Arcanobacterium hippocoleae sp. nov., from the vagina of a horse

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on a previously unidentified gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, diphtheroid-shaped organism isolated from a vaginal discharge of a horse. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the strain was a member of the genus Arcanobacterium, but sequence divergence values of >4% with described species of this genus (viz: Arcanobacterium haemolyticum, Arcanobacterium bernardiae, Arcanobacterium phocae, Arcanobacterium pluranimalium and Arcanobacterium pyogenes) demonstrated that the isolate represented a novel species. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from other Arcanobacterium species by biochemical tests. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Arcanobacterium hippocoleae sp. nov. The type strain of A. hippocoleae is CCUG 44697T (= CIP 106850T).

Characterization of some strains from human clinical sources which resemble “Leptotrichia sanguinegens”: description of Sneathia sanguinegens sp. nov., gen. nov.

Three strains of a gram-negative, blood or serum requiring, rod-shaped bacterium recovered from human clinical specimens were characterised by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed the unknown rod-shaped strains are members of the same species as some fastidious isolates recovered from human blood specimens and previously designated "Leptotrichia sanguinegens". Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the isolates from human sources be classified in a new genus Sneathia, as Sneathia sanguinegens gen. nov., sp. nov. The type strain of Sneathia sanguinegens is CCUG 41628T.

Facklamia miroungae sp. nov., from a juvenile southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina)

An unusual gram-positive, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, coccus-shaped organism that originated from a juvenile elephant seal was characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that the unknown coccus represents a new subline within the genus Facklamia. The unknown strain was readily distinguishable from all currently recognized species of the genus Facklamia (Facklamia hominis, Facklamia languida, Facklamia ignava, Facklamia sourekii and Facklamia tabacinasalis) by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Facklamia miroungae sp. nov. The type strain of F. miroungae is CCUG 42728T (= CIP 106764T). F. miroungae is the first member of the genus Facklamia to be isolated from an animal other than man.

Corynebacterium testudinoris sp. nov., from a tortoise, and Corynebacterium felinum sp. nov., from a Scottish wild cat

Two unknown gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria isolated from a tortoise and a Scottish wild cat were subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of straight-chain and monounsaturated fatty acids and short-chain mycolic acids in the two isolates consistent with the genus Corynebacterium. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed that the unknown isolates were members of the genus Corynebacterium, with the two organisms displaying greater than 3% sequence divergence from each other and from established species of the genus. The unknown Corynebacterium isolates were readily distinguished from each other and from all recognized species of the genus by biochemical tests. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown organisms from a tortoise and a cat be classified in the genus Corynebacterium as Corynebacterium testudinoris sp. nov. and Corynebacterium felinum sp. nov., respectively. The respective type strains of C. testudinoris and C. felinum are CCUG 41823T and CCUG 39943T.

Actinomyces suimastitidis sp. nov., isolated from pig mastitis

An unusual Actinomyces-like bacterium originating from a pig with mastitis was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic investigation. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of the organism were consistent with its preliminary assignment to the genus Actinomyces but it did not appear to correspond to any recognized species. PAGE analysis of whole-cell proteins confirmed the phenotypic distinctiveness of the bacterium and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated that it represents a hitherto unknown sub-line amongst a cluster of Actinomyces species which embraces Actinomyces canis, Actinomyces georgiae, Actinomyces hyovaginalis, Actinomyces meyeri, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Actinomyces radingae and Actinomyces turicensis. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium isolated from pig mastitis be classified as Actinomyces suimastitidis sp. nov. The type strain of Actinomyces suimastitidis is CCUG 39279T (= CIP 106779T).

Corynebacterium capitovis sp. nov., from a sheep

An unknown Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from skin scrapings from the infected head of a sheep and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of straight-chain and monounsaturated fatty acids and short-chain (C32-C36) mycolic acids consistent with the genus Corynebacterium. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed that the unknown rod was a member of the genus Corynebacterium, with the organism forming a distinct sub-line and displaying greater than 3% sequence divergence with established species. The unknown Corynebacterium isolate was readily distinguished from recognized species of the genus by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from a sheep be classified in the genus Corynebacterium, as Corynebacterium capitovis sp. nov. The type strain of Corynebacterium capitovis is CCUG 39779T (= CIP 106739T).

