A phylogenetic analysis of the mycoplasmas: basis for their classification

Abstract

Small-subunit rRNA sequences were determined for almost 50 species of mycoplasmas and their walled relatives, providing the basis for a phylogenetic systematic analysis of these organisms. Five groups of mycoplasmas per se were recognized (provisional names are given): the hominis group (which included species such as Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma lipophilum, Mycoplasma pulmonis, and Mycoplasma neurolyticum), the pneumoniae group (which included species such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma muris), the spiroplasma group (which included species such as Mycoplasma mycoides, Spiroplasma citri, and Spiroplasma apis), the anaeroplasma group (which encompassed the anaeroplasmas and acholeplasmas), and a group known to contain only the isolated species Asteroleplasma anaerobium. In addition to these five mycoplasma groups, a sixth group of variously named gram-positive, walled organisms (which included lactobacilli, clostridia, and other organisms) was also included in the overall phylogenetic unit. In each of these six primary groups, subgroups were readily recognized and defined. Although the phylogenetic units identified by rRNA comparisons are difficult to recognize on the basis of mutually exclusive phenotypic characters alone, phenotypic justification can be given a posteriori for a number of them.

The RecA protein as a model molecule for molecular systematic studies of bacteria: Comparison of trees of RecAs and 16S rRNAs from the same species

“…Whether these distinct groups are monophyletic has been the subject of a great deal of research and debate (e.g., (Gupta et al 1994;Van De Peer et al 1994;Weisburg et al 1989c;Woese 1987)). For example, studies of HSP70 genes (Viale et al 1994) and some studies of rRNA genes (Woese 1987) suggest the gram-positives are monophyletic while studies of EF-TUs , ATPaseβ ) and different studies of rRNA genes (Van De Peer et al 1994) suggest they are not.…”

Assessment of PCR for routine identification of species of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster in ruminants

“…The so-called Mycoplasma mycoides (M. mycoides) cluster [7] consists of very closely related mycoplasmas, belonging phylogenically to the spiroplasma group [35], and that are of great concern in ruminant production. This group comprises the following species, subspecies and types: M. mycoides subsp.…”

A Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Discriminating Erysipelothrix Rhusiopathiae from Erysipelothrix Tonsillarum

“…7,16 Tryptic soy broth a supplemented with 0.3% Tris-hydroxymethyl aminomethane, b 0.1% Tween 80, b and 5 mg/ml of crystal violet b was used for routine culture of E. rhusiopathiae. Bacteria were incubated at 37uC for 24-48 hours.…”