APPENDIX 4
Characteristics and Taxonomic
Sources of Common Freshwater
Organisms
BACTERIA
The flora and fauna of fresh waters are enormously diverse, including representatives
from nearly all phyla. A detailed summary of even the major organisms and their
characteristics is beyond the scope of this book. Nonetheless, the need for a basic
taxonomic orientation is common to all biological phases of limnology.
We list common reference works to the taxonomy of North American freshwater
plants and animals. The scope and depth of these systematic treatments are highly
variable. For certain instructional purposes some of the keys may be sufficient. For
many research investigations, however, workers must consult original taxonomic
references.
Most identification of bacteria is based on physiological differentiation by growth on
substrates of media of known composition. Few bacteria are identifiable on the basis of
morphology alone.
Buchanan, R.E. and N.E. Gibbons (eds). 1974. Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology.
8th Ed. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore. 1246pp.
Holt, J.G. (ed-in-chief). 1982-1988. Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. Volume 1. 1982.
Gram-Negative Bacteria of Medical or Inudstrial Importance. Volume 2. 1986. GramPositive Bacteria of Medical or Industrial Importance. Volume 3. 1988. Other Gram-Negative
Bacteria. Cyanobacteria, Archaebacteria. Volume 4. 1988. Other Gram-Positive Bacteria.
This work, under continued development, is the recognized authority on bacterial taxonomy.
Starr, M.P., H. Stolp, H.G. Triiper, A. Balows, and H.G. Schlegel. 1981. The Prokaryotes-A
Handbook of Habitats, Isolation, and Identification of Bacteria. Springer-Verlag, New York.
2284 pp.
Van Neil, c.B. and R.Y. Stainer. 1959. Bacteria. pp. 16-46. In: W.T. Edmondson, Editor.
Freshwater Biology. 2nd Ed. Wiley, New York.
373
Characteristics and Taxonomic
Sources of Common Freshwater
Organisms
BACTERIA
The flora and fauna of fresh waters are enormously diverse, including representatives
from nearly all phyla. A detailed summary of even the major organisms and their
characteristics is beyond the scope of this book. Nonetheless, the need for a basic
taxonomic orientation is common to all biological phases of limnology.
We list common reference works to the taxonomy of North American freshwater
plants and animals. The scope and depth of these systematic treatments are highly
variable. For certain instructional purposes some of the keys may be sufficient. For
many research investigations, however, workers must consult original taxonomic
references.
Most identification of bacteria is based on physiological differentiation by growth on
substrates of media of known composition. Few bacteria are identifiable on the basis of
morphology alone.
Buchanan, R.E. and N.E. Gibbons (eds). 1974. Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology.
8th Ed. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore. 1246pp.
Holt, J.G. (ed-in-chief). 1982-1988. Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology. Volume 1. 1982.
Gram-Negative Bacteria of Medical or Inudstrial Importance. Volume 2. 1986. GramPositive Bacteria of Medical or Industrial Importance. Volume 3. 1988. Other Gram-Negative
Bacteria. Cyanobacteria, Archaebacteria. Volume 4. 1988. Other Gram-Positive Bacteria.
This work, under continued development, is the recognized authority on bacterial taxonomy.
Starr, M.P., H. Stolp, H.G. Triiper, A. Balows, and H.G. Schlegel. 1981. The Prokaryotes-A
Handbook of Habitats, Isolation, and Identification of Bacteria. Springer-Verlag, New York.
2284 pp.
Van Neil, c.B. and R.Y. Stainer. 1959. Bacteria. pp. 16-46. In: W.T. Edmondson, Editor.
Freshwater Biology. 2nd Ed. Wiley, New York.
373