Phylogeny of Maricaulis Abraham et al. 1999 and proposal of Maricaulis virginensis sp. nov., M. parjimensis sp. nov., M. washingtonensis sp. nov. and M. salignorans sp. nov.

Thirteen marine bacteria isolated from different locations, belonging to the genus Maricaulis, were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, DNA-DNA hybridizations and analysis of the internally transcribed 16S-23S rDNA spacer (ITS1) region, analysis of fatty acids from total lipids, mass spectrometry of polar lipids and determination of temperature and NaCl tolerances. The data obtained led to the identification of five new sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerols, using tandem mass spectrometry, and the fragmentation patterns of the individual compounds. Four novel species were identified and described as Maricaulis virginensis sp. nov. (type strain VKM B-1 5139T)), Maricaulis parjimensis sp. nov. (type strain MCS 25(T)), Maricaulis washingtonensis sp. nov. (type strain MCS 6(T)) and Maricaulis salignorans sp. nov. (type strain MCS 18(T)). They differ in their temperature and salt tolerances and can be differentiated by their polar lipids and fatty acid patterns, as well as their ITS1 and 16S rRNA gene sequences.