- Volume 75, Issue 1, 2025

A novel Pseudonocardia strain DW16-2T, isolated from duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), was taxonomically studied in detail. The analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the strain was most closely related to Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans Y8T (98.8%), followed by Pseudonocardia tropica YIM 61452T (98.7%), Pseudonocardia antarctica DVS 5a1T (98.7%) and Pseudonocardia alni DSM 44104T (98.7%). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) based on blast and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) relatedness values between strain DW16-2T and their closest type strains were below the threshold values for identifying a novel species. Morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic features of strain DW16-2T were typical for the genus Pseudonocardia by forming extensively branched substrate mycelium and aerial mycelium that fragmented into rod-shaped spore, with a smooth surface. The whole-cell hydrolysates of strain DW16-2T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid, and the whole-cell sugars were arabinose, galactose, glucose and a trace amount of ribose. The polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and unidentified phospholipids. The menaquinone (MK) was MK-8(H4). The cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 1 H, summed feature 3: C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c; C16 : 1 ω6c/C16 : 1 ω7c, C17 : 1 ω8c and anteiso-C17 : 0. Characterization based on chemotaxonomic, phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence demonstrated that strain DW16-2T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudonocardia, for which the name Pseudonocardia spirodelae sp. nov. (type strain DW16-2T = TBRC 16418T = NBRC 115857T) is proprosed. In addition, the comparison of the whole genome sequences suggested that P. alni and P. antarctica belong to the same species and P. carboxydivorans is a subspecies of P. alni. Therefore, it is proposed that P. antarctica Prabahar et al. 2004 is reclassified as a later heterotypic synonym of P. alni (Evtushenko et al. 1989) Warwick et al. 1994, and P. carboxydivorans Park et al. 2008 is proposed as a subspecies of P. alni (Evtushenko et al. 1989) Warwick et al. 1994.

Four novel nontuberculous mycobacteria were discovered from a historical strain collection at the International Reference Laboratory of Mycobacteriology at Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark. Phylogenetic analysis combining the 16S rrs, internal transcribed spacer and 23S rrl elements, as well as a single-copy core-gene (hsp65, rpoB+C, secA and tuf) analysis of these freeze-dried mycobacteria, clinically isolated from gastric lavage samples between 1948 and 1955, showed to be associated with type strains grouping within the Terra and Fortuitum-Vaccae clade. Phenotypic characteristics, biochemical properties and fatty acid and mycolic acid profiles supported the classification as novel strains. A genomic comparison to the closest related type strain was done by calculating average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA:DNA hybridization values, which showed 87.9% and 33.0% for Mu0050, 85.2% and 27.4% for Mu0053, 85.3% and 27.6% for Mu0083 and 93.3% and 50.1% for Mu0102, respectively. The names proposed for the new species are Mycobacterium wendilense sp. nov. (Mu0050T=ITM 501390T=CCUG 77525T), Mycobacterium burgundiense sp. nov. (Mu0053T=ITM 501391T=CCUG 77526T), Mycobacterium kokjensenii sp. nov. (Mu0083T=ITM 501392T=CCUG 77527T) and Mycobacterium holstebronense sp. nov. (Mu0102T=ITM 501393T=CCUG 77528T).

