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A novel psychrotolerant bacterium, strain ISLP-3T, was isolated from a sample of naturally formed ice sculpture on the shore of Lake Podprudnoye in Antarctica. Cells were motile, stained Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, straight or slightly curved rods with the shape of a baseball bat. The new isolate was facultatively anaerobic and catalase-positive. Growth occurred at 3-35 °C with an optimum at 22-24 °C, 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl with an optimum at 0.3 % and pH 6.2-9.5 with an optimum at pH 7.5. Strain ISLP-3T grew on several carbon sources, with the best growth on cellobiose. The isolate possessed ureolytic activity but growth was inhibited by urea. The strain was sensitive to: ampicillin, gentamycin, kanamycin rifampicin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. Major fatty acids were: anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, C14 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The genomic G+C content was 69.5 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene showed 99 % sequence similarity to that of Sanguibacter suarezii ST-26T, but their recA genes shared ≤91 % sequence similarity, suggesting that this new isolate represents a novel species within the genus Sanguibacter. This conclusion was supported by average nucleotide identity, which was ≤91 % to the most closely related strain. The name Sanguibacter gelidistatuariae sp. nov. is proposed for the novel species with the type strain ISLP-3T=ATCC TSD-17T=DSM 100501T=JCM 30887T). The complete genome draft sequence of ISLP-3T was deposited under IMG OID 2657245272. Emendments to the descriptions of related taxa have been made based on experimental data from our comparative analysis.

Oceanitalea nanhaiensis JLT1488T was compared with Georgenia satyanarayanai KCTC 19802T to clarify the taxonomic relationship of both species because they are phylogenetically highly related. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons demonstrated that these species share 99.6 % sequence similarity. Investigation of fatty acid patterns and substrate utilization profiles displayed no striking differences of the type strains of both species. DNA-DNA hybridizations between both strains showed a 100 % similarity clearly demonstrating that both strains are members of a single species. Due to priority Oceanitalea nanhaiensis is reclassified as Georgenia satyanarayanai, based on the estimated phylogenetic position derived from 16S rRNA gene sequence data, fatty acid, polar lipid and biochemical data, and DNA-DNA hybridization results.

A Gram-stain-positive, non-endospore-forming actinobacterium (ARP1T) was isolated from the phyllosphere of Arabidopsis thaliana. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny strain ARP1T was placed into the genus Williamsia and the closest related species were Williamsia phyllosphaerae (98.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Williamsia deligens (98.5 %), Williamsia maris (98.3 %) and Williamsia serinedens (98.2 %). Genome-based comparison indicated a clear distinction to the type strains of those species with pairwise average nucleotide identities (ANI) between 76.4-78.4 %. The quinone system of strain ARP1T consisted predominantly of menaquinones MK-9(H2), MK-7(H2) and MK-8(H2), and the polar lipid profile contained the major compound diphosphatidylglycerol, and moderate amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and numerous unidentified lipids. Mycolic acids were present. These chemotaxonomic traits and the major fatty acids, which were C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, C18 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and tuberculostearic acid supported the affiliation of strain ARP1T to the genus Williamsia. Genotypic, physiological and biochemical testing revealed clear differences of strain ARP1T to the most closely related species of the genus Williamsia. Therefore strain ARP1T represents a novel species of this genus, for which the name Williamsia herbipolensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ARP1T (=DSM 46872T=LMG 28679T).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic organism was isolated as an endophyte from the stem tissue of healthy maize (Zea mays) and investigated in detail for its taxonomic position. On the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain JM-601T was shown to be most closely related to Nocardioides alpinus (98.3%), and Nocardioides ganghwensis (98.0%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to all other species of the genus Nocardioides was ≤ 98.0%. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was ll-diaminopimelic acid. The major quinone of strain JM-601T was menaquinone MK-8(H4). The polar lipid profile revealed the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine and an unidentified phospholipid. The polyamine pattern contained predominantly spermine and moderate amounts of spermidine. In the fatty acid profile, iso-C16:0, C17:1ω8c and 10-methyl C17:0 were present in major amounts. All these data support the allocation of the strain to the genus Nocardioides. The results of physiological and biochemical characterization allow in addition a phenotypic differentiation of strain JM-601T from N. alpinus and N. ganghwensis. Strain JM-601T represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which we propose the name Nocardioides zeicaulis sp. nov., with JM-601T (=CCM 8654T=CIP 110980T) as the type strain.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic organism, isolated from the Red Sea sponge Spheciospongia vagabunda was investigated to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis strain EG49(T) was most closely related to Actinokineospora cibodasensis and Actinokineospora baliensis (both 97.3 % similarity) and Actinokineospora diospyrosa and Actinokineospora auranticolor (both 97.0 % similarity). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to all other species of the genus Actinokineospora was <97.0 %. The quinone system of strain EG49(T) contained the menaquinones MK-9(H4) (47 %), MK-9(H6) (27 %) and MK-9(H2) (15 %) in major amounts. Minor amounts of MK-7(H4) (2 %), MK-9(H0) (1 %), MK-9(H8) (3 %) and MK-10(H4) (3 %) were detected as well in addition to MK-8(H4), MK-8(H6), MK-10(H2) and MK-10(H6) (all <1 %). The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. In the polar lipid profile, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine were predominant. Phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, two unidentified phospholipids and two glycoglipids as well as one aminoglycolipid, one aminolipid and one unidentified lipid were found in addition. The fatty acid profile was composed of mainly iso-branched fatty acids: iso-C16 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 1H. All these findings clearly supported the classification of the strain as representing a member of the genus Actinokineospora. In addition, the results of physiological and biochemical tests also allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain EG49(T) from the most closely related species of the genus Actinokineospora. Strain EG49(T) represents a novel species of the genus Actinokineospora, for which we propose the name Actinokineospora spheciospongiae sp. nov., with strain EG49(T) ( = DSM 45935(T) = CCM 8480(T) = LMG 27700(T)) as the type strain., (© 2015 IUMS.)

