Complex taxonomy

Coelenterates and Echinoderms. Coelenterate and echinoderm toxins range from small molecular weight amines, to sterols, to large complex carbohydrate chains, to proteins of over 100,000 daltons. Molecular size sometimes reflects taxonomy, e.g., sea anemones (Actiniaria) all possess toxic polypeptides varying in size from 3,000 to 10,000 daltons while jellyfish contain toxic proteins (ca. 100,000 daltons). Carotenoids have been isolated from Asterias species (starfish), Echinoidea (sea urchins), and Anthozoans such as Actiniaria (sea anemones) and the corals. These are sometimes complexed with sterols (J5). 

These studies have revealed a number of cardinal aspects of microbial ecology (a) the complexity of bacterial ecosystems, (b) the number of organisms of hitherto undetermined taxonomy, (c) the existence of organisms that have not been cultivated, and (d) the difficulty of assigning metabolic roles to many of the genomic sequences that have been revealed. Some examples are given to... 

Classifications of data have two purposes (Hartigan, 1983 Gordon, 1981) data simplification (also called a descriptive function) and prediction. Simplification is necessary because there is a limit to both the volume and complexity of data that the human mind can comprehend and deal with conceptually. Classification allows us to attach a label (or name) to each group of data, to summarize the data (that is, assign individual elements of data to groups and to characterize the population of the group), and to define the relationships between groups (that is, develop a taxonomy). 

Based on a correlation of anthelmintic activity and HPLC analysis of the total avermectin complex, it was estimated that the third fermentation contained a minimum of 9 pg/ml. Improvement of the medium increased the yield by the original culture (MA-4680) to 120 yg/ml. A high-producing isolate (MA-4848) obtained from this culture produced nearly 500 pg/ml of total avermectins. Thus, this culture yielded readily to medium improvement and isolate selection to produce relatively large amounts of the avermectins. Accounts of the early fermentation studies and taxonomy have been published (1-2). 

The biochemistry and taxonomy of cereals is relevant to their potential differential toxicity. The proteins in the cereal grains known as "gluten activate celiac disease. Gluten is a complex mixture of hundreds of related but distinct proteins. The grains considered capable of producing adverse effects in individuals with celiac disease include different species of wheat (e.g., durum, spelt, kamut), barley, rye, and their cross-bred hybrids (e.g., triticale, which is a cross between wheat and rye) (Ciclitira et ah, 2005 Cornell et ah, 2002 Dewar et ah, 2006 Howdle, 2006 Koning, 2008 Lester, 2008 Moron et ah, 2008 Thompson, 2000, 2001 Troncone et al., 2008a Vader et ah, 2003 Wieser and Koehler, 2008). 

As already noted, spectral similarities between the various asteroid classes and specific types of meteorites provide a way to identify possible meteorite parent bodies. The Tholen and Barucci (1989) asteroid taxonomy has been interpreted as representing the types of meteorites shown in Table 11.1. Using the Bus et al. (2002) taxonomy, the C-complex asteroids are probably hydrated carbonaceous chondrites (e.g. Cl or CM). These carbonaceous chondrite asteroids probably accreted with ices and will be considered in Chapter 12. Some S-complex asteroids are ordinary chondrite parent bodies, but this superclass is very diverse and includes many other meteorite types as well. The X-complex includes objects with spectra that resemble enstatite chondrites and aubrites, and some irons and stony irons, although other X-complex asteroids are unlike known meteorite types. A few asteroid spectra are unique and provide more definitive connections, such as between 4 Vesta and... 

Similarly, an elaborate taxonomy of fragmentation reactions has been built up for the case of electron impact excitation,166 as studied by mass spectrometry. This taxonomy is accurately enough known to permit determination of the structures of complex organic molecules.166... 

Hoshino Y, Mukai A, Yazawa K, Uno J, Ishikawa J, Ando A, Fukai T, Mikami Y (2004) Transvalencin A, a Thiazolidine Zinc Complex Antibiotic Produced by a Clinical Isolate of Nocardia transvalensis I. Taxonomy, Fermentation, Isolation and Biological Activities. J Antibiot 57 797... 

Theriault RJ, Karwowski JP, Jackson M, Girolami RL, Sunga GN, Vojtko CM, Coen LJ (1987) Tiacumicins, A Novel Complex of 18-Membered Macrolide Antibiotics I. Taxonomy, Fermentation and Antibacterial Activity. J Antibiot 40 567... 

Fukuda DS, Mynderse JS, Baker PJ, Berry DM, Boeck LD, Yao RC, Mertz FP, Nakatsu-kasa WM, Mabe J, Ott J, Counter FT, Ensminger PW, Allen NE, Albom Jr. WE, Hobbs Jr. JN (1990) A80915, a New Antibiotic Complex Produced by Streptomyces aculeolatus. Discovery, Taxonomy, Fermentation, Isolation, Characterization, and Antibacterial Evaluation. J Antibiot 43 623... 

Clearly, a complete classification of separations would require an accounting based on similarities and differences in many properties. In taxonomy, this would be termed a polythetic classification, as opposed to monothetic classifications based on only one property. Monothetic classifications are not necessarily erroneous—they are simply incomplete. In a complex field such as separations, many monothetic classifications exist, each one different, each with an element of validity, but each incomplete. 

There are many tools available to fingerprint complex mixtures and define a unique signature for each component—including but not limited to infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), NMR and MS—often in conjunction with non-spec -troscopic parameters and properties such as source organism taxonomy, chromatographic retention time and biological activity profiles. 

In addition, the analysis of the fatty acids in a complex lipid may provide a view of the nutritional and metabolic history of the microorganism (see also Section 16.1). Also, problems in bacterial taxonomy were solved based on fatty acid distribution, which was used as a fingerprint for different bacteria. 

The masses of laminated chert characteristic of all Precambrian BIF s occur in a wide variety of external forms comprising just about every form type described for modem and ancient stromatolites. Hofmann (1969) devised a complex form taxonomy of stromatolites from the Gunflint Formation of the Lake Superior region, and has tied this classification into those of Logan et al. (1964), Rezak (1957), and Soviet geologists (e.g. Korolyuk, 1960 Krylov, 1963 Komar, 1966) which are based mainly on carbonate stromatolites. 

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