青海省东部地区熊蜂物种多样性分析

采用形态学和基于线粒体16SrDNA基因的分子生物学方法,对采自青海省东部地区20个县(市)的熊蜂(Bombus spp.)进行了物种鉴定及组成分析,并探讨了物种多样性与环境因子之间的关系。结果表明,在20个采样点共采集到3 195份熊蜂标本,鉴定为23个物种,隶属10个亚属;所有熊蜂的总体Shannon-Wiener多样性指数为2.67,总体Pielou均匀度指数为0.85,具有较高的物种多样性水平;有5个物种[兰州熊蜂(B.lantschouensis)、密林熊蜂(B.patagiatus)、明亮熊蜂(B.lucorum)、火红熊蜂(B.pyrosoma)和黑尾熊蜂(B.melanurus)]具有商业开发的潜力,其数量占总标本数的17.9%;Pearson相关分析和多元线性回归分析表明,年均温是影响熊蜂物种多样性的关键因素;随着温度的降低,物种丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数都显著下降。本研究结果为了解、利用和保护青藏高原熊蜂生物多样性提供了关键基础资料。     

黑河流域张掖市城郊泛洪平原湿地植物多样性研究

根据物种多样性测度公式,按草本群落和灌木群落,分别研究黑河流域张掖市甘州区西城驿泛洪平原湿地2个群落的植物物种及其组成特征。结果表明,草本群落以芦苇为优势种,其重要值为24.16;灌木群落以小香蒲为优势种,其重要值为47.54。物种多样性分析结果表明,2个群落的物种多样性表现出较一致的趋势,多样性指数值较低,草本群落和灌木群落中的物种丰富度指数、多样性指数Simpson 指数和Shannon－Wiener 指数、均匀度指数均表现为草本群落>灌木群落,优势度指数则表现为灌木群落>草本群落;方差分析结果表明,2个群落的物种多样性指数之间差异不显著,即2个群落的结构没有发生明显变化。结果提示,该研究调查的湿地植物群落结构组成简单,物种多样性低,寡种优势现象极为严重。     

新疆富蕴地区草地生物量与物种多样性及VOR指数的关系

为了解草地生物量对物种多样性和草地生态系统健康的影响,以2020年新疆富蕴地区草地群落为研究对象,通过计算物种多样性指数Margalef丰富度指数、Simpson优势度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Alatalo均匀度指数)、VOR评价指数并结合草地生物量来探讨三者之间关系。结果表明：1)富蕴地区神钟山林区和沙库尔布拉克林区地上生物量存在显著差异(P<0.05),沙库尔布拉克林区和其他林区Margalef丰富度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数存在显著差异(P<0.05),喀依尔特林区和沙库尔布拉克林区的Simpson优势度指数和Alatalo均匀度指数存在显著差异(P<0.05)。2)各林区VOR指数评价中沙库尔布拉克林区处于不健康水平。3)富蕴地区草地物种多样性和VOR指数随着地上生物量的增加呈现出先增大后降低的趋势,表现出典型的单峰关系,主要与草地生产力、物种间共生、竞争有关。     

安徽省部分地区不同环境内粉螨多样性调查

为了解安徽省不同环境中粉螨孳生密度及其物种多样性,在安徽省15个地区的仓储、居室、工作场所3类环境中,各取20个采样点,每点采样品2份,共1 800份,每份10 g,过筛,进行粉螨的分离、鉴定与计数.从3类不同环境中共分离出粉螨31种,隶属于7科22属.多样性分析结果表明,3类不同环境粉螨平均孳生密度(D)为23.4±7.8～43.2±10.4,物种数为22～29,丰富度指数(R)为3.87～4.62,多样性指数(H')为2.84～2.99,均匀度指数(J)为0.89～0.93.因此,安徽省不同环境粉螨孳生严重,以仓储环境为主,3类不同环境粉螨的孳生密度及物种多样性存在较大差异.     

