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A novel thermophilic bacterium, designated SCSIO 07484 T , was isolated from marine sediment sampled in the South China Sea. Growth occurred at 30-60 °C, pH 6.0-8.0 and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. Cells of strain SCSIO 07484 T were rod-shaped and flagellum-forming. No soluble pigment was observed. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that SCSIO 07484 T belonged to the family Paenibacillaceae and clustered with members of the genus Brevibacillus in the phylogenetic trees with less than 96.2 % similarities. The cell wall contained meso -diaminopimelic acid. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained arabinose, glucose and ribose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. Major fatty acids were iso-C 16 : 0 , iso-C 15 : 0 , C 16 : 0 and iso-C 14 : 0 . Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine were its diagnostic polar lipids. The whole genome size of strain SCSIO 07484 T was 4 079 826 bp with a DNA G+C content of 56.2 mol%, including one circular chromosome of 3 978392 bp and one plasmid of 101434 bp. Based on the polyphasic analysis of strain SCSIO 07484 T , it is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Brevibacillus , for which the name Brevibacillus marinus sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain SCSIO 07484 T (=DSM 106769 T =CGMCC 1.15814 T ).

Two novel marine actinobacteria, designated as SCSIO 60955 T and SCSIO 61214 T , were isolated from deep-sea sediment samples collected from the South China Sea. The cells of these organisms stained Gram-negative and were rod shaped. These strains were aerobic, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Optimal growth occurred at 28 °C and pH 7 over 14 days of cultivation. Both strains possessed phospholipids and phosphoglycolipids. The main menaquinone was MK-7. The major fatty acid was C 16:0 . The peptidoglycan structure was type A1γ' (meso-Dpm). Analysis of genome sequences revealed that the genome size of SCSIO 60955 T was 3.37 Mbp with G + C content of 76.1%, while the genome size of SCSIO 61214 T was 3.67 Mbp with a G + C content of 74.8%. The ANI and 16S rRNA gene analysis results showed that the pairwise similarities between the two strains were 73.4% and 97.7% and that with other recognized Thermoleophilia species were less than 69.1% and 87.8%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strains SCSIO 60955 T and SCSIO 61214 T were separately clustered together and formed a well-separated phylogenetic branch distinct from their most related neighbor Gaiella occulta. Based on the data presented here, these two strains are proposed to represent two novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Miltoncostaea marina gen. nov., sp. nov., with the type strain SCSIO 60955 T (=DSM 110281 T =CGMCC 1.18757 T ), and Miltoncostaea oceani sp. nov., with the type strain SCSIO 61214 T (=KCTC 49527 T =CGMCC 1.18758 T ) are proposed. We also propose that these organisms represent a novel family named Miltoncostaeaceae fam. nov. of a novel order Miltoncostaeales ord. nov., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Two novel Gram-stain-positive bacteria, designated as SCSIO 52909 T and SCSIO 52915 T , were isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected at about 3448 m water depth of the South China Sea. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic characteristics were investigated. These strains were aerobic and tested positive for catalase activity, oxidase activity and nitrate reduction. Optimal growth occurred at 28 °C, pH 7 and 3% salinity over 14 days cultivation. Its peptidoglycan structure was type A3α (l-Lys-l-Ala) and the only menaquinone was MK-8. Both strains possessed diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phosphoglycolipid, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified phospholipid. Their major fatty acids differed, but both contained iso-branched components of C 16 : 0 12-methyl. Genome sequencing revealed two large genomes of 4.58 Mbp with G+C content of 67.0 mol% in SCSIO 52909 T and of 4.42 Mbp with G+C content of 69.1 % in SCSIO 52915 T . The two novel strains encoded genes for metabolism that are absent in most other Rubrobacter species, and possessed many more gene copy numbers of alkaline phosphatase and thioredoxin reductase. Results of gANI and 16S rRNA gene analyses suggested that the two strains represent two new species, with 74.9, 95.0 % pairwise similarity between each other, and less than 74.3 and 93.5 % to other recognized Rubrobacter species, respectively. In the phylogenetic analysis, strains SCSIO 52909 T and SCSIO 52915 T were separately clustered together and formed a well-separated phylogenetic branch distinct from the other known species in the genus Rubrobacter . Based on the data presented here, these two strains should be recognized as two new species in the genus Rubrobacter , for which the names Rubrobacter tropicus sp. nov., with the type strain SCSIO 52909 T (=KCTC 49412 T =CGMCC 1.13853 T ), and Rubrobacter marinus sp. nov., with the type strain SCSIO 52915 T (=KCTC 49411 T =CGMCC 1.13852 T ), are proposed.

