Oh you know my daddy..lets see about that.

CLASSIFICATION

Taxonomic classification of Xanthomonis campestris

DOMAIN:    Bacteria                                             
KINGDOM:  Bacteria
PHYLUM:   Proteobacteria                       
CLASS:       Gamma Proteobacteria
ORDER:      Xanthomonadales
FAMILY:     Xanthomonadacae
GENUS:      Xanthomonas
SPECIES:    Xanthomonas campestris


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Classification standards for Xanthomonas campestris:

Bacteria (Domain):    Organisms within this group are identified as prokaryotes, lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.  Organisms' cell walls contain peptidoglycan.

(Brevibacterium linen is another organism that is categorized in the bacteria domain.)

Bacteria (Kingdom):    Additional to the previous taxonomic information given in the bacteria domain section, all organisms found in the bacteria kingdom are unicellular and consist of mainly "free-living" bacteria.

(Deinococcus radiodurans, known as the world's toughest bacteria is even in this kingdom.)

Proteobacteria:    When organisms are classified in this class they are to have a gram-negative bacteria.  It is common for proteobacteria to pathogenic as well.

(Neisseria Meningitidis, the bacteria to cause for bacterial meningitis can be found here as well.)

Gamma proteobacteria: Within this large subgroup lies the Gram-negative bacteria that are capable of undergoing fermentation and live under aerobic conditions.

(Legionella pneumophila, is another pathogenic bacterium in this group that is known as the cause of Legionnaire's Disease.)

Xanthomonadales:    Within this order there are no formation of endospores.  Organisms are classified as obligate aerobes.  They are more specifically identified as Gram-negative straight rods.

Xanthomonadacae:    Environmental organisms found in moist soil areas.  Plant pathogenic bacterial species, and one known human pathogen is located here.

Xanthomonas:    Organisms within this genus typically are catalase positive; oxidase negative.  Colonies are typically yellow pigmented.  Some are motile by a single polar flagellum.  Gram-negative single rods, mostly single or in pairs.  Do not have resting stages within life cycle.

Xanthomonas campestris:      A Gram-negative rod shaped plant pathogenic bacteria.  Targets specifically plants within the crucifer family.  Its associated disease is commonly known as the black rot, which is an systemic disease which eventually leads to necrosis.  The protective coating of the bacterium is also used to produce the food additive xanthan gum.

The true meaning behind Xanthomonas campestris needs to be determined by putting together all the individual meanings of the roots of the name:
-     adj. Xanthus = yellow
-     n. monas = unit, monad
-     n. Xanthomonas = yellow monad
-     v. campestris = "growing in or associated to fields"

The more meaningful name to remember Xanthomonas campestris (Xcc) for is either is plant pathogen name, black rot or by the food additive product, xanthan gum.  These both have a logical reasoning behind their meaning.  The black rot refers to Xcc's parasitic relationship with crucifer plants.  Also xanthan gum naming scheme comes from the fermentation process of the outer coating of Xcc that produces this food additive.


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The above phylogenetic tree, located next to Xanthomonas campestris' complete taxonomic classification, goes into detail of the morphological levels that associate with Xcc.  However, that phylogenetic tree only represents to the specific phylum that Xcc is associated with, so a more detailed morphological phylogenetic tree is represented below of Xcc:

                                      



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As seen, Xanthomonas campestris has many close relatives that also participate in this destructive parasitic lifestyle.  Even though other organisms participate in this type of lifestyle, it is important to understand what Xcc has as a specific location and habitat that will benefit the pathogenic bacteria's life cycle.

                                   

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