Rheinheimera salexigens sp. nov., isolated from a fishing hook, and emended description of the genus Rheinheimera.

A Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, designated KH87T, was isolated from a fishing hook that had been baited and suspended in seawater off O'ahu, Hawai'i. Based on a comparison of 1524 nt of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KH87T, its nearest neighbours were the GammaproteobacteriaRheinheimera nanhaiensis E407-8T (96.2 % identity), Rheinheimera chironomi K19414T (96.0 %), Rheinheimera pacifica KMM 1406T (95.8 %), Rheinheimera muenzenbergensis E49T (95.7 %), Alishewanella solinquinati KMK6T (94.9 %) and Arsukibacterium ikkense GCM72T (94.6 %). Cells of KH87T were motile by a single polar flagellum, strictly aerobic, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Growth occurred between 4 and 39 °C, and in a circumneutral pH range. Major fatty acids in whole cells of strain KH87T were cis-9-hexadecenoic acid, hexadecanoic acid and cis-11-octadecenoic acid. The quinone system contained mostly menaquinone MK-7, and a minor amount of ubiquinone Q-8. The polar lipid profile contained the major lipids phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unidentified aminolipid, and a lipid not containing phosphate, an amino group or a sugar moiety. Putrescine was the major polyamine. Physiological, biochemical and genomic data, including obligate halophily, absence of amylolytic activity, a quinone system dominated by MK-7 and DNA G+C content (42.0 mol%) distinguished KH87T from extant Rheinheimera species; strain KH87T was also distinguished by a multi-locus sequence analysis of aligned and concatenated 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoB and rpoD gene sequences. Based on phenotypic and genotypic differences, the species Rheinheimera salexigens sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate KH87T as the type strain (=ATCC BAA-2715T=CIP 111115T). An emended description of the genus Rheinheimera is also proposed.

Moheibacter stercoris sp. nov., isolated from an input sample of a biogas plant.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium, strain 784B1_12E-CasoT, was isolated from a mixed manure sample used as input material of a German biogas plant. Phylogenetic identification based on the nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the strain within the family Flavobacteriaceae(Bacteroidetes) with highest sequence similarity to the type strain of Moheibacter sediminis (93.7 %) followed by Empedobacter brevis(90.7 %). Major cellular fatty acids of strain 784B1_12E-CasoT were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The polyamine pattern contained predominantly sym-homospermidine and the quinone system consisted exclusively of menaquinone MK-6. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified polar lipid only detectable after staining for total lipids. The DNA G+C content was 34.5 mol%. Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological analyses, a novel species of the genus Moheibacter is proposed, Moheibacterstercoris sp. nov. (type strain 784B1_12E-CasoT=CIP 110830T=LMG 28502T).

Arcanobacterium pinnipediorum sp. nov., isolated from a harbour seal.

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on an unidentified Arcanobacterium-like, Gram-stain-positive bacterium, strain 2710T, isolated from a harbour seal. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that this bacterial strain belonged to the genus Arcanobacterium and was related most closely to the type strains of Arcanobacterium phocae (98.4 % similarity) and Arcanobacterium phocisimile (97.5 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of other Arcanobacterium species were between 95.3 and 96.9 %. DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 2710T and A. phocae DSM 10002T and A. phocisimile LMG 27073T were 4.7 % (reciprocal 56 %) and 23 % (reciprocal 7.7 %), respectively. The presence of the major menaquinone MK-9(H4) and a polar lipid profile with the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol mannoside supported the affiliation of strain 2710T to the genus Arcanobacterium. The major fatty acids were C16:0, C18:1ω9c, C18:0 and C18:2ω6,9c/anteiso-C18:0. The peptidoglycan structure was of cross-linkage type A5α (l-Lys-l-Lys-d-Glu). Physiological and biochemical tests clearly distinguished the isolate from other members of the genus Arcanobacterium. Based on these tests, it is proposed that this unknown bacterium should be classified as a novel species of the genus Arcanobacterium, with the name Arcanobacterium pinnipediorum sp. nov. The type strain is 2710T ( = DSM 28752T = LMG 28298T).