Ten novel Gram-negative, aerobic, non-sporulating, yellow-pigmented rod-shaped bacterial strains motile by gliding were isolated from marine organisms/environments in French Polynesia. Three of them designated as 190524A05cT, 190524A02bT and 190130A14aT were retrieved from orbicular batfish (Platax orbicularis) mucus. Online database comparisons using 16S rRNA amplicons resulted in over 95% similarity to the genus Tenacibaculum. Phylogenetic analyses based on 679 concatenated core protein sequences revealed that strains 190524A05cT, 190524A02bT and 190130A14aT showed the highest similarity to Tenacibaculum skagerrakense DSM 14836T, Tenacibaculum xiamenense LMG 27422T and Tenacibaculum holothuriorum S2-2T, respectively. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nt identity values between strains 190524A05cT, 190524A02bT and 190130A14aT and other type strains were less than 76.25 and 24.1%, respectively. The DNA G+C content was 31.48, 30.66 and 31.98 mol% for strains 190524A05cT, 190524A02bT and 190130A14aT, respectively. Menaquinone-6 was detected as the major isoprenoid quinone in these three strains. The major polar lipids (phosphatidylethanolamine and aminophospholipid) were similar to the chemotaxonomic profile of other species of the genus Tenacibaculum. Strain 190524A05cT contained summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH), iso-C15:1 G, iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH as the major cellular fatty acids. Strain 190524A02bT contained summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH), iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G and iso-C17:0 3-OH as the major cellular fatty acids. Strain 190130A14aT contained iso-C15:1 G, summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1 ω7c and/or iso-C15:0 2-OH), iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH as the major cellular fatty acids. Based on the phenotypic and molecular features, these three strains represent novel species of the genus Tenacibaculum for which the names Tenacibaculum platacis sp. nov., with 190524A05cT (= CIP 112470T = DSM 118113T) as the type strain; Tenacibaculum vairaonense sp. nov., with 190524A02bT (= CIP 112469T = DSM 118112T) as the type strain; and Tenacibaculum polynesiense sp. nov., with 190130A14aT (= CIP 112468T = DSM 118111T) as the type strain, are proposed.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming bacterium with peritrichous flagella, designated as P96T was isolated from the surface of maize roots. Strain P96T grew optimally at 28 °C, pH 7.0. The strain contained A1γ meso-Dpm-direct in the cell-wall peptidoglycan. The dominant polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The genome size of strain P96T was 4.8 Mb, and the G+C content was 50.01%. Phylogenomic analyses based on the whole-genome sequences classified the strain into the genus Paenibacillus. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity relatedness analysis resulted in values below the threshold for prokaryotic species delineation, with the highest values observed for Paenibacillus enshidis KCTC 33519T (29.4 and 85.2%, respectively). Genotypic data together with phenotypic properties supported the classification of strain P96T as representative of a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus zeirhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P96T (=LMG 32802T = NCAIM B 02678T).

Isolates of Leptospira spp. were cultured from water sources at five different sites in central Iowa in the Midwestern United States and characterized by whole-genome sequencing. Isolates were helix-shaped and motile. Genome sequence analyses determined that the isolates could be clearly distinguished from other species described in the genus Leptospira and included one species that belonged to the pathogen subclade P1, one species that belonged to the pathogen subclade P2 and three species that belonged to the saprophyte subclade S1. The names Leptospira gorisiae sp. nov. (type strain WS92.C1T=NVSL-WS92.C1T=KIT0303T), Leptospira cinconiae sp. nov. (type strain WS58.C1T=NVSL-WS58.C1T=KIT0304T), Leptospira mgodei sp. nov. (type strain WS4.C2T=NVSL.WS4.C2T=KIT0305T), Leptospira iowaensis sp. nov. (type strain WS39.C2T=NVSL-WS39.C2T=KIT0306T) and Leptospira milleri sp. nov. (type strain WS60.C2T=NVSL-WS60.C2T=KIT0307T) are proposed.

A bacterial strain, designated as A6T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a healthy muskmelon in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China. The cells of strain A6T were Gram-negative, aerobic, short rod and motile with a single polar flagellum. Strain A6T could tolerate up to 55.0 mM Al3+ and inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, which is the pathogen of muskmelon Fusarium wilt. Growth occurred at 15–37 ℃ (optimum at 30 ℃), pH 4.5–8.0 (optimum pH 6.5) and with 0–3.0 % NaCl (w/v; optimum, 0.5%). Strain A6T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Dyella lutea SaT (98.0%), followed by Dyella thiooxydans ATSB10T (98.0%), Frateuria edaphi 5GH9-34T (97.9%), Dyella nitratireducens DHG59T (97.7%), Frateuria defendens DHoT (97.7%) and Frateuria soli 5GH9-11T (97.7%). Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene and genomic sequences indicated that strain A6T belonged to the genus Dyella and formed a subclade with Dyella lutea SaT and Dyella thiooxydans ATSB10T. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), average amino acid identity (AAI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between A6T and its closely related type strains were 78.8–80.8 %, 70.0–71.7 % and 20.5–22.1 %, respectively. The sole respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), two unidentified aminophospholipids (APL1-2) and three unidentified phospholipids (PL1-3). The major cellular fatty acids (≥5 %) were iso-C17 : 0, C16 : 0, summed feature 9 (iso-C17 : 1  ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl), iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The genome size of strain A6T was 3.7 Mb with a DNA G+C content of 65.1%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain A6T represents a novel species in the genus Dyella, for which Dyella aluminiiresistens A6T sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A6T (= GDMCC 1.4640T = KCTC 92542T).

