Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology: Volume 2 : The Proteobacteria / Edition 2

by George M. Garrity

Overview

Volume 2 "The Proteobacteria." (2004) Don J. Brenner, Noel R. Krieg, James T. Staley (Volume Editors), and George M. Garrity (Editor-in-Chief) with contributions from 339 colleagues. The volume provides descriptions of more than 2000 species in 538 genera that are assigned to the phylum Proteobacteria. This volume is subdivided into three parts. Part A, The Introductory Essays (332 pgs, 76 figures, 37 tables); Part B, The Gammaproteobacteria (1203 pages, 222 figures, and 300 tables); and Part C The Alpha-, Beta-, Delta-, and Epsilonproteobacteria (1256 pages, 512 figures, and 371 tables).

The volume on the Proteobacteria culminates a four year effort by Bergey's Manual Trust and more than 150 internationally recognized authorities to provide a comprehensive view of the Proteobacteria, the largest prokaryotic phylum. At present, there are roughly 6250 named species of Bacteria, and the Proteobacteria represent the single largest phylum. It encompasses 72 families and includes descriptions of 425 genera and over 1875 named species. The Proteobacteria also represent the most metabolically and ecologically diverse group of bacteria and contains many of the clinically relevant species that are of significance in human, animal and plant health. As a result, this volume caters to the broadest audience, and the set is an essential reference for the microbiologist. The volume is subdivided into three sub-volumes: Introductory chapters (Part A), The Gammaproteobacteria (Part B), and the Alpha-, Beta-, Delta-, and Epsilonproteobacteria. (Part C). Most importantly, medically important species appear in both the B and C sub-volumes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387950402
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	08/25/2005
Series:	Bergey's Manual/ Systemic Bacteriology (2nd Edition)
Edition description:	2nd ed. 2005
Pages:	2816
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.28(d)

Table of Contents

Entitled 'The Proteobacteria.' 1356 species in 332 genera. This is the largest volume in scope. Introductory material will be limited to that which is specific to the cultivation and characterization of taxa included in the volume. A brief description of any changes to the 'road-map to the taxa' will be included, if required. Contents will be updated as we approach publication.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Rebecca T. Horvat, PhD, D (ABMM)(University of Kansas Medical Center)
Description: This is a classic reference book that provides up-to-date information in a systematic fashion. The editors state that this edition, like the previous editions, represents a "progress report" instead of a "final classification" since newer technology is continuing to enhance our understanding of the relationships between living organisms.
Purpose: The original purpose of this manual was to provide the most up-to-date information on the classification of bacteria. This latest volume has carried on this purpose. The first volume was published over five years ago and much has changed in the understanding of bacterial relationships. This volume has been eagerly awaited by microbiologists is all fields. The preface notes that "systematic prokaryotic biology is a dynamic field..." with "rapid advances in sequencing technology..." that lead to a "major shift in how we view the relationships among Bacteria and Archaea." This accounts for the need to have an updated reference establishing the relationships of these organisms.
Audience: This book is an essential tool for practicing microbiologists in every field. The information in the three-book volume is priceless. Each chapter is peer-reviewed and contributed by authors specifically invited by the Bergey's Manual Trust. This was a tremendous effort. For example, it was noted that there were over 300 invited authors for this volume. The authors are from around the world and each is well qualified in their field of research. This task alone would take an incredible amount of coordination.
Features: Each chapter gives the name of the genus and includes the history behind the identification of each organism. Also listed are the past names used for the same genus and the etymology of the genus name. This is followed by descriptive information on capsule, colonial morphology, pigmentation, growth conditions, physiology and metabolism, genetics, plasmids, bacteriophages, phylogenetic treatment, antigenic structure, pathogenicity, ecology. Further information is presented in each chapter on methods used for enrichment and isolation, maintenance of stock cultures, procedures for testing specific characteristics, taxonomic comments, list of the species of each genus.
Assessment: This is an essential reference for all individuals involved in teaching about and working with bacteria and is well worth the investment.

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3 Stars from Doody