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, 20-5(T) and 23-23(T), 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, 20-5(T)= HKI 0320(T)= DSM 16198(T) = NCIMB 13990(T)) and Agromyces neolithicus sp. nov. (type strain, 23-23(T)= HKI 0321(T)= DSM 16 197(T) =NCIMB 13989(T)).