BACTERIAL

CLASSIFICATION
DR. M. ASHRAF, Ph.D.
(MICROBIOLOGY & MOLECULAR
GENETICS)
NIAB, PIEAS, PAEC, FAISALABAD
 Taxonomy of Bacteria and Archaea
Modern taxonomy comprises the following features:

Nomenclature:
Giving names of appropriate taxonomic rank to the
classified organisms
Classification:
The theory and process of ordering the organisms, on the
basis of shared properties, into groups
Identification:
Obtaining data on the properties of the organism
(characterization) and determination which species it belongs to.
This is based on direct comparison to known taxonomic groups

Dr. M. Ashraf, PS, NIAB, PIEAS, PAEC 2

 Classification of Bacteria and Archaea
Prokaryotes classified
using artificial or natural (phylogenetic) systems
Historically on the basis of :
Phenotype (morphology, staining reactions, biochemistry,
substrates/products, antigens etc)
Phenotypic characterization
Based on the information carried in the products of the genes
Classification systems -artificial
Modern characterization based on
The information carried in the genes i.e. the genome
Genetic information
-Tell something about evolution of the organism i.e.,

Phylogenetics

Dr. M. Ashraf, PS, NIAB, PIEAS, PAEC 3

 BACTERIAL
CHARACTERIZATION
COLONY MORPHOLOGY
Shape, Size, Appearance, Color, Texture, Growth pattern, etc.
CELL MORPHOLOGY
Cell shape, Size, Staining reaction, Endospores, Capsule
formation, Oil granules, etc.
PHYSIOLOGICAL/BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Enzymes reactions, biochemical properties fairly reliable &
stable
Number of tests for presence of specific enzymes, nutritional
and metabolic requirements
Fermentation of sugars, capacity to digest proteins &
polysaccharides
Production of gas, presence of catalase, oxidase,
decarboxylase, NR enzymes
Sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Types special structural substances chemical composition cell
wall peptides, membranes lipids, etc.

Dr. M. Ashraf, PS, NIAB, PIEAS, PAEC 4

 BACTERIAL
CHARACTERIZATION
SEROLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Antigen, Antibody reactions
Laboratory kits available for identification
PHYLOGENETIC POR MOLECULAR ANALYSIS
G + C COMPOSITION
Over all %age of G+C/A+T
Stable trait does not change rapidly
Significant difference in G+C/A+T Distinct bacteria
e.g., E. coli vs. Pseudomonas sp.
Gram reaction, Cell Morphology, Shape Similar
G+C 48-52% vs 58-70% -Different
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
DNA /RNA probes with specific sequence
-use to identify/establish phylogenetic relationship
NUCLEIC ACID SEQUENCE AND rRNA ANALYSIS
rRNA sequences remain more or less stable
16S rRNA signature use to separate the groups
Identification at the species level
Dr. M. Ashraf, PS, NIAB, PIEAS, PAEC 5
 Bergeys Manual of Systematic Bacteriology
9th Edition, Willims & Wilkins Co. USA
Division I. Gracilicutes: Gram-negative Bacteria
Class 1. Scotobacteria, Gram-negative non-photosynthetic bacteria
Class 2. Anoxyphotobacteria, Gram-negative Photosynthetic
bacteria that do not produce oxygen (purple & green
bacteria)
Class 3. Oxyphotobacteria, Gram-negative photosynthetic bacteria
that evolve oxygen (Cyanobacteria)

Division II. Firmicutes : Gram-positive bacteria

Class1. Firmibacteria, Gram-positive rods or cocci
Class 2. Thallobacteria, Gram-positive branching cells (the Actino
mycetes)

Division III. Tenericutes

Class1. Mollicutes, Bacteria lacking a cell wall (the Mycoplasma)

Division IV. Mendosicutes

Class1. Archaebacteria, bacteria with atypical compounds in the
cell wall and membranes

Dr. M. Ashraf, PS, NIAB, PIEAS, PAEC 6

 PROTEOBACTERIA
Classification based on rRNA sequences
Named for Greek god Proteus
All G-ve with cell membrane mostly composed
of lipopolysaccharides
Alpha () proteobacteria
Beta () proteobacteria
Gamma () proteobacteria
Delta () proteobacteria
Epsilon () proteobacteria

Dr. M. Ashraf, PS, NIAB, PIEAS, PAEC 7