Applied Microbial Systematics

Modern approaches to microbial classification and identification, particularly those based on nucleic acid analysis, have raised the awareness and interest of microbiologists in systematics during the past decade. The extended scope of the subject has revolutionized microbial ecology with the demonstration of uncultivable microorganisms as a major component of the biosphere and evolution, with the ribosomal RNA phylogenetic tree as the basis of current classifications. However, advances in microbial systematics have also had enormous impact on other, diverse aspects of microbiology such as animal pathogenicity, plant-microbe interactions and relationships with food. In this book, we survey and discuss in depth the contribution of modern taxonomic approaches to our understanding of the microbiology of these various systems. The book does not concentrate on methods - these have been well reported elsewhere - instead it provides a unique insight into the application and value of modern systematics in diverse branches of microbiology. It will be of value to microbiologists at both research and technical levels who need to appreciate the range of organisms with which they work and the diversity within them. It will also be of value to teachers and students of microbiology courses who want to understand how systematics can enhance microbiology beyond the routine of classification, nomenclature, and identification. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Microbial Systematics: Background and Uses....Pages 1-18 Universal Trees....Pages 19-55 Phylogenetic Relationships Among Fungi Inferred from Small Subunit Ribosomal RNA Gene Sequences....Pages 57-71 Molecular Ecology of Mycorrhizal Fungi....Pages 73-105 Systematics of Legume Nodule Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria....Pages 107-134 Recent Developments in Systematics and Their Implications for Plant Pathogenic Bacteria....Pages 135-163 Bacteria and Insects....Pages 165-202 Fungal Pathogens and Parasites of Insects....Pages 203-230 Taxonomy of Extremophiles....Pages 231-291 Acidophiles in Biomining....Pages 293-314 Microbial Communities in Oil Fields....Pages 315-332 Systematics of Sphingomonas Species that Degrade Xenobiotic Pollutants....Pages 333-365 Lactic Acid Bacteria....Pages 367-388 A Slow Ramble in the Acid-Fast Lane....Pages 389-419 Microbial Resource Centres and Ex-Situ Conservation....Pages 421-446 Systematics and Legislation....Pages 447-469 Back Matter....Pages 471-479