Five pink-pigmented bacterial strains, isolated from human skin and classified within the genus Roseomonas, were examined. Among them, four were identified as Roseomonas mucosa, while strain OT10T was deemed to be a potential novel species. Strain OT10T exhibited characteristics, such as Gram-stain-negative, oxidase positive, motile, strictly aerobic and rod shaped. The cells had multiple flagella at one end, arranged in a lophotrichous pattern. The predominant cellular fatty acids in OT10T were C18:1 ω7c/C18:1 ω6c and C18:1 2OH; ubiquinone (Q)-10 was identified as the sole quinone. Major polar lipids included phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and two aminolipids. The G+C content of the genome was determined to be 72.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities revealed that strain OT10T is closely related to Roseomonas gilardii subsp. gilardii ATCC 49956T (97.7%), Roseomonas gilardii subsp. rosea ATCC BAA-691T (97.7%) and R. mucosa ATCC BAA-692T (97.5%). For the comparative genomic analyses, whole-genome sequencing was also conducted for strain OT10T. Considering the chemotaxonomic, genotypic and phenotypic features, as well as the low average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values compared to its closest phylogenomic neighbours, OT10T is proposed to be a novel species named Roseomonas cutis sp. nov., with OT10T designated as the type strain (=KCTC 92087T =JCM 34968T).

A novel strain, 681, was isolated from a moss sample taken from the Chrutzelried woods in Canton Zürich, Switzerland. The strain showed potent activity against several fungi and oomycetes. It was affiliated to the Pseudomonas genus by 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny. Genome sequencing showed a G+C content of 59.9 mol%. The highest average nucleotide identity was 86.63%, and the highest digital DNA–DNA hybridization value was 32.2% (with Pseudomonas nunensis ln5), considerably below the thresholds for species delineation. Multi-locus phylogeny using 81 concatenated sequences indicated that the strain represented a new species within the Pseudomonas mandelii subgroup. This study details its characterization as a new species. The 681 genome was screened in silico using antiSMASH to reveal candidate secondary metabolite clusters for the strong antifungal activity exhibited by 681. Of the 15 clusters identified, we disrupted the seven best and tested for activity against Fusarium solani. The pyrrolnitrin, rhizoxin, novel PKS-NRPS and acaterin gene clusters contributed significantly to the observed antifungal activity. Phenotypic analyses found that strain 681 cells were aerobic, Gram-negative, motile rods (mean length 2.60 µm and mean width of 0.67 µm) with one to three polar flagella. Optimal growth was at 30 °C, but growth also occurred at 8 °C. The pH range was 6–7, with some growth at pH 8. Robust growth occurred at 0–3% (w/v) NaCl and weak growth at 4% (w/v) NaCl, with the optimum at 1% (w/v) NaCl. Strain 681 was oxidase positive, hydrolysed arginine under anaerobic conditions, showed intense fluorescence on King’s medium B and produced a hypersensitive response in tobacco leaves. Following our investigations, we propose the designation Pseudomonas fungipugnans sp. nov. for this new species. The type strain, 681, is available from the DSMZ and LMG/BCCM culture collections under the designations DSM 115721 and LMG 33039, respectively.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive, short rod-shaped marine bacterium, designated as YIC-827T, was isolated from Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. The results showed that cells of strain YIC-827T could grow optimally at 25–35 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and 2–7% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the strain YIC-827T was a member of the genus Pseudoalteromonas. The closest relative to this strain was Pseudoalteromonas ruthenica KMM 300T, with a similarity of 98.39%. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization value between the new isolate and phylogenetically related species is 19.6%. Strain YIC-827T could decompose sodium alginate, casein and esters (Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 60 and Tween 80), but could not hydrolyse starch, cellulose and DNA. The fatty acid profile of a strain consists of a large number of C16:0, C18:1 ω7c and C16:1 ω7c/C16:1 ω6c. The G+C content of the DNA of this strain was determined to be 48.93%. Based on phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA correlation data, the strain YIC-827 T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudoalteromonas with the name Pseudoalteromonas qingdaonensis sp. nov. The type strain of P. qingdaonensis sp. is strain YIC-827T (=MCCC 1K08807T=CGMCC 1.62085T=KCTC 8212T).

