Overview
Species is the basic unit and most important taxonomic rank in prokaryote classification, represented by a group of microorganisms that have a genotypic relationship and coherent phenotypic features. The concept of species in prokaryotes is quite complex, since it is based on the premises of the species adopted for higher organisms, which are differentiated by the inability of reproduction among the organisms. However, this concept cannot be applied to prokaryotes, able to exchange genetic material easily among different species. Besides, morphologically they are not so diverse, and thus the relative morphologic simplicity of most prokaryotic microorganisms implies that morphology is, in general,...
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References and Further Reading
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Ventosa, A., Sanchez-Porro, C. (2014). Species (Prokaryote). In: Amils, R., et al. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1876-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1876-3
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Chapter history
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Latest
Species (Prokaryote)- Published:
- 28 December 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1876-4
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Original
Species (Prokaryote)- Published:
- 23 April 2015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27833-4_1876-3