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Salt stress severely affects the growth and yield of apples (Malus domestica Borkh). Although salt-tolerant genes have been extensively studied, documentation on the role of the ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase gene MdPFK5 in salt stress is limited. This study conducted an evolutionary tree and three-dimensional structure analysis of the PFK gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana and MdPFK (MD01G1037400), revealing a close phylogenetic relationship between MdPFK (MD01G1037400) and AtPFK5. Given the similarity in their protein tertiary structures, MdPFK was designated as MdPFK5, suggesting functional similarities with AtPFK5. Further investigation revealed elevated expression levels of MdPFK5 in apple leaves and flowers, particularly showing significant upregulation 120 days after blooming and differential expression beginning at 3 hours of salt stress. Overexpression of MdPFPK5 conferred salt tolerance in both apple calli and transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana. Moreover, NaCl treatment promoted soluble sugar accumulation in apple calli and transgenic lines of Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing MdPFK5. This study provides new insights into the salt tolerance function of MdPFK5., (© 2024 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.)

A bacterial strain, designated TRM 80801 T , was isolated from the Karelinea in Taklamakan desert, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, north-west China. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile, short rods. Strain TRM 80801 T grew at 4-50 °C, with optimum growth at 28 °C, and grew at pH 6.0-11.0 and 1-15 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain TRM 80801 T within the genus Microbacterium with the highest similarities to Microbacterium suaedae YZYP 306 T (98.97 %) and Microbacterium indicum BBH6 T (98.17 %), respectively. The DNA G+C content of TRM 80801 T is 69.38 mol%. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained the amino acids ornithine, glutamic acid, glycine and alanine, the diagnostic diamino acid was ornithine. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was glycolyl. Whole-cell sugars were ribose, mannose, glucose, rhamnose and galactose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso -C 15 : 0 , anteiso -C 17 : 0 and iso -C 16 : 0 . The predominant menaquinones were MK-10, MK-11 and MK-12. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol. The whole-genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) value between strain TRM 80801 T and Microbacterium suaedae YZYP 306 T is 70.2 %. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain TRM 80801 T is representative of a novel species in the genus Microbacterium , for which the name Microbacterium karelineae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 80801 T (=CCTCC AB 2019248 T =KCTC 49357 T ).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain TRM 66233 T , was isolated from Apocynum venetum L. collected from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences affiliated strain TRM 66233 T with the genus Streptomyces . Strain TRM 66233 T showed a high similarity value to Streptomyces bikiniensis NRRL B-1049 T (98.07 %) based on the 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic tree. The whole-cell sugar pattern of TRM 66233 T consisted of glucose, galactose, mannose and ribose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H 2 ), MK-9(H 6 ), MK-9(H 8 ) and MK-9(H 10 ). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and four unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were iso -C 15 : 0 , anteiso -C 15 : 0 , iso -C 16 : 0 , C 16 : 0 and iso -C 17 : 0 . The G+C content of the DNA was 70.35 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness and average nucleotide identity values as well as evolutionary distances based on multilocus ( atp D, gyr B, rec A, rpo B and trp B) sequences between strain TRM 66233 T and closely related type strains were significantly lower than the recommended threshold values. The whole-genome average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain TRM 66233 T and S. bikiniensis NRRL B-1049 T were 78.86 and 23.2 %, respectively. On the basis of evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM 66233 T should represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces apocyni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 66233 T (=CCTCC AA 2019056 T =LMG 31559 T ).

A novel Streptomyces strain, designated TRM43335 T , was isolated from the Taklimakan desert in Alar City, Xinjiang, north-west China. The strain was found to exhibit an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation by Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis. A polyphasic approach was used to determine its taxonomic status. The strain was observed to form abundant aerial mycelium, occasionally twisted and which differentiated into spiral spore chains. Spores of TRM43335 T were observed to be oval-shaped, with a smooth surface. Strain TRM43335 T was found to grow optimally at 37 °C, pH 8 and in the presence of 1% (w/v) NaCl. The major sugars were identified as ribose, xylose, glucose, mannose and galactose, and the principal phospholipids were found to be diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and phosphatidylinositol. The diagnostic cell wall amino acid was identified as LL-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was found to be MK-9(H 6 ). The major cellular fatty acids were identified as iso-C 16:1 H, anteiso-C 15:0 , iso-C 16:0 , anteiso-C 17:0 , anteiso-C 17:1 w9c and iso-C 15:0 . Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence showed that strain TRM43335 T exhibits high sequence similarity to Streptomyces desertarenae SYSU D8023 T 98.69%. A multilocus sequence analysis of five house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB) also illustrated that strain TRM43335 T should be assigned to the genus Streptomyces. The DNA G + C content of the strain was determined to be 72.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity relatedness between strain TRM43335 T and the phylogenetically related strain S. desertarenae SYSU D8023 T was found to be 89.23%, and the in silico DNA-DNA hybridization value to be 36.70%. Therefore, it is concluded that strain TRM43335 T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces taklimakanensis sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is TRM43335 T (CCTCC AA 2018052  T  = KCTC 49254  T ).

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic and motile endophytic actinomycete, designated TRM 65233 T , was isolated from the root of Peganum harmala L. collected from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. The isolate had white aerial mycelium and brown substrate mycelium on Gause's synthetic agar. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C, pH 6-9 with NaCl concentration of 0-6 % (w/v). Strain TRM 65233 T contained meso -diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The whole-cell hydrolysates included glucose and galactose as the major whole-cell sugars. The menaquinones were MK-9 (H 4 ) and MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C 16 : 0 , iso-C 15 : 0 and anteiso-C 17 : 0 . The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipids, phosphatidylinositol and one unidentified lipid. Strain TRM 65233 T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Actinokineospora cianjurensis BTCC B-558 T (98.13 %), Actinokineospora auranticolor IFO 16518 T (98.06 %), Actinokineospora spheciospongiae EG49 T (97.99 %), Actinokineospora baliensis ID03-0561 T (97.97 %), Actinokineospora mzabensis PAL84 T (97.95 %) and Actinokineospora bangkokensis 44EHW T (97.06 %). The isolate was distinguished from these phylogenetically related strains by digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity analyses and by a range of physiological and biochemical characteristics. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.6 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic data, strain TRM 65233 T represents a novel species of the genus Actinokineospora , for which the name Actinokineospora pegani sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 65233 T (KCTC 49342=CCTCC AA 2019050).

Dingoes are wild canids living in Australia, originating from domestic dogs. They have lived isolated from both the wild and the domestic ancestor, making them a unique model for studying feralization. Here, we sequence the genomes of 10 dingoes and 2 New Guinea Singing Dogs. Phylogenetic and demographic analyses show that dingoes originate from dogs in southern East Asia, which migrated via Island Southeast Asia to reach Australia around 8300 years ago, and subsequently diverged into a genetically distinct population. Selection analysis identifies 50 positively selected genes enriched in digestion and metabolism, indicating a diet change during feralization of dingoes. Thirteen of these genes have shifted allele frequencies compared to dogs but not compared to wolves. Functional assays show that an A-to-G mutation in ARHGEF7 decreases the endogenous expression, suggesting behavioral adaptations related to the transitions in environment. Our results indicate that the feralization of the dingo induced positive selection on genomic regions correlated to neurodevelopment, metabolism and reproduction, in adaptation to a wild environment.

A bacterium, designated strain CM134L-2 T , was isolated from a chitin-enriched wheat leaf microbiome in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China. It was Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, motile, rod-shaped, and bright yellow in colour. Strain CM134L-2 T grew at 4-35 °C, at pH 6.0-9.0 and could use chitin as the only carbon resource. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CM134L-2 T was most closely related to Pedobacter nanyangensis Q-4 T (97.7 %) and Pedobacter zeaxanthinifaciens TDMA-5 T (97.4 %). Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain CM134L-2 T with these two type strains were 26.8  and 20.8 %, respectively, and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were 83.2 and 76.2 %; these values are lower than the proposed and generally accepted species boundaries of 70 % for dDDH and 95-96 % for ANI, which suggests strain CM134L-2 T represents a novel species. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CM134L-2 T was 39.3 mol%, menaquinone-7 was the major respiratory quinone, phosphatidylethanolamine was the major polar lipid and the major components of the cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, and C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3); these features supported the affiliation of strain CM134L-2 T to the genus Pedobacter. Overall, strain CM134L-2 T belongs to the genus Pedobacter, but can be classified as a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter chitinilyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CM134L-2 T (=CGMCC 1.16520 T =KCTC 62643 T ).

A novel actinomycete, strain TRM 41368 T , was isolated from a silt sample from Xiaoerkule lake in Xinjiang province, China, and was examined using a polyphasic approach. Strain TRM 41368 T was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, with an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 5 % (w/v), and an optimum temperature for growth of 35-37 °C. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain TRM 41368 T was most closely related to Glycomycesfuscus TRM 49117 T (98.46 % similarity). However, it had a relatively low DNA-DNA relatedness value with G. fuscus TRM 49117 T (ANI=70.59 %). The organism had chemical and morphological features typical of the genus Glycomyces. The cell wall of TRM 41368 T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid; xylose, ribose and glucose were the major whole-cell sugars. The diagnostic polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositolmannosides. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H6). The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 69.9 mol%. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, strain TRM 41368 T should be designated as a novel species of the genus Glycomyces, for which the name Glycomyces xiaoerkulensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 41368 T (=CCTCC AA 2017005 T =KCTC 39932 T ).

The taxonomic position of a novel actinomycete, strain TRM 41337 T , isolated from sediment of a salt lake, Xiaoerkule Lake, Xinjiang, China, was determined by a polyphasic approach. Strain TRM 41337 T grew optimally at 28 °C and in the presence of 1 % (w/v) NaCl. It grew at up to pH 12. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRM 41337 T were ribose and xylose. The diagnostic diamino acid contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositolmannoside and two other unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H8), MK-9, MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 1 H. Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics, the isolate was determined to belong to the genus Streptomyces. The phylogenetic tree based on its nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1498 nt) with representative strains showed that the strain consistently falls into a distinct phyletic lineage together with Streptomyces barkulensis DSM 42082 T (97.48 % similarity) and a subclade consisting of Streptomyces fenghuangensis GIMN 4.003 T (97.20 %), Streptomyces macrosporus NBRC 14748 T (97.14 %) and Streptomyces radiopugnans R97 T (97.01 %). On the basis of these data, strain TRM 41337 T should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces salilacus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 41337 T (=CCTCC AA 2015030 T =KCTC 39726 T ).

Two psychrotolerant facultative anaerobes, strains B7-2 T and B5 T , were isolated from the Zoige Wetland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains B7-2 T and B5 T shared high similarity (>99 %) with those of the type strains of the genus Trichococcus, while their digital DNA-DNA hybridization values with each other (49 %) and with the reference type strains (48-23 %) were lower than 70 %, which suggest that they represent two novel species of the genus Trichococcus. Cells of strains B7-2 T and B5 T were immotile cocci, grew in the temperature range of 4-37 °C (optimum 25 °C) and were alkaliphilic with optimum growth at pH 9.0. The major components of the cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C18 : 0 for strain B7-2 T , and C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, C18 : 1ω9c and C18 : 0 for strain B5 T . The genomic DNA G+C contents were 46.0 and 46.7 mol% for strains B7-2 T and B5 T , respectively. Based on physiological and genomic characteristics, it is suggested that strains B7-2 T and B5 T represent two novel species within the genus Trichococcus, for which the names Trichococcus paludicola sp. nov. and Trichococcus alkaliphilus sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are B7-2 T (=DSM 104691 T =KCTC 33886 T ) and B5 T (=DSM 104692 T =KCTC 33885 T ), respectively.

A novel actinobacterium designated TRM 46509 T was isolated from a salt water beach at Kalpin, Xinjiang, north-west China. The strain was aerobic and Gram-stain-positive, with an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 1 % (w/v). The isolate formed sparse aerial mycelium and produced spiral spores at the end of the aerial mycelium on Gauze's No. 1 medium. The isolate contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and ribose as the major whole-cell sugar. The polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H2), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The major fatty acids were C16:0, iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 69.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM 46509 T shared 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.6 % with the closest described species Streptomyces tacrolimicus ATCC 55098 T . On the basis of evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM 46509 T should be designated as representing a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces kalpinensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46509 T (=CCTCC AA 2015028 T =KCTC 39667 T ).

A psychrotolerant chitinolytic bacterium, designated NC1253 T , was isolated from Zoige wetland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. This strain was a Gram-stain-positive, spore-forming and rod-shaped anaerobe. NC1253 T grew at 4-35 °C, at pH 6.0-8.5 and could grow on chitin as the only carbon resource. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, showed that strain NC1253 T represented a novel bacterial genus within the family Ruminococcaceae. Strain NC1253 T has less than 91.0 % similarity with other type strains, such as Harryflintia acetispora V20-281a T (90.9 %), Clostridium methylpentosum DSM 5476 T (90.8 %), Anaerotruncus colihominis DSM 17241 T (89.8 %), Eubacterium siraeum DSM 15702 T (89.6 %), and Acetanaerobacterium elongatum Z7 T (89.6 %). The major components of the cellular fatty acids were iso-C14 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 35.4 mol%. Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic characteristics allowed strain NC1253 T to be clearly distinguished from genera in the family Ruminococcaceae. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic data, the isolate is considered to represent a novel genus and novel species in the family Ruminococcaceae, for which the name Paludicola psychrotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., is proposed. The type species is NC1253 T (DSM 104738 T =KCTC 15582 T ).

An actinobacterium, designated strain 9583bT, was isolated from the lichen Lobaria retigera collected from Jiaozi Snow Mountain, Yunnan Province, China. Cells of strain 9583bT were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The strain have a short rod-shaped, irregular morphology, and could grow at the temperature range of 4 to 28 °C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 9583bT belonged to the genus Subtercola in the family Microbacteriaceae, and shared highest sequence similarity with the type strains of Subtercola frigoramans and Subtercola boreus (96.8 and 95.6 %, respectively). The peptidoglycan type was B2γ, with diaminobutyric acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The polar lipids comprised of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, five unidentified glycolipids and three unidentified phospholipids. The respiratory quinone was determined to be MK-10. While the major fatty acids (>5 %) of strain 9583bT were anteiso-C15 : 0, C14 : 0 2-OH and iso-C16 : 0, the 1,1-dimethoxy-alkanes included a-15 : 0 DMA, i-16 : 0 DMA, a-17 : 0 DMA and i-15 : 0 DMA. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain 9583bT was 66.8 mol%. On the basis of the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data in this study, strain 9583bT represents a novel species of the genus Subtercola, for which the name Subtercola lobariae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 9583bT (=CGMCC 1.12976T=DSM 103962T).

A Streptomyces-like strain, designated TRM 45540T, was isolated from soil of the Loulan area (89° 22' 22″ E 40° 29' 55″ N), Xinjiang Province, north-west China, and was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic study. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain TRM 45540T shared 99.87 % similarity with Streptomyces mutabilis NBRC 12800T (GenBank accession number AB184156). The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, with an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 5 % (w/v). The isolate formed white aerial mycelium that was long filamentous with few branches; the substrate mycelium possessed long, smooth-surfaced spore chains bearing smooth spores and produced a yellow diffusible pigment. The strain contained iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and C16 : 0 as major cellular fatty acids. The predominant menaquinones of the strain were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H10). The whole-cell sugar pattern contained glucose and ribose. The polar lipid pattern of the strain consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphotidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositolmannosides. Genotypic and phenotypic data confirmed that strain TRM 45540T represents a novel species, clearly different from related species of the genus Streptomyces, and for which the name Streptomyces luteus (type strain TRM 45540T=CCTCC AA 2014003T=NRRL B-59117T) is proposed.

A novel halophilic actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46074 T , was isolated from Aiding salt lake in Turpan Basin, north-west China. Strain TRM 46074 T was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and grew optimally with 12 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain was observed to produce sparse aerial mycelium with long chains of spores that were non-motile and oval or spherical in shape with a rough or smooth surface; substrate mycelium was branched and well developed. The cell wall was determined to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid; the diagnostic whole-cell sugars were galactose, arabinose and ribose. The diagnostic polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-10(H8) and MK-10(H4). The G+C content of the DNA was 70.9 mol%. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain TRM 46074 T belongs to the genus Saccharopolyspora. Strain TRM 46074 T had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.6 % with the closest described species, Saccharopolyspora ghardaiensis H53 T . DNA-DNA hybridization between strain TRM 46074 T and Saccharopolysporaghardaiensis H53 T showed 58.6 % relatedness. On the basis of the evidence from a polyphasic study, strain TRM 46074 T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Saccharopolyspora, for which the name Saccharopolyspora aidingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46074 T (=CCTCC AA 2012014 T =JCM 30185 T ).

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46515T, was isolated from a salt water beach at Awat, Xinjiang, Northwest China, and characterized using polyphasic taxonomy. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TRM 46515T is a member of the genus Streptomyces, exhibiting highest similarity with Streptomyces qinglanensis 172205T (98.32 %). However, DNA-DNA relatedness and phenotypic data readily distinguished strain TRM 46515T from phylogenetically related type strains. The G+C content of the DNA was 70.40 mol%. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain TRM 46515T were found to contain ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and ribose was the major whole-cell sugar. The major fatty acids identified were anteiso-C17 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0. The main menaquinone was MK-9(H8) and the polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and one unknown glycolipid. On the basis of these phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain TRM 46515T should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46515T (=CCTCC AA 2015040T=KCTC 39729T).

The taxonomic position of a novel actinomycete, strain TRM 46250T, isolated from the sediment of a salt water beach at Baicheng, Xinjiang, China, was determined by a polyphasic approach. Strain TRM 46250T grew optimally in the presence of 2 % (w/v) NaCl and an optimum temperature range for growth of 28-37 °C. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRM 46250T were ribose, xylose, mannose and galactose. The diagnostic diamino acid was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipids were phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethyl ethanolamine and six unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10, MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H8). The major fatty acids were 10-methyl C18 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-G C16 : 1 and C18 : 1ω9c. Based on morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics the isolate was determined to belong to the genus Nocardiopsis. The phylogenetic tree based on its nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1493 nt) with those of representative strains showed that the strain consistently falls into a distinct phyletic line together with Nocardiopsis gilva YIM 90087T (97.68 % similarity) and a subclade consisting of Nocardiopsis composta KS9T (97.52 %), Nocardiopsis rosea YIM 90094T (97.44 %) and Nocardiopsis rhodophaea YIM 90096T (97.16 %). However, DNA-DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 46250T and N. gilva YIM 90087T showed only 36.94 % relatedness. On the basis of these data, strain TRM 46250T should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis akesuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46250T (=CCTCC AA 2015027T=KCTC 39725T).

A novel actinomycete, strain TRM 41495T, was isolated from lake sediment of Xiaoerkule lake in Xinjiang province, China, and was examined using a polyphasic approach. Strain TRM 41495T was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, growing best on ISP medium 7 with abundant white aerial mycelium formed and brown soluble pigments produced. The optimum NaCl concentration for growth was 3.0 % (w/v), and the optimum temperature for growth was 37 °C. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain TRM 41495T was shown to belong to the genus Saccharomonospora with a sequence similarity of 97.50 % with the most closely related species, Saccharomonospora xinjiangensis. The organism had chemical and morphological features typical of the genus Saccharomonospora. The cell wall of strain TRM 41495T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, and galactose, arabinose, ribose and mannose were the major whole-cell sugars. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown phosphoglycolipid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H2). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω6c, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C16 : 1H. The G+C content of the DNA was 72.9 mol%. However, DNA-DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 41495T and Saccharomonospora xinjiangensis showed only 43.9 % relatedness. Whole-cell sugars, menaquinones and fatty acids differentiate strain TRM 41495T from Saccharomonospora xinjiangensis. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence, strain TRM 41495T represents a novel species of the genus Saccharomonospora, for which the name Saccharomonospora xiaoerkulensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 41495T (=CCTCC AA 2015038T=KCTC 39727T).

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46794-61T, was isolated from an alkali-removing canal in 14th Farms of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, north-west China. The isolate contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The whole-cell sugar patterns of the isolate contained ribose, mannose and glucose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and two unidentified phospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H2), MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. The G+C content of the DNA was 70.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM 46794-61T had a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.6 % with the most closely related species with a validly published name, Streptomyces aidingensis TRM 46012T, and it could be distinguished from all species in the genus Streptomyces based on data from this polyphasic taxonomic study. However, DNA-DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 46794-61T and S.aidingensis TRM 46012T showed only 45.4 % relatedness. On the basis of these data, strain TRM 46794-61T should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces canalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46794-61T (=CCTCC AA 2015006T=KCTC 39568T).

A novel halophilic actinobacterium, designated strain TRM 49201T, was isolated from a hypersaline soil in Xinjiang Province, north-west China. The strain was aerobic, Gram-stain-positive and halophilic. The aerial mycelium was chaotic with irregular branches, and spherical sporangia containing several spherical spores developed at mycelial aggregations. The strain had an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 8-13 % (w/v). The whole-cell sugar pattern of strain TRM 49201T consisted of xylose and ribose. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-10(H2). The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and four unknown phospholipids. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM 49201T can be distinguished from representatives of Glycomyces, Stackebrandtia and Haloglycomyces, the three existing genera in the family Glycomycetaceae, based on low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ( < 94.42 %). Strain TRM 49201T is thus considered to represent a novel species of a new genus in the family Glycomycetaceae, for which the name Paraglycomyces xinjiangensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Paraglycomyces xinjiangensis is TRM 49201T ( = NRRL B-24926T = CCTCC AA 2013002T = KACC 17683T).

The phylogeny of Lecidella species is studied, based on a 7-locus data set using ML and Bayesian analyses. Phylogenetic relationships among 43 individuals representing 11 Lecidella species, mainly from mainland China, were included in the analyses and phenotypical characters studied and mapped onto the phylogeny. The Lecidella species fall into three major clades, which are proposed here as three informal groups-Lecidella stigmatea group, L. elaeochroma group and L. enteroleucella group, each of them strongly supported. Our phylogenetic analyses support traditional species delimitation based on morphological and chemical traits in most but not all cases. Individuals considered as belonging to the same species based on phenotypic characters were found to be paraphyletic, indicating that cryptic species might be hidden under these names (e.g. L. carpathica and L. effugiens). Potentially undescribed species were found within the phenotypically circumscribed species L. elaeochroma and L. stigmatea. Additional sampling across a broader taxonomic and geographic scale will be crucial to fully resolving the taxonomy in this cosmopolitan genus.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 45387(T), was isolated from a saline-alkali soil in Xinjiang Province (40° 22' N 79° 08' E), north-west China. The isolate was characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM 45387(T) belonged to the genus Glycomyces and was closely related to Glycomyces arizonensis DSM 44726(T) (96.59% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The G+C content of the DNA was 71.26 mol%. The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, and xylose, glucose, galactose, arabinose and ribose as the major whole-cell sugars. The diagnostic phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositolmannosides. The predominant menaquinone was MK-10(H6). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. On the basis of the evidence from this polyphasic study, a novel species, Glycomyces tarimensis sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Glycomyces tarimensis is TRM 45387(T) ( =CCTCC AA 2014007(T) =JCM 30184(T))., (© 2015 Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps Key Laborartory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin.)

Two halophilic archaeal strains, TRM20010(T) and TRM20345(T), were isolated from saline soil of the Lop Nur region in Xinjiang, north-west China. Cells from the two strains were pleomorphic rods, stained Gram-negative and produced red-pigmented colonies. Strains TRM20010(T) and TRM20345(T) were able to grow at 30-62 °C (optimum 37 °C), 0.9-5.1 M NaCl (optimum 2.6 and 3.4 M, respectively) and pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5) and neither strain required Mg(2+) for growth. The major polar lipids of the two strains were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester (PGP-Me), two glycolipids chromatographically identical to galactosyl mannosyl glucosyl diether (TGD-1) and disulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S2-DGD). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA and rpoB' genes revealed that strains TRM20010(T) and TRM20345(T) clustered together and formed a distinct clade separated from the related genera Halovivax, Haloterrigena, Halostagnicola, Natronolimnobius and Natrinema. The DNA G+C contents of strains TRM20010(T) and TRM20345(T) were 63.9 and 63.8 mol%, respectively. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain TRM20010(T) and strain TRM20345(T) was 42.8 %. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggested that strains TRM20010(T) and TRM20345(T) represent two novel species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, for which the names Natribaculum breve gen. nov., sp. nov. (type strain TRM20010(T) = CCTCC AB2013112(T) = NRRL B-59996(T)) and Natribaculum longum sp. nov. (type strain TRM20345(T) = CCTCC AB2013113(T) = NRRL B-59997(T)) are proposed., (© 2015 Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin/College of Life Science, Tarim University, Alar 843300, China.)

