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Novel aerobic facultatively methylotrophic bacteria were isolated from the water of a freshwater lake (strain F30LT), soil sample of rhizosphere of white clover Trifolium repens L. (strain 1TCT), and rhizosphere of carrot Daucus carota L. (strain Dau2). The isolates were gram-negative, non-spore-forming, nonmotile, pleomorphic/rod-shaped cells, propagating by binary fission; they were facultative methylotrophs, using a broad range of polycarbon compounds, apart from methanol. Optimum growth occurred at 25−29 °C and pH 7.0‒7.5, 0.5 vol % СН3OH, and 0.05 wt % NaCl. The strains employ the ribulose bisphosphate pathway for C1 assimilation. The predominant phospholipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol. In the whole-cell fatty acid pattern of strains, C18:1 ω7c, C19: 0 ω8c cyclo, C16:0 and С18:0 acids were predominant. The major ubiquinone was Q-10. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain F30LT exhibited high similarity to Ancylobacter dichloromethanicus DM16T (97.8%), while strains 1ТСT and Dau2 were closely related to A. oerskovii DSM 18746T (98.6%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains 1TCT and Dau2 was 99.4%. DNA–DNA hybridization of the strain F30LT with A. dichloromethanicus DM16T revealed only 22% homology; homology for strain 1ТСT and A. oerskovii DSM 18746T was 27%, while DNA‒DNA homology between strains 1TCT and Dau2 was 77%. Based on the data obtained, strain F30LT was identified as a new species within the genus Ancylobacter, Ancylobacter lacus sp. nov. (VKM В-3280Т = DSM 106439T). Strains 1ТСТ and Dau2 (=ВКМ В-3227 = CCUG71988) represent a novel species of the same genus, for which the name Ancylobacterplantiphilus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 1ТСТ (=VKM В-3219Т = DSM 106438T).

The bacterial strain 42Xb2

Six Polynucleobacter ( Burkholderiaceae , Betaproteobacteria ) strains isolated from different freshwater lakes located across Europe were taxonomically investigated. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences assigns all six strains to the cryptic species complex PnecC within the genus Polynucleobacter . Analyses of partial glutamine synthetase (glnA) genes suggests that all six strains belong to the species-like taxon designated F15 in previous papers. Comparative genome analyses reveal that the six strains form a genomically coherent group characterized by whole-genome average nucleotide identity (gANI) values of >98 % but separated by gANI values of

Three novel strains namely, L1E11T, L1E4 and 228 were isolated as part of an ongoing study on 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase expressing rhizobacteria from crops cultivated in saline affected coastal agro-ecosystems of Kerala, India. The novel strains were positive for many properties that are beneficial to plant growth including ACC deaminase (ACCd) activity that ranged from 1.87±0.27 to 2.88±0.71μmol of α-ketobutyrate/hr/mg of total protein. Presence of other traits such as biofilm formation, siderophore production, phosphate solubilisation, utilisation of root derived compounds and ability to colonise host roots indicates its plant-associated life style. In complement, the genomic data reveals gene features for higher adaptation to plant-associated environments. In-planta assays showed that L1E11T can promote and protect pokkali rice plants from 200mM NaCl stress. Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and genomic characterisation indicates that the novel strains belong to a novel genus and species of the order Oceanospirillales for which the names Pokkaliibacter gen. nov., and Pokkaliibacter plantistimulans sp. nov., are proposed with L1E11T (=DSM 28732T=MCC 2992T) as the type strain. Further, on the basis of low 16S rRNA sequence similarity, phylogenetic divergence, source of isolation and few differences in the phenotypic properties against its nearest taxon, a new family Balneatrichaceae fam. nov., is proposed to accommodate the two genera Balneatrix and Pokkaliibacter gen.nov. with Balneatrix as the type genus. An emended description of the genus Balneatrix is also presented.

Strains MWH-EgelM1-30-B4T and MWH-Feld-100T were isolated from the water columns of two freshwater systems. Both strains represent delicate bacteria not easy to work with in laboratory experiments. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA genes suggested that both strains were affiliated with the genus Polynucleobacter . Both strains share 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of >99 % with eight free-living Polynucleobacter type strains, all affiliated with the cryptic species complex PnecC. The full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains differ only in two and three positions, respectively, from the sequence of the closest related Polynucleobacter type strain. Genome sequencing of both strains revealed relatively small genome sizes of 2.0 Mbp and G+C contents of 45 mol%. Phylogenetic analyses based on nucleotide sequences of 319 shared protein-encoding genes consistently placed the two strains in taxon PnecC but did not suggest an affiliation with one of the previously described species. Pairwise analyses of whole genome average nucleotide identities (gANI) with representatives of all previously described Polynucleobacter species resulted in both cases throughout in values

