Proposed minimal standards for description of new taxa of the class .

Halophilic archaea of the class are the most salt-requiring prokaryotes within the domain . In 1997, minimal standards for the description of new taxa in the order were proposed. From then on, the taxonomy of the class provides an excellent example of how changing concepts on prokaryote taxonomy and the development of new methods were implemented.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Novel Species of (Strain IIIV-5B), an Endophytic Archaeon Isolated from the Leaf Tissue of Avicennia germinans.

Strain IIIV-5B was isolated from the leaf tissue of the black mangrove, This microorganism belongs to the genus Here, we present the draft genome sequence of strain IIIV-5B, a novel species of this genus. The 3,869,808-bp genome has a G+C content of 63.9% and around 3,812 coding sequences.

Insights through Genetics of Halophilic Microorganisms and Their Viruses.

Halophilic microorganisms are found in all domains of life and thrive in hypersaline (high salt content) environments. These unusual microbes have been a subject of study for many years due to their interesting properties and physiology. Study of the genetics of halophilic microorganisms (from gene expression and regulation to genomics) has provided understanding into mechanisms of how life can occur at high salinity levels.

Draft Genome Sequences of 16 Halophilic Prokaryotes Isolated from Diverse Environments.

Halophile-specific enzymes have wide-ranging industrial and commercial applications. Despite their importance, there is a paucity of available halophile whole-genome sequences. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 16 diverse salt-tolerant strains of bacteria and archaea isolated from a variety of high-salt environments.

Ecology and physiology of halophilic microorganisms - Thematic issue based on papers presented at Halophiles 2019 - 12th International Conference on Halophilic Microorganisms, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 24-28 June, 2019.

In June 2019, the 12th International Conference on Halophilic Microorganisms - Halophiles 2019, was held in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. This thematic issue of FEMS Microbiology Letters contains papers based on lectures and posters presented at the conference. We here provide a short overview of past research on hypersaline environments in Romania and the microorganisms inhabiting them, and briefly present the papers published in this thematic issue.

Temporal Analysis of the Microbial Community from the Crystallizer Ponds in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, Using Metagenomics.

The Cabo Rojo solar salterns are a hypersaline environment located in a tropical climate, where conditions remain stable throughout the year. These conditions can favor the establishment of steady microbial communities. Little is known about the microbial composition that thrives in hypersaline environments in the tropics.

Draft genome of Haloarcula rubripromontorii strain SL3, a novel halophilic archaeon isolated from the solar salterns of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

The genus Haloarcula belongs to the family Halobacteriaceae which currently has 10 valid species. Here we report the draft genome sequence of strain SL3, a new species within this genus, isolated from the Solar Salterns of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Genome assembly performed using NGEN Assembler resulted in 18 contigs (N50 = 601,911 bp), the largest of which contains 1,023,775 bp.

Draft genome sequence of Halorubrum tropicale strain V5, a novel halophilic archaeon isolated from the solar salterns of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.

The genus Halorubrum is a member of the family Halobacteriaceae which currently has the highest number of described species (31) of all the haloarchaea. Here we report the draft genome sequence of strain V5, a new species within this genus that was isolated from the solar salterns of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Assembly was performed and rendered the genome into 17 contigs (N50 = 515,834 bp), the largest of which contains 1,031,026 bp.

Draft genome sequence of strain MC1A, a UV-resistant bacterium isolated from dry soil in Puerto Rico.

We report here the draft genome sequence of a novel UV-resistant bacterium isolated from dry soil on the south coast of Puerto Rico. Based on polyphasic taxonomy, strain MC1A represents a new species and the name Solirubrum puertoriconensis is proposed. Assembly was performed using NGEN Assembler into eight contigs (N50 = 1,292,788), the largest of which included 1,549,887 bp.

Isolation and molecular identification of landfill bacteria capable of growing on di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and deteriorating PVC materials.

Waste materials containing Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a suspected endocrine disruptor and reasonably anticipated human carcinogen, are typically disposed of in landfills. Despite this, very few studies had been conducted to isolate and identify DEHP-degrading bacteria in landfill leachate. Therefore, this study was conducted to isolate and characterize bacteria in landfill leachate growing on DEHP as the sole carbon source and deteriorating PVC materials.

PVC biodeterioration and DEHP leaching by DEHP-degrading bacteria.

Newly isolated, not previously reported, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-degraders were augmented to assess their role in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) shower curtain deterioration and DEHP leaching. The biofilms that developed on the surfaces of the bioaugmented shower curtains with Gram-positive strains LHM1 and LHM2 were thicker than those of the biostimulated and Gram-negative strain LHM3-augmented shower curtains. The first derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) peaks of the bioaugmented shower curtains with the Gram-positive bacteria were observed at ~287°C, whereas the control and Gram-negative strain LHM3-augmented shower curtains were detected at ~283°C.

Description of Kushneria aurantia gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Halomonadaceae, and a proposal for reclassification of Halomonas marisflavi as Kushneria marisflavi comb. nov., of Halomonas indalinina as Kushneria indalinina comb. nov. and of Halomonas avicenniae as Kushneria avicenniae comb. nov.

An aerobic, moderately halophilic, Gram-negative, motile, non-sporulating rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain A10(T), was isolated from the surface of leaves of the black mangrove Avicennia germinans and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain A10(T) was able to grow at NaCl concentrations in the range 5-17.5 % (w/v) with optimum growth at 10 % (w/v) NaCl.

Halobacillus mangrovi sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from the black mangrove Avicennia germinans.

A moderately halophilic, spore-forming, Gram-positive, short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain MS10(T), was isolated from the surface of leaves of the black mangrove Avicennia germinans and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain MS10(T) was able to grow at NaCl concentrations in the range 5-20% (w/v) with optimum growth at 10% (w/v) NaCl. Growth occurred at temperatures of 10-50 degrees C (optimal growth at 33-35 degrees C) and pH 6.

Halomonas avicenniae sp. nov., isolated from the salty leaves of the black mangrove Avicennia germinans in Puerto Rico.

A Gram-negative, short rod to oval-shaped bacterium (strain MW2a(T)) was isolated from the surface of leaves of the black mangrove Avicennia germinans and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain MW2a(T) was moderately halophilic, growing at NaCl concentrations in the range 0-25 % (w/v) with optimum growth at 5 % (w/v) NaCl. Growth occurred at 12-40 degrees C (optimum, 30-35 degrees C) and at pH 5.