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An alpha-proteobacterial strain JXJ CY 53 T was isolated from the cyanosphere of Microcystis sp. FACHB-905 (MF-905) collected from Lake Dianchi, China. JXJ CY 53 T was observed to be an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oval shaped, and mucus-secreting bacterium. It had C18:1ω7c and C16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids, Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone, and sphingoglycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine as the polar lipids. The G + C content of DNA was 65.85%. The bacterium had 16S rRNA gene sequence identities of 98.9% and 98.7% with Sphingomonas panni DSM 15761 T and Sphingomonas hankookensis KCTC 22579 T, respectively, while less than 97.4% identities with other members of the genus. Further taxonomic analysis indicated that JXJ CY 53 T represented a new member of Sphingomonas, and the species epithet was proposed as Sphingomonas lacusdianchii sp. nov. (type strain JXJ CY 53 T = KCTC 72813 T = CGMCC 1.17657 T). JXJ CY 53 T promoted the growth of MF-905 by providing bio-available phosphorus and nitrogen, plant hormones, vitamins, and carotenoids. It could modulate the relative abundances of nonculturable bacteria associated with MF-905 and influence the interactions of MF-905 and other bacteria isolated from the cyanobacterium, in addition to microcystin production characteristics. Meanwhile, MF-905 could provide JXJ CY 53 T dissolved organic carbon for growth, and control the growth of JXJ CY 53 T by secreting specific chemicals other than microcystins. Overall, these results suggest that the interactions between Microcystis and its attached bacteria are complex and dynamic, and may influence the growth characteristics of the cyanobacterium. This study provided new ideas to understand the interactions between Microcystis and its attached bacteria. Key points: • A novel bacterium (JXJCY 53T) was isolated from the cyanosphere of Microcystis sp. FACHB-905 (MF-905) • JXJCY 53Tmodulated the growth and microcystin production of MF-905 • MF-905 could control the attached bacteria by specific chemicals other than microcystins (MCs) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile actinobacterial strains designated as CPCC 205119T, CPCC 205215, and CPCC 205251 were isolated from different biological soil crust samples collected from Tengger Desert, China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of these three strains showed they had almost identical 16S rRNA genes, which were closely related to members of the family Geodermatophilaceae , with the highest similarities of 96.3–97.3% to the species of Modestobacter. In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, these isolates clustered into a subclade next to the branch containing the species of Modestobacter lapidis and Modestobacter multiseptatus , within the lineage of the genus Modestobacter. The comparative genomic characteristics (values of ANI, dDDH, AAI, and POCP) and the phenotypic properties (morphological, physiological, and chemotaxonomic characteristics) of these isolates readily supported to affiliate them to the genus Modestobacter as a single separate species. For which, we proposed that the isolates CPCC 205119T, CPCC 205215, and CPCC 205251 represent a novel species of the genus Modestobacter as Modestobacter deserti sp. nov. CPCC 205119T (=I12A-02624=NBRC 113528T=KCTC 49201T) is the type strain. The genome of strain CPCC 205119T consisted of one chromosome (4,843,235bp) containing 4,424 coding genes, 48 tRNA genes, five rRNA genes, three other ncRNA genes, and 101 pseudogenes, with G+C content of 74.7%. The whole-genome sequences analysis indicated that this species contained alkaline phosphatase genes (phoA / phoD), phosphate transport-related genes (phoU , phnC , phnD , phnE , phoB , phoH , phoP , phoR , pitH , ppk , pstA , pstB , pstC , and pstS), trehalose-phosphate synthase gene (otsA), trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase gene (otsB) and other encoding genes for the properties that help the microorganisms to adapt to harsh environmental conditions prevalent in deserts. Strains of this species could solubilize tricalcium phosphate [Ca3(PO4)2] and phytin, assimilate pyrophosphate, thiophosphate, dithiophosphate, phosphoenol pyruvate, 2-deoxy-d-glucose-6-phosphate, and cysteamine-S-phosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since December 2019, China has experienced a public health emergency from the coronavirus disease, which has become a pandemic and is impacting the care of cancer patients worldwide. This study evaluated the impact of the pandemic on colorectal cancer (CRC) patients at our center and aimed to share the lessons we learned with clinics currently experiencing this impact.Methods: We retrospectively collected data on CRC patients admitted between January 1, 2020 and May 3, 2020; the control group comprised patients admitted between January 1, 2019 and May 3, 2019.Results: During the pandemic, outpatient volumes decreased significantly, especially those of nonlocal and elderly patients, whereas the number of patients who received chemotherapy and surgery remained the same. During the pandemic, 710 CRC patients underwent curative resection. The proportion of patients who received laparoscopic surgeries was 49.4%, significantly higher than the 39.5% during the same period in 2019. The proportion of major complication during the pandemic was not significantly different from that of the control group. The mean hospital stay was significantly longer than that of the control group.Conclusions: CRC patients confirmed to be infection-free can receive routine treatment. Using online medical counseling and appropriate identification, treatment and follow-up can be effectively maintained. Adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy should not be discontinued. Endoscopic polypectomy, elective, palliative, and multidisciplinary surgeries can be postponed, while curative surgery should proceed as usual. For elderly CRC patients, endoscopic surgery and neoadjuvant radiotherapy are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, pink-pigmented, coccus bacterium, designated CPCC 101081 T , was isolated from a gravel soil sample collected from Badain Jara desert, PR China. Growth of the isolate occurred at 10-37 °C and pH 5.0-8.0, with optimal growth at 28-32 °C and pH 7.0, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C 18:1 ω7 c /C 18:1 ω6 c ), summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω6 c /C 16:1 ω7 c ) and C 18:1 2-OH. Q-10 was detected as the main respiratory quinone. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified phospholipid, an amino-containing lipid and an unidentified glycophospholipid were examined in the polar lipids extraction. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of strain CPCC 101081 T with the available sequences in the GenBank database showed that the isolate was closely related to members of the genus Rosenomonas , with the highest similarity to Roseomonas rosea DSM 14916 T (97.4 %). In the phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and the core genomes, strain CPCC 101081 T was included within the clade of the genus Roseomonas , representing a species level, with the closest neighbor of R. rosea DSM 14916 T . The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain CPCC 101081 T and the related type strains of the genus Roseomonas were all far lower than the cut-off values for definition species. On the basis of above phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain CPCC 101081 T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Roseomonas with the name Roseomonas harenae sp. nov. strain CPCC 101081 T (=KCTC 62852 T =NBRC 113512 T ) is the type strain of the species.

