Biodiversity : are microbial species threatened ? Commentary

Introduction A well known microbiologist and I were talking recently about microbial diversity. He asked me, “Microbiologists are not concerned about endangered species, are we?” His attitude reflects the view of many microbiologists. Whereas botanists and zoologists, as well as the public at large, know that many plant and animal species are threatened with extinction, the question as it pertains to microorganisms is not so readily answered. In this article I will attempt to explain the current views of microbiologists on this subject, which touches on a number of areas that are poorly understood and in need of further research.