Streptococcus ovis sp. nov., isolated from sheep

Seven strains of an unknown Gram-positive catalase-negative chain-forming coccus-shaped organism isolated from clinical specimens from sheep were characterized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies demonstrated that the bacterium represents a new sub-line within the genus Streptococcus. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from recognized streptococcal species by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Streptococcus ovis sp. nov. The type strain of Streptococcus ovis is CCUG 39485T (= LMG 19174T).

Characterization of a Gemella-like organism isolated from an abscess of a rabbit: description of Gemella cunicula sp. nov.

An unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, ovoid-shaped bacterium isolated from the submandibular abscess of a rabbit was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated the unknown coccus represents a new subline within the genus Gemella. The unknown isolate was readily distinguished from other recognized members of the genus Gemella, namely Gemella haemolysans, Gemella bergeri, Gemella morbillorum, Gemella palaticanis and Gemella sanguinis, by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on both phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium is classified in the genus Gemella as Gemella cuniculi sp. nov. The type strain is CCUG 42726T.

Vagococcus fessus sp. nov., isolated from a seal and a harbour porpoise

A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on two strains of an unknown Gram-positive, catalase-negative, coccus-shaped bacterium isolated from a dead seal and a harbour porpoise. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that the unknown bacterium represents a new subline within the genus Vagococcus close to, but distinct from, Vagococcus fluvialis, Vagococcus lutrae and Vagococcus salmoninarum. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from the three currently recognized Vagococcus species by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as a new species, Vagococcus fessus. The type strain of Vagococcus fessus is CCUG 41755T.

The evolution of maximum body size of terrestrial mammals

The extinction of dinosaurs at the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary was the seminal event that opened the door for the subsequent diversification of terrestrial mammals. Our compilation of maximum body size at the ordinal level by sub-epoch shows a near-exponential increase after the K/Pg. On each continent, the maximum size of mammals leveled off after 40 million years ago and thereafter remained approximately constant. There was remarkable congruence in the rate, trajectory, and upper limit across continents, orders, and trophic guilds, despite differences in geological and climatic history, turnover of lineages, and ecological variation. Our analysis suggests that although the primary driver for the evolution of giant mammals was diversification to fill ecological niches, environmental temperature and land area may have ultimately constrained the maximum size achieved.

Essence and properties

The distinction between the essence of an object and its properties has been obscured in contemporary discussion of essentialism. Locke held that the properties of an object are exclusively those features that ‘flow’ from its essence. Here he follows the Aristotelian theory, leaving aside Locke’s own scepticism about the knowability of essence. I defend the need to distinguish sharply between essence and properties, arguing that essence must be given by form and that properties flow from form. I give a precise definition of what the term of art ‘flow’ amounts to, and apply the distinction to various kinds of taxonomic issues.

An objective, niche-based approach to indicator species selection

1. Species-based indices are frequently employed as surrogates for wider biodiversity health and measures of environmental condition. Species selection is crucial in determining an indicators metric value and hence the validity of the interpretation of ecosystem condition and function it provides, yet an objective process to identify appropriate indicator species is frequently lacking. 2. An effective indicator needs to (i) be representative, reflecting the status of wider biodiversity; (ii) be reactive, acting as early-warning systems for detrimental changes in environmental conditions; (iii) respond to change in a predictable way. We present an objective, niche-based approach for species' selection, founded on a coarse categorisation of species' niche space and key resource requirements, which ensures the resultant indicator has these key attributes. 3. We use UK farmland birds as a case study to demonstrate this approach, identifying an optimal indicator set containing 12 species. In contrast to the 19 species included in the farmland bird index (FBI), a key UK biodiversity indicator that contributes to one of the UK Government's headline indicators of sustainability, the niche space occupied by these species fully encompasses that occupied by the wider community of 62 species. 4. We demonstrate that the response of these 12 species to land-use change is a strong correlate to that of the wider farmland bird community. Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of the index based on their population trends closely matches the population dynamics of the wider community. However, in both analyses, the magnitude of the change in our indicator was significantly greater, allowing this indicator to act as an early-warning system. 5. Ecological indicators are embedded in environmental management, sustainable development and biodiversity conservation policy and practice where they act as metrics against which progress towards national, regional and global targets can be measured. Adopting this niche-based approach for objective selection of indicator species will facilitate the development of sensitive and representative indices for a range of taxonomic groups, habitats and spatial scales.

