Bacillus decolorationis sp. nov., isolated from biodeteriorated parts of the mural paintings at the Servilia tomb (Roman necropolis of Carmona, Spain) and the Saint-Catherine chapel (Castle Herberstein, Austria)

Phylogenomic studies and molecular markers clarifying the evolutionary relationships and classification of Pseudalkalibacillus species: proposal for the family Guptibacillaceae fam. nov. harbouring the genera Guptibacillus gen. nov. and Exobacillus gen. nov

The genus Pseudalkalibacillus, created by the reclassification of specific deep-branching Alkalihalobacillus species, exhibits polyphyletic branching. The Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) also assigns Pseudalkalibacillus species into two families and three genera. To clarify the evolutionary relationships and classification of Pseudalkalibacillus species, we report detailed investigations using phylogenomic and molecular signature-based approaches. In phylogenomic trees, Pseudalkalibacillus species are distributed within two family-level lineages. One of these clades, containing the type species of Pseudalkalibacillus (viz. Pseudalkalibacillus decolorationis), represents the genus Pseudalkalibacillus, groups within the family Fictibacillaceae. Ten novel conserved signature indels (CSIs) identified in this study are specific for this clade, providing a robust means for the differentiation of the emended genus Pseudalkalibacillus. The remaining Pseudalkalibacillus species form a separate family-level clade, designated as f_HBI72195 in the GTDB. Within this clade, all species except Pseudalkalibacillus caeni form a robust clade designated as Pseudalkalibacillus clade -2 in our work and g_Anaerobacillus_A in the GTDB. We have also identified 15 novel CSIs specific to this clade. As the Pseudalkalibacillus clade -2 is distinct from Pseudalkalibacillus, we propose transferring species from this clade into a new genus, Guptibacillus gen. nov. The species P. caeni branches distinctly from other Pseudalkalibacillus species, and the GTDB considers it a novel genus (g_Bacillus_BR). Six newly identified CSIs are specific to this species, and we are proposing the transfer of this species into a new genus, Exobacillus gen. nov. Two additional identified CSIs are shared by members of the novel family-level taxon (f_HBI72195) comprising the proposed genera Guptibacillus and Exobacillus, for which we are proposing the name Guptibacillaceae fam. nov. Lastly, the results presented here also show that 'Pseudalkalibacillus hemicentroti' and 'Pseudalkalibacillus macyae' are later heterotypic synonyms of Guptibacillus hwajinpoensis. These changes, which reliably depict the evolutionary relationships among Pseudalkalibacillus species, should be helpful in future studies of these organisms.

AppIndels.com server: a web-based tool for the identification of known taxon-specific conserved signature indels in genome sequences. Validation of its usefulness by predicting the taxonomic affiliation of >700 unclassified strains of Bacillus species

Taxon-specific conserved signature indels (CSIs) in genes/proteins provide reliable molecular markers (synapomorphies) for unambiguous demarcation of taxa of different ranks in molecular terms and for genetic, biochemical and diagnostic studies. Because of their predictive abilities, the shared presence of known taxon-specific CSIs in genome sequences has proven useful for taxonomic purposes. However, the lack of a convenient method for identifying the presence of known CSIs in genome sequences has limited their utility for taxonomic and other studies. We describe here a web-based tool/server (AppIndels.com) that identifies the presence of known and validated CSIs in genome sequences and uses this information for predicting taxonomic affiliation. The utility of this server was tested by using a database of 585 validated CSIs, which included 350 CSIs specific for ≈45 Bacillales genera, with the remaining CSIs being specific for members of the orders Neisseriales, Legionellales and Chlorobiales, family Borreliaceae, and some Pseudomonadaceae species/genera. Using this server, genome sequences were analysed for 721 Bacillus strains of unknown taxonomic affiliation. Results obtained showed that 651 of these genomes contained significant numbers of CSIs specific for the following Bacillales genera/families: Alkalicoccus, 'Alkalihalobacillaceae', Alteribacter, Bacillus Cereus clade, Bacillus Subtilis clade, Caldalkalibacillus, Caldibacillus, Cytobacillus, Ferdinandcohnia, Gottfriedia, Heyndrickxia, Lederbergia, Litchfieldia, Margalitia, Mesobacillus, Metabacillus, Neobacillus, Niallia, Peribacillus, Priestia, Pseudalkalibacillus, Robertmurraya, Rossellomorea, Schinkia, Siminovitchia, Sporosarcina, Sutcliffiella, Weizmannia and Caryophanaceae. Validity of the taxon assignment made by the server was examined by reconstructing phylogenomic trees. In these trees, all Bacillus strains for which taxonomic predictions were made correctly branched with the indicated taxa. The unassigned strains likely correspond to taxa for which CSIs are lacking in our database. Results presented here show that the AppIndels server provides a useful new tool for predicting taxonomic affiliation based on shared presence of the taxon-specific CSIs. Some caveats in using this server are discussed.

Pseudalkalibacillus salsuginis sp. nov., a novel salt-tolerant bacterium isolated from a saline lake sediment

A salt-tolerant bacterium, designated strain EGI L200015T, was isolated from saline lake sediment in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, PR China. The taxonomic position of the isolate was determined using polyphasic taxonomic analysis and phylogenomic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities indicated that EGI L200015T formed a distinct clade with Pseudalkalibacillus berkeleyi KCTC 12718T with sequence identity of 98.3%. The novel isolate could be distinguished from species of the genus Pseudalkalibacillus by its distinct phenotypic, physiological and genotypic characteristics. Cells of EGI L200015T were aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile and rod-shaped. Optimal growth conditions for EGI L200015T occurred on marine agar 2216 at pH 8.0 at 30 °C. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7, while the major fatty acids (> 10 %) were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The detected polar lipids of included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. On the basis of the genome sequence data, the DNA G+C content of EGI L200015T was 41.6 %. On the basis of the phenotypic, physiological, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain EGI L200015T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudalkalibacillus , for which the name Pseudalkalibacillus salsuginis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel isolate is EGI L200015T (= KCTC 43363T = CGMCC 1.19260T).

Alkalihalobacterium elongatum gen. nov. sp. nov.: An Antibiotic-Producing Bacterium Isolated From Lonar Lake and Reclassification of the Genus Alkalihalobacillus Into Seven Novel Genera

A Gram-stain positive, long, rod-shaped, motile, and spore-forming bacterium (MEB199T) was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Lonar Lake, India. The strain was oxidase and catalase positive. The strain grew optimally at pH 10, NaCl concentration of 3.5% at 37°C. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, anteiso-C15:0, and iso-C17:0. The peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (meso-DAP). Phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylglycerol were the major polar lipids of MEB199T. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain MEB199T belonged to the family Bacillaceae and exhibited a distinctive position among the members of the genus Alkalihalobacillus (Ahb.). Strain MEB199T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Alkalihalobacillus alkalinitrilicus ANL-iso4T (98.36%), whereas with type species Ahb. alcalophilus DSM 485T, it is 94.91%, indicating that strain MEB199T is distinctly related to the genus Alkalihalobacillus. The G + C content of genomic DNA was 36.47 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) (23.6%) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) (81%) values between strain MEB199T and Ahb. alkalinitrilicus ANL-iso4T confirmed the novelty of this new species. The pairwise identity based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence between the species of genus Alkalihalobacillus ranges from 87.4 to 99.81% indicating the heterogeneity in the genus. The different phylogenetic analysis based on the genome showed that the members of the genus Alkalihalobacillus separated into eight distinct clades. The intra-clade average amino acid identity (AAI) and percentage of conserved proteins (POCP) range from 52 to 68% and 37 to 59%, respectively, which are interspersed on the intra-genera cutoff values; therefore, we reassess the taxonomy of genus Alkalihalobacillus. The phenotypic analysis also corroborated the differentiation between these clades. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, genomic indices, and phenotypic traits, we propose the reclassification of the genus Alkalihalobacillus into seven new genera for which the names Alkalihalobacterium gen. nov., Halalkalibacterium gen. nov., Halalkalibacter gen. nov., Shouchella gen. nov., Pseudalkalibacillus gen. nov., Alkalicoccobacillus gen. nov., and Alkalihalophilus gen. nov. are proposed and provide an emended description of Alkalihalobacillus sensu stricto. Also, we propose the Ahb. okuhidensis as a heterotypic synonym of Alkalihalobacillus halodurans. Based on the polyphasic taxonomic analysis, strain MEB199T represents a novel species of newly proposed genus for which the name Alkalihalobacterium elongatum gen. nov. sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MEB199T (= MCC 2982T, = JCM 33704T, = NBRC 114256T, = CGMCC 1.17254T).