A novel marine actinobacterium, strain SCSIO 58843 T , was isolated from the sediment sample collected from the South China Sea. Strain SCSIO 58843 T was Gram-stain-positive, aerobic and rod shaped. The whole-cell hydrolysis of amino acids contained dd-DAP, alanine, glutamic acid, glycine and aspartic acid. The main menaquinone was MK-9(H 8 ). The major fatty acids were C 17 : 1   ω 8c and C 17 : 0 . The major phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phospatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylinositolmannoside (PIM). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.5 %. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SCSIO 58843 T formed a new lineage in the family Iamiaceae and had the highest similarity of 93.8 % with Iamia majanohamensis DSM 19957 T . Strain SCSIO 58843 T can be distinguished from these known genera in the family Iamiaceae by polyphasic data analyses, and represents a novel genus and novel species, for which Actinomarinicola tropica gen. nov., sp. nov is proposed with the type strain SCSIO 58843 T (=KCTC 49408 T =CGMCC 1.17503 T ).

A novel basophilic bacterial strain, designated as SCSIO 08040 T , was recovered from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, vibrioid or spiral, light pink, 0.6-1.0 µm wide and 1.0-2.5 µm long. Growth occurred at 20-45 °C, pH 7-11 and <5 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 28-37 °C, pH 7 and 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. Catalase-, oxidase and urease-positive, nitrate reduction-negative. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that strain SCSIO 08040 T had the highest similarity of 95.3 % to Rhodocista pekingensis 3-p T . Phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the novel isolate formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage in the family Rhodospirillaceae. The whole-cell hydrolysate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, galactose, mannose and xylose. The total cellular fatty acid profile was dominated by C18:1ω7c and C19:0cycloω8c. Q-10 was the predominant ubiquinone. The major phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 08040 T was 66.82 mol%. Based on these polyphasic data, a new genus, Indioceanicola gen. nov., is proposed in the family Rhodospirillaceae with the type species Indioceanicola profundi sp. nov. and the type strain SCSIO 08040 T (=DSM 105146 T =CGMCC 1.15812 T ).

A novel mesophilic marine actinobacterial strain, designated as SCSIO 08198 T , was isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean. The strain was Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped and salmon pink in colour. Good growth occurred on marine agar with 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl and incubation at 28 °C for more than a fortnight. Sensitive to short ultraviolet radiation. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SCSIO 08198 T had the highest similarity of 97.2 % to Rubrobacter radiotolerans DSM 5868 T , and loosely related (<94.2 %) to all other species in the genus Rubrobacter. Phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate shared a lineage with members of the genus Rubrobacter. The total cellular fatty acid profile was dominated by C16 : 0 12-methyl. MK-8 was the main menaquinone. The peptidoglycan type was A3α (l-Lys-l-Ala). The major phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified phospholipids. Based on the whole genome sequence analysis, the genome size is 3 078 689 bp with DNA G+C value of 63.8 mol%, including one circular chromosome and two plasmids. Based on these polyphasic data, a new species, Rubrobacterindicoceani sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain SCSIO 08198 T (=DSM 105148 T =CGMCC 1.16398 T ).

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, asporogenous, coccoid shaped bacterium, designated YIM M12140(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YIM M12140(T) forms a separate clade within the family Staphylococcaceae. Strain YIM M12140(T) shares high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Macrococcus brunensis DSM 19358(T) (92.9 %). The isolate was found to grow at 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-3 %), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and temperature 5-40 °C (optimum, 28 °C). The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid and two unidentified polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids of the strain were identified as anteiso-C15:0, -C17:0, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C19:0 and C20:0. The respiratory menaquinones were found to be MK-6 (94 %) and MK-7 (6 %). The cell wall amino acids were found to contain Lys, Ala, Glu, Gly, Asp, Ser and Thr. Whole cell sugars were identified as mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose and xylose. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain YIM M12140(T) was determined to be 42.4 mol %. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic data and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain YIM M12140(T) represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Staphylococcaceae, for which the name Abyssicoccus albus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM M12140(T) (= DSM 29158(T) = CCTCC AB 2014213(T)).

