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Species Delimitation: Ribosomal RNA Sequencing

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Prokaryotic species are delimited by comparing ribosomal RNA gene sequences rather than morphology; strains are distinguished by finer markers like serotype.

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Two isolates whose rRNA gene sequences differ substantially count as distinct species; E. coli O157:H7's serotype instead marks a strain within one species.

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Where to draw the species line is a sequence-similarity convention, not a natural boundary in the organisms.