Strain CPCC 203383 T , isolated from the surface-sterilized fruit of Cerasus pseudocerasus (Lindl.) G. Don, was taxonomically characterized based on a polyphasic investigation. It had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Ornithinimicrobium pekingense DSM 21552 (97.2 %) and O. kibberense DSM 17687 T (97.2%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain formed a distinct phyletic branch within the genus Ornithinimicrobium and the whole genome sequence data analyses supported that strain CPCC 203383 T was phylogenetically related to the Ornithinimicrobium species. The isolate shared a range of phenotypic patterns reported for members of the genus Ornithinimicrobium , but also had a range of cultural, physiological and biochemical characteristics that separated it from related Ornithinimicrobium species. The menaquinone was MK-8(H 4 ). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and unidentified lipids (ULs). The major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso -C 15 : 0 , anteiso -C 15 : 0 , iso -C 16:0, 9- methyl C 16 : 0 , iso -C 17 : 0 and anteiso -C 17 : 0 . The cell wall peptidoglycan contains l-ornithine as diagnostic diamino acid and an interpeptide bridge consisting of L -Orn← L -Ala←Gly← D -Asp. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Ornithinimicrobium, for which the name Ornithinimicrobium cerasi sp. nov. is proposed, with CPCC 203383 T (=NBRC 113522 T =KCTC 49200 T ) as the type strain. The DNA G+C composition is 72.3 mol%. The availability of new data allows for an emended description of the genus Ornithinimicrobium .

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, coccobacillus-shaped bacterium, designated CPCC 101021 T , was isolated from a sandy soil sample collected from Badain Jaran desert, China. Its 16S rRNA gene sequence was closely related to those of members of the genus Roseomonas, showing high similarities with Roseomonas hibiscisoli THG-N2.22 T (98.0 %), Roseomonas oryzae KCTC 42542 T (97.9 %), Roseomonas rhizosphaerae YW11 T (97.9 %) and Roseomonas suffusca S1 T (97.8 %). In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 101021 T formed a distinct subclade with R. oryzae KCTC 42542 T within the genus Roseomonas . Growth of the isolate occurred at 15-37 °C and pH 6.0-8.5, with optimal growth at 30 °C and pH 7.0. The major cellular fatty acids were C 18 : 1 ω 7c , summed feature 8 (C 16 : 1 ω 7 c/C 16 : 1 ω 6c ), summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1 ω 6 c/C 16 : 1 ω 7c ) and C 16 : 0 ω 6c . Q-10 was detected as the main component in the respiratory quinone system, with Q-9 as a minor component. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified phospholipid, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified glycolipid were found in the polar lipid profile. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.7 mol%. The average nucleotide identity was 84.6 % when comparing the draft genome sequences of strain CPCC 101021 T with R. oryzae KCTC 42542 T . On the basis of genotypic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic characteristics, strain CPCC 101021 T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Roseomonas with the name Roseomonas vastitatis sp. nov. Strain CPCC 101021 T (=J1A743 T =KCTC 62043 T ) is the type strain of the species.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic bacterium, designated CPCC 204705 T , was isolated from a desert soil sample, collected from the Badain Jaran desert. Growth of strain CPCC 204705 T was observed at pH 6.0-8.0 and 15-37 °C, with optimal growth at 28 °C and pH 7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204705 T belonged to the genus Cellulomonas , showing the highest similarity (98.54 %) of 16S rRNA gene sequence to Cellulomonas oligotrophica JCM 17534 T . The peptidoglycan type was A4 β , containing d-ornithine and d-glutamic acids as diagnostic amino acids. Rhamnose and galactose were detected in the whole-cell hydrolysate as diagnostic sugars. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C 15 : 0 , anteiso-C 15 : 1 A, C 14 : 0 and C 16 : 0 . The major menaquinone was MK-9 (H 4 ) and the polar lipid system contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, one unidentified lipid, one unidentified aminolipid and two unidentified aminophospholipids. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain CPCC 204705 T and C. oligotrophica JCM 17534 T was 7.1±0.4 %, and the value of average nucleotide identity between these two strains was 79.8 %. The DNA G+C content of strain CPCC 204705 T was 75.4 mol%. Based on the results of physiological experiments, chemotaxonomic data, phylogenetic analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization value, strain CPCC 204705 T should be classified as a novel Cellulomonas species. The name Cellulomonas telluris sp. nov. is proposed, with strain CPCC 204705 T (=DSM 105430 T =KCTC 39974 T ) as the type strain.

A polyphasic study was undertaken to establish the taxonomic provenance of a rapidly growing Mycolicibacterium strain, CECT 8783 T , recovered from the plant Stellera chamaejasme L. in Yunnan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based upon 16S rRNA and whole-genome sequences showed that the strain formed a distinct branch within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Mycolicibacterium . The strain was most closely related to Mycolicibacterium moriokaense DSM 44221 T with 98.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, but was distinguished readily from this taxon by a combination of chemotaxonomic and phenotypic features and by low average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of 79.5 and 21.1 %, respectively. Consequently, the strain is considered, to represent a novel species of Mycolicibacterium for which the name Mycolicibacterium stellerae sp. nov is proposed; the type strain is I10A-01893 T (=CECT 8783 T =KCTC 19843 T =DSM 45590 T ).

The taxonomic position of an actinobacterium isolated from a desert soil sample collected from Badain Jaran Desert, designated as CPCC 204711 T , was established using a polyphasic approach. Cells of the isolate were Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, non-motile cocci. Good growth was observed at 28 °C (range 20-40 °C), pH 7.0 (range pH 6.0-8.0) and 0-1 % NaCl concentration (range 0-5 %, w/v). Galactose, arabinose and ribose were detected as the sugar compositions in the whole cell hydrolysates. The peptidoglycan type was A3gamma (ll-Dpm-Gly). MK-9(H4) was detected as the predominant menaquinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, several unidentified glycolipids, and one unidentified amino-glycolipid were detected as the major polar lipids. The predominant fatty acid was anteiso-C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 73.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204711 T affiliated to the family Propionibacteriaceae, in which the strain formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage next to the genus Mariniluteicoccus, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 96.0 % to Mariniluteicoccus endophyticus YIM 2617 T . Both phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics supported that strain CPCC 204711 T represents a novel species of a new genus in the family Propionibacteriaceae, for which the name Desertihabitans aurantiacus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with CPCC 204711 T (=KCTC 39977 T =DSM 105431 T ) as the type strain.

An actinobacterial strain, designated CPCC 204604 T , was isolated from a water sample collected from Sancha Lake, a drinking-water reservoir in Sichuan Province, south-west China. Cells were strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-spore-forming and non-motile. Polyphasic taxonomic analysis indicated that galactose and ribose were detected as the diagnostic sugars in the whole-cell hydrolysates, and ll-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in cell-wall peptidoglycan. MK-9(H4) was the predominant menaquinone. The phospholipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 0 2-OH, C18 : 1ω9c, C18 : 0 and 10-methyl C18:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 71.2 mol%. In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 204604 T formed a distinct clade with Aeromicrobium ponti DSM 19178 T within the lineage of the genus Aeromicrobium, with the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.3 % to its closest neighbour. On the basis of the genotypic and phenotypic data, we conclude that strain CPCC 204604 T represents a novel species of the genus Aeromicrobium, for which the name Aeromicrobiumlacus sp. nov. is proposed with strain CPCC 204604 T (=NBRC 112936 T =DSM 105424 T ) as the type strain.

The taxonomic position of an actinobacterium, designated CPCC 204380 T , which was isolated from a rhizosphere soil sample of the plant Calligonum mongolicum collected from Xinjiang Province, China, was established using a polyphasic approach. Vegetative hyphae developed well and globose bodies formed from aged hyphae. Spore chains that differentiated from the vegetative hyphae contained non-motile rod-shaped spores. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and 3-hydroxydiaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic amino acids. The acyl type of the peptidoglycan was glycolyl. Glucose, mannose, ribose and xylose were detected in whole-cell hydrolysates. The predominant menaquinone was MK-10(H8), followed by MK-10(H6) and MK-10(H4). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C17 : 1ω9c. The genomic G+C content was 64.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CPCC 204380 T should be placed in the family Micromonosporaceae, in which it formed a distinct lineage next to the genera Rhizocola, Catellatospora, Catelliglobosispora, Hamadaea and Allocatelliglobosispora. It shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Rhizocola hellebori K12-0602 T (96.1 %), Catellatospora chokoriensis 2-25/1 T (95.9 %), Catelliglobosispora koreensis DSM 44566 T (95.9 %), Hamadaea tsunoensis DSM 44101 T (95.3 %) and Allocatelliglobosispora scoriae Sco-B14 T (94.2 %), and less than 94.0 % sequence similarity with other validly described species. The combination of phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics supported the proposal of strain CPCC 204380 T as representing a novel species of a new genus in the family Micromonosporaceae, for which the name Allorhizocola rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. CPCC 204380 T (=DSM 102292 T =KCTC 39746 T ) is the type strain of the type species.

A Gram-stain-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated CPCC 100842 T , was isolated from a freshwater reservoir in south-west China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of strain CPCC 100842 T with the available sequences in the GenBank database showed that the isolate was closely related to members of the family Comamonadaceae, with the highest similarities to Simplicispira metamorpha DSM 1837 T (98.05 %), Simplicispira limi KCTC 12608 T (97.86 %), Simplicispira psychrophila LMG 5408 T (97.04 %) and Simplicispira piscis JCM 19291 T (97.0 %). In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 100842 T formed a distinct phylogenetic subclade within the genus Simplicispira. The major cellular fatty acids were as C16 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c). Q-8 was detected as the only respiratory quinone. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, aminophospholipid and glycolipid were found in the polar lipid extraction. The genomic DNA G+C content was 67.4 mol%. The average nucleotide identity value was 80.4 % by comparing the draft genome sequences of strain CPCC 100842 T and S. metamorpha DSM 1837 T . The DNA-DNA hybridization result between strain CPCC 100842 T and S. metamorpha DSM 1837 T showed 37±3 % genomic relatedness. On the basis of the genotypic analysis and phenotypic characteristics, we propose that strain CPCC 100842 T represents a novel species of the genus Simplicispira in the family Comamonadaceae with the name Simplicispira lacusdiani sp. nov. Strain CPCC 100842 T (=KCTC 52093 T =DSM 102231 T ) is the type strain of the species.

A new polyoxygenated abietane diterpenoid, bauchampine A (1), together with seven known compounds (2-8), were isolated from the rattans of Bauhinia championii (Benth.) Benth. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparison with the data reported in the literature. New compound 1 was evaluated for its anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity via examining its anti-proliferative effect on synoviocytes in vitro. Compound 1 exhibited inhibitory effect on the proliferation of synoviocytes with IC 50 value comparable to that of methotrexate.

A novel bacterial strain, designed Q4-3 T , was isolated from a soil sample obtained from Qilian grassland, Qinghai, China. Phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular analyses were performed on the new isolate. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, spore-forming, motile rods with peritrichous flagella. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain Q4-3 T in the genus Paenibacillus, and its closest relatives were Paenibacillus odorifer JCM 21743 T , Paenibacillus typhae DSM 25190 T , Paenibacillus borealis DSM 13188 T and Paenibacillus etheri DSM 29760 T with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 98.12, 97.89, 97.63 and 97.6 %, respectively. The isolate grew at 4-37 °C (optimum 28-30 °C), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum pH 7.5) and with 0-3 %(w/v) NaCl (optimum 1 %). The DNA of strain Q4-3 T was determined to be 48.6 mol%. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was found to be meso-diaminopimelic acid. Anteiso-C15 : 0 (55.5 %), iso-C16 : 0 (14.5 %) and C16 : 0 (13.3 %) were the major fatty acids. The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified aminophospholipids and one unidentified lipid. Based on these results, strain Q4-3 T is considered to represent a novel of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillusalbidus nov. is proposed. The type strain is Q4-3 T (=CGMCC 1.16134 T =KCTC 33911 T ).

A phosphate-solubilizing bacterium, designated CPCC 100624T, was isolated from a freshwater reservoir in south-west China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of strain CPCC 100624T with the available sequences in the GenBank database showed that the isolate was closely related to members of the genus Spirosoma. In the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CPCC 100624T formed a stable phylogenetic subclade with Spirosoma soli MIMBbqt12T within the genus Spirosoma, which indicated that strain CPCC 100624T could be identified as a member of the genus Spirosoma. The strain grew at 10-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 6.5-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0-7.5) and in the presence of 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 0-1 %). MK-7 was detected as the main menaquinone, with a minor amount of MK-7(H6) in its menaquinone system. Cells contained summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C16 : 1ω5c and iso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The polar lipids of strain CPCC 100624T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid, two aminophospholipids and three unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 49.3 mol%. On the basis of the above taxonomic data and differences in physiological characteristics from the closely related type strains, strain CPCC 100624T represents a novel species of the genus Spirosoma, for which the name Spirosoma lacussanchae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CPCC 100624T (=NBRC 111852T=DSM 101771T).

