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Terrestrial geothermal springs are physicochemically diverse and host abundant populations of Archaea. However, the diversity, functionality, and geological influences of these Archaea are not well understood. Here we explore the genomic diversity of Archaea in 152 metagenomes from 48 geothermal springs in Tengchong, China, collected from 2016 to 2021. Our dataset is comprised of 2949 archaeal metagenome-assembled genomes spanning 12 phyla and 392 newly identified species, which increases the known species diversity of Archaea by ~48.6%. The structures and potential functions of the archaeal communities are strongly influenced by temperature and pH, with high-temperature acidic and alkaline springs favoring archaeal abundance over Bacteria. Genome-resolved metagenomics and metatranscriptomics provide insights into the potential ecological niches of these Archaea and their potential roles in carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, and hydrogen metabolism. Furthermore, our findings illustrate the interplay of competition and cooperation among Archaea in biogeochemical cycles, possibly arising from overlapping functional niches and metabolic handoffs. Taken together, our study expands the genomic diversity of Archaea inhabiting geothermal springs and provides a foundation for more incisive study of biogeochemical processes mediated by Archaea in geothermal ecosystems. Here, Qi et al. assembled ~3000 archaeal genomes from hot springs, capturing temporal dynamics and environmental diversity, and systematically explored functional niches and metabolic handoffs, shedding light on Archaea's role in biogeochemical cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degradation of farmland in China underscores the need for developing and utilizing saline-alkali soil. Soil health relies on microbial activity, which aids in the restoration of the land's ecosystem, and hence it is important to understand microbial diversity. In the present study, two Gram-stain-positive strains HR 1-10T and J-A-003T were isolated from saline-alkali soil. Preliminary analysis suggested that these strains could be a novel species. Therefore, the taxonomic positions of these strains were evaluated using polyphasic analysis. Phylogenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that these strains should be assigned to the genus Halalkalibacter. Cell wall contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipids present in both strains were diphosphatidyl-glycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids (>10%) were anteiso-C15:0, C16:0 and iso-C15:0. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA#x2013;DNA hybridization values were below the threshold values (95% and 70%, respectively) for species delineation. Based on the above results, the strains represent two novel species of the genus Halalkalibacter, for which the names Halalkalibacter flavus sp. nov., and Halalkalibacter lacteus sp. nov., are proposed. The type strains are HR 1-10T (=GDMCC 1.2946T = MCCC 1K08312T = JCM 36285T), and J-A-003T (=GDMCC 1.2949T = MCCC 1K08417T = JCM 36286T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reflect both fuzziness and hesitation in the evaluation of interactivity between attributes in the identification process of 2-order additive fuzzy measure, this work uses the hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set (HFLTS) to describe and depict the interactivity between attributes. Firstly, the interactivity between attributes is defined by the supermodular game theory. According to this definition, a linguistic term set is established to characterize the interactivity between attributes. Under the linguistic term set, the experts employ linguistic expressions generated by context-free grammar to qualitatively describe the interactivity between attributes. Secondly, through the conversion function, the linguistic expressions are transformed into the hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets (HFLTSs). The individual evaluation results of all experts were further aggregated with the defined hesitant fuzzy linguistic weighted power average operator (HFLWPA). Thirdly, based on the standard Euclidean distance formula of the hesitant fuzzy linguistic elements (HFLEs), the hesitant fuzzy linguistic interaction degree (HFLID) between attributes is defined and calculated by constructing a piecewise function. As a result, a 2-order additive fuzzy measure identification method based on HFLID is proposed. Based on the proposed method, using the Choquet fuzzy integral as nonlinear integration operator, a multi-attribute decision making (MADM) process is then presented. Taking the credit assessment of the big data listed companies in China as an application example, the analysis results of application example prove the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. This work successfully reflects both the fuzziness and hesitation in evaluating the interactivity between attributes in the identification process of 2-order additive fuzzy measure, enriches the theoretical framework of 2-order additive fuzzy measure, and expands the applicability and methodology of 2-order additive fuzzy measure in multi-attribute decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pink-pigmented bacterium, designated as strain SYSU D00476T, was isolated from sandy soil collected from the Kumtag Desert in China. Colonies were opaque, smooth and of a slight convexity with a clearly defined border. Cells were rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Growth occurred at 4–45 ℃ (optimum at 28–30 ℃), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum at 7.0), and with 0–3.0% NaCl (w/v, optimum at 0–2.0%). Major fatty acids (> 10%) were C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c), iso-C17:0 3-OH and iso-C15:0. Polar lipids comprised of three unidentified polar aminolipids (ALs), two unidentified aminophosphoglycolipids (APLs), one unidentified glycolipid (GL) and three unidentified phospholipids (PLs). The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The genomic DNA G + C content was 50.5%. The low digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH, 27.4%) and average nucleotide identity (ANI, 85%) values between strain SYSU D00476T and Telluribacter humicola KCTC 42819T indicated that SYSU D00476T represent a distinct species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain SYSU D00476T belonged to the genus Telluribacter, showing 97.5% similarity with T. humicola KCTC 42819T. All these data support that strain SYSU D00476T represent a novel species of the genus Telluribacter within the family Spirosomataceae, named as Telluribacter roseus sp. nov. The type strain is SYSU D00476T (= KCTC 82285T = CGMCC 1.18647T = MCCC 1K04983T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A xylanase gene (named xyngmqa) was identified from the metagenomic data of the Gumingquan hot spring (92.5 °C, pH 9.2) in Tengchong City, Yunnan Province, southwest China. It showed the highest amino acid sequence identity (82.70%) to endo-1,4-beta-xylanase from Thermotoga caldifontis. A constitutive expression plasmid (denominated pSHY211) and double-layer plate (DLP) method were constructed for cloning, expression, and identification of the XynGMQA gene. The XynGMQA gene was synthesized and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli DH5α. XynGMQA exhibited optimal activity at 90 °C and pH 4.6, being thermostable by maintaining 100% of its activity after 2 h incubated at 80 °C. Interestingly, its enzyme activity was enhanced by high temperatures (70 and 80 °C) and low pH (3.0–6.0). About 150% enzyme activity was detected after incubation at 70 °C for 20 to 60 min or 80 °C for 10 to 40 min, and more than 140% enzyme activity after incubation at pH 3.0 to 6.0 for 12 h. Hydrolytic products of beechwood xylan with XynGMQA were xylooligosaccharides, including xylobiose (X2), xylotriose (X3), and xylotetraose (X4). These properties suggest that XynGMQA as an extremely thermophilic xylanase, may be exploited for biofuel and prebiotic production from lignocellulosic biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silty soil as a rich reserved subgrade fills in seasonally frozen regions of northern China, experienced at least one freeze-thaw (F-T) cycle each year. Many damages will occur after F-T cycles. In general, using cement to stabilise can alleviate that situation. Hence, a series of unconsolidated and undrained triaxial compression tests were conducted to evaluate the static properties (i.e. cohesion, internal friction angle, shear strength, stress–strain curves and resilient modulus) of cement stabilised silty soil. Meanwhile, the analysis of variance method was adopted to analyse the effects of multiple factors i.e. F-T cycles, confining pressures, water content and cement content on the resilient modulus. The results showed that the cohesion, shear strength and resilient modulus decreased with F-T cycles and water content, while increased with cement content, and tended to be stable after six cycles. The internal friction angle increased with cement content, whereas had no obvious regularities with F-T cycles and water content. The inclusion of cement could transform the stress–strain curves from strain hardening to strain softening, and inhibited the negative impact of F-T cycles and water content on resilient modulus. Based on the above analysis, w opt , 2% cement content and the mechanical property index after six F-T cycles could be used as guidance for actual projects. Moreover, an empirical equation for determining the resilient modulus was proposed and validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel actinobacteria, designated as SYSU M7M538T and SYSU M7M531, were isolated from oral of Eumetopias jubatus in Zhuhai Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, China. The cells of these microorganisms stained Gram-positive and were rod shaped. These strains were facultative anaerobic, and catalase-positive. Optimal growth occurred at 37 °C and pH 7.0 over 7 days of cultivation. Both strains possessed diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphocholine as the major polar lipids. The main menaquinone was MK-9(H 4). The major fatty acids were C 16:0 , C 17:1 w 8 c , C 17:0 , C 18:1 w 9 c and C 18:0. Analyses of genome sequences revealed that the genome size of SYSU M7M538T was 2.1 Mbp with G + C content of 52.5 %, while the genome size of SYSU M7M531 was 2.3 Mbp with G + C content of 52.7 %. The ANI and 16S rRNA gene analysis results showed that the pairwise similarities between the two strains and other recognized Nitriliruptoria species were less than 64.9 % and 89.0 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains SYSU M7M538T and SYSU M7M531 formed a well-separated phylogenetic branch distinct from other orders of Nitriliruptoria. Based on the data presented here, these two strains are considered to represent a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Stomatohabitans albus gen. nov., sp. nov., with the type strain SYSU M7M538T (=KCTC 59113T = GDMCC 1.4286T), are proposed. We also propose that these organisms represent a novel family named Stomatohabitantaceae fam. nov. of a novel order Stomatohabitantales ord. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is an important process of the nitrogen cycle, and the anammox bacteria have been studied in a wide variety of environments. However, the distribution, diversity, and abundance of anammox bacteria in hot springs remain enigmatic. In this study, the anammox process was firstly investigated in hot springs of Conghua, China. Anammox-like bacterial sequences that closely affiliated to " Candidatus Brocadia," " Candidatus Kuenenia," " Candidatus Scalindua," " Candidatus Anammoxoglobus," and " Candidatus Jettenia" were detected. Several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from this study shared low sequence identities to the 16S rRNA gene of the known anammox bacteria, suggesting that they might be representing putative novel anammox bacteria. A quantitative PCR analysis of anammox-specific 16S rRNA gene confirmed that the abundance of anammox bacteria ranged from 1.60 × 104 to 1.20 × 107 copies L–1. Nitrate was a key environmental factor defining the geographical distribution of the anammox bacterial community in the hot spring ecosystem. Dissolved inorganic carbon had a significant influence on anammox bacterial biodiversity. Our findings for the first time revealed that the diverse anammox bacteria, including putative novel anammox bacterial candidates, were present in Conghua hot spring, which extended the existence of anammox bacteria to the hot springs in China and expands our knowledge of the biogeography of anammox bacteria. This work filled up the research lacuna of anammox bacteria in Chinese hot spring habitat and would guide for enrichment strategies of anammox bacteria of Conghua hot springs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain SYSU D01096T was isolated from a sandy soil sample collected from Gurbantunggut Desert in Xinjiang, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis of the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain SYSU D01096T belonged to the family Acetobacteraceae and was closest to Rubritepida flocculans DSM 14296T (96.0% similarity). Cells of strain SYSU D01096T were observed to be non-motile, short rod-shaped and Gram-staining negative. The colonies were observed to be translucent, reddish orange, circular, convex and smooth. Growth occurred at 15–37 °C (optimum, 28–30 °C), pH 4.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and 0–0.5% NaCl (w/v; optimum, 0%) on Reasoner's 2A medium. The predominant ubiquinone was identified as ubiquinone 9 and the major fatty acids were Summed Feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c) and C16:0. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), one unidentified phospholipid (PL), three unidentified aminolipids (AL1-3) and one unidentified aminophospholipid (APL). The genomic DNA G + C content was 69.1%. Phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated strain SYSU D01096T represented an individual lineage in the family Acetobacteraceae, which was supported by 30 core gene-based phylogenomic tree. Based on the multi-analysis including physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic comparison, strain SYSU D01096T was proposed to represent a novel species of a novel genus, named Sabulicella rubraurantiaca gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Acetobacteraceae. The type strain is SYSU D01096T (= CGMCC 1.8619T = KCTC 82268T = MCCC 1K04998T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two extremely halophilic archaea, isolates SYSU A00711T and SYSU A00630, were isolated from a sediment soil sample collected from the Aiding lake, China. Cells of these isolates were cocci, non-motile and stained Gram-negative. They grew optimally at 37 °C, with 20–22% NaCl (w/v) and at pH 7.5–8.0. Cells lysed in distilled water. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, mannosyl glucosyl diether, sulfated mannosyl glucosyl diether, and two unidentified glycolipids. Pairwise sequence comparison revealed that isolates SYSU A00711T and SYSU A00630 were closely related to Halegenticoccus soli SYSU A9-0T (94.1 and 94.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities; 94.0 and 94.2% rpoB' gene similarities, respectively). The overall genomic relatedness indices values between the two isolates and Halegenticocus soli SYSU A9-0 T were: AAI, both 79.6%; ANI, 84.6 and 84.5%; dDDH, 32.5 and 26.3%, respectively. Phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA gene, rpoB' gene, and genome sequences demonstrated a robust clade of these two isolates with Halegenticoccus soli SYSU A9-0T. The DNA G + C contents of these two isolates are both 64.7% (genome method). Based on the differences in phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and phylogenetic properties, isolates SYSU A00711T and SYSU A00630 are characterized to represent a novel species in the genus Halegenticoccus, for which the name Halegenticoccus tardaugens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species Halegenticoccus tardaugens is SYSU A00711T (= KCTC 4245T = CGMCC 1.15768T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Gram-staining negative, facultative anaerobic, motile and short rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain yh7-1T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of Citrus sinenesis collected from the garden of Citrus sinenesis in Ailao Mountain, south-west China. Cells grew at 15–45 °C, pH 5.0–9.0 and were able to tolerate up to 1% (w/v) NaCl on R2A medium. The respiratory lipoquinone was Q-10 and the major cellular fatty acids contained summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c or C18:1 ω6c) and C18:0. Polar lipids in the cellular membrane were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified aminophospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 69.9 mol%. On basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain yh7-1T showed the highest similarities with Chthonobacter albigriseus KCTC 42450T (97.6%), Mongoliimonas terrestris KCTC 42635T (97.0%) and lower than 97.0% to other species. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain yh7-1T clustered with C. albigriseus KCTC 42450T. The ANI values ranged between 78.1 and 82.7% for C. albigriseus KCTC 42450T, M. terrestris KCTC 42635T and strain yh7-1T, which were lower than the prokaryotic species delineation threshold of 95.0–96.0%. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between C. albigriseus KCTC 42450T, M. terrestris KCTC 42635T and strain yh7-1T indicated that the new isolate represents a novel genomic species. According to the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain yh7-1T should belong to the genus Chthonobacter, for which the name Chthonobacter rhizosphaerae sp. nov. (type strain yh7-1T = CGMCC 1.17236T = CCTCC AB 2019258T = KCTC 82185T) is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alkaliphilic actinobacterial strain, designated Hz 6-5T, was isolated from saline-alkaline soil from Songnen Plain in north-eastern China. The isolate formed light yellow-colored colonies and its cells were Gram-staining positive, non-motile, and non-spore-forming short rods. The strain was aerobic with optimal growth at 33 °C, pH 9.0, and in the presence of 0.5% (w/v) NaCl or 3% (w/v) KCl. It was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The isolate had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of the species Nesternkonia natronophila M8T (98.2%), N. salmonea GY074T (98.1%), and N. sphaerica GY239T (97.4%), and the isolate formed a subclade with the type strains of these species in the neighbor-joining tree based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. The phylogenetic tree based on the phylogenomic analysis also showed the same results. The DNA‒DNA relatedness (DDH) values of isolate Hz 6-5T with N. natronophila M8T, N. halophila DSM 16378T, and N. halobia CGMCC 1.2323T were 21.2%, 36.5%, and 32.0%, respectively. The characteristic diamino acid of strain Hz 6-5T was found to be lysine. The respiratory quinones were MK-9, MK-8, MK-7(H4), MK-7(H2) and MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids (> 10%) were anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C16:0. The polar lipids detected for strain Hz 6-5T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified glycolipid, and two unidentified phospholipids. The DNA G + C content of isolate Hz 6-5T was 60.8%. Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis supported by morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic, and other differentiating phenotypic evidence, strain Hz 6-5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Nesterenkonia, for which the name Nesterenkonia haasae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Hz 6-5T (=CPCC 205100T=NBRC 113521T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pet dogs are important companion animals that share the environment within households, and play an important role in local community life. In addition, pet dogs also are reservoirs of zoonotic agents, including Rickettsia spp., thus increasing the risk of rickettsial infections in humans. It's meaningful to investigate the epidemiology of rickettsial agents in pet dogs, and make contribute to the surveillance of rickettsioses in human in China. Results: In this study, a total of 496 pet dogs' blood samples and 343 ticks infested in pet dogs were collected, and the presence and prevalence of Rickettsia were determined by amplifying the partial gltA and 17-kDa genes, with an overall positive rate of 8.1 % in blood samples and 14.0 % in tick samples. In addition, the rrs, gltA, groEL, and ompA genes of rickettsial were also recovered to determine the species of Rickettsia detected furtherly. Sequencing blast and phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of three human pathogenic Rickettsia species (Rickettsia raoultii, Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae and Rickettsia felis) in samples associated with pet dogs. Moreover, all the sequences of Rickettsia that we obtained presented close relationship with others available in GenBank, and Rickettsia raoultii was the most predominant Rickettsia species infected in pet dogs' blood samples or in tick samples. Conclusions: This study provides the molecular epidemiology data about the Rickettsia spp. infection associated with pet dogs in urban areas of Harbin city. Three rickettisae species pathogenic to humans were identified from pet dogs' blood and the infested ticks in urban areas of Harbin city. Considering the intimate relationship between human and pets, these results indicate the potential transmission risk of human rickettisal infections from pet dogs through ectoparasites, and also highlighting that more attention should be paid to rickettsial infection in pet dogs and the infested ticks from the "One health" perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

