Arthrobacter rhombi sp nov., isolated from Greenland halibut (Reinhardtiushippoglossoides)

Two strains of a hitherto undescribed Gram-positive coryneform bacterium is olated from Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) were character ized by phenotypic and molecular taxonomic methods. Comparative 16S rRNA ge ne sequencing studies demonstrated that the unknown strains constitute a ne w line within the genus Arthrobacter. The nearest relatives of the bacteriu m from fish were members of the Arthrobacter nicotianae/Arthrobacter sulfur eus group. The unknown bacterium was readily distinguished from these speci es by phenotypic methods. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium be classified as Arthrobacter rhomb i sp. nov. The type strain of Arthrobacter rhombi is CCUG 38813(T).