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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1965 January; 13(1): 43-61
Copyright © 1965 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Color and Streptomycetes¹

Report of an International Workshop on Determination of Color of Streptomycetes

Northern Regional Research Laboratory, Northern Utilization Research and Development Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois

ABSTRACT

A report summarizing the results of an international workshop on determination of color of streptomycetes is presented. The results suggest that the color systems which seem most practically appealing and effective to specialists on actinomycetes are those embracing a limited number of color names and groups. The broad groupings allow placement of isolates into reasonably well-defined categories based on color of aerial mycelium. Attempts to expand such systems (more color groups) lead to difficulties. It is common knowledge that many, if not all, of the individual groups would in these broad systems contain strains that differ in many other respects, e.g., spore-wall ornamentation, color of vegetative (substratal) mycelium, morphology of chains of spores, and numerous physiological criteria. Also, cultures of intermediate color can be found, which makes placement difficult. As it now stands, color as a criterion for characterization of streptomycetes and streptoverticillia is in questionable status. Although much useful color information can be obtained by an individual, the application of this information to that in the literature or its use in communication with other individuals leaves much to be desired. More objective methods of color determination are needed. At present, the most effective method that could be used internationally is the color-wheel system of Tresner and Backus. Furthermore, the significance of color in speciation of these organisms is an open question. Obviously, more critical work on the color problem is needed.

¹ This workshop was organized and conducted by the International Subcommittee on Taxonomy of Actinomycetes of the International Committee on Bacteriological Nomenclature, I.A.M.S. The members of the subcommittee were: E. Baldacci, R. Ciferri, L. Ettlinger, N. A. Krasil'nikov, E. Küster, Y. Okami, T. G. Pridham, A. Sánchez-Marroquín, S. A. Waksman, and D. Gottlieb (Chairman). L. Ettlinger and R. Ciferri since have resigned and in their place G. A. DeVries, R. Hütter, and J. M. Slack have been named to the subcommittee.