Winogradskyella exilis sp. nov., isolated from the starfish Stellaster equestris, and emended description of the genus Winogradskyella.

A pale-yellowish-pigmented strain, 022-2-26(T), was isolated from a starfish, Stellaster equestris. Cells of strain 022-2-26(T) were Gram-negative short rods that were chemo-organotrophic, alkalitolerant and mesophilic. The predominant menaquinone was MK-6.

Loktanella agnita sp. nov. and Loktanella rosea sp. nov., from the north-west Pacific Ocean.

One whitish and four pinkish strains of Gram-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacteria were isolated from sea-water and sediment samples collected in Chazhma Bay (Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that these strains belonged to the 'Alphaproteobacteria', having highest sequence similarity of about 94-97% with species of the genus Loktanella. None of the strains degraded gelatin, casein, chitin, agar, DNA or starch and they had limited ability to utilize carbon sources.

Alteromonas addita sp. nov.

On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic characteristics and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, a novel species belonging to the genus Alteromonas is described. A non-pigmented, motile, Gram-negative bacterium designated R10SW13(T) was isolated from sea water samples collected in Chazhma Bay (Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean). The novel organism mainly grew between 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C, was neutrophilic and slightly halophilic, tolerating up to 10 % NaCl.

Erythrobacter vulgaris sp. nov., a novel organism isolated from the marine invertebrates.

Four yellow-pigmented, gram-negative, chemoorganotrophic aerobic bacteria were isolated from starfish Stellaster equestris (strains 022-2-10T, 022-2-9, and 022-2-12) and soft coral (unidentified species) (strain 022-4-7) collected in the South China Sea. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based analyses of the new organisms revealed that Erythrobacter spp. were the closest relatives and shared the highest similarity of 98.

Characterization of Pseudoalteromonas distincta-like sea-water isolates and description of Pseudoalteromonas aliena sp. nov.

Seven melanogenic Pseudoalteromonas distincta-like strains, KMM 3562T, KMM 3536, KMM 3537, KMM 3538, KMM 3539, KMM 3615 and KMM 3629, which expressed tyrosinases were isolated from sea-water samples collected from different locations in Amursky Bay (Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean) and characterized to clarify their taxonomic position. By 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the bacteria were shown to belong to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. The G + C content of the DNAs of the strains was 41-43 mol%.

Shewanella pacifica sp. nov., a polyunsaturated fatty acid-producing bacterium isolated from sea water.

Six marine bacterial strains, KMM 3597T, KMM 3775, KMM 3590, KMM 3772, KMM 3605 and KMM 3601, that produce polyunsaturated fatty acids were isolated from sea water samples collected from different locations and depths in Chazhma Bay (Sea of Japan, Pacific Ocean) and characterized to clarify their taxonomic position. The DNA G+C contents of these strains were 39.5-40.

Low-molecular-weight, biologically active compounds from marine Pseudoalteromonas species.

We have examined the ability of marine Proteobacteria from the Pseudoalteromonas genus and Alteromonas macleodii to produce low-molecular-weight, biologically active compounds with antimicrobial and surface-active properties. A new marine bacterium, Pseudoalteromonas issachenkonii, exhibited a high level of biological activity and produced antifungal and hemolytic compounds. A detailed spectroscopic investigation based on UV, IR, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and 2D 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance revealed that the former was indole-2,3-dione (isatin).

Sulfitobacter delicatus sp. nov. and Sulfitobacter dubius sp. nov., respectively from a starfish (Stellaster equestris) and sea grass (Zostera marina).

On the basis of data from phenotypic and genotypic characterization and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, two novel species belonging to the genus Sulfitobacter are described. Strains KMM 3584(T), a pale-yellowish, non-motile strain isolated from a starfish (Stellaster equestris), and KMM 3554(T), which is motile by means of a single subpolar flagellum and was isolated from sea grass (Zostera marina), are marine, Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped organisms. Both strains have the ability to degrade gelatin, but not casein, chitin, agar, DNA, Tween 80 or starch.

Marinobacter excellens sp. nov., isolated from sediments of the Sea of Japan.

Five strains of halophilic, Gram-negative marine bacteria (KMM 3809(T), KMM 3814, KMM 3815, KMM 3817 and KMM 3818) were isolated from sediments collected from Chazhma Bay, Sea of Japan. Phylogenetic 16S rRNA gene sequence-based analysis placed these bacteria in a clade within the genus Marinobacter in the gamma-Proteobacteria. KMM 3809(T) showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 97.

Occurrence and diversity of mesophilic Shewanella strains isolated from the North-West Pacific Ocean.

Although bacteria of the genus Shewanella belong to one of the readily cultivable groups of "Gammaproteobacteria", little is known about the occurrence and abundance of these microorganisms in the marine ecosystem. Studies revealed that of 654 isolates obtained from marine invertebrates (ophiuroid Amphiopholis kochii, sipuncula Phascolosoma japonicum, and holothurian Apostichopus japonicus, Cucumaria japonica), seawater and sediments of the North-West Pacific Ocean (i.e.

Shewanella fidelis sp. nov., isolated from sediments and sea water.

Two marine bacterial strains, KMM 3582T and KMM 3589, isolated respectively from sediments of the South China Sea and sea water of the Sea of Japan, have been characterized. Comparative 16S rDNA sequence-based phylogenetic analysis placed the two strains in a separate branch of the gamma-Proteobacteria within the members of the genus Shewanella. KMM 3582T showed the highest similarity (97.

Pseudomonas extremorientalis sp. nov., isolated from a drinking water reservoir.

On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, a novel species belonging to the genus Pseudomonas sensu stricto was identified. The saprophytic, fluorescent bacterium, designated KMM 3447(T), was isolated from a drinking water reservoir near Vladivostok City, Russia. The novel organism was a Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium that produced a cyclic depsipeptide with surface-active properties.

Ecophysiological variabilities in ectohydrolytic enzyme activities of some Pseudoalteromonas species, P. citrea, P. issachenkonii, and P. nigrifaciens.

The ecophysiological variabilities in the ectohydrolytic enzyme profiles of the three species of Pseudoalteromonas, P. citrea, P. issachenkonii, and P.

Pseudoalteromonas translucida sp. nov. and Pseudoalteromonas paragorgicola sp. nov., and emended description of the genus.

On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and analysis of 16S rRNA sequences, two novel species belonging to the genus Pseudoalteromonas are described. A pale-orange-pigmented strain, KMM 3548T, isolated from a sponge and a non-pigmented strain, KMM 520T, isolated from sea water are marine, gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped organisms. One of the strains, KMM 520T, had bipolar flagella.

Tolerance to cadmium of free-living and associated with marine animals and eelgrass marine gamma-proteobacteria.

The tolerance to Cd2+ and possible mechanisms of Cd2+ detoxification by 178 free-living bacteria isolated from sea water, associated with marine animals (a mussel Crenomytilus grayanus, a scallop Patinopecten yessoensis), and eelgrass Zostera marina collected in The Sea of Japan and The Sea of Okhotsk have been studied. The concentrations of 25 and 50 mg Cd2+/L were highly toxic and inhibited the growth from 54% to 78% of the total bacteria studied. The free-living bacteria isolated from seawater samples (up to 50%) were tolerant to high concentrations of cadmium.

Pseudoalteromonas maricaloris sp. nov., isolated from an Australian sponge, and reclassification of [Pseudoalteromonas aurantia] NCIMB 2033 as Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra sp. nov.

A marine, gram-negative, aerobic bacterium that produced cytotoxic, lemon-yellow, chromopeptide pigments that inhibited the development of sea urchin eggs has been isolated from the Australian sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata Hentschel. The cells of the organism were rod-shaped with a single polar flagellum and they required NaCl for growth (0.5-10%) with optimum growth at 1-3% NaCl.

Pseudoalteromonas ruthenica sp. nov., isolated from marine invertebrates.

On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and analysis of 165 rRNA sequences, a novel species belonging to the genus Pseudoalteromonas is described. Two pale-orange-pigmented strains, KMM 300T and KMM 290, isolated respectively from a mussel, Crenomytilus grayanus, and a scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, are marine, gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that produce a number of antimicrobial compounds. The strains are able to degrade gelatin, elastin, starch, DNA and Tween 80.

Pseudoalteromonas issachenkonii sp. nov., a bacterium that degrades the thallus of the brown alga Fucus evanescens.

Eleven non-pigmented strains of gram-negative, aerobic, marine bacteria with polar flagella were isolated from the thallus of the brown alga Fucus evanescens collected in the Kraternaya Bight of the Kurile Islands in the Pacific Ocean. These organisms were conspecific and exhibited high levels of genetic relatedness (up to 91%). The G+C contents of the DNAs of these strains were 42.