The type strains of 451 validly described Streptomyces species were screened using the BOX-PCR fingerprint technique. Of the different primers tested, the BOX primer yielded the most robust and reproducible band patterns. The majority of the species (350) had an unique pattern each. A total number of 30 clusters were delineated comprising species with nearly identical patterns. Four of these clusters grouped synonymous Streptomyces species known from previous studies. A high correlation exists between BOX-PCR fingerprinting and DNA-DNA homology data. In the present study, the latter was confirmed for 7 additional BOX clusters and led to the following emended descriptions: S. cochleatus is a subjective synonym of S. cinereorectus, S. roseoflavus of S. fradiae, S. roseodiastaticus of S. tricolor, S. roseosporus of S. filamentosus, S. distallicus of S. colombiensis, S. arabicus of S. vinaceus and S. phaeoviridis of S. phaeopurpureus. Although not yet confirmed by DNA-DNA pairing studies, rep-PCR data suggested the presence of at least 33 additional junior synonyms.

N/A

On the basis of whole genome comparisons of Streptomyces griseorubiginosus and Streptomyces phaeopurpureus it could by shown that these two species are subjective synonyms. The names of both species have been published in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names and, in such a case, normally Rule 24b (1) of the Prokaryotic Code applies, which reads: 'If two names compete for priority and if both names date from 1 January 1980 on an Approved List, the priority shall be determined by the date of the original publication of the name before 1 January 1980'. Streptomyces griseorubiginosus and Streptomyces phaeopurpureus were both effectively published in 1957, and for both publications, the exact date cannot be obtained. In this case a further statement of Rule 24 applies, which reads: 'If the names or epithets are of the same date, the author who first unites the taxa has the right to choose one of them, and his choice must be followed.' Hence we propose that Streptomyces phaeopurpureus is a later heterotypic subjective synonym of Streptomyces griseorubiginosus.