Two Gram-stain-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic or facultative anaerobic and short rod-shaped bacterial strains, 25B02-3T and BH-R2-4, were isolated from surface seawater collected from the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the two strains were identical. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that they were related to the genus Tistrella and shared 99.6 and 98.2% sequence similarity with T. bauzanensis BZ78T and T. mobilis IAM 14872T, respectively. Both 16S rRNA gene and genome sequence-based phylogenetic analyses showed that the two strains formed a monophyletic clade within the genus Tistrella, indicating that they may represent a novel species. The digital DNA‒DNA hybridization (dDDH) values and average nucleotide identities (ANI) between the two strains were 93 and 99%, respectively, indicating that they are different strains. The dDDH and ANI values between the two strains and the type strains of the genus Tistrella were 22.4–58.3% and 81.0–95.0%, respectively. These data clearly demonstrated that the two strains represent a separate genomic species of the genus Tistrella. The principal fatty acids were Sum In Feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c or C18 : 1 ω6c), C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, Sum In Feature 2 (C12 : 0 aldehyde or unknown 10.928) and C16 : 0. The predominant respiratory quinone was Q-10, with a minor Q-9. The polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, aminolipids and phospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains 25B02-3T and BH-R2-4 were 67.3 mol% and 67.4 mol%, respectively. On the basis of the polyphasic evidence presented in this study, the two strains represent a novel species within the genus Tistrella, for which the name Tistrella arctica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 25B02-3T (=MCCC 1A07333T=KCTC 8340T).

Five aerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacterial strains, designated as C3-2-a3T, B3-2-R+30, C3-2-a4, C3-2-M3 and C3-2-M8, were isolated from the coastal soil of LungmuCo Lake in the Tibet Autonomous Region, PR China. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes and genomes indicated that these isolates belonged to the genus Luteimonas and showed a high similarity to Luteimonas suaedae LNNU 24178T (99.01%), Luteimonas endophytica RD2P54T (98.80%) and Luteimonas salinisoli SJ-92T (97.67%). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain C3-2-a3T and related reference strains Luteimonas suaedae LNNU 24178T, Luteimonas endophytica RD2P54T and Luteimonas salinisoli SJ-92T were 91.89, 83.11 and 83.86% and 46.90, 26.90 and 28.20%, respectively. All values were below the thresholds for delineating species, supporting their classification as novel species of the genus Luteimonas. The genomic DNA G+C content of strains C3-2-a3T was 68.39%. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified phospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8), aligning with the characteristics of members of the genus Luteimonas. The major fatty acids (>10.0%) of strain C3-2-a3T were identified as iso-C11 :  0, iso-C15 :  0, iso-C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1  ω9c. Based on the results of phenotypic, physiological, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characterizations, we propose that the isolates represent a novel species of genus Luteimonas, for which the name Luteimonas salinilitoris sp. nov is proposed. The type strain is C3-2-a3T (=CGMCC 1.14507T=KCTC 8642T).

