Are the concepts of legitimate and illegitimate names necessary under the current International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria? A proposal to make changes to the Code

B J Tindall

doi:10.1099/ijs.0.2008/006239-0

Abstract

The International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria (the Code) has retained the concept of legitimate and illegitimate names, despite the fact that the principle underlying valid publication of a name could easily dispense with this concept. Furthermore, changes in wording to the Code are proposed that would help to clarify the issue of names that contravene the Code.

Highlights

Are the concepts of legitimate and illegitimate names necessary under the current International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria? A proposal to make changes to the Code
The International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria has retained the concept of legitimate and illegitimate names, despite the fact that the principle underlying valid publication of a name could dispense with this concept
It is clear that the wording is not always in accord with the underlying definitions, or that one may replace the concept of illegitimate names with the requirement that only names that are in accordance with the Code may be validly published

Summary

Introduction

Are the concepts of legitimate and illegitimate names necessary under the current International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria? A proposal to make changes to the Code. Creating a combination that is contrary to the Rules does not affect the status of the original genus names or the epithets, the creation of any new combinations would make those combinations illegitimate or, as proposed here, not validly published.

Results

Conclusion