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Notes on the characterization of prokaryote strains for taxonomic purposes

¹ DSMZ;
² IMEDEA;
³ Institut für Bakteriologie, Mykologie & Hygiene;
⁴ Technical University Munich;
⁵ Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen

⁶ E-mail: bti{at}dsmz.de

Taxonomy relies on three key elements; characterisation, classification and nomenclature. All three elements are dynamic fields, but each step depends on the one which proceeds 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 characterisation. While nomenclature is governed by the Bacteriological Code, the classification and characterisation of prokaryotes is an area which is not formally regulated and where 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 prokaryotes are characterised, with a view to providing an overview of some of the pitfalls commonly encountered in taxonomic papers.