Within a collection of marine strains that were shown to contain the photosynthesis reaction-centre genes pufL and pufM, a novel group of alphaproteobacteria was found and was characterized phenotypically. The 16S rRNA gene sequence data suggested that the strains belonged to the order Rhizobiales and were closest (98.5 % sequence similarity) to the recently described species Hoeflea marina. The cells contained bacteriochlorophyll a and a carotenoid, presumably spheroidenone, in small to medium amounts. Cells of the novel strains were small rods and were motile by means of single polarly inserted flagella. Good growth occurred in complex media with 0.5-7.0 % sea salts, at 25-33 degrees C (optimum, 31 degrees C) and at pH values in the range 6-9. With the exception of acetate and malate, organic carbon sources tested supported poor growth or no growth at all. Growth factors were required; these were provided by small amounts of yeast extract, but not by standard vitamin solutions. Growth occurred under aerobic to microaerobic conditions, but not under anaerobic conditions, either in the dark or light. Nitrate was not reduced. Photosynthetic pigments were formed at low to medium salt concentrations, but not at the salt concentration of sea water (3.5 %). On the basis of smaller cell size, different substrate utilization profile and photosynthetic pigment content, the novel strains can be classified as representatives of a second species of Hoeflea, for which the name Hoeflea phototrophica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Hoeflea phototrophica sp. nov. is DFL-43T (=DSM 17068T = NCIMB 14078T).