Zobellia galactanovorans gen. nov., sp nov., a marine species of Flavobacteriaceae isolated from a red alga, and classification of [Cytophaga] uliginosa (ZoBell and Upham 1944) Reichenbach 1989 as Zobellia uliginosa gen. nov., comb. nov.

A mesophilic, aerobic, non-flagellated, gliding bacterium, forming yellow colonies and designated Dsij(T), was isolated from a red alga on the sea-shore of Roscoff, Brittany, France. Dsij(T) was selected for its ability to actively degrade both agars and carrageenans. The Cram-negative cells occurred singly or in pairs as long rods. The temperature range for growth was 13-45 degreesC, with an optimum at 35 degreesC. The ph range for growth at 35 degreesC was from 6.0 to 8.5, with an optimum around ph 7.0. The NaCl concentrations required for growth at 35 degreesC and ph 7.0 ranged from 5 to 60 g l(-1), with an optimum around 25 g l(-1). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42-43 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain Dsij(T) is closely related to [Cytophaga] uliginosa DSM 2061(T). Phenotypic features, however, allowed Dsij(T) and [Cytophaga] uliginosa strains to be distinguished on the basis of ten traits (spreading behaviour, assimilation of eight compounds and amylase production). Their total protein profiles were also different and DNA-DNA hybridization experiments confirmed that Dsij(T) constitutes a new species, distinct from [Cytophaga] uliginosa. Based on the phenotypic features and the phylogenetic relationships of the Flavobacteriaceae, a new genus designated Zobellia gen, nov, is proposed to include Zobellia galactanovorans gen. nov., sp. nov., while [Cytophaga] uliginosa becomes Zobellia uliginosa comb, nov. The type strain of Zobellia galactanovorans is Dsij(T) (= DSM 12802(T) = CIP 106680(T)).