Corynebacterium sphenisci sp. nov., isolated from wild penguins

Corynebacterium mendelii sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from Adélie penguin oral cavity

The taxonomic status of strain P5891T, isolated from an Adélie penguin beak swab, was investigated. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain was identified as a potentially novel Corynebacterium species, with the highest sequence similarities to Corynebacterium rouxii FRC0190T (96.7 %) and Corynebacterium epidermidicanis DSM 45586T (96.6 %). The average nucleotide identity values between strain P5891T and C. rouxii FRC0190T and C. epidermidicanis DSM 45586T were 68.2 and 69.2 %, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain P5891T and C. rouxii FRC0190T and C. epidermidicanis DSM 45586T were 23.7 and 21.4 %, respectively. Phylogenetic trees based on the 16S rRNA sequence placed strain P5891T in a separate branch with Corynebacterium canis 1170T and Corynebacterium freiburgense 1045T, while a phylogenomic tree based on the Corynebacterium species core genome placed the strain next to Corynebacterium choanae 200CHT. Extensive phenotyping and genomic analyses clearly confirmed that strain P5891T represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium mendelii sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain P5891T (=CCM 8862T=LMG 31627T).

Variability of Inverted Repeats in All Available Genomes of Bacteria

Noncanonical secondary structures in nucleic acids have been studied intensively in recent years. Important biological roles of cruciform structures formed by inverted repeats (IRs) have been demonstrated in diverse organisms, including humans. Using Palindrome analyser, we analyzed IRs in all accessible bacterial genome sequences to determine their frequencies, lengths, and localizations. IR sequences were identified in all species, but their frequencies differed significantly across various evolutionary groups. We detected 242,373,717 IRs in all 1,565 bacterial genomes. The highest mean IR frequency was detected in the Tenericutes (61.89 IRs/kbp) and the lowest mean frequency was found in the Alphaproteobacteria (27.08 IRs/kbp). IRs were abundant near genes and around regulatory, tRNA, transfer-messenger RNA (tmRNA), and rRNA regions, pointing to the importance of IRs in such basic cellular processes as genome maintenance, DNA replication, and transcription. Moreover, we found that organisms with high IR frequencies were more likely to be endosymbiotic, antibiotic producing, or pathogenic. On the other hand, those with low IR frequencies were far more likely to be thermophilic. This first comprehensive analysis of IRs in all available bacterial genomes demonstrates their genomic ubiquity, nonrandom distribution, and enrichment in genomic regulatory regions. IMPORTANCE Our manuscript reports for the first time a complete analysis of inverted repeats in all fully sequenced bacterial genomes. Thanks to the availability of unique computational resources, we were able to statistically evaluate the presence and localization of these important regulatory sequences in bacterial genomes. This work revealed a strong abundance of these sequences in regulatory regions and provides researchers with a valuable tool for their manipulation.

Corynebacterium antarcticum sp. nov., Corynebacterium marambiense sp. nov., Corynebacterium meridianum sp. nov., and Corynebacterium pygosceleis sp. nov., isolated from Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae)

A taxonomic study was conducted on 16 bacterial strains isolated from wild Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) from Seymour (Marambio) Island and James Ross Island. An initial screening by repetitive sequence-based PCR fingerprinting divided the strains studied into four coherent groups. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences assigned all groups to the genus Corynebacterium and showed that Corynebacterium glyciniphilum and Corynebacterium terpenotabidum were the closest species with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between 95.4 % and 96.5 %. Further examination of the strains studied with ribotyping, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, comprehensive biotyping and calculation of average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation values confirmed the separation of the four groups from each other and from the other Corynebacterium species. Chemotaxonomically, the four strains P5828^T, P5850^T, P6136^T, P7210^T representing the studied groups were characterised by C_16:0 and C_18:1ω9c as the major fatty acids, by the presence of meso-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan, the presence of corynemycolic acids and a quinone system with the predominant menaquinone MK-9(H₂). The results of this study show that the strains studied represent four new species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the names Corynebacterium antarcticum sp. nov. (type strain P5850^T = CCM 8835^T = LMG 30620^T), Corynebacterium marambiense sp. nov. (type strain P5828^T = CCM 8864^T = LMG 31626^T), Corynebacterium meridianum sp. nov. (type strain P6136^T = CCM 8863^T = LMG 31628^T) and Corynebacterium pygosceleis sp. nov. (type strain P7210^T = CCM 8836^T = LMG 30621^T) are proposed.

Performance and Application of 16S rRNA Gene Cycle Sequencing for Routine Identification of Bacteria in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

This review provides a state-of-the-art description of the performance of Sanger cycle sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene for routine identification of bacteria in the clinical microbiology laboratory. A detailed description of the technology and current methodology is outlined with a major focus on proper data analyses and interpretation of sequences. The remainder of the article is focused on a comprehensive evaluation of the application of this method for identification of bacterial pathogens based on analyses of 16S multialignment sequences. In particular, the existing limitations of similarity within 16S for genus- and species-level differentiation of clinically relevant pathogens and the lack of sequence data currently available in public databases is highlighted. A multiyear experience is described of a large regional clinical microbiology service with direct 16S broad-range PCR followed by cycle sequencing for direct detection of pathogens in appropriate clinical samples. The ability of proteomics (matrix-assisted desorption ionization-time of flight) versus 16S sequencing for bacterial identification and genotyping is compared. Finally, the potential for whole-genome analysis by next-generation sequencing (NGS) to replace 16S sequencing for routine diagnostic use is presented for several applications, including the barriers that must be overcome to fully implement newer genomic methods in clinical microbiology. A future challenge for large clinical, reference, and research laboratories, as well as for industry, will be the translation of vast amounts of accrued NGS microbial data into convenient algorithm testing schemes for various applications (i.e., microbial identification, genotyping, and metagenomics and microbiome analyses) so that clinically relevant information can be reported to physicians in a format that is understood and actionable. These challenges will not be faced by clinical microbiologists alone but by every scientist involved in a domain where natural diversity of genes and gene sequences plays a critical role in disease, health, pathogenicity, epidemiology, and other aspects of life-forms. Overcoming these challenges will require global multidisciplinary efforts across fields that do not normally interact with the clinical arena to make vast amounts of sequencing data clinically interpretable and actionable at the bedside.

The phylogenetic range of bacterial and viral pathogens of vertebrates

Many major human pathogens are multihost pathogens, able to infect other vertebrate species. Describing the general patterns of host-pathogen associations across pathogen taxa is therefore important to understand risk factors for human disease emergence. However, there is a lack of comprehensive curated databases for this purpose, with most previous efforts focusing on viruses. Here, we report the largest manually compiled host-pathogen association database, covering 2,595 bacteria and viruses infecting 2,656 vertebrate hosts. We also build a tree for host species using nine mitochondrial genes, giving a quantitative measure of the phylogenetic similarity of hosts. We find that the majority of bacteria and viruses are specialists infecting only a single host species, with bacteria having a significantly higher proportion of specialists compared to viruses. Conversely, multihost viruses have a more restricted host range than multihost bacteria. We perform multiple analyses of factors associated with pathogen richness per host species and the pathogen traits associated with greater host range and zoonotic potential. We show that factors previously identified as important for zoonotic potential in viruses-such as phylogenetic range, research effort, and being vector-borne-are also predictive in bacteria. We find that the fraction of pathogens shared between two hosts decreases with the phylogenetic distance between them. Our results suggest that host phylogenetic similarity is the primary factor for host-switching in pathogens.

Corynebacterium alimapuense sp. nov., an obligate marine actinomycete isolated from sediment of Valparaíso bay, Chile

A novel Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming and aerobic bacterium, designated strain VA37-3^T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected at 19.2 m water depth from Valparaíso bay, Chile. Strain VA37-3^T exhibits 97.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Corynebacterium marinum D7015^T, 96.4 % to Corynebacterium humireducens MFC-5^T and 96 % to Corynebacterium testudinoris M935/96/4^T; and a rpoB gene sequence similarity of 85.1 % to Corynebacterium pollutisoli VMS11^T, both analyses suggesting that strain VA37-3^T represents a novel species of Corynebacterium. Physiological testing indicated that strain VA37-3^T requires artificial sea water or sodium-supplemented media for growth, representing the first obligate marine actinomycete of the genus Corynebacterium. The genome of the proposed new species, along with the type strains of its most closely related species were sequenced and characterized. In silico genome-based similarity analyses revealed an ANIb of 72.8 % (C. marinum D7015^T), ANIm of 85.0 % (Corynebacterium mustelae DSM 45274^T), tetra of 0.90 (Corynebacterium callunae DSM 20147^T) and ggdc of 24.7 % (Corynebacterium kutscheri DSM 20755^T) when compared with the closest related strains. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain VA37-3^T was 57.0 %. Chemotaxonomic assessment of strain VN6-2^T showed the major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c and C16 : 0. Menaquinones predominantly consisted of MK-8(II-H2). Polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, glycolipids, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipid and phosphatidylinositol. Mycolic acids also were present. Overall, the results from phylogenetic, phenotypic and genomic analyses confirmed that strain VA37-3^T represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium alimapuense sp. nov. is proposed, with VA37-3^T as the type strain (=CCUG 69366^T=NCIMB 15118^T).

Genome-Based Taxonomic Classification of the Phylum Actinobacteria

The application of phylogenetic taxonomic procedures led to improvements in the classification of bacteria assigned to the phylum Actinobacteria but even so there remains a need to further clarify relationships within a taxon that encompasses organisms of agricultural, biotechnological, clinical, and ecological importance. Classification of the morphologically diverse bacteria belonging to this large phylum based on a limited number of features has proved to be difficult, not least when taxonomic decisions rested heavily on interpretation of poorly resolved 16S rRNA gene trees. Here, draft genome sequences of a large collection of actinobacterial type strains were used to infer phylogenetic trees from genome-scale data using principles drawn from phylogenetic systematics. The majority of taxa were found to be monophyletic but several orders, families, and genera, as well as many species and a few subspecies were shown to be in need of revision leading to proposals for the recognition of 2 orders, 10 families, and 17 genera, as well as the transfer of over 100 species to other genera. In addition, emended descriptions are given for many species mainly involving the addition of data on genome size and DNA G+C content, the former can be considered to be a valuable taxonomic marker in actinobacterial systematics. Many of the incongruities detected when the results of the present study were compared with existing classifications had been recognized from 16S rRNA gene trees though whole-genome phylogenies proved to be much better resolved. The few significant incongruities found between 16S/23S rRNA and whole genome trees underline the pitfalls inherent in phylogenies based upon single gene sequences. Similarly good congruence was found between the discontinuous distribution of phenotypic properties and taxa delineated in the phylogenetic trees though diverse non-monophyletic taxa appeared to be based on the use of plesiomorphic character states as diagnostic features.

Corynebacterium heidelbergense sp. nov., isolated from the preen glands of Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus)

Two strains (pedersoli^T and girotti) of a new species of bacteria were isolated from the preen glands of wild Egyptian geese (Alopochen aegyptiacus) from the river Neckar in southern Germany in two subsequent years. The strains were lipophilic, fastidious, Gram-positive rods and belonged to the genus Corynebacterium. Phylogenetically, the isolates were most closely related to Corynebacterium falsenii DSM 44353^T which has been found to be associated with birds before. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to all known Corynebacterium spp. was significantly <97%. Corresponding values of rpoB showed low levels of similarity <87% and ANIb was <73%. G+C content of the genomic DNA was 65.0mol% for the type strain of the goose isolates, as opposed to 63.2mol% in Corynebacterium falsenii. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the whole-cell proteins revealed patterns clearly different from the related species, as did biochemical tests, and polar lipid profiles. We therefore conclude that the avian isolates constitute strains of a new species, for which the name Corynebacterium heidelbergense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is pedersoli^T (=DSM 104638^T=LMG 30044^T).