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain SCSIO N0306(T), was isolated from an abyssal sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean. The isolate was found to grow optimally at 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl, pH 7.0 and 30 °C. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate SCSIO N0306(T) belongs phylogenetically to the genus Paenibacillus, and to be most closely related to P. algorifonticola XJ259(T) (with 95.47 % sequence similarity), sharing less than 95.0 % sequence similarity with all other taxa of this genus. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed MK-7 as the major isoprenoid quinone, the DNA G+C content was determined to be 45.5 mol%, and anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, and iso-C15:0 were identified as the major fatty acids. On the basis of this polyphasic taxonomic data, isolate SCSIO N0306(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus abyssi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCSIO N0306(T) (= DSM 26238(T) = CGMCC 1.12987(T)).

A novel actinomycete strain, designated YIM M13705(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample of the South China Sea and its characteristics were determined by a polyphasic approach. The slowly growing, Gram-stain-positive, aerobic strain produced branched substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae, and no diffusible pigment was produced on the media tested. At maturity, spore chains were formed on aerial hyphae and substrate mycelium was not fragmented. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and galactose, glucose, ribose and rhamnose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-10(H2). The polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and ninhydrin-positive phosphoglycolipids. The major fatty acid was iso-C(16 : 0). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.2 mol%. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain was shown to be most closely related to species of the genus Actinophytocola. DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness values (<70%) of the isolate with its closest neighbour Actinophytocola xinjiangensis QAIII60(T) supported classification of the isolate as a representative of a novel species. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, and phenotypic and genotypic data, it is concluded that the new isolate belongs to a novel species of the genus Actinophytocola, for which the name Actinophytocola sediminis sp. nov. (type strain YIM M13705(T) = DSM 45939(T) = BCRC 16956(T)) is proposed., (© 2014 IUMS.)

A rod- to coccus-shaped, non-spore-forming actinobacterium, strain YIM M13091(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the South China Sea and examined by a polyphasic approach to clarify its taxonomic position. This Gram-staining-positive, aerobic actinobacterium did not produce substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae, and no diffusible pigments were produced on the media tested. The optimum growth occurred at 30 °C, 1% (w/v) NaCl and pH 8.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate belongs to the genus Nocardioides, with low levels (≤96.2%) of sequence similarity with respect to Nocardioides kribbensis KSL-2(T) and other members of the genus Nocardioides. Whole-organism hydrolysates of the strain contained ll-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4), with MK-8 in a minor amount. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, hydroxyphosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine, were the main polar lipids detected, while iso-C(16 : 0) and C(18 : 1)ω9c were the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.5 mol%. Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic and genotypic data, it is concluded that the isolate represents a member of the genus Nocardioides, and the name Nocardioides nanhaiensis sp. nov. (Type strain YIM M13091(T) = JCM 18127(T) = CCTCC AA 2011020(T)) is proposed for the novel species., (© 2014 IUMS.)

A novel Gram-stain-positive, motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, aerobic, endospore-forming, peritrichous, rod-shaped bacterium, designated YIM M13235(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the South China Sea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM M13235(T) belonged to the genus Bacillus. The strain grew optimally at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and in the presence of 2-4% (w/v) NaCl. meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. Strain YIM M13235(T) exhibited a menaquinone system with MK-7, and the major polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, four unknown phospholipids and one unknown glycolipid. The major fatty acids (>5%) were iso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0), iso-C(17 : 1)ω10c and summed feature 4 (anteiso-C(17 : 1) and/or iso-C(17 : 1)). The genomic DNA G+C content was 42.1 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain YIM M13235(T) and its close relatives (16S rRNA gene sequence similarities >97%) including Bacillus halmapalus DSM 8723(T), Bacillus horikoshii DSM 8719(T) and Bacillus zhanjiangensis JSM 099021(T) were 41%, 44% and 44%, respectively. On the basis of genotypic, phenotypic and DNA-DNA relatedness data, it is apparent that strain YIM M13235(T) represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus tianshenii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM M13235(T) ( = DSM 25879(T) = KCTC 33044(T))., (© 2014 IUMS.)

A nitrogen-fixing bacterium, designated strain SCSIO N0430(T), was isolated from a mangrove sediment sample. Analysis of the sequence of the nifH gene responsible for nitrogen fixation in this strain indicated a close relationship to an uncultured bacterium ZNZ-D11 (GenBank accession no. JF896696). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that this isolate had less than 93 % similarity to its closest relative, Sunxiuqinia elliptica DQHS4(T). A phylogenetic tree reconstructed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SCSIO N0430(T) was a member of the phylum Bacteroidetes. Chemotaxonomic and physiological characteristics, including phospholipids and major fatty acids, readily distinguished the isolate from established members of the phylum Bacteroidetes. It is concluded that strain SCSIO N0430(T) represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Mangrovibacterium diazotrophicum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain of the species SCSIO N0430(T) ( = KCTC 32129(T) = DSM 27148(T) = JCM 19152(T)). Based on phylogenetic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene signature nucleotide patterns, the three genera Sunxiuqinia, Prolixibacter and Mangrovibacterium are proposed to make up a novel family, Prolixibacteraceae fam. nov., in the order Bacteroidales.

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile, irregular coccus, designated strain YIM M13146(T), was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the South China Sea at a depth of 2439 m, and its taxonomic position was determined by a polyphasic approach. Optimal growth of the strain was observed at 30 °C (range 5-40 °C), pH 7.0 (pH 6.0-9.0) and 0-1% NaCl (0-6%, w/v) on/in tryptic soy agar/broth. Strain YIM M13146(T) had the major cellular fatty acid anteiso-C15:0, the predominant respiratory menaquinone MK-9(H4), peptidoglycan type A3γ (ll-DAP-Gly) containing alanine, glycine, glutamic acid and ll-diaminopimelic acid (ll-DAP) and the polar lipids phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unknown phospholipid and several glycolipids. The G+C content of the DNA was 67.2 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics together with 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain YIM M13146(T) was distinct from its close phylogenetic relatives in the genera Propioniferax and Granulicoccus of the family Propionibacteriaceae. Hence, a new genus and species, Mariniluteicoccus flavus gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Mariniluteicoccus flavus is YIM M13146(T) ( = DSM 25892(T) = CCTCC AB 2012055(T)).

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain YIM M13141(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample from the South China Sea, and its taxonomic position was determined using a polyphasic approach. The strain produced branched substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae, but no diffusible pigments were produced on the media tested. At maturity, substrate mycelium was fragmented and spore chains were formed on aerial hyphae and substrate mycelium. Optimum growth occurred at 28 °C, 1-3% (w/v) NaCl and pH 7.0. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate belongs to the genus Pseudonocardia, showing highest levels of similarity with respect to Pseudonocardia sichuanensis KLBMP 1115(T) (97.1%), Pseudonocardia tetrahydrofuranoxydans K1(T) (97.1%) and Pseudonocardia kunmingensis YIM 63158(T) (97.0%). Whole-organism hydrolysates of the strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the sugars galactose, glucose, mannose and arabinose. The predominant menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown phosphoglycolipids and two glycolipids. The major fatty acid was iso-C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 73.1 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness with P. tetrahydrofuranoxydans DSM 44239(T) was 42.8 ± 3.5% (mean±sd). Based on phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic and genotypic data, it is concluded that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM M13141(T) ( = DSM 45779(T) = JCM 18540(T)).

