Plastics dumped in the environment are fragmented into microplastics by various factors (UV, weathering, mechanical abrasion, animal chewing, etc.). However, little is known about plastic fragmentation and degradation mediated by deep-sea microflora. To obtain deep-sea bacteria that can degrade plastics, we enriched in situ for 1 year in the Western Pacific using PS as a carbon source. Subsequently, two deep-sea prevalent bacteria of the genus Pseudoalteromonas (Pseudoalteromonas lipolytica and Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis) were isolated after 6 months enrichment in the laboratory under low temperature (15 degrees C). Both showed the ability to degrade polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP), and biodegradation accelerated the generation of micro- and nanoplastics. Plastic biodegradation was evidenced by the formation of carboxyl and carboxylic acid groups, heat resistance decrease and plastic weight loss. After 80 days incubation at 15 degrees C, the microplastic concentration of PS and PP could be up to 1.94 x 10(7)/L and 5.83 x 10(7)/L, respectively, and the proportion of nanoplastics (< 1 mu m) could be up to 65.8 % and 73.6 %. The film weight loss were 5.4 % and 4.5 % of the PS films, and 2.3 % and 1.8 % of the PP films by P. lipolytica and P. tetraodonis, respectively; thus after discounting the weight loss of microplastics, the only 3.9 % and 2.8 % of the PS films, and 1.3 % and 0.7 % of the PP films, respectively, were truly degraded by the two bacteria respectively after 80 days of incubation. This study highlights the role of Pseudoalteromonas in fragmentation and degradation of plastics in cold dark pelagic deep sea.

Plastic waste released into the environments breaks down into microplastics due to weathering, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mechanical abrasion, and animal grazing. However, little is known about the plastic fragmentation mediated by microbial degradation. Marine plastic-degrading bacteria may have a double-edged effect in removing plastics. In this study, two ubiquitous marine bacteria, Alcanivorax xenomutans and Halomonas titanicae, were confirmed to degrade polystyrene (PS) and lead to microplastic and nanoplastic generation. Biodegradation occurred during bacterial growth with PS as the sole energy source, and the formation of carboxyl and carboxylic acid groups, decreased heat resistance, generation of PS metabolic intermediates in cultures, and plastic weight loss were observed. The generation of microplastics was dynamic alongside PS biodegradation. The size of the released microplastics gradually changed from microsized plastics on the first day (1344 nm and 1480 nm, respectively) to nanoplastics on the 30th day (614 nm and 496 nm, respectively) by the two tested strains. The peak release from PS films reached 6.29 × 106 particles/L and 7.64 × 106 particles/L from degradation by A. xenomutans (Day 10) and H. titanicae (Day 5), respectively. Quantification revealed that 1.3% and 1.9% of PS was retained in the form of micro- and nanoplastics, while 4.5% and 1.9% were mineralized by A. xenomutans and H. titanicae at the end of incubation, respectively. This highlights the negative effects of microbial degradation, which results in the continuous release of numerous microplastics, especially nanoplastics, as a notable secondary pollution into marine ecosystems. Their fates in the vast aquatic system and their impact on marine lives are noted for further study.

A pink-pigmented bacterium, designated as strain SYSU D00476T, was isolated from sandy soil collected from the Kumtag Desert in China. Colonies were opaque, smooth and of a slight convexity with a clearly defined border. Cells were rod-shaped, Gram-stain-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Growth occurred at 4–45 ℃ (optimum at 28–30 ℃), pH 6.0–8.0 (optimum at 7.0), and with 0–3.0

