Archaeal-Eubacterial Mergers in the Origin of Eukarya: Phylogenetic Classification of Life

摘要

A symbiosis-based phylogeny leads to a consistent, useful classification system for all life. \u22Kingdoms\u22 and \u22Domains\u22 are replaced by biological names for the most inclusive taxa: Prokarya (bacteria) and Eukarya (symbiosis-derived nucleated organisms). The earliest Eukarya, anaerobic mastigotes, hypothetically originated from permanent whole-cell fusion between members of Archaea (e.g., Thermoplasma-like organisms) and of Eubacteria (e.g., Spirochaeta-like organisms). Molecular biology, life-history, and fossil record evidence support the reunification of bacteria as Prokarya while subdividing Eukarya into uniquely defined subtaxa: Protoctista, Animalia, Fungi, and Plantae.