Tenacibaculum aestuarii sp nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment in Korea

A novel Tenacibaculum-like bacterial strain, SMK-4(T), was isolated from a tidal flat sediment in Korea, Strain SMK-4(T) was Gram-negative, pale yellow-pigmented and rod-shaped. It grew optimally at 30-37 degrees C and in the presence of 2-3% (w/v) NaCl. It contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C-15:0, iso-C-16:0 3-OH and C-16:1 omega 7c and/or iso-C-15:0 2-OH as the major fatty acids (> 10% of total fatty acids). The DNA G+C content was 33(.)6 mol%. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SMK-4(T) fell within the evolutionary radiation encompassed by the genus Tenacibaculum. Strain SMK-4(T) exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity levels of 95(.)2-98(.)6% with respect to the type strains of recognized Tenacibaculum species. DNA-DNA relatedness levels and differential phenotypic properties made it possible to categorize strain SMK-4(T) as a species that is separate from previously described Tenacibaculum species. On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, strain SMK-4(T) (=KCTC 12569(T) = JCM 13491(T)) should be classified as a novel Tenacibaculum species, for which the name Tenacibaculum aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed.