Hosted By The Molecular
Plant
Pathology Laboratory (MPPL)
PHYTOPLASMA TAXONOMY:
Phytoplasmas are included, along with other cell wall-less prokaryotes (bacteria), in class Mollicutes. This class contains several formally established genera, as well as the provisional category of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma'.
The diverse bacteria included in Mollicutes have sometimes been collectively referred to as mycoplasmas, although now when using trivial terms, the tendency is to refer to each genus level specifically. For example, members of genus Mycoplasma are referred to as mycoplasmas; members of genus Ureaplasma are referred to as ureaplasmas, members of genus Spiroplasma are referred to as spiroplasmas, and so on.
For 16Sr group and subgroup classification of phytoplasmas, click here.
For current 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' species, click here.
Taxonomy of class Mollicutes, and the taxonomic position of phytoplasmas ('Candidatus Phytoplasma' species) is currently as follows:
Division (Phylum) Tenericut4es
Class Mollicutes
Order Acholeplasmatales
Family Acholeplasmataceae
Genus Acholeplasma
Genus 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' (Insect-transmitted plant pathogens)*
Order Anaeroplasmatales
Family Anaeroplasmataceae
Genus Anaeroplasma
Genus Asteroleplasma
Order Entomoplasmatales
Family Entomoplasmataceae
Genus Entomoplasma
Genus Mesoplasma
Family Spiroplasmataceae
Genus Spiroplasma (Arthropod parasites plus some plant pathogens)*
Order Haloplasmatales
Family Haloplasmataceae
Genus Haloplasma
Order Mycoplasmatales
Family Mycoplasmataceae
Genus 'Candidatus Hepatoplasma'
Genus Mycoplasma
Genus Ureaplasma
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*All known 'Candidatus Phytoplasma' species are plant pathogens. Three plant pathogenic Spiroplasma species are known; the remaining Spiroplasma species are parasites of arthropods including insects, shrimp, and crab.
