Agromyces salentinus sp. nov. and Agromyces neolithicus sp. nov

A polyphasic study was carried out to clarify the taxonomic position of two Gram-positive bacteria isolated from soil samples of the Grotta dei Cervi (Italy), a relatively unexplored hypogean environment. The strains, 20-5T and 23-23T, showed phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics that were consistent with their classification in the genus Agromyces. 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that the two strains formed distinct phyletic lines within the genus Agromyces. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, chemotaxonomic data and the results of DNA-DNA relatedness studies, it is proposed that the two isolates represent two novel species of the genus Agromyces. Pronounced differences in a broad range of phenotypic characteristics and DNA G+C content distinguished the two strains from each other and from previously described species of the genus Agromyces. Two novel species are proposed: Agromyces salentinus sp. nov. (type strain, 20-5T=HKI 0320T=DSM 16198T=NCIMB 13990T) and Agromyces neolithicus sp. nov. (type strain, 23-23T=HKI 0321T=DSM 16197T =NCIMB 13989T). © 2005 IUMS.

V. J. and L. L. are grateful for fellowships from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (I3P programme) and J. M. G. is grateful for a contract from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, ‘Ramo´n y Cajal’ programme. This study was supported by project BTE2002-04492-C02-01.

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