A red-pigmented, Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic bacterial strain, designated No.164T
, was
isolated from sediment sample from the alkaline Lake Elmenteita located in the Kenyan Rift Valley.
Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolate represented a member of
the genus Belliella, with the highest sequence similarity (97 %) to Belliella pelovolcani DSM
46698T
. Optimal growth temperature was 30–35 6C, at pH 7.0–12.0 in the presence of 0–4 %
(w/v) NaCl. Flexirubins were absent. The respiratory menaquinone (MK-7), predominant cellular
fatty acids (iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0 and a mixture of C16 : 1v7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and
DNA G+C content (38.1 mol%) of strain No.164T were consistent with those of other members
of the genus Belliella. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, eight unspecified
lipids and one unspecified phospholipid. Several phenotypic characteristics can be used to
differentiate this isolate from those of other species of the genus Belliella. The results of
polyphasic analyses presented in this study indicated that this isolate should be classified as
representing a novel species of the genus Belliella. The name Belliella kenyensis sp. nov. is
therefore proposed; the type strain is strain No.164T (5DSM 46651T
5CECT 8551T
)