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Infectious Diseases: Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology

Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Second Edition 

Quick Guide

Bergey's Manuals are part of the library's reference collection; they can be used only inside the library during open hours and cannot be checked out. You may also request that scans be emailed to you using the Reserve Textbook Scanning Program.

How to Use Bergey's

Bergey’s is useful for researching bacteria, and gathering information on how to isolate and grow specific bacteria in any environment.  If you are researching a fungi or virus, it is not covered in Bergey’s.

Step 1.  Locate the full taxonomy classification of your organism

To locate the taxonomic classification of your organism you can look it up on the Integrated Taxonomic Information System website.

Step 2. Use the taxonomy classification

The volumes are organized by Phylum, so knowing the Phylum will help you to locate the correct volume.

  1. Vol. 1.The Archaea and the Deeply Branching and Phototrophic Bacteria
  2. Vol. 2.The Proteobacteria
  3. Vol. 3.The Firmicutes 
  4. Vol. 4.The Bacteroidetes, Spirochaetes, Tenericutes (Mollicutes), Acidobacteria, Fibrobacteres, Fusobacteria, Dictyoglomi, Gemmatimonadetes, Lentisphaerae, Verrucomicrobia, Chlamydiae, and Plancto
  5. Vol. 5. (Part A & B)The Actinobacteria

Once you select the correct volume, use the Table of Contents to locate the specific genus. Start by locating the Class, then Order, then Family.

Step 3. Locate and collect the taxonomic comments from the Family

This will explain why the family has been classified within the taxonomy.

Step 4.  Locate the section on your genus.

  • Locate and collect the taxonomic comments on the genus.
  • To learn about the phenotypic characteristics, locate and collect the descriptive information, if available.
  • To learn about the microbial physiology, locate and collect the:
    • nutrition and growth conditions; and
    • metabolism and genetics.
  • To learn about the environment reservoir, locate and collect the ecology.
  • Locate the Characteristics Table
    • Identify those characteristics that are stated in the lab manual from your class (pages 401-405).