A bacterial isolate (SCU-B244T) was obtained in China from crickets (Teleogryllus occipitalis) living in cropland deserted for approximately 10 years. The isolated bacteria were Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase-negative rods. A preliminary analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain belongs to either the genus Erwinia or Pantoea. Analysis of multilocus sequence typing based on concatenated partial atpD, gyrB and infB gene sequences and physiological and biochemical characteristics indicated that the strain belonged to the genus Erwinia, as member of a new species as it was distinct from other known Erwinia species. Further analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed SCU-B244T to have 94.71% identity to the closest species of that genus, Erwinia oleae (DSM 23398T), which is below the threshold of 97% used to discriminate bacterial species. DNA-DNA hybridization results (5.78±2.52%) between SCU-B244T and Erwinia oleae (DSM 23398T) confirmed that SCU-B244T and Erwinia oleae (DSM 23398T) represent different species combined with average nucleotide identity values which range from 72.42% to 74.41. The DNA G+C content of SCU-B244T was 55.32 mol%, which also differs from that of Erwinia oleae (54.7 to 54.9 mol%). The polyphasic taxonomic approach used here confirmed that the strain belongs to the Erwinia group and represents a novel species. The name Erwinia teleogrylli sp. nov. is proposed for this novel taxon, for which the type strain is SCU-B244T (= CGMCC 1.12772T = DSM 28222T = KCTC 42022T).

Aim: To investigate the association of PNPLA3 polymorphisms with concurrent chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)., Methods: A cohort of Han patients with biopsy-proven CHB, with or without NAFLD (CHB group, n = 51; CHB + NAFLD group, n = 57), and normal controls (normal group, n = 47) were recruited from Northern (Tianjin), Central (Shanghai), and Southern (Zhangzhou) China. Their PNPLA3 polymorphisms were genotyped by gene sequencing. The association between PNPLA3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to NAFLD, and clinical characteristics of NAFLD were evaluated on the basis of physical indices, liver function tests, glycolipid metabolism, and histopathologic scoring. The association of PNPLA3 polymorphisms and hepatitis B virus (HBV) load was determined by the serum level of HBV DNA., Results: After adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index, we found that four linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PNPLA3, including the rs738409 G allele (CHB + NAFLD group vs CHB group: odds ratio [OR] = 2.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-6.54; P = 0.02), rs3747206 T allele (CHB + NAFLD group vs CHB group: OR = 2.77, 95%CI: 1.18-6.54; P = 0.02), rs4823173 A allele (CHB + NAFLD group vs CHB group: OR = 2.73, 95%CI: 1.16-6.44; P = 0.02), and rs2072906 G allele (CHB + NAFLD group vs CHB group: OR = 3.05, 95%CI: 1.28-7.26; P = 0.01), conferred high risk to NAFLD in CHB patients. In patients with both CHB and NAFLD, these genotypes of PNPLA3 polymorphisms were associated with increased susceptibility to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) (NAFLD activity score ≥ 3; P = 0.01-0.03) and liver fibrosis (> 1 Metavir grading; P = 0.01-0.04). As compared to those with C/C and C/G at rs738409, C/C and C/T at rs3747206, G/G and G/A at rs4823173, and A/A and A/G at rs2072906, patients in the CHB + NAFLD group with G/G at rs738409, T/T at rs3747206, A/A at rs4823173, and G/G at rs2072906 showed significantly lower serum levels of HBV DNA (P < 0.01-0.05)., Conclusion: Four linked SNPs of PNPLA3 (rs738409, rs3747206, rs4823173, and rs2072906) are correlated with susceptibility to NAFLD, NASH, liver fibrosis, and HBV dynamics in CHB patients.

A novel endophytic actinobacterium, designated strain SP28S-3(T), was isolated from a surface-sterilized stem of Tamarix taklamakanensis collected from the southern edge of Taklamakan desert, Xinjiang, China. Strain SP28S-3(T) was found to show chemotaxonomic and morphological properties consistent with its classification in the genus Prauserella. The polar lipids were found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphoglycolipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, a glycolipid, an aminolipid and unidentified phospholipids. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as iso-C16:0 and C16:0. The genomic DNA G+C content was determined to be 69.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of strain SP28S-3(T) clearly showed that the strain had the highest similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequence with Prauserella coralliicola SCSIO 11529(T) (99.9 %), followed by Prauserella marina DSM 45268(T) (97.0 %) and is affiliated with the genus Prauserella. The low level (47.8 ± 5.5 %) of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain SP28S-3(T) and P. coralliicola SCSIO 11529(T) combined with other polyphasic taxonomic evidence clearly support the conclusion that strain SP28S-3(T) represents a novel Prauserella species, for which the name Prauserella endophytica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SP28S-3(T) (=DSM 46655(T) = CGMCC 4.7182 (T)).

Objective: To detect potential mutation in ALDH5A1 gene for a family affected with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency diagnosed by clinical inspection and urine screening., Methods: Polymerase chain reaction and direct DNA sequencing were carried out for the affected child and her parents. Suspected ALDH5A1 gene mutations were verified in 100 healthy controls to exclude polymorphisms., Results: The child was found to have carried 2 heterozygous missense mutations in the coding region of ALDH5A1 gene, namely c.527G>A and c.691G>A, for which her mother and father were respectively heterozygotes. The same mutations were not detected in 100 healthy controls. The child was also found to have carried two previously described polymorphisms including a heterozygous c.545C>T(derived from her father) and a homozygous c.538C>T(derived from her mother)., Conclusion: Missense mutations of c.527G>A and c.691G>A in the ALDH5A1 gene are responsible for the pathogenesis of the disease in this family.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped actinobacterium, designated strain I10A-01402(T), was isolated from surface-sterilized roots of a medicinal plant, Perilla frutescens, collected in a suburb of Beijing, China. Chemotaxonomically, the strain contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The major fatty acids were C17 : 1ω9c, C18 : 1ω9c, C17 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.4 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain I10A-01402(T) belonged to the genus Nocardioides. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a robust cluster with Nocardioides ginsengisegetis Gsoil 485(T), N. koreensis MSL-09(T) and N. alkalitolerans KSL-1(T). On the basis of the evidence from our polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel species, Nocardioides perillae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is I10A-01402(T) ( = CPCC 203382(T)  = DSM 24552(T)  = KCTC 29022(T)).

An endophytic actinomycete, designated strain I10A-01259(T), was isolated from a surface-sterilized fruit of Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Maxim., a medicinal plant, which was collected from a suburb of Beijing, China. Whole-cell hydrolysates of the isolate contained galactose and meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol; the menaquinones consisted mainly of MK-9, MK-11 and MK-12, with a minor amount of MK-10. The major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain I10A-01259(T) was most closely related to Nocardiopsis arabia S186(T) (93.2 % sequence similarity), Thermobifida halotolerans YIM 90462(T) (93.0 %) and other strains of genera within the families Nocardiopsaceae and Thermomonosporaceae. On the phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain I10A-01259(T) fell within the radius of the suborder Streptosporangineae, in which the strain formed a distinct lineage next to the genera of the families Nocardiopsaceae and Thermomonosporaceae. Based on the data from our polyphasic taxonomic study, a novel genus and species, Allonocardiopsis opalescens gen. nov., sp. nov., are proposed within the suborder Streptosporangineae. The type strain of Allonocardiopsis opalescens is strain I10A-01259(T) ( = CPCC 203428(T)  = DSM 45601(T)  = KCTC 19844(T)).

A novel non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, strictly aerobic, Gram-positive-staining coccus, strain JSM 077023(T), was isolated from an intertidal sediment sample collected from Naozhou Island in the South China Sea, China. Growth occurred in the presence of 0.5-25 % (w/v) NaCl [optimum, 2-5 % (w/v) NaCl] and at pH 5.5-10.5 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and at 4-45 °C (optimum, 30-35 °C). The major amino acid constituents of the cell wall were alanine, glycine and lysine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C₁₅:₀ and iso-C₁₅:₀. The strain contained MK-7 and MK-6 as the predominant respiratory quinones and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid as the polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 077023(T) was 41.3 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 077023(T) should be assigned to the genus Jeotgalicoccus and was most closely related to the type strains of Jeotgalicoccus halotolerans (sequence similarity 99.0 %) and Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus (99.0 %), followed by Jeotgalicoccus coquinae (98.6 %) and Jeotgalicoccus psychrophilus (97.4 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of less than 97 % were observed with other species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JSM 077023(T) and the type strains of J. halotolerans, J. aerolatus, J. coquinae and J. psychrophilus ranged from 36.8 to 22.7 %. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the suggestion that strain JSM 077023(T) represents a novel species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus, for which the name Jeotgalicoccus nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 077023(T) ( = DSM 23006(T) = KCTC 13714(T)). An emended description of the genus Jeotgalicoccus is also presented.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, endospore-forming, motile, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 081004(T), was isolated from non-saline forest soil in Xiaoxi National Natural Reserve, China. Growth occurred with 0.5-20 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum 2-4 %), at pH 6.0-10.5 (optimum pH 8.0) and at 5-40 °C (optimum 25-30 °C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C₁₅:₀ and anteiso-C₁₅:₀. Strain JSM 081004(T) contained MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 081004(T) was 40.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 081004(T) should be assigned to the genus Bacillus and was most closely related to the type strains of Bacillus lehensis (sequence similarity 97.8 %), Bacillus oshimensis (97.8 %) and Bacillus patagoniensis (97.3 %). Phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data all support the proposal of strain JSM 081004(T) as a representative of a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus xiaoxiensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is JSM 081004(T) ( = CCTCC AA 208057(T)  = DSM 21943(T)).

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, endospore-forming, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 082006(T), was isolated from an oyster collected from Naozhou Island in the South China Sea. The isolate grew in 0-18 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5-4.0 %), at pH 6.0-10.5 (optimum, pH 8.0) and at 15-45 °C (optimum, 30 °C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and C(16 : 0). Strain JSM 082006(T) contained MK-7 as the predominant respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 082006(T) should be assigned to the genus Bacillus and that it was most closely related to the type strains of Bacillus barbaricus (sequence similarity 99.1 %) and Bacillus arsenicus (97.5 %), followed by those of Bacillus rigui (96.6 %) and Bacillus solisalsi (96.1 %). Phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data support the view that strain JSM 082006(T) represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus nanhaiensis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is JSM 082006(T) ( = DSM 23009(T)  = KCTC 13712(T)).

A Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain 6014(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from Qinghai province, north-west China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The isolate formed elementary branching hyphae and abundant aerial mycelia with globose sporangia on ISP 4 and R2A media. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain 6014(T) contained arabinose, galactose and ribose as diagnostic sugars and meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxy-phosphatidylethanolamine, N-acetylglucosamine-containing phospholipids, two unknown phospholipids and an unknown glycolipid. The menaquinone system contained MK-9(H₂) and MK-9(H₄). The major fatty acids were C₁₄:₀, i-C₁₅:₀, C₁₆:₀ and 10-methyl-C₁₆:₁. The genomic DNA G+C content of the isolate was 69.4 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 6014(T) fell within the radius of the suborder Streptosporangineae, in which the strain formed a distinct lineage next to genera of the family Streptosporangiaceae. Based on data from this polyphasic study, strain 6014(T) can be readily distinguished from previously described organisms and represents a member of a novel species within a new genus in the suborder Streptosporangineae. The name Sinosporangium album gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed with 6014(T) (=DSM 45181(T) =KCTC 19655(T)) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming, motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 081008(T), was isolated from non-saline forest soil in China. Strain JSM 081008(T) was able to grow with 0-20% (w/v) NaCl, at pH 6.0-10.5 and at 10-45 degrees C; optimum growth was observed with 2-5% (w/v) NaCl, at pH 7.0-8.0 and at 30-35 degrees C. The peptidoglycan type was A1alpha linked directly through L-Lys. The major cellular fatty acids (>10% of the total) were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and C16:0. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 and the genomic DNA G + C content of the strain was 42.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 081008(T) should be assigned to the genus Jeotgalibacillus and was related most closely to the type strains of Jeotgalibacillus alimentarius (sequence similarity 99.4%) and Jeotgalibacillus salarius (97.0%), followed by Jeotgalibacillus campisalis (95.4%) and Jeotgalibacillus marinus (95.2%). The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the view that strain JSM 081008(T) represents a novel species of the genus Jeotgalibacillus, for which the name Jeotgalibacillus soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 081008(T) (=DSM 22174(T) = KCTC 13528(T)). An emended description of the genus Jeotgalibacillus is also presented.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, non-motile, non-sporulating, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 070026(T), was isolated from non-saline forest soil in China. Growth occurred with 0-20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2-4%) and at pH 6.0-10.5 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 5-40 degrees C (optimum, 30 degrees C). Good growth also occurred in the presence of 0-28% (w/v) KCl (optimum, 2-5%) or 0-25% (w/v) MgCl(2)*6H(2)O (optimum, 1-4%). The peptidoglycan type was A4alpha (L: -Lys-Gly-L: -Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained mannose and xylose. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0. Strain JSM 070026(T) contained menaquinone 8 as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content of strain JSM 070026(T) was 56.7 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain JSM 070026(T) was a member of the suborder Micrococcineae and most closely related to Yaniella flava YIM 70178(T) (sequence similarity 99.4%) and Yaniella halotolerans YIM 70085(T) (97.9%). The three strains formed a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness values, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supports the proposal that strain JSM 070026(T) represents a novel species of the genus Yaniella, for which the name Yaniella soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 070026(T) (=DSM 22211(T) = KCTC 13527(T)).

