TINDALLIA MAGADII GEN. NOV., SP. NOV - AN ALKALIPHILIC ANAEROBIC AMMONIFIER FROM SODA LAKE DEPOSITS

Strain Z-7934, an alkaliphilic, obligately anaerobic, fermentative, as porogenous bacterium with Gram-positive cell wall structure, was isola ted from soda deposits in Lake Magadi, Kenya. The organism ferments on ly a few amino acids, preferentially arginine and ornithine, with prod uction of acetate, propionate, and ammonia. It is a true alkaliphile, with pH range for growth ranging from 7.5 to 10.5 (optimum pH 8.5). an d growth is dependent on the presence of sodium ions. The G+C content of the genomic DNA is 37.6 mol%, 16S rDNA sequence analysis of strain Z-7934 shows that it belongs phylogenetically to cluster XI of the low G+C Gram-positive bacteria. On the basis of its distinct phylogenetic position and unique physiological properties, we propose a new genus and new species, Tindallia magadii, for this strain. The type strain i s Z-7934(T) (=DSM. 10318).