A Review on Airborne Microbes: The Characteristics of Sources, Pathogenicity and Geography

Microbes are widespread and have been much more studied in recent years. In this review, we describe detailed information on airborne microbes that commonly originate from soil and water through liquid–air and soil–air interface. The common bacteria and fungi in the atmosphere are the phyla of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Rozellomycota that include most pathogens leading to several health problems. In addition, the stability of microbial community structure in bioaerosols could be affected by many factors and some special weather conditions like dust events even can transport foreign pathogens to other regions, affecting human health. Such environments are common for a particular place and affect the nature and interaction of airborne microbes with them. For instance, meteorological factors, haze and foggy days greatly influence the concentration and abundance of airborne microbes. However, as microorganisms in the atmosphere are attached on particulate matters (PM), the high concentration of chemical pollutants in PM tends to restrain the growth of microbes, especially gathering atmospheric pollutants in heavy haze days. Moreover, moderate haze concentration and/or common chemical components could provide suitable microenvironments and nutrition for airborne microorganism survival. In summary, the study reviews much information and characteristics of airborne microbes for further study.

A phylogenomic and comparative genomic framework for resolving the polyphyly of the genus Bacillus: Proposal for six new genera of Bacillus species, Peribacillus gen. nov., Cytobacillus gen. nov., Mesobacillus gen. nov., Neobacillus gen. nov., Metabacillus gen. nov. and Alkalihalobacillus gen. nov

The genus Bacillus, harbouring 293 species/subspecies, constitutes a phylogenetically incoherent group. In the absence of reliable means for grouping known Bacillus species into distinct clades, restricting the placement of new species into this genus has proven difficult. To clarify the evolutionary relationships among Bacillus species, 352 available genome sequences from the family Bacillaceae were used to perform comprehensive phylogenomic and comparative genomic analyses. Four phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on multiple datasets of proteins including 1172 core Bacillaceae proteins, 87 proteins conserved within the phylum Firmicutes, GyrA-GyrB-RpoB-RpoC proteins, and UvrD-PolA proteins. All trees exhibited nearly identical branching of Bacillus species and consistently displayed six novel monophyletic clades encompassing 5-23 Bacillus species (denoted as the Simplex, Firmus, Jeotgali, Niacini, Fastidiosus and Alcalophilus clades), interspersed with other Bacillaceae species. Species from these clades also generally grouped together in 16S rRNA gene trees. In parallel, our comparative genomic analyses of Bacillus species led to the identification of 36 molecular markers comprising conserved signature indels in protein sequences that are specifically shared by the species from these six observed clades, thus reliably demarcating these clades based on multiple molecular synapomorphies. Based on the strong evidence from multiple lines of investigations supporting the existence of these six distinct 'Bacillus' clades, we propose the transfer of species from these clades into six novel Bacillaceae genera viz. Peribacillus gen. nov., Cytobacillus gen. nov., Mesobacillus gen. nov., Neobacillus gen. nov., Metabacillus gen. nov. and Alkalihalobacillus gen. nov. These results represent an important step towards clarifying the phylogeny/taxonomy of the genus Bacillus.

High-quality genome sequence and description of Bacillus dielmoensis strain FF4(T) sp. nov

Strain FF4^T was isolated from the skin flora of a 16-year-old healthy Senegalese female. This strain exhibited a 16S rRNA sequence similarity of 97.5 % with Bacillus fumarioli, the phylogenetically closest species with standing in nomenclature and a poor MALDI-TOF-MS score (1.1 to 1.3) that does not allow any identification. Using a polyphasic study consisting of phenotypic and genomic analyses, strain FF4^T was Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped, and exhibited a genome of 4,563,381 bp (1 chromosome but no plasmid) with a G + C content of 40.8 % that coded 4,308 protein-coding and 157 RNA genes (including 5 rRNA operons). On the basis of these data, we propose the creation of Bacillus dielmoensis sp. nov.