Terasakiispira papahanaumokuakeensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a gammaproteobacterium from Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

A Gram-negative, helical bacterium designated PH27AT was cultivated from an anchialine pool on Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The obligately halophilic strain was motile by bipolar tufts of flagella and grew optimally at pH 7, and microaerobically or aerobically. Closest neighbours based on 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence identity are Marinospirillum celere v1c_Sn-redT (93.31 %) and M. alkaliphilum Z4T (92.10 %) in the family Oceanospirillaceae, class Gammaproteobacteria. PH27AT is distinguished phenotypically from members of the genus Marinospirillum by its hydrolysis of gelatin, the absence of growth in media containing ≤ 1 % (w/v) NaCl and the ranges of temperature (12­40 °C) and pH (5­8) for growth. The major compound ubiquinone Q-9 distinguishes the quinone system of strain PH27AT from those in members of the genus Marinospirillum and other members of the Oceanospirillaceae, in which the major quinone is Q-8. Major polar lipids in PH27AT were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol, with moderate amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylserine. Spermidine and cadaverine dominated the polyamine pattern; large proportions of cadaverine have not been reported in members of the genus Marinospirillum. Genotypic and chemotaxonomic data show that PH27AT does not belong in the genus Marinospirillum or other genera of the family Oceanospirillaceae or the Halomonadaceae. We propose a new genus, Terasakiispira gen. nov., be created to accommodate Terasakiispira papahanaumokuakeensis gen. nov., sp. nov. as the type species, with PH27AT ( = ATCC BAA-995T = DSM 16455T = DSM 23961T) as the type strain.

Empedobacter stercoris sp. nov., isolated from an input sample of a biogas plant.

Two Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, strains 990B6_12ER2AT and 994B6_12ER2A, were isolated during microbiological analysis of a mixed manure sample which was used as input material for a German biogas plant. Phylogenetic identification based on nearly full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the isolates into the family Flavobacteriaceae within the phylum Bacteroidetes. Strains 990B6_12ER2AT and 994B6_12ER2A shared identical 16S rRNA gene sequences and showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of Empedobacter falsenii (97.3 %) and Empedobacter brevis (96.8 %).The major cellular fatty acids of strains 990B6_12ER2AT and 994B6_12ER2A were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH.The polyamine pattern contained predominantly sym-homospermidine and the quinone system was menaquinone MK-6. Major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminolipid and one unidentified polar lipid not containing an amino residue, a phosphate residue or a sugar moiety. In addition, moderate to minor amounts of several unidentified lipids were detected. The DNA G+C content was 31.7 and 29.0 mol%, for strains 990B6_12ER2AT and 994B6_12ER2A, respectively. On the basis of phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and physiological analysis we propose a novel species of the genus Empedobacter, Empedobacter stercoris sp. nov. (type strain 990B6_12ER2AT = CIP 110833T = LMG 28501T).

Corynebacterium pelargi sp. nov., isolated from the trachea of white stork nestlings.

A Gram-stain-positive, pleomorphic, oxidase-negative, non-motile isolate from the trachea of a white stork from Poland, designated strain 136/3(T), was subjected to a comprehensive taxonomic investigation. A comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed highest similarities to Corynebacterium mustelae , Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis , Corynebacterium vitaeruminis and Corynebacterium ulcerans (96.0-96.3%). The quinone system consisted of major amounts of MK-8(H2), minor amounts of MK-9(H2) and traces of MK-8 and MK-9. The polar lipid profile of strain 136/3(T) contained phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-mannoside as major lipids and phosphatidylglycerol and an acidic glycolipid in moderate amounts. In addition small amounts of diphosphatidylglycerol, a phospholipid, an aminolipid and two lipids of unknown group affiliation were found. The polyamine pattern was composed of the major components spermidine and spermine. Putrescine, 1,3-diaminopropane, cadaverine, sym-homospermidine and tyramine were found in minor or trace amounts. The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. In the fatty acid profile straight-chain, saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids predominated (C(18 : 1)ω9c, C(16 : 1)ω7c, C16 : 0, C(18  : 0)). Corynemycolic acids were detected. Physiological traits as well as unique traits of the polar lipid profile and the fatty acid pattern distinguished strain 136/3(T) from the most closely related species. All these results indicate that strain 136/3(T) represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium for which we propose the name Corynebacterium pelargi sp. nov. The type strain is 136/3(T) ( =CIP 110778(T) =CCM 8517(T) =LMG 28174(T)).

