Isolation and identification of Streptomyces spp. from Venezuelan soils: morphological and biochemical studies. I.

The genus Streptomyces is represented in nature by the largest number of species and varieties among the family Actinomycetaceae. They differ greatly in their morphology, physiology, and biochemical activities, producing the majority of known antibiotics. The morphological and biochemical characteristics of 71 Streptomyces spp. isolated from soil samples collected at different places of Venezuela, are presented. A comparative analysis using the statistical software Minitab shows that 67 of these isolates are presumably new strains, since they possess a very low percentage of similarity with other reported species. Only four isolates shared 100% identity with one, two or three reported Streptomyces spp.