三江源地区高寒草地群落特征研究

选择三江源区针茅草原和高山嵩草草甸6处典型样地为研究对象,采用样方调查法,分析了该地区高寒草地群落特征。结果表明:1)达日县和曲麻莱县高寒草甸物种丰富度较高,分别为20种和15种;兴海县、玛多县和唐古拉山乡草地物种丰富度较低,均为8种,杂多县物种数最低,仅有5种(P0.05)。2)达日县和曲麻莱县物种多样性最高,分别为2.74和2.27;唐古拉山乡和杂多县最低,约为1.5;兴海县和玛多县针茅草原物种多样性均为1.87左右。唐古拉山乡和曲麻莱县均匀度指数稍低,分别为0.76和0.84,其余各县均匀度指数均较高。多样性指数与物种数极显著相关。3)聚类分析发现杂多县和曲麻莱县高山草甸首先被归为一类,接着将唐古拉山乡合为一类;然后依次是兴海县短花针茅草原和达日县高寒草甸,玛多县紫花针茅草原在最后被聚合为一类。     

典型草原群落及功能群物种多样性对放牧因素分解的响应

本研究采用模拟采食、践踏、粪尿返还3个实验处理,通过连续3年(2017～2019年)动态监测,分析放牧因素和年际降水量对物种多样性(物种丰富度指数、物种优势度指数、物种多样性指数)及其功能群(多年生植物、一年生植物)的影响。结果表明:群落物种多样性受年际降水量和放牧因素及其交互作用的影响,在3个放牧因素中,模拟采食对群落物种多样性的影响最大,主要通过影响群落中的一年生植物功能群,提高群落的物种丰富度与多样性指数;在模拟践踏作用下,一年生植物功能群的丰富度指数和优势度指数有所提高;物种丰富度指数年际间的稳定性趋势为整体群落多年生植物功能群一年生植物功能群,由于放牧因素影响下一年生植物的种间补偿作用,群落物种多样性在年际间趋于稳定。     

草地群落中不同植物种在物种多样性中作用大小的探究

本研究选取位于陕西省神木市境内的8个草地样地,采用“二值出现次数”野外调查法,得到样方中各植物种的出现次数数据,以此计算群落整体的物种多样性指数值,以及组成群落的各植物种不存在时的物种多样性指数值,利用这两个多样性指数值的差值,探明各植物种在群落整体物种多样性中的作用。研究结果如下：(1)8个草地样地中,对物种多样性作用最大的植物种并非该群落的第1优势种,而是优势地位处于第2～7位的植物种;(2)3个样地中第1位优势种占据了绝对优势,它们降低了群落整体的多样性;(3)物种在多样性中的作用大小整体上呈现单峰型变化趋势,即随着物种优势地位的降低,对数式增加达到最大值,然后指数或线性下降,最终趋近于0。综合显示,不同的草地群落中,在物种多样性中作用最大的不是第1优势种,占绝对优势地位的优势种降低了该群落的物种多样性。     

鄱阳湖湿地灰化苔草草甸群落特征及多样性

灰化苔草（Carex cinerascens）是鄱阳湖湿地草甸的主要建群种,对鄱阳湖生态系统功能的发挥起着重要作用。本研究于2010年采用样方法对吴城地区鄱阳湖湿地灰化苔草草甸3个样地的植被组成、盖度、高度、地上生物量及物种多样性等特征进行了调查分析。结果表明,研究区内群落组成简单,植物种类比较贫乏,主要植物种仅8种,优势种为灰化苔草。3个样地中的物种丰富度、多样性指数和优势度指数最高分别为0.88、1.35和0.65,最低分别为0.46、0.46和0.23。相关分析表明,苔草草甸群落物种多样性更多地受丰富度的影响。苔草群落盖度为63.27%~100%,高度为4.25~14.12 cm,地上生物量为1 377~3 080 kg·hm-2,均低于以往调查数据。水位的变化和放牧干扰可能是影响鄱阳湖苔草草甸群落特征的主要因素。     

