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Title: GUIDANCE FOR PLANT BACTERIOLOGISTS ON RULES FOR BACTERIAL NOMENCLATURE: HOW TO AVOID COMMON PITFALLS

Author
item Bull, Carolee
item DE BOER, S - CFIA, CANADA
item DENNY, T - UNIV. GEORGIA
item FIRRAO, G - UNIV. UDINE, ITALY
item FISCHER-LE SAUX, M - INRA, FRANCE
item SADDLER, G - SASA, UK
item SCORTICHINI, M - C.R.A., ITALY
item STEAD, D - CSL, UK
item TAKIKAWA, Y - SHIZUOKA UNIV., JAPAN
item YOUNG, J - LANDCARE RES.,NEW ZEALAND

Submitted to: Plant Pathogenic Bacteria International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/24/2006
Publication Date: 7/20/2006
Citation: Bull, C.T., De Boer, S.H., Denny, T.P., Firrao, G., Fischer-Le Saux, M., Saddler, G.S., Scortichini, M., Stead, D.E., Takikawa, Y., Young, J.M. 2006. Guidance for plant bacteriologists on rules for bacterial nomenclature: how to avoid common pitfalls. Plant Pathogenic Bacteria 11th International Conference Proceedings. Edinburgh, Scotland, July 10-14, 2006.

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: A unified approach to bacterial names insures accurate communication among scientists, regulators and the public. Rules for nomenclature ensure that changes to names of taxa follow a logical progression that maintains the integrity of the previous nomenclature while replacing it with new proposals based on additional scientific injury into relationships among organisms. To guide their work, plant bacteriologists rely on: - the rules set forth in the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, and in the International Standards for Naming Pathovars of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria - lists of validly published names and corresponding type strains available in Approved Lists of Bacterial Names (Skerman et al., 1980, and International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology), and lists of pathovar names and pathotype strains maintained by ISPP Committee on the Taxonomy of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria (accessible at http://www.isppweb.org/names_bacterial.asp). This poster attempts to clarify several key points to avoid common pitfalls. In particular, rules governing: 1) the development of new legitimate names, 2) what constitutes a validly published name, 3) designation of a type or pathotype strain, 4) requirements for description of new pathovars, 5) renaming of taxa, especially when reconciling pathovar names with taxa at higher taxonomic levels, and 6) factors to consider when choosing which validly published names to use, are considered.