Meiothermus taiwanensis sp nov., a novel filamentous, thermophilic species isolated in Taiwan

Two novel filamentous bacterial isolates, strains WR-30(T) and WR-220, with an optimum growth temperature of approximately 55-60 degreesC were isolated from Wu-rai hot springs in the northern part of Taiwan. These isolates were aerobic, thermophilic, non-sporulating, red-pigmented and heterotrophic and formed extremely long, filamentous trichomes from cells of different lengths. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA, DNA-DNA hybridization, morphological and biochemical features and fatty acid composition revealed that the isolates represent a novel species of the genus Meiothermus. The name Meiothermus taiwanensis sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species. The type strain of M. taiwanensis is strain WR-30(T) (= ATCC BAA-399(T) CCRC 17170(T) = DSM 14542(T)); strain WR-220 (= ATCC BAA-400 = CCRC 17171 = DSM 14543) is a reference strain.