A novel actinomycete, designated strain TRM 49590(T), was isolated from a soil sample from Lop Nur in Xinjiang Province, China. Strain TRM 49590(T) was aerobic, Gram-staining-positive, with an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 1.5 % (w/v) and an optimum temperature for growth of 28-37 °C. The aerial mycelium was sparse, cylindrical and smooth-surfaced with irregular branches on ISP medium 4. The whole-cell sugars of strain TRM 49590(T) were ribose and glucose. The diagnostic diamino acid contained ll-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8), with MK-9(H4) and MK-10(H6) present in smaller amounts. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 62.2 mol%. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TRM 49590(T) belongs to the genus Streptomyces with a sequence similarity of 97.16 % with the most closely related species Streptomyces sodiiphilus. Based on these observations, strain TRM 49590(T) is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces for which the name Streptomyces lopnurensis sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is TRM 49590(T) ( = CCTCC AA 2013018(T) = NRRL B59109(T))., (Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin/College of Life Science, Tarim University, Alar, 84330, China.)

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 45123(T), was isolated from a hypersaline habitat in Xinjiang Province (40° 20' N 90° 49' E), north-west China. The isolate was characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM 45123(T) belonged to the genus Saccharopolyspora and was closely related to Saccharopolyspora gloriosae (96.7% similarity). The G+C content of the DNA was 69.07 mol%. The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, and arabinose and ribose as the major whole-cell sugars. The diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0. On the basis of the evidence from this polyphasic study, a novel species, Saccharopolyspora halotolerans sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain of Saccharopolyspora halotolerans is TRM 45123(T) ( = CCTCC AA 2013006(T) = DSM 45990(T))., (Xinjiang Production & Construction Crops Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin.)

Two actinomycete strains, designated TRM 49117(T) and TRM 49136(T), were isolated from a hypersaline habitat in Xinjiang Province, north-west China and were characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic study. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TRM 49117(T) had 93.93% similarity with the type strain Glycomyces halotolerans TRM 40137(T) (GenBank accession no. HQ651156) and TRM 49136(T) had 94.32% similarity with G. halotolerans TRM 40137(T). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the two new isolates was 93%. The isolates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0 as major cellular fatty acids. The predominant menaquinones of the isolates were MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6). The whole-cell sugar patterns of these strains contained xylose and ribose, and strain TRM 49136(T) also contained arabinose. The polar lipid pattern of strain TRM 49117(T) comprised phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and three additional unknown phospholipids. The polar lipid pattern of strain TRM 49136(T) comprised phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, glycolipids and two phosphoglycolipids of unknown composition. Genotypic and phenotypic data confirmed that strains TRM 49117(T) and TRM 49136(T) represent two novel species, clearly different from related species of the genus Glycomyces, for which the names Glycomyces fuscus sp. nov. (type strain TRM 49117(T) = CCTCC AA 2013003(T) = NRRL B-59998(T) = KACC 17682(T)) and Glycomyces albus sp. nov. (type strain TRM 49136(T) = CCTCC AA 2013004(T) = NRRL B-24927(T) = KACC 17681(T)) are proposed., (© 2014 Key Laboratory of Protection and Utilization of Biological Resources in Tarim Basin of Xinjiang Production & Construction Corps.)

A novel actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46012(T), was isolated from sediment of Aiding Lake in Tulufan Basin (42° 64' N 89° 26' E), north-west China. The strain was aerobic and Gram-staining-positive with an optimum NaCl concentration for growth of 0-5% (w/v). The isolate had sparse aerial mycelium and produced bud-shaped spores at the end of the aerial mycelium on ISP medium 4. The isolate contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and ribose as the major whole-cell sugar. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, one unidentified phospholipid and three unidentified glycolipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H₆), MK-9(H₈) and MK-9(H₄). The major fatty acids were iso-C(16:0), anteiso-C(17:0) and anteiso-C(15:0). The G+C content of the DNA was 74.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain TRM 46012(T) had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.7% with the most closely related species with a validly published name, Streptomyces cheonanensis, and it could be distinguished from all species in the genus Streptomyces by using the data from this polyphasic taxonomic study. On the basis of these data, strain TRM 46012(T) should be designated as a representative of a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces aidingensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 46012(T) ( =CGMCC 4.5739(T) =NBRC 108211(T)).

A novel filamentous actinomycete strain, designated TRM 46004(T), was isolated from sediment of Aiding Lake in Tulufan Basin (42° 64' N 89° 26' E), north-west China. The isolate was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolate formed abundant aerial mycelium with few branches and vegetative mycelium, occasionally twisted and coiled; spherical sporangia containing one to several spherical spores developed at the ends of short sporangiophores on aerial mycelium. The G+C content of the DNA was 65.2 mol%. The isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and xylose, galactose and ribose as the major whole-cell sugars. The diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H10). The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain TRM 46004(T) formed a distinct lineage within the family Pseudonocardiaceae and showed 91.7-96.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with members of the family Pseudonocardiaceae. On the basis of the evidence from this polyphasic study, a novel genus and species, Longimycelium tulufanense gen. nov., sp. nov., are proposed. The type strain of Longimycelium tulufanense is TRM 46004(T) (= CGMCC 4.5737(T) = NBRC 107726(T)).

A novel halophilic, filamentous actinobacterium, designated strain TRM 40139(T), was isolated from a hypersaline habitat in Xinjiang Province, north-west China. Its taxonomic status was determined using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the almost-complete 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain showed that it formed a well-separated sub-branch within the radiation of the genus Actinopolyspora and the organism was related most closely to the type strains of Actinopolyspora alba (97.6 % similarity), Actinopolyspora xinjiangensis (97.6 %) and Actinopolyspora erythraea (97.1 %). However, it had relatively lower mean DNA-DNA relatedness values with the above strains (36.4, 31.3 and 26.1 %, respectively). Optimal growth occurred at 35 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence of 12 % (w/v) NaCl. The whole-cell sugar pattern consisted of xylose, glucose, ribose and arabinose. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 (28.0 %) and anteiso-C17 : 0 (27.6 %). The diagnostic phospholipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and two unknown phospholipids. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H4) (49.8 %) and MK-10(H4) (24.2 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 66.4 mol%. Strain TRM 40139(T) therefore represents a novel species of the genus Actinopolyspora, for which the name Actinopolyspora lacussalsi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 40139(T) (= KCTC 19657(T) = CCTCC AA 2012020(T)).

Two extremely halophilic archaea, designated YIM 94188(T) and YIM 94189, were isolated from Qijiaojing lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China and subjected to taxonomic characterization using a polyphasic approach. The cells of the two strains were coccoid, non-motile and Gram-stain-negative. Colonies were pink-white-pigmented and aerobic. Growth occurred at 10-30% (w/v) NaCl, 20-55 °C and pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum: 20-25% NaCl, 37-42 °C, pH 6.5-7.0). Magnesium was necessary for growth in the range of 0.2-1.2 M. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains belonged to the genus Halopelagius showing 98.5% sequence similarity to the closest phylogenetic neighbour, Halopelagius inordinatus RO5-2(T). In addition, the DNA-DNA hybridization values of strains YIM 94188(T) and YIM 94189 to Halopelagius inordinatus RO5-2(T) were 35.7% and 37.7%, respectively. Polar lipid analyses revealed that the two strains contained phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester (PGP-Me), sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether (S-DGD-1) and mannosyl glucosyl diether (DGD-1). The DNA G+C contents of strains YIM 94188(T) and YIM 94189 were 66.3 mol% and 64.6 mol%, respectively. On the basis of physiological and chemotaxonomic data, and phylogenetic analysis, strains YIM 94188(T) and YIM 94189 were classified as representing a novel species in the genus Halopelagius. The name Halopelagius fulvigenes sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM 94188(T) (=CCTCC AB 2010456(T)=JCM 17506(T)) as the type strain.

A novel bacterium, designated TRM 415(T), belonging to the genus Brevibacterium, was isolated from a sediment sample from a salt lake in Xinjiang province, China. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain TRM 415(T) was phylogenetically most closely related to Brevibacterium album YIM 90718(T) (98.4 % sequence similarity) and had low similarity (<95.5 %) to other species of the genus Brevibacterium; however, DNA-DNA hybridization studies between strain TRM 415(T) and B. album YIM 90718(T) showed only 41.3 % relatedness. Strain TRM 415(T) possessed meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic cell-wall diamino acid, MK-8(H(2)) as the major menaquinone and polar lipids including phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C(17 : 0) and anteiso-C(15 : 0). The genomic DNA G+C content was 69&emsp14;mol%. Based on the evidence from this polyphasic study, strain TRM 415(T) represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium salitolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TRM 415(T) (=JCM 15900(T) =CCTCC AB 208328(T) =KCTC 19616(T)).