Authors: Johannes F Imhoff Vera Thiel
Publish Date: 2010/01/22
Volume: 104, Issue: 2-3, Pages: 123-136
Abstract
Based on phylogenetic relationships found according to gene sequences of the 16S rRNA and the FMO Fenna–Matthews–Olson protein genes and supported by the G + C content of the DNA and sequence signatures the strains and species of green sulfur bacteria have been grouped into a phylogenetic system Since properties used previously for classification such as cell morphology photosynthetic pigments and substrate utilization do not conform with their phylogeny a reassignment of strains to species and a rearrangement among the species were necessary The comparison of the traditional classification system of these bacteria with their phylogenetic relationship yielded a confusing picture As a consequence of this rearrangement species of the green sulfur bacteria were classified into the genera Chlorobium Chlorobaculum Prosthecochloris and Chloroherpeton Strains were assigned to the species according to their phylogenetic similarity and a number of new combinations and new species were defined New isolates and also environmental gene sequences fit very well into the established groups or may form new species some of which have been described and others are awaiting their description New strains and available gene sequences are included into the phylogenetic system and a taxonomic classification on the species level is proposed
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