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Abstract

Twenty-four soil samples were collected from the Vestfold Hills and Mirror
Peninsula in the Antarctic. Fifty-two hyphal actinomycetes were isolated
from six of the 24 soils, using micromanipulation. Five of the six
actinomycete bearing soils were from sites associated with moss or lichen
but no other correlation between the presence of viable actinomycetes and
soils characteristics was determined.
Fatty acid and isoprenoid quinone profiles indicated that each of the 52
isolates could be accommodated within the genus Streptomyces. Phenotypic
characters, fatty acid profiles, and 16S-23Sr RNA intrageneric spacer patterns
were compared among all isolates. As a result of these comparisons the 52
isolates were placed into five groups, each group being comprised of strains
of a single species. Representative strains were chosen from each of the
five groups for further study. Partial 16S rRNA sequence comparison and
DNA:DNA hybridization studies indicated that each of the five
representative strains was a separate species. These studies also showed
that two of the representative strains were known species, Streptomyces
analatus (DSMZ strain 40361) and Streptomyces vinaceus (DSMZ strain
40257). Two other representative strains were not identified as known
species, but extensive DNA:DNA hybridization studies are needed to
determine their taxonomy accurately within the currently accepted
definition of a species. One of the representative strains was identified as a
new species. The diversity of actinomycetes in Antarctic soils is relatively low compared
to that in temperate soils. However, the distribution of Antarctic
actinomycete strains and their location near moss and lichen beds suggested
that these strains were able to survive in the Antarctic and to grow there for
at least part of the Antarctic year.
An attempt was made to differentiate between the five representative
strains using Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA).
However, the ARDRA technique was only effective if differences in 16S
rRNA sequences were known so that appropriate enzymes could be selected.
Differentiating between strains on the basis of 16S-23Sr RNA intrageneric
spacer patterns was a faster and more accurate way of grouping closely
related isolates. Antibiotic compounds were produced by two of the Antarctic strains,
indicating the potential of the Antarctic microbiota for biotechnological
exploitation.

Item Type:	Thesis - PhD
Authors/Creators:	Holloway, PE
Keywords:	Streptomyces
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 1997 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Tasmania, 1997. Includes bibliographical references
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