Numerical taxonomy of <i>Nocardia</i>

Abstract

One hundred and seventeen features each for 157 strains belonging to the species Nocardia asteroides, N. brasiliensis, N. caviae, N. madurae, N. pelletieri, and N. dassonvillei and Streptomyces somaliensis were studied. The data were subjected to computer analysis, which included calculating S-value matrix, link sort and clustering, feature frequency sort, and median organism calculation. Of the 157 strains studied, 96 strains formed seven distinct groups, whereas the other strains remained unclustered or presented irregular groupings. The seven groups represented N. asteroides (four groups), N. caviae, N. brasiliensis, and N. madurae. Group II of N. asteroides corresponds to N. farcinica group of Tsukamura. The results are discussed and compared with those of other workers.