Salegentibacter flavus sp. nov.

A yellow-pigmented, non-motile, Gram-negative bacterium, designated Fg 69T, was isolated from a sediment sample collected in Chazhma Bay (Sea of Japan). The novel organism grew at 10-35 degrees C, was neutrophilic and required 3-10% NaCl for optimal growth. Strain Fg 69T was able to degrade starch and to hydrolyse gelatin and Tween 80 weakly but not casein or agar. Predominant cellular fatty acids comprised n-C15 and n-C16 branched-chain and straight-chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, including iso-C(15:0) (5%), anteiso-C(15:0) (11%), C(15:0) (9%), iso-C(15:1) (5%), iso-C(16:0) (8%), C(16:0) (5%) and C(16:1)omega7 (5%) and iso- and anteiso-branched 2-OH and 3-OH C(15:0) to C(17:0) fatty acids (26 % in total). The G + C content of the DNA was 40.4 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence data indicated that strain Fg 69T belonged to the genus Salegentibacter but was distinct from recognized Salegentibacter species (94-95 % sequence similarity). Based on these results, a novel species, Salegentibacter flavus sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is Fg 69T (= KMM 6000T = CIP 107843T).

Brevibacterium celere sp. nov., isolated from degraded thallus of a brown alga.

Two whitish yellow, Gram-positive, non-motile, aerobic bacteria were isolated from enrichment culture during degradation of the thallus of the brown alga Fucus evanescens. The bacteria studied were chemo-organotrophic, mesophilic and grew well on nutrient media containing up to 15 % (w/v) NaCl. The DNA G+C content was 61 mol%. The two isolates exhibited a conspecific DNA-DNA relatedness value of 98 %, indicating that they belong to the same species. A comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain KMM 3637(T) formed a distinct phyletic lineage in the genus Brevibacterium (family Brevibacteriaceae, class Actinobacteria) and showed the highest sequence similarity (about 97 %) to Brevibacterium casei. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments demonstrated 45 % binding with the DNA of B. casei DSM 20657(T). Physiological and chemotaxonomic characteristics (meso-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan, major cellular fatty acids 15 : 0ai and 17 : 0ai) of the bacteria studied were consistent with the genomic and phylogenetic data. On the basis of the results of this study, a novel species, Brevibacterium celere sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is KMM 3637(T) (=DSM 15453(T)=ATCC BAA-809(T)).

Bacillus algicola sp. nov., a novel filamentous organism isolated from brown alga Fucus evanescens.

A slightly yellowish, Gram-positive, filamentous with 'cross-like' branching, aerobic, spore-forming bacterium was isolated from enrichment culture during degradation of the thallus of the brown alga Fucus evanescens. The bacterium studied was chemoorganotrophic, tolerant to 3% NaCl, alkalitolerant, and alginolytic. The predominant cellular fatty acid was ai15:0 which accounted more than 65% of total fatty acids, while i14:0, il5:0 i16:0, and ai17:0 made up 25%. DNA base composition was 37 mol% GC. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA gene revealed that this isolate was a member of the genus Bacillus, with no close relatives at the species level (16S rRNA gene sequence similarity less 97%). On the basis of the significant differences demonstrated in the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is suggested that the bacterium be classified as a novel species; the name Bacillus algicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 3737T (= CIP 107850T).

Formosa algae gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae.

Four light-yellow-pigmented, Gram-negative, short-rod-shaped, non-motile isolates were obtained from enrichment culture during degradation of the thallus of the brown alga Fucus evanescens. The isolates studied were chemo-organotrophic, alkalitolerant and mesophilic. Polar lipids were analysed and phosphatidylethanolamine was the only phospholipid identified. The predominant cellular fatty acids were 15 : 0, i15 : 0, ai15 : 0, i15 : 1 and 15 : 1(n-6). The DNA G+C contents of the four strains were 34.0-34.4 mol%. The level of DNA relatedness of the four isolates was conspecific (88-98 %), indicating that they belong to the same species. The 16S rDNA sequence of strain KMM 3553(T) was determined. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that KMM 3553(T) formed a distinct phyletic line in the phylum Bacteroidetes, class Flavobacteria in the family Flavobacteriaceae and that, phylogenetically, this strain could be placed almost equidistant from the genera Gelidibacter and Psychroserpens (16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 94 %). On the basis of significant differences in phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, it is suggested that the isolates represent a novel species in a new genus; the name Formosa algae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KMM 3553(T) (=CIP 107684(T)).