How to Name New Taxa of Archaea and Bacteria

Abstract

Abstract Naming prokaryote taxa is an essential part in any description of new species, genera, families, and so on. The nomenclature of prokaryotes is governed by the General Considerations, Principles, Rules, and Recommendations of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes (the Prokaryotic Code), a document approved by the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes. The scientific names of all taxa are Latin or latinized words treated as Latin regardless of their origin. They are usually taken from Latin or Greek. Therefore, anyone who describes new species, genera, and higher taxa of prokaryotes needs to have a basic understanding of classical Latin and Greek and the ways words and word elements from those languages are used when naming new taxa, so that the names comply with the requirements of the Code and its orthography appendix (Appendix 9). This article provides an overview of how names are correctly formed based on the Rules of the Code and on current practice, and gives practical advice how to name new prokaryotes, also for those who do not possess an in‐depth knowledge of Latin and Greek.