A novel filamentous bacterium, strain SCSIO 11153(T), was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the Indian Ocean (80° 03.099' E 01° 03.300' N) at a depth of 4593 m. Good growth was observed at 50-55 °C and pH 7.0 with 3 % NaCl. It formed ivory-white colonies with radial wrinkles. Aerial mycelium was absent on the media tested. Phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain SCSIO 11153(T) belonged to the family Thermoactinomycetaceae. It exhibited 96.4% and 96.2% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Melghirimyces algeriensis NariEX(T) and Melghirimyces thermohalophilus Nari11A(T), respectively, while lower sequence similarity values (<95.4%) were observed between strain SCSIO 11153(T) and other species of genera in the family Thermoactinomycetaceae. The menaquinone type was MK-7. Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 11153(T) was 52.6 mol%. On the basis of the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that strain SCSIO 11153(T) represents a novel species of the genus Melghirimyces with the name Melghirimyces profundicolus sp. nov. The type strain is SCSIO 11153(T) ( = DSM 45787(T) = CCTCC AA 2012007(T) = NBRC 109068(T)).

A Gram-stain-positive actinobacterium, designated strain SCSIO 15020(T), was isolated from sediment of the South China Sea, and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. The temperature range for growth was 24-60 °C, with optimal growth occurring at 50 °C. The pH range for growth was 6-10 (optimum pH 8-9). The NaCl concentration range for growth was 0-5 % (w/v). The peptidoglycan type was A4α. Polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and an unknown polar lipid. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4); MK-7(H4) was present as a minor component. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 15020(T) was 73.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SCSIO 15020(T) belonged to the genus Georgenia, with the closest neighbours being Georgenia muralis 1A-C(T) (96.3 % similarity), Georgenia thermotolerans TT02-04(T) (95.7 %) and Georgenia ruanii YIM 004(T) (95.6 %). Based on evidence from the present polyphasic study, strain SCSIO 15020(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Georgenia, for which the name Georgenia sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCSIO 15020(T) ( = DSM 25884(T) = NBRC 108941(T)).

A Gram-positive bacterium, designated SCSIO 15042(T), was isolated from a sediment of the South China Sea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The isolate grew at 20-60 °C, pH 6.0-10.0 and it could grow with up to 10 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall diamino acid was found to be meso-diaminopimelic acid. Polar lipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown polar lipid. The only menaquinone was determined to be MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c, C16:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, and iso-C16:0. The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 15042(T) was determined to be 43.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated strain SCSIO 15042(T) to the genus Bacillus. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain SCSIO 15042(T) and Bacillus herbersteinensis D-1-5a(T), Bacillus infantis SMC 4352-1(T), Bacillus novalis LMG 21837(T) and Bacillus drentensis LMG 21831(T) were 96.2, 96.2, 96.1 and 96.1 %, respectively. Based on the evidence of the present polyphasic study, strain SCSIO 15042(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus abyssalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCSIO 15042(T) (=DSM 25875(T) = CCTCC AB 2012074(T) = NBRC 109102(T)).

An aerobic actinomycete, designated SCSIO 01299(T), was isolated from a deep-sea sediment collected from the northern South China Sea at a depth of 3258 m. The isolate was found to be a natural producer of the synthesized antitumour agent deoxynyboquinone and its three new derivatives, pseudonocardians A, B and C. A blast search based on almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SCSIO 01299(T) had high sequence similarities with members of the genus Pseudonocardia. The 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic tree revealed that strain SCSIO 01299(T) was a member of the genus Pseudonocardia. Phenotypic analysis, chemotaxonomy and DNA-DNA relatedness could readily distinguish the isolate from established members in this genus. It was concluded that strain SCSIO 01299(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Pseudonocardia antitumoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCSIO 01299(T) ( = DSM 45322(T)  = CCTCC M 2011255(T)).

A marine bacterium, designated SCSIO 03483(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. The strain produced roundish colonies with diffusible yellow-coloured pigment on nutrient agar medium or marine agar 2216. Optimal growth occurred in the presence of 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7.0 and a temperature range of 28-37 °C. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate belonged to the family Flavobacteriaceae and showed relatively high sequence similarity with Imtechella halotolerans K1(T) (92.7 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the isolate shared a lineage with members of the genera Imtechella, Joostella and Zhouia. Phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminolipids and three unknown polar lipids. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6 and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c/C16 : 1ω7c). The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 03483(T) was 38.4 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular data, strain SCSIO 03483(T) represents a novel species in a new genus in the family Flavobacteriaceae, for which the name Sinomicrobium oceani gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Sinobacterium oceani is SCSIO 03483(T) ( = KCTC 23994(T) = CGMCC 1.12145(T)).

