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A Gram-negative, rod-shaped and filamentous bacterium designated MD30B T was isolated from a biofilm hanging in water flowing from an air conditioner condensate drain line in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Based on 1517 nucleotides of the strain's 16S rRNA gene, its nearest neighbours are Chitinophaga rhizosphaerae T16R-86 T (96.7 %), Chitinophaga caseinilytica S-52 T (96.6 %), Chitinophaga lutea ZY74 T (96.6 %), Chitinophaga niabensis JS13-10 T (96.6 %) and Chitinophaga ginsengisoli Gsoil 052 T (96.5 %). MD30B T cells are non-motile, strictly aerobic, and catalase and oxidase positive. Growth occurs between 10 and 45 °C. Major fatty acids in whole cells of MD30B T are 13-methyl tetradecanoic acid (34.1 %), cis -11-hexadecenoic acid (30.3 %), and 3-hydroxy, 15-methyl hexadecanoic acid (13.3 %). The quinone system contains predominantly menaquinone MK-7. The polar lipid profile contains the major lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid lacking a functional group, and two unidentified aminolipids. sym -Homospermidine is the major polyamine. The G+C content of the genome is 47.58 mol%. Based on phenotypic and genotypic differences between MD30B T and extant species in the Chitinophaga , we propose that MD30B T represents a new Chitinophaga species, for which the name Chitinophaga pendula sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate strain MD30B T as the type strain (DSM 112477 T =NCTC 14606 T ).

In this paper the Judicial Commission provides general guidance for interpreting the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (ICNP) and specific assistance to authors, reviewers and editors of a Request for an Opinion, or of other suggestions related to the ICNP. The role of the Judicial Commission is recapitulated, particularly with respect to the processing of such Requests. Selected kinds of nomenclature-related proposals are discussed that are unsuitable as the basis for a Request. Particular emphasis is put on Requests for placing names or epithets on the list of nomina rejicienda , and a dichotomous identification key is provided to guide potential authors of a Request that targets the name of a species or subspecies because of issues with its type strain. To this end, the criteria for the valid publication of such names under the ICNP are revisited. Aspects of other kinds of Requests are also addressed. The study is based on a comprehensive review of all Judicial Opinions issued since the publication of the Approved Lists in 1980. One goal of this paper is to assist potential authors in deciding whether their concern should be the subject of a Request, and if so, in composing it with the greatest chance of success. It is also clarified how to obtain additional help regarding nomenclature-related issues.

A taxonomic study was conducted on 16 bacterial strains isolated from wild Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) from Seymour (Marambio) Island and James Ross Island. An initial screening by repetitive sequence-based PCR fingerprinting divided the strains studied into four coherent groups. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences assigned all groups to the genus Corynebacterium and showed that Corynebacterium glyciniphilum and Corynebacterium terpenotabidum were the closest species with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between 95.4 % and 96.5 %. Further examination of the strains studied with ribotyping, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, comprehensive biotyping and calculation of average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation values confirmed the separation of the four groups from each other and from the other Corynebacterium species. Chemotaxonomically, the four strains P5828 T , P5850 T , P6136 T , P7210 T representing the studied groups were characterised by C 16:0 and C 18:1 ω9c as the major fatty acids, by the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan, the presence of corynemycolic acids and a quinone system with the predominant menaquinone MK-9(H 2 ). The results of this study show that the strains studied represent four new species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the names Corynebacterium antarcticum sp. nov. (type strain P5850 T  = CCM 8835 T  = LMG 30620 T ), Corynebacterium marambiense sp. nov. (type strain P5828 T  = CCM 8864 T  = LMG 31626 T ), Corynebacterium meridianum sp. nov. (type strain P6136 T  = CCM 8863 T  = LMG 31628 T ) and Corynebacterium pygosceleis sp. nov. (type strain P7210 T  = CCM 8836 T  = LMG 30621 T ) are proposed., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Opinion 123 places the epithet of the name Aeromonas punctata on the list of rejected epithets and clarifies the citation of authors of selected names within the genus Aeromonas . Opinion 124 denies the request to place Borreliella on the list of rejected names because the request is based on a misinterpretation of the Code, which is clarified. There are alternative ways to solve the perceived problem. Opinion 125 denies the request to place Lactobacillus fornicalis on the list of rejected names because the provided information does not yield a reason for rejection. Opinion 126 denies the request to place Prolinoborus and Prolinoborus fasciculus on the list of rejected names because a relevant type strain deposit was not examined. Opinion 127 grants the request to assign the strain deposited as ATCC 4720 as the type strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens , thereby correcting the Approved Lists. These Opinions were ratified by the voting members of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes.

A facultative anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming bacterium, isolated from the rhizosphere of maize roots ( Zea mays ), was taxonomically studied. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain JJ-79 T clustered only loosely with Neobacillus species and showed the highest similarity to Neobacillus soli (97.9%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the sequences of the type strains of other Neobacillus species were 97.5 % and below. Chemotaxonomic features supported the grouping of the strain to the Neobacillus group, e.g. the major fatty acids were C 15 : 0 anteiso, C 15 : 0 iso and C 16 : 0 , the polar lipid profile contained the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified glycolipid, the major quinone was menaquinone MK-7, and major compound in the polyamine pattern was spermidine. However, the JJ-79 T genome assembly did not share most of the 11 conserved signature indels that are indicative of the genus Neobacillus . The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the JJ-79 T genome assembly and those of the closest relative Bacillaceae type strains were <71, <71 and <25 %, respectively. Physiological and biochemical test results were also different from those of the most closely related Bacillaceae species. As a consequence, JJ-79 T represents a novel genus for which we propose the name Pseudoneobacillus rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov., with JJ-79 T (=CIP 111885 T =CCM 9045 T ) as the type strain.

A bacterial strain designated 27C T isolated from the cloaca of a giant Asian pond turtle was subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterization. The strain was Gram-stain negative and oxidase- and catalase-positive. It had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Ottowia beijingensis GCS-AN-3 T (97.6 %) and Ottowia flava GY511 T 96.0% and less than 96.0 % to other established species including Ramlibacter rhizophilus YS3.2.7 T , Ottowia konkukae SK3863 T , Acidovorax caeni E-24608 T and Ottowia thiooxydans DSM 14619 T . Phylogenetically, strain 27C T formed a branch with O. beijingensis GCS-AN-3 T within the Ottowia clade. The genome size was 4.32 Mbp and the G+C content was 65.7 mol%. Strain 27C T shared highest ANIb values with O. beijingensis GCS-AN-3 T (82.71/82.73 %) followed by O. oryzae KADR8-3 T (78.9/79.0 %) and O. caeni BD-1 T (73.3/75.2 %). The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso- diaminopimelic acid and the quinone system was ubiquinone Q-8. Predominant compounds in the polar lipid profile were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine. Major polyamines were 2-hydroxyputrescine and putrescine. In the fatty acid profile, summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 6 c ), C 16 : 0 , summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 18 : 1  ω 6 c ), C 14 : 0 , C 10 : 0 3-OH and C 16 : 0 2-OH were detected. All these data identify strain 27C T as representing a novel species of the genus Ottowia and hence we propose the name Ottowia testudinis sp. nov. The type strain is 27C T (=CCM 9138 T =LMG 32213 T ).

A group of seven bacterial strains producing blue-purple pigmented colonies on R2A agar was isolated from freshwater samples collected in a deglaciated part of James Ross Island and Eagle Island, Antarctica, from 2017-2019. The isolates were psychrophilic, oligotrophic, resistant to chloramphenicol, and exhibited strong hydrolytic activities. To clarify the taxonomic position of these isolates, a polyphasic taxonomic approach was applied based on sequencing of the 16S rRNA, gyr B and lep A genes, whole-genome sequencing, rep-PCR, MALDI-TOF MS, chemotaxonomy analyses and biotyping. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the entire group are representatives of the genus Massilia . The closest relatives of the reference strain P8398 T were Massilia atriviolacea , Massilia violaceinigra , Massilia rubra , Massilia mucilaginosa , Massilia aquatica , Massilia frigida , Massilia glaciei and Massilia eurypsychrophila with a pairwise similarity of 98.6-100% in the 16S rRNA. The subsequent gyr B and lep A sequencing results showed the novelty of the analysed group, and the average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation values clearly proved that P8398 T represents a distinct Massilia species. After all these results, we nominate a new species with the proposed name Massilia antarctica sp. nov. The type strain is P8398 T (= CCM 8941 T = LMG 32108 T ).

Strain UY79 T was isolated from a root nodule of Arachis villosa , collected at the Esteros de Farrapos National Park, Río Negro, Uruguay. Cells were non-motile Gram-variable rods with central to subterminal oval to ellipsoidal endospores that swell the sporangia. Growth was observed in the range of 15-42 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and with up to 3 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1-2 %). Strain UY79 T was facultative anaerobic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. According to the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, UY79 T belongs to the genus Paenibacillus and is closely related to P. ottowii MS2379 T , P. peoriae BD-57 T , P. polymyxa ATCC 842 T and P. brasilensis PB172 T , exhibiting 99.4, 99.0, 99.0 and 98.9% sequence identity, respectively. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values with the most closely related type strains were 74.3-88.6% and 38.2-48.7 %, respectively. Major fatty acids (>10 %) were anteiso-C 15:0 , iso-C 15:0, and C 16 : 0 . Menaquinones MK-7 and MK-6 were the only isoprenoid quinones detected. Major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified glycolipid. Spermidine was the predominant polyamine. The DNA G+C content based on the draft genome sequence was 46.34 mol%. Based on the current polyphasic study, UY79 T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus , for which the name Paenibacillus farraposensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is UY79 T (=CCM 9147 T =CGMCC 1.19038 T ).

Since 2006, a Mycoplasma species unidentifiable to the species level has been regularly isolated from the semen and prepuce of apparently healthy bulls, and occasionally from cattle displaying inflammatory disease of the genital tract. Seven of these Mycoplasma isolates were subjected to a comprehensive taxonomic study. The strains investigated grew well in modified Hayflick's medium and colonies on agar exhibited typical fried egg morphology and produced 'film and spots'. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a cell morphology characteristic of mycoplasmas with spherically shaped cells bounded by a bi-layered cell membrane. The strains studied neither produced acid from sugar carbon sources nor did hydrolyse arginine or urea, and genome annotation indicated that organic acids (pyruvate, lactate) are used as energy sources. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene sequences, the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region, and partial rpoB gene and protein sequences placed the strains within the Mycoplasma (M.) bovis cluster of the Hominis group with M. primatum, M. agalactiae, and M. bovis being their closest relatives. Genomic information including whole-genome similarity metrics (ANIb, ANIm, TETRA, dDDH, AAI) and phylogenomics, proteomic features revealed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry as well as serological reactions and polar lipid profiling strongly indicated that the strains examined were representatives of a hitherto unclassified species of genus Mycoplasma, for which the name Mycoplasma tauri sp. nov. with type strain Zaradi2 T (=ATCC BAA-1891 T  = DSM 22451 T ) is proposed., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

A Gram-positive, non-spore-forming actinobacterium (IMT-300 T ) was isolated from soil amended with humic acid in Malvern, AL, USA. This soil has been used for 50+years for the cultivation of earthworms for use as fish bait. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, strain IMT-300 T was shown to belong to the genus Leucobacter and was closely related to the type strain of 'Leucobacter margaritiformis ' L1 T (97.8%). Similarity to all other type strains of Leucobacter species was lower than 97.2 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the IMT-300 T genome assembly and those of the closest relative Leucobacter type strain were 81.4 and 23.3 % ( Leucobacter chironomi ), respectively. The peptidoglycan of strain IMT-300 T contained l-2,4-diaminobutyric acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. In addition, glycine, d- and l-alanine and d-glutamic acid were found. The peptidoglycan type represents a variant of B2δ (B11). The major quinones were menaquinones MK-10 and MK-11. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and moderate to minor amounts of two unidentified phospholipids, two unidentified glycolipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The polyamine pattern contained major amounts of spermidine and spermine. Strain IMT-300 T contained the major fatty acids C 15 : 0 anteiso, C 16 : 0 iso and C 17 : 0 anteiso, like other members of the genus Leucobacter . The results of ANI and dDDH analyses and physiological and biochemical tests allowed a genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strain IMT-300 T from the most closely related Leucobacter species. Strain IMT-300 T represents a novel Leucobacter species, for which we propose the name Leucobacter soli sp. nov., with the type strain IMT-300 T (CIP 111803 T =DSM 110505 T =CCM 9020 T =LMG 31600 T ).

The rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain 16F T , isolated from an air sample collected at King George Island, maritime Antarctica, was investigated to determine its taxonomic status. Strain 16F T is strictly aerobic, catalase positive, oxidase positive and non-motile. Strain 16F T hydrolyses casein, lecithin, Tween 20, 60 and 80, but not aesculin, gelatin and starch. Growth of strain 16F T is observed at 0-20 °C (optimum 10 °C), pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum pH 6.0), and in the presence of 0-2.0% NaCl (optimum 0.5%). The predominant menaquinone is MK-6, and the major fatty acids comprise anteiso-C 15:0 and iso-C 15:0 . The major polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, ornithine lipid OL2, unidentified phospholipid PL1 and the unidentified lipids L3 and L6 lacking functional groups. The DNA G + C content based on the draft genome sequence is 32.3 mol%. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene indicates the highest similarity to Kaistella palustris 3A10 T (95.4%), Kaistella chaponensis Sa 1147-06  T (95.2%), Kaistella antarctica AT1013 T (95.1%), Kaistella carnis NCTC 13525  T (95.1%) and below 95.0% to other species with validly published names. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences places strain 16F T in a distinct branch, indicating a separate lineage within the family Weeksellaceae. Based on the data from our polyphasic approach, 16F T represents a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Frigoriflavimonas asaccharolytica gen. nov, sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 16F T (= CCM 8975  T  = CGMCC No.1.16844  T )., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

A bacterial strain designated 26B T , which had been isolated from the cloaca of a toad-headed turtle, was subjected to a comprehensive taxonomic study. Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that strain 26B T is a member of the family Neisseriaceae . Based on highest similarity values, Neisseria animaloris DSM 21642 T (95.15 %), Alysiella filiformis ATCC 15532 T (95.06 %), Uruburuella testudinis 07&#95;OD624 T (94.71 %), Uruburuella suis CCUG 47806 T (94.66 %) and Alysiella crassa DSM 2578 T (94.64 %) were identified as the closest relatives. Average nucleotide identity values based on the blast algorithm (ANIb) indicated that U. suis (76.10/76.17 %), Neisseria shayeganii 871 T (74.34/74.51 %), Stenoxybacter acetivorans (73.30/73.41 %), N. animaloris (72.98/72.80) %, A. filiformis (71.14/71.21 %) and A. crassa (70.53/71.15 %) are the next closest relatives. Like ANIb, genome-based phylogeny did not suggest the affiliation of strain 26B T with any established genus. The polyamine pattern consisted of the major compounds putrescine, 1,3-diaminopropane and spermidine and the major quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. In the polar lipid profile, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an ornithine lipid were predominant. The fatty acid profile contained predominantly C 16 : 1  ω7 c , C 12 : 0 , C 14 : 0 , C 16 : 0 and C 12 : 0 3OH. The size of the genome was 2.91 Mbp and the genomic G+C content was 54.0 mol%. Since these data do not demonstrate an unambiguous association with any established genus, we here propose the novel genus Paralysiella with the type species Paralysiella testudinis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain is 26B T (=CCM 9137 T =LMG 32212 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-endospore-forming organism isolated from horse blood was studied for its taxonomic allocation. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain M6-77 T grouped within the genus Devosia and was most closely related to Devosia elaeis (97.6 %) and Devosia indica (97.55 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to type strains of other Devosia species was below 97.5 %. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between the M6-77 T genome assembly and those of the closest relative Devosia type strains were <85 and <25 %, respectively. Strain M6-77 T grew optimally at 25-37 °C (range: 10-36 °C), at a pH range of pH 6.5-10.5 and in the presence of up to 3 % (w/v) NaCl. The fatty acid profile from whole-cell hydrolysates supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Devosia . Major fatty acids were C 18 : 1  ω 7 c, 11-methyl C 18 : 1  ω 7 c and C 16 : 0 . The quinone system consisted exclusively of ubiquinone Q-10. The polar lipid profile was composed of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and three unidentified glycolipids. In the polyamine pattern, putrescine was predominant and spermidine was detected in moderate amounts. The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso- diaminopimelic acid. In addition, the results of physiological and biochemical tests also allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain M6-77 T from the closely related species. Hence, M6-77 T represents a new species of the genus Devosia , for which we propose the name Devosia equisanguinis sp. nov., with M6-77 T (=CIP 111628 T =LMG 30659 T =CCM 8868 T ) as the type strain.