" Candidatus Nitrosocaldaceae" are globally distributed in neutral or slightly alkaline hot springs and geothermally heated soils. Despite their essential role in the nitrogen cycle in high-temperature ecosystems, they remain poorly understood because they have never been isolated in pure culture, and very few genomes are available. In the present study, a metagenomics approach was employed to obtain " Ca. Nitrosocaldaceae" metagenomic-assembled genomes (MAGs) from hot spring samples collected from India and China. Phylogenomic analysis placed these MAGs within " Ca. Nitrosocaldaceae." Average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity analysis suggested the new MAGs represent two novel species of " Candidatus Nitrosocaldus" and a novel genus, herein proposed as " Candidatus Nitrosothermus." Key genes responsible for chemolithotrophic ammonia oxidation and a thaumarchaeal 3HP/4HB cycle were detected in all MAGs. Furthermore, genes coding for urea degradation were only present in " Ca. Nitrosocaldus," while biosynthesis of the vitamins, biotin, cobalamin, and riboflavin were detected in almost all MAGs. Comparison of " Ca. Nitrosocaldales/Nitrosocaldaceae" with other AOA revealed 526 specific orthogroups. This included genes related to thermal adaptation (cyclic 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase), indicating their importance for life at high temperature. In addition, these MAGs acquired genes from members from archaea (Crenarchaeota) and bacteria (Firmicutes), mainly involved in metabolism and stress responses, which might play a role to allow this group to adapt to thermal habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bacterial strain designated NYYP31T was isolated from the leaves of an annual halophytes, Suaeda corniculata Bunge, collected from the southern edge of the Gurbantunggut desert, north-west China. Strain NYYP31T was Gram-staining negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and non-spore-forming. Growth was observed at 4–42 °C, at pH 5.0–10.0, in the presence of up to 8% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of 92 protein clusters showed that strain NYYP31T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain NYYP31T was most closely related to the type strain of Sphingobacterium daejeonense (97.9%) and Sphingobacterium lactis (97.7%). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c). The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids, three unidentified amino phospholipids, and two unidentified glycolipids. The genomic DNA G + C content was 36.4 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values for strain NYYP31T to the type strains of S. daejeonense and S. lactis were 77.9 and 74.1%, respectively, which were below the cut-off level (95–96%) for species delineation. Based on the above results, strain NYYP31T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium endophyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NYYP31T (= CGMCC 1.16979T = NBRC 114258T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Bacillus strain, designated SYSU G01002T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from tepid spring in Tengchong, Yunnan province, south-west PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the strain SYSU G01002T shared the highest sequence identity with the type strain of Bacillus alkalitolerans (97.7%). Strain SYSU G01002T grew at pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), at 28–55 °C (optimum, 45 °C) and in the presence of 0–2.5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum in the absence of NaCl). It contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall diamino acid and MK-7 as isoprenoid quinone. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C17:0 and C16:0. The polar were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G + C content was 38.0 mol %. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between SYSU G01002T and closely related members of the genus Bacillus were below the cut-off level recommended for interspecies identity. Based on the above results, strain SYSU G01002T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus tepidiphilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain, SYSU G01002T (= KCTC 43131T = CGMCC 1.17491T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Gram stain-positive, rod-shaped and motile bacterium, designated SYSU G01003T was isolated from a sediment sample collected from tepid spring in Tengchong, Yunnan province, southwestern China. Growth observed at temperature ranging 28–37 °C (optimum 37 °C) and pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum pH 7.0). Tolerance to NaCl was up to 2.5% (w/v) (optimal in the absence of NaCl). The cell wall peptidoglycan is meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the only respiratory quinone. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified aminophospholipid, phospholipid, and polar lipid. The major fatty acids are C16:0, anteiso-C15:0 and C14:0. The genomic DNA G + C content of the type strain was 54.0 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANIb and ANIm) values between SYSU G01003T and Paenibacillus azotifigens LMG 29963T were below the cut-off level (95–96%) recommended as the average nucleotide identity (ANI) criterion for interspecies identity. Based on the above results strain SYSU G01003T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus yunnanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain, SYSU G01003T (=KCTC 43132T = CGMCC 1.17384T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One motile strain designated, YIM DR1026T was isolated from the roots of Psammosilene tunicoides collected from Gejiu, Yunnan province, China. The cells of strain YIM DR1026T were Gram-negative and short-rod shaped. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM DR1026T was a member of the genus Aureimonas and closely related to Aureimonas rubiginis (96.7%). DNA–DNA relatedness values between strain YIM 1026T and Aureimonas rubiginis BCRC 80440T was 38.2 ± 1.5%. The ANI value between YIM DR1026T and other Aureimonas members were below the cut-off level (95–96%) recommended as the average nucleotide identity (ANI) criterion for interspecies identity. Strain YIM DR1026T grew at 4–30 °C (optimum 28 °C), pH 4.0–9.0 (optimum pH 6.0–7.0) and tolerated NaCl (w/v) up to 1% (optimum 0%). Q-10 was sole the respiratory ubiquinone present in YIM DR1026T. Polar lipids of strain YIM DR1026T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol, unidentified aminolipid and unidentified polar lipid. The genomic G + C content was 64.6 mol%. The major fatty acids were C18:1ω7c, C16:0 and summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c). Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and genome comparison, strain YIM DR1026T represents a novel species of the genus Aureimonas, for which the name Aureimonas psammosilene sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM DR1026T (= KCTC 42691T = NBRC 112412T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Gram-staining positive, motile, rod-shaped and subterminal endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain SYSU K30005T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a karst cave in Libo county, Guizhou province, south-western China. Strain SYSU K30005T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Lysinibacillus fusiformis (98.6%) and Lysinibacillus sphaericus (98.2%). In phylogenetic tree, strain SYSU K30005T clade with the members of the genus Lysinibacillus. Based on the phylogenetic and 16S gene sequence result, strain SYSU K30005T was affiliated to the genus Lysinibacillus. The growth of SYSU K30005T was observed at 15–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0–4% (w/v) NaCl (optimum in 3.5% NaCl). Cell wall peptidoglycan type was A4α (Lys–Asp). The cell-wall sugars of SYSU K30005T were ribose, galactose and mannose and MK-7 was the only quinone. The fatty acids (> 5% of total fatty acids) were iso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 and iso-C17:0. The polar lipids profile included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatideylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G + C content was 37.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity values between SYSU K30005T and its closest relatives were below the cut-off level (95–96%) for species delineation. The results support the conclusion that strain SYSU K30005T represents a novel species of the genus Lysinibacillus, for which we proposed the name Lysinibacillus cavernae sp. nov. The type strain is SYSU K30005T (= KCTC 43130T = CGMCC 1.17492T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on discrete-event dynamic system theory, train operation events in high-speed railway transportation systems are regarded as the basic elements of these dynamic systems. For non-periodic timetable railways in China, based on a max-plus algebra method, a delay propagation cellular automata model is proposed to evaluate the robustness of high-speed train operation plans. The cellular automata evolution rules that can reproduce the delay propagation state of trains mainly consider train safety headway constraints, passenger transfer constraints, and electric multiple unit (EMU) connection constraints. A simulation analysis of actual cases is performed. The simulation results show that the model can be used to evaluate the robustness of the train operation plan. The numerical results show that in the preparation of train operation plans, the proposed model can predict which trains have significant influences on delays in advance and improve the possibility of reducing the occurrence of delays to maintain high-quality service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick-borne rickettsioses are world-spreading infectious zoonoses. Ticks serve as reservoirs and vectors for Rickettsia and play a key role in transmission of rickettsioses. Most of the Chinese rickettsiosis patients are reported from Northeastern China but the distribution of tick and tick-borne Rickettsia species in Northeastern China remain poorly studied. In this study, a total of 1,286 ticks were captured from the seven counties of Harbin, an area in Northeastern China, and the tick-borne Rickettsia species were identified by PCR and sequencing of rrs, gltA, groEL, ompA and 17-kDa antigen-encoding genes. Of the 5 identified tick species, Haemaphysalis longicornis and Ixodes persulcatus were the predominant tick species in the livestock and vegetation, respectively. Rickettsia raoultii and "Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae" were the two detectable Rickettsia species in the ticks with a 28.8% positive rate but no rickettsiae were found in ticks of Haemaphysalis concinna. R. raoultii detected in 37.6% of the Dermacentor nuttalli, Dermacentor silvarum and H. longicornis ticks while "Ca. R. tarasevichiae" was only present in 22.8% of the I. persulcatus ticks. In particular, the positive rate of both R. raoultii and "Ca. R. tarasevichiae" in ticks from the livestock (40.7%) was significantly higher than that from the vegetation (19.5%). The results indicate that the tick and tick-borne Rickettsia species are diverse in different regions of Harbin due to geographic difference and the ticks from livestock may play a more important role in transmission of rickettsioses to human. Author summary: Rickettsiosis is a tick-borne infectious disease of global importance. The disease has been prevailing in Northeastern China but the distribution of tick and tick-borne Rickettsia species from different areas of Northeastern China remain poorly studied. We collected a total of 1,286 ticks in the seven counties with different geographic environments of Harbin, an area of Northeastern China, and all the ticks were classified as Dermacentor nuttalli, Dermacentor silvarum, Haemaphysalis concinna, Haemaphysalis longicornis or Ixodes persulcatus. A total of 28.8% of the ticks tested positive for either Rickettsia raoultii or "Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae", in which 37.6% of the D. nuttalli, D. silvarum and H. longicornis ticks were positive for R. raoultii while 22.8% of the I. persulcatus ticks were positive for "Ca. R. tarasevichiae". The positive rate of both R. raoultii and "Ca. R. tarasevichiae" in ticks from the livestock (40.7%) was significantly higher than that from the vegetation (19.5%). All the data indicate that ticks in the Harbin area have a high infection rate with Rickettsia species and domestic animals may have a tick-livestock rickettsial circulation that may play an important role in transmission of rickettsioses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report for the first time the isolation of endophytic actinobacteria associated with wild populations of the Chinese medicinal herb Thymus roseus Schipcz obtained from the arid land in Ili and Tacheng of the Xinjiang Province, China. Strains were isolated by special pretreatment of plant tissues and identified based on their 16S rRNA gene sequences, and their antimicrobial activities in vitro were evaluated. A total of 126 endophytic actinobacteria belonging to two classes, eight orders, 14 families, and 24 genera were isolated from different organs at the Ili and Tacheng sites. In addition, the diversity of culturable endophytic actinobacteria genera was higher at Tacheng site (n = 71, 56.35%) than the Ili site (n = 55, 43.65%). A neighbor-joining tree of 126 isolated actinobacteria showing the phylogenetic relationships based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the genus Streptomyces was the most dominant isolate. The number of endophytic actinobacteria genera obtained from root tissues (n = 54, 42.86%) was higher compared to stem (n = 35, 27.78%) and leaf tissue (n = 37, 29.36%). Among 126 endophytic actinobacteria, 54 strains were antagonistic against at least one or more indicator organisms in vitro. Notably, most strains of Streptomyces proved antagonistic activities. For example, strain T4SB028, namely Streptomyces polyantibioticus , showed the highest inhibition ratio reached 67.06, 64.20, and 70.55% against Alternaria solani , Valsa malicola , and Valsa mali , respectively. The results demonstrate that about 30.95%, 23.01% of the tested endophytic actinobacteria were capable of producing siderophores and chitinase, respectively. Additionally, the results of the amplification of biosynthetic genes polyketide synthetase (PKS-I) and non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) indicated that at least one antibiotic biosynthetic gene was detected in 27 (50%) of the tested strains. Our result emphasizes that the endophytic actinobacteria communities are different based on the plant tissues and the geographical environment of the sampled area. Thus, we conclude that T. roseus Schipcz. provided a rich source of endophytic actinobacteria that exhibited a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Babesia spp. are important emerging tick-borne protozoan hemoparasites, and pose a great impact on companion animals. Canine babesiosis has been well described worldwide, while felis babesiosis has primarily been reported from South Africa. To the best of our knowledge, Babesia spp. infections in dogs have been well elucidated in pet dog population in China, no report about Babesia spp. infection in cat population in mainland China. Results: In this study, a total of 203 blood samples were collected from pet cats in Shenzhen city, and detected the presence of Babesia spp. with nested-PCR. Sequence comparison based on the 18S rRNA gene and ITS region revealed that three cats (1.48%) were infected with Babesia. vogeli. Notably, the sequences of ITS region obtained in this study shared the highest nucleotide identity with the sequence of B. vogeli strain isolated in cat from Taiwan. Conclusions: This study is the first report about babesiosis in domestic cats, and also provides molecular evidence of Babesia spp. infection in cat in mainland China. The data present in this study suggest B. vogeli may be circulating in cat population in mainland China. Further study to investigate the epidemiology of Babesia infection in cat nationwide is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A short-rod-shaped moderately halophilic bacterium, designated CUG 00002, was isolated from the sediment of Xiaochaidan salt lake in Qinghai Province, China by using R2A medium. The cells were Gram-staining negative, aerobic, forming creamy and circular colonies with diameters of 2-3 mm on R2A agar when incubated at 30 °C for 3 days. 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis indicated that strain CUG 00002 belonged to the genus Halomonas in the class Gammaproteobacteria, showing highest sequence similarity of 97.1 and 96.7 % to Halomonas mongoliensis Z-7009 (=DSM 17332=VKM B2353) and Halomonas shengliensis SL014B-85 (=CGMCC 1.6444=LMG 23897), respectively. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was ubiquinone-9 (Q9), and the major fatty acids were C, summed feature 3 (comprising C ω7c and/or C ω6c) and summed feature 8 (comprising C ω7c or C ω6c). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain CUG 00002 was 61.8 mol%. The above characteristics were consistent with the placement of the organism in the genus Halomonas. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between CUG 00002 and its most closely related strain H. mongoliensis Z-7009 was 41.0 ± 1.6 %. Based on the results of phenotypic, phylogenetic and biochemical analyses, strain CUG 00002 represents a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas xiaochaidanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CUG 00002 (=CCTCC AB 2014152=KCTC 42685). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halomonas zhanjiangensis Chen et al. 2009 is a member of the genus Halomonas, family Halomonadaceae, class Gammaproteobacteria. Representatives of the genus Halomonas are a group of halophilic bacteria often isolated from salty environments. The type strain H. zhanjiangensis JSM 078169 was isolated from a sea urchin ( Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) collected from the South China Sea. The genome of strain JSM 078169 is the fourteenth sequenced genome in the genus Halomonas and the fifteenth in the family Halomonadaceae. The other thirteen genomes from the genus Halomonas are H. halocynthiae, H. venusta, H. alkaliphila, H. lutea, H. anticariensis, H. jeotgali, H. titanicae, H. desiderata, H. smyrnensis, H. salifodinae, H. boliviensis, H. elongata and H stevensii. Here, we describe the features of strain JSM 078169, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation from a culture of DSM 21076. The 4,060,520 bp long draft genome consists of 17 scaffolds with the 3,659 protein-coding and 80 RNA genes and is a part of Genomic Encyclopedia of Type Strains, Phase I: the one thousand microbial genomes (KMG) project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thousands of hot springs are located in the north-eastern part of the Yunnan- Tibet geothermal zone, which is one of the most active geothermal areas in the world. However, a comprehensive and detailed understanding of microbial diversity in these hot springs is still lacking. In this study, bacterial and archaeal diversities were investigated in 16 hot springs ( pH 3.2-8.6; temperature 47-96° C) in Yunnan Province and Tibet, China by using a barcoded 16 S rRNA gene-pyrosequencing approach. Aquificae, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Deinococcus- Thermus and Bacteroidetes comprised the large portion of the bacterial communities in acidic hot springs. Non-acidic hot springs harboured more and variable bacterial phyla than acidic springs. Desulfurococcales and unclassified Crenarchaeota were the dominated groups in archaeal populations from most of the non-acidic hot springs; whereas, the archaeal community structure in acidic hot springs was simpler and characterized by Sulfolobales and Thermoplasmata. The phylogenetic analyses showed that Aquificae and Crenarchaeota were predominant in the investigated springs and possessed many phylogenetic lineages that have never been detected in other hot springs in the world. Thus findings from this study significantly improve our understanding of microbial diversity in terrestrial hot springs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent over 30 years, China's economic development was so rapid that the local government providing for public services involving people's livelihood presented a trend towards the medium. The reasons why the trend took place were mainly as follows: there was a certain inequity in the relation between the administrative and financial power of local governments because of the traditional tax allocation system; overemphasizing the economic development in the evaluation of the performance of a local government; the poor construction of social security/environment was disproportionate to economic development. Taking the data on budgetary expenditures of local governments in recent years as evaluation indices, it was found that the motive of the trend towards the medium appears when local governments play the role of multitask agents in public services. The measures to be taken to solve the problem should include the following three aspects, i.e., the reform to perfect the tax allocation system, improving the policy of social security/environment and creating an evaluation system of competitive market for public services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-acid–alcohol-fast strain, designated YIM 61095T, was isolated from the root of Maytenus austroyunnanensis collected from a tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province, south-west China. Strain YIM 61095T exhibited chemotaxonomic and morphological characteristics that were consistent with members of the genus Saccharopolyspora. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM 61095T was a member of the genus Saccharopolyspora and was most closely related to Saccharopolyspora flava AS 4.1520T (97.7% sequence similarity). The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The predominant quinone detected was MK-9(H4). The DNA G+C content was 66.2mol%. The phenotypic characteristics and DNA–DNA hybridization relatedness data indicated that strain YIM 61095T should be distinguished from Saccharopolyspora flava AS 4.1520T. On the basis of the evidence presented in this study, strain YIM 61095T represents a novel species of the genus Saccharopolyspora, for which the name Saccharopolyspora endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 61095T (=KCTC 19397T=CCTCC AA 208003T). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A motile, Gram-positive, slightly halophilic, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic, slender rod-shaped bacterium, strain YIM-C229T was isolated from the sediment of a salt lake in the Qaidam Basin, north-west China. Filamentous forms were present throughout the growth cycle. Strain YIM-C229T grew in the presence of 0.5–8% NaCl and at pH 6.0–8.5, with optimum growth at 1–3% NaCl and pH 7.0–7.5. It grew at 4–45°C, with optimum growth at 37°C. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, C16:0, iso-C15:0, C16:1 ω11c and anteiso-C17:0. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol were the polar lipids, with meso-diaminopimelic acid occurring in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.9mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YIM-C229T was closely related to the type strains of the four recognized species of the genus Gracilibacillus: G. halotolerans NNT (sequence similarity 95.5%), G. dipsosauri DD1T (96.1%), G. orientalis XH-63T (96.8%) and G. boraciitolerans T-16XT (99.1%). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YIM-C229T and G. boraciitolerans DSM 17256T was 30.8%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic differences and DNA–DNA hybridization data supported the view that this strain represented a novel species of the genus Gracilibacillus, for which the name Gracilibacillus quinghaiensis sp. nov. is proposed, with YIM-C229T (=DSM 17858T=CGMCC 1.6304T) as the type strain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel actinomycete strain YIM 33378T was isolated from a soil sample collected from Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China. Based on the results of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain YIM 33378T should be assigned to a new species of the genus Nocardia, for which the name Nocardia lijiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 33378T (=CCTCC AA 204005T= KCTC 19028T). The GenBank accession number for the sequence reported in this paper is AY779043. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Two actinomycete strains, designated YIM 30006T and YIM 31075T, were isolated from soil samples in Yunnan, China and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Morphological and chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that the two isolates should be consistent with the nocardioform actinomycetes. Comparative 16S rDNA sequences confirmed that the two unknown isolates to be members of the genus Kribbella. Based on the results of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic studies and DNA–DNA hybridization results, strains YIM 30006T and YIM 31075T should be classified as two novel species of the genus Kribbella, for which the names Kribbella yunnanensis sp. nov. and Kribbella alba sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains for them are YIM 30006T (=CCTCC AA001019T=DSM 15499T) and YIM 31075T (=CCTCC AA 001020T=DSM 15500T), respectively. The 16S rDNA sequences of strains YIM 30006T, YIM 31075T have been deposited in GenBank under the accession numbers AY 082061 and AY 082062, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Endophytes are now considered as an important component of biodiversity. However, the diversity of endophytic actinobacteria associated with tropical rainforest native medicinal plants is essentially unknown. In this study, the diversity of endophytic actinobacteria residing in root, stem and leaf tissues of medicinal plant Maytenus austroyunnanensis collected from tropical rainforest in Xishuangbanna, China was investigated with a combination of cultivation and culture-independent analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. By using different selective isolation media and methods, a total of 312 actinobacteria were obtained, and they were affiliated with the order Actinomycetales (distributed into 21 genera). Based on a protocol for endophytes enrichment, three 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed and 84 distinct operational taxonomic units were identified and they distributed among the orders Actinomycetales and Acidimicrobiales, including eight suborders and at least 38 genera with a number of rare actinobacteria genera. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 32% of the clones in the libraries had lower than 97% similarities with related type strains. Interestingly, six genera from the order Actinomycetales and uncultured clones from Acidimicrobiales have not, to our knowledge, been previously reported as endophytes. Our study confirms abundant endophytic actinobacterial consortium in tropical rainforest native plant and suggests that this special habitat represents an underexplored reservoir of diverse and novel actinobacteria of potential interest for bioactive compounds discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many manganese (Mn) carbonate deposits over geologic history are often closely associated with black shales. However, the mechanism(s) by which the Mn entered the sediments remains controversial because on one hand oxygenated waters are required for primary Mn(IV) oxide formation but on the other hand black shales generally form under reducing conditions. China hosts some of the world's largest black shale-hosted Mn deposits, for example, the Carboniferous Ortokarnash and Malkantu Mn deposits in the Malkansu region, offering a good opportunity to revisit the genesis of black shale-hosted Mn carbonate deposits. Here, we present the first coupled, systematic paleoredox and hydrographic reconstruction of those deposits with the aim of elucidating the redox-state of the depositional basin at the time of their initial deposition. The Mn ore beds in this region are hosted within laminated, organic-rich mudstones (i.e., black shales) reflective of a relatively deep-water depositional environment. The Mn ores are comprised of the Mn(II) carbonate minerals (rhodochrosite and Ca-rhodochrosite), with minor alabandite, pyrite, and monazite. Multiple independent lines of evidence, including positive shale-normalized Ce anomalies (average 3.0), negative δ13C VPDB values (average −11.55 ‰), and negative δ98Mo NIST+0.25 values (average −1.07 ‰), indicate that the Mn(II) carbonate ores were formed during diagenesis via the coupled oxidation of organic matter and reduction of Mn(IV) oxides originally deposited from an oxygenated water column. However, in apparent contradiction, highly reactive iron to total iron (Fe HR /Fe T ; average 0.66) and pyrite iron to highly reactive iron (Fe Py /Fe HR ; average 0.71) ratios, combined with a high abundance of small framboidal pyrites (mean diameter ∼5 μm) with narrow size ranges (standard deviations <2 μm), suggest that the associated black shales were deposited in euxinic (H 2 S-bearing) bottom waters. Euxinia resulted from sluggish water mass circulation, with sedimentary Mo/TOC ratios indicating a relatively strong hydrologic restriction. During this stage, dissolved Mn(II) would have accumulated in euxinic waters but not become permanently fixed into sediments, as indicated by higher degrees of enrichment for Mo over U and lower Mo isotope values than coeval seawater recorded in the black shales. These reveal an active Mn(IV) oxide shuttle across a redox-stratified water column. Combined, the Mn ore intervals document sharp benthic oxygenation of euxinic bottom waters, a process that might be induced by the periodic incursions of oxic seawater associated with eustatic sea level rises. This model is supported by the Mo isotopic characteristics of the Mn carbonate ores, which indicate original Mn oxide precipitation from an overlying water with Mo isotopic composition close to coeval open seawater (minimum δ98Mo NIST+0.25 of 1.9 ‰). In contrast to the generalized "bathtub ring" model envisaging that the black shale-hosted Mn deposits were formed at shallow basin margins, our results highlight that they were more likely formed by in-situ ventilation of anoxic (especially euxinic) deep waters of basin center settings. In this regard, we suggest that the ventilation model better explains the close association of Mn carbonate ores with black shales, and has profound implications for understanding the paleoredox framework of otherwise Mn-rich black shale successions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), with a 5 year survival below 15%, is one of the most common fatal cancers worldwide. Significant reduction in mortality may be achieved by detecting and treating asymptomatic precursor lesions and curable early cancers. To explore this possibility and look for potential early detection markers, we examined alterations in 16 microsatellite markers in laser capture microdissected (LCM) endoscopic biopsies from the esophagus, including 15 dysplasias and 22 ESCCs, in patients from Shanxi Province, a region in north-central China. We found a significant increase in the total frequency of allelic loss with increasing disease severity. Allelic loss was seen in 2% of the markers in patients with low grade dysplasia (LGD), 15% of the markers in patients with high grade dysplasia (HGD), and 35% of the markers in patients with ESCC. Ten different markers (D3S4513, D5S2501, D8S1106, D9S118, D9S910, D13S1493, D13S894, D13S796, D15S655, and D17S1303) showed allelic loss in one or more of the premalignant lesions tested. The frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI) also increased with histological severity, from 22% in LGD to 33% in HGD and 59% in ESCC. These results indicate that the development of ESCC is associated with genetic instability, that this instability can be detected in endoscopic biopsies of recognized precursor lesions in patients without invasive cancer, and that these markers may be useful as predictive markers in the early detection of ESCC. Finally, we also report methodologic/technical modifications that enhance the use of LCM for screening endoscopic biopsies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A total of 272 blood samples of pet dogs were collected and detected Babesia. • Only Babesia vogeli was detected in 30 samples collected from pet dogs. • Babesia infection in pet dogs in Shenzhen with an overall prevalence of 11.0 %. • No significant difference of positive rate among sampling sites or gender of dogs. • Age and health status of dogs significantly influence the prevalence of Babesia. Canine babesiosis is an important global tick-borne infectious disease of domestic dogs and wild canids. B. gibsoni and B. vogeli are the most widespread species mainly endemic in dog population in southern and eastern regions of China. In this study, 272 blood samples were collected from pet dogs in five districts of Shenzhen, China. Babesia DNA was detected in 30 samples with an overall prevalence of 11.0 % in pet dogs in Shenzhen. The difference in the positive rate between female and male pet dogs, among different breed, and among the five sampling sites was not significant, while the age and health status of pet dogs significantly influence the positive rate of Babesia spp. infection. Sequencing results showed the presence of only B. vogeli in all of the samples tested. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis revealed that all 30 strains of Babesia identified in this study shared the highest identity with B. vogeli. In sum, all results of this study showed a considerable high infection rate of Babesia spp. in pet dogs, and B. vogeli was the only Babesia species infecting pet dogs in Shenzhen city. Such information is necessary to help to elucidate the epidemiology of canine babesiosis in Shenzhen, and it is necessary to actively monitor this disease in pet dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, the color of the bacterial colony ranges from light yellow to yellow, designated YC-2023-2T, was isolated from sediment sample of Yuncheng salt lake. Growth occurred at 15-45℃ (optimum 37℃), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0-8.0) and with 0-8.0% NaCl (w/v, optimum 2.0%). The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain YC-2023-2T belonged to the family Kordiimonadaceae. The closely related members were Gimibacter soli 6D33T (92.38%), Kordiimonas lipolytica M41T (91.88%), Eilatimonas milleporae DSM 25217T (91.88%) and Kordiimonas gwangyangensis JCM 12864T (91.84%). The genome of strain YC-2023-2T was 2957513 bp, and the genomic DNA G+C content was 63.91%. The main respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids (>10%) were iso-C15:0, C16:0, C19:0 cyclo ω8c, Summed Feature 8 (C18:1 ω6c or C18:1 ω7c) and Summed Feature 9 (iso-C17:1 ω9c or C16:0 10-methyl). The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified glycolipid, unidentified lipid, and two unidentified aminolipids. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain YC-2023-2T is proposed to represent a novel species of a novel genus named Yunchengibacter salinarum gen. nov., sp. nov., within the family Kordiimonadaceae. The type strain is YC-2023-2T (= GDMCC 1.4502T = KCTC 8546T)., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Strain SYSU D00308 T , a short-rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from a sandy soil collected from the Gurbantunggut Desert, Xinjiang, PR China. Strain SYSU D00308 T was Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, pink-pigmented, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive. The strain grew at 4-37 ℃, pH 5.0-8.0 and 0-1.5% (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses demonstrated that strain SYSU D00308 T belonged to the genus Rufibacter and exhibited the highest sequence similarity (97.4%) to Rufibacter glacialis MDT1-10-3 T . Summed features 3, 4, and iso-C 15:0 were the major fatty acids, and menaquinone 7 (MK-7) was the sole respiratory menaquinone. The polar lipid profiles comprised phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified glycolipid, an unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified aminophospholipids, and two unidentified lipids. The genome size and DNA G + C content of strain SYSU D00308 T were 5,176,683 bp and 54.8%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between SYSU D00308 T and members of the genus Rufibacter were 77.7-81.8% and 20.4-23.4% respectively, which were less than the corresponding thresholds (ANI: 95-96%; dDDH: 70%) for prokaryotic species definition. According to the genotypic, phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, strain SYSU D00308 T represents a novel species of the genus Rufibacter. We propose the name, Rufibacter psychrotolerans sp. nov., with SYSU D00308 T (= CGMCC 1.18621 T = KCTC 82275 T = MCCC 1K04970 T ) as the type strain., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: The family Paenibacillaceae is linked to the order Caryophanales. Paenibacillaceae members residing in compost or soil play crucial roles in nutrient recycling and breaking down complex organic materials. However, our understanding of Paenibacillaceae remains limited., Methods: Strain SYSU GA230002 T was conclusively identified using a polyphasic taxonomic approach frequently utilized in bacterial systematics. Standard microbiological techniques were employed to characterize the morphology and biochemistry of strain SYSU GA230002 T ., Results: An anaerobic and gram--negative bacterium, designated SYSU GA230002 T , was isolated from geothermally heated soil of Tengchong, Yunnan Province, south-west China. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and genomes showed that strain SYSU GA230002 T belongs to the family Paenibacillaceae. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (<94.0 %), ANI (<71.95 %) and AAI values (<58.67 %) between strain SYSU GA230002 T with other members of the family were lower than the threshold values recommended for distinguishing novel species. Growth was observed at 30-45 °C (optimum, 37 °C), pH 7.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl concentrations (optimum, 0 %). The major fatty acids detected were anteiso-C 15:0 , iso-C 16:0 and iso-C 17:0 . The polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified glycolipids. The respiratory quinone was MK-7. The DNA G + C content of strain SYSU GA230002 T was 49.87 %., Conclusion: Based on the results of morphological, physiological properties, and chemotaxonomic characteristics, this strain is proposed to represent a new species of a new genus Ferviditalea candida gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of the type species is SYSU GA230002 T (=KCTC 25726 T  = GDMCC 1.4160 T )., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A novel rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain SYSU D60015 T that formed yellowish colonies was isolated from a sandy soil collected from the Kumtag Desert in Xinjiang, China. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, oxidase-positive, catalase-negative and motile with a single polar flagellum. Growth optimum occurred between 28 and 37 °C, pH 7.0 and with 0-0.5% (W/V) NaCl. The predominant cellular fatty acids (> 5%) were summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c), C 19:0 cyclo ω8c, C 18:1 ω7c 11-methyl and C 16:0 . The polar lipid profile contained one phosphatidylethanolamine, one diphosphatidylglycerol, one phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified aminolipids, two unidentified aminophospholipids and seven unidentified lipids. The only respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis, strain SYSU D60015 T was found to form a distinct linage within the family Sneathiellaceae, and had 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 90.8% to Taonella mepensis H1 T , and 90.2% to Ferrovibrio denitrificans S3 T . The genome of SYSU D60015 T was 5.66 Mb in size with 68.2% of DNA G + C content. The low digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH, 18.0%), average nucleotide identity (ANI, 77.5%) and amino acid identity (AAI, 56.0%) values between SYSU D60015 T and Ferrovibrio terrae K5 T indicated that SYSU D60015 T might represent a distinct genus. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic data, we propose Desertibaculum subflavum gen. nov., sp. nov. as a novel species of a new genus within the family Sneathiellaceae. The type strain is SYSU D60015 T (= NBRC 112952 T  = CGMCC 1.16256 T )., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Genus Thermus is the main focus of researcher among the thermophiles. Members of this genus are the inhabitants of both natural and artificial thermal environments. We performed phylogenomic analyses and comparative genomic studies to unravel the genomic diversity among the strains belonging to the genus Thermus in geographically different thermal springs. Sixteen Thermus strains were isolated and sequenced from hot springs, Qucai hot springs in Tibet and Tengchong hot springs in Yunnan, China. 16S rRNA gene based phylogeny and phylogenomic analyses based on concatenated set of 971 Orthologous Protein Families (supermatrix and gene content methods) revealed a mixed distribution of the Thermus strains. Whole genome based phylogenetic analysis showed, all 16 Thermus strains belong to five species; Thermus oshimai (YIM QC-2-109, YIM 1640, YIM 1627, 77359, 77923, 77838), Thermus antranikianii (YIM 73052, 77412, 77311, 71206), Thermus brokianus (YIM 73518, 71318, 72351), Thermus hydrothermalis (YIM 730264 and 77927) and one potential novel species 77420 forming clade with Thermus thalpophilus SYSU G00506 T . Although the genomes of different strains of Thermus of same species were highly similar in their metabolic pathways, but subtle differences were found. CRISPR loci were detected through genome-wide screening, which showed that Thermus isolates from two different thermal locations had well developed defense system against viruses and adopt similar strategy for survival. Additionally, comparative genome analysis screened competence loci across all the Thermus genomes which could be helpful to acquire DNA from environment. In the present study it was found that Thermus isolates use two mechanism of incomplete denitrification pathway, some Thermus strains produces nitric oxide while others nitrious oxide (dinitrogen oxide), which show the heterotrophic lifestyle of Thermus genus. All isolated organisms encoded complete pathways for glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid and pentose phosphate. Calvin Benson Bassham cycle genes were identified in genomes of T. oshimai and T. antranikianii strains, while genomes of all T. brokianus strains and organism 77420 were lacking. Arsenic, cadmium and cobalt-zinc-cadmium resistant genes were detected in genomes of all sequenced Thermus strains. Strains 77,420, 77,311, 73,518, 77,412 and 72,351 genomes were found harboring genes for siderophores production. Sox gene clusters were identified in all sequenced genomes, except strain YIM 730264, suggesting a mode of chemolithotrophy. Through the comparative genomic analysis, we also identified 77420 as the genome type species and its validity as novel organism was confirmed by whole genome sequences comparison. Although isolate 77420 had 99.0% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with T. thalpophilus SYSU G00506 T but based on ANI 95.86% (Jspecies) and digital DDH 68.80% (GGDC) values differentiate it as a potential novel species. Similarly, in the phylogenomic tree, the novel isolate 77,420 forming a separate branch with their closest reference type strain T. thalpophilus SYSU G00506 T ., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Two novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, and non-motile strains, designated FZY0004 T and YYF002 T , were isolated from an agar-degrading co-culture, which was obtained from seawater of the intertidal zone of Yancheng City, the Yellow Sea of China. Strain FZY0004 T optimally grew at 28 °C, pH 7.0, and 2-6% NaCl, while strain YYF002 T optimally grew at 28 °C, pH 7.5, and 2-4% NaCl. Strain FZY0004 T possessed Q-9 as the major respiratory quinone, and its major fatty acids (> 10%) were summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω7c), C 16:0 , and summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7c/C 16:1 ω6c). The polar lipids identified in strain FZY0004 T were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and several unidentified phospholipids (PL) and lipids (L). On the other hand, strain YYF002 T had MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinone and its major fatty acids consisted of iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 15:1 G, and iso-C 15:0 3-OH. The polar lipids identified in strain YYF002 T were aminolipid (AL), PE, and several unidentified lipids. Strain FZY0004 T shared 99.5% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 90.1% average nucleotide identity (ANI) with T. povalilytica Zumi 95 T , and strain YYF002 T shared 99.2% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and 88.2% ANI with W. poriferorum JCM 12885 T . The genomic DNA G + C contents of strains FZY0004 T and YYF002 T were 54.5% and 33.5%, respectively. The phylogenetic, phenotypic, and physiological characteristics permitted the distinction of the two strains from their neighbors, and we thus propose the names Thalassospira aquimaris sp. nov. (type strain FZY0004 T  = JCM 35895 T  = MCCC 1K08380 T ) and Winogradskyella marincola sp. nov. (type strain YYF002 T  = JCM 35950 T  = MCCC 1K08382 T )., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated as SYSU D00382 T , was sourced from soil of Gurbantunggut Desert, PR China. The strain was short-rod-shaped, oxidase-positive and catalase-negative, with yellow-colored, convex, round, and smooth colonies on TSA plate. Growth and proliferation occurred at 4-37 °C (optimal: 28-30 °C), pH 5.0-8.0 (optimal: pH 6.0-7.0) and NaCl concentration of 0-2.5% (optimal: 0-0.5%). The 16S rRNA gene based phylogenetic assessment showed that SYSU D00382 T belonged to the genus Pedobacter, and was most closely related to Pedobacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 104 T with similarity of 97.7%. The genomic DNA G+C content of SYSU D00382 T was 46.4%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between SYSU D00382 T and P. ginsengisoli Gsoil 104 T were 75.7% and 17.5%, respectively. The main polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids (> 5%) were iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 17:0 3-OH, summed features 3 and 9. The sole respiratory quinone identified was MK-7. The phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that SYSU D00382 T formed a robust lineage with P. ginsengisoli Gsoil 104 T . Based on phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic data, a novel specie named Pedobacter deserti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SYSU D00382 T (= CGMCC 1.18627 T  = MCCC 1K04972 T  = KCTC 82279 T )., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, milk-white coloured, non-motile, short rod-shaped bacteria, designated as strains SYSU D60010 T and SYSU D60012 T , were isolated from sand samples collected from the Taklimakan Desert of Xinjiang Province in China. Both strains were positive for oxidase, catalase and nitrate reduction, but negative for amylase, H 2 S production, hydrolysis of gelatin and cellulase. Strains SYSU D60010 T and SYSU D60012 T grew well at 28 °C, at pH 7 and had the same NaCl tolerance range of 0-1 % (w/v). The major fatty acids (>5 %) of strains SYSU D60010 T and SYSU D60012 T were summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 18 : 1  ω 6 c ), iso-C 19 : 0 cyclo ω 8 c , C 16 : 0 and iso-C 18 : 1 2-OH. Q-10 was the only respiratory ubiquinone. Strains SYSU D60010 T and SYSU D60012 T showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Aestuariivirga litoralis SYSU M10001 T (94.2 and 94.1 %), Rhodoligotrophos jinshengii BUT-3 T (92.0 and 91.9 %) and Rhodoligotrophos appendicifer 120-1 T (91.8 and 91.7 %), and the genomes were 7.4 and 5.8 Mbp in size with DNA G+C contents of 62.8 and 63.0 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics indicated that these two strains represent a novel genus and two novel species within the family Aestuariivirgaceae . We propose the name Taklimakanibacter deserti gen. nov., sp. nov. for strain SYSU D60010 T , representing the type strain of this species (=KCTC 52783 T =NBRC 113344 T ) and Taklimakanibacter lacteus gen. nov., sp. nov. for strain SYSU D60012 T , representing the type strain of this species (=KCTC 52785 T =NBRC 113128 T ).

Two strains, designated as SYSU M80004 T and SYSU M80005 T , were isolated from water sampled in the Pearl River Estuary, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China. The strains were Gram-stain-negative and aerobic. Strain SYSU M80004 T could grow at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 22-30 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and in the presence of 0-1 % NaCl (w/v; optimum 0 %). Strain SYSU M80005 T could grow at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 4-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and in the presence of 0-1 % NaCl (w/v; optimum 0%). Both strains contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone. C 16 : 0 and iso-C 15 : 0 were identified as the major fatty acids (>10 %) of strain SYSU M80004 T while strain SYSU M80005 T contained iso-C 15 : 0 and iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine was present as the major polar lipid in both strains. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between these two strains and their closest relatives were 73.5-79.3 % and 19.6-23.2 %, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequences indicated they belonged to the genus Flavobacterium . Therefore, on the basis of phenotypic, physiological, chemotaxonomic and genomic evidence, two novel species, Flavobacterium adhaerens sp. nov. (type strain=SYSU M80004 T =CDMCC 1.4522 T =KCTC 102268 T ) and Flavobacterium maritimum sp. nov. (type strain=SYSU M80005 T =CGMCC 1.4523 T = KCTC 102269 T ) are proposed.

Two Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, oxidase- and catalase-negative, non-motile, and short rod-shaped actinomycetes, named SYSU T00b441 T and SYSU T00b490, were isolated from tidal flat sediment located in Guangdong province, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between SYSU T00b441 T and SYSU T00b490 were 99.3, 99.5 and 97.1 %, respectively. Strains SYSU T00b441 T and SYSU T00b490 exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Actinotalea ferrariae CF 5-4 T (97.1 %/98.2 %), with ANI values of 74.01/73.88 % and dDDH values of 20.5/20.4 %. In the phylogenomic tree, the two isolates were affiliated with the genus Actinotalea . The genomes of strains SYSU T00b441 T and SYSU T00b490 were 3.31 and 3.34 Mb, and both had DNA G+C contents of 72.8 mol%, coding 3077 and 3085 CDSs, three and three rRNA genes, and 53 and 51 tRNAs, respectively. Growth occurred at 15-40 °C (optimum, 28-30 °C), pH 4.0-10.0 (optimum, 7.0) and in the presence of 0-7 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 3 %). The major fatty acids (>10  %) of strains SYSU T00b441 T and SYSU T00b490 were anteiso-C 15 : 0 and C 16 : 0 . The major respiratory quinone was identified as MK-10(H 4 ). The polar lipids of strains SYSU T00b441 T and SYSU T00b490 were diphosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, two phosphatidylinositol mannosides, two glycolipids and two phospholipids. Based on these data, the two strains (SYSU T00b441 T and SYSU T00b490) represent a novel species of the genus Actinotalea , for which the name Actinotalea lenta sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is SYSU T00b441 T (=GDMCC 1.3827 T =KCTC 49943 T ).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, motile rod bacterium, designated as SYSU BS000021 T , was isolated from a black soil sample in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Methylobacterium, and showed the highest sequence similarity to Methylobacterium segetis KCTC 62267  T (98.51%) and Methylobacterium oxalidis DSM 24028  T (97.79%). Growth occurred at 20-37℃ (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in the presence of 0% (w/v) NaCl. Polar lipids comprised of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified polar lipid. The major cellular fatty acids (> 5%) were C 18:0 and C 18:1 ω7c and/or C 18:1 ω6c. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10. The genomic G + C content was 68.36% based on the whole genome analysis. The average nucleotide identity (≤ 83.5%) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (≤ 27.3%) values between strain SYSU BS000021 T and other members of the genus Methylobacterium were all lower than the threshold values recommended for distinguishing novel prokaryotic species. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses, strain SYSU BS000021 T represents a novel species of the genus Methylobacterium, for which the name Methylobacterium nigriterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel species is SYSU BS000021 T (= GDMCC 1.3814  T  = KCTC 8051  T )., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Two novel bacterial strains, designated as SYSU D00823 T and SYSU D00873 T , were isolated from sandy soil of the Gurbantunggut Desert in Xinjiang, north-west China. SYSU D00823 T and SYSU D00873 T shared 99.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence identity, and were both most closely related to Pedobacter xinjiangensis 12157 T with 96.1 % and 96.0 % similarities, respectively. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses revealed that the two isolates and P. xinjiangensis 12157 T formed a separate distinct cluster in a stable subclade with the nearby species Pedobacter mongoliensis 1-32 T , as well as the genera Pararcticibacter and Arcticibacter . Furthermore, P. mongoliensis 1-32 T formed a separate deep-branching lineage and did not form a cluster with members of the genus Pedobacter . The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between SYSU D00823 T and SYSU D00873 T and related species were well below the thresholds for species delineation (<81.0 % and <24.0 %, respectively). The genomes of SYSU D00823 T and SYSU D00873 T were 6.19 and 6.43 Mbp in size with 40.4 % and 40.5 % DNA G+C contents, respectively. The predominant fatty acids (>10 %) of SYSU D00823 T and SYSU D00873 T were iso-C 15 : 0 , iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1 ω 7 c and/or C 16 : 1 ω 6 c ). Menaquinone-7 was the only respiratory quinone. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, glycosphingolipid, aminoglycolipid/glycolipid, aminophospholipid and three or four unidentified polar lipids. These data indicated that strains SYSU D00823 T and SYSU D00873 T should be assigned to two novel species of a new genus within the family Sphingobacteriaceae , for which the names Desertivirga arenae gen. nov., sp. nov. and Desertivirga brevis sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are SYSU D00823 T (=CGMCC 1.18630 T =MCCC 1K04973 T =KCTC 82278 T ) and SYSU D00873 T (=CGMCC 1.18629 T =MCCC 1K04974 T =KCTC 82281 T ), respectively. Accordingly, the reclassification of P. xinjiangensis as Desertivirga xinjiangensis comb. nov., and P. mongoliensis as Paradesertivirga mongoliensis gen. nov., comb. nov. are also proposed.

Two Gram-stain-negative strains, designed SYSU M86414 T and SYSU M84420, were isolated from marine sediment samples of the South China Sea (Sansha City, Hainan Province, PR China). These strains were aerobic and could grow at pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 4-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), and in the presence of 0-10 % NaCl (w/v; optimum 3 %). The predominant respiratory menaquinone of strains SYSU M86414 T and SYSU M84420 was MK-6. The primary cellular polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) in both strains were iso-C 15 : 0 , iso-C 15 : 1 G, and iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G+C content of strains SYSU M86414 T and SYSU M84420 were both 42.10 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and core genes indicated that these novel strains belonged to the genus Flagellimonas and strain SYSU M86414 T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Flagellimonas marinaquae JCM 11811 T (98.83 %), followed by Flagellimonas aurea BC31-1-A7 T (98.62 %), while strain SYSU M84420 had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to F. marinaquae JCM 11811 T (98.76 %) and F. aurea BC31-1-A7 T (98.55 %). Based on the results of polyphasic analyses, strains SYSU M86414 T and SYSU M84420 should be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Flagellimonas , for which the name Flagellimonas halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel isolate is SYSU M86414 T (=GDMCC 1.3806 T =KCTC 102040 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, and slightly halophilic alphaproteobacterium, designated strain EGI FJ00035 T , was isolated from enrichment sediment samples of a saline lake in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, PR China. The taxonomic position of the isolate was determined using the polyphasic taxonomic and phylogenomic analyses. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain EGI FJ00035 T formed a distinct clade with ' Chelativorans alearense ' UJN715 and ' Chelativorans xinjiangense ' lm93 with sequence similarities of 98.44 and 98.22 %, respectively, while sharing less than 96.7 % with other valid type strains. The novel isolate could be distinguished from other species of the genus Chelativorans by its distinct phenotypic, physiological, and genotypic characteristics. Optimal growth of strain EGI FJ00035 T occurred on marine agar 2216 at pH 7.0 and 30 °C. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10, while the major fatty acids (>5 %) were C 19 : 0 cyclo ω8 c , summed feature 8 (C 17 : 1  ω6 c and/or C 17 : 1  ω7 c ), C 16 : 0 , C 18 : 0 , and iso-C 17 : 0 . The detected polar lipids included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminophospholipids, unidentified glycolipids, and an unidentified lipid. Based on its genome sequence, the G+C content of strain EGI FJ00035 T was 63.2 mol%. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of strain EGI FJ00035 T against related members of the genus Chelativorans were below the thresholds for delineation of a novel species. According our polyphasic taxonomic data, strain EGI FJ00035 T represents a new species of the genus Chelativorans , for which the name Chelativorans salis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel isolate is EGI FJ00035 T (=KCTC 92251 T =CGMCC 1.19480 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-endospore-forming, motile, short rod-shaped strain, designated SYSU G07232 T , was isolated from a hot spring microbial mat, sampled from Rehai National Park, Tengchong, Yunnan Province, south-western China. Strain SYSU G07232 T grew at 25-50 °C (optimum, 37 °C), at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 6.0) and tolerated NaCl concentrations up to 1.0 % (w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SYSU G07232 T showed closest genetic affinity with Chelatococcus daeguensis K106 T . The genomic features and taxonomic status of this strain were determined through whole-genome sequencing and a polyphasic approach. The predominant quinone of this strain was Q-10. Major cellular fatty acids comprised C 19 : 0 cyclo ω 8 c and summed feature 8. The whole-genome length of strain SYSU G07232 T was 4.02 Mbp, and the DNA G+C content was 69.26 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANIm ≤84.85 % and ANIb ≤76.08  %) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (≤ 21.9 %) values between strain SYSU G07232 T and the reference species were lower than the threshold values recommended for distinguishing novel prokaryotic species. Thus, based on the provided phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genetic data, it is proposed that strain SYSU G07232 T (=KCTC 8141 T =GDMCC 1.4178 T ) be designated as representing a novel species within the genus Chelatococcus , named Chelatococcus albus sp. nov.