贵州贵阳阿哈湖国家湿地公园鸟类群落多样性分析

湿地鸟类多样性对维持湿地生态系统的动态平衡具有重要意义。2016年9月至2017年2月,2018年4—8月,在贵州贵阳阿哈湖国家湿地公园研究了鸟类群落结构和多样性,结果如下:1)共记录鸟类17目52科161种,其中国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物有11种。2)湿地公园鸟类群落多样性指数为3. 220 8,均匀度指数为0. 696 4,优势种为黄臀鹎(Pycnonotus xanthorrhous)、麻雀(Passer montanus)和白颊噪鹛(Garrulax sannio)。3)随着季节的更替,物种丰富度逐渐下降,多度夏季最大,春季次之,秋季和冬季相继减少,物种多样性指数和物种均匀度指数均呈现先下降后上升的趋势,优势度指数与物种多样性变化趋势相反。鸟类多样性指数自然植被生境(3. 087 4)>水陆过渡区(2. 762 5)>人工生境(2. 442 5)>水域(1. 907 0),均匀度指数水陆过渡区(0. 765 0)>自然植被生境(0. 726 7)>水域(0. 687 8)>人工生境(0. 666 7),优势度指数水域(0. 204 9)>人工生境(0. 172 2)>水陆过渡区(0. 107 7)>自然植被生境(0. 078 3)。4)不同季节、不同生境鸟类群落相似性存在差异,秋季和冬季鸟类相似性较高,相似系数为0. 651 2,春季和冬季相似性较低,相似系数为0. 464 6。自然植被生境和人工生境鸟类相似性较高,相似系数为0. 550 5,水域和自然植被生境相似性较低,相似系数为0. 139 5。     

海拔梯度对贺兰山岩羊主要活动区植物群落特征的影响

研究贺兰山岩羊主要活动区植物群落组成和物种多样性在不同海拔梯度的变化规律对贺兰山岩羊的合理管护具有重要意义。本研究通过贺兰山岩羊主要活动区植被调查,对不同海拔的数据进行单因素方差分析和回归分析,阐明1100~1500 m、1500~2000 m、2000~2500 m和大于2500 m的4个海拔段岩羊主要活动区植物物种组成和物种多样性的变化,探讨植被与岩羊等草食动物的关系及海拔对植物物种多样性的影响。结果表明：贺兰山岩羊主要活动区植被共记录到30科62属87种,主要为禾本科、蔷薇科和菊科等植物;同时,不同海拔梯度上的科、属、种的数量和组成存在差异。随着海拔上升,岩羊主要活动区的草本植物的物种丰富度升高,Pielou均匀度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson优势度指数表现为先降低后升高的特征;灌木植物物种丰富度、Pielou均匀度指数呈现出沿海拔上升而降低的特征,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Simpson优势度指数呈现出先增加后降低的特征。因此,针对不同海拔植物物种多样性的不同,建议对岩羊的合理管护在不同海拔地区采取不同措施,以达到防止植被退化和促进岩羊种群健康发展的目的。     

黄土丘陵区草地群落多样性和优势种养分对氮添加的响应

为探究大气氮沉降对黄土丘陵区草地群落多样性及其优势种生长的影响,本研究以白羊草(Bothriochloa ischaemum, Bi)和达乌里胡枝子(Lespedeza davurica, Ld)为优势种的草地群落为研究对象,设置3个氮添加处理(N0,0 kg ·hm^-2·a^-1;N25,25 kg ·hm^-2·a^-1;N75,75 kg ·hm^-2·a^-1),测定并分析了白羊草和达乌里胡枝子的株高、盖度、地上生物量(Aboveground biomass,AGB),物种多样性和养分含量。结果表明：氮添加处理下,Bi和Ld群落的总AGB显著提高;Bi群落中,氮添加显著降低物种多样性指数,而显著提高白羊草的全氮含量和氮磷比;Ld群落中,氮添加显著增加物种多样性指数,而显著降低达乌里胡枝子的全氮含量和氮磷比;相关性分析表明,物种多样性与白羊草的盖度和生物量呈显著负相关关系,与达乌里胡枝子的高度、盖度和AGB呈显著正相关。综上,氮添加促进了白羊草生长但抑制达乌里胡枝子,其群落优势种的AGB对物种多样性影响更加重要。     