Despite unfavorable Antarctic conditions, such as cold temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, high ultraviolet radiation, dryness and lack of nutrients, microorganisms were able to adapt and surprisingly thrive in this environment. In this study, eight cold-adapted Flavobacterium strains isolated from a remote Antarctic island, James Ross Island, were studied using a polyphasic taxonomic approach to determine their taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and 92 core genes clearly showed that these strains formed two distinct phylogenetic clusters comprising three and five strains, with average nucleotide identities significantly below 90% between both proposed species as well as between their closest phylogenetic relatives. Phenotyping revealed a unique pattern of biochemical and physiological characteristics enabling differentiation from the closest phylogenetically related Flavobacterium spp. Chemotaxonomic analyses showed that type strains P4023 T and P7388 T were characterized by the major polyamine sym- homospermidine and a quinone system containing predominantly menaquinone MK-6. In the polar lipid profile phosphatidylethanolamine, an ornithine lipid and two unidentified lipids lacking a functional group were detected as major lipids. These characteristics along with fatty acid profiles confirmed that these species belong to the genus Flavobacterium . Thorough genomic analysis revealed the presence of numerous cold-inducible or cold-adaptation associated genes, such as cold-shock proteins, proteorhodopsin, carotenoid biosynthetic genes or oxidative-stress response genes. Genomes of type strains surprisingly harbored multiple prophages, with many of them predicted to be active. Genome-mining identified biosynthetic gene clusters in type strain genomes with a majority not matching any known clusters which supports further exploratory research possibilities involving these psychrotrophic bacteria. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed a pattern of multidrug-resistant phenotypes that were correlated with in silico antibiotic resistance prediction. Interestingly, while typical resistance finder tools failed to detect genes responsible for antibiotic resistance, genomic prediction confirmed a multidrug-resistant profile and suggested even broader resistance than tested. Results of this study confirmed and thoroughly characterized two novel psychrotrophic Flavobacterium species, for which the names Flavobacterium flabelliforme sp. nov. and Flavobacterium geliluteum sp. nov. are proposed., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Králová, Busse, Bezdíček, Sandoval-Powers, Nykrýnová, Staňková, Krsek and Sedláček.)

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, endospore-forming bacterial strain, isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays , was studied for its detailed taxonomic allocation. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain JJ-447 T was shown to be a member of the genus Paenibacillus , most closely related to the type strain of Paenibacillus solanacearum (97.8 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values to all other Paenibacillus species were below 97.0 %. DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values with the type strain of P. solanacearum were 35.9 % (reciprocal 27%), respectively. The average nucleotide identity and in silico DDH values with the type strain of P. solanacearum were 84.86 and 28.9 %, respectively. The quinone system of strain JJ-447 T consisted exclusively of menaquinones and the major component was MK-7 (96.4 %) but minor amounts of MK-6 (3.6 %) were detected as well. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminolipid. Major fatty acids were iso- and anteiso-branched with the major compounds anteiso-C 15 : 0 and iso-C 15 : 0 . Physiological and biochemical characteristics allowed a further phenotypic differentiation of strain JJ-447 T from the most closely related species on the basis of d-glucose, l-arabinose and d-mannose assimilation and other physiological tests. Thus, JJ-447 T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus , for which the name Paenibacillus allorhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed, with JJ-447 T (=LMG 31601 T =CCM 9021 T =CIP 111802 T ) as the type strain.

A bacterial strain designated 32A T was isolated from the skin of an Anderson's salamander ( Ambystoma andersoni ) and subjected to a comprehensive taxonomic study. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, oxidase- and urease-negative, and catalase-positive. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons placed the strain in the genus Luteolibacter with highest sequence similarities to Luteolibacter pohnpeiensis A4T-83 T (95.2%), Luteolibacter gellanilyticus CB-286403 T (95.1%) and Luteolibacter cuticulihirudinis E100 T (94.9%). Genomic sequence analysis revealed a size of 5.3 Mbp, a G+C-content of 62.2 mol% and highest ANI values with Luteolibacter luteus (71.2%), Luteolibacter yonseiensis (71.4%) and L. pohnpeiensis (69.5%). In the polyamine pattern, 1,3-diaminopropane and spermidine were predominant. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso -diaminopimelic acid. The quinone system was composed of the major menaquinones MK-9 and MK-10. Major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, the unidentified aminolipid AL2, the unidentified phospholipid PL2 and the unidentified aminophospholipid APL1. The fatty acid profile contained major amounts of iso-C 14:0 , iso-C 16:0 , C 16 : 0 and C 16 : 1  ω9 c . In addition, C 14 : 0 , C 15:0, anteiso-C 15 : 0 , summed feature 2 (C 14 : 0 3OH and/or iso-C 16 : 0 I), and the hydroxylated fatty acids iso-C 14 : 0 3OH, iso-C 16 : 0 3OH and C 16 : 0 3-OH were detected. Physiologically, strain 32A T is distinguishable from its next relatives. Based on phylogenetic, genomic, physiological and chemotaxonomic data, strain 32A T represents a novel species of the genus Luteolibacter for which we propose the name Luteolibacter ambystomatis sp. nov. The type strain is 32A T (=CCM 9141 T =LMG 32214 T ).

A group of 11 bacterial strains was isolated from streams and lakes located in a deglaciated northern part of James Ross Island, Antarctica. They were rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, motile, and catalase-positive and produced blue-violet-pigmented colonies on R2A agar. A polyphasic taxonomic approach based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, automated ribotyping, repetitive element sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR), MALDI-TOF MS, fatty acid profile, chemotaxonomy analyses, and extensive biotyping was applied in order to clarify the taxonomic position of these isolates. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that all the isolates constituted a coherent group belonging to the genus Rugamonas . The closest relatives to the representative isolate P5900 T were Rugamonas rubra CCM 3730 T , Rugamonas rivuli FT103W T , and Rugamonas aquatica FT29W T , exhibiting 99.2%, 99.1%, and 98.6% 16S rRNA pairwise similarity, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values calculated from the whole-genome sequencing data clearly proved that P5900 T represents a distinct Rugamonas species. The G+C content of genomic DNAs was 66.1 mol%. The major components in fatty acid profiles were summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7c /C 16:1 ω6c ), C 16:0 , and C 12:0 . The cellular quinone content contained exclusively ubiquinone Q-8. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The polyamine pattern was composed of putrescine, 2-hydroxputrescine, and spermidine. IMPORTANCE Our polyphasic approach provides a new understanding of the taxonomy of novel pigmented Rugamonas species isolated from freshwater samples in Antarctica. The isolates showed considerable extracellular bactericidal secretions. The antagonistic activity of studied isolates against selected pathogens was proved by this study and implied the importance of such compounds' production among aquatic bacteria. The psychrophilic and violacein-producing species Roseomonas violacea may play a role in the diverse consortium among pigmented bacteria in the Antarctic water environment. Based on all the obtained results, we propose a novel species for which the name Rugamonas violacea sp. nov. is suggested, with the type strain P5900 T (CCM 8940 T ; LMG 32105 T ). Isolates of R. violacea were obtained from different aquatic localities, and they represent the autochthonous part of the water microbiome in Antarctica.

Strain F2A T , isolated from the cricket Acheta domesticus , was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic characterization. Cells of the strain were rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative and catalase- and oxidase-positive. It did not assimilate any carbohydrates. The strain's 16S rRNA gene sequence showed highest similarity to Entomomonas moraniae QZS01 T (96.4 %). The next highest similarity values were found to representatives of related genera (<93 %). The genome size of strain F2A T was 3.2 Mbp and the G+C content was 36.4 mol%. Average nucleotide identity values based on blast and MUMmer and average amino acid identity values between strain F2A T and E. moraniae QZS01 T were 74.29/74.43, 83.88 and 74.70 %, respectively. The quinone system predominantly contained ubiquinone Q-8. In the polar lipid profile, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid were detected. The polyamine pattern consisted of the major compounds putrescine and spermidine. Major fatty acids were C 18 : 1  ω7 c and C 16 : 0 and the hydroxyl acids were C 12 : 0 3-OH, C 14 : 0 2-OH and C 14 : 0 3-OH. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso -diaminopimelic acid. Due to its association with the only species of the genus Entomomonas but its distinctness from E. moraniae we here propose the novel species Entomomonas asaccharolytica sp. nov. F2A T (=CCM 9136 T =LMG 32211 T ).

A rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain 9A T , was isolated from an air sample collected at King George Island, maritime Antarctica. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence reveals that strain 9A T belongs to the genus Hymenobacter and shows the highest similarity to Hymenobacter coccineus CCM 8649 T (96.8 %). The DNA G+C content based on the draft genome sequence is 64.9 mol%. Strain 9A T is strictly aerobic, psychrophilic, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive and non-motile. Growth is observed at 0-20 °C (optimum 10 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum pH 7.0), and in the absence of NaCl. The predominant menaquinone of strain 9A T is MK-7 and the major fatty acids comprise Summed Feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω7 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω6 c; 25.2 %), iso-C 15 : 0 (23.2 %), C 16 : 1  ω5 c (11.6 %), Summed Feature 4 (anteiso-C 17 : 1 B/iso-C 17 : 1 I) (9.6 %) and anteiso-C 15 : 0 (9.6 %). The polar lipid profile consists of the major lipid phosphatidylethanolamine and moderate to minor amounts of phosphatidylserine, unidentified aminolipids, aminophospholipids, aminophosphoglycolipids, polar lipids lacking a functional group and an unidentified phospholipid and a glycolipid. In the polyamine pattern sym -homospermidine is predominant. On the basis of the results obtained, strain 9A T is proposed as a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter , for which the name Hymenobacter caeli sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is 9A T (=CCM 8971 T =LMG 32109 T =DSM 111653 T ).

A Gram-staining positive, non-spore forming, non-pigmented and non-motile bacterium, designated strain NCCP-1664 T , was isolated from Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Cells of strain NCCP-1664 T were strictly aerobic, catalase positive and oxidase negative with a rod to coccus growth cycle and can grow at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum pH 7-8) at 28-45 °C (optimum 37 °C) and could tolerate 0-16% NaCl (optimum 2%). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain NCCP-1664 T belongs to the family Micrococcaceae and was related to members of the genus Arthrobacter having highest sequence similarities with Arthrobacter ginkgonis (98.9%), A. halodurans (97.7%) and A. oryzae (97.1%) and less than 97% with other related taxa. DNA-DNA relatedness values of strain NCCP-1664 T with above mentioned type strains were found to be less than 54%, whereas digital DDH and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values with A. oryzae were 20.9 and of 74.3%, respectively. DNA G + C content of strain NCCP-1664 T was 70.0 mol%. Chemotaxonomic data of strain NCCP-1664 T showed the peptidoglycan type as A3α L-Lys-L -Ala; menaquinones as MK-9(H 2 ) (67%), MK-8(H 2 ) (32%) and MK-7(H 2 ) (1%), major fatty acids as anteiso -C 15:0 (51.2%), anteiso-C 17:0 (9.6%) and C 18:1 ω9c (6.9%) and polar lipids profile comprising of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol, small amounts of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, trimannosyldiacylglycerol and three unidentified lipids. The phylogenomic analyses along with chemotaxonomic data, physiological, biochemical characteristics allowed to describe it as representative of a novel genus, for which the name Zafaria cholistanensis gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain NCCP-1664 T (= DSM 29936 T  = KCTC 39549 T ).

A beige-pigmented, oxidase-positive bacterial isolate, Wesi-4 T , isolated from charcoal in 2012, was examined in detail by applying a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of the isolates were rod shaped and Gram-stain negative. Examination of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the isolate revealed highest sequence similarities to the type strains of Pseudomonas matsuisoli and Pseudomonas nosocomialis (both 97.3 %). Phylogenetic analyses on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated a separate position of Wesi-4 T , which was confirmed by multilocus sequence analyses (MLSA) based on the three loci gyrB , rpoB and rpoD and a core genome-based phylogenetic tree. Genome sequence based comparison of Wesi-4 T and the type strains of P. matsuisoli and P. nosocomialis yielded average nucleotide identity values <95 % and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values <70 %, respectively. The polyamine pattern contains the major amines putrescine, cadaverine and spermidine. The quinone system contains predominantly ubiquinone Q-9 and in the polar lipid profile diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine are the major lipids. The fatty acid contains predominantly C 16 : 0 , summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1 ω7 c and/or C 16 : 1 ω6 c ) and summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1 ω7 c and/or C 18 : 1  ω6 c ). In addition, physiological and biochemical tests revealed a clear phenotypic difference from P. matsuisoli . These cumulative data indicate that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas for which the name Pseudomonas carbonaria sp. nov. is proposed with Wesi-4 T (=DSM 110367 T =CIP 111764 T =CCM 9017 T ) as the type strain.

Genome sequence analysis of two strains collected in Canada at the end of the 1970s and deposited in 1998 at the Collection de l'Institut Pasteur has led to the taxonomic description of a novel fish-associated species in the genus Flavobacterium . Both strains, CIP 105534 T and CIP 105535, were yellow-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, non-spore-forming rod-shaped bacteria that exhibited gliding motility. They grew aerobically in a temperature range from 5 to 30 °C with optimal growth at 25 °C on trypticase soy or Reasoner's 2A agar but they did not grow on marine agar. Their major fatty acid profiles were similar, consisting of iso-C 15 : 0 , C 16 : 1  ω7 c and/or iso-C 15 : 0 2-OH (shown as summed feature 3), C 16 : 0 3-OH, iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH and C 16 : 0 . The major polyamine was sym -homospermidine. Phosphatidylethanolamine and, most notably, ornithine-containing lipid OL2 and unidentified aminophospholipid APL1 were major polar lipids. A yellow pigment spot was visible after chromatographic analysis. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-6. The G+C content of the two genomes was 34 mol% and their size was around 5.8 Mb. Comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences with those of the closely related type strains showed high levels of relatedness with Flavobacterium collinsii and Flavobacterium pectinovorum . All average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values estimated against publicly available Flavobacterium genome assemblies were lower than 90 and 30 %, respectively. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data indicated that the two strains represent a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium , for which the name Flavobacterium bizetiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CIP 105534 T (=LMG 1342 T ). The unique ability of F. bizetiae to use melibiose as a sole source of carbon could provide a simple phenotypic test to discriminate F. bizetiae from its closest relatives.

A Gram-staining-negative non endospore-forming strain, T13(2019) T was isolated from water samples from Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) fry culture in Chile and studied in detail for its taxonomic position. The isolate shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with the type strains of Flavobacterium chungangense (98.44 %) followed by Flavobacterium tructae and Flavobacterium spartansii (both 98.22 %). Menaquinone MK-6 was the predominant respiratory quinone in T13(2019) T . Major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, an ornithine lipid and the unidentified polar lipids L1, L3 and L4 lacking a functional group. The major polyamine was sym -homospermidine. The fatty acid profile contained major amounts of iso-C 15 : 0 , iso-C 15 : 0 3-OH, iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH, C 15 : 0 , summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω7 c and/or iso-C 15 : 0 2-OH) and various hydroxylated fatty acids in smaller amounts, among them iso-C 16 : 0 3-OH, and C 15 : 0 3-OH, which supported the grouping of the isolate into the genus Flavobacterium . Physiological/biochemical characterisation and ANI calculations with the type strains of the most closely related species allowed a clear phenotypic and genotypic differentiation. In addition it became obvious, that the type strains of F. tructae and F. spartansii showed 100 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and ANI values of 97.21%/ 97.59 % and DDH values of 80.40 % [77.5 and 83%]. These data indicate that F. tructae and F. spartansii belong to the same species and it is proposed that F. spartansii is a later heterotypic synonym of F. tructae . For strain T13(2019) T (=CIP 111411 T =LMG 30298 T =CCM 8798 T ) a new species with the name Flavobacterium salmonis sp. nov. is proposed.

A Gram-staining-negative non endospore-forming strain, PXU-55 T , was isolated from the rhizosphere of the switchgrass Panicum virgatum and studied in detail to determine its taxonomic position. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate represented a member of the genus Flavobacterium . The isolate shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with the type strains of Flavobacterium chungangense (98.78 %) and Flavobacterium chilense (98.64 %). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (isDDH) values between the PXU-55 T genome assembly and the ones of the most closely related type strains of species of the genus Flavobacterium were 87.3 and 31.9% ( Flavobacterium defluvii ), and 86.1 and 29.9% ( Flavobacterium johnsoniae ). Menaquinone MK-6 was the major respiratory quinone. As major polar lipids, phosphatidylethanolamine, an ornithine lipid and the unidentified polar lipids L2, L3 and L4 lacking a functional group were found. Moderate to minor amounts of another ornithine lipid, the unidentified lipid L1 and a glycolipid were present, as well. The major polyamine is sym -homospermidine. The fatty acid profiles contained major amounts of iso-C 15:0 , iso-C 15:0 3-OH, iso-C 17:0 3-OH, C 15:0 , summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7 c and/or iso-C 15:0 2-OH) and various hydroxylated fatty acids in smaller amounts, among them iso C 16:0 3-OH, C 16:0 3-OH and C 15:0 3-OH, which supported the classification of the isolate as a member of the genus Flavobacterium . Physiological and biochemical characterisation and ANI calculations with the type strains of the most closely related species allowed a clear phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of the strain. For this reason, we propose that strain PXU-55 T (=CIP 111646 T =CCM 8914 T ) represents a novel species with the name Flavobacterium panici sp. nov.

Bacteria of the genus Massilia often colonize extreme ecosystems, however, a detailed study of the massilias from the Antarctic environment has not yet been performed. Here, sixty-four Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile rods isolated from different environmental samples on James Ross Island (Antarctica) were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The psychrophilic isolates exhibited slowly growing, moderately slimy colonies revealing bold pink-red pigmentation on R2A agar. The set of strains exhibited the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (99.5-99.9%) to Massilia violaceinigra B2 T and Massilia atriviolacea SOD T and formed several phylogenetic groups based on the analysis of gyrB and lepA genes. Phenotypic characteristics allowed four of them to be distinguished from each other and from their closest relatives. Compared to the nearest phylogenetic neighbours the set of six genome-sequenced representatives exhibited considerable phylogenetic distance at the whole-genome level. Bioinformatic analysis of the genomic sequences revealed a high number of putative genes involved in oxidative stress response, heavy-metal resistance, bacteriocin production, the presence of putative genes involved in nitrogen metabolism and auxin biosynthesis. The identification of putative genes encoding aromatic dioxygenases suggests the biotechnology potential of the strains. Based on these results four novel species and one genomospecies of the genus Massilia are described and named Massilia rubra sp. nov. (P3094 T =CCM 8692 T =LMG 31213 T ), Massilia aquatica sp. nov. (P3165 T =CCM 8693 T =LMG 31211 T ), Massilia mucilaginosa sp. nov. (P5902 T =CCM 8733 T =LMG 31210 T ), and Massilia frigida sp. nov. (P5534 T =CCM 8695 T =LMG 31212 T )., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

A rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain, 1B T , was isolated from an air sample collected at King George Island, maritime Antarctica. Strain 1B T is strictly aerobic, psychrophilic, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive and non-motile. Growth of strain 1B T is observed at 0-20 °C (optimum, 10 °C), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 8.0) and in the presence of 0-1.0% NaCl (optimum, 0.5 % NaCl). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences places strain 1B T within the genus Hymenobacter and shows the highest similarity to Hymenobacter antarcticus VUG-A42aa T (97.5 %). The predominant menaquinone of strain 1B T is MK-7 and the major fatty acids (>10 %) comprise summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 6 c ; 32.5 %), iso-C 15 : 0 (17.6 %) and anteiso C 15 : 0 (12.3 %). The polar lipid profile consists of the major compounds phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, two unidentified aminolipids and one unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content based on the draft genome sequence is 61.2 mol%. Based on the data from the current polyphasic study, 1B T represents a novel species of the genus Hymenobacter , for which the name Hymenobacter artigasi sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is 1B T (=CCM 8970 T =CGMCC 1.16843 T ).

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on an unidentified Arcanobacterium -like Gram-stain-positive bacterium designated strain C605018/01/1 T isolated from a milk sample collected from the udder of a cow at post mortem . Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the bacterium belonged to the genus Arcanobacterium and was most closely related to the type strain of Arcanobacterium pluranimalium (99.76 %); sequence similarities to all other Arcanobacterium species were below 97 %. The wet-lab DNA-DNA hybridization values among strain C605018/01/1 T and A. pluranimalium DSM 13483ᵀ were low, 16.9 % (reciprocal, 49.8 %). Pertaining to the whole genome sequence with a total length of 2.02 Mb and 1654 protein counts, the novel strain C605018/01/01 T displayed a G+C content of 51.6 % mol%. The presence of the major menaquinone MK-9(H 4 ) supported the affiliation of this strain to the genus Arcanobacterium . The polar lipid profile consisted of the major components diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-mannoside and unidentified glycolipid and aminophospholipids. Based on these results it is proposed that strain C605018/01/1 T should be classified as representing a novel species, Arcanbacterium bovis sp. nov. The type strain C605018/01/1 T (CCUG 45425 T =DSM 107286 T =BCCM/LMG 30783 T ).

A Gram-stain-positive bacterial isolate, designated LMM-1652 T , was isolated from an intrauterine cytobrush sample originating from a postpartum Holstein Friesian dairy cow. The strain had a rod to coccoid-shape, was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analyses revealed that its closest relatives were Corynebacterium falsenii (97.05 % similarity), Corynebacterium jeikeium (96.83 %) and Corynebacterium urealyticum (96.82 %). Subsequent whole genome analysis showed that the genome-to-genome distance of strain LMM-1652 T to its closest relatives was in the range of 23.2-24.8 %, while the average nucleotide identity values ranged from 73.7 to 74.3%, thus confirming that this isolate represents a novel species. Strain LMM-1652 T was characterized by a quinone system mainly consisting of MK-9(H 2 ) and MK-10(H 2 ). The polar lipids profile of the strain consisted mainly of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, as well as one unidentified lipid lacking any functional group. Smaller amounts of four unidentified phospholipids, four unidentified glycolipids, β-gentiobiosyl diacylglycerol and four unidentified lipids lacking a functional group were also found. The cell wall contained meso -diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The fatty acid profile was mainly composed of C 18 : 1  ω9 c , C 18 : 0 and C 16 : 0 . We propose a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium with the name Corynebacterium urogenitale LMM-1652 T (=LMG 31163 T =DSM 108747 T ).

