What is the differences between k__Bacteria;_ and k__Bacteria;p__

[Clara]

Dear all,

I noticed in my OTU table, I have both these columns:

I thought they should fall into the same category: unclassified OTU? Why am I having 2 columns on this?
Anyone has an idea on this?

Thanks.

Clara

[Mehrbod_Estaki]

Hi @Clara,
With K__Bacteria;__ the classifier was not able to assign taxonomy beyond the Kingdom level whereas in K__Bacteria;p__ the classifier was able to distinguish this OTU from other Phyla in that clade but is missing annotation so just leaves it blank.

[Clara]

@Mehrbod_Estaki

missing annotation

Thanks for the reply. But what is mean by "missing annotation" over here? Should those OTUs that fall under K__Bacteria;p__ be categorized as "known" or "unknown" phylum?

[Mehrbod_Estaki]

Hi @Clara,
I just mean that the database you are using (assuming greengenes?) does not have a name for this. It may be that another database does but here it is an "unknown" phyla.