Occurrence of Poecilochirus austroasiaticus (Acari: Parasitidae) in forensic autopsies and its application on postmortem interval estimation

Despite the fact that mites were used at the dawn of forensic entomology to elucidate the postmortem interval, their use in current cases remains quite low for procedural reasons such as inadequate taxonomic knowledge. A special interest is focused on the phoretic stages of some mite species, because the phoront-host specificity allows us to deduce in many occasions the presence of the carrier (usually Diptera or Coleoptera) although it has not been seen in the sampling performed in situ or in the autopsy room. In this article, we describe two cases where Poecilochirus austroasiaticus Vitzthum (Acari: Parasitidae) was sampled in the autopsy room. In the first case, we could sample the host, Thanatophilus ruficornis (Küster) (Coleoptera: Silphidae), which was still carrying phoretic stages of the mite on the body. That attachment allowed, by observing starvation/feeding periods as a function of the digestive tract filling, the establishment of chronological cycles of phoretic behavior, showing maximum peaks of phoronts during arrival and departure from the corpse and the lowest values in the phase of host feeding. From the sarcosaprophagous fauna, we were able to determine in this case a minimum postmortem interval of 10 days. In the second case, we found no Silphidae at the place where the corpse was found or at the autopsy, but a postmortem interval of 13 days could be established by the high specificity of this interspecific relationship and the departure from the corpse of this family of Coleoptera.

Making robust policy decision using global biodiversity indicators

In order to influence global policy effectively, conservation scientists need to be able to provide robust predictions of the impact of alternative policies on biodiversity and measure progress towards goals using reliable indicators. We present a framework for using biodiversity indicators predictively to inform policy choices at a global level. The approach is illustrated with two case studies in which we project forwards the impacts of feasible policies on trends in biodiversity and in relevant indicators. The policies are based on targets agreed at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Nagoya in October 2010. The first case study compares protected area policies for African mammals, assessed using the Red List Index; the second example uses the Living Planet Index to assess the impact of a complete halt, versus a reduction, in bottom trawling. In the protected areas example, we find that the indicator can aid in decision-making because it is able to differentiate between the impacts of the different policies. In the bottom trawling example, the indicator exhibits some counter-intuitive behaviour, due to over-representation of some taxonomic and functional groups in the indicator, and contrasting impacts of the policies on different groups caused by trophic interactions. Our results support the need for further research on how to use predictive models and indicators to credibly track trends and inform policy. To be useful and relevant, scientists must make testable predictions about the impact of global policy on biodiversity to ensure that targets such as those set at Nagoya catalyse effective and measurable change.

Corynebacterium uterequi sp. nov., a non-lipophilic bacterium isolated from urogenital samples from horses

Three strains of a Gram-positive, catalase-positive, fermentative, non-lipophilic, previously unknown bacterium were isolated from urogenital samples taken from mares in Scotland (M401624/00/1) and Sweden (VM 2074 and VM 2298T). All were deposited with the CCUG with tentative identifications as Corynebacterium spp. The strains were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Biochemically, the strains were very similar to each other, but phylogenetically distinct from Corynebacterium species with validly published names (≤95% sequence similarity). rpoB gene sequence data confirmed the strains belonged to the same species (>99% sequence similarity) and were distinct from species with validly published names (>13% sequence divergence). On the basis of phenotypic and sequence data, the strains represent a novel species within the genus Corynebacterium, for which the name Corynebacterium uterequi is proposed. The type strain is VM 2298T (=CCUG 61235T = DSM 45634T), isolated from equine uterus.