Evolution in the Bacillaceae

The family Bacillaceae constitutes a phenotypically diverse and globally ubiquitous assemblage of bacteria. Investigation into how evolution has shaped, and continues to shape, this family has relied on several widely ranging approaches from classical taxonomy, ecological field studies, and evolution in soil microcosms to genomic-scale phylogenetics, laboratory, and directed evolution experiments. One unifying characteristic of the Bacillaceae , the endospore, poses unique challenges to answering questions regarding both the calculation of evolutionary rates and claims of extreme longevity in ancient environmental samples.

Bacillus taxonomy in the genomic era finds phenotypes to be essential though often misleading

Bacillus is a diverse bacterial genus characterized by cells growing aerobically and forming dormant endospores. Although Bacillus species were some of the first bacteria ever characterized, their relationships to one another remain enigmatic. The recent deluge of environmental sequencing projects has further complicated our view of Bacillus taxonomy and diversity. In this review we discuss the current state of Bacillus taxonomy and focus on two examples that highlight the ecological diversity found within identical 16S rDNA-based clusters: the identification of ecologically distinct clusters of B. simplex in Evolution Canyons and the demarcation of species in the industrially and medically important B. cereus group. These examples highlight the difficulties of purely 16S rDNA-based taxonomy, emphasizing the need to interpret the massive amounts of molecular data from environmental sequencing projects in a bacterial ecology framework. Such interpretations are likely to reveal ecological diversity within Bacillus that extends beyond that previously imaginable, providing a true picture of Bacillus ecology and evolution.

Bacillus siamensis sp. nov., isolated from salted crab (poo-khem) in Thailand

A Gram-positive, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, strain PD-A10T, was isolated from salted crab (poo-khem) in Thailand and subjected to a taxonomic study. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, including phylogenetic analyses, showed that the novel strain was a member of the genus Bacillus. The novel strain grew in medium with 0–14 % (w/v) NaCl, at 4–55 °C and at pH 4.5–9. The predominant quinone was a menaquinone with seven isoprene units (MK-7). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Polar lipid analysis revealed the presence of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, lysylphosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid and unknown lipids. The DNA G+C content was 41.4 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain PD-A10T and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NBRC 15535T, Bacillus subtilis DSM 10T, Bacillus vallismortis DSM 11031T and Bacillus mojavensis IFO 15718T were 99.5, 99.4, 99.4 and 99.2 %, respectively. Strain PD-A10T showed a low degree similarity of rep-PCR fingerprints and low DNA–DNA relatedness with the above-mentioned species. On the basis of the data gathered in this study, strain PD-A10T should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus siamensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PD-A10T (=BCC 22614T=KCTC 13613T).

Isolation of five Rubrobacter strains from biodeteriorated monuments

In the last few years, the microbial colonisation of mural paintings in ancient monuments has been attracting the attention of microbiologists and conservators. The genus Rubrobacter is commonly found in biodeteriorated monuments, where it has been reported to cause rosy discolouration. However, to date, only three species of this genus have been isolated, all from thermophilic environments. In this paper, we studied three monuments: the Servilia and Postumio tombs in the Roman Necropolis of Carmona (Spain), and Vilar de Frades church (Portugal), in search of Rubrobacter strains. In all cases, biodeterioration and the formation of efflorescences were observed, and five Rubrobacter strains were isolated. These isolates showed different physiology and migration in denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, suggesting they might represent new species within this genus. The isolates reproduced some biodeterioration processes in the laboratory and revealed their biomediation in crystal formation.

Bacillus plakortidis sp. nov. and Bacillus murimartini sp. nov., novel alkalitolerant members of rRNA group 6

The Gram-positive, alkali- and salt-tolerant marine bacterium strain P203T is described together with its closest phylogenetic neighbour, terrestrial isolate LMG 21005T. Strain P203T was isolated from material from the sponge Plakortis simplex that was obtained from the Sula-Ridge, Norwegian Sea. Strain LMG 21005T was an undescribed strain that was isolated from a church wall mural in Germany. Strains P203T and LMG 21005T were identified as novel alkalitolerant members of the Bacillus rRNA group 6 with a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 99.5 %. The closest described neighbour, Bacillus gibsonii DSM 8722T, showed 99.0 % gene sequence similarity with P203T and 98.8 % similarity with strain LMG 21005T. Despite the high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, DNA–DNA cross-hybridization revealed only 25.8–34.1 % similarity amongst the three strains. The DNA G+C contents were 41.1 mol% for strain P203T and 39.6 mol% for strain LMG 21005T. Both strains grew well between pH 7 and pH 11. Strain P203T showed growth at moderate temperatures (from 4 to 30 °C) and in the presence of up to 12 % (w/v) NaCl at pH 9.7, whereas strain LMG 21005T was not salt tolerant (up to 4 % NaCl) and no growth was observed at 4 °C. The major fatty acids of strains P203T, LMG 21005T and the type strain of B. gibsonii were the saturated terminally methyl-branched compounds iso-C15 : 0 (19.8, 15.6 and 28.0 %, respectively) and anteiso-C15 : 0 (57.1, 48.6 and 45.2 %, respectively). Physiological and biochemical tests allowed genotypic and phenotypic differentiation of strains P203T and LMG 21005T from the six related Bacillus species with validly published names and supported the proposal of two novel species, Bacillus plakortidis [type strain P203T (=DSM 19153T=NCIMB 14288T)] and Bacillus murimartini [type strain LMG 21005T (=NCIMB 14102T)].

Urban aerosols harbor diverse and dynamic bacterial populations

Considering the importance of its potential implications for human health, agricultural productivity, and ecosystem stability, surprisingly little is known regarding the composition or dynamics of the atmosphere's microbial inhabitants. Using a custom high-density DNA microarray, we detected and monitored bacterial populations in two U.S. cities over 17 weeks. These urban aerosols contained at least 1,800 diverse bacterial types, a richness approaching that of some soil bacterial communities. We also reveal the consistent presence of bacterial families with pathogenic members including environmental relatives of select agents of bioterrorism significance. Finally, using multivariate regression techniques, we demonstrate that temporal and meteorological influences can be stronger factors than location in shaping the biological composition of the air we breathe.

Bacillus taeanensis sp. nov., a halophilic Gram-positive bacterium from a solar saltern in Korea

A halophilic bacterium, strain BH030017T, showing optimum growth at 2–5 % (w/v) NaCl was isolated from solar-saltern sediment from the Tae-An area of Korea and was characterized taxonomically. The cells of strain BH030017T were Gram-positive, motile, short rods containing cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 36 mol% and the predominant lipoquinone was MK-7. The major cellular phospholipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain BH030017T formed a cluster with Bacillus clarkii DSM 8720T and Bacillus agaradhaerens DSM 8721T within the family Bacillaceae. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with respect to closely related type strains were less than 95.1 %. On the basis of its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain BH030017T represents a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus taeanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BH030017T (=KCTC 3918T=DSM 16466T).

Bacillus salarius sp. nov., a halophilic, spore-forming bacterium isolated from a salt lake in China

A moderately halophilic bacterium, strain BH169T, capable of growing at salinities of 3–20 % (w/v) NaCl was isolated from a saline lake in China. Strain BH169T was strictly aerobic, short-rod-shaped and non-motile (non-flagellated). Its major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was about 43 mol% and the predominant quinone was MK-7. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was of the A1γ type, containing meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a distinct phylogenetic line within the spore-forming rods of the genus Bacillus. The levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strains of Bacillus species were below 93 %. On the basis of phenotypic and molecular properties, strain BH169T (=KCTC 3912T=DSM 16461T) represents the type strain of a novel species within the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus salarius sp. nov. is proposed.

Bacillus herbersteinensis sp. nov

Two bacterial strains, designated D-1,5a(T) and D-1,5b, were isolated from a medieval wall painting in the chapel of Castle Herberstein, Styria (Austria). The Gram-positive, heterotrophic, aerobic, spore-forming rods showed nearly identical whole-cell protein patterns, identical genomic fingerprints and identical physiological profiles, demonstrating their relationship at the species level. Both strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in their peptidoglycan, possessed a quinone system comprising menaquinone MK-7 and had fatty acid profiles in which C(15:0) iso and C(15:0) anteiso were predominant. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of D-1,5a(T) showed the highest similarity (99.5%) to the sequence of Bacillus sp. LMG 20243, and Bacillus flexus IFO 15715(T) was the next most closely related established species (96.5%). Other type strains, such as Bacillus fastidiosus DSM 91(T), Bacillus indicus SD/3(T), Bacillus cibi JG-30(T), Bacillus megaterium IAM 13418(T), Bacillus cohnii DSM 6308(T), Bacillus bataviensis LMG 21833(T) and Bacillus soli LMG 21838(T), shared 96.0-96.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with D-1,5a(T). The combination of physiological and chemotaxonomic traits distinguishes the two strains from those species sharing the highest sequence similarities (96.0-96.5%). On the basis of these characteristics and the phylogenetic position of strain D-1,5a(T) (=DSM 16534(T)=CCM 7228(T)), this strain is assigned as the type strain of a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus herbersteinensis sp. nov. is proposed.

Brevibacillus levickii sp. nov. and Aneurinibacillus terranovensis sp. nov., two novel thermoacidophiles isolated from geothermal soils of northern Victoria Land, Antarctica

Thirteen strains of endospore-forming bacteria were isolated from geothermal soils at Cryptogam Ridge, the north-west slope of Mt Melbourne, and at the vents and summit of Mt Rittmann in northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. 16S rRNA gene sequencing, SDS-PAGE and routine phenotypic characterization tests indicated that the seven isolates from the north-west slope of Mt Melbourne represent a novel species of Brevibacillus and that the six isolates from Cryptogam Ridge and the vents and summit of Mt Rittmann represent a novel species of Aneurinibacillus. Brevibacillus strains were not isolated from the sites at Mt Rittmann or Cryptogam Ridge and Aneurinibacillus strains were not isolated from the north-west slope of Mt Melbourne. Preliminary metabolic studies revealed that L-glutamic acid, although not essential for growth, was utilized by both species. The Brevibacillus species possessed an uptake system specific for L-glutamic acid, whereas the Aneurinibacillus species possessed a more general uptake system capable of transporting other related amino acids. Both species utilized a K(+) antiport system and similar energy systems for the uptake of l-glutamic acid. The rate of uptake by the Brevibacillus species type strain was 20-fold greater than that shown by the Aneurinibacillus species type strain. The names Brevibacillus levickii sp. nov. and Aneurinibacillus terranovensis sp. nov. are proposed for the novel taxa; the type strains are Logan B-1657(T) (= LMG 22481(T) = CIP 108307(T)) and Logan B-1599(T) (LMG 22483(T) = CIP 108308(T)), respectively.

Bacillus hwajinpoensis sp. nov. and an unnamed Bacillus genomospecies, novel members of Bacillus rRNA group 6 isolated from sea water of the East Sea and the Yellow Sea in Korea

Two Gram-positive or -variable, endospore-forming, slightly halophilic strains (SW-72T and SW-93) were isolated from sea water of the East Sea and the Yellow Sea in Korea, respectively, and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic study. Both strains had cell-wall peptidoglycan that was based on meso-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the predominant menaquinone. The two strains contained large amounts of saturated and branched fatty acids, with anteiso-C15 : 0 as the major fatty acid. The DNA G+C contents of strains SW-72T and SW-93 were 40·9 and 41·0 mol%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that strains SW-72T and SW-93 fall within the radiation of the cluster that comprises members of the genus Bacillus, particularly Bacillus rRNA group 6. There were five nucleotide differences between the 16S rDNA sequences of strains SW-72T and SW-93. The mean level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strains SW-72T and SW-93 was 21·5 %. Strains SW-72T and SW-93 showed 93·1–95·2 % 16S rDNA sequence similarity to the type strains of Bacillus species that are assigned to rRNA group 6. Strains SW-72T and SW-93 could not be differentiated clearly by using their phenotypic properties. On the basis of phenotypic properties, phylogeny and genomic data, it is proposed that strain SW-72T (=KCCM 41641T=JCM 11807T) should be placed in the genus Bacillus as the type strain of a novel species, Bacillus hwajinpoensis sp. nov., and that strain SW-93 (=KCCM 41640=JCM 11806) should be placed in the genus Bacillus as an unnamed Bacillus genomospecies.