A previous 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison had demonstrated that the type strains of Serratia vespertilionis and Serratia ficaria shared 99.5 % sequence similarity. Despite the 56.2 % homology by DNA–DNA hybridization previously found between these strains, the results of an in silico whole-genome sequence comparison and a new DNA–DNA hybridization study have clearly demonstrated that the genomes of the type strain of S. vespertilionis deposited in different Culture Collections (52T=CECT 8595T=DSM 28727T) and the type strain of S. ficaria (culture DSM 4569T), cannot support such a species differentiation. Tests for substrate utilization redone on the deposited cultures of these strains has also shown very few differences between the type strains of both species. Based on these results, and since the name S. ficaria was validly published earlier, S. vespertilionis should be considered as a later heterotypic synonym of S. ficaria , in application of the priority rule. The type strain of the species S. ficaria is strain 4024T=DSM 4569T=NCTC 12148T=ATCC 33105T=CIP 79.23T=ICPB 4050T.

Strain AP-Melu-1000-B4 was isolated from a lake located in the mountains of the Mediterranean island of Corsica (France). Phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic traits were investigated. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing referred the strain to the cryptic species complex PnecC within the genus Polynucleobacter . The strain encoded genes for biosynthesis of proteorhodopsin and retinal. When pelleted by centrifugation the strain showed an intense rose colouring. Major fatty acids were C16 : 1ω7c, C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 2 (C16 : 1 isoI and C14 : 0-3OH). The sequence of the 16S rRNA gene contained an indel which was not present in any previously described Polynucleobacter species. Genome sequencing revealed a genome size of 1.89 Mbp and a G+C content of 46.6 mol%. In order to resolve the phylogenetic position of the new strain within subcluster PnecC, its phylogeny was reconstructed from sequences of 319 shared genes. To represent all currently described Polynucleobacter species by whole genome sequences, three type strains were additionally sequenced. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain AP-Melu-100-B4 occupied a basal position compared with previously described PnecC strains. Pairwise determined whole genome average nucleotide identity (gANI) values suggested that strain AP-Melu-1000-B4 represents a new species, for which we propose the name Polynucleobacter meluiroseus sp. nov. with the type strain AP-Melu-1000-B4T (=DSM 103591T=CIP 111329T)

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the cholera disease, is commonly used as a model organism for the study of bacteria with multipartite genomes. Its two chromosomes of different sizes initiate their DNA replication at distinct time points in the cell cycle and terminate in synchrony. In this study, the time-delayed start of Chr2 was verified in a synchronized cell population. This replication pattern suggests two possible regulation mechanisms for other Vibrio species with different sized secondary chromosomes: Either all Chr2 start DNA replication with a fixed delay after Chr1 initiation, or the timepoint at which Chr2 initiates varies such that termination of chromosomal replication occurs in synchrony. We investigated these two models and revealed that the two chromosomes of various Vibrionaceae species terminate in synchrony while Chr2-initiation timing relative to Chr1 is variable. Moreover, the sequence and function of the Chr2-triggering crtS site recently discovered in V. cholerae were found to be conserved, explaining the observed timing mechanism. Our results suggest that it is beneficial for bacterial cells with multiple chromosomes to synchronize their replication termination, potentially to optimize chromosome related processes as dimer resolution or segregation., Author summary Most bacteria encode their genetic information on a single chromosome. The pathogenic bacterium Vibrio cholerae is an exception to this rule and carries two chromosomes of different sizes, each having one origin of replication. A very basic research question is how the replication of the two chromosomes is timed starting from their replication origins. If they start simultaneously, the smaller chromosome would finish replication earlier than the larger chromosome. Interestingly, the timing in V. cholerae is such that the smaller chromosome starts replication after a time delay, resulting in synchronous replication termination of the two chromosomes. Here we answer the question whether it is the termination synchrony which is under evolutionary pressure, or whether a certain duration of the delay between the two chromosomes to start replication is of biological importance. To this end, we analyzed replication in different species of the Vibrionaceae phylogenetic group with differently sized chromosome pairs. Our results indicate that a synchronous termination of the two chromosomes in this group of bacterial species is under evolutionary selection, suggesting it to be potentially important for the process of cell division.

Three strains, namely L3B39(T), L3D16, and L1E9, were obtained while studying the cultivable rhizosphere bacteria of saline tolerant pokkali rice, at Kerala, India. The novel strains were negative for many plant growth promoting plate assays such as phytohormone and siderophore production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and growth in nitrogen free agar medium but found to utilize malic acid, citrate, D-glucose, L-arabinose, and D-maltose, important components of the plant root exudates, indicating that they are normal plant rhizosphere residents without yet known benefits to the plant. The 16S rRNA gene analysis placed these strains in the genus Vogesella, forming a separate branch independent of the previously described type strains of this genus in all tree making algorithms applied. Vogesella perlucida DS-28(T) was the type strain with highest 16S rRNA sequence similarity (97.59%). DNA-DNA hybridization values among these novel strains were above 85% andthat with Vogesella perlucida LMG 24214(T) was below 50%. Phenotypically, the novel strains can be differentiated from Vogesella perlucida LMG 24214(T) by many characters such as NaCl tolerance, growth temperature, and utilization of L-arabinose, D-maltose, and citrate. These novel strains contain C16:1ω6c/C16:1ω7c and C16:0 as major fatty acids, ubiquinone Q-8 as the major respiratory quinone, and phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids. Based on the results obtained from the polyphasic taxonomic approach we conclude that the strains belong to a novel Vogesella species for which the name Vogesella oryzae sp.nov. is proposed. The type strain is L3B39(T) (= LMG 28272(T)=DSM 28780(T)).

