Streptomyces malaysiensis sp nov., a new streptomycete species with rugose, ornamented spores

The taxonomic position of a streptomycete strain isolated from Malaysian so il was established using a polyphasic approach. The organism, designated st rain ATB-11(T), was found to have chemical and morphological properties con sistent with its classification in the genus Streptomyces. An almost comple te 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequence determined for the test strain was compare d with those of previously studied streptomycetes by using two treeing algo rithms. The 16S rDNA sequence data not only supported classification of the strain in the genus Streptomyces but also showed that it formed a distinct phyletic line. At maturity, the aerial hyphae of strain ATB-11(T) differen tiated into tight, spiral chains of rugose, cylindrical spores. The organis m was readily distinguished from representatives of validly described Strep tomyces species with rugose spores by using a combination of phenotypic fea tures. It is proposed, therefore, that strain ATB-11(T) be classified in th e genus Streptomyces as Streptomyces malaysiensis sp. nov.