Psychrobacter ciconiae sp. nov., isolated from white storks (Ciconia ciconia).

Five beige bacterial strains (176/10(T), 178/10, 182/10, 185/7 and 193/8) were isolated from white storks in Poland and found to share identical 16S rRNA gene sequences; they were also investigated in a polyphasic taxonomic study. The cells of all isolates were rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative. A comparison of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of these organisms with the sequences of the type strains of the most closely related species of the genus Psychrobacter showed highest sequence similarities to the type strains of Psychrobacter pulmonis and Psychrobacter faecalis (both 97.1 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to all other species of the genus Psychrobacter were below 96.3 %. All five isolates showed an identical profile of physiological reactions and almost identical fatty acid profiles consisting of mainly C18 : 1ω9c, but also C12 : 0 3-OH as a characteristic hydroxylated fatty acid. A quinone system with mainly ubiquinone Q-8 was detected and the polar lipid profile of the type strain, 176/10(T), was mainly composed of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine and diphosphatidylglycerol, plus some hitherto uncharacterized phospholipids and one aminolipid. The major polyamines were spermidine and putrescine. DNA-DNA hybridizations between 176/10(T) and the type strains of P. pulmonis and P. faecialis resulted in relatedness values below 70 %. These results indicate that the strains represent a novel species, for which the name Psychrobacter ciconiae sp. nov. (type strain 176/10(T) = CIP 110777(T) = LMG 28175(T) = CCM 8519(T)) is proposed.

Gemmobacter intermedius sp. nov., isolated from a white stork (Ciconia ciconia).

A cream-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, rod- to irregular shaped bacterium, strain 119/4(T), was isolated from a choana swab of a white stork nestling on sheep blood agar. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and subsequent comparisons showed that it was a member of the family Rhodobacteraceae, showing 94.9 % similarity to the type strain of Gemmobacter tilapiae and 94.6 % similarity to that of Gemmobacter nectariphilus, but also similarly low sequence similarity to the type strains of Rhodobacter viridis (94.8 %), Rhodobacter veldkampii (94.6 %) and Paenirhodobacter enshiensis (94.6 %). Reconstruction of phylogenetic trees showed that strain 119/4(T) clustered close to species of the genus Gemmobacter. The quinone system contained high amounts of ubiquinone Q-10 with traces of Q-8, Q-9 and Q-11, and the fatty acid profile consisted mainly of C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and C10 : 0 3-OH. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phoshatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine. Major polyamines were putrescine and spermidine. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and chemotaxonomic and physiological data, strain 119/4(T) represents a novel species of the genus Gemmobacter, for which the name Gemmobacter intermedius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 119/4(T) ( = CIP 110795(T) = LMG 28215(T) = CCM 8510(T)).

Description of Corynebacterium trachiae sp. nov., isolated from a white stork (Ciconia ciconia).

A Gram-stain-positive bacterial isolate, strain 280/10(T) was isolated from the trachea of a white stork. The isolate was morphologically rod- to coccoid-shaped, non-motile and showed no oxidase activity. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was found to the type strain of Corynebacterium ciconiae (97.3 % similarity) as the nearest relative of strain 280/10(T), all other 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to type strains of species of the genus Corynebacterium were below 94.2 %. Strain 280/10(T) had a quinone system consisting predominantly of menaquinone MK-8(H2), minor quantities of MK-9(H2) and small amounts of MK-8. The diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major compounds in the polar lipid profiles were diphosphatidylglycerol, phoshatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and an acidic glycolipid. Two phosphatidylinositol-mannosides and several unidentified lipids were also present. The strain contained corynemycolic acids, while only small amounts of cellular polyamines were detected. Spermidine and spermine were predominant in the polyamine pattern of 280/10(T) and putrescine was present in moderate amounts. In the fatty acid profile C18 : 1ω9c, and C16 : 0 were predominant. The strain was distinguishable from C. ciconiae, which is the most closely related species. In conclusion, strain 280/10(T) is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium with the name Corynebacterium trachiae sp. nov. and the type strain 280/10(T) ( = CIP 110796(T) = LMG 28214(T)).