Fontibacillus aquaticus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a warm spring

Bacillales: From Taxonomy to Biotechnological and Industrial Perspectives

For a long time, the genus Bacillus has been known and considered among the most applicable genera in several fields. Recent taxonomical developments resulted in the identification of more species in Bacillus-related genera, particularly in the order Bacillales (earlier heterotypic synonym: Caryophanales), with potential application for biotechnological and industrial purposes such as biofuels, bioactive agents, biopolymers, and enzymes. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the taxonomy, growth requirements and physiology, genomics, and metabolic pathways in the highly diverse bacterial order, Bacillales, will facilitate a more robust designing and sustainable production of strain lines relevant to a circular economy. This paper is focused principally on less-known genera and their potential in the order Bacillales for promising applications in the industry and addresses the taxonomical complexities of this order. Moreover, it emphasizes the biotechnological usage of some engineered strains of the order Bacillales. The elucidation of novel taxa, their metabolic pathways, and growth conditions would make it possible to drive industrial processes toward an upgraded functionality based on the microbial nature.

Longirhabdus pacifica gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal sediment in the West Pacific Ocean

A novel Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated as SCSIO 06110^T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment of the West Pacific Ocean. Cells were 0.5-0.8 µm in width and 3.0-4.0 µm in length, spore-forming, rod-shaped with peritrichous flagella. Positive for catalase and urease, negative for oxidase and nitrate reduction. Growth occurred at 15-37 °C, pH 6-9 and 1-5 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimum growth at 28 °C, pH 7 and 3 % (w/v) NaCl. MK-7 was the only menaquinone. The strain possessed diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and two unidentified phospholipids. Iso-C_16 : 0, iso-C_15 : 0 and iso-C_14 : 0 were the major fatty acids. The novel isolate clustered with genera in the family Paenibacillaceae, but formed a separated branch with the closest relative Chengkuizengella sediminis J15A17^T (91.1 % sequence similarity) when compared in a phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The DNA G+C content of strain SCSIO 06110^T was 38.5 mol%. Based on the polyphasic data presented, a new genus, Longirhabdus gen. nov., is proposed in the family Paenibacillaceae with the type species Longirhabdus pacifica sp. nov. and the type strain SCSIO 06110^T (=DSM 105158^T=CGMCC 1.16550^T).

Paenibacillus nuruki sp. nov., isolated from Nuruk, a Korean fermentation starter

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, non-endospore-forming motile by means of peritrichous flagella, facultatively anaerobic bacterium designated TI45-13ar^T was isolated from Nuruk, a Korean traditional Makgeolli fermentation starter. It grew at 4-35°C (optimum, 28-30°C), pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and NaCl concentrations up to 5% (w/v). Phylogenetic trees generated using 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain TI45-13ar^T belonged to the genus Paenibacillus and showed the highest sequence similarities with Paenibacillus kyungheensis DCY88^T (98.5%), Paenibacillus hordei RH-N24^T (98.4%) and Paenibacillus nicotianae YIM h-19^T (98.1%). The major fatty acid was anteiso-C_15:0. The DNA G+C content was 39.0 mol%, and MK-7 was the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, three unidentified glycolipids, and one unidentified aminoglycolipid. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomy study, it was suggested that strain TI45-13ar^T represents a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus for which the name Paenibacillus nuruki sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain was TI45-13ar^T (= KACC 18728^T = NBRC 112013^T).

Paludirhabdus telluriireducens gen. nov., sp. nov. and Paludirhabdus pumila sp. nov., isolated from soil of a mountain wetland and emended description of Gorillibacterium massiliense

Two strains of Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming, motile by means of peritrichous flagella, aerobic or facultative anaerobic, and rod-shaped bacteria that were designated ON8^T and ON6^T were isolated from soil collected from a mountain wetland in Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea. The isolates were catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Cells of ON8^T and ON6^T grew at 15-35 °C (optimal 30 °C) and 15-40 °C (optimal 30 °C), respectively. The major menaquinone was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids (>10 % of the total) were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, C14 : 0 and C16 : 0. The predominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, aminophospholipid and phospholipid. Meso-diaminopimelic acid was the diagnostic diamino acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C contents of strains ON8^T and ON6^T were 50.6 and 53.5 mol%, respectively, and the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the nearest phylogenetic neighbour of both strains was Gorillibacterium massiliense G5^T (93.9 %), followed by the members of the genus Paenibacillus in the family Paenibacillaceae. The DNA-DNA hybridization relatedness value between ON8^T and ON6^T was 44.1 %, which indicated that they represented distinct species. Based on polyphasic characteristics, a novel genus is proposed with the name Paludirhabdus gen. nov., which consists of two species, Paludirhabdus telluriireducens sp. nov. (the type species; type strain ON8^T=KACC 19267^T=JCM 31958^T) and Paludirhabdus pumila sp. nov. (type strain ON6^T=KACC 19266^T=JCM 31957^T).

Xylanibacillus composti gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from compost

A novel Gram-stain-positive bacterial strain, designated as K13^T, was isolated from compost and characterized using a polyphasic approach to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain showed highest similarity (93.8 %) to Paenibacillus nanensis MX2-3^T. Cells of strain K13^T were aerobic, motile rods. The major fatty acids were anteiso C15 : 0 (34.4 %), iso C16 : 0 (17.3 %) and C16 : 0 (10.0 %). The major menaquinone was MK-7, the polar lipid profile included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylserine and an aminophospholipid. The DNA G+C content was 52.3 %. Based on phenotypic, including chemotaxonomic characteristics and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences, it was concluded that strain K13^T represents a novel genus, for which the name Xylanibacillus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type species of the genus is Xylanibacillus composti, the type strain of which is strain K13^T (=DSM 29793^T=NCAIM B.02605^T).

Microbiological studies of hot springs in India: a review

The earliest microbiological studies on hot springs in India date from 2003, a much later date compared to global attention in this striking field of study. As of today, 28 out of 400 geothermal springs have been explored following both culturable and non-culturable approaches. The temperatures and pH of the springs are 37-99 °C and 6.8-10, respectively. Several studies have been performed on the description of novel genera and species, characterization of different bio-resources, metagenomics of hot spring microbiome and whole genome analysis of few isolates. 17 strains representing novel species and many thermostable enzymes, including lipase, protease, chitinase, amylase, etc. with potential biotechnological applications have been reported by several authors. Influence of physico-chemical conditions, especially that of temperature, on shaping the hot spring microbiome has been established by metagenomic investigations. Bacteria are the predominant life forms in all the springs with an abundance of phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Thermi, Bacteroidetes, Deinococcus-Thermus and Chloroflexi. In this review, we have discussed the findings on all microbiological studies that have been carried out to date, on the 28 hot springs. Further, the possibilities of extrapolating these studies for practical applications and environmental impact assessment towards protection of natural ecosystem of hot springs have also been discussed.

Chengkuizengella sediminis gen. nov. sp. nov., isolated from sediment

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, motile, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain J15A17T, was isolated from sediment of the South China Sea. The strain was oxidase-positive and catalase-negative. Optimal growth occurred at 33 °C, pH 7.5 and in the presence of 3 % (w/v) NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain showed closest similarity (92.8 %) to Paenibacillus puldeungensis strain CAU 9324T. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate forms a separate branch within the family Paenibacillaceae, with the genus Cohnella as the most closely related genus. The DNA G+C content of strain J15A17T was 37.4 mol%. The strain contained MK-7 as the sole respiratory quinone; anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 were the major cellular fatty acids; and its polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipid and four unidentified phospholipids. The strain displayed the peptidoglycan type A4α l-Lys-d-Asp in the cell wall. Phylogenetic, physiological, biochemical and morphological differences between strain J15A17T and its closest relatives in the genera Cohnella, Fontibacillus and Paenibacillus suggest that strain J15A17T (=KCTC 33759T=MCCC 1H00137T) represents the type strain of a novel species in a new genus within the family Paenibacillaceae, Chengkuizengella sediminis gen. nov. sp. nov.

Marinicrinis sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment

Novel Gram-stain-variable, bent rods or long filaments that were endospore-forming, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase- and catalase-negative, and designated strain NC2-42T, were isolated from sediment on the coast of Weihai, China. Optimal growth occurred at 37 °C, pH 7.5 and with 2-3 % (w/v) NaCl. MK-7 was the sole respiratory quinone and meso-diaminopimelic acid was a diagnostic diamino acid in the peptidoglycan. The polar lipid profile of this novel isolate consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown phospholipid, an unknown phosphoaminolipid, two unknown glycolipids and an unknown lipid. The major cellular fatty acids in strain NC2-42T were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain NC2-42T was 58.11  mol% (HPLC). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain NC2-42T showed the highest similarity (92.32 %) to Paenibacillus profundus within the family Paenibacillaceae. Based on data from this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, the isolate is proposed to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Paenibacillaceae, with the name Marinicrinis sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of the type species is NC2-42T (=KCTC 33676T=MCCC 1K01238T).

Fontibacillus pullulanilyticus sp.nov. isolated from soil

Gram stain-negative, motile, catalase-, and oxidase- positive strain, designated DSHK107(T) was isolated from soil of Cukurova University campus in Adana, Turkey. Its taxonomy was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew at 20-42 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and in 0-2.0% NaCl (w/v). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Fontibacillus; strain DSHK107(T) showed highest sequence similarity to type strains Fontibacillus aquaticus GPTSA 19(T) (97.8%) and Fontibacillus panacisegetis P11-6(T) (97.0%). The major fatty acid of strain DSHK107(T) was anteiso-C15:0 (46.7). The polar lipids of strain DSHK107(T) consisted of dihosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, four unknown phospholipids, four unknown lipids, three unknown glycolipids, two unknown aminophospholipids, an unknown aminolipid, and an unknown aminophosphoglycolipid. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The DNA G+C content of DSHK107(T) was 42.1 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization showed that the strain DSHK107(T) shared low DNA-DNA relatedness with F. aquaticus DSM 17643(T) , Fontibacillus solani A4STRO4(T) , and F. panacisegetis DSM 28129(T) (47, 58, and 59.3%, respectively). Thus, our results support the placement of strain DSHK107(T) within a separate and previously unrecognized species. On the basis of a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain DSHK107(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Fontibacillus, for which the name Fontibacillus pullulanilyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DSHK107(T) (=NCCB 100560(T)  = DSM 100116(T) ).

Paenibacillus rhizoryzae sp. nov., isolated from rice rhizosphere

A Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated 1ZS3-5T, was isolated from rice rhizosphere in Hunan Province, PR China. The isolate was identified as a member of the genus Paenibacillus on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic inference analysis. The 16S rRNA and rpoB gene (β-subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase) sequences were closely related to those of Paenibacillus taihuensis CGMCC 1.10966T with similarities of 97.2 % and 89.7 %, respectively. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between 1ZS3-5T and P. taihuensis CGMCC 1.10966T was 33.4 %. The DNA G+C content of 1ZS3-5T was 47.5 mol%. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminophospholipid and unknown phospholipid. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. The diamino acid found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Based on these results, 1ZS3-5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus rhizoryzae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1ZS3-5T ( = ACCC 19782T = DSM 29322T).

Fontibacillus solani sp. nov. isolated from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) root

A bacterial strain designated A4STR04(T) was isolated from the inner root tissue of potatoes in Spain. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the isolate into the genus Fontibacillus, being most closely related to Fontibacillus panacisegetis KCTC 13564(T) with 99% identity. The isolate was observed to form Gram-positive, motile and sporulating rods. The catalase test was found to be negative and oxidase positive. Nitrate was found to be reduced to nitrite. β-Galactosidase and caseinase were observed to be produced but the production of gelatinase, urease, arginine dehydrolase, ornithine and lysine decarboxylase was negative. Aesculin hydrolysis was found to be positive and acetoin production was negative. Growth was found to be supported by many carbohydrates and organic acids as carbon source. MK-7 was the only menaquinone detected and the major fatty acid (61.5%) was identified as anteiso-C(15:0), as occurs in the other species of genus Fontibacillus. The strain A4STR04(T) was found to display a complex lipid profile consisting of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, a glycolipid, two phospholipids, a lipid and two aminophospholipids. Mesodiaminopimelic acid was detected in the peptidoglycan. The G+C content was determined to be 50.5 mol% (Tm). Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses showed that strain A4STR04(T) (=LMG 28458 (T) = CECT 8693(T)) should be classified as representing a novel species of genus Fontibacillus, for which the name Fontibacillus solani sp. nov. is proposed.