鸭不同肠段内菌群结构分析与拟杆菌分布研究

旨在分析健康鸭十二指肠、空肠、回肠和盲肠内容物菌群组成、多样性特征以及拟杆菌分布。本研究选择健康高邮鸭20只,公母各半,70日龄时无菌采集十二指肠、空肠、回肠和盲肠内容物,提取肠道内容物细菌基因组,利用IonS5TMXL平台进行高通量测序,分析肠道内容物菌群结构与丰度特征以及拟杆菌的分布。结果表明,十二指肠、空肠内容物菌群丰度显著高于回肠和盲肠内容物（P<0.05）,回肠内容物菌群多样性最低;十二指肠和空肠内菌群群落结构较为相似,与回肠,特别是盲肠的相似度较小。健康鸭肠内优势菌门为拟杆菌门（Bacteroidetes）、厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）、变形菌门（Proteobacteria）和梭杆菌门（Fusobacteria）,上述菌门在各肠段内容物中相对丰度不同;不同肠段内容物中定植了不同差异微生物物种,十二指肠、空肠、回肠和盲肠内容物中差异菌门分别是变形菌门、放线菌门（Actinobacteria）、厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门。鸭肠道中共分析到28种拟杆菌种,其中B.acidifaciens、B.barnesiae、B.caccae、B.caecicola、B.coprocola、B.sp和B.luti在盲肠内容物中显著聚类,且B.caecigallinarum、B.plebeius和B.barnesiae在鸭盲肠中优势定植。结果显示,鸭肠段空间显著影响了其内容物中菌群丰度与多样性,不同肠段内定植了差异的优势微生物物种,这可能与肠段小环境以及功能一致,在盲肠内容物中优势定植拟杆菌,推测可能与鸭盲肠生理生化功能相关。     

Analysis of Microbiota Structure and Bacteroides Distribution in Different Intestinal Segments in Duck

This study aimed to analyze the microbiota composition and diversity and the distribution of Bacteroides in duodenal, jejunal, ileal and caecal contents in healthy ducks. The contents of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum were collected aseptically from 20 healthy adult Gaoyou ducks (70-day-old, half male and female), and the bacterial DNA of intestinal contents were extracted. The IonS5TMXL platform was used for 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, the microbiota structure and abundance, as well as the distribution of Bacteroides were analyzed. The results showed that the microbiota abundance in duodenal and jejunal contents was significantly higher than that in ileal and caecal contents (P<0.05), the microbiota diversity in ileal contents was the lowest. The microbiota structure in duodenal and jejunal contents was similar, they were different from that in ileum, and especially cecum. The dominant phyla in the intestinal contents of healthy duck were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria. The relative abundance of these phyla were different in different intestinal segment contents. The different microbial species were colonized in different intestinal segments, and the differential phyla in duodenum, jejunum, ileum and cecum were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, respectively. There were 28 kinds of Bacteroides species in duck intestine, among them, B. acidifaciens, B. barnesiae, B. caccae, B. caecicola, B. coprocola, B. sp and B. luti were significantly clustered in the cecum, and B. caecigallinarum, B. plebeius and B. barnesiae were dominantly colonized in duck cecum. The results indicate that intestinal space significantly affects the microbiota abundance and diversity, and different intestinal segments were colonized by differential microorganism, which is consistent with the intestinal segment niche and function. In the cecum, the dominant colonization of Bacteroides may be related to its physiological and biochemical functions.     

Detection of filarial parasites in domestic cats by PCR-RFLP of ITS1

Lymphatic filariasis has been targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be eliminated by the year 2020. In addition to chemotherapy and vector control, the control of reservoir hosts is necessary for the control program to succeed. Malayan filariasis, caused by Brugia malayi, is endemic in the South of Thailand where domestic cats serve as the major reservoir host. However, in nature, domestic cats also carry B. pahangi, Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens infections and it is difficult to distinguish the different filarial species from each other just by morphology. To assess the burden of filarial parasites, we performed a study on domestic cats in an endemic area of malayan filariasis in the Prasang district, of Surat Thani, a province in Southern Thailand. Together with Giemsa staining and acid phosphatase activity studies, we performed PCR-RFLP analysis on the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA). PCR-RFLP with Ase I could clearly differentiate between B. malayi, B. pahangi, D. immitis and D. repens. Out of the 52 cats studied, filarial parasites were identified in 5 (9.5%) cats, of which 4 (7.6%) were B. pahangi and 1 (1.9%) D. immitis. This PCR-RFLP technique detected two additional cats that were not detected by microscopy. The domestic cats are not an important host of B. malayi in this region. We could develop the PCR-RFLP assay test for differentiating filarial nematodes which can be applied to survey human, animal reservoir hosts and mosquito vectors in endemic areas.     