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, gliding, rod-shaped and carotenoid-pigmented bacterium, designated A20-9T, was isolated from a microbial consortium of polyethylene terephthalate enriched from a deep-sea sediment sample from the Western Pacific. Growth was observed at salinities of 1-8 %, at pH 6.5-8 and at temperatures of 10-40 °C. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the genome indicated that A20-9T formed a monophyletic branch affiliated to the family Schleiferiaceae, and the 16S rRNA gene sequences exhibited the maximum sequence similarity of 93.8 % with Owenweeksia hongkongensis DSM 17368T, followed by similarities of 90.4, 90.1 and 88.8 % with Phaeocystidibacter luteus MCCC 1F01079T, Vicingus serpentipes DSM 103558T and Salibacter halophilus MCCC 1K02288T, respectively. Its complete genome size was 4 035 598 bp, the genomic DNA G+C content was 43.2 mol%. Whole genome comparisons indicated that A20-9T and O. hongkongensis DSM 17368T shared 67.8 % average nucleotide identity, 62.7 % average amino acid identity value, 46.6% of conserved proteins and 17.8 % digital DNA-DNA hybridization identity. A20-9T contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone. Its major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phospatidylcholine; and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (37.5 %), iso-C16 : 0 3-OH (12.4 %), and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c /C16 : 1ω6c, 11.6 %). Combining the genotypic and phenotypic data, A20-9T could be distinguished from the members of other genera within the family Schleiferiaceae and represents a novel genus, for which the name Croceimicrobium hydrocarbonivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A20-9T (=MCCC 1A17358T =KCTC 72878T).

Tumor necrosis factor superfamily member 10 (TNFSF10), also known as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosisinducing ligand (TRAIL) or Apo-2L, is one of the important members of the TNF superfamily. It is well demonstrated that TNFSF10 preferentially induces a variety of tumor cell apoptosis, and therefore exerts an important role in tumor immune surveillance. However, the function of TNFSF10 in pathogen defense is poorly understood, especially in invertebrates. The blood clam (Tegillarca granosa), an important commercial marine bivalve, plays an important ecological role in the marine ecosystem. The identification of immune genes will provide new perspective for disease control in the blood clam (T. granosa) farming. To better understand the biological function of TNFSF10 protein, the full-length cDNA of TNFSF10 homologous gene of T. granosa (TgTNFSF10) was cloned and identified for the first time, which was found to contain 1239 base pairs and encode 254 amino acids with a molecular weight of 29.5 kDa and a conserved TNF domain in the C-terminal. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that TgTNFSF10 gene was constitutively expressed in all tested tissues, with the highest expression in hemocytes. LPS, Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus stimulations dramatically increased the expression of TgTNFSF10 in T. granosa (11.47-fold, 3.71-fold and 8.29-fold compared with the control respectively). In vitro experiments showed that recombinant TgTNFSF10 protein strongly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells. Further confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis showed that obvious apoptosis occurred in TgTNFSF10-treated hemocytes and HepG2 cells. To sum up, our study demonstrated that TgTNFSF10 had strong apoptosis-inducing activity, which may participate in the innate immune response of T. granosa to pathogen invasion.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated as D167-6-1T, was isolated from deep-sea sediment collected from the Pacific Ocean. The cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive, and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Growth occurred at NaCl concentrations ranging from 0 to 19 % (optimum, 2-8 %, w/v), from pH 6 to 11 (optimum, 7-8) and at temperatures between 4 and 45 °C (optimum, 33 °C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA, gyrB and rpoD gene sequences and its genome sequence revealed that strain D167-6-1T formed a monophyletic branch within the genus Halomonas and was most closely related to Halomonas saliphila, Halomonas pellis, Halomonas kenyensis, Halomonas daqingensis, Halomonas desiderata and Halomonas lactosivorans (with 98.5, 98.5, 98.4, 98.1, 97.5 and 97.8 % 16S rRNA sequence similarity, respectively). The complete genome size of strain D167-6-1T was 4.49 Mb, with a DNA G+C content of 62.8 mol%. The estimated averagenucleotide identity and DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain D167-6-1T and other closely related species were 77.59-85.35 % and 22.0-30.6 %, respectively. The principal cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were C18 : 1  ω7c, C16 : 0, C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1  ω7c/C16 : 1  ω6c) and C17 : 0 cyclo. The polar lipids were identified as diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, an unidentified aminolipid, aminophospholipid and two unidentified phospholipids. The predominant respiratory quinones were Q-9 and Q-8. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain D167-6-1T represents a novel species of the genus Halomonas, for which the name Halomonas diversa sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain D167-6-1T (=MCCC 1A13316T=KCTC 72441T).

