[Taxonomic subdivision of salmonellae]

Elaboration of an objective approach to the classification of salmonellae by the biochemical characteristics is of great theoretical and practical interest. The authors carried out a taxonomic analysis of 966 salmonellae and 241 arizonae by 26 biochemical signs. Similarity between all the couples was estimated on the computer M-220; group analysis was carried out by 3 methods with the successive reduction of the group level by 2%. The grouping results are presented on a dendrogram. Analysis of the dendrogram demonstrated that 4 taxons were distinctly traced at the level of 94%, which were united with one another at the level of 93%. The whole group formed at the level of S = 76%, which served as the genus level of the salmonella union. Arizona group was connected with the bond between the II and IV subgenera. A method of numerical taxonomy provied arizona and salmonella to be undoubtfully affiliated, this permitting to regard arizona as the subgenus II of the Salmonella genus.