title: Stepping stones towards a new prokaryotic taxonomy.
abstract: Technological developments provide new insights into prokaryotic evolution and diversity and provoke a continuous need to update taxonomy and revise classification schemes. Our present species concept and definition are being challenged by the growing amount of whole genomic information, which should allow improvements in the natural species definition. The continuous quest for an objective and stable method for sorting strains into coherent homogeneous groups is inherent to prokaryotic systematics and nomenclature. Morphological, biochemical, physiological, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic criteria have been complemented by molecular data and pragmatic, purpose built, species definitions are being replaced by more natural ones based on evolutionary insights. It is imperative to give due consideration to both fundamental and applied aspects of future species concepts and definitions. The present paper discusses the present practice in prokaryotic taxonomy of how this system developed and how it may evolve in the future.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and BCCM/LMG Bacteria Collection, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Gent, Belgium. dirk.gevers@ugent.be
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gevers
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dawyndt
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vandamme
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vancanneyt
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swings
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Vos
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000145:classification*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification*; D002965:Classification / Q000379:methods*; D010802:Phylogeny