Phylogeny Trumps Chemotaxonomy: A Case Study Involving Turicella otitidis

The genus Turicella was proposed to harbor clinical strains isolated from middle-ear fluids of patients with otitis media. 16S rRNA phylogeny showed that it belonged to the mycolic acid-containing actinobacteria, currently classified in the order Corynebacteriales, and was closely related to the genus Corynebacterium. A new genus was proposed for the organisms as unlike corynebacteria they lacked mycolic acids and had different menaquinones. Here, we carried out large-scale comparative genomics on representative strains of the genera Corynebacterium and Turicella to check if this chemotaxonomic classification is justified. Three genes that are known to play an essential role in mycolic acid biosynthesis were absent in Turicella and two other mycolate-less Corynebacterium spp., explaining the lack of mycolic acids resulted from the deletion of genes and does not confer any phylogenetic context. Polyphasic phylogenetic analyses using 16S rRNA, bacterial core genes and genes responsible for synthesizing menaquinones unequivocally indicate that Turicella is a true member of the genus Corynebacterium. Here, we demonstrate that menaquinone and mycolic acid that have been used as critical taxonomic markers should be interpreted carefully, particularly when genome-based taxonomy is readily available. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, we propose to reclassify Turicella otitidis as Corynebacterium otitidis comb. nov.

Corynebacterium hadale sp. nov. isolated from hadopelagic water of the New Britain Trench

A novel heterotrophic, Gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NBT06-6^T, was isolated from the deep seawater in the New Britain Trench and characterized phylogenetically and phenotypically. Optimal bacterial growth occurred at 35 °C (range 22-41 °C), at pH 6 (4-8) and with 4 % (w/v) NaCl (0-10 %). The strain grew at hydrostatic pressures of 0.1-100 MPa (optimum, 0.1 MPa) at 35 °C. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain NBT06-6^T belonged to the genus Corynebacterium, with the highest sequence similarity (97.9 %) to Corynebacterium imitans, and shared low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (<97.0 %) with other type strains. The major respiratory menaquinones were MK-8(H2) and MK-9(H2). The polar lipids were diphosphatidyglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, three unidentified aminoglycolipids and four unidentified glycolipids. The major fatty acids detected were C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0 and C15 : 0. Strain NBT06-6^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and mycolic acids in its cell wall, and mannose, galactose, glucose, arabinose and ribose as major whole-cell sugars. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 65.1 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization value and the average nucleotide identity between strain NBT06-6^T and C. imitans were 24.5±2.4 and 81.9 %, respectively. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that strain NBT06-6^T represents a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium hadale sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain NBT06-6^T (=MCCC 1K03347^T=DSM 105365^T).

Development of a systematic feedback isolation approach for targeted strains from mixed culture systems

Elucidation of functions of bacteria in a mixed culture system (MCS) such as composting, activated sludge system is difficult, since the system is complicating with many unisolated bacteria. Here, we developed a systematic feedback isolation strategy for the isolation and rapid screening of multiple targeted strains from MCS. Six major strains (Corynebacterium sphenisci, Bacillus thermocloacae, Bacillus thermoamylovorans, Bacillus smithii, Bacillus humi, and Bacillus coagulans), which are detected by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis in our previous study on MCS for l-lactic acid production, were targeted for isolation. Based on information of suitable cultivation conditions (e.g., media, pH, temperature) from the literature, feedback isolation was performed to form 136 colonies. The following direct colony matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was optimised as the second screening to narrow down 20 candidate colonies from similar spectra patterns with six closest type strains. This step could distinguish bacteria at the species level with distance similarity scores ≥0.55 corresponding to 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity ≥98.2%, suggesting that this is an effective technique to minimize isolates close to targeted type strains. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that two targeted strains and one strain related to the target had successfully been isolated, showing high similarities (99.5-100%) with the sequences from the DGGE bands, and that the other candidates were affiliated with three strains that were closely related to the target species. This study proposes a new method for systematic feedback isolation that may be useful for isolating targeted strains from MCS for further investigation.

Corynebacterium uropygiale sp. nov., isolated from the preen gland of Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

A novel species of fastidious, lipophilic, club-shaped, Gram-positive bacteria was recovered from the preen glands of healthy Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from two different locations. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed highest similarity to Corynebacterium spheniscorum DSM 44757(T) (96.8%) with a 3.2kb stretch of rpoB sharing 82.4% sequence similarity to the same species. DNA fingerprinting by ERIC-PCR and polar lipid profiles clearly differentiated the Turkey isolates from the most closely related Corynebacteria, as did MALDI-TOF MS analysis. Chemotaxonomic tests revealed the presence of corynemycolic acids with C16:0, C18:0, C18:1ω9c and tuberculostearic acid as the major cellular fatty acids. The G+C content of the type strain was 60.7 mol%. The species was susceptible to ampicillin, kanamycin A, streptomycin, amikacin, polymyxin B and vancomycin. From our results, it becomes evident that the isolated organisms represent a new species, for which the name Corynebacterium uropygiale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Iso10(T) (=DSM 46817(T)=LMG 28616(T)).

Corynebacterium atrinae sp. nov., isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a pen shell, Atrina pectinata

A novel Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, facultatively anaerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, strain PSPT56T, was isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a pen shell (Atrina pectinata). Optimal growth of strain PSPT56T was ascertained to occur at 30 °C, pH 8.0 and in the presence of 1–2 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω9c, C16 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c and C17 : 0. Tuberculostearic acid was not present. The major cell-wall sugars were ribose, galactose, glucose and arabinose. Peptidoglycan amino acids were meso-diaminopimelic acid, alanine and glutamic acid. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-8(H2). Strain PSPT56T contained phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid, two unidentified lipids and two unidentified amino-lipids. Mycolic acids were detected as constitutive components of the cell wall. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity showed that strain PSPT56T was most closely related to Corynebacterium testudinoris M935/96/4T and Corynebacterium felinum M714/95/5T with 98.69 % and 97.01 % similarity, respectively. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments indicated less than 29.9 % relatedness to the phylogenetically closest species. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 67.6 mol%. The phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic analyses indicated that strain PSPT56T represents a novel species within the genus Corynebacterium , for which the name Corynebacterium atrinae is proposed. The type strain is PSPT56T ( = KACC 17525T = JCM 19266T).

Corynebacterium marinum sp. nov. isolated from coastal sediment

A taxonomic study was performed on strain D7015T, which was isolated from coastal sediment close to a coal-fired power station in Qingdao, China. Cells of strain D7015T were Gram-positive, non-motile, diphtheroid rods that grew in the presence of 0–8 % (w/v) NaCl and at 4–37 °C, with optimum growth at 1 % (w/v) NaCl and 30–32 °C. The DNA G+C content was 65.0 mol%. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1 ω9c (56.18 %), C16 : 0 (38.02 %), C16 : 1 ω7c (4.45 %), C18 : 0 (1.0 %) and C14 : 0 (0.35 %). On the basis of morphological, physiological and phylogenetic characteristics, strain D7015T was classified in the genus Corynebacterium. It exhibited a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 95.9 % and a DNA–DNA relatedness value of 20.4 % with Corynebacterium halotolerans DSM 44683T. Strain D7015T was sufficiently different from recognized species of the genus Corynebacterium to be considered to represent a novel species. The name Corynebacterium marinum sp. nov. is proposed, with strain D7015T (=CGMCC 1.6998T=NRRL B-24779T) as the type strain.

