Evolution and taxonomy in the genus Brucella: concepts on the origins of the contemporary species.

The flow of thought on evolution of the organisms in the genus Brucella was traced through the literature. The finding of Brucella suis type 2 in hares provided impetus for much speculation on the changeability of species characteristics. Recent reports, largely by Soviet investigators, focus on the subjects of the sweep of evolution in this genus through eons of the geologic time scale and also on the possible parentages of the recently discovered species. These papers were translated and pertinent details were discussed.