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The taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of members of the order Actinomycetaleshave been examined. On the basis of cellular and colony morphology, cell wall composition, fermentation products, and certainphysiological characteristics, the taxa within the family Actinomycetaceae were divided into two groups. Each group was closely related to members of the family Lactobacillaceae. One group consisted of Actinomyces israelii, A. naeslundii, A. propionicus, Nocardia dentocariosus and Odontomyces viscosis (“hamster organism”). The second group consisted of A. bovis, A. eriksonii, and Lactobacillus bifidus type II (L. parabifidus). This latter organism was renamed Actinomyces parabifidus nov. comb. because its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics related it to the members of both groups of the genus Actino myces. The families Streptomycetaceae and Mycobacteriaceae appeared more closely related to the family Corynebacte riaceae than to the family Actinomycetaceae. The use of certain criteria for classification and determination of phylogenetic relationships was discussed. We have stressed those areas in which necessary information is lacking.
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