螺原体的分类及其生物多样性研究进展

摘要：螺原体(spiroplasma)是基本形态为螺旋形，无细胞壁，具有滤过性，能独立生活的一类原核微生物，是研究生物的运动、代谢及性比生物作用机理的重要模式生物。自从1973年建立了螺原体属(Spiroplasma)以来，已从许多昆虫等节肢动物、植物中分离到大量的螺原体，根据血清学特性目前发现的螺原体被分为34个血清组(包括15个血清亚组)，并已确立了37个螺原体种。目前螺原体的分类采用的是多相分类法，主要根据形态学、生理生化、血清学以及系统发育学特性进行分析。螺原体具有丰富的生物多样性，它们与宿主的相互关系包括共生、互生和致病三种。在我国开展螺原体的资源调查和生物多样性研究将有助于充分认识和利用这类重要的生物资源。

Advances in classification and biodiversity of spiroplasmas-A review

Abstract: Spiroplasma spp. are helical, motile bacteria that lack cell wall and flagellum, and are enclosed within a single membrane with their genomes ranging from approximately 0.78-2.20 Mb in size, the smallest among known self-replicating prokaryotes. So they have been used as model organisms for studying movement, metabolisms and sex ratio. Currently, 34 serological groups are recognized; three of these groups encompass 15 subgroups of inter-related strains. To date, 37 species among all serogroups and subgroups have been given binomial names. Complete characterization of a new species involves numerous phenotypic and genotypic tests as outlined in the minimal standards document, including phylogenetic data and a reevaluated set of required phenotypic and genotypic tests. Spiroplasma spp. are most often found in association with insects and plants flowers, and the interactions of Spiroplasma/host can be classified as commensal, pathogenic or mutualistic. Investigation of spiroplasma resources in China and research on their biodiversity will undoubtedly improve our understanding of these important microbial resources.