Flagellation as a criterion for the classification of bacteria.

INTRODUCTION.................................................................. 442 FINE STRUCTURE OF FLAGELLA.................................................. 443 Comparative Anatomy of the Flagella of Bacteria and Other Organisms ......... 443 Chemical and Physical Properties of Bacterial Flagella........................ 444 Electron Microscope and X-Ray Diffraction Studies of Bacterial Flagella....... 444 Synthesis and Organization of Flagella......................................... 446 FLAGELLATION AS A CRITERION FOR CLASSIFICATION OF HIGHER PROTISTA. 448 CRITICISMS CONCERNING THE TAXONOMIC VALUE OF BACTERIAL FLAGELLATION ... 448 Criticism of Flagella-Staining Techniques as Difficult and Time-Consuming .... 449 Criticism of Flagella-Staining Results as Variable, Unreliable, or Unrepeatable.. 449 Loss of flagellation.........:,: .............................................. 450 Constancy of the point of origin of the flagella on the organism................ 451 Flagellar shape, thickness, and length: some relevant genetic studies............ 453 Number of flagella per bacterium ........ ................................... 456 General Comments on the Taxonomic Value of Flagellation Characters ........... 457 Acetic acid bacteria......................................................... 457 Azotobacter................................................................. 458 Rhizobium ................................................................. 458 Sulfate-reducing bacteria.................................................... 458 Aeromonas ................................................................ 458 Leech (Hirudo medicinalis) pathogens ....................................... 458 Pseudomonas maltophilia.................................................. 458 Agar-digesting bacteria...................................................... 458 Yellow-pigmented bacteria................................................... 458 Vibriolike organisms........................................................ 459 FURTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE INVESTIGATIONS WITH THE USE OF MODERN TECHNIQUES ................................................................. 459 LITERATURE CITED............................................................. 460