Abstract

A Gram-reaction-positive, aerobic bacterial strain showing coccoid cells and designated as BC 501(T) was isolated from a black patina of the surface of a Carrara marble blockin the Gioia quarry in Tuscany, Italy. A polyphasic study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic status of BC 501(T) within the evolutionary radiation of the genus Modestobacter. Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics as well as phylogenetic distinctiveness confirmed that it represents a novel species of the genus Modestobacter, for which the name Modestobacteritalicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BC 501(T) (=DSM 44449(T)=CECT 9708(T)). Emended descriptions of the genus Modestobacter and the species Modestobacter marinus, Modestobacter multiseptatus, Modestobacter roseus and Modestobacter versicolor are also proposed.