Pseudoclavibacter chungangensis sp. nov., isolated from activated sludge

The taxonomic position of a Gram-positive, non-spore-forming strain, designated CAU 59^T, from activated sludge was investigated. Colony morphology, biochemical tests and chemotaxonomic investigations revealed that strain CAU 59^T possessed the characteristics of the genus Pseudoclavibacter. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed sequence divergence values between strain CAU 59^T and other described Pseudoclavibacter species of more than 3.6 %, and the strain formed a hitherto-unknown subline within the genus Pseudoclavibacter. DNA - DNA hybridization studies showed that strain CAU 59^T displayed 20.9% relatedness to its closest phylogenetic neighbour, Pseudoclavibacter helvolus DSM 20419^T. The DNA G+C content was 66.2 mol%. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data indicated that strain CAU 59^T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudoclavibacter, for which the name Pseudoclavibacter chungangensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CAU 59^T (=KCTC 22691^T =CCUG 58142^T).