sp. nov., a slow-growing scotochromogenic species isolated from sputum.

A slow-growing, scotochromogenic mycobacterial strain (24) was isolated from the sputum of a Chinese male human. Phylogenetic analysis using the 16S rRNA gene assigned strain 24 to the complex, which includes and . The phenotypic characteristics, unique mycolic acid profile and the results of phylogenetic analysis based on and sequences strongly supported the taxonomic status of strain 24 as a representative of a species distinct from the other members of the complex. The genomic G+C content of strain 24 was 65.40mol%. Genomic comparisons showed that strain 24 and ATCC 14470 had an average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of 81.00 % and a DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) value of 22.80 %, while the ANI and DDH values between strain 24and 49 061 were 80.98 and 22.80 %, respectively. In terms of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain 24 is distinguishable from its closest phylogenetic relatives and represents a novel species of the genus , therefore the name sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 24 (=CMCC 93559=DSM 105979).