Streptomyces sp. as predators of bacteria

Background: The ecological role of actinomycetes and their secondary metabolites is not yet completely understood. Hypothesis: Actinomycetes and Streptomyces sp. in particular, are non-obligate predators of bacteria in soil. Evidence: Ability to grow on live bacterial cells as a sole source of nutrients. Prey cell lysis accompanying growth. Circumstantial evidence for the involvement of antimicrobials along with enzymes. Implications: This finding may open up a new source of novel secondary metabolites from the genus