The species Archangium gephyra, Angiococcus disciformis, Cystobacter minus and Cystobacter violaceus are currently classified in three different genera of the order Myxococcales. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the respective type strains show a similarity higher than 98.4 % and form a tight phylogenetic group. A dendrogram calculating the similarity of MALDI-TOF spectra confirmed the close relatedness of the four species that grouped in a monophyletic cluster in the neighbourhood of other species of the genus Cystobacter. The type strains shared similar fatty acid patterns of high complexity with iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c and iso-C14 : 0 3-OH as the major components. The vegetative cells of these species are uniformly long needle-shaped rods, and the myxospores are short rods, ovoid or irregularly spherical thus differing from the myxospores of species related to Cystobacter fuscus, the type species of this genus. Some enzymic and hydrolysing reactions of the type strains are described. As a result of the high relatedness and similarity of the four species, it is proposed to place them into one genus, and due to phylogenetic and morphological distinctness, the species should be classified in a genus distinct from the genus Cystobacter as Archangium gephyra (type strain M18T = DSM 2261T = ATCC 25201T = NBRC 100087T), Archangium disciforme comb. nov. (type strain CMU 1T = DSM 52716T = ATCC 33172T), Archangium minus comb. nov. (proposed neotype strain Cb m2 = DSM 14751 = JCM 12627) and Archangium violaceum comb. nov. (type strain Cb vi61T = DSM 14727T = CIP 109131T = JCM 12629T). Since the family Archangiaceae Jahn 1924 AL has priority over the family Cystobacteraceae McCurdy 1970 AL, it is proposed to assign the genera Archangium, Anaeromyxobacter, Cystobacter, Hyalangium, Melittangium and Stigmatella to the family Archangiaceae. Emended descriptions of the families Myxococcaceae and Archangiaceae are also provided.

The bacterial strain MWH-K35W1T was isolated from a permanently anoxic water layer of a meromictic lake located in the Austrian Salzkammergut area. The basically chemo-organoheterotrophic strain was isolated and maintained under aerobic conditions. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and the glutamine synthetase gene (glnA) of the strain suggested an affiliation to the genus Polynucleobacter and the cryptic species complex PnecC. Strain MWH-K35W1T shares with the type strains of the six free-living species of the genus Polynucleobacter affiliated with this species complex 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 99.6–99.9 %, while the type material of the obligate endosymbiont Polynucleobacter necessarius, which is also affiliated with this species complex, shares a gene sequence similarity of 99.1 %. Genome sequencing resulted in a genome size of 2.14 Mbp and a DNA G+C content of 45.98 mol%. Major fatty acids were C16 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. This strain is the first strain of the genus Polynucleobacter found to encode a proteorhodopsin-like protein but, in contrast to some other strains affiliated to this genus, it does not encode a putative anoxygenic photosynthesis system. Multilocus sequence analysis based on partial sequences of eight housekeeping genes, as well as average nucleotide identity (ANI) analyses, did not suggest that strain MWH-K35W1T belongs to a previously described species. We propose the name Polynucleobacter aenigmaticus for a novel species with strain MWH-K35W1T (=DSM 24006T=LMG 29706T) as the type strain.