A thermophilic strain, designated YIM 10002(T), was isolated from a soil sample of Big Empty Volcano in Tengchong county, Yunnan province, south-west China, and a polyphasic approach was used to investigate its taxonomic position. Strain YIM 10002(T) formed endospores on both aerial and substrate mycelia. Whole-cell hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, ribose, xylose and glucose. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(15 : 0). The predominant menaquinone was MK-9. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannosides, together with some unknown phospholipids. The G+C content of its genomic DNA was 48.6 mol%. All of these chemotaxonomic data together with morphological characters consistently assigned strain YIM 10002(T) to the genus Laceyella. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM 10002(T) was most closely related to Laceyella sacchari KCTC 9790(T) and Laceyella putida KCTC 3666(T) (99.9 and 98.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, respectively). However, strain YIM 10002(T) showed relatively low DNA-DNA relatedness (34.0 and 39.0 %, respectively) with the above strains. Therefore, strain YIM 10002(T) represents a novel species of the genus Laceyella, for which the name Laceyella tengchongensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 10002(T) (=DSM 45262(T) =CCTCC AA 208050(T)).

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, obligately aerobic, filamentous actinomycete strain, designated YIM 90022(T), was isolated from saline soil collected from the Qaidam Basin, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the new isolate was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis and the sequence similarities between the isolate and the type strains of members of the genus Nocardiopsis were in the range of 95.1-98.7%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties of this organism also indicated that strain YIM 90022(T) was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis. The strain grew well on most of the media tested, producing yellow-white to deep brown substrate mycelium and white aerial mycelium. Light gray to deep brown diffusible pigments were produced. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age; the aerial mycelium produced long, straight to flexuous spore chains with non-motile, smooth-surfaced, rod-shaped spores on them. The strain grew in the presence of 1-15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 3-5%) and at pH 6.0-10.5 (optimum, pH 8.5) and 10-45 degrees C (optimum, 30 degrees C). Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain YIM 90022(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and no diagnostic sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H(4)), MK-9(H(8)), MK-10(H(6)) and MK-10(H(8)). Polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16:0), anteiso-C(17:0), 10-methyl-C(18:0) and 10-methyl-C(17:0). The DNA G + C content of strain YIM 90022(T) was 71.5 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the suggestion that strain YIM 90022(T) represents a new species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis terrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 90022(T) (=CCTCC AA 208011(T) =KCTC 19431(T)).

The taxonomic position of a Gram-stain-positive, aerobic strain, designated 03-9939(T), isolated from a soil sample collected from Xinjiang Province, China, was established using a polyphasic approach. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain 03-9939(T) contained galactose and ribose as diagnostic sugars and meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diamino acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The phospholipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. The major fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0) (61.5 %) and iso-C(16 : 1) H (11.6 %). The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 03-9939(T) should be placed within the family Actinosynnemataceae, in which the strain formed a distinct lineage. Signature nucleotides in the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain contained a genus-specific diagnostic nucleotide signature pattern. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the conclusion that strain 03-9939(T) represents a novel species in a new genus of the family Actinosynnemataceae, for which the name Alloactinosynnema album gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. Strain 03-9939(T) (=DSM 45114(T) =KCTC 19294(T) =CCM 7461(T)) is the type strain of Alloactinosynnema album.

Strains YIM 90625(T), YIM 90630(T), YIM 90636(T) and YIM 90694(T) were isolated from a salt lake in Xinjiang province, north-west China, and were subjected to a polyphasic analysis to determine their taxonomic positions. All isolates were moderately halophilic and were able to grow at NaCl concentrations up to 15 or 20 % (w/v). The genomic DNA G+C contents of the strains ranged from 69.1 to 70.1 mol%. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data, the isolates are proposed to represent four novel species of the genus Prauserella for which the names Prauserella salsuginis sp. nov. (type strain YIM 90625(T)=CCTCC AA 208051(T)=DSM 45264(T)), Prauserella flava sp. nov. (type strain YIM 90630(T)=CCTCC AA 208052(T)=DSM 45265(T)), Prauserella aidingensis sp. nov. (type strain YIM 90636(T)=CCTCC AA 208053(T)=DSM 45266(T)) and Prauserella sediminis sp. nov. (type strain YIM 90694(T)=CCTCC AA 208054(T)=DSM 45267(T)).

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071077(T), was isolated from a subterranean brine sample collected from a salt mine in Hunan Province, China. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071077(T) was able to grow with 2-25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5-10%), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10-40 degrees C (optimum, 25-30 degrees C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), anteiso-C(17:0) and iso-C(15:0). The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071077(T) should be assigned to the genus Halobacillus, being related most closely to the type strain of Halobacillus naozhouensis (98.8% sequence similarity), and the two strains formed a distinct subline in the neighbor-joining, minimum-evolution and maximum-parsimony phylogenetic trees. The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.6% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.2% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The results of the phylogenetic analyses, combined with DNA-DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support that strain JSM 071077(T) represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus hunanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 071077(T) (=DSM 21184(T) = KCTC 13235(T)).

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 079157(T), was isolated from surface seawater off the coastline of Naozhou Island in South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 1-15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 4-7%), and at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10-45 degrees C (optimum, 30 degrees C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7, and the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0) (45.1%) and anteiso-C(17:0) (16.2%), and the DNA G + C content was 39.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 079157(T) should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus litoralis (97.4% sequence similarity), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus carmonensis (97.1%). These four strains formed a distinct subcluster in the phylogenetic tree. The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of V. litoralis, V. necropolis and V. carmonensis were 30.4, 19.3 and 12.6%, respectively. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, combined with DNA-DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support the suggestion that strain JSM 079157(T) represents a new species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus zhanjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 079157(T) (=DSM 21084(T) = KCTC 13227(T)).

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, alkalitolerant, filamentous, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain JSM 073097(T), was isolated from a sea anemone collected from a tidal flat in the South China Sea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the new isolate was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis and was most closely related to Nocardiopsis kunsanensis HA-9(T), Nocardiopsis xinjiangensis YIM 90004(T) and Nocardiopsis salina YIM 90010(T) (99.6, 98.5 and 98.1 % similarity, respectively). Phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data also indicated that strain JSM 073097(T) was a member of the genus Nocardiopsis. The strain grew well on most of the media tested, producing white to yellow-white substrate mycelium and white aerial mycelium and straight to flexuous hyphae. The substrate mycelium was well developed and fragmented with age; the aerial mycelium produced long, straight to flexuous spore chains with non-motile, smooth-surfaced, rod-shaped spores. The strain grew in the presence of 1-15 % (w/v) total salts and at pH 6.0-10.5 and 20-35 degrees C; optimum growth occurred in the presence of 5-7 % (w/v) total salts and at pH 8.5 and 25 degrees C. Whole-cell hydrolysates of strain JSM 073097(T) contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and no diagnostic sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-10(H(4)), MK-10(H(6)) and MK-10(H(8)). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0), anteiso-C(16 : 0) and 10-methyl C(18 : 0). Polar lipids comprised diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. The DNA G+C content of strain JSM 073097(T) was 70.4 mol%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the suggestion that strain JSM 073097(T) represents a novel species of the genus Nocardiopsis, for which the name Nocardiopsis litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 073097(T) (=DSM 45168(T)=KCTC 19473(T)).