A novel marine bacterium, designated strain 216LB-ZA1-12T, was isolated from a Penaeus vannamei aquaculture seawater sample. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain 216LB-ZA1-12T belonged to the genus Sneathiella, with the highest sequence similarity to Sneathiella glossodoripedis MKT133T (97.7 %), followed by Sneathiella limimaris GH1-24T (97.0 %), Sneathiella chungangensis CAU 1294T (96.6 %) and Sneathiella chinensis LMG 23452T (96.1 %). The average nucleotide identity and the DNA-DNA hybridization estimate values between strain 216LB-ZA1-12T and four close type strains were between 69.2-71.3% and 16.7-17.8 %, respectively. The bacterium was Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase and catalase positive, oval- to rod-shaped, and motile. Growth was observed at pH 7-9, salinities of 1-15% and temperatures of 4-42 °C. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 48.50 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was determined to be Q-10. The principal fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1  ω7c/ω6c) and C16 : 0. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and aminophospholipid. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data show that strain 216LB-ZA1-12T represents a novel species within the genus Sneathiella, for which the name Sneathiella aquimaris sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 216LB-ZA1-12T (=MCCC 1A14570T=KCTC 72144T).

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain E2A T , was isolated from a coral sample and examined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain E2A T formed a distinct phyletic lineage in the genus Saccharopolyspora and was closely related to S. cavernae CCTCC AA 2012022 T (96.4 %) and S. lacisalsi CCTCC AA 2010012 T (95.3 %). The isolate grew at 15–35 °C, pH 5–12 and in the presence of 1–16 % (w/v) NaCl. The cell-wall diamino acid was meso -DAP. Major fatty acids identified were iso -C 15 : 0 , iso -C 16 : 0 and C 17 : 1 ω8c. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H 4 ). The polar lipids detected were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, one unidentified glycolipid, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified aminolipid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 68.6 mol%. Based on the data from the polyphasic taxonomic study reported here, strain E2A T represents a novel species within the genus Saccharopolyspora , for which the name Saccharopolyspora coralli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is E2A T =(JCM 31844 T =MCCC 1A17150 T ).

The deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimp Rimicaris exoculata largely depends on a dense epibiotic chemoautotrophic bacterial community within its enlarged cephalothoracic chamber. However, our understanding of shrimp-bacterium interactions is limited. In this report, we focused on the deltaproteobacterial epibiont of R. exoculata from the relatively unexplored South Mid-Atlantic Ridge. A nearly complete genome of a Deltaproteobacteria epibiont was binned from the assembled metagenome. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis reveals that it is affiliated with the genus Desulfobulbus, representing a potential novel species for which the name "Candidatus Desulfobulbus rimicarensis" is proposed. Genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal that this bacterium utilizes the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway for carbon assimilation and harvests energy via sulfur disproportionation, which is significantly different from other shrimp epibionts. Additionally, this epibiont has putative nitrogen fixation activity, but it is extremely active in directly taking up ammonia and urea from the host or vent environments. Moreover, the epibiont could be distinguished from its free-living relatives by various features, such as the lack of chemotaxis and motility traits, a dramatic reduction in biosynthesis genes for capsular and extracellular polysaccharides, enrichment of genes required for carbon fixation and sulfur metabolism, and resistance to environmental toxins. Our study highlights the unique role and symbiotic adaptation of Deltaproteobacteria in deep-sea hydrothermal vent shrimps.IMPORTANCE The shrimp Rimicaris exoculata represents the dominant faunal biomass at many deep-sea hydrothermal vent ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This organism harbors dense bacterial epibiont communities in its enlarged cephalothoracic chamber that play an important nutritional role. Deltaproteobacteria are ubiquitous in epibiotic communities of R. exoculata, and their functional roles as epibionts are based solely on the presence of functional genes. Here, we describe "Candidatus Desulfobulbus rimicarensis," an uncultivated deltaproteobacterial epibiont. Compared to campylobacterial and gammaproteobacterial epibionts of R. exoculata, this bacterium possessed unique metabolic pathways, such as the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, as well as sulfur disproportionation and nitrogen fixation pathways. Furthermore, this epibiont can be distinguished from closely related free-living Desulfobulbus strains by its reduced genetic content and potential loss of functions, suggesting unique adaptations to the shrimp host. This study is a genomic and transcriptomic analysis of a deltaproteobacterial epibiont and largely expands the understanding of its metabolism and adaptation to the R. exoculata host.

The dinoflagellate order Peridiniales encompasses several well circumscribed families. However, the family level of some genera, such as Bysmatrum and Vulcanodinium, has remained elusive for many years. Four Peridinium-like strains were established from the Atlantic coast of France and North Sulawesi, Indonesia through cyst germination or isolation of single cells. The cyst-theca relationship was established on specimens from the French Atlantic. Their morphologies were examined using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The cells were characterized by a much larger epitheca relative to the hypotheca, a large anterior sulcal (Sa) plate deeply intruding the epitheca and a small first anterior intercalary plate. The plate formula was identified as Po, cp, X, 4 ', 3a, 7 '', 6C, 5S, 5 ''', 2 '''', shared by Apocalathium, Chimonodinium, Fusiperidinium and Scrippsiella of the family Thoracosphaeraceae but the configuration of Sa plate and anterior intercalary plates is different. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the eyespot was located within a chloroplast comprising two rows of lipid globules and thus belongs to type A. All four strains were classified within a new genus Caladoa as C. arcachonensis gen. et sp. nov. Small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA), partial large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer ribosomal DNA (ITS rDNA) sequences were obtained from all strains. Genetic distance based on ITS rDNA sequences between French and Indonesian strains reached 0.17, suggesting cryptic speciation in C. arcachonensis. The maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analysis based on concatenated data from SSU and LSU rDNA sequences revealed that Caladoa is monophyletic and closest to Bysmatrum. Our results supported that Caladoa and Bysmatrum are members of the order Peridiniales but their family level remains to be determined. Our results also support that Vulcanodinium is closest to the family Peridiniaceae.

SUMMARYThe dinophyceaen genus Gymnodinium was established with the freshwater species G. fuscum as type. According to Thessen et al. (2012), there are 268 species, with the majority marine species. In recently published molecular phylogenies based on ribosomal DNA sequences, Gymnodinium is polyphyletic. Here, a new freshwater Gymnodinium species, G. plasticum, is described from Plastic Lake, Ontario, Canada. Two strains were established by incubating single cysts, and their morphology was examined with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The cyst had a rounded epicyst and hypocyst with a wide cingulum and smooth surface. Vegetative cells were characterized by an elongated nucleus running vertically and a deep sulcal intrusion. The apical structure complex was horseshoe‐shaped and consisted of two pronounced ridges with a deep internal groove, encircling 80% of the apex. Small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA), large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences were obtained from cultured strains. Molecular phylogeny based on concatenated SSU, LSU and ITS sequences supports the monophyly of the Gymnodiniales sensu stricto clade but our results suggest that many Gymnodinium species might need reclassification. Gymnodinium plasticum is closest to Dissodinium pseudolunula in our phylogeny but distant from the type species G. fuscum, as are the other gymnodiniacean taxa.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Lxc1(T), was isolated from the surface of a marine red alga, Gracilaria sp., which was collected from the coastal regions in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, China. Colonies of the strain were orange-yellow, circular and smooth. The 16S rRNA gene of strain Lxc1(T) had maximum sequence similarity with Lacinutrix himadriensis E4-9a(T) (97.1 %), followed by Lacinutrix jangbogonensis PAMC 27137(T), Lacinutrix copepodicola DJ3(T), Lacinutrix algicola AKS293(T) and Lacinutrix mariniflava AKS 432(T) (similarities <96.4 %). Phylogenetic analysis showed strain Lxc1(T) formed a tight cluster with L. himadriensis E4-9a(T) and L. copepodicola DJ3(T), but represented a novel lineage belonging to the genus Lacinutrix. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C-15 : 1 G (18.3 %), iso-C-15 : 0 (16.7 %), iso-C-17 : 0 3-OH (10.6 %) and iso-C-15 : 0 3-OH (8.6 %). Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was the only respiratory quinone present. The DNA G + C content of strain Lxc1(T) was 31.7 mol%. Combining the results above, it was ascertained that strain Lxc1(T) represented a novel species of the genus Lacinutrix, for which the name Lacinutrix gracilariae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Lxc1(T) (=MCCC 1A01567(T)=KCTC 42808(T)).

Vibrio harveyi and related vibrios are potential pathogens causing luminous vibriosis in marine aquaculture systems. In this study, two lytic phages P4A and P4F isolated using Vibrio strains B4A and B4F as indicator bacteria, respectively, were isolated from seawater of an abalone farm. Vibrio strain B4F belongs to the Harveyi clade of the genus Vibrio and was found to cause mortality of abalones in laboratory microcosms. Both phages were able to lyse Vibrio strain B4F. Electron microscopy revealed that phage P4A had an icosahedral head while P4F possessed an elongated hexagonal head. Both phages belong to the family Siphoviridae with long non-contractile tails. Restriction endonuclease analysis indicated that both phages were double-stranded DNA viruses and the genome sizes of P4A and P4F were estimated to be about 49 and 44 kb respectively. One-step growth curves revealed that these two phages exhibited distinct latent periods, exponential periods and burst sizes by infecting the same Vibrio strain B4F. Both phages were able to significantly reduce Vibrio population density in biofilm formed by Vibrio strain B4F on the surface of polyethylene film. It is suggested that these two phages may be promising candidates as biocontrol agents of infections caused by Vibrio strains belonging to the Haveyi clade in marine aquaculture systems.

This study investigated the effects of agaro-oligosaccharide treatment on the postharvest quality and biochemical changes of cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Var. cerasiforme). Harvested cherry tomatoes were coated with different concentrations of agaro-oligosaccharides and stored at 12 +/- 1C and 80-85% humidity. Sound fruit rate and weight loss, respiration intensity, firmness, titratable acid, total sugar and vitamin C content during cold storage were determined. The sound fruit ratio of cherry tomatoes treated with 160 and 120 mg/kg agaro-oligosaccharides reached 91 and 90%, respectively, after 14 days of storage at 12 +/- 1C, whereas that of the control was only 63%. Agaro-oligosaccharide treatment reduced the consumption of fruit weight, titratable acid and vitamin C contents of cherry tomatoes. In addition, the respiratory peak was delayed and reduced, and fruit firmness was preserved after storage. Scanning electron microscope studies revealed that agaro-oligosaccharides form thin protective films on cherry tomato surfaces. Taken together, our results show that agaro-oligosaccharide coating can efficiently increase the edible quality and extend the shelf life of cherry tomatoes.

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain R8-12(T), which was isolated from deep-sea water of the Indian Ocean during the screening of oil-degrading bacteria. The isolate was Gram-stain-negative, oxidase and catalase-positive. Growth was observed at salinities from 0.5 to 15 % (optimum 3 %), at pH from 6-10 (optimum 7-8) and at temperatures from 10 to 42 °C (optimum 28 °C). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain R8-12(T) was shown to belong to the genus Alcanivorax and to be related to Alcanivorax venustensis DSM 13974(T) (97.2 %), A. dieselolei B-5(T) (95.0 %), A. balearicus MACL04(T) (94.6 %), A. hongdengensis A-11-3(T) (94.3 %), A. jadensis T9(T) (93.8 %), A. borkumensis SK2(T) (93.7 %) and A. pacificus W11-5(T) (93.7 %). The gyrB sequence similarities between R8-12(T) and other species of the genus Alcanivorax ranged from 77.9 % to 86.9 %. The major fatty acids were C16 : 0 (31.8 %), C18 : 1ω7c (20.3 %), C19 : 0ω8c cyclo (15.8 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) (8.9 %). The polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), two aminolipids (AL1-AL2) and two phospholipids (PL1-PL2). Three alkane hydroxylase (alkB) genes were identified in the genome. The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 66.1 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization showed that strain R8-12(T) and A. venustensis DSM 13974(T) had a DNA-DNA relatedness of 63±3 %. According to its phenotypic features and fatty acid composition as well as the 16S rRNA and gyrB gene sequences, the novel strain represents a member of the genus Alcanivorax, but could be easily distinguished from all other known species of the genus Alcanivorax described to date. The name Alcanivorax marinus sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain R8-12(T) ( = MCCC 1A00382(T) = LMG 24621(T) = CCTCC AB 208234(T)).

An aerobic, rod-shaped, Gram-positive, oxidase- and catalase-positive bacterial isolate, strain YLB-01(T), was characterized using phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Microbacterium and represented an evolutionary lineage that was distinct from recognized species of the genus Microbacterium. The isolate showed <97 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with respect to the type strains of all of the members of the genus Microbacterium with validly published names. Cell-wall hydrolysate from the isolate contained the amino acids ornithine, alanine, glycine homoserine and glutamic acid, and the cell-wall sugars consisted of ribose, glucose and galactose. The main respiratory quinones were MK-8, 9, 10 and 11. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C(15:0) (38.5 %), anteiso-C(17:0) (23.1 %) and C(16:0) (18.9 %). The polar lipids contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified glycolipids. The DNA G+C content of strain YLB-01(T) was 71 mol %. On the basis of the morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomic data and the results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, this isolate represents a novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium sediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YLB-01(T) (= DSM 23767(T) = CCTCC AB2010363(T) = MCCC 1A06153(T)).

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain B142(T), which was isolated from a crude-oil-degrading microbial consortium via enrichment with deep water from the Indian Ocean. Cells of the isolate were Gram-negative, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive, helical in shape, motile by means of polar flagella (three per cell) and moderately halophilic. Growth was observed at salinities of 0.5-12 % and at temperatures of 10-41 degrees C. The micro-organism was capable of denitrification, but was unable to degrade Tween 80 or gelatin. The predominant fatty acids were C(16 : 1)omega7c and/or iso-C(15 :0 )2-OH (6.4 %), C(16 : 0) (15.7 %), C(18 : 1)omega7c (45 %), C(18 : 0) (6.8 %) and C(19 : 0)omega8c cyclo (6.7 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 67.3 mol%. Comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain B142(T) was most closely related to the type strains of two Insolitispirillum peregrinum subspecies (93.0-93.1 % sequence similarity), two Novispirillum itersonii subspecies (92.8-92.9 %) and Caenispirillum bisanense (91.7 %); sequence similarities with respect to other taxa were below 90.5 %. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain B142(T) formed a distinct evolutionary lineage within the family Rhodospirillaceae. Strain B142(T) was distinguishable from phylogenetically related genera with regard to several phenotypic properties. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic data, therefore, strain B142(T) represents a novel genus and species, for which the name Marispirillum indicum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B142(T) (=CCTCC AB 208225(T)=LMG 24627(T)=MCCC 1A01235(T)).

A taxonomic study was carried out on a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, halophilic bacterium, designated strain W11-2B(T), which was isolated from a pyrene-degrading consortium that was enriched from sediment from the Pacific Ocean. Growth was observed at salinities of 0.5-10 % and at temperatures of 10-41 degrees C. Strain W11-2B(T) was unable to degrade Tween 80 or gelatin. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that strain W11-2B(T) was related most closely to Oceanicola nanhaiensis SS011B1-20(T) (95.8 % similarity) and Oceanicola batsensis HTCC2597(T) (95.7 %); levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain W11-2B(T) and the type strains of other species tested were below 95.2 %. The dominant fatty acids of strain W11-2B(T) were C(18 : 1)omega7c (32.1 % of the total), C(19 : 0) cyclo (20.9 %), C(18 : 1)omega7c 11-methyl (19.5 %), C(18 : 0) (7.3 %), C(17 : 0) (6.6 %) and C(16 : 0) (3.8 %). The G+C content of the chromosomal DNA was 64.6 mol%. The above data were in good agreement with those of members of the genus Oceanicola. Based on morphology, physiology, fatty acid composition and 16S rRNA gene sequence data, strain W11-2B(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Oceanicola, for which the name Oceanicola pacificus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is W11-2B(T) (=CCTCC AB 208224(T)=LMG 24619(T)=MCCC 1A01034(T)).