A Gram-stain-positive aerobic organism, isolated from the healthy stem of a Zea mays plant was studied for its taxonomic position. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis strain JM-1068(T) was most closely related to Nocardioides alkalitolerans (97.2%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to all other species of the genus Nocardioides was ≤ 96.1%. The quinone system of strain JM-1068(T) contained the major menaquinone MK-8(H4). The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was LL-diaminopimelic acid. In the polar lipid profile, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and two unidentified phospholipids were predominant. The polyamine pattern contained predominantly spermidine and spermine. The fatty acid profile was composed of iso-C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c in addition to C16 : 0, C17 : 0 and C17 : 1ω8c and low amounts of C16 : 0 2-OH and C17 : 0 2-OH. This supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Nocardioides. In addition, the results of physiological and biochemical tests also allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain JM-1068(T) from N. alkalitolerans. It is concluded that JM-1068(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which we propose the name Nocardioides zeae sp. nov., with JM-1068(T) ( = CIP 110696(T)  = LMG 28079(T)) as the type strain., (© 2014 IUMS.)

A Gram-positive, non-spore-forming bacterium (GW-12028(T)) of unknown origin showing filamentous growth and producing spherical sporangia was studied for its taxonomic allocation. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and subsequent similarity studies showed that strain GW-12028(T) belongs to the genus Streptosporangium, and is most closely related to Streptosporangium pseudovulgare DSM 43181(T) (99.9 %) and Streptosporangium nondiastaticum DSM 43848(T) (99.6 %) and more distantly related to Streptosporangium fragile IFO 14311(T) (98.4 %) and other species of the genus Streptosporangium (95.8 to 98 %). Chemotaxonomic analyses showed that the peptidoglycan diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained madurose as the diagnostic sugar and exhibited a quinone system that contained predominantly menaquinones with nine isoprenoic units in the side chain [MK-9, MK-9(H2), MK-9(H4)]. The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phoshatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-mannosides, four unidentified glycolipids, a phospholipid and an aminolipid. The polyamine pattern contained the major compounds spermine and spermidine. The major fatty acids were 10-methyl C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C15 : 0. These chemotaxonomic traits are common to other species of the genus Streptosporangium. DNA-DNA hybridizations and physiological and biochemical tests in comparison with the type strains of the most closely related species, S. nondiastaticum and S. pseudovulgare, allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain GW-12028(T). This strain represents a novel species, for which we propose the name Streptosporangium sandarakinum sp. nov., with the type strain GW-12028(T) ( = LMG 27062(T) = DSM 45763(T)).