A novel Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-sporulating, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078120(T), was isolated from sea water collected from a tidal flat of Naozhou Island, South China Sea. Growth occurred with 1-15% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 2-4%), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and at 4-35 degrees C (optimum, 25-30 degrees C). The major cellular fatty acids were C(18:1) omega9c, C(16:0), C(12:0) 3-OH and C(16:1) omega7c. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone Q-9, and the genomic DNA G + C content was 60.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 078120(T) should be assigned to the genus Marinobacter, being related most closely to the type strains of Marinobacter segnicrescens (sequence similarity 98.2%), Marinobacter bryozoorum (97.9%) and Marinobacter gudaonensis (97.6%). The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Marinobacter species ranged from 96.7 (with Marinobacter salsuginis) to 93.3% (with Marinobacter litoralis). The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JSM 078120(T) and the type strains of M. segnicrescens, M. bryozoorum and M. gudaonensis were 25.3, 20.6 and 18.8%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078120(T) represents a novel species of the genus Marinobacter, for which the name Marinobacter zhanjiangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078120(T) (= CCTCC AB 208029(T) = DSM 21077(T) = KCTC 22280(T)).

A moderately halophilic, endospore-forming, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078133(T), was isolated from a subterranean brine sample collected from a salt mine in Hunan Province, China. Strain JSM 078133(T) was able to grow with 1-23 % (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5-10 %) and at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10-45 degrees C (optimum, 30 degrees C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7) and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). The genomic DNA G+C content of strain JSM 078133(T) was 42.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 078133(T) belongs to the genus Halobacillus, and was related most closely to the type strains of Halobacillus campisalis (97.1 % sequence similarity), Halobacillus alkaliphilus (97.0 %) and Halobacillus yeomjeoni (96.8 %). The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078133(T) represents a novel species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus salsuginis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078133(T) (=DSM 21185(T)=KCTC 13236(T)).

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, endospore-forming, catalase- and oxidase-positive, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 089168(T), was isolated from saline soil collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 2-25% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5-10%), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and 10-45 degrees C (optimum, 30 degrees C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The strain contained MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone, and diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), iso-C(15:0) and anteiso-C(17:0), and the DNA G + C content was 40.2 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 089168(T) should be assigned to the genus Virgibacillus, being related most closely to the type strains of Virgibacillus carmonensis (sequence similarity 97.6%), Virgibacillus necropolis (97.3%) and Virgibacillus halodenitrificans (97.1%). Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JSM 089168(T) and the type strains of V. carmonensis, V. necropolis and V. halodenitrificans were 20.4, 14.3 and 12.0%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 089168(T) represents a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 089168(T) (=DSM 21085(T) =KCTC 13228(T)).

A pale yellow-colored, moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-sporulating, rod-shaped, motile, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 073008(T), was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from Naozhou Island, Leizhou Bay, South China Sea. The organism was able to grow with 1-20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5-10%), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and 10-40 degrees C (optimum, 25-30 degrees C). The major cellular fatty acids were C(16:0), C(16:1) omega7c/iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and C(18:1) omega7c. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-8 and the genomic DNA G + C content was 47.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 073008(T) should be assigned to the genus Alteromonas, being most closely related to Alteromonas hispanica F-32(T) (sequence similarity 96.9%), followed by Alteromonas genovensis LMG 24078(T) (96.6%) and Alteromonas litorea TF-22(T) (96.4%). The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of other recognized Alteromonas species ranged from 95.9% (with Alteromonas stellipolaris ANT 69a(T)) to 94.5% (with Alteromonas simiduii BCRC 17572(T)). The combination of phylogenetic analysis, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 073008(T) represents a new species of the genus Alteromonas, for which the name Alteromonas halophila sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 073008(T) (=CCTCC AA 207035(T) = KCTC 22164(T)).

A Gram-positive, moderately halophilic, alkalitolerant, strictly aerobic, oxidase- and catalase-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, strain YIM kkny3T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from a salt lake in the Qaidam Basin of north-west China. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Growth occurred with 1-20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 5-10%) and at pH 6.0-10.5 (optimum, pH 7.5-8.0) and 10-55 degrees C (optimum, 35-40 degrees C). It was unable to grow with NaCl as the only salt. meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The strain contained menaquinone 7 (MK-7) as the predominant respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid as polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The DNA G+C content was 40.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM kkny3T belonged to the genus Virgibacillus, and was most closely related to the type strains of Virgibacillus olivae (97.1% similarity), Virgibacillus marismortui (97.0%) and Virgibacillus kekensis (96.8%). Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain YIM kkny3T and the type strains of V. olivae, V. marismortui and V. kekensis were 12.4, 10.6 and 15.7%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, genotypic data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic differences indicated that strain YIM kkny3T represents a novel species of the genus Virgibacillus, for which the name Virgibacillus sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM kkny3T (=CCTCC AA 207023T=DSM 19797T=KCTC 13193T).

A novel non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, facultatively anaerobic, moderately halophilic, Gram-positive coccus, designated JSM 076033(T), was isolated from a sea urchin (Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus) collected from the South China Sea. Strain JSM 076033(T) was able to grow in the presence of 0.5-25.0 % (w/v) total salts and at pH 6.0-10.0 and 10-45 degrees C; optimum growth was observed with 5.0-10.0 % (w/v) total salts and at pH 7.0-8.0 and 25-30 degrees C. The major amino acid constituents of the cell wall were glycine, lysine and alanine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and anteiso-C(17 : 0). The respiratory quinones were MK-7 (60.7 %) and MK-6 (39.3 %) and the polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 40.3 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 076033(T) should be assigned to the genus Jeotgalicoccus. The sequence similarities between the novel isolate and the type strains of recognized Jeotgalicoccus species were in the range 95.2-97.2 %. The results of the phylogenetic analysis, combined with DNA-DNA relatedness data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic information, support the view that strain JSM 076033(T) represents a novel species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus, for which the name Jeotgalicoccus marinus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 076033(T) (=CCTCC AA 207028(T) =DSM 19772(T) =KCTC 13189(T)).

A Gram-positive-staining, moderately halophilic, strictly aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain JSM 076056(T), was isolated from a sea urchin collected from the South China Sea. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 076056(T) was able to grow at salinities of 2-25 % (w/v) total salts and at pH 6.0-10.0 and 15-40 degrees C; optimum growth was observed with 5-10 % (w/v) total salts and at pH 7.0-8.0 and 25-30 degrees C. It was incapable of growing with NaCl as the sole salt. meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(14 : 0,) anteiso-C(15 : 0) and C(16 : 1)omega7c alcohol. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7 and the genomic DNA G+C content was 45.5 mol%. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 076056(T) belonged to the family Bacillaceae and was related most closely to the type strains of the two recognized species of the genus Pontibacillus, namely Pontibacillus chungwhensis BH030062(T) (96.4 % sequence similarity) and Pontibacillus marinus BH030004(T) (96.2 %); these three strains formed a robust cluster in the phylogenetic tree. In combination, the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data indicate that strain JSM 076056(T) represents a novel species of the genus Pontibacillus, for which the name Pontibacillus halophilus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 076056(T) (=CCTCC AA 207029(T) =DSM 19796(T) =KCTC 13190(T)).

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071068(T), was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from the Naozhou Island on the Leizhou Bay in the South China Sea. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071068(T) was able to grow with 1-20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 6-9%), at pH values of 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and a temperature range of 10-35 degrees C (optimum, 25 degrees C). meso-Diaminopimelic acid was present in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), anteiso-C(17:0) and iso-C(15:0). The genomic DNA G + C content was 42.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 071068(T) belonged to the genus Halobacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain JSM 071068(T) and the type strains of the recognized Halobacillus species ranged from 97.9% (with Halobacillus alkaliphilus) to 95.3% (with Halobacillus kuroshimensis). The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between the new isolate and the type strains of H. alkaliphilus, Halobacillus campisalis, Halobacillus halophilus and Halobacillus seohaensis were 25.6, 22.1, 10.8 and 13.2%, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 071068(T) represents a new species of the genus Halobacillus, for which the name Halobacillus naozhouensis sp. nov. is proposed, with JSM 071068(T) (=DSM 21183(T) =KCTC 13234(T)) as the type strain.

A novel Gram-positive, halotolerant, non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative and aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 078085(T), was isolated from sea water collected from the South China Sea. Strain JSM 078085(T) exhibited a rod-coccus growth cycle and produced a yellow pigment. The strain was able to grow in the presence of 0-12% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 6.0-9.5 and 4-35 degrees C; optimum growth was observed at pH 7.0 and 25-30 degrees C in the absence of NaCl. The peptidoglycan type was A4alpha (L: -Lys-L: -Ala-L: -Glu). Cell-wall sugars contained galactose and glucose. Strain JSM 078085(T) contained menaquinone MK-9(H(2)) as the major respiratory quinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0), iso-C(15:0) and anteiso-C(17:0) and the DNA G + C content was 63.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain JSM 078085(T) should be assigned to the genus Arthrobacter, being most closely related to the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi (sequence similarity 97.1%), and the two strains formed a distinct lineage in the phylogenetic tree. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JSM 078085(T) and the type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi was 10.6%. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA relatedness, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic data supported the view that strain JSM 078085(T) represents a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter halodurans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 078085(T) (=DSM 21081(T)=KCTC 19430(T)).

A Gram-positive bacterial strain, designated YIM 56238(T), was isolated from plant roots (Aquilaria sinensis), and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Strain YIM 56238(T) grew optimally at pH 7.0-8.0 and at 28 degrees C. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIM 56238(T) indicated that it belongs to the genus Micrococcus. Chemotaxonomic data strongly supported the classification of this strain within the genus Micrococcus: the cell-wall peptidoglycan contained lysine, glutamic acid, alanine and glycine; the predominant menaquinones were MK-8(H(2)) (63.6 %) and MK-7(H(2)) (21.1 %); the phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an unknown ninhydrin-negative phospholipid; and the major cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0) (30.95 %) and anteiso-C(15 : 0) (53.75 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.9 mol%. A number of physiological features were found that clearly distinguished strain YIM 56238(T) from recognized species of the genus Micrococcus. DNA-DNA hybridization studies suggested that the novel strain represents a separate genomic species. On the basis of the data, therefore, strain YIM 56238(T) represents a novel species of the genus Micrococcus, for which the name Micrococcus endophyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 56238(T) (=DSM 17945(T)=KCTC 19156(T)).

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

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

A novel Gram-positive-staining, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming coccus, designated YIM-Y21(T), was isolated from a salt mine in Yunnan, south-west China. The strain was moderately halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic and obligately aerobic. Colonies were white. Growth occurred with 1.0-30.0 % NaCl (optimum, 10.0 % NaCl), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 8.5) and at 5-40 degrees C (optimum, 25 degrees C). The major amino acid constituents of the cell wall were glycine and lysine. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15 : 0), anteiso-C(17 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0). MK-6 was the predominant respiratory quinone, with MK-7 present in minor amounts. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 46.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain YIM-Y21(T) was most closely related to the type strains of the nine recognized species of the genus Salinicoccus. The sequence similarities between the isolate and the type strains of members of this genus were in the range of 90.6-93.8 %, which indicated that strain YIM-Y21(T) is a representative of a novel species within the genus Salinicoccus. Together with the phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic differences, these results support the proposal of a novel species of the genus Salinicoccus, Salinicoccus albus sp. nov., with YIM-Y21(T) (=CCTCC AA 207024(T) =DSM 19776(T) =KCTC 13192(T)) as the type strain.

A novel Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, non-sporulating, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped bacterium (strain JSM 061001(T)) was isolated from a tidal flat in the South China Sea, China. Growth occurred with 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl [optimum, 0.5-1 % (w/v) NaCl], at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and at 4-35 degrees C (optimum, 25-30 degrees C). The major cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 0), cyclo C(17 : 0), C(18 : 1)omega7c and C(16 : 1). Strain JSM 061001(T) contained ubiquinone Q-8 as the predominant respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid as the polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 65.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain JSM 061001(T) belongs to the family Alcaligenaceae and was related most closely to the type strains of the two recognized species of the genus Pigmentiphaga. The three strains formed a robust cluster in the neighbour-joining, maximum-parsimony and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees. Levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JSM 061001(T) and the type strains of Pigmentiphaga daeguensis and Pigmentiphaga kullae were 15.8 and 10.5 %, respectively. The combination of phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization data, phenotypic characteristics and chemotaxonomic differences supported the view that strain JSM 061001(T) represents a novel species of the genus Pigmentiphaga, for which the name Pigmentiphaga litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JSM 061001(T) (=CCTCC AA207034(T)=KCTC 22165(T)).