Major outer membrane proteins of Brucella spp.: past,present and future

The major outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of Brucella spp. were initially identified in the early 1980s and characterised as potential immunogenic and protective antigens. They were classified according to their apparent molecular mass as 36–38 kDa OMPs or group 2 porin proteins and 31–34 and 25–27 kDa OMPs which belong to the group 3 proteins. The genes encoding the group 2 porin proteins were identified in the late 1980s and consist of two genes, omp2a and omp2b, which are closely linked in the Brucella genome, and which share a great degree of identity (>85%). In the 1990s, two genes were identified coding for the group 3 proteins and were named omp25 and omp31. The predicted amino acid sequences of omp25 and omp31 share 34% identity. The recent release of the genome sequence of B. melitensis 16 M has revealed the presence of five additional gene products homologous to Omp25 and Omp31. The use of recombinant protein technology and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) has shown that the major OMPs appear to be of little relevance as antigens in smooth (S) B. abortus or B. melitensis infections i.e. low or no protective activity in the mouse model of infection and low or no immunogenicity during host infection. However, group 3 proteins, in particular Omp31, appear as immunodominant antigen in the course of rough (R) B. ovis infection in rams and as important protective antigen in the B. ovis mouse model of infection. The major OMP genes display diversity and specific markers have been identified for Brucella species, biovars, and strains, including the recent marine mammal Brucella isolates for which new species names have been proposed. Recently, Omp25 has been shown to be involved in virulence of B. melitensis, B. abortus and B. ovis. Mutants lacking Omp25 are indeed attenuated in animal models of infection, and moreover provide levels of protection similar or better than currently used attenuated vaccine strain B. melitensis Rev.1. Therefore, these mutant strains appear interesting vaccine candidates for the future. The other group 3 proteins identified in the genome merit also further investigation related to the development of new vaccines.     

不同混播方式豆禾混播草地生产性能的综合评价

对红豆草、紫花苜蓿、红三叶、鸭茅、无芒雀麦和猫尾草6种豆禾牧草在混播种类为混3-1(鸭茅、无芒雀麦和紫花苜蓿混播)、混3-2(鸭茅、无芒雀麦和红豆草混播)、混4-1(鸭茅、无芒雀麦和紫花苜蓿、红三叶混播)、混4-2(鸭茅、无芒雀麦和紫花苜蓿、红豆草混播)、混5-1(鸭茅、无芒雀麦、猫尾草和紫花苜蓿、红三叶混播)、混5-2(鸭茅、无芒雀麦、猫尾草和紫花苜蓿、红豆草混播)和混6(6种豆禾牧草混播)与混播比例为豆禾比5∶5,4∶6和3∶7条件下建立的混播草地连续2年的生产性能进行了灰色关联度分析,并建立了包含牧草产量、牧草营养品质、种间相容性和群落稳定性在内的生产性能评价模型。结果表明,混6组合具有较高生产性能,且高于其他混播种类组合,而不同混播比例组合生产性能相差不大;根据各混播组合的生产性能,可将21个混播组合分为3类,生态稳定型(混6)种间相容性、群落稳定性及产量均较高,适宜长期持续利用;产量型(混5-2、混4-2和混3-2)产量较高,牧草品质较差,特别是叶茎比较低,适宜放养耐粗饲牲畜;营养品质型(混5-1、混4-1和混3-1)产量较低,牧草营养品质较高,特别是具较高叶茎比,适宜放养对牧草品质要求较高牲畜。     

Incidence and control of brucellosis in the Near East region

In countries of the Near East region, brucellosis was reported in almost all domestic animals, particularly cattle, sheep and goats. Brucellosis in camels has been reported in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Egypt, Libya and Somalia. It has been reported even in racing camels in the United Arab Emirates. In Egypt, brucellosis has been reported also in buffaloes, equines and swine. Brucella melitensis biovar 3 is the most commonly isolated species from animals in Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Tunisia and Turkey. B. melitensis biovar 2 was reported in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, and B. melitensis biovar 1 in Libya, Oman and Israel. B. abortus biovar 1 was reported in Egypt, biovar 2 in Iran, biovar 3 in Iran and Turkey, and biovar 6 in Sudan. The countries with the highest incidence of human brucellosis are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Jordan and Oman. Bahrain is reported to have zero incidence. Most human cases are caused by B. melitensis, particularly biovar 3. However, B. abortus has been responsible for an increasing number of cases in recent years, e.g. in Yemen, where B. abortus was identified in 45 cases and B. melitensis in 7 cases out of 330 cultures performed in 1995. Concerning control of brucellosis in animals, there is a controversy on the choice of policy. In some countries, the test and slaughter policy together with the vaccination of young females is adopted, in others, particularly with regard to sheep and goats; mass vaccination has been recently started. The most commonly used vaccines are B. abortus S19 and B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccines. B. abortus RB51 vaccine is used in some countries on small scale. Vaccination is limited to cattle and small ruminants.     