A Gram-positive, coccoid, non-endospore-forming actinobacterium (strain CCUG 35676(T)) was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid from a 24-year-old woman in Gothenborg, Sweden. Based on pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain CCUG 35676(T) was shown to belong to the genus Dietzia and was most closely related to the type strains of Dietzia aerolata (99.3%), Dietzia lutea (98.8%), Dietzia schimae (98.5%), Dietzia maris (98.5%), Dietzia alimentaria (98.3%) and Dietzia cercidiphylli (98.0%). The major menaquinone was MK-8(H(2)). Major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified aminophospholipid (APL1), an unidentified phospholipid (PL1) and unidentified glycolipids (GL1 and GL3). Numerous other lipids were also detected. The fatty acid profile, comprising C(16:0), C(17:0,) C(18:1)ω9c and 10-methyl-C(18:0) as major fatty acids, supported the affiliation of strain CCUG 35676(T) to the genus Dietzia. On the basis of the results of physiological and biochemical tests and DNA-DNA hybridizations, a clear phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain CCUG 35676(T) from the most closely related Dietzia species is possible. Strain CCUG 35676(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Dietzia aurantiaca sp. nov. is proposed, with CCUG 35676(T) (=JCM 17645(T)) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-positive, non-endospore-forming actinobacterium (CC-12301(T)) was isolated from soil attached to a spawn used in the laboratory to grow the edible mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain CC-12301(T) was shown to belong to the genus Gordonia and was most closely related to the type strains of Gordonia hydrophobica (97.6 % similarity), Gordonia terrae (97.5 %), Gordonia amarae (97.5 %) and Gordonia malaquae (97.4 %). The quinone system was determined to consist predominantly of menaquinone MK-9(H(2)), minor amounts of MK-8(H(2)) and MK-7(H(2)). The polar lipid profile consisted of the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, moderate amounts of two phosphatidylinositol mannosides and phosphatidylinositol and minor amounts of phosphatidylglycerol, three unidentified glycolipids, two phosphoglycolipids and a phospholipid. Mycolic acids were present. These chemotaxonomic traits and the major fatty acids, which were C(16 : 1) cis9, C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1) and tuberculostearic acid (10-methyl C(18 : 0)), supported the affiliation of strain CC-12301(T) to the genus Gordonia. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed clear phenotypic differentiation of strain CC-12301(T) from the most closely related Gordonia species. Strain CC-12301(T) therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Gordonia humi sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain CC-12301(T) (=DSM 45298(T) =CCM 7727(T)).

A Gram-positively staining, aerobic, non-motile actinomycete, strain GW 12687(T), that formed rose-pigmented colonies and branched substrate and aerial mycelia was studied in detail for its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain GW 12687(T) was grouped into the genus Nonomuraea, being most closely related to Nonomuraea dietziae (97.6 %), Nonomuraea africana (97.1 %), and Nonomuraea kuesteri (97.1 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to other species of the genus Nonomuraea was < or =97 %. The chemotaxonomic characterization supported allocation of the strain to the genus Nonomuraea. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H(4)) with minor amounts of MK-9(H(2)), MK-9(H(6)), MK-9(H(0)) and MK-8(H(4)). The polar lipid profile contained the major compound diphosphatidylglycerol, moderate amounts of phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, and an unknown aminophosphoglycolipid. Phosphatidylinositol mannosides and phosphatidylinositol were also present. The major fatty acids were iso- and anteiso- and 10-methyl-branched fatty acids. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain GW 12687(T) from closely related species. Thus, GW 12687(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea rosea sp. nov. is proposed, with GW 12687(T) (=DSM 45177(T) =CCUG 56107(T)) as the type strain.

A Gram-positive actinobacterium (CC-NMPT-T3(T)) was isolated from iron-ore-contaminated soil near New Mangalore Port, Karnataka, India. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain CC-NMPT-T3(T) belongs to the genus Georgenia and is most closely related to Georgenia muralis (98.6 %), Georgenia ruanii (97.4 %) and Georgenia thermotolerans (97.4 %). The peptidoglycan is of the type A4alpha l-Lys<--l-Glu. The predominant isoprenoid quinone is menaquinone MK-8(H(4)) and the polar lipid profile is composed of the predominant compound diphosphatidylglycerol, moderate amounts of a phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, phosphatidylinositol and minor amounts of another phosphatidylmannoside and phosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids of strain CC-NMPT-T3(T) are anteiso-C(15 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations, and physiological and biochemical tests allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain CC-NMPT-T3(T) from all other Georgenia species. Strain CC-NMPT-T3(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Georgenia soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-NMPT-T3(T) (=DSM 21838(T)=CCM 7658(T)).

Three Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria (strains CC-SBCK-209( T), CC-12309(T) and CC-5209(T)) were isolated from the stalk of the edible mushroom Agaricus blazei grown in the laboratory. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that all three isolates clearly belonged to the genus Microbacterium. Strains CC-SBCK-209( T) and CC-12309(T) were most related closely to the type strain of Microbacterium halotolerans (95.9 and 96.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). These two novel strains shared 97.9 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Levels of similarity to the type strains of all other recognized Microbacterium species were lower than 95.5 %. The third strain (CC-5209( T)) showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of Microbacterium resistens (97.6 %); levels of similarity to the type strains of all other recognized Microbacterium species were lower than 96 %. The quinone systems of strains CC-SBCK-209(T), CC-12309(T) and CC-5209(T) consisted of MK-11/MK-12, MK-11/MK-10 and MK-13 as major compounds, respectively. All three strains contained ornithine in their peptidoglycan. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown glycolipid. The polyamine pattern consisted of spermidine and spermine as predominant components. Fatty acid profiles (anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0 ) as major components) supported the affiliation of all three strains to the genus Microbacterium. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and DNA-DNA hybridization experiments allowed the clear phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strains CC-SBCK-209(T) and CC-12309( T) from M. halotolerans and other closely related Microbacterium species. Strain CC-5209(T) could be differentiated clearly from M. resistens both genotypically and phenotypically. Based on these data, the novel strains are considered to represent three novel species of the genus Microbacterium. The names proposed for these organisms are Microbacterium agarici sp. nov. [type strain CC-SBCK-209( T) (=DSM 21798(T)=CCM 7686(T))], Microbacterium humi sp. nov. [type strain CC-12309(T) (=DSM 21799(T)=CCM 7687(T))] and Microbacterium pseudoresistens sp. nov. [type strain CC-5209(T) (=DSM 22185(T)=CCM 7688(T))].

A Gram-stain-positive, coccoid, non-endospore-forming actinobacterium (Sj14a(T)) was isolated from the air of a duck barn on tryptone soy agar after filter sampling. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain Sj14a(T) was shown to belong to the genus Dietzia and was most closely related to Dietzia schimae (98.7 %), Dietzia cercidiphylli (98.4 %) and Dietzia maris (98.6 %). The major menaquinone was MK-8 (H(2)). The polar lipid profile included the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown polar lipid and two unknown glycolipids. Phosphatidylinositol and two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, as well as several other unknown lipids, were also detected. The polyamine pattern contained the major compounds spermine and spermidine. The fatty acid profile, containing C(16 : 0), C(17 : 0), C(18 : 1)omega9c and 10-methyl C(18 : 0) as major fatty acids, supported the affiliation of strain Sj14a(T) to the genus Dietzia. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and DNA-DNA hybridizations allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain Sj14a(T) from the most closely related species of the genus Dietzia. Strain Sj14a(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Dietzia aerolata sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Sj14a(T) (=DSM 45334(T) =CCM 7659(T)).

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-endospore-forming, mycelium-forming actinobacterium (04-St-002(T)) was isolated from the wall of an indoor environment colonized with moulds. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain 04-St-002(T) was shown to belong to the family Pseudonocardiaceae, and to be most closely related to Pseudonocardia antarctica (99.2 %) and Pseudonocardia alni (99.1 %). The major menaquinones were MK-8(H(4)) and MK-8(H(2)), the phospholipid type was PIII, and the polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. Moderate amounts of phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown polar lipid, L1, small or trace amounts of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, three unknown lipids, two unknown phospholipids and four unknown glycolipids were also detected. The major fatty acids iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(16 : 1), C(16 : 0) and C(16 : 1)omega7c supported the affiliation of strain 04-St-002(T) to the genus Pseudonocardia. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization, and physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain 04-St-002(T) from the two most closely related species, P. alni and P. antarctica. Strain 04-St-002(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Pseudonocardia parietis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 04-St-002(T) (=DSM 45256(T)=CCM 7582(T)).

The Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of the Suborder Micrococcineae of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes has agreed on minimal standards for describing new genera and species of the suborder Micrococcineae. The minimal standards are intended to provide bacteriologists involved in the taxonomy of members of the suborder Micrococcineae with a set of essential requirements for the description of new taxa. In addition to sequence data comparisons of 16S rRNA genes or other appropriate conservative genes, phenotypic and genotypic criteria are compiled which are considered essential for the comprehensive characterization of new members of the suborder Micrococcineae. Additional features are recommended for the characterization and differentiation of genera and species with validly published names.

