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Principles of Characterization and Identification of Prokaryotes

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Book cover The Prokaryotes

Abstract

The aim of “characterization” (in the present context) is to obtain a complete collection of data describing the properties of a prokaryote pure culture—i.e., to form a “description”. The aim of “identification” is to equate the properties of a pure culture with those of a well-characterized taxon. When identification in this sense cannot be accomplished, the aim of identification must be shifted to characterization of a new taxon; i.e., into a new description.

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Trüper, H.G., Krämer, J. (1981). Principles of Characterization and Identification of Prokaryotes. In: Starr, M.P., Stolp, H., Trüper, H.G., Balows, A., Schlegel, H.G. (eds) The Prokaryotes. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-13187-9_6

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