title: Bacterial classification: an overview.
abstract: Classification of bacteria evolved from limited subjective groupings to general, more objective arrangements based on overall phenotypic similarities. However, classifications based on phenotypic characters lack stability, whereas those based on genetic relatedness tend to be stable. DNA-DNA hybridization has proven to be extremely useful in resolving taxonomic problems at the species level. Broad relationships among bacteria have been identified by comparing ribosomal RNA cistrons; however, many groups based on ribosomal RNA analysis are not easily definable in terms of phenotypic similarities. Unless resolved, these problems could lead to the establishment of two separate classification systems, one phylogenetic and the other practical.
authors: Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24060.
authors: N R
authors: NR
authors: Krieg
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010641:Phenotype; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal