DNA-DNA Reassociation Methods Applied to Microbial Taxonomy and Their Critical Evaluation

摘要: DNA-DNA reassociation techniques are used for many purposes, but in the field of microbial systematics they most cases linked to circumscription prokaryotic species. Actually, as we will see, use whole genome hybridizations definition species has had an enormous influence since origin polythetic classification system (Rossello-Mora and Kampfer 2004). The importance morphology middle eighteenth century was substituted that biochemical properties at beginning nineteenth century; subsequently emerging “modern spectrum” emphasized genetic measurements, such experiments. However, after almost 50 years application these circumscribe species, there is increasing reluctance them because intrinsic pitfalls methods (e.g. Stackebrandt 2003; et al. 2002). Consequently, question arises is: if DNA be substituted, what take their place? my opinion, it still too soon substitute several reasons: (a) parameters been paramount actually determined size shape call ‘species’, (b) 5,000 described (Garrity 2004), based on experiments, legitimacy new should validated (c) alternatives proposed not yet standardized tested sufficiently enough offer a reliable, pragmatic easy tool.