CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF CAMPYLOBACTERS, HELICOBACTERS AND ALLIED TAXA BY NUMERICAL-ANALYSIS OF PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERS

The value of numerical analysis of phenotypic characters for the class ification and identification of campylobacteria was investigated. Sixt y-seven phenotypic characters were determined for 347 strains represen ting forty-three species, subspecies, biovars or unnamed groups assign ed or affiliated to the genera Campylobacter, Arcobacter, Helicobacter , and Anaerobiospirillum. The data were subjected to numerical analysi s using a computer program, MVSP. The results indicated that, (i) ther e was considerable agreement between the groupings obtained and previo usly determined genomic relationships, (ii) most strains could be iden tified accurately to the specific or subspecific level, and (iii) two novel groups could be delineated. Although highly atypical strains pro ved difficult to classify, the method has considerable potential for a ccurately differentiating members of this taxonomically complex and ec onomically important group of bacteria.