Unexpected genomic, biosynthetic and species diversity of Streptomyces bacteria from bats in Arizona and New Mexico, USA

Most commercially used Streptomyces-derived antibiotics today came from strains collected from soils. Bats inhabiting caves harbor a rich community of Streptomyces bacteria on their skin and fur. Some Streptomyces strains have been previously shown to inhibit the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causal agent of white-nose syndrome that has greatly devastated bat populations in North America. Our study provides an initial genome-based assessment of the diversity of bat-associated Streptomyces that will be critical to prioritizing those strains with the greatest ability to produce novel anti-fungal compounds.