Five coccoid, Gram-positive strains were isolated from the air of the 'Virgilkapelle' in Vienna. A representative of these five strains, V-108T, shared 99.0 and 98.4% 16S rDNA sequence similarity, respectively, with Agrococcus jenensis DSM 9580 and Agrococcus citreus DSM 12453T. Colonies of the five strains were white when grown in the dark and turned yellow in the light. The strains displayed highly similar biochemical and physiological characteristics and showed only small differences in their protein patterns obtained after SDS-PAGE. Based on Fourier-transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectra, the five strains were grouped together and separated from the other members of the genus, A. jenensis and A. citreus. Chemotaxonomic characteristics analysed from selected members of the five isolates, including polar lipids, quinone systems, polyamine patterns, cell wall composition and fatty acid profiles, were in good agreement with those of the two species of the genus Agrococcus described to date. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be within the narrow range of 73.8-74.9 mol%. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization with A. citreus DSM 12453T and A. jenensis DSM 9580T, as well as differences in biochemical/physiological characteristics, peptidoglycan composition, fatty acids, polar lipid profiles and FT-IR spectra, demonstrated that the five isolates represent a novel species of the genus Agrococcus. The name Agrococcus baldri sp. nov. is proposed for the novel species, of which strain V-108T (= DSM 14215T = CCM 4953T) is the type strain.

Three rod-shaped, Gram-positive strains were isolated from the air of the chapel 'Virgilkapelle' in Vienna. A representative of these three strains, strain V-73T, shared the highest 16S rDNA sequence similarities with members of the genus Microbacterium, in particular Microbacterium foliorum, Microbacterium testaceum, Microbacterium esteraromaticum, Microbacterium keratanolyticum and Microbacterium arabinogalactanolyticum. The strains displayed almost identical biochemical and physiological characteristics and showed no differences in their protein patterns obtained after SDS-PAGE. On the basis of Fourier-transform infra-red (FT-IR) spectra and genomic fingerprints, the three strains were grouped together and separated from the other relevant members of the genus Microbacterium. The chemotaxonomic characteristics analysed, including polar lipids, quinone systems, cell wall composition and fatty acid profiles, were in good agreement with the characteristics described for the genus Microbacterium. The G+C content of the DNAs was determined to be in the narrow range 69.3-69.7 mol %. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization, biochemical/physiological characterization, ERIC-PCR-generated genomic fingerprints and FT-IR spectra demonstrated that the three isolates represent a novel species of the genus Microbacterium. The name Microbacterium aerolatum sp. nov. is proposed for the novel species, of which strain V-73T (= DSM 14217T = CCM 4955T) is the type strain.

Two bacterial strains, designated 1A-C(T) and 3A-1, were studied and, using these results and previously published data, taxonomically classified. Cells of the strains exhibited a rod-coccus cycle. The peptidoglycan determined for 1A-C(T) was of type A4alpha with lysine as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid and an interpeptide bridge of L-Lys <-- L-Glu. The menaquinone systems of the two strains contained MK-8(H4) (82-94%) and MK-7(H4) (3-11%). The polar lipid profiles consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, two unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified glycolipid. The fatty acid profiles contained predominantly ai-C15:0 and significant amounts of i-C14:0 and i-C15:1 fatty acids. Genomic fingerprints clearly distinguished strains 1A-C(T) and 3A-1 from each other. DNA-DNA relatedness between the two strains (92%) demonstrated that they are members of a single species. Analyses of the 16S rDNA sequences of strains IA-C(T) and 3A-1, which were almost identical (99.6% sequence similarity), and comparison with corresponding sequences demonstrated that they represent a novel lineage within the suborder Micrococcineae, most closely related to species of the genera Beutenbergia, Bogoriella and Cellulomonas (94.7-95.7% sequence similarity). The results demonstrate that the two strains are members of a single new genus and a single novel species. Thus, the name Georgenia muralis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain 1A-C(T) (= DSM 14418T = CCM 4963T). Another strain of the species is strain 3A-1 (= DSM 14419 = CCM 4964).