青海三江源鞘翅目、弹尾目土壤动物群落多样性分析

土壤动物作为生态系统的一个重要组成部分,其在土壤有机质分解、养分循环、改善土壤结构、影响土壤健康和植物演替中起着至关重要的作用。经调查,青海三江源的4种生态系统中,鞘翅目、弹尾目为主要的土壤动物类群。鞘翅目、弹尾目土壤动物群落结构具有明显的表聚性。4种生态系统中鞘翅目、弹尾目土壤动物多样性依次为:湿地生态系统高原森林生态系统高寒草甸生态系统高寒荒漠生态系统。三江源4种生态系统土壤动物群落的多样性相对偏低,鞘翅目、弹尾目土壤动物群落多样性指数与植被的丰富度呈正相关关系。土壤营养物质是影响鞘翅目、弹尾目土壤动物的主要生态因子。     

臂形草14品种在滇南的适应性及其评价

2006-2007年通过对14个臂形草品种的生产性能和品质特性的研究,旨在筛选出适宜于热带、亚热带地区种植的高产、优质牧草品种,为热带水土保持和畜牧业的持续发展提供依据,结果表明,1)所引种牧草的存活率、越冬率都在97%以上,说明所引种牧草的适应性强;除MG-4珊状臂形草感染了叶锈病以外,其他牧草的抗病虫害能力强。2)种植第1年Mulato 1杂交臂形草干物质产量最高为(34.84±3.98) t/hm² ,与刚果臂形草、Mekong珊状臂形草、杂交臂形草、MG-5×Araes珊状臂形草、MG-5 Vitoria珊状臂形草、MG-4珊状臂形草、Mulato 2杂交臂形草之间差异不显著。3)相关性分析表明,丛径、叶长、叶宽、株高、叶/茎、种子产量与地上生物量呈正相关,对地上生物量的影响大小为:叶宽＞种子产量＞叶/茎＞株高＞叶长＞丛径。4)选择干草产量、粗蛋白、适口性、抗逆性作为综合评价供试品种优劣的指标,用灰色关联法评价牧草,结果表明,杂交旗草、Mulato 1杂交臂形草、Mekong珊状臂形草、Mulato 2杂交臂形草、MG-5×Araes珊状臂形草、刚果臂形草、MG-5 Vitoria珊状臂形草居前7位,它们属高产、质优、适口性好、抗性强的高产优质牧草品种。     

Brucella evolution and taxonomy

The genus Brucella contains alpha-Proteobacteria adapted to intracellular life within cells of a variety of mammals. Controversy has arisen concerning Brucella internal taxonomy, and it has been proposed that the DNA–DNA hybridization-based genomospecies concept be applied to the genus. According to this view, only one species, Brucella melitensis, should be recognized, and the classical species should be considered as biovars (B. melitensis biovar melitensis; B. melitensis biovar abortus; etc.). However, a critical reappraisal of the species concept, a review of the population structure of bacteria and the analysis of Brucella genetic diversity by methods other than DNA–DNA hybridization show that there are no scientific grounds to apply the genomospecies concept to this genus. On the other hand, an enlarged biological species concept allows the definition of Brucella species that are consistent with molecular analyses and support the taxonomical standing of most classical species. Both the host range as a long-recognized biological criterion and the presence of species-specific markers in outer membrane protein genes and in other genes show that B. melitensis, B. abortus, B. ovis, B. canis and B. neotomae are not mere pathovars (or nomenspecies) but biologically meaningful species. The status of B. suis is, however, less clear. These approaches should be useful to define species for the marine mammal Brucella isolates, as illustrated by the grouping of the isolates from pinnipeds or from cetaceans by omp2 gene analysis. It is shown that a correct Brucella species definition is important to understand the evolution of the genus.