Strains YIM M 10366(T), YIM M 10378(T) and YIM M 10400(T) were isolated from marine sediments collected from the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. All three isolates were able to grow optimally at pH 7.0, 28-37 °C and 0-3% (w/v) NaCl. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that these strains are members of the genus Streptomyces, exhibiting moderately high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 97.0-98.8% to members of the most closely related Streptomyces species. Morphological characteristics, physiological characteristics and compositions of whole-cell sugars and phospholipids are consistent with the diagnostic characteristics of the genus Streptomyces, but still allowed differentiation amongst the three strains and their neighbours. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data, strains YIM M 10366(T), YIM M 10378(T) and YIM M 10400(T) were identified as members of three novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the names Streptomyces glycovorans sp. nov. (type strain YIM M 10366(T)  =DSM 42021(T)  =CCTCC AA2010005(T)), Streptomyces xishensis sp. nov. (type strain YIM M 10378(T)  = DSM 42022(T)  =CCTCC AA 2010006(T)) and Streptomyces abyssalis sp. nov. (type strain YIM M 10400(T)  =DSM 42024(T)  = CCTCC AA 2010008(T)) are proposed.

In this study, two strains (SCSIO 10187(T) and SCSIO 10197) were isolated from a sediment sample collected from the South China Sea and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Growth was observed at 15-35 °C (optimum 28 °C) and pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 6.0). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strains were identified as members of the genus Rhodococcus. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the two strains clustered together and the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between them and other members of the genus Rhodococcus were 93.2-97.7 %. The menaquinone type was MK-8(H(2)). Major cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 0), C(18 : 1)ω9c, C(17 : 0), 10-methyl C(18 : 0), C(18 : 0), C(19 : 0) and C(17 : 1)ω8c. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The DNA G+C contents of strains SCSIO 10187(T) and SCSIO 10197 were 63.7 and 63.2 mol%, respectively. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data showed that the two strains represent a novel species of the genus Rhodococcus, for which the name Rhodococcus nanhaiensis is proposed; the type strain is SCSIO 10187(T) ( = DSM 45608(T) = CCTCC AB 2011024(T)), with SCSIO 10197 ( = DSM 45609 = CCTCC AB 2011025) as a reference strain.

A novel aerobic actinomycete strain, designated as SCSIO 02100(T), was isolated from a deep sea sediment sample collected from Northern South China Sea at a depth of 578 m. This isolate requires sea water or a sodium-supplemented medium for growth. BLAST searches based on the almost full length of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, showed that strain SCSIO 02100(T) had the highest similarities with Streptomyces armeniacus (JCM 3070(T)) (97.1 %). Phylogenetic trees reconstructed on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SCSIO 02100(T) formed a distinct lineage with S. nanshensis SCSIO 01066(T) with 96.9 % similarity. Further analysis of the polyphasic taxonomic data, including morphological, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, showed that strain SCSIO 02100(T) could be readily distinguished from the most closely related members of the genus Streptomyces. Thus, based on the polyphasic taxonomic data, a novel species, Streptomyces oceani sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain SCSIO 02100(T) (=DSM 42043(T) = CGMCC 4.7007(T)).

A novel filamentous bacterium, strain SCSIO 10219(T), was isolated from a sediment sample collected from the South China Sea (113° 3.752' E 18° 1.722' N) at a depth of 2105 m. Growth was observed at 25-35 °C (optimum 30 °C) and pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 6.0-7.0). The organism formed yellow-white colonies with radial wrinkles. Aerial mycelium was not produced on any of the growth media tested. Phenotypic characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain SCSIO 10219(T) belongs to the family Thermoactinomycetaceae. The strain contained ll-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and five unknown phospholipids. Major fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0) and iso-C(15:0). The DNA G+C content was 46.5 mol%. On the basis of chemotaxonomic properties and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence data, it is proposed that this strain represents a novel species in a new genus, Marininema mesophilum gen. nov., sp. nov., in the family Thermoactinomycetaceae. The type strain of the type species is SCSIO 10219(T) ( = CCTCC AA 2011006(T) = DSM 45610(T)). In addition, we propose that the description of the family Thermoactinomycetaceae should be further emended based on the present study.

