On the classification and nomenclature of the family Enterobacteriaceae

Abstract

While the genera and subgenera of the family Enterobacteriaceae are defined by biochemical (mostly fermentative) methods, the species of all established genera are diagnosed primarily by serological methods. In contrast to this, genera and species in orthodox classification are defined only by biochemical methods. To reach an agreement, it is proposed to designate the "species" of the orthodox classification as subgenera and to define the species according to the modern classification as groups of related serofermentative phage types.