A polyphasic taxonomic study was carried out on strain T5W1T, isolated from the roots of the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrhiza. This isolate is Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, aerobic and non-pigmented. Nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence homology related the strain to Pseudomonas, with 98.4% similarity to P. guineae, P. peli and P. leptonychotis. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) with the closest phylogenetic neighbour of T5W1T showed differences at the species level, further confirmed by differences in several physiological characteristics. The main fatty acids are summed feature 3 (C16 : 1   ω7c and/or C16 : 1   ω6c), C18 : 1   ω7c, and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content is 59.3 mol%. Q-9 is the primary ubiquinone found, and phosphatidylethanolamine is the dominant polar lipid, with lesser amounts of phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylserine. Based on the results obtained, this bacterium is assigned to the genus Pseudomonas as a new species with the name Pseudomonas spirodelae sp. nov., type strain T5W1T (=NRRL B-65714T =DSM 118085T).

Three aerobic, pink-pigmented, Gram-negative, motile and rod-shaped bacterial strains, designated SD21T, SI9T and SB2T, were isolated from the phyllosphere of healthy litchis collected from three main producing sites of Guangdong Province, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that strains SD21T and SI9T belonged to the genus Methylobacterium (Mtb.) with the highest similarity to Mtb. komagatae DSM 19563T (98.7%) and Mtb. phyllosphaerae CBMB27T (99.8%), respectively, while strain SB2T belonged to the genus Methylorubrum (Mtr.) and showed the highest similarity to Mtr. suomiense DSM 14458T (98.6%). Phylogenomic analysis based on 92 core genes clearly showed that the most closely related type strains of SD21T, SI9T and SB2T were Mtb. komagatae DSM 19563T, Mtb. phyllostachyos ICMP 17619T and Mtr. salsuginis CGMCC 1.6474T, respectively. The ANI and dDDH values between the three isolates and their most closely related type strains were 85.6‒90.1% and 29.5‒40.4%, respectively, much below the threshold values for species delimitation. The isolates showed clear differences from their closely related type strains in terms of growth conditions, enzyme activities, substrates assimilation and contents of the major fatty acids. They all took summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) as the major fatty acid, ubiquinone 10 as the predominant respiratory quinone and phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine as the major polar lipids. The phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analyses with genome comparison strongly support that the isolates represent three distinct novel species within the genera of Methylobacterium and Methylorubrum, for which the names Methylobacterium litchii sp. nov., Methylobacterium guangdongense sp. nov. and Methylorubrum subtropicum sp. nov. are proposed, with SD21T (=GDMCC 1.4327T=KCTC 8300T), SI9T (=GDMCC 1.4329T=KCTC 8298T) and SB2T (=GDMCC 1.4328T=KCTC 8299T) as the type strains, respectively.

A novel yeast species, isolated from the bark of pine trees in Gyeongju, South Korea, and designated as KCTC 37304T (ex-type KACC 410729), is characterized by its genetic, morphological and physiological properties. Molecular phylogenetic analysis involving the D1/D2 domain of the 26S LSU rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region confirms that it belongs to the genus Chionosphaera. In comparison to Chionosphaera cuniculicola CBS:10065, the type strain of its closest relative, KCTC 37304T exhibits 8 nucleotide substitutions (~2.07%) in the D1/D2 domain and 54 substitutions (~8.47%) in the ITS region. Morphologically, cells of KCTC 37304T are globose to ovoid, which distinguishes them from the cylindrical cells of C. cuniculicola. Physiologically, KCTC 37304T does not assimilate methanol or ethanol but can utilize succinate and xylitol, further differentiating it from C. cuniculicola. Based on these distinctive genetic, morphological and physiological features, we propose the new species Chionosphaera pinicorticola sp. nov., with KCTC 37304T (ex-type strain KACC 410729) designated as the holotype.