Corynebacterium canis sp. nov., isolated from a wound infection caused by a dog bite

A non-lipophilic, coryneform bacterium isolated from a patient's wound caused by a dog bite was characterized by phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular genetic methods. Chemotaxonomic features suggested assignment of the unknown bacterium to the genus Corynebacterium. The isolate exhibited the following unusual features, which made it possible to phenotypically differentiate it from all other medically relevant corynebacteria: the Gram stain showed some very filamentous rods (>15 μm in length); some cells exhibited branching; colonies were domed and adherent to agar; the micro-organism was positive for pyrazinamidase, β-glucosidase, α-glucosidase and trypsin but negative for β-galactosidase. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and partial rpoB gene sequencing showed that the closest phylogenetic relative, Corynebacterium freiburgense, exhibited more than 1.9 % and 17.9 % divergence with the unknown bacterium, respectively. Based on both phenotypic and molecular genetic data, it is proposed that the isolate should be classified as a novel species, Corynebacterium canis sp. nov., with the type strain 1170(T) (=CCUG 58627(T) =DSM 45402(T)).

Treatment of otitis externa associated with Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii in a peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) with an acetic and boric acid commercial solution

A 5-year-old lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) was presented with scaly crusts around both external ear openings and exudate present around the left ear. The bird had been treated with ivermectin and enrofloxacin without success. A pure culture of Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii was isolated from both ears. After susceptibility testing, a treatment of an acetic and boric acid solution administered topically 3 times daily was prescribed. The scaly appearance disappeared after 14 days of treatment and C kroppenstedtii could not be reisolated.

Corynebacterium maris sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from the mucus of the coral Fungia granulosa

A bacterial strain, designated Coryn-1(T), was isolated from mucus of the coral Fungia granulosa (northern Red Sea, Gulf of Eilat, Israel) by growth and enrichment of micro-organisms in agar spheres and subsequent plating. The bacterium was found to be a Gram-positive, non-motile, halotolerant, heterotrophic coccobacillus. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain Coryn-1(T) belonged to the genus Corynebacterium, exhibiting the highest levels of similarity (94 %) with the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Corynebacterium halotolerans YIM 70093(T). The novel strain grew well at 0.5-4.0 % salinity, at pH 7.2-9.0 and at 30-37 degrees C. The major cellular fatty acids were oleic acid (C(18 : 1)omega9c; 58 %), palmitic acid (C(16 : 0); 30 %) and tuberculostearic acid (10-methyl-C(18 : 0); 12 %). The DNA G+C content was 66.6 mol%. On the basis of its phenotypic properties and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain Coryn-1(T) represents a novel species, for which the name Corynebacterium maris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Coryn-1(T) (=DSM 45190(T)=LMG 24561(T)).

Corynebacterium ureicelerivorans sp. nov., a lipophilic bacterium isolated from blood culture

A lipophilic coryneform bacterium isolated from a blood culture from a patient with signs of septicaemia was characterized by means of phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Chemotaxonomic investigations revealed the presence of cell-wall chemotype IV and short-chain mycolic acids, which are consistent with the genus Corynebacterium. The isolate was characterized biochemically by the very rapid (approx. 60 s) positive result that was obtained in a urease test in the API Coryne system. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the isolate belonged phylogenetically to the genus Corynebacterium. The values for sequence divergence (⩾1.4 %) with respect to known Corynebacterium species, together with phenotypic differences, show that the unidentified bacterium represents a novel member of this genus. On the basis of both the phenotypic and phylogenetic data, this isolate should be classified within a novel species of the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium ureicelerivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IMMIB RIV-2301T (=DSM 45051T=CCUG 53377T).

Corynebacterium ciconiae sp. nov., isolated from the trachea of black storks (Ciconia nigra)

Eight unidentified Gram-positive, rod-shaped organisms were recovered from the tracheas of apparently healthy black storks (Ciconia nigra) and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Based on cellular morphology and biochemical criteria the isolates were tentatively assigned to the genus Corynebacterium, although three of the organisms did not appear to correspond to any recognized species. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that all of the isolates were phylogenetically members of the genus Corynebacterium. Five strains were genotypically identified as representing Corynebacterium falsenii, whereas the remaining three strains represented a hitherto unknown subline, associated with a small subcluster of species that includes Corynebacterium mastitidis and its close relatives. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown isolates from black storks represent a novel species within the genus Corynebacterium, for which the Corynebacterium ciconiae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CECT 5779T (=BS13T=CCUG 47525T).