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The species concept and its application to tailed phages
H W Ackermann1, M S DuBow, A W Jarvis
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada.
Archives of Virology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
A new polythetic definition for classifying bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) is proposed. Combining morphology, DNA homology, and serology provides a reliable method for defining phage species.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- The classification of bacteriophages is crucial for understanding viral diversity and evolution.
- A recently proposed polythetic definition offers a framework for species delineation.
- Bacteriophages, viruses infecting bacteria, present unique challenges for classification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the applicability of a new polythetic definition for bacteriophage species.
- To identify the most reliable criteria for classifying tailed phages.
- To outline a procedure for identifying and naming novel phages.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of classification criteria including morphology, DNA homology, and serology.
- Assessment of dot-blot hybridization and seroneutralization techniques.
- Development of a combined approach using multiple criteria for species definition.
Main Results:
- Morphology, DNA homology, and serology are key criteria for bacteriophage species delineation.
- No single criterion is sufficient for accurate classification.
- Techniques like dot-blot hybridization and seroneutralization can yield misleading results.
- A combination of morphology with DNA homology or serology effectively defines species.
Conclusions:
- The proposed polythetic definition is applicable to bacteriophages.
- A combination of methods is necessary for robust phage species classification.
- A standardized procedure for identifying and naming novel phages is outlined, incorporating host names.