• Journal of Species Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2021

To study the biodiversity of bacterial species, here we report indigenous prokaryotic species of Korea. A total of 23 bacterial strains affiliated to the class Alphaproteobacteria were isolated from various environmental sources including seaweeds, seawater, fresh water, wetland/marsh, tidal sediment, plant roots, sewage and soil. Considering higher than 98.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities and formation of a well-defined phylogenetic clade with named species, it was confirmed that each strain belonged to the predefined bacterial species of the class Alphaproteobacteria. There is no official report of these 23 species in Korea; 20 species of 16 genera (Mameliella, Yangia, Paracoccus, Ruegeria, Loktanella, Phaeobacter, Dinoroseobacter, Tropicimonas, Lutimaribacter, Litoreibacter, Sulfitobacter, Roseivivax, Labrenzia, Hyphomonas, Maricaulis, Thalassospira) in the order Rhodobacterales and 3 species of a single genus (Brevundimonas) in the order Caulobacterales. Gram-staining, cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation sources, optimum temperature, growth media, and strain IDs are detailed in the species description as well as Table 1.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.spc2
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• pp.23-32
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• 2023

During screening for indigenous prokaryotic species in Republic of Korea in 2021, a total of 21 bacterial strains assigned to the phylum Bacteroidota were isolated from a variety of environmental habitats including pine cone, seaweed, soil, sea sediment, brackish water and moss. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity value of more than 98.7% and formation of a robust phylogenetic clade with the type strain of the closest bacterial species, it was found that the 21 strains belong to independent and recognized bacterial species. There has been no official report that the identified 21 species have been isolated in Republic of Korea up to date. Therefore, 16 species in six genera of two families in the order Flavobacteriales, two species in two genera of two families in the order Cytophagales, one species in one genus of one family in the order Chitinophagales and two species in one genus of one family in the order Sphingobacteriales are proposed as unrecorded species of the phylum Bacteroidota isolated in Republic of Korea. Their Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic phenotypic characteristics, isolation source, taxonomic status, strain ID and other information are described in the species descriptions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.509-516
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• 2020

To perceive fluctuations in light quality, quantity, and timing, higher plants have evolved diverse photoreceptors including UVR8 (a UV-B photoreceptor), cryptochromes, phototropins, and phytochromes (Phys). In contrast to plants, prokaryotic oxygen-evolving photosynthetic organisms, cyanobacteria, rely mostly on bilin-based photoreceptors, namely, cyanobacterial phytochromes (Cphs) and cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs), which exhibit structural and functional differences compared with plant Phys. CBCRs comprise varying numbers of light sensing domains with diverse color-tuning mechanisms and signal transmission pathways, allowing cyanobacteria to respond to UV-A, visible, and far-red lights. Recent genomic surveys of filamentous cyanobacteria revealed novel CBCRs with broader chromophore-binding specificity and photocycle protochromicity. Furthermore, a novel Cph lineage has been identified that absorbs blue-violet/yellow-orange light. In this minireview, we briefly discuss the diversity in color sensing and signal transmission mechanisms of Cphs and CBCRs, along with their potential utility in the field of optogenetics.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2017

In order to investigate the indigenous prokaryotic species diversity of the Nakdong River system in Korea, fresh water samples from Hapcheonho Lake and Jinyangho Lake were analyzed for bacterial taxonomic diversity. The isolated bacterial strains were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, and those exhibiting at least 98.7% sequence similarity with known bacterial species, but never reported in Korea, were selected as unrecorded species. Eleven unrecorded bacterial species were discovered in this study. The isolates were identified as Aquabacterium citratiphilum, Clostridium ghonii, Curvibacter delicates, Deinococcus depolymerans, Eubacterium moniliforme, Flavobacterium nitrogenifigens, Kineosporia mesophila, Luteibacter jiangsuensis, Microbacterium terricola, Rhizobium larrymoorei, and Sediminicoccus rosea belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Deinococcus-Thermus. The selected isolates were further characterized for cellular and colonial morphologies, growth conditions, physiological properties, and enzymatic activities. Descriptive information of these previously unrecorded species is also provided.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.550-556
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• 2016