The unusual chemo-organoheterotrophic proteobacterial strain MWH-Nonnen-W8redT was isolated from a lake located in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald), Germany, by using the filtration-acclimatization method. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain could not provide clear hints on classification of the strain in one of the current classes of the phylum Proteobacteria . Whole-genome sequencing resulted in a genome size of 3.5 Mbp and revealed a quite low DNA G+C content of 32.6 mol%. In-depth phylogenetic analyses based on alignments of 74 protein sequences of a phylogenetically broad range of taxa suggested assignment of the strain to a new order of the class Oligoflexia . These analyses also suggested that the order Bdellovibrionales should be transferred from the class Deltaproteobacteria to the class Oligoflexia , that this order should be split into two orders, and that the family Pseudobacteriovoracaceae should be transferred from the order Bdellovibrionales to the order Oligoflexales . We propose to establish for strain MWH-Nonnen-W8redT (=DSM 23856T=CCUG 58639T) the novel species and genus Silvanigrella aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov. to be placed in the new family Silvanigrellaceae fam. nov. of the new order Silvanigrellales ord. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, slightly halophilic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated P2E16T, was isolated from mangrove (Avicennia marina) rhizosphere, collected at Devipattinam mangroves, Tamil Nadu, India. Strain P2E16T grew optimally at pH 7.0–8.0, at 25–28 °C and in the presence of 2–3 % (w/v) NaCl. 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that strain P2E16T was phylogenetically closely related to the genus Zunongwangia , with Zunongwangia profunda SM-A87T as the closest related type strain (98.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and less than 93 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to all other members of the family Flavobacteriaceae . Strain P2E16T contained MK-6 as the major respiratory quinone, phosphatidylethanolamine as the predominant polar lipid and iso-C15 : 0 (17.8 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (15.1 %), C15 : 0 (12.8 %), iso-C17 : 1ω9c (9.8 %), iso-C15 : 1 G (9.0 %), and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH; 7.1 %) as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 34.3 mol%. Differential phenotypic properties, together with the phylogenetic distinctiveness and low DNA–DNA relatedness demonstrated that strain P2E16T was distinct from the type strain of Zunongwangia profunda . On the basis of these presented data, strain P2E16T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Zunongwangia , for which the name Zunongwangia mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P2E16T ( = DSM 24499T = LMG 26237T = KCTC 23496T). An emended description of the genus Zunongwangia is also provided.

Enterobacter sp. IIT-BT 08 belongs to Phylum: Proteobacteria, Class: Gammaproteobacteria, Order: Enterobacteriales, Family: Enterobacteriaceae. The organism was isolated from the leaves of a local plant near the Kharagpur railway station, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. It has been extensively studied for fermentative hydrogen production because of its high hydrogen yield. For further enhancement of hydrogen production by strain development, complete genome sequence analysis was carried out. Sequence analysis revealed that the genome was linear, 4.67 Mbp long and had a GC content of 56.01%. The genome properties encode 4,393 protein-coding and 179 RNA genes. Additionally, a putative pathway of hydrogen production was suggested based on the presence of formate hydrogen lyase complex and other related genes identified in the genome. Thus, in the present study we describe the specific properties of the organism and the generation, annotation and analysis of its genome sequence as well as discuss the putative pathway of hydrogen production by this organism.

Frateuria aurantia (ex Kondô and Ameyama 1958) Swings et al. 1980 is a member of the bispecific genus Frateuria in the family Xanthomonadaceae, which is already heavily targeted for non-type strain genome sequencing. Strain Kondô 67(T) was initially (1958) identified as a member of 'Acetobacter aurantius', a name that was not considered for the approved list. Kondô 67(T) was therefore later designated as the type strain of the newly proposed acetogenic species Frateuria aurantia . The strain is of interest because of its triterpenoids (hopane family). F. aurantia Kondô 67(T) is the first member of the genus Frateura whose genome sequence has been deciphered, and here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 3,603,458-bp long chromosome with its 3,200 protein-coding and 88 RNA genes is a part of the G enomic E ncyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.

Strain QLW-P1FAT50C-4T, isolated from a shallow, acidic freshwater pond located in the Austrian Alps at an altitude of 1300 m, was characterized by investigation of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic traits. As shown previously, phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the strain in the cryptic species complex PnecC within the genus Polynucleobacter . The major fatty acids of the strain were C16 : 1ω7c and C18 : 1ω7c. The strain has a genome of 2.23 Mbp with a DNA G+C content of 44.9 mol%. The strain encodes a seemingly complete gene cluster for anoxygenic photosynthesis but lacks typical genes for CO2 assimilation. In order to resolve the phylogenetic position of the strain within the species complex PnecC, concatenated partial sequences of eight housekeeping genes were analysed. The phylogenetic reconstruction obtained did not place strain QLW-P1FAT50C-4T close to any of the five previously described species within subcluster PnecC. Pairwise average nucleotide identity (ANI) comparisons of whole-genome sequences suggested that strain QLW-P1FAT50C-4T (=DSM 24008T=CIP 111100T) represents a novel species, for which we propose the name Polynucleobacter wuianus sp. nov.

Strain AM-8B5T, isolated from Lake Sevan in Armenia, was characterized phenotypically, chemotaxonomically and phylogenetically. This chemo-organoheterotrophic, aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile strain grew on NSY medium at NaCl concentrations of 0.0–0.2 % (w/v) and at 4–30 °C. Whole-cell fatty acids were dominated by summed feature 3 (including C16 : 1ω7c and iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω7c. C12 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 1 2-OH were the only hydroxylated fatty acids detected. Phylogenetic analysis as well as phenotypic and chemotaxonomic similarities indicated that the novel isolate was affiliated with the genus Polynucleobacter. 16S rRNA gene similarity values with the four previously described Polynucleobacter species ranged from 96.2 to 98.7 %. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments showed that the isolate did not belong to any of the previously described Polynucleobacter species. The isolate could be distinguished from all previously established Polynucleobacter species based on chemotaxonomic and phenotypic traits. The bacterium possessed a free-living lifestyle and represents a group of bacteria inhabiting the water column of many freshwater lakes. Based on the revealed phylogeny, and chemotaxonomic and phenotypic differences to previously described Polynucleobacter species, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species, Polynucleobacter difficilis sp. nov.; the type strain is AM-8B5T ( = DSM 22349T = CIP 110078T).

Two Gram negative, facultatively anaerobic, halophilic, motile, slightly curved rod-shaped bacterial strains MSSRF60(T) and MSSRF64 were isolated from the roots of a mangrove-associated wild rice collected in the Pichavaram mangroves, India. These strains possess the key functional nitrogenase gene nifH. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA, recA, gapA, mreB, gyrB and pyrH, gene sequences revealed that strains MSSRF60(T) and MSSRF64 belong to the genus Vibrio, and had the highest sequence similarity with the type strains of Vibrio diazotrophicus LMG 7893(T) (99.7, 94.8, 98.5, 97.9, 94.0 and 90.7%, respectively), Vibrio areninigrae J74(T) (98.2, 87.5, 91.5, 88.9, 86.5 and 84.6% respectively) and Vibrio hispanicus LMG 13240(T) (97.8, 87.1, 91.7, 89.8, 84.1 and 81.9%, respectively). The fatty acid composition too confirmed the affiliation of strains MSSRF60(T) and MSSRF64 to the genus Vibrio. These strains can be differentiated from the most closely related Vibrio species by several phenotypic traits. The DNA G+C content of strain MSSRF60(T) was 41.8mol%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic (multilocus sequence analysis using five genes and genomic fingerprinting using BOX-PCR) and DNA-DNA hybridization analyses, strains MSSRF60(T) and MSSRF64 represent a novel species of the genus Vibrio, for which the name Vibrio plantipsonsor sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MSSRF60(T) (=DSM 21026(T)=LMG 24470(T)=CAIM 1392(T)).

The heterotrophic, aerobic, facultatively anaerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile strain MWH-PoolGreenA3T, isolated from a rock pool filled with freshwater, was characterized. The strain grew on NSY medium over a NaCl range of 0.0–0.3 % (w/v). Whole-cell fatty acids were dominated by C16 : 1ω7c (feature 3), C18 : 1ω7c and straight-chain C16 : 0; furthermore, the components C12 : 0 and C14 : 0 2-OH were present. The DNA G+C content was 48.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis as well as strong similarities in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits indicated the affiliation with the genus Polynucleobacter. 16S rRNA gene similarity values with the three described species of the genus Polynucleobacter ranged from 96.7 to 97.8 %. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments did not reveal that the strain belongs to a previously described species of the genus Polynucleobacter. The strain can be discriminated from previously established species of the genus Polynucleobacter by chemotaxonomic and phenotypic traits. The bacterium possesses a free-living lifestyle and represents a group of planktonic freshwater bacteria occurring with high cell numbers in many freshwater lakes. Based on the phylogeny revealed and the chemotaxonomic and phenotypic differences from previously described species of the genus Polynucleobacter, we propose to establish the novel species Polynucleobacter acidiphobus sp. nov. with the type strain MWH-PoolGreenA3T ( = DSM 21994T = CIP 110079T).

A Gram-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain EM 1T, was isolated from purified water. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the novel strain belonged to the family Oxalobacteraceae within the class Betaproteobacteria; the closest phylogenetic relative was Undibacterium pigrum DSM 19792T (96.7 % gene sequence similarity). The new isolate could be distinguished from the type strain of U. pigrum DSM 19792T (=CCUG 49009T=CIP 109318T) and from strain CCUG 49012T, which has been described as a second genomovar of this species, on the basis of genotypic data and several phenotypic properties. An S-layer was present in the cell envelope in U. pigrum DSM 19792T, but was absent in strains EM 1T and CCUG 49012T. Test conditions were established that enabled strain CCUG 49012T to be distinguished from U. pigrum DSM 19792T. As found for U. pigrum, the main fatty acids of strains EM 1T and CCUG 49012T were summed feature 3 (including unsaturated C16 : 1 ω7c), straight-chain C16 : 0 and unsaturated C18 : 1 ω7c (low percentage in strain CCUG 49012T), and C10 : 0 3-OH was the sole hydroxylated fatty acid. The polar lipid profile consisted of the predominant lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The polyamine profile was mainly composed of the major compound putrescine and moderate amounts of 2-hydroxyputrescine. In contrast to U. pigrum and strain CCUG 49012T, where ubiquinone Q8 was reported as the sole quinone component, the quinone system of strain EM 1T consisted of ubiquinone Q-8 (64 %) and Q-7 (36 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, the polar lipid profile and the absence of C12-hydroxylated fatty acids all indicated that strain EM 1T was affiliated with the genus Undibacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values lower than 97.0 % and several differentiating phenotypic traits demonstrated that strain EM 1T represents a novel species for which the name Undibacterium oligocarboniphilum sp. nov. is proposed (type strain EM 1T=DSM 21777T=CCUG 57265T). In addition, based on previously published results and this study, a separate species, Undibacterium parvum sp. nov., is proposed with strain CCUG 49012T (=DSM 23061T=CIP 109317T) as the type strain.