A total of 34 Corynebacterium sp. strains were isolated from caseous lymph node abscesses of wild boar and roe deer in different regions of Germany. They showed slow growth on Columbia sheep blood agar and sparse growth on Hoyle's tellurite agar. Cellular fatty acid analysis allocated them in the C. diphtheriae group of genus Corynebacterium . MALDI-TOF MS using specific database extensions and rpoB sequencing resulted in classification as C. ulcerans . Their quinone system is similar to C. ulcerans , with major menaquinone MK-8(H2). Their complex polar lipid profile includes major lipids phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-mannoside, diphosphatidylglycerol, but also unidentified glycolipids, distinguishing them clearly from C. ulcerans . They ferment glucose, ribose and maltose (like C. ulcerans ), but do not utilise d-xylose, mannitol, lactose, sucrose and glycogen (like C. pseudotuberculosis ). They showed activity of catalase, urease and phospholipase D, but variable results for alkaline phosphatase and alpha-glucosidase. All were non-toxigenic, tox gene bearing and susceptible to clindamycin, penicillin and erythromycin. In 16SrRNA gene and RpoB protein phylogenies the strains formed distinct brancheswith C. ulcerans as nearest relative.Whole genome sequencing revealed the unique sequence type 578, a distinctbranch in pangenomic core genome MLST, average nucleotide identities <91%, enhancedgenome sizes (2.55 Mbp) and G/C content (54.4 mol%) compared to related species.These results suggest that the strains represent a novel species, for which wepropose the name Corynebactriumsilvaticum sp. nov., based on their first isolation from forest-dwellinggame animals. The type strain isKL0182 T (= CVUAS 4292 T = DSM 109166 T = LMG 31313 T = CIP 111 672 T ).

Eight facultatively anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from raw milk and two other dairy products. Results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolates are placed in a distinct lineage within the family Propionibacteriaceae with Propioniciclava sinopodophylli and Propioniciclava tarda as the closest relatives (94.6 and 93.5 % similarity, respectively). The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso -diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid and was of the A1γ type ( meso -DAP-direct). The major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C 15 : 0 and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidyglycerol and three unidentified glycolipids. The quinone system contained predominantly menaquinone MK-9(H 4 ). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain VG341 T was 67.7 mol%. The whole-cell sugar pattern contained ribose, rhamnose, arabinose and galactose. On the basis of phenotypic and genetic data, eight strains (VG341 T , WS4684, WS4769, WS 4882, WS4883, WS4901, WS4902 and WS4904) are proposed to be classified as members of a novel species in a new genus of the family Propionibacteriaceae , for which the name Brevilactibacter flavus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is VG341 T (=WS4900 T =DSM 100885 T =LMG 29089 T ) and seven additional strains are WS4684, WS4769, WS4882, WS4883, WS4901, WS4902 and WS4904. Furthermore, we propose the reclassification of P. sinopodophylli as Brevilactibacter sinopodophylli comb. nov.

A Gram-stain positive, pleomorphic, oxidase-negative, non-motile isolate from the ulcer of a farmed Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ), designated strain T11b T , was subjected to a comprehensive taxonomic investigation. A comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed highest similarities to the type strains of Pseudarthrobacter siccitolerans (98.1 %) and Arthrobacter methylotrophus and Pseudarthrobacter phenanthrenivorans (both 98.0 %). The highest ANI value observed between the assembled genome of T11b T and the publicly available Pseudarthrobacter and Arthrobacter type strain genomes were 81.15 and 80.99 %, respectively. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-9(H 2 ). The polyamine pattern contained predominantly spermidine. The polar lipid profile consisted of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, monogalactosyl-diacylglycerol and dimannosylglyceride. Minor amouts of trimannosyldiacylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol were also detected. The peptidoglycan was of the type A3α l-Lys-l-Ser-l-Thr-l-Ala (A11.23). In the fatty acid profile, anteiso and iso branched fatty acids predominated (anteiso C 15 : 0 , iso C 16 : 0 , anteiso C 17 : 0 ). Moderate to low DNA-DNA similarities, physiological traits as well as unique traits in the fatty acid pattern distinguished strain T11b T from the next related species. All these data point to the fact that strain T11b T represents a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter for which we propose the name Arthrobacter ulcerisalmonis sp. nov. The type strain is T11b T (=CIP 111621 T =CCM 8854 T =LMG 30632 T =DSM 107127 T ).

Francisella noatunensis is a fastidious facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes 'piscine francisellosis', a serious disease affecting both marine and fresh water farmed and wild fish worldwide. Currently two F. noatunensis subspecies are recognized, i.e. F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis and F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis . In the present study, the taxonomy of F. noatunensis was revisited using a polyphasic approach, including whole genome derived parameters such as digital DNA-DNA hybridization, whole genome average nucleotide identity (wg-ANIm), whole genome phylogenetic analysis, whole genome G+C content, metabolic fingerprinting and chemotaxonomic analyses. The results indicated that isolates belonging to F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis represent a phenotypically and genetically homogenous taxon, clearly distinguishable from F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis that fulfils requirements for separate species status. We propose, therefore, elevation of F. noatunensis subsp. orientalis to the species rank as Francisella orientalis sp. nov. with the type strain remaining as Ehime-1 T (DSM 21254 T =LMG 24544 T ). Furthermore, we identified sufficient phenotypic and genetic differences between F. noatunensis subsp. noatunensis recovered from diseased farmed Atlantic salmon in Chile and those isolated from wild and farmed Atlantic cod in Northern Europe to warrant proposal of the Chilean as a novel F. noatunensis subspecies, i.e. Francisella noatunensis subsp. chilensis subsp. nov. with strain PQ1106 T (CECT 9798 T =NCTC14375 T ) as the type strain. Finally, we emend the description of F. noatunensis by including further metabolic information and the description of atypical strains.

Twelve Mycoplasma (M.) strains isolated from the nose, the trachea, and the lung of ostriches (Struthio camelus) displaying respiratory disease were investigated. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences placed five of these strains within the M. synoviae cluster, and seven strains within the M. hominis cluster of genus Mycoplasma, which was further confirmed by analyses of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region, and partial rpoB gene and amino acid sequences. Genomic information as well as phenotypic features obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-ToF) mass spectrometry analysis and serological reactions indicated that the strains examined are representatives of two hitherto unclassified species of genus Mycoplasma, for which the names Mycoplasma nasistruthionis sp. nov., with type strain 2F1A T (= ATCC BAA-1893 T = DSM 22456 T ), and Mycoplasma struthionis sp. nov., with type strain 237IA T (= ATCC BAA-1890 T = DSM 22453 T ), are proposed., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

A Gram-stain-positive bacterial strain, designated LMM-1653 T , was isolated from a uterus swab from a Holstein Frisian dairy cow in the frame of a clinical sampling trial. The isolated strain, which showed a rod to coccoid shape, was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, its closest relatives were Corynebacterium flavescens and Corynebacterium argatoratense (96.50 % similarity each), suggesting that this isolate represents a novel species. Strain LMM-1653 T had a quinone system consisting mainly of menaquinones MK-8(H 2 ) and MK-9(H 2 ). The polar lipid profile showed presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-mannoside as well as one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified aminoglycolipid. Moderate to minor amounts of three unidentified glycolipids, β-gentiobiosyl diacylglycerol, one unidentified aminoglycolipid and three unidentified lipids without a functional group were also found. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the strain also contained corynemycolic acids. The fatty acid profile was predominantly composed of straight-chain, saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids, dominated by C 18 : 1 ω9 c and C 16 : 0 . Since this isolate differs from the nearest related established Corynebacterium species in its genetic and phenotypic traits, a novel species named Corynebacterium endometrii LMM-1653 T (=LMG-31164 T =CCM 8952 T ) of the genus Corynebacterium is proposed.

A taxonomic study was carried out on four Gram-stain-negative strains P5773 T , P6169, P4708 and P6245, isolated from anus or mouth samples of Weddell seals at James Ross Island, Antarctica. The results of initial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that all four strains formed a group placed in the genus Pseudomonas and found Pseudomonas guineae and Pseudomonas peli to be their closest neighbours with 99.9 and 99.2 % sequence similarity, respectively. Sequence analysis of rpoD , rpoB and gyrB housekeeping genes confirmed the highest similarity of isolates to P. peli ( rpoD ) and to P. guineae ( rpoB and gyrB ). The average nucleotide identity value below 86 %, as calculated from the whole-genome sequence data, showed the low genomic relatedness of P5773 T to its phylogenetic neighbours. The complete genome of strain P5773 T was 4.4 Mb long and contained genes encoding proteins with biotechnological potential. The major fatty acids of the seal isolates were summed feature 8 (C 18 : 1 ω 7 c ), summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1 ω 7 c /C 16  : 1 ω 6 c ) and C 16:0 . The major respiratory quinone was Q9. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Putrescine and spermidine are predominant in the polyamine pattern. Further characterization performed using repetitive sequence-based PCR fingerprinting and MALDI-TOF MS analysis showed that the studied isolates formed a coherent cluster separated from the remaining Pseudomonas species and confirmed that they represent a novel species within the genus Pseudomonas , for which the name Pseudomonas leptonychotis sp. nov. is suggested. The type strain is P5773 T (=CCM 8849 T =LMG 30618 T ).

Arthrobacterenclensis was reported to cluster with species of the genus Pseudarthrobacter but the peptidoglycan containing lysine, alanine and glutamic acid and the presence of minor amounts of menaquinone MK-8(H 4 ) were not in line with the description of the genus. Re-analysis of these traits revealed a peptidoglycan with l-Lys-l-Ser-l-Thr-l-Ala and no MK-8(H 4 ), but major amounts of MK-9(H 2 ) in the quinone system of A. enclensis DSM 25279 T . These data demonstrate that A. enclensis shares the characteristics of the genus Pseudarthrobacter. Since the reported quinone systems of Pseudarthrobacterphenanthrenivorans [MK-8 and MK-9(H 2 )] and Pseudarthrobacterscleromae [MK-8(H 2 ] were clearly different from those of other species of the genus, the quinone systems of the two species were re-analyzed. Since the polar lipid profile of P. phenanthrenivorans was reported to contain phosphatidylethanolamine, which is unusual for a member of the Micrococcaceae , and the polar lipid profile of P. scleromae was unknown, the polar lipids of these two species were also analysed. The quinone system of P. phenanthrenivorans DSM 18606 T was composed of the major menaquinones MK-9(H 2 ), MK-8(H 2 ) and MK-10(H 2 ) and that of P. scleromae DSM 17756 T was composed of the major menaquinones MK-9(H 2 ) and MK-8(H 2 ) and MK-9. In the polar lipid profile of P. phenanthrenivorans DSM 18606 T no phosphatidylethanolamine could be detected. Based on these results we here propose the reclassification of A. enclensis as Pseudarthrobacterenclensis comb. nov. and emend the descriptions of the genus Pseudarthrobacter and the two species P. phenanthrenivorans and P. scleromae .

A pink pigmented, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (strain 36B243 T ), was isolated from the spleen of a black rock cod (Notothenia coriiceps, Richardson 1844) in the Chilean Antarctica. Strain 36B243 T has a 5.26 Mb chromosome with a DNA G + C content of 35.4 mol%. The draft genome includes the prediction and annotation of 4585 coding genes, and 46 tRNA, 1 tmRNA, and 2735 hypothetical proteins. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed strain 36B243 T into the genus Pedobacter with high sequence similarity to the type strains of Pedobacter sandarakinus (97.5%) and Pedobacter petrophilus (97.1%). Sequence similarities to type strains of all other current Pedobacter species were below 97.1%. Predominant fatty acids are summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7c and/or C 16:1 ω6c) and iso-C 15:0 followed by iso-C 17:0 3-OH and C 16:0 . The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The polar lipid profile contained the major lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, five unidentified aminolipids, two lipids lacking a functional group and two minor glycolipids and one lipid lacking a functional group. An alkali-stable lipid was present. The polyamine pattern contained the predominant compound sym-homospermidine. Characterization by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, physiological parameters, pigment analysis, ubiquinone, polar lipid, and fatty acid composition revealed that strain 36B243 T represents a new species of the genus Pedobacter. For this reason, we propose the name Pedobacter nototheniae sp. nov. with the type strain 36B243 T (= LMG 30634 T  = CCM 8855 T  = CIP 111622 T ).

A set of three psychrotrophic bacterial strains was isolated from different soil samples collected at the deglaciated northern part of James Ross Island (Antarctica) in 2014. All isolates were rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative, and produced moderately slimy red-pink pigmented colonies on Reasoner's 2A (R2A) agar. A polyphasic taxonomic approach based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, automated ribotyping, MALDI-TOF MS, chemotaxonomy methods and extensive biotyping using conventional tests and commercial identification kits was applied to the isolates in order to clarify their taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that all isolates belonged to the genus Hymenobacter with the closest relative being Hymenobacter aerophilus DSM 13606 T , exhibiting 98.5 % 16S rRNA gene pairwise similarity to the reference isolate P6312 T . Average nucleotide identity values calculated from the whole-genome sequencing data proved that P6312 T represents a distinct Hymenobacter species. The major components of the cellular fatty acid composition were summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1 ω 7 c /C 16 : 1 ω 6 c ), C 16 : 1 ω 5 c , summed feature 4 (C 17 : 1 anteiso B/iso I), C 15 : 0 anteiso and C 15 : 0 iso. The menaquinone system of strain P6312 T contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone. The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid. Moderate to minor amounts of three unidentified polar lipids, four unidentified aminophospholipids, one unidentified glycolipid and one unidentified phospholipid were also present. Based on the obtained results, we propose a novel species for which the name Hymenobacterhumicola sp. nov. is suggested, with the type strain P6312 T (=CCM 8763 T =LMG 30612 T ).

Three Gram-stain-positive, rod-to-coccoid-shaped, catalase-positive and non-motile bacterial strains isolated from the choanae of a Northern bald ibis, designated strains 200CH T , W8 T and 812CH T , respectively, were subjected to comprehensive taxonomic characterization. The three strains were oxidase-negative. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of 200CH T showed highest similarities to Corynebacterium epidermidicanis 410 T (96.7 %) followed by Corynebacterium argentoratense DSM 44202 T , Corynebacterium ulcerans NCTC 7910 T and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis CIP 102968 T (each 96.3 %). Strains W8 T and 812CH T both showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Corynebacterium pelargi 136/3 T (98.0 and 99.9 %, respectively). Comparison of the partial housekeeping gene sequence of fusA showed higher sequence similarities of 812CH T to C. pelargi (95.8 %) than W8 T (90.9 %) which was also confirmed by corresponding amino acid sequences. In both, fusA gene and corresponding protein sequence strain 200CH T showed low sequence similarities to C. epidermidicanis 410 T (81.6 and 87.4 %, respectively). Strains 812CH T and W8 T had 76.7 % ANI similarity to each other and 88.2 and 76.4 % to C. pelargi 136/3 T , respectively. In silico DNA-DNA hybridization values for 812CH T and W8 T were 22.1 % among the two strains and 35.3 and 21.7 % to C. pelargi 136/3 T , respectively. These data not only demonstrate that strain W8 T is a representative of a novel species, but despite the high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to C. pelargi , strain 812CH T is also a representative of another novel species. All three strains possessed corynemycolic acids and contained meso -diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan. The two strains, 200CH T and W8 T , are distinguished from each other and established Corynebacterium species phylogenetically and phenotypically. In conclusion, three novel species of the genus Corynebacterium are proposed, namely Corynebacteriumpseudopelargi 812CH T (=LMG 30627 T =CCM 8832 T ) , Corynebacterium choanae 200CH T (=LMG 30628 T =CCM 8831 T ) and Corynebacteriumgerontici W8 T (=LMG 30629 T =CCM 8833 T ), respectively.

