Description of Verrucosispora qiuiae sp. nov., isolated from mangrove swamp sediment, and emended description of the genus Verrucosispora.

A Micromonospora-like strain, RtIII47(T), was isolated from a mangrove swamp in Sanya, Hainan Province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the strain had a close association with the genus Verrucosispora and shared the highest sequence similarity with Verrucosispora lutea YIM 013(T) (98.0%). The strain also showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Micromonospora olivasterospora DSM 43868(T) (97.9%), Plantactinospora mayteni YIM 61359(T) (97.9%), Salinispora tropica CNB-440(T) (97.8%), Micromonospora peucetia DSM 43363(T) (97.7%), Micromonospora auratinigra TT1-11(T) (97.7%), Verrucosispora sediminis CGMCC 4.3550(T) (97.6%) and Salinispora arenicola CNH-643(T) (97.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the gyrB gene sequence supported the conclusion that strain RtIII47(T) should be assigned to the genus Verrucosispora. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain RtIII47(T) and the most closely related type strain, V. lutea YIM 013(T), was less than 40%. Chemotaxonomic results confirmed the taxonomic position of the isolate in the genus Verrucosispora, and revealed differences at the species level in polar lipids, whole-cell sugars and DNA G+C content. A combination of physiological and biochemical tests also distinguished this strain from other Verrucosispora species. Based on genotypic and phenotypic observations, strain RtIII47(T) (=CGMCC 4.5826(T) =NBRC 106684(T)) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Verrucosispora qiuiae sp. nov. An emended description of the genus Verrucosispora is also provided.