Modern Bacterial Taxonomy

Preface. Introduction. Classification. Deficiencies of traditional classifications. The range of classifications. Merits of phenetic versus phylogenetic classifications. The choice between phenetic and phylogenetic classifications. References. Numerical taxonomy. Introduction. Strain selection. Test selection. Data coding. Computer analyses. Determination of taxonomic structure. Presentation and interpretation of results. Concluding remarks. References. Chemosystematics and molecular biology I: Nucleic acid analyses. Introduction. Chromosomal DNA. Analysis of RNA. References. Chemosystematics and molecular biology II: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and whole cells. Analysis of proteins. Cell envelope analyses. End-products of metabolism. Complete cells. Conclusions. References. Phylogenetics. General considerations. Data for phylogeny. Phylogenies from macromolecular sequences. Tree reconstruction. Cladistics and phenetics. Constancy of evolutionary rates. Gene transfer. Bacterial evolution. References. Nomenclature. The species concept. References. Identification and diagnosis. Sequential identification systems: dichotomous keys. Simultaneous identification: diagnostic tables. Computer-based identification systems. Serology. Commerical kits. Bacteriophage typing. Chemosystematic methods in identification. Hybridization probes. References. Interactions between taxonomy and allied disciplines. Ecology. Pathology. Genetics and molecular biology. Biotechnology. Culture collections. References. Conclusions and outlook. Glossary. Appendix A: Classification of the bacteria - the conventional approach. Appendix B: Classification of the bacteria - the phylogenetic approach. Index.