‘What’s in a name? Fit-for-purpose bacterial nomenclature’: meeting report

Patrick, S, Filkins, L, Goker, M, Holden, N, Hoskisson, PA, Kiepas, A, Meehan, C ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0724-8343, Pallen, M, Pritchard, L, Suchanek, AL, Sutcliffe, I, Trujillo, ME, Tucker, N, Turnbull, JD and Butler-Wu, S, 2025. ‘What’s in a name? Fit-for-purpose bacterial nomenclature’: meeting report. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 75 (7): 6844. ISSN 1466-5026

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Abstract

Rapid and economical DNA sequencing has resulted in a revolution in phylogenomics. The impact of changes in nomenclature can be perceived as an absolute necessity of scientific rigour, coupled with the slight inconvenience of needing to re-learn names. In relation to practical aspects of microbiology, for example, infectious disease diagnosis, there may, however, be potential dangers. Historically, prokaryote classification has been based on multiple metabolic, physiological, biochemical and descriptive characteristics combined with the environmental source. Whole-genome sequence data have transformed our ability to determine evolutionary relationships. In addition, metagenomic and metataxonomic sequencing have resulted in the discovery of novel microbes, many of which are yet to be cultured. As a result, occasional name changes and additional prokaryote discoveries have accelerated at an unprecedented pace. Herein is a report of a Microbiology Society supported meeting of representatives of the communities of specialist taxonomists, phylogeneticists and applied microbiologists. Discussion included: recent advances in phylogenomics and the potential impact of nomenclature change on practical microbiology, e.g. plant pathology, food security, industrial microbiology, clinical microbiology and infectious diseases; the need, or lack thereof, for wider consideration and consultation prior to nomenclature change proposals which impact on practical microbiology; the application of the intricate and highly necessary rules of prokaryote nomenclature, which sometimes appear unfathomable to the non-specialist; and genome-based phylogenomics and the relationship with the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes. The meeting resulted in the formation of the Ad Hoc Committee for Mitigating Changes in Prokaryotic Nomenclature under the auspices of the International Committee on Systematics for Prokaryotes.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology
Creators:	Patrick, S., Filkins, L., Goker, M., Holden, N., Hoskisson, P.A., Kiepas, A., Meehan, C., Pallen, M., Pritchard, L., Suchanek, A.L., Sutcliffe, I., Trujillo, M.E., Tucker, N., Turnbull, J.D. and Butler-Wu, S.
Publisher:	Microbiology Society
Date:	22 July 2025
Volume:	75
Number:	7
ISSN:	1466-5026
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1099/ijsem.0.006844 DOI 2487806 Other
Rights:	© 2025 The Authors. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. This article was made open access via a Publish and Read agreement between the Microbiology Society and the corresponding author’s institution.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Jeremy Silvester
Date Added:	22 Aug 2025 08:27
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2025 08:27
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/54243

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