Ammoniibacillus agariperforans gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermophilic, agar-degrading bacterium isolated from compost

A thermophilic, agar-degrading bacterium, strain FAB2(T), was isolated from sewage sludge compost. According to phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain FAB2(T) belonged to the family Paenibacillaceae within the phylum Firmicutes. However, FAB2(T) was different enough at the genus level from closely related species. The percentages of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with related organisms were 90.4 % for Thermobacillus xylanilyticus, 91.8 % for Paenibacillus barengoltzii, 89.4 % for Cohnella lupini, 90.1 % for Fontibacillus aquaticus, and 89.0 % for Saccharibacillus sacchari. Morphological and physiological analyses revealed that the strain was motile, rod-shaped, Gram-stain-positive, aerobic and able to form oval endospores in swollen sporangia. Ammonium was required as a nitrogen source while nitrate, nitrite, urea and glutamate were not utilized. Catalase and oxidase activities were weakly positive and positive, respectively. The bacterium grew in the temperature range of 50-65 °C and in media with pH 7.5 to 9.0. Optimal growth occurred at 60 °C and pH 8.0-8.6. Growth was inhibited at pH≤7.0 and NaCl concentrations ≥2.5 % (w/v). In chemotaxonomic characterization, MK-7 was identified as the dominant menaquinone. Major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. Dominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phosphatidylcholine was present in a moderate amount. The diamino acid in the cell wall was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 49.5 mol% in a nucleic acid study. On the basis of genetic and phenotypic characteristics, strain FAB2(T) ( = NBRC 109510(T) = KCTC 33130(T)) showed characteristics suitable for classification as the type strain of a novel species of a new genus in the family Paenibacillaceae, for which the name Ammoniibacillus agariperforans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed.

Non-contiguous finished genome sequence and description of Gorillibacterium massiliense gen. nov, sp. nov., a new member of the family Paenibacillaceae

Strain G5(T) gen. nov., sp. nov. is the type strain of Gorillibacterium massiliense, a newly proposed genus within the family Paenibacillaceae. This strain, whose genome is described here, was isolated in France from a stool sample of a wild Gorilla gorilla subsp. gorilla from Cameroon. G. massiliense is a facultatively anaerobic, Gram negative rod. Here we describe the features of this bacterium, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 5,546,433 bp long genome (1 chromosome but no plasmid) contains 5,145 protein-coding and 76 RNA genes, including 69 tRNA genes.

Paenibacillus taihuensis sp. nov., isolated from an eutrophic lake

Two Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic and endospore-forming rod-shaped bacterial strains, THMBG22T and R24, were isolated from decomposing algal scum. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the two strains were closely related to each other (99.7 % similarity) and that they were also closely related to Paenibacillus sacheonensis DSM 23054T (97–97.1 %) and Paenibacillus phyllosphaerae DSM 17399T (96.1–96.4 %). This affiliation was also supported by rpoB-based phylogenetic analyses. Growth was observed at 20–40 °C (optimum, 30–37 °C) and at pH 5.0–9.0 (optimum, pH 6.0–7.0). The cells contained MK-7 as the sole respiratory quinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acid. Their cellular polar lipids were composed of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and 12 unidentified polar lipids. The diamino acid of their cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The DNA–DNA hybridization value between THMBG22T and R24 was 84 %, and DNA–DNA relatedness to the most closely related species with a validly published name ( P. sacheonensis ) was 35–37 %. These results supported the assignment of the new isolates to the genus Paenibacillus and also distinguished them from the previously described species of the genus Paenibacillus . Hence, it is proposed that strains THMBG22T and R24 represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus , with the name Paenibacillus taihuensis sp. nov. The type strain is THMBG22T ( = CGMCC 1.10966T = NBRC 108766T).

Paenibacillus chartarius sp. nov., isolated from a paper mill

The taxonomy of strain CCUG 55240T, a Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, endospore-forming bacterium that was isolated from a paper mill, was investigated using a polyphasic approach. In phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the novel strain was grouped with established members of the genus Paenibacillus and appeared most closely related to the type strains of Paenibacillus chinjuensis (93.7 % sequence similarity), P. elgii (93.7 %) and P. chitinolyticus (93.6 %). The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with other species of the genus Paenibacillus , including the type species of the genus, Paenibacillus polymyxa , were all <93.5 %. The fatty acid profile of strain CCUG 55240T, which showed a predominance of iso- and anteiso-branched fatty acids, supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Paenibacillus . Unusually high amounts of some iso-branched fatty acids, especially iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0, allowed differentiation of strain CCUG 55240T from the most closely related species of the genus Paenibacillus . The diagnostic diamino acid found in the cell-wall peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unknown glycolipid, an unknown aminophosphoglycolipid and an unknown phospholipid. Spermidine was the major polyamine. The results of some physiological and biochemical tests also allowed the phenotypic differentiation of strain CCUG 55240T from the most closely related recognized species. On the basis of the phylogenetic, phenotypic and molecular evidence, strain CCUG 55240T represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus , for which the name Paenibacillus chartarius sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the novel species is CCUG 55240T ( = CCM 7759T).

Paenibacillus vulneris sp. nov., isolated from a necrotic wound

A Gram-positive-staining, aerobic, endospore-forming bacterium, isolated from a necrotic wound of a 35-year-old man was studied in detail to determine its taxonomic position. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain CCUG 53270(T) was grouped into the genus Paenibacillus, most closely related to the type strains of Paenibacillus rigui (97.2 %), Paenibacillus xylanisolvens (96.3 %) and Paenibacillus chinjuensis (96.1 %). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to strains of other Paenibacillus species was ≤96 %. Chemotaxonomic characterization supported the allocation of the strain to the genus Paenibacillus. The major menaquinones were MK-7 (85 %) and MK-6 (15 %). The polar lipid profile contained the major compounds diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The polyamine pattern contained predominantly spermidine. The major fatty acids were iso- and anteiso-branched fatty acids. The results of physiological and biochemical tests allowed phenotypic differentiation of strain CCUG 53270(T) from closely related species. Thus, strain CCUG 53270(T) represents a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus vulneris sp. nov. is proposed, with CCUG 53270(T) ( = JCM 18268(T)) as the type strain.

Fontibacillus panacisegetis sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A facultatively anaerobic, endospore-forming bacterium, designated strain P11-6T, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field located in Geumsan County, Republic of Korea. Cells of strain P11-6T were Gram-stain-negative, catalase-negative, motile rods and produced semi-translucent, circular, white colonies on tryptic soy agar. The isolate contained MK-7 as the only menaquinone and anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acid. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, an unknown aminophosphoglycolipid, an unknown aminophospholipid, two unknown phospholipids, three unknown glycolipids and three unknown lipids were detected in the polar lipid profile. The DNA G+C content of strain P11-6T was 41.9 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that strain P11-6T was most closely related to Fontibacillus aquaticus GPTSA 19T (97.2 % sequence similarity) and that it formed a separate lineage with F. aquaticus in the family Paenibacillaceae. Combined phenotypic and DNA–DNA hybridization data supported the conclusion that strain P11-6T represents a novel species in the genus Fontibacillus, for which the name Fontibacillus panacisegetis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is P11-6T (=KCTC 13564T =CECT 7605T).

Paenibacillus prosopidis sp. nov., isolated from the nodules of Prosopis farcta

A bacterial strain, designated PW21(T), was isolated from root nodules of Prosopis farcta in Tunisia. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences placed the isolate into the genus Paenibacillus, with its closest relatives being Paenibacillus glycanilyticus DS-1(T) and Paenibacillus castaneae Ch-32(T) with identity values of 96.9 %. DNA-DNA hybridization measurements showed values of less than 25 % with respect to these two species. The isolate was a Gram-variable, motile and sporulating rod. Catalase activity was positive and oxidase activity was weakly positive. Aesculin, CM-cellulose, xylan and starch were hydrolysed but casein and gelatin were not. Acetoin production was weakly positive and nitrate reduction was negative. Urease production was negative. Growth was supported by many carbohydrates and organic acids as carbon sources. MK-7 was the predominant menaquinone and anteiso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(16 : 0) and iso-C(15 : 0) were the major fatty acids. Major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, a glycolipid, six phospholipids, an unidentified lipid and two unknown aminophosphoglycolipids. meso-Diaminopimelic acid was not detected in the peptidoglycan. The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 52.9 mol%. Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic analyses showed that strain PW21(T) should be considered to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus prosopidis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PW21(T) (=LMG 25259(T) =CECT 7506(T) =DSM 22405(T)).