Groundwater heat pump (GWHP) systems must consider phenomena such as clogging to improve system efficiency and maintenance. In this study, we evaluated the prokaryotic diversity in a boring slime sample obtained at a depth of 10 m, which represented an undisturbed sample not affected by aquifer drawdown. Bacteria belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria (20.8%), Acidobacteria (18.8%), Chloroflexi (16.9%), and Firmicutes (10.2%) were found. Additionally, 144 species were identified as belonging to the genus Koribacter. Archaeal phyla were detected including Thaumarchaeota (42.8%), Crenarchaeota (36.9%), and Euryarchaeota (17.4%) and the class level comprised the miscellaneous Crenarchaeota group (MCG), Finnish forest soil type B (FFSB), and Thermoplasmata, which collectively accounted for approximately 69.4% of the detected Archaea. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were analyzed to reveal 3,565 bacterial and 836 archaeal OTUs, with abundances of 7.81 and 6.68, and richnesses of 5.96E-4 and 2.86E-3, respectively. The distribution of the groundwater microbial community in the study area showed a higher proportion of non-classified or unidentified groups compared to typical communities in surface water and air. In addition, 135 (approx. 1.9%) reads were assigned to a bacterial candidate associated with clogging.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.328-331
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• 2012

Microbial diversity in the 1500 m depth sea waters off the coast of Ulleung island of the East Sea, Korea, was investigated. Genomic DNAs were extracted directly from the marine microbes filtered through ultramembrane filters. Pyrosequencing of 16S rDNAs of these microbes resulted in 13,029 reads, of which uncultured bacteria consisted of 54.1%, alphaproteobacteria 23.4%, and gammaproteobacteria 22.3%. Other classes such as flavobacteria, actinobacteria, and epsilonproteobacteria were distributed within 0.2% of total reads. Among the cultivable bacteria, it was found that Rhodobacteraceae family of alphaproteobacteria, Alteromonadaceae, Halomonadaceae, and Piscirickettsiaceae families of gammaproteobacteria were mostly distributed in the deep-sea waters.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.spc2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2023

During an investigation into the indigenous prokaryotic species diversity in Korea, a total of five bacterial strains were isolated from various environments in Korea. The isolated bacterial strains were identified by analyzing their 16S rRNA gene sequences, and those with a minimum of 98.7% sequence similarity with known bacterial species but not reported in Korea were designated as unrecorded species. These isolates were assigned to three phyla, five orders, five families, and five different genera. The isolates were identified as Cumulibacter manganitolerans (99.1%) and Myolicibacterium tusciae (98.7%) of the class Actinomycetes; Bacillus marasmi (99.9%) of the class Bacilli; and Novosphingobium mathurense (100%) and Microvirga ossetica (98.8%) of the class Alphaproteobacteria. Gram reaction, colony and cellular morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, and phylogenetic position of theses isolates are also described.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.141-153
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• 2017

During an investigation of the biodiversity of bacterial species in Korea, we discovered many indigenous prokaryotic species. A total of 39 bacterial strains in the class Alphaproteobacteria were isolated from various environmental samples collected from marine organisms, sea water, fresh water, tap water, mud flats, activated sludge, mineral water, tidal flats, soil and decayed plants. From the high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (>98.7%) and formation of robust phylogenetic clades with the most closely related species, it was determined that each strain belonged to each independent and predefined bacterial species. There is no official report that any of these 39 Alphaproteobacteria species have been described in Korea. Specifically, 18 species in 11 genera in the order Sphingomonadales, 11 species in 10 genera in the order Rhizobiales, two species in two genera in the order Caulobacterales, six species in six genera in the order Rhodobacterales and two species in two genera in the order Rhodospirillales were found in Korea. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and strain IDs are described in the species description section.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2017

Within a comprehensive, widescale investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in Korea, 29 bacterial strains in the phylum Bacteroidetes were isolated from diverse environmental habitats that included soil, plant roots, natural caves, tidal flats, freshwater from lakes, and seawater. Based on their high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (>99.1%) and the formation of robust phylogenetic clades with the closest type species, each strain likely belonged to an independent and predefined bacterial species. There are no publications or official reports of the isolation of these 29 species in Korea. Our study provides strong evidence that seven species in three genera in the order Cytophagales, 15 species in 13 genera in the order Flavobacteriales and seven species in five genera in the order Sphingobacteriales, all within the phylum Bacteriodetes, are new reports of bacterial species in Korea. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and strain IDs are described in the species description section.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2017

During a comprehensive investigation of indigenous prokaryotic species in Korea, a total 31 bacterial strains assigned to the class Alphaproteobacteria were isolated from diverse environmental habitats including freshwater, seawater, brackish water, ginseng soil, plant roots, natural caves, and tidal flats. Based on their high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities(>99.1%) and formation of robust phylogenetic clades with the closest type species, each strain was assigned to an independent and predefined bacterial species. Because there were no published or official reports regarding the isolation of these 31 species in Korea, this study identified three species in two genera in the order Caulobacterales, 12 species in 10 genera in the order Rhodobacterales, three species in two genera in the order Rhizobiales, two species in two genera in the order Rhodospirillales and 11 species in seven genera, all in the order Sphingomonadaceae within the Alphaproteobacteria are reported as new alphaproteobacterial species in Korea. Gram reaction, colony and cell morphology, basic biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and strain IDs are described in the species description section.