Archaeal-eubacterial mergers in the origin of Eukarya: phylogenetic classification of life.
Year: 1996
Type: article
Abstract: A symbiosis-based phylogeny leads to a consistent, useful classification system for all life. "Kingdoms" and "Domains" 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.
Author: L Margulis
Institution: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1993904017