two strains were found to belong to the genus Pseudomonas, within the Gammaproteobacteria. Strain 1B4T shared the highest sequence similarity with Pseudomonas koreensis DSM 16610T (99.5%) and Pseudomonas jessenii CCM 4840T (99.3%), and strain 2B2T with Pseudomonas asplenii DSM 17133T (98.9%), Pseudomonas fuscovaginae DSM 7231T (98.9%) and Pseudomonas putida DSM 291T (98.7%). On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization and phenotype, including chemotaxonomic characteristics, two novel species, Pseudomonas moraviensis sp. nov. with the type strain 1B4T (=CCM 7280T=DSM 16007T) and Pseudomonas vranovensis sp. nov. with the type strain 2B2T (=CCM 7279T=DSM 16006T), are proposed. The description of P. asplenii was emended on the basis of additional data obtained in this study.

Paenibacillus sepulcri sp. nov., isolated from biodeteriorated mural paintings in the Servilia tomb

In 2001, a Gram-variable, facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming bacterium isolated from biodeteriorated mural paintings in the Servilia tomb of the Roman necropolis of Carmona was deposited as Paenibacillus strain LMG 19508. Subsequently, the strain was characterized in detail using phenotypic and molecular methods. The 16S rRNA gene sequence confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Paenibacillus and indicated its relationship to Paenibacillus mendelii CCM 4839(T) (96.7 % sequence similarity). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid of the A1gamma type. The DNA G+C content (50 mol%) and the major fatty acid (anteiso-C(15 : 0)) of strain LMG 19508(T) were also consistent with its affiliation to the genus Paenibacillus. DNA-DNA hybridization distinguished strain LMG 19508(T) from other phylogenetically related Paenibacillus species. Therefore, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Paenibacillus sepulcri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CCM 7311(T) (=LMG 19508(T)).

Paenibacillus mendelii sp. nov., from surface-sterilized seeds of Pisum sativum L

A Gram-variable, facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming bacterium was isolated from surface-sterilized seeds of the garden pea and characterized with phenotypic and molecular methods. A PCR with the Paenibacillus-specific primer PAEN515F and the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain C/2T belongs to the genus Paenibacillus and is closely related to Paenibacillus phyllosphaerae (94.0 % sequence similarity). Strain C/2T generated a unique phenotypic profile, in particular for the production of acid from substrates. The DNA G+C content (50.8 mol%) and the major fatty acid (anteiso-C(15 : 0)) are consistent with the genus Paenibacillus. DNA-DNA hybridization distinguished strain C/2T from other phylogenetically related Paenibacillus species and, therefore, strain C/2T (=CCM 4839T=LMG 23002T) is here described as the type strain of a novel species, for which the name Paenibacillus mendelii sp. nov. is proposed.

Polyphasic taxonomic study of strain CCM 2783 resulting in the description of Arthrobacter stackebrandtii sp. nov

Strain CCM 2783, previously classified as representing Arthrobacter aurescens, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and chemotaxonomic characteristics such as peptidoglycan type A3α Lys–Ala2, major menaquinone MK-9(H2) and fatty acid composition confirmed assignment of the strain to the genus Arthrobacter. The results of phylogenetic analysis, DNA–DNA relatedness experiments and physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics indicate that CCM 2783 differs from its nearest phylogenetic relative Arthrobacter psychrolactophilus and from other recognized Arthrobacter species. Therefore, a novel species, Arthrobacter stackebrandtii sp. nov., is proposed with the type strain CCM 2783T (=DSM 16005T).

Reclassification of strain CCM 132, previously classified as Kocuria varians, as Kocuria carniphila sp. nov

A Gram-positive actinobacterium, previously classified as Kocuria varians, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The bacterium showed the peptidoglycan type Lys–Ala3 (variation A3α), MK-7(H2) was the major menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 were the major fatty acids. On the basis of the phylogenetic and phenotypic characteristics of the actinobacterium, a novel species, Kocuria carniphila sp. nov. (type strain, CCM 132T=DSM 16004T), is proposed.