The impact of various genetic manipulations on the phenetic identification of Streptomyces species

Summary The effects of genetic manipulation on the phenetic identification of selected Streptomyces species were studied using an established probabilistic identification system. The identification of parent strains and their mutants were compared using the MATIDEN program which provides a range of identification scores and other comparative data. The majority of mutants either clearly identified with their parent strains or had the best possible identification scores to them or related species. The impact of genetic manipulations on phenetic identification were in descending order, MNNG mutation, recombinants and spontaneous mutants, UV mutation and the presence of plasmids. Phenetic characters most stable to genetic manipulation were morphological and biochemical, while those most susceptible were the utilization of carbon and nitrogen sources and melanin pigment production.