Three strains (KS8, KS9T and KS21), isolated from air samples near a composting facility, were subjected to taxonomic analyses (characterized using a polyphasic approach). Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the isolates were in agreement with those described for members of the genus Nocardiopsis. On the basis of 16S rRNA sequence comparison and phenotypic tests, KS21 clearly belonged to Nocardiopsis alba. KS8 and KS9T showed less than 98% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to any of the previously described Nocardiopsis species. The polar lipid profiles of both isolates consisted of four major compounds, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol, in addition to two unknown phospholipids. The major menaquinones in KS8 and KS9T were MK-10(H8), MK-11(H8), MK-10(H6) and MK-12. Furthermore, MK-13, MK-11(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-10(H4) could be detected in significant amounts. The fatty acid composition included iso- and anteiso-branched acids combined with tuberculostearic acid (Me18:0), straight-chain saturated (16:0, 18:0) and unsaturated (16:1, 17:1, 18:1) fatty acids. On the basis of these results, KS8 and KS9T clearly represent a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis compostus sp. nov. is proposed (type strain KS9T = DSM 44551T= NRRL B-24145T).

Nocardiopsis strains were isolated from water-damaged indoor environments. Two strains (N. alba subsp. alba 704a and a strain representing a novel species, ES10.1) as well as strains of N. prasina, N. lucentensis, and N. tropica produced methanol-soluble toxins that paralyzed the motility of boar spermatozoa at <30 microg of crude extract (dry weight) x ml(-1). N. prasina, N. lucentensis, N. tropica, and strain ES10.1 caused cessation of motility by dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential, Deltapsi, of the boar spermatozoa. Indoor strain 704a produced a substance that destroyed cell membrane barrier function and depleted the sperm cells of ATP. Indoor strain 64/93 was antagonistic towards Corynebacterium renale. Two indoor Nocardiopsis strains were xerotolerant, and all five utilized a wide range of substrates. This combined with the production of toxic substances suggests good survival and potential hazard to human health in water-damaged indoor environments. Two new species, Nocardiopsis exhalans sp. nov. (ES10.1T) and Nocardiopsis umidischolae sp. nov. (66/93T), are proposed based on morphology, chemotaxonomic and physiological characters, phylogenetic analysis, and DNA-DNA reassociations.

The taxonomic position of five actinobacterial strains isolated from dust, an animal shed, the air inside a museum and soil was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The growth characteristics were unusual for actinomycetes. Optimal growth was at temperatures ranging from 2 to 10 degrees C. After small-step adaptation (5 degrees C steps) to higher temperatures, the strains were also able to grow at 20 degrees C. Cell wall analyses revealed that the organisms showed a hitherto undescribed, new group B-type peptidoglycan [type B2beta according to Schleifer & Kandler (1972), but with lysine instead of ornithine]. All strains contained menaquinone MK-9. Mycolic acids were not detected. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unknown glycolipid were detected in the polar lipid extracts. The main fatty acids were 12-methyl-tetradecanoic acid (15:0 anteiso), 12-methyl-tetradecenoic acid (15:1 anteiso), 14-methyl-pentadecanoic acid (16:0 iso) and 14-methyl-hexadecanoic acid (17:0 iso), as well as an unusual compound identified as 1,1-dimethoxy-anteiso-pentadecane (15:0 anteiso-DMA). The G+C content of DNA was approximately 71 mol%. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that the strains represent a new lineage in the suborder Micrococcineae and the family Microbacteriaceae of the order Actinomycetales. On the basis of these results the new genus Frigoribacterium gen. nov. is proposed, harbouring the new species Frigoribacterium faeni sp. nov. (type strain = 801T = DSM 10309T).

A bacterial strain, D-1/1aT, isolated from a medieval wall painting of the chapel of Herberstein (Styria, Austria) was characterized by a polyphasic approach. Strain D-1/1aT shared 98.1% 16S rRNA sequence similarity to Agrococcus jenensis. The chemotaxonomic characteristics including polar lipid pattern, whole cell sugars, quinone system, polyamine pattern, cell wall composition and fatty acid profile were in good agreement with those of Agrococcus jenensis. The G+C content of the DNA was determined to be 74 mol%. The value of 47% DNA reassociation obtained after DNA-DNA hybridization between DNA of Agrococcus jenensis and strain D-1/1aT as well as differences in the amino acid composition of the peptidoglycan and in physiological characteristics demonstrate that the isolate represents a new species of the genus Agrococcus. The name Agrococcus citreus sp. nov. is proposed for the new species harbouring isolate D-1/1aT. The type strain is DSM 12453T.