Two slightly beige-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterial strains, IMT-291 T and IMT-297, were isolated from soil in a field located in Malvern, Alabama, USA. The source soil had been amended with humic acid and continuously used for the cultivation of worms used for fish bait. It is still conceivable that the source of the strains is from the humic acid amendment, although all attempts to isolate the novel phenotypes from the humic acid source have failed. The two strains were identical based on morphology, growth rate and subsequently by 16S rRNA gene sequences, but showed differences in genomic fingerprint patterns generated by rep-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene revealed a placement of the strain in a distinct cluster with Xinfangfangia soli (97.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and in close proximity to the genus Falsirhodobacter with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.3 % to the type strain of Falsirhodobacter deserti. Sequence similarities to all other type strains were below 95.0 %. The chemotaxonomic analysis showed a clear similarity to the genus Xinfangfangia. The main cellular fatty acids of the strain were C18 : 1 ω7c, 11-methly-C18 : 1 ω7c and C16 : 0. The major quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. Phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine were predominant in the polar lipid profile. The polyamine pattern contained the major compound spermidine and moderate amounts of putrescine and cadaverine. The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses we propose a new species of the genus Xinfangfangia, with the name Xinfangfangiahumi sp. nov. and strain IMT-291 T (=LMG 30636 T =CIP 111625 T =CCM 8858 T ) as type strain.

A Gram-stain-positive bacterium, strain RV15 T , forming an extensively branched substrate mycelium and aerial hyphae that differentiate into spiral chains of spores, was isolated from a marine sponge Dysidea tupha collected from Rovinj (Croatia). Comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain RV15 T is a member of the genus Streptomyces with highest sequence similarity to the type strains of Streptomyces caeruleatus (98.8 %) , Streptomyces cyaneochromogenes (98.6 %) and Streptomyces shaanxiensis (98.5 %). Sequence similarities to all other Streptomyces types strains were below 98.5 %. The multilocus sequence analysis-based evolutionary distance, the average nucleotide identity value and the genome-to-genome distance of strain RV15 T and the type strain of S. caeruleatus were clearly below the species cut-off values. Strain RV15 T exhibited a quinone system composed of the major menaquinones MK-9(H 4 ), MK-9(H 6 ) and MK-9(H 2 ), typical for the genus Streptomyces . The polar lipid profile of strain RV15 T consisted of the predominant compounds diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, moderate amounts of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified lipid and an unidentified phospholipid. Major polyamines were spermine and spermidine. The diagnostic diaminoacid of the peptidoglycan was meso -diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acids were iso C 16 : 0 , anteiso C 17 : 1  ω9 c and anteiso C 17 : 0 . The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed further phenotypic differentiation of strain RV15 T from its most-related species and hence clearly merits species status. We propose the name Streptomyces dysideae sp. nov. with the type strain RV15 T (=DSM 42110 T =LMG 27702 T ).

Two slightly orange-pigmented, oxidase-positive bacterial strains (M1-83 T and M2-116), isolated from horse blood collected during slaughter in Giessen, Germany, were studied in a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of the isolates were coccoid and stained Gram-negative. The two strains shared identical 16S rRNA gene sequences but their genomic fingerprint patterns differed, indicating the genetic distinctiveness of the two strains. A comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain M1-83 T with sequences of the type strains of the most closely related Paracoccus species showed highest sequence similarities to Paracoccus acridae (98.2 %) and Paracoccus aerius (98.1 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to all other Paracoccus species were below 97.6 %. The fatty acid profile of the two strains consisted mainly of the major fatty acids C18 : 1 ω7c and C18:0, which is typical for the genus Paracoccus. The polyamine patterns of strain M1-83 T contained major amounts of putrescine and spermidine. The major quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipid profile was characterized by the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid and an unidentified glycolipid. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments between M1-83 T and the type strains of P. acridae and P. aerius resulted in similarity values of 17 % (reciprocal, 60 %) and 23 % (reciprocal 30 %), respectively. DNA-DNA hybridization results together with the differentiating biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties showed that strain M1-83 T represents a novel Paracoccusspecies, for which the name Paracoccus haematequi sp. nov. (type strain M1-83 T =LMG 30633 T =CIP 111624 T =CCM 8857 T ), is proposed.

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, coccus (strain Do 184 T ) was isolated from exhaust air of a turkey fattening plant on mannitol salt agar. The strain shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus (98.0%) followed by Jeotgalicoccus marinus (97.2%) and Jeotgalicoccus huakuii (97.1%). All other 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus were below 97%. The average nucleotide identities (ANI) between the Do 184 T genome assembly and the ones of type strains of species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus were far below the 95% species delineation cutoff value, ranging from 79.47% ( J. marinus DSM 19772 T ) to 75.30% ( J. pinnipedialis CIP 107946 T ). The quinone system of Do 184 T , the polar lipid profile, the polyamine pattern and the fatty acid profile were in congruence with those reported for other species of the genus Jeotgalicoccus and thus supported the affiliation of Do 184 T to this genus. Do 184 T represents a novel species, for which the name Jeotgalicoccus meleagridis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Do 184 T (=LMG 31100 T =CCM 8918 T =CIP 111649 T ). In addition, data on genome sequences of Jeotgalicoccus halophilus C1-52 T = CGMCC 1.8911 T =NBRC 105788 T and Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus MPA-33 T =CCM 7679 T =CCUG 57953 T =DSM 22420 T =CIP 111750 T indicate that both isolates represent the same species. Pairwise ANI between the genomes of these two strains lead to similarities of 98.98-99.05 %. These results indicate that these strains represent members of the same species. Due to priority of publication it is proposed that Jeotgalicoccus halophilus is reclassified as Jeotgalicoccus aerolatus .

A slightly beige-pigmented, Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, strain IMT-318 T , was isolated from soil in a field located in Malvern, Alabama, USA. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene placed the strain within the genus Pigmentiphaga with highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.74 % and 98.67 % to the type strains of Pigmentiphaga kullae and Pigmentiphaga daeguensis, respectively. Sequence similarities to all other species of the genus were below 98.0 %. Results of the chemotaxonomic analysis, however, showed clear similarities to the genus Pigmentiphaga. The main cellular fatty acids of the strain were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω7c, C17 : 0 cyclo and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. The major quinone was ubiquinone Q-8. The polar lipid profile was composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified aminophospholipid. In the polyamine pattern, putrescine and 2-hydroxyputrescine were predominant. The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses, we propose a new species of the genus Pigmentiphaga, with the name Pigmentiphaga humi sp. nov. and strain IMT-318 T (=LMG 30658 T =CIP 111626 T =CCM 8859 T ) as the type strain.

A taxonomic study of 24 Gram-stain-negative rod-shaped bacteria originating from the Antarctic environment is described. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing differentiated isolated strains into two groups belonging to the genus Flavobacterium. Group I (n=20) was closest to Flavobacterium aquidurense WB 1.1-56 T (98.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) while group II (n=4) showed Flavobacterium hydatis DSM 2063 T as its nearest neighbour (98.5-98.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Despite high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, these two groups represented two distinct novel species as shown by phenotypic traits and low genomic relatedness assessed by rep-PCR fingerprinting, DNA-DNA hybridization and whole-genome sequencing. Common to representative strains of both groups were the presence of major menaquinone MK-6 and sym-homospermidine as the major polyamine. Common major fatty acids were C 15:0 iso, C 15:1 iso G, C 15:0 iso 3-OH, C 17:0 iso 3OH and Summed Feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7c/C 16:1 ω6c). Strain CCM 8828 T (group I) contained phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified lipids lacking a functional group, three unidentified aminolipids and single unidentified glycolipid in the polar lipid profile. Strain CCM 8825 T (group II) contained phosphatidylethanolamine, eight unidentified lipids lacking a functional group, three unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified glycolipids in the polar lipid profile. These characteristics corresponded to characteristics of the genus Flavobacterium. The obtained results showed that the analysed strains represent novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the names Flavobacterium circumlabens sp. nov. (type strain CCM 8828 T =P5626 T =LMG 30617 T ) and Flavobacterium cupreum sp. nov. (type strain CCM 8825 T =P2683 T =LMG 30614 T ) are proposed., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)