The taxonomic status of a nitrogen-fixing bacterium, strain MSSRF38(T), isolated from the rhizosphere of mangrove-associated wild rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka), in Pichavaram, India, was studied using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the novel strain MSSRF38(T) was most closely related to Vibrio ruber DSM 16370(T) (98.3% gene sequence similarity), Vibrio rhizosphaerae DSM 18581(T) (98.2% sequence similarity) and

A facultatively anaerobic, nitrogen-fixing bacterium, strain MSSRF40T, was isolated from roots of mangrove-associated wild rice (Porteresia coarctata Tateoka). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain MSSRF40T was shown to belong to the family Enterobacteriaceae, most closely related to Cronobacter muytjensii E603T (97.2 % sequence similarity), Enterobacter cloacae subsp. dissolvens LMG 2683T (97.1 %), E. radicincitans D5/23T (97.1 %) and E. ludwigii EN-119T (97.0 %). Sequence analysis of rpoB, gyrB and hsp60 genes showed that strain MSSRF40T had relatively low sequence similarity (Enterobacteriaceae and formed an independent phyletic lineage in all phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA, rpoB, gyrB and hsp60 genes, clearly indicating that strain MSSRF40T could not be affiliated to any of the recognized genera within the family Enterobacteriaceae. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and C18 : 1 ω7c, similar to those of other members of the Enterobacteriaceae. The DNA G+C content was 50.1 mol%. Phylogenetic distinctiveness and phenotypic differences from its phylogenetic neighbours indicated that strain MSSRF40T represents a novel species and genus within the family Enterobacteriaceae, for which the name Mangrovibacter plantisponsor gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Mangrovibacter plantisponsor is strain MSSRF40T (=LMG 24236T =DSM 19579T).

Five heterotrophic, aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile strains were characterized from freshwater habitats located in Austria, France, Uganda, P. R. China and New Zealand. The strains shared 16S rRNA gene similarities of ≥99.3 %. The novel strains grew on NSY medium over a temperature range of 10–35 °C (two strains also grew at 5 °C and one strain grew at 38 °C) and a NaCl tolerance range of 0.0–0.3 % (four strains grew up to 0.5 % NaCl). The predominant fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1 ω7c, C12 : 0 3-OH, and summed feature 3 (including C16 : 1 ω7c). The DNA G+C content of strain MWH-MoIso2T was 44.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences demonstrated that the five new strains formed a monophyletic cluster closely related to Polynucleobacter necessarius (96–97 % sequence similarity). This cluster also harboured other isolates as well as environmental sequences which have been obtained from several habitats. Investigations with taxon-specific FISH probes demonstrated that the novel bacteria dwell as free-living, planktonic cells in freshwater systems. Based on the revealed phylogeny and pronounced chemotaxonomic differences to P. necessarius (presence of >7 % C12 : 0 3-OH and absence of C12 : 0 and C12 : 0 2-OH), the new strains are suggested to represent a novel species, for which the name Polynucleobacter cosmopolitanus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MWH-MoIso2T (=DSM 21490T=CIP 109840T=LMG 25212T). The novel species belongs to the minority of described species of free-living bacteria for which both in situ data from their natural environments and culture-based knowledge are available.

Two strains of gram-negative bacteria isolated because of their abilities to decompose xenobiotic compounds were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the two strains were found to belong to the genus Pseudomonas. Benzene degrading strain DSM 8628(T) was moderately related to P. flavescens NCPP 3063(T) (98.3% similarity), P. monteilii CIP 104883(T), and P. plecoglossicida FPC 951(T) (98.1%). Strain DSM 9751(T) capable to grow with cetyltrimethylammonium chloride as the sole carbon source showed the highest similarity values with P. tremae CFBP 2341(T) and P. meliae MAFF 301463(T) (98.0%), both related to Pseudomonas syringae. The fatty acid pattern of strain DSM 8628(T) was distinct from patterns of other members of the genus Pseudomonas in combining a high ratio of 3OH-C(12:1) (5.1%), a low ratio of 2OH-C(12:0) (0.2%) and a relatively low ratio of C(18:1)omega7c (23.8%). On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, physiological properties and the composition of whole cell fatty acids, two novel species, Pseudomonas benzenivorans sp. nov. with the type strain DSM 8628(T) (=CIP 109857(T)) and Pseudomonas saponiphila sp. nov. with the type strain DSM 9751(T) (=CIP 109856(T)), are proposed.