Six strains (DMKU-SG26, DMKU-SG42, DMKU-SYM22, DMKU-RG41, DMKU-RX317 and DMKU-RGM25) representing a novel basidiomycetous yeast species were isolated from leaf surfaces of mangrove plants collected in Thailand. Pairwise sequence analysis indicated that the six strains either had identical nucleotide substitution in the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene sequences or differed by one to three nucleotide(s). They also had identical or differed by one to five nucleotide substitution(s) in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. blastn searches of the GenBank database revealed that the six strains were closely related to the holotype of type strains of Vishniacozyma peneaus, V. terrae, V. phoenicis, V. taiwanica and V. europaea, but with 6–15 (1.14–2.48%) and 16–26 (5.4–8.8%) nucleotide substitutions in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and the ITS regions, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of the ITS regions and D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene showed that these strains are placed in the Vishniacozyma clade but were at a distinctly different position from the other recognized species of the genus. Based on the phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characteristics, these six strains are a novel species of the genus Vishniacozyma, for which the name Vishniacozyma siamensis sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate them. The holotype is TBRC 18499T and the ex-type culture is PYCC 10042 (=DMKU-SG26). The MycoBank number of the novel species is MB 855838.

Yeast strains representing a novel asexual ascomycetous species were isolated from seven Malva sylvestris flowers. Sequencing of the chromosomal regions coding for the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit ribosomal RNA, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 segments and parts of the gene coding for the small subunit ribosomal RNA showed that the isolates were conspecific. Comparative analysis of these sequences and the corresponding sequences of the type strains of ascomycetous yeasts revealed that the strains represent a hitherto undescribed species belonging to the sensu stricto subclade of the genus Starmerella. The new species is osmotolerant and can develop invasive pseudohyphae, but does not form spores. For the new species, the name Starmerella aleppica f.a. (forma asexualis) is proposed. The holotype, preserved in a metabolically inactive state, is CBS 12960T (extype cultures: 2-1361 and CCY 90-2-1, NCAIM Y.02123). The GenBank accession numbers of barcode sequences are JX515983 (D1/D2 domain), JX515985 (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 and partial 18S rRNA gene), PQ613837 (TEF1 partial sequence) and PQ613838 (RPB2 partial sequence). MycoBank: MB855459. The analysis of the D1/D2 and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of the type strains of species of the genus identified multiple multinucleotide indels that can be used as taxonomic markers (InDel markers). The indel patterns of the subclades are very different and homogeneous within the subclades. This result reinforces the idea raised, but also refuted, in previous studies that the Starmerella subclades may represent different genera.

Two novel yeast strains, NYNU 236247 and NYNU 23523, were isolated from the leaves of Carpinus turczaninowii Hance, collected in the Tianchi Mountain National Forest Park, Henan Province, central China. Phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed the closest relatives of the strains are three described Pseudobensingtonia species: Ps. fusiformis, Ps. musae and Ps. ingoldii. The novel species differed from the type strains of these three species by 12 to 22 nucleotide substitutions and 1 gap (~2.0–4.0%) in the D1/D2 domain and by 78 to 100 nucleotide mismatches (~12.0–16%) in the ITS region. Physiologically, the novel species differs from Ps. fusiformis and Ps. musae in its ability to assimilate dl-lactate and melezitose and from Ps. ingoldii by its inability to assimilate melibiose, soluble starch and ethanol. Pseudobensingtonia carpini sp. nov. is proposed for those two strains, with the holotype designated as GDMCC 2.483T (MycoBank MB 857072).

Small, obligately anaerobic strains 13CB8CT, 13CB11CT, 13CB18CT and 13GAM1GT were isolated from a faecal sample in a patient with Parkinson’s disease with a history of duodenal resection. After conducting a comprehensive polyphasic taxonomic analysis including genomic analysis, we propose the establishment of one new genus and four new species. The novel bacteria are Desulfovibrio falkowii sp. nov. (type strain JCM 36128T = DSM 116810T), Porphyromonas miyakawae sp. nov. (type strain JCM 36129T = DSM 116947T), Mediterraneibacter flintii sp. nov. (type strain JCM 36130T = DSM 116866T) and Owariibacterium komagatae gen. nov. sp. nov. (type strain JCM 36131T = DSM 116982T), respectively.