Streptosporangium fragile sp. nov.

A new species of Streptosporangium is described, for which we propose the name Streptosporangium fragile. This organism produces a new anthracycline antibiotic and is characterized by dark brown to black vegetative mycelium, pink aerial mycelium, brown soluble pigment, and fragile sporangial membrane. In older cultures the fragility of the sporangial membrane results in the coalescence of the sporangiospores into large irregular masses. The type strain of S. fragile is SK&F-BC2496 (= ATCC 31519).