During a screening of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in agricultural soils, two strains, IH9 and OCI1, were isolated from the rhizosphere of grasses in Spain, and they showed a high ability to solubilize phosphate in vitro. Inoculation experiments in chickpea and barley were conducted with both strains and the results demonstrated their ability to promote plant growth. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these strains were nearly identical to each other and to those of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus DSM 30006T, as well as the strain CIP 70.29 representing genomospecies 3. Their phenotypic characteristics also coincided with those of strains forming the A. calcoaceticus–baumannii complex. They differed from A. calcoaceticus in the utilization of l -tartrate as a carbon source and from genomospecies 3 in the use of d -asparagine as a carbon source. The 16S–23S intergenic spacer (ITS) sequences of the two isolates showed nearly 98% identities to those of A. calcoaceticus, confirming that they belong to this phylogenetic group. However, the isolates appeared as a separate branch from the A. calcoaceticus sequences, indicating their molecular separation from other A. calcoaceticus strains. The analysis of three housekeeping genes, recA, rpoD and gyrB, confirmed that IH9 and OCI1 form a distinct lineage within A. calcoaceticus. These results were congruent with those from DNA–DNA hybridization, indicating that strains IH9 and OCI1 constitute a new genomovar for which we propose the name A. calcoaceticus genomovar rhizosphaerae.

Acidimicrobium ferrooxidans (Clark and Norris 1996) is the sole and type species of the genus, which until recently was the only genus within the actinobacterial family Acidimicrobiaceae and in the order Acidomicrobiales. Rapid oxidation of iron pyrite during autotrophic growth in the absence of an enhanced CO(2) concentration is characteristic for A. ferrooxidans. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence, and annotation. This is the first complete genome sequence of the order Acidomicrobiales, and the 2,158,157 bp long single replicon genome with its 2038 protein coding and 54 RNA genes is part of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project.

A novel Gram-positive bacterium, strain 40T, was isolated in the course of identifying bacteria from infective juveniles of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema thermophilum. Based on 16S rRNA gene analysis, strain 40T was found to be related to the type strains of recognized species of the genus Leucobacter, family Microbacteriaceae. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of strain 40T and Leucobacter albus IAM 14851T, Leucobacter luti LMG 23118T, Leucobacter alluvii LMG 23117T, Leucobacter komagatae DSM 8803T, Leucobacter chromiireducens CIP 108389T and Leucobacter aridicollis CIP 108388T, respectively, were 97.3, 97.5, 97.6, 97.6, 97.6 and 98.5 %. Chemotaxonomic analysis also supported the affiliation of strain 40T to the genus Leucobacter: the major menaquinone was MK-11, the peptidoglycan cross-linkage was of the B-type, the cell wall diamino acid was l-diaminobutyric acid and the major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 (42 %), anteiso-C17 : 0 (34 %) and iso-C16 : 0 (16 %). Based upon the biochemical and genomic analyses, strain 40T is sufficiently distinct from the type strains of recognized Leucobacter species to warrant the description of a novel species, for which the name Leucobacter iarius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain 40T (=DSM 17402T=CIP 108831T).

In the search for novel Xenorhabdus strains in a recently described nematode species, Steinernema thermophilum , three strains (strain 28 T =DSM 17382 T , strain 42=DSM 17383 and strain 43=DSM 17384) were isolated from three independent isolation approaches from crushed mixture of infective juveniles. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison of strains 28 T and DSM 17383 indicated identity and the phylogenetic position pointed towards an individual taxon within the phylogenetic dendrogram of Xenorhabdus type strains. The nearest phylogenetic relatives of strain 28 T were Xenorhabdus poinarii and Xenorhabdus szentirmaii (97.7% each). The three isolates were almost identical in reaction towards the API and BIOLOG substrate panels but differed in their reactions from those of the established type strains of the genus Xenorhabdus . These clear genomic and metabolic differences let us propose a new species, Xenorhabdus indica sp. nov. for the three clones. The type strain is strain 28 T , DSM 17382 T , CIP 108830 T .

A rare, cellulose-decomposing myxobacterium is described, and a new genus name, Byssovorax, is proposed for it. The organism is almost certainly identical to the species 'Myxococcus cruentus' Thaxter 1897, and that species epithet is therefore revived for the novel bacterium: the type strain of Byssovorax cruenta gen. nov., sp. nov., nom. rev. is strain By c2(T) (=DSM 14553(T)=CIP 108850(T)). The G+C content of its DNA is 69.9 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that the species belongs to the family Polyangiaceae, suborder 'Sorangineae', of the Myxococcales. An emended description of the organism is given.

In the course of isolating bacteria from infective juveniles of the entomopathogenic nematodeSteinernema thermophilumGanguly & Singh, 2000, three isolates were obtained (OP1T, OP29 and VS3). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and riboprint patterns, these three strains were identical to each other but distinct from the type strains of the five recognized species of the genusProvidencia. Based on biochemical and genomic analysis and supported by the low (Tand the type strain of its phylogenetically closest relative,Providencia rettgeri(99·5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), strain OP1Twas considered to be sufficiently distinct from recognizedProvidenciaspecies to warrant the description of a novel species. The nameProvidencia vermicolasp. nov. is proposed, with OP1T(=DSM 17385T=CIP 108829T) as the type strain.

Bacteria with tannase activity were isolated from the feces of the Japanese large wood mouse, Apodemus speciosus. They were largely classified into two groups: Gram-positive cocci and Gram-positive bacilli. Genotypic analysis using a species-specific PCR assay as well as biochemical tests identified all cocci as Streptococcus gallolyticus. A PCR assay targeting a genus-specific sequence in the 16S/23S rDNA spacer region and additional 16S rDNA sequencing indicated that the bacilli belong to the genus Lactobacillus, with L. animalis and L. murinus being closely related taxa. Subsequent estimation of guanine-plus-cytosine content, amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis, and DNA/ DNA hybridization assay confirmed that the bacilli are homologous to each other but different from L. animalis or L. murinus. Consequently, a novel species of the genus Lactobacillus may be proposed. To date, this study is the first to report on the isolation of tannase-positive bacteria from the feces of a rodent species. These bacteria may play an essential role for the host organism in digesting tannin-rich acorns available in their natural habitats, thereby endowing them with a greater ecological advantage.

The taxonomic affiliation was determined for four Xenorhabdus strains isolated from four Steinernema hosts from different countries. As compared to the five validly described Xenorhabdus species, i.e., X. nematophila, X. japonica, X. beddingii, X. bovienii and X. poinarii , these isolates represented novel species on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and riboprint patterns, as well as by physiological and metabolic properties. They were named Xenorhabdus budapestensis sp. nov., type strain DSM 16342 T , isolated from Steinernema bicornutum ; Xenorhabdus ehlersii sp. nov., type strain DSM 16337 T , isolated from Steinernema serratum ; Xenorhabdus innexi sp. nov., type strain DSM 16336 T isolated from Steinernema scapterisci ; and Xenorhabdus szentirmaii sp. nov., type strain DSM 16338 T , isolated from Steinernema rarum .

Ligninolytic fungi can be used for remediation of pollutants in water and soil. Extracellular peroxidases and laccases have been shown to oxidize recalcitrant compounds in vitro but the likely significance of individual enzyme levels in vivo remains unclear. This study documents the amounts and activities of Mn-dependent peroxidase (MnP), lignin peroxidase and laccase (LAC) in various species of ligninolytic fungi grown in liquid medium and soil and their effect on degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (anthracene and pyrene), a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture (Delor 106) and a number of synthetic dyes. Stationary cultures of a highly degradative strain Irpex lacteus exhibited 380-fold and 2-fold increase in production of MnP and LAC, respectively, compared to submerged cultures. Addition of Tween 80 to the submerged culture increased MnP levels 260-fold. High levels of MnP correlated with efficient decolorization of Reactive Orange 16 azo dye but not of Remazol Brilliant Blue R anthraquinone dye. Degradation of anthracene and pyrene in spiked soil by straw-grown explorative mycelium of Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus showed the importance of MnP and LAC levels secreted into the soil. The importance of high fungal enzyme levels for efficient degradation of recalcitrant compounds was better demonstrated in liquid media compared to the same strains growing in soil.

The objective of this study is to improve the viability after freeze-drying and during storage of delicate or recalcitrant strains safeguarded at biological resource centers. To achieve this objective, a joint experimental strategy was established among the different involved partner collections of the EMbaRC project ( www.embarc.eu ). Five bacterial strains considered as recalcitrant to freeze-drying were subjected to a standardized freeze-drying protocol and to seven agreed protocol variants. Viability of these strains was determined before and after freeze-drying (within 1 week, after 6 and 12 months, and after accelerated storage) for each of the protocols. Furthermore, strains were exchanged between partners to perform experiments with different freeze-dryer-dependent parameters. Of all tested variables, choice of the lyoprotectant had the biggest impact on viability after freeze-drying and during storage. For nearly all tested strains, skim milk as lyoprotectant resulted in lowest viability after freeze-drying and storage. On the other hand, best freeze-drying and storage conditions were strain and device dependent. For Aeromonas salmonicida CECT 894(T), best survival was obtained when horse serum supplemented with trehalose was used as lyoprotectant, while Aliivibrio fischeri LMG 4414(T) should be freeze-dried in skim milk supplemented with marine broth in a 1:1 ratio. Freeze-drying Campylobacter fetus CIP 53.96(T) using skim milk supplemented with trehalose as lyoprotectant resulted in best recovery. Xanthomonas fragariae DSM 3587(T) expressed high viability after freeze-drying and storage for all tested lyoprotectants and could not be considered as recalcitrant. In contrary, Flavobacterium columnare LMG 10406(T) did not survive the freeze-drying process under all tested conditions.