James T. Staley – författare

Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, one of the most comprehensive and authoritative works in the field of bacterial taxonomy, has been extensively revised in the form of a five volume Second Edition. Since the first edition was published in 1984, the field has undergone explosive growth, with over 2,200 new species and 390 new genera having been described. This new edition has been completely reorganized along phylogenetic lines to reflect the current state of prokaryotic taxonomy but still maintains the familiar layout of the First Edition. In addition to the detailed treatments, provided for all of the validly named and well-known species of prokaryotes, new ecological information and more extensive introductory chapters have been added. Use of the manual is aided by a system of cross referencing between the phylogenetic groups and the phenotypic groups used in the First Edition.

Biodiversity of Microbial Life places the importance and novelty of the diversity of the microbial world in perspective with the biodiversity of plants and animals. Microbial diversity has driven the evolution of all life on Earth as well as the nutrient cycles, which are key to the operation of the biosphere. Microorganisms live in all ecosystems, even extreme environments not habitable to other organisms. Noted experts including Carl Woese, the originator of the Tree of Life, and Rita Colwell, who is now Director of the National Science Foundation, offer their unique perspectives on the extent and importance of microbial biodiversity. Special emphasis is placed on:* Evolution, speciation, and contrasts between microbial biodiversity and plant and animal biodiversity* Physiological and metabolic diversity of microorganisms* Biodiversity of microbial life in terrestrial and marine environments* Symbioses between microorganisms and plants, insects, and humans* Extreme environments populated exclusively or primarily by microorganisms including thermal vents and hot springs, polar sea ice environments, and subterranean ecosystems* Microorganisms and biotechnology Biodiversity of Microbial Life is an essential resource for all biologists interested in biodiversity.