A novel aerobic streptomycete, strain SCSIO 01248T, was isolated from a sample of deep-sea sediment collected from the northern South China Sea, at a depth of 1632 m. This isolate formed yellow-white substrate mycelium and grey-white aerial hyphae. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SCSIO 01248T was most closely related to Streptomyces radiopugnans R97T (98.8 % sequence similarity), S. macrosporus NBRC 14748T (97.5 %) and S. megasporus NBRC 14749T (97.3 %). The novel strain could, however, be readily differentiated from S. radiopugnans DSM 41901T on the basis of some physiological and cellular chemical characteristics; the level of DNA-DNA relatedness between these two strains was only 40 %. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, strain SCSIO 01248T represents a novel species, for which the name Streptomyces nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCSIO 01248T (=DSM 41926T=KCTC 19401T=CCTCC AA 208007T).

A novel marine actinomycete, designated SCSIO 00652(T), was isolated from a marine sediment collected from the northern South China Sea at a depth of 3865 m. The strain formed branched substrate mycelia and no fragmentation was found. Abundant aerial mycelia differentiated into long spore chains and the spores had a wrinkled surface. Growth occurred on ISP medium 2 with 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl and at 10-55 degrees C. The whole-cell hydrolysate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and glucose as the whole-cell sugar. blast search results based on an almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence showed the novel strain had the highest similarity (96.5 %) with Nocardiopsis trehalosi VKM Ac-942(T). The phylogenetic tree of the family Nocardiopsaceae indicated that strain SCSIO 00652(T) formed a distinct lineage at the deepest branch with a high bootstrap value. Additionally, the profiles of menaquinones, phospholipids and fatty acids showed there were marked differences between strain SCSIO 00652(T) and the recognized genera of the family Nocardiopsaceae. Based on the polyphasic data, a new genus, Marinactinospora gen. nov., is proposed within the family Nocardiopsaceae with the type species Marinactinospora thermotolerans sp. nov. The type strain of the type species is SCSIO 00652(T) (=DSM 45154(T)=CCTCC AA 208041(T)).

A novel actinomycete strain, designated SCSIO 01066(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SCSIO 01066(T) had the highest similarity (96.5 %) to members of the genus Streptomyces and was loosely associated with Streptomyces armeniacus JCM 3070(T), Streptomyces cacaoi subsp. cacaoi NBRC 12748(T) and Streptomyces sodiiphilus YIM 80305(T). Predominant menaquinones, major fatty acids and morphological properties were also consistent with typical characteristics of the genus Streptomyces; however, the presence of phosphatidylglycerol in the phospholipid pattern differs greatly from those of members of the genus Streptomyces. Additionally, strain SCSIO 01066(T) showed some physiological differences from its most closely related neighbours. Based on the polyphasic data, a novel species, Streptomyces nanshensis sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain SCSIO 01066(T) (=KCTC 19400(T)=CCTCC AA 208005(T)).

The taxonomic position of an actinomycete, designated SCSIO 00231(T), isolated from a sediment sample collected from the northern South China Sea, was determined by using a polyphasic approach. The organism formed fragmented substrate hyphae and sparse aerial mycelium on modified ISP 2 medium. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain SCSIO 00231(T) fell into the family Pseudonocardiaceae, in which it formed a distinct lineage and was loosely associated with Thermocrispum municipale DSM 44069(T), with 93 % similarity. The other closest phylogenetic neighbours were Saccharopolyspora erythraea NRRL 2338(T) (92.6 % similarity) and Amycolatopsis sacchari DSM 44468(T) (93.1 % similarity). The isolate had cell-wall type IV (meso-diaminopimelic acid and whole-cell sugars arabinose, galactose and glucose) and phospholipid type III. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H(4)). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69 mol%. Based on these data, strain SCSIO 00231(T) can be readily distinguished from previously described organisms and represents a new genus within the family Pseudonocardiaceae. The name Sciscionella gen. nov. is proposed, with the novel species Sciscionella marina sp. nov. The type strain of Sciscionella marina is SCSIO 00231(T) (=KCTC 19433(T) =CCTCC AA208009(T)).