title: Notes on the characterization of prokaryote strains for taxonomic purposes.
abstract: Taxonomy relies on three key elements: characterization, classification and nomenclature. All three elements are dynamic fields, but each step depends on the one which precedes it. Thus, the nomenclature of a group of organisms depends on the way they are classified, and the classification (among other elements) depends on the information gathered as a result of characterization. While nomenclature is governed by the Bacteriological Code, the classification and characterization of prokaryotes is an area that is not formally regulated and one in which numerous changes have taken place in the last 50 years. The purpose of the present article is to outline the key elements in the way that prokaryotes are characterized, with a view to providing an overview of some of the pitfalls commonly encountered in taxonomic papers.
authors.affiliation: DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Inhoffenstraße 7B, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Tindall
authors.affiliation: Grup de Microbiologia Marina, Departament d'Ecologia I Recursos Marins, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/Miquel Marqués 21, E-07190, Esporles, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosselló-Móra
authors.affiliation: Institut für Bakteriologie, Mykologie und Hygiene, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Busse
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität München, Am Hochanger 4, D-85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.affiliation: Institut für Angewandte Mikrobiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32 (IFZ), D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kämpfer
mesh_terms: D001482:Base Composition; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal