Characterization of a novel salt-tolerantBacillussp. from the nasal cavities of desert iguanas

A Gram-positive halophile designated strain DD1 was isolated from the nasal cavities of desert iguanas (Dipsosaurus dorsalis). Strain DD1 grew well in 2.5 M KCl in 2 M NaCl, formed spherical refractile endospores within swollen terminal sporangia, had a temperature optimum of 45°C, tolerated pH conditions from 6.5 to 10, and grew both aerobically and anaerobically in media containing 1 M KNO3 or 0.1 M KNO2 as electron acceptor. Characterization of strain DD1 